Although there was only one buffalo pulling the cart, the value of 'Last Breath' could be immediately recognized. Although the carts I had seen in the villages I had visited were amazing, I had never once thought that it was possible to tame and raise buffalo.
The sight of the buffalo quietly listening to the people right in front of him came as a huge shock to 'Last Breath'.
"well."
The answer from the 'sharp knife' felt so long to 'Last Breath' that his mouth was dry.
"I don't think that's a matter for me to decide."
"Then who decides?"
Before 'Sharp Knife' could finish answering, 'Last Breath' asked urgently.
"Perhaps His Majesty the Emperor and the Deputies will decide?"
"That story…."
'Last Breath', who had been lost in thought with complicated eyes for a moment, asked again as if to confirm.
"I hear you're saying that if I can convince your Emperor and the delegates, we can make a deal. Am I right?"
'Sharp Knife' answered briefly with an unknown smile.
"I don't know."
"Well, it's not your decision. I understand."
Meanwhile, even the 'Giant Fist' and the Cherokee warriors were amazed at the sight of the buffalo pulling the wagon.
"Does it make sense to tame a buffalo?"
"That's right. How did you tame that wild buffalo?"
"Will the sun in the sky teach you how to do that? I don't think it would be possible for me to do that."
As the buffalo pulling the cart disappeared into the village along with the people, 'Giant Fist' and the Cherokee warriors spoke with regretful eyes.
"Can a person ride that buffalo?"
"Wouldn't that be difficult?"
"I think I would give it a try."
At that moment, the order to depart was heard from the front by the warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky'.
"Let's go."
"okay."
The Cherokee delegation, whose movements had been halted for a while by buffalo pulling wagons, began to move again toward the 'very big' city.
* * *
The capital of the 'sun in the sky', a 'very big' city. Heads of each administrative agency began arriving one after another at the newly built government office.
'Splendid Sunset', who was sitting at the head of the conference hall on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, asked 'Wind and Cloud', the head of the Ministry of Education, who was standing next to him.
"Who isn't here right now?"
'Wind and Cloud' said, quickly looking around the conference room.
"It seems like no one from the construction department came."
"The Ministry of Construction… Well, the Ministry of Construction is busy making various things."
The meeting time is exactly 10:00 am. Ten minutes had passed and not a single person from the Ministry of Construction had shown up in the conference room.
'Splendid Sunset' asked for the understanding of each administrative organization member who attended the meeting.
"We will start the meeting as soon as the construction department people arrive."
As soon as she finished speaking, the 'lazy beaver' and the construction workers came rushing into the conference room.
"sorry."
With disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, the 'lazy beaver' plopped down on a conference chair. And then the construction worker who was following behind quickly stepped back, placing the pile of papers in both hands on the 'Lazy Beaver' table.
"As you can see, I have a lot to deal with. I couldn't sleep at all last night. Please understand."
As if conscious of the other leaders' critical gazes, the 'lazy beaver' started making excuses as if he was complaining.
"Who knows there's nothing to handle?"
"Hey man! We're all busy too."
"I hope you'll be on time next time."
At that time, the 'brilliant sunset' immediately cleared up the chaotic atmosphere of the conference room.
"Okay! We have a lot of business to deal with today. All administrative departments are present, so let's get started right away."
"All right."
"Let's start the meeting right away."
For a while, we started to quickly process several agenda items centered around 'Splendid Sunset'. After a while, the heads of each administrative agency began to argue over the final agenda item: the introduction of currency to stimulate the market.
"Why don't we just use the shell beads as currency? Don't other tribes trade with shell beads? I don't think there's any need to create a new currency."
As head of the Treasury, 'Deep and Clear', who must be frugal with finances, expressed opposition to the introduction of new currency.
However, as an alternative, it was proposed to use existing seashell beads as currency. At that moment, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Wide Earth', who had been deep in thought on one side of the conference room, raised his hand to object.
"Let's use shell beads as currency? Personally, I don't think it's a bad idea. However, the problem is that shell beads can be made by other tribes, not just us. They can use the shell beads they make to buy all the things we make."
'Deep and Clear' nodded silently without saying anything, perhaps because he thought that opinion made sense. This time, the head of the Ministry of Justice, 'Cool Wind', stepped forward.
"There must be a reason His Majesty the Emperor wants to create a new means of exchange called currency. My personal guess is that His Majesty has decided that seashells have no value as currency. So I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to create our own currency on this occasion."
In addition, various opinions were exchanged between the heads of each administrative organization. And most people agreed that a new currency should be created.
'Splendid Sunset' summarized the meeting contents and asked what the new currency should be.
"Okay. Now, let's talk about what materials we can use to make currency."
The Minister of Education, Moon Rises, raised his hand as if he had been waiting for those words.
"I think it would be okay to make money out of iron. If you make money out of iron, the shape doesn't really matter, but it would be better if it was small, like a seashell, so that people could easily carry it around."
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy, the 'Singing Water', also cautiously agreed with her opinion.
"Iron, as a material of the gods, is very valuable, so it wouldn't be bad to trade goods using iron currency. However, there is a problem that iron must be supplied stably. So I would like to ask the head of the Ministry of Construction how the development of the iron mine is going."
'Lazy Bibi', who had been acting like a mouse throughout the meeting, let out a short sigh, worried that he might end up taking on more work in the form of currency.
"We have recently developed two iron ore mines, and there are about three more to be developed. And we are currently investigating to find iron ore mines."
"Mr. Construction Minister! May I understand that there is no problem with the supply of steel?"
'Lazy Beaver' slyly avoided giving a definitive answer to 'Splendid Sunset's' question.
"As both the Chief of Staff and the leaders here know, there are many things that require iron. Construction, ships, weapons, farm equipment, etc. On top of that, making money out of iron? Even if you were to make small coins like iron shells, it would probably take a lot of materials. This is my personal opinion, but I don't think all currency can be made out of iron."
"Hmm! Then should I look for other ingredients?"
"It's not easy to create currency."
The heads of each administrative agency are once again in trouble. At that time, the head of the Ministry of Education, 'Wind and Cloud', noticed the 'Lazy Beaver's' mood and suggested another alternative.
"Recently, with the help of the Ministry of Construction, we are making metal type to make books for schools. So what do you think about making money out of paper?"
"On paper?"
When 'The Vast Earth' expressed doubt, 'The Wind and Cloud' explained in more detail.
"Yes. We carve symbolic patterns on paper to be used as currency and mass-produce it with metal type. The wood used as the paper material is also easy to obtain in the surrounding area. Also, paper is a technology that only we have, so if we keep it secret and do not leak it, I don't think other tribes will dare to imitate it."
This time, 'Splendid Sunset' asked 'Lazy Beaver', who was almost crying, whether he thought it was a very good idea.
"Mr. Construction Manager! Do you think it's possible to mass-produce paper currency?"
"… Yes, it is possible."
At that moment, the eyes of 'Splendid Sunset' sparkled at the answer.
"Then how about making currency out of iron and paper? For example, units and tens out of paper, and units of hundreds out of iron? Of course, the specific units of currency will have to be discussed further later."
"That seems like a very good idea."
"It seems okay."
"I wholeheartedly agree."
Once it was decided what material the currency would be made of, the meeting proceeded quickly. After a while, 'Splendid Sunset' looked at the heads of each administrative organization and said.
"First, I will report to His Majesty the Emperor. Then, exactly three months later, when the quantity of currency has been stably secured, I will announce and issue the new currency throughout the entire region."
There was no objection to her opinion since the conclusion had already been made.
"And Mr. Director of Construction! As with everything else, I would like to ask for your cooperation on the currency issue as well."
"Lazy Vivi," whose eyes were darker than when the meeting began, answered weakly.
"Okay, I see. But it seems like only our construction department has a lot of work to do… Is it just me or something?"
"You are right, you are mistaken."
"Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also busy preparing to welcome the Cherokee delegation."
When other heads of administrative agencies complained that they were busy, the 'lazy beaver' nodded weakly as if he regretted bringing up the subject.
"Yes, yes. I understand."
* * *
The Chief of Staff's office. While looking at the report submitted to the Information Inspection Department, 'Splendid Sunset' and 'Wide Earth', the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were having a long conversation.
"I heard that the Cherokee chief is very interested in buffalo. Also, it seems that the Cherokee chief and the great warriors are not on good terms."
The report held in 'Splendid Sunset's' hand contained a brief description of the personalities and evaluations of the Cherokee delegation.
"It's very neatly organized."
"yes."
"Are the negotiation preparations going well?"
"First of all, I expect the Cherokee to negotiate for the prisoners we have. And given the greedy nature of the Cherokee chief, I'm sure he'll want to trade weapons or buffalo."
'Splendid Sunset' nodded as if agreeing with 'Wide Land's' opinion.
"I don't know if the deal will go through or not, but I have to hold on as long as I can to make a lot of profit."
"Yes. I cautiously guess that if we do it right, we might be able to trade land as well."
After that, 'Splendid Sunset' and 'Wide Land' discussed a few more things and finished preparing to welcome the Cherokee delegation.
"By the way, when is His Majesty the Emperor expected to arrive?"
"According to the Intelligence and Inspection Service, they will arrive at a similar time as the Cherokee delegation."
'Splendid Sunset' showed a look of relief at the answer of 'Wide Land'.
"That's fortunate. It was a little burdensome for us to negotiate with the Cherokee tribe among ourselves."
"Yes. I think we just need to buy some time until His Majesty the Emperor arrives."
* * *
The capital of the 'sun in the sky', a 'very big' city. A group of awestruck Cherokee visitors were just passing through the gates, looking upon the enormous walls.
And this time, I couldn't hide my surprise once again when I saw the endless expanse of farmland on both sides of the road.
"Is this all corn and beans?"
"That's ridiculous."
"I have never seen such a large farmland in my life."
Like the Cherokee people, 'Last Breath' was speechless for a while at the sight of the highly developed capital of the 'Sun in the Sky'.
'…I knew it would be like this.'
At that moment, the voices of the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors guarding the gate were heard.
"His Majesty the Emperor and his Royal Guard warriors!"
"Open the gates!"
"There's a herd of buffalo too!"
"Everyone, be careful not to get hit by the buffalo!"