TPWBI Chapter 97

Sen’s expression immediately collapsed. He turned to the interpreter: “Did I mishear, or did you translate it wrong?”

“He did not say it wrong.”

Yang Yi spoke in the Western Continent’s tongue. Making use of the translator in his mind, he had learned the language early on.

Sen was somewhat surprised that Yang Yi also spoke Western speech, and so fluently at that. But right now, that wasn’t the most important thing.

“Why? Didn’t you just say you were preparing to sell porcelain?”

As a merchant, Sen would never let go of this chance.

He could easily imagine the sensation porcelain would cause once it reached the Western Continent. Everyone would take pride in owning it.

The allure of black pottery had already proved this much. Porcelain, with its greater variety, translucence, and unique beauty, would be even more so.

If not for the opponent’s overwhelming strength—since the moment he entered Spark Tribe, he had felt the weight of its military power, and Ruer had clearly said they stood no chance of victory—he would have seized this land without hesitation.

The wealth this tribe could generate would surpass everything before!

“We are a tribe that keeps its word. Before, we signed contracts with other tribes and caravans friendly to us. Whenever we have good things, we reserve a portion for them. The yield of porcelain is very low. We don’t have much of it ourselves.”

Sen quickly spoke up: “Lord Divine Envoy, please, you must believe in our sincerity. It’s true that there were unpleasant things before, but I promise there won’t be again.”

Yang Yi only smiled, giving no reply.

Sen gritted his teeth. “If you are willing to put aside past grudges, Maple Leaf City is prepared to bring copper every time. Also, the Eastern Continent people we brought back, consider them an expression of our sincerity.”

This concession was truly enormous. Ruer stared at Sen in shock. If not for his iron will, he would have questioned it outright on the spot.

Copper and slaves were both precious wealth in the Western Continent.

This time, they had brought back no small number of slaves, yet Sen was offering them all away for nothing, and even promising a steady supply of large amounts of copper. Such terms were far too damaging to Maple Leaf City’s interests.

Sen secretly patted Ruer’s hand, warning him not to speak out of turn.

From the moment he arrived at Spark Tribe, Sen had understood what approach he ought to take.

After experiencing life here, he knew even more clearly the benefits of making friends.

To show sincerity and build a friendly relationship with Spark Tribe, this was the best option when conquest was impossible.

Yang Yi exchanged a glance with Hei Lie.

Hei Lie spoke: “We hope that this time, you have indeed come in goodwill.”

Sen immediately swore to the heavens: “I am willing to swear upon my soul to the gods.”

“For now, we will believe in your sincerity. However, you are different from the tribes or caravans that had friendly relations with us from the very start. Therefore, the prices at which we trade with you will also differ.”

Sen’s face grew rather unsightly, but he still suppressed his temper and asked:

“How do you plan to do it?”

“The price we trade with you will be twice as high as with the others,” Hei Lie said bluntly.

“Twice as high?!” Sen exclaimed. “That’s far too excessive!”

Ruer also grew furious: “You’re doing this on purpose!”

“Yes.” Hei Lie nodded without the slightest politeness, quietly releasing his aura to suppress Ruer as well.

“We do this so that everyone will understand just how generous we are toward our friends. It’s not only aimed at you. Others are treated the same. For example, the Green Python Tribe was the earliest to become friends with us, so the benefits they receive are the greatest.”

At this point, Yang Yi also spoke: “If you wish to be treated the same as other tribes and caravans, then as long as you maintain a friendly attitude toward us in the future, proving that you are truly amicable, things will change.”

Sen was not surprised or unfamiliar with the idea of differential treatment in trade.

When they conducted exchanges, prices were never fixed either. It was common to offer different prices to different people.

But for Spark Tribe to lay it all out so openly, to state everything plainly with fixed, transparent prices, this was the first time.

Sen had already heard before that trading with Spark Tribe was very easy, because they always listed prices clearly: what it was worth, that was what it cost.

With them setting such an example, the previous trade fair had proceeded more swiftly, leaving many tribes highly satisfied.

For the shrewd Western Continent caravans, however, this wasn’t such a good thing.

Before, they could exploit the ignorance of Easterners to extract more goods. Now that there were standards, it was much harder to find loopholes.

Some caravans had even tried cheating, only to be caught by Spark Tribe, which left them unwelcome afterward.

But overall, such exchanges were far cleaner and faster, with much less conflict.

In the past, trade fairs were often accompanied by much violence. Each time, many people would die and much cargo would be lost.

Some tribes or wanderers would take the chance to steal goods, causing heavy losses.

This last trade fair, however, had been extremely orderly, avoiding chaos altogether. That was a truly precious outcome.

If things continued this way, the trade fair here would attract more and more tribes, with goods becoming richer and more diverse.

So overall, for the Western Continent caravans, there were both advantages and disadvantages.

While everyone cursed Spark Tribe for being too shrewd, they could still accept this method.

This was Sen’s first direct contact with Spark Tribe. He had witnessed their difference firsthand, completely overturning his previous view of Easterners.

“But doubling it is still too much.” Sen tried to bargain.

Yang Yi smiled: “That’s why we’re willing to set aside a portion and trade with you this time, as a gesture of our sincerity.”

“Porcelain didn’t appear at the trade fair. Aside from the Green Python Tribe, it hasn’t spread yet. On the Western Continent, it will surely be fresh, unique, and precious,” Hei Lie added.

Sen knew this very well. Although doubling the price really was outrageous, bringing back the first batch would earn them extremely considerable profits.

When word spread and more and more porcelain appeared on the Western Continent, the price would definitely fall.

“Besides porcelain, there’s also your hydrosols, essential oils, soaps, and so on. They are all newly made, never before traded at the fair. I believe these things will also drive nobles mad.”

Yang Yi continued smiling as he tempted them. These items had all been developed after the trade fair.

The locals here were very optimistic. Even though they had often gone hungry before, they still had romantic hearts.

Since the first batch of flowers was planted—astonishing everyone, filling them with delight and joy—many more were planted the second time.

Aside from harvesting seeds from the first batch, Yang Yi was also very pleased to see everyone’s pursuit of beauty. Apart from setting aside a few species, he had taken out everything else.

The result was that the entire tribe became covered in flowers. Beautiful blossoms were everywhere.

The Green Python Tribe had even more. It was said they planted far greater numbers.

At first, Yang Yi had only thought that many flowers were edible, so he asked the canteen chefs to use them to make flower cakes and other delicacies.

After the trade fair, Yang Yi accidentally discovered that within his storage space, there was actually a distiller specifically for making essential oils and hydrosols!

During that huge shopping spree, he had been in such a rush that he clicked randomly on quite a lot of things, not even knowing when this thing got included.

So Yang Yi brought it out, flipped through some books, and let those who were interested study how to produce essential oils and hydrosols.

The tribe had an abundance of flowers. The Green Python Tribe’s side was overflowing, too. If essential oils and hydrosols could be made, it would open up even more uses.

With the equipment and books available, they soon managed to produce essential oils and hydrosols of very good quality.

Clever craftsmen even built their own similar distillers. Though not as good as the one from the storage space, they were still quite useful.

After winter set in, people had more free time.

Some began to focus on soap-making. The stock Yang Yi had brought earlier had long since run out.

Everyone had gotten used to cleanliness and naturally wanted to keep enjoying it. Although plants like soap pods could be used, some in the tribe were not satisfied with just that.

So, some began studying how to make proper soap.

Yang Yi strongly supported this, providing a special laboratory as well as all kinds of material guarantees.

At present, things were still at a rather primitive stage, with production fairly low.

They would need to master more advanced methods of alkali production before large-scale manufacturing became possible.

Even so, they had already managed to produce a good amount, enough to be used for trade and to start building recognition.

The full set of services given to Sen and Ruer also carried a certain element of advertising and promotion.

Sure enough, Sen’s eyes lit up. He had just been so captivated by the porcelain that he almost forgot about them.

When he had bathed earlier, he had already experienced the cleaning power of soap.

Covered in dust and grime from their long journey, in the past, it would have been impossible to wash this clean.

But after using that thing called soap just now, he was able to scrub himself clean in no time.

And the fragrance of those essential oils was even more enchanting, with the added effects of relieving fatigue and more.

He had immediately fallen in love with them, vowing that he must bring them back to Maple Leaf City.

He could already imagine just how crazy the nobles would be for them.

“Do those essential oils really have so many effects?” Sen asked.

The Spark Tribe guide had just told him that essential oils also had effects like skincare, easing fatigue, and aiding sleep, speaking of them in almost miraculous terms.

If he hadn’t experienced it himself, he surely would have thought the other was spouting nonsense.

Yang Yi said, “Each essential oil has different effects. They really do have those uses, as you should have felt yourself just now. Many essential oils can also nourish the skin. I believe that ladies who love beauty will definitely be willing to spend money on them.”

Ever since essential oils and hydrosols had appeared, the Green Python Tribe had gone absolutely mad for them.

Before, although Yang Yi had also brought out quite a few skincare and cosmetic items, those had all been non-renewable. These, however, were different. They could be produced.

With this, the Spark Tribe once again exchanged for a great many items.

At present, the tribe’s stockpile of salt was already enough to feed thirty thousand people for three years. Come winter, they could also produce large quantities of preserved foods.

Now, in addition to dried vegetables, the warehouses held vast stores of pickled goods, allowing them to stockpile even more food for the winter. It was something that would have been impossible without such a supply of salt.

“You have too many, too great temptations. I have no reason at all to refuse such a trade,” Sen said with heartfelt emotion.

In the end, Sen agreed to exchange various goods at double the price compared to others and signed a contract to maintain a steady supply of copper in the future. He also handed over all the Eastern Continent slaves they had brought as a gift to the Spark Tribe.

Moreover, he settled Su’s enormous debt accrued during this period of indulgence.

During their stay, Sen and Ruer also ate to their fill and thoroughly enjoyed the Spark Tribe’s services.

Anyway, with such heavy debts, a little more didn’t make much difference.

Besides, they had struck it rich this time!

The Spark Tribe had given them too many surprises. They could already foresee how much fame, wealth, and adoration awaited them back in the Western Continent.

A great caravan, torn between reluctance and excitement, gradually disappeared into the distance away from the Spark Tribe.

Yang Yi looked at the trade registry handed up to him, smiling in satisfaction: “A mere twenty thousand people. It is hardly difficult to feed!”

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