Volume 4: How big is the heart, how vast is the earth Chapter 108 Cute and Powerful
"The food business at the port is indeed doing well. Steady growth is one thing, but it can also allow our tribesmen to go out and gain experience, meet more people, and know what the outside world is like. This is the best way." Xiao Yun touched his chin and said, "How about this, the people who go to the port will take turns going. The first batch will let the two warriors, Ashu and Mumu, go together. Two people from the cafeteria will be sent over, and two more will be arranged to help. With six people, we can take care of each other and also look after our warehouse."
"Aren't there not enough people in the cafeteria now? Some people were withdrawn from the Welfare Department." Hongye said.
"We can just arrange new people for them when we withdraw our people this time. We don't need adults, just youngsters. Well, we can arrange more people and use the cafeteria as a training center for cooks. We can first get a group of reserve cooks..." Xiao Yun narrowed his eyes. "I didn't think about this before. Now that I think about it, we should promote our food business in the form of chain stores wherever we can deliver the food. Even if we don't do it for making money, we can have more ways to understand the outside world and let the outside world understand us. This will prevent us from focusing on development here while being completely in the dark about the outside world. We will be the last to know about anything, which is not appropriate."
"Uh..." Even for Hongye, it found it difficult to keep up with Xiao Yun's thoughts.
"I'll think about this later and write a plan first. Right now, our priority is still the journey to the central grassland." Xiao Yun didn't force Hongye to understand immediately, and turned the subject back. "The warrior team will not be separated this time. I will arrange some more people for you and expand the team to 50 people. You, the clan leader, should also bring a few people..."
In the grasslands with inconvenient transportation, it takes months to accomplish anything across regions. If you travel from the southwest border of the tribe to the central grassland without cattle and sheep, it will take at least a month, and if you travel slowly with cattle and sheep, it will take a year. In other words, it will take two or three years to gather all the Snow Wolf tribes in the central grassland to the southwest.
This kind of thing cannot be rushed. Besides, it is not without benefits. If people come in a swarm, it will cause trouble. If they come in batches, it will give Xiao Yun buffer time to receive and resettle them, allowing him to digest and absorb the additional labor force more easily.
After chatting with Hongye, Xiao Yun turned around and started to select members for the warrior team. The first thing he had to consider was the candidate for the clan leader who would accompany the team.
The identity of the tribe leader is more or less valuable, at least when talking to outsiders, the credibility is much higher than that of ordinary tribe members or even cubs. It stands to reason that Huoyan is the most suitable candidate, but... Huoyan is too dull and old-fashioned. He is okay as a figurehead to fool people, but it is too much to rely on him to convince others.
Since the Fire Chief is unreliable, the Grassroots Chief will have to work hard... There is no problem for the employees she has brought in the past few years to stay in the earthworm farm. At the age of over 70, she is indeed considered a "centenarian" in the Snow Wolf Tribe. She feels safe and trustworthy when she walks out to that station.
In addition to the grassroots chiefs, several new tribal leaders including Chief Li can also be arranged to go. They may not be as "important" as the grassroots chiefs, but after all, they are eyewitnesses of the "Snow Wolf Settlement Plan" of the Fire Tribe, and their personal accounts are more convincing.
Xiao Yun selected the personnel, and Tou Yu also brought a large group to transport the materials exchanged with Saint Bridge. Xiao Yun did not choose a time, and called everyone to hold a work meeting that night, asking everyone to participate in the discussion of the personnel composition and route of the "Trade Goodwill Transport Team", and set the personnel, route, and several principles that must be followed during the trip. The next day, they spent a day packing the luggage. On the morning of the third day, when Ashu and Mumu brought two cubs, two adult tribesmen, and two cat warriors to the Elf Port, the transport team was ready to go.
"On this journey, everyone should discuss any matters with their own people and avoid the eyes and ears of the Tiger Tribe as much as possible. If possible, we should bypass the Cat Tribe that has unclear positions... It would be the best if a tribe is willing to become one with us, but if they are not willing, don't force them. Never treat any tribe or clan with a coercive attitude..."
"Don't worry, Ayun. The grassroots chief is watching us. No one will do anything wrong." Hongye said with a smile, "And Maomao, if anyone speaks in a wrong tone when we are talking to someone, Maomao will come over and take the person away immediately."
The soldiers all laughed. As the leader of the team, Yu would not curse or scold anyone. His way of resolving disputes was to take one of the parties away. Although this method was stupid, it was very effective.
"I will take good care of everyone. Even if I am not energetic enough, Chief Li and the others will keep an eye on you." Chief Caogen touched Xiao Yun's head kindly, "I will leave the house to you, Ah Yun. So many of us have left. Don't worry if we don't have enough manpower when things get busy. You still have to let everyone go when it's time to sleep... (′--｀)"
“Hahahahahahaha——” More than fifty members of the transport team burst into laughter, and the tribesmen who came to see them off couldn’t help laughing either.
"How can that be? I'm not a devil." Xiao Yun awkwardly turned his head away. "By the way, studying is like sailing against the current. If you don't move forward, you will fall behind. Don't forget to review math formulas and reading, writing, and making sentences while you're away. Try to make sure everyone can recite and write out at least three stories by the time you come back. I'll examine them later."
"How dare you say you're not a devil!" Hongye pointed at Xiao Yun angrily, speaking for everyone.
The tribesmen who were seeing them off laughed even louder.
After sending away more than sixty people, the tribe suddenly became quiet... That would be strange.
The alfalfa planted on both sides of the river was ready to be harvested, with a total area of more than 18,000 mu. The engineering team led by Lan Guo and A Yue was busy with water conservancy projects and could not move. About 100 laborers were gone, and the remaining people had to take care of their own work in addition to participating in the rush to harvest alfalfa. They were exhausted in two days...
After everyone worked hard to harvest the alfalfa from the fields, Xiao Yun proposed that the existing livestock breeding scale could not digest the alfalfa produced. In order to avoid alfalfa waste, it is necessary to increase the breeding varieties - what kind of organisms on the northern grasslands have the highest grass-to-meat conversion rate, are easy to obtain seeds, and are easy to domesticate? No need to guess, it must be the gray rabbit.
So two rows of rabbit farms with cement floors were built behind the pig farm. The snow wolf and cat warriors who stayed behind to watch the house chased rabbits and dug holes on the grassland like dogs. They caught thousands of rabbits and brought them back to separate the males and females into cages (rattan cages) for enclosure...
"This little bit of Gray Rabbit is not enough, let's keep up the good work!"
Xiao Yun once again drove the soldiers out to chase the rabbits, and drew a group of people from Qingyan's secondary labor force, which was beginning to become tight, to study how to keep alive the rabbits that died so easily...
Rabbits are in heat and give birth all year round. If there were no natural enemies, rabbits could dominate the grasslands just by breeding. They only need fresh alfalfa or leaves to feed, so they are worth breeding. However, they are not easy to keep alive. They will die if they are frightened, infected with some minor illness, or if they eat too much water in the fresh alfalfa or leaves. Raising them requires no less manpower than feeding pigs.
But this thing reproduces quickly, and can give birth to a litter every three months on average. Each litter has six to ten cubs, and the cubs can be taken out of the cage and slaughtered and served on a plate at around five months old . If they are raised well, you can have rabbit meat all year round.
When Ashu, Mumu and their people arrived at the Elf Port, Saint Bridge's fleet had already gone back. Apart from the elves and their vassal races, there were only about 300 adventurers who stayed on the grassland in the port, and the number of customers in the food market had been greatly reduced.
Of course, even if they only do business with adventurers, it is still profitable. Through negotiations with the friendly Snow Wolf Tribe's Helin and General Crest, the hardworking Snow Wolf Tribe and Cat Tribe converted the rented wooden house into a shop. They didn't even hang a sign or come up with a store name. They just opened the door, put out a few sets of tables and chairs borrowed from the elves, and started business.
Isaac and his four companions stayed on the grassland for five days. Following the traces left by a sharp-clawed thunder lizard, they found the lair of this small monster hidden in a dense forest and happily raided its home.
"Wow, what a great thunder lizard skin! It's enough to make two sets of high-grade leather armor. How much will it sell for?" The dwarf Arnold stroked the freshly peeled thunder lizard skin with shining eyes, his stubby fingers trembling with excitement.
"Not only that, don't forget the skin of the limbs and abdomen. Alchemists will like this soft skin of the abdomen." The orc Melken grinned, "It's a pity that there are no thunder lizard eggs. Those can also be sold for a lot of money."
"Okay, guys, pack up the spoils. We have to go back to the port for supplies. We are all exhausted and need to rest for two days." Isaac washed the long sword in a nearby puddle and walked back with a smile, "Alex, disassemble the claws of the four legs of the thunder lizard. These four claws can be made into twelve knives. Aren't you in need of throwing weapons?"
Alex nodded and pulled out his dagger to break the claws.
The reason why adventurer teams like to bring walker-type thieves, assassins, treasure hunters or rangers is for this reason... Dismantling or setting traps, and dissecting prey are the walkers' specialties.
After removing all the valuable parts from the four-meter-long clawed thunder lizard and taking away the non-venomous limbs, the four of them happily set out on their journey home.
"It's good to venture into new places, where you can easily find valuable prey. If you go to those adventure resorts in the southern continent, you won't be able to see big creatures like the sharp-clawed thunder lizards unless you wander around for a month or so." Arnold carried four lizard legs that were almost as tall as him on his back. He didn't feel tired at all and even jumped as he walked.
Malken nodded repeatedly, carrying the overlong lizard skin on his shoulders. The rough leather felt like he was touching his lover's skin.
"Don't just look at the benefits. Unexplored new territories are very dangerous." Isaac smiled. "Not to mention a small team like ours, even a large group of dozens of people like Theodore's wouldn't dare to go deep into the grassland. Remember the roar we heard two nights ago? That was at least the cry of a level three monster. We don't know what killed the monster... Fortunately, we were at a disadvantage and moved overnight when we heard the noise. Otherwise, except for Alex, none of us would be able to escape."
"That's true... I've never heard of level 3 monsters wandering around in the adventure spots of the southern continent." Arnold still had lingering fears when he thought of that incident. "It's a good thing that the Snow Wolf Tribe was able to survive in the cursed land. Those big guys may look stupid, but they are not simple creatures."
When he heard about the Snow Wolf Tribe, Ali's face turned a little grim. He had been tied up by Isaac and spent that night in a state of bewilderment. Now, after so many days, when he thought about it, Ali still couldn't help but feel scared... What on earth had possessed him at that time to despise the Snow Wolf Tribe who could survive in the cursed land? Even if there was no conspiracy by the association and the calculations of the forest elves, could the dozens of people who had gathered temporarily really be a match for more than 30 Snow Wolf warriors?
After staying in the wild for another night, at dawn, the group finally saw the elf port.
"Hi, Isaac!"
"Theodore? What a coincidence, you guys are coming back at this time too?" Isaac asked in surprise.
"Haha, yes. I thought it would take more time, but I didn't expect to encounter the Earth Chimera just a few days after setting out."
The dark-skinned captain Theodore laughed happily and raised his thumb behind him. Isaac and others followed his gesture and gasped in surprise - Theodore's team was carrying two bison-sized monsters on a crude wooden trailer made with wood. They had lion heads, sheep bodies, snake tails, and short bat wings on both sides of their backs. What else could they be but Earth Chimera?
"You actually caught two? And they're still alive?" Isaac was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out when he saw that the Chimera's bat wings were twitching slightly.
Theodore laughed again, not without pride: "Yes, it's still a pair, and the smaller one is the female!"
Isaac and his three companions silently made way to let the main group go first... This is also an unwritten rule among adventurers. For teams returning at the same time, the side with the higher value prey will have priority.
"A pair of living Earth Chimeras. Even if I can't tame them myself, I can sell them to a trainer for a lot of money..." Arnold said enviously, "If the mother gives birth to a chimera cub, the knights will go crazy to grab it, right?"
Isaac felt a little yearning after hearing this. What a knight must pursue is a faster and more powerful mount. Dragon blood horses, chimeras and other tamable monsters are all good things that all the knights on the continent will envy. It's a pity that when the cubs of these monsters appear in the market, hundreds of people will scramble for them, so it is not the turn of a small team leader like him.
"Did you catch the Sharp-clawed Thunder Lizard? That's not bad, a very valuable prey." Captain Theodore waved his hand to let the people pulling the shuttle bus go in front. He turned back and threw a proud look at Isaac, then laughed and followed his team.
"This guy still likes to compete with you, Isaac." After Theodore's men walked away, Arnold approached Isaac and whispered, "You qualified for the silver medal before him. I don't know how much this guy, who looks generous but is actually very petty, holds a grudge."
Isaac smiled, patted Arnold on the shoulder, and walked towards the Elf Port.
Theodore's team captured two live chimeras, and as soon as they entered the port, they attracted many adventurers to watch. Isaac and his team walked in from a distance, and saw a group of people gathered to watch the strange scene from a distance. Theodore's unique laughter could be heard from a distance.
"That guy is so boastful. Let's just avoid him. I don't want to hear him brag anymore." Arnold muttered.
"Then let's take this alley." Although Isaac had a good temper, he didn't want to be slapped in the face by others. If they went along the main road and Theodore greeted him deliberately, it would not be good to ignore him.
The port built by the elves has a well-organized layout. Although it is small, it can barely be considered a miniature town. As soon as Isaac and his companions entered the alley, they ran into two snow werewolves coming towards them.
Isaac knew one of the two snow wolves and greeted him with a smile: "Hello, Mumu, are you back to open the store?"
"You are... um, by the way, Isaac." Mumu thought for a while before remembering the human's name. He smiled and said, "It's open. It's just east of the port where we live, near the beach. Come over and have some noodles later?"
"Of course I'll come. My stomach has missed you so much while you were away." Isaac joked, "I don't think I've seen this person before?"
"Yeah, Ashu just arrived. Ashu, this is the person who eats our fans." Mumu tilted his head to introduce.
Ashu smiled naively. He was a little shy and not as outgoing as Mumu.
Isaac could see that this Ashu was quite shy, so he didn't force any interaction with him. He smiled and said, "We'll go back to the hotel first, and we'll come to you to ask for food later."
"Hahaha, you have to pay!" Mumu laughed and made way. The alley was very narrow, and with two snow wolves standing side by side, no one could squeeze through.
People on both sides passed each other. Alex, who was walking at the back, was awkwardly glancing at the snow werewolf's body, which looked even more intimidating from a close distance, when suddenly chaotic screams were heard on the street behind them.
The four humans turned around at the same time. Mumu and Ashu also looked forward in surprise. They heard a strange cry of "Ah--" and an orc adventurer flew backwards through the alley. Then there was a sound of a wooden wall being destroyed and wood breaking.
"Something happened?"
Mumu and Ashu immediately rushed out of the alley and turned to the right at the same time, and saw two earth chimeras frantically attacking the crowd. Several adventurers with horrified faces were fleeing in their direction.
"Which bastard cut the rope on purpose?!"
"All those who are not warrior knights, please move away! Don't hesitate!"
"Theodore, what's wrong with you guys? Don't you think this kind of monster is a good thing?!"
“凸(艹皿艹)! Don’t let me find out who did this!!”
"Don't run away! Come back and surround them!"
"...Being too conspicuous will indeed cause trouble!" Isaac and his three companions retreated and saw this situation. Isaac sighed softly, pushed Alex, who was not good at frontal combat, back into the alley, took off his backpack and wanted to go forward to help.
Before Isaac could push through the scattered crowd and rush to the center of the chaos, his eyes began to stare...
Two snow werewolves pushed aside the adventurers who were blocking their way and rushed to the two mad earth chimeras. One of them pounced forward and overwhelmed the chimera on the left, raised his leg to sit on its shoulder, and clamped the lion's head with his arm. The chimera that had just knocked the two people away was suddenly unable to move. The other one went straight up and held the head of the roaring female lion on the right with one hand. He used his arm to press the big head of the female beast to the ground with force. With a "click", the teeth of the female beast were almost broken. He raised his foot and stepped on the lumbar vertebrae of the sheep. The brute earth chimera immediately became as docile as a kitten and could not even roar.
Isaac's jaw dropped to the ground.
Theodore, who was trying desperately to gather the members who were scattered by the crowd to surround Chimera, had his curse stuck in his throat.
The warriors and knights who were surrounding them: “……(￣△￣；)??”
Mumu was very surprised why the surroundings suddenly became quiet. He looked around at the crowd in confusion, raised his other fist, and his arm muscles swelled, ready to hammer the monster to death.
“No, wait!!” Theodore came to his senses and immediately screamed, “Don’t kill him, you can’t kill him!”
"Ah?" Mumu stopped his fist halfway and looked over with confusion.
"This is an important commodity, and it needs to be alive. Uh... Thank you friends from the Snow Wolf Tribe for your help. Leave the rest to us." Theodore wiped the sweat off his forehead, turned around and glared at the dazed members of the group, "Hurry up and tie up the Chimera!"
All the team members woke up as if from a dream, and rushed forward. Several people worked together to take over the Chimera from Mumu and Ashu, and then tied it up tightly with strong ropes.
"Are the prices of dead and alive monsters different..." Mumu scratched his head in confusion and walked to Ah Shu. "Ah Shu, how are you?"
"It's okay, I just can't use any strength in my hands." Ashu was a little disappointed. He couldn't hold down the Chimera with just his hands. He had to put his whole body on it. The gap was too big.
Theodore was struggling with how to deal with the Snow Wolf Clan's help. When he heard what Ashu said, he subconsciously pressed his earlobe. What happened? Was his ear not flexible?
"Your injury hasn't healed yet, so you feel a little weak. Just rest more and you'll be fine." Mu Mu comforted.
Now it wasn't just Theodore who was standing nearby. The nearby adventurers and Isaac who had just caught up all had dazed expressions...
"It's okay, we'll just leave - hey, why are you looking at us like that?" Mumu asked curiously.
"Nothing, nothing..." Everyone shook their heads in unison.
Mumu: “???”
"Please wait a moment, both of you. May I ask if the Snow Wolf Tribe has any special tricks for dealing with magical beasts like Chimera?" Theodore is indeed the shameless and black-hearted leader of the adventurers. Seeing that the other party is honest and cute, he even has the nerve to ask such probing questions in public.
"Eh..." Mumu and Ashu looked at each other, both of them were quite confused, "No."
"So how do you, the Snow Wolf Clan, usually deal with this kind of Earth Chimera?" Theodore asked anxiously, not caring about his eating manners.
The adventurers gathered around, including the somewhat guilty Isaac, all pricked up their ears. Although it was not nice to pry into other people's secrets, it never hurts to know more... Chimeras are so valuable!
"We can't catch up with them, so just ignore them." Mumu said as a matter of course, "These things run very fast, and they will disappear in the blink of an eye. Of course, we can only pretend that we didn't see them."
"Well, can't you easily suppress Chimera?" Theodore said anxiously.
"That's because you guys have fenced them off." Mumu looked at Theodore as if he was an idiot. Why would he ask such a stupid question?
Theodore: "...(o言o)"
Adventurers: “…”
The somewhat shy Ah Shu felt very uncomfortable with so many people staring at him, so he secretly pulled at the corner of Mumu's clothes and said, "Mumu, let's go."
"Oh, OK." Mumu didn't forget to solicit business before leaving, "We'll open a shop when we get back. If you want to eat noodles, bring money."
The adventurers watched the two cute yet powerful snow werewolves walk away. They stopped and watched for a long, long time...
