Chapter 1161, A Dock and a Bank

Translator: Silavin

 

Ai Ma and her group were carried back to the Red Horse Tribe aboard a Flame Dragon Tribe Great Ship.

 

The whole journey had taken only a few days, roughly the same time as the trip out to the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“A ship really does make all the difference. Such a long distance, and we arrived so quickly.” Ai Ma murmured to herself, still absorbing everything.

 

She had spent the voyage watching the scenery slide past on both riverbanks, turning over her days at the Flame Dragon Tribe in her mind.

 

Life there had been good. Better than she could have described with her mastery of words. The lodging, the food, the things available to use. None of it was anything she had ever experienced back at the Red Horse Tribe. If she had not needed to return, she would have been in no hurry to leave.

 

*Step step step…*

 

After Ai Ma and her companions unloaded everything they had brought back from the Flame Dragon Tribe, they made their way toward the Chieftain.

 

The moment she was back, people from the Red Horse Tribe surrounded her from every direction, talking over one another.

 

“Boss, is the Flame Dragon Tribe really as wonderful as they say? What kind of Tribe is it?”

 

“Are the people of the Flame Dragon Tribe frightening? What do they look like? Do they have any unusual goods?”

 

“Boss, I am so relieved you came back safely. I was worried the Flame Dragon Tribe might cause trouble.”

 

“Look at all the things she has brought back. That must all be from the Flame Dragon Tribe.”

 

The voices came from everywhere. Ai Ma gave polite nods here and there, answered briefly, and kept walking toward the Chieftain’s dwelling.

 

There was not much time before the snow season arrived. She needed to lay out the terms discussed with the Flame Dragon Tribe without delay.

 

She had no authority to make decisions herself. Everything had to be reported to the Chieftain, and from there the Chieftain and the Red Horse Tribe’s Shaman would decide together.

 

*Creak.*

 

The Chieftain’s personal attendant opened the door. Ai Ma dipped her head slightly and stepped inside.

 

It was darker in there than she remembered. She was not sure she had ever noticed that before.

 

The time spent at the Flame Dragon Tribe had done something to her own expectations. That place was open and bright throughout, barely a dim corner anywhere. The contrast with her own Tribe’s interior was immediate and stark.

 

The Yong’an Building in particular had been lit from every direction. Nothing like this.

 

“You returned safely after all. It seems the Flame Dragon Tribe can be trusted.” The Chieftain of the Red Horse Tribe spoke unhurriedly.

 

Ai Ma took a moment to adjust to the dimness. There was only a single fire pit at the centre casting any light.

 

She gave a small nod and sat down cross-legged. “Chieftain, the Flame Dragon Tribe is genuinely amazing. Everything they brought to us before was the real thing, and they have sent back a lot more this time.”

 

“Did they agree to trade for our Arrow Root Fruit?” The Red Horse Tribe’s Chieftain gave a satisfied nod.

 

She had always believed no one could resist the Arrow Root Fruit. It was crisp, it was full of juice. What was there not to want?

 

“It is not quite like that, Chieftain. Arrow Root Fruit is something the Flame Dragon Tribe has plenty of. It is not what they are looking for. So that kind of exchange was not possible.” Ai Ma lowered her head with a note of disappointment.

 

“But you just said you brought back goods. If they would not trade, how did we end up with anything?” The Red Horse Tribe’s Chieftain frowned.

 

“It is like this, Chieftain. The Flame Dragon Tribe wants to reach a different kind of arrangement with us. If we agree, they are still willing to accept our Arrow Root Fruit.” Ai Ma gathered her thoughts, then continued, “If we do not agree, then this is the only time. Our Tribe would only ever have this level of trade with them.”

 

She then went through everything she had brought back from the Flame Dragon Tribe, item by item. Several varieties of fruit wine and wheat wine. Paper. Perfume. Salt. The kind of specialty products the Flame Dragon Tribe was known for.

 

The reason she was so eager to go through it all first was simple. She did not want the Chieftain dismissing the Flame Dragon Tribe’s proposal before she had even heard it out.

 

Ai Ma herself was rather open to the idea. As far as she could tell, there was no real downside for the Red Horse Tribe.

 

But the Chieftain needed to see what had come back first. That way she would have a sense of the value before weighing the conditions.

 

“So many fine things. Everything we wanted last time has been brought over. Very well.” The Red Horse Tribe’s Chieftain nodded with approval, then asked, “And what is this proposal from the Flame Dragon Tribe?”

 

She had always known something more was coming. A Tribe with goods this fine was never going to make a simple offer.

 

She was already calculating quietly. If the terms were truly unreasonable, she would walk away from any further cooperation. What they had brought back this time was enough to last a while. Other Tribes had likely traded with the Flame Dragon Tribe as well. There were always other options.

 

“The Flame Dragon Tribe wants to build a dock in front of our Tribe. And they want to construct a bank inside our Tribe as well.” Ai Ma said it clearly.

 

“A dock and a bank? What are those?” The Red Horse Tribe’s Chieftain looked thoroughly lost.

 

“A dock is where the Flame Dragon Tribe’s ship can be moored. In the future, they will bring goods to us directly. But we would need to have the dock built first. We would also need to allow their people to come and trade here.”

 

Ai Ma paused to make sure she had that right, then continued, “A bank is for the Flame Dragon Tribe’s currency. Their Tribe conducts all its exchanges using currency notes, rather than trading goods for goods.”

 

She went back over it carefully once she had finished, checking for any slip in the explanation, or anything the Chieftain might not have followed.

 

“Building a dock is not a massive matter. If they are bringing goods to us directly, that saves us a journey. That much is simple enough.” The Red Horse Tribe’s Chieftain ran a hand through her long hair and said with some hesitation, “The part about allowing their people here to trade, that is harder. What if they have some other intention? And what is this currency note they speak of?”

 

Her head was beginning to ache. The Flame Dragon Tribe was complicated.

 

She had been right to think so from the start. A Tribe with goods this exceptional was never going to be simple. The enormous ship they had built was proof of that alone. No ordinary intelligence could have produced it.

 

“The Flame Dragon Tribe is not an aggressive Tribe. They are actually strong, and if they truly meant any harm, our Tribe would not last long against them.” Ai Ma said it plainly.

 

She had spent several days at the Flame Dragon Tribe. She understood their capabilities, at least as much as the eye could see. And she knew the Red Horse Tribe’s strength equally well.

 

Between the two, the answer was clear enough.