Chapter 1181, One Each

Translator: Silavin

 

Inside the living room of the Yong’an Building, Su Bai and the others had gathered together.

 

After watching and having a go at the bicycles over at the workshop, they had come to the Yong’an Building to talk things over.

 

“Shaman, we should not put the bicycle up for sale at the Central Market for the time being. This thing is really too amazing.” Yan Jiao’s voice still carried a trace of excitement.

 

It was only after visiting the workshop, seeing the bicycle, and having a go on it himself that he truly grasped how remarkable it was.

 

Yan Jiao had not yet managed to learn to ride one himself, but even without tasting the meat he had watched others enjoy it well enough.

 

Seeing his Daughter and the others riding, he understood that this thing would bring the Tribe great returns in future. But at the same time, it would bring some trouble.

 

“For now, I certainly have no intention of putting it up for sale at the Central Market. The numbers are too small anyway. It’s just something for the handful of us in the Tribe to ride around and enjoy.” Su Bai waved a hand.

 

He understood perfectly well what the other man was worried about. But even if he had wanted to put it up for sale at the Central Market, he could not. At this moment, only that one bicycle had been produced.

 

What Yan Jiao feared was simply that other Tribes would covet these bicycles and do something unreasonable as a result.

 

Many Tribes were exactly like that now. The moment another Tribe had something good, they would start wars to take it. It was a common occurrence.

 

“Shaman, will the bicycle be produced in large quantities in future?” Sha Lan asked. She also wanted to have a bicycle of her own. But the entire Tribe only had this one at the moment, which was why she was asking.

 

She had learned to ride after Yan Hua, and it had taken her a little over half an hour as well.

 

That was probably the gift of a Totem Warrior. Though it ought to be said it was the particular gift of her and Yan Hua specifically. After all, the Chieftain had also gone out and tried to learn, and had been quite clumsy. He nearly broke the bicycle in the process.

 

“Of course. Our Tribe is currently preparing to build roads, and for going to nearby Tribes, the bicycle is the ideal way to get around.” Su Bai nodded.

 

The carriage was the main vehicle overall, but why take a carriage somewhere one could reach on a bicycle in ten or twenty minutes?

 

Beyond that, promoting the bicycle was also a way to push the Tribe’s civilization a step further forward.

 

Su Bai had set himself the task of gradually urbanising the Tribe, and the things of modern civilisation would naturally be brought in slowly over time.

 

“It took about ten days to produce one bicycle. By the time the snow season ends there should be a few more. How does the Shaman intend to distribute them?” Yan Jiao asked.

 

They had asked the workshop supervisor at the workshop entrance. It took a little over ten days to produce one bicycle.

 

The reason the first one had taken the better part of a year was because they had been starting from nothing. They had to work out the process from scratch and that naturally took time.

 

Now that they knew how it was done, ten days or so was simply a matter of making the parts and testing whether it could be ridden.

 

“Just divide them among yourselves and take care of them. Ride them however you like within the Tribe.” Su Bai smiled.

 

He had his reasons for distributing them to Yan Jiao and the others. Apart from their standing in the Tribe making it fitting that they should each have one, there was another important reason.

 

They would serve as walking advertisements. A bicycle was not something everyone had, and the numbers were limited. Even when more were made, not everyone would be able to afford one.

 

By giving them to these people, Su Bai wanted to give the rest of the Tribe something to strive toward. To put it plainly, to give them some ambition.

 

Those without ambition accomplished nothing. They simply drifted along as they always had.

 

But if others could see that those at the upper levels, or those who had contributed to the Tribe, could own something as valuable and as rare as a bicycle, what would those others do? They would work themselves to the bone. As the saying goes, great rewards draw out the brave and willing, that has always been true.

 

Beyond that there was another hidden purpose. Spurring the people of the Flame Dragon Tribe to work harder was one thing, but Su Bai also wanted to make people from other Tribes green with envy.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe needed to keep introducing new things. Relying solely on perfume, paper, and wine to attract interest would not last forever. People would grow tired of it easily enough.

 

What was needed at a moment like this was something new to open things up again. The bicycle was the perfect thing. How could other Tribes see it and not covet it? How could they not want one?

 

Besides drawing people from other Tribes to keep purchasing goods from the Flame Dragon Tribe, the most important effect was that it would attract them to join the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

Food and shelter were not always the best bargaining chips. But add one more line to that list, and it becomes something else entirely.

 

For those Small Tribes, or those who could not get enough to eat or wear, food, shelter and a roof over one’s head were naturally very appealing. But for the upper ranks of Large Tribes, it was a different matter. They had no shortage of those things. When one wants for nothing in the basics, one begins to seek other things, and the bicycle was the perfect lure.

 

“Shaman, truly? Can we really each have a bicycle of our own?” Yan Jiao looked entirely disbelieving.

 

He felt this thing was so exceptional that it was hard to believe it could actually exist in the world. And yet he suddenly could have one of his own. Of course, he was overwhelmed and beside himself with surprise.

 

“Of course. It’s not such a remarkable thing. If you like it, you can have one.” Su Bai said it lightly, without a trace of ceremony.

 

He genuinely did not think the bicycle was anything special. Things like motorcars, trains, and aeroplanes, those were truly momentous things.

 

Naturally, none of those could be produced yet. Even the bicycle had been a considerable struggle to produce.

 

“Thank you, Shaman!” Yan Jiao was too moved to say any more.

 

But inwardly he was genuinely puzzled. If even something as good as a bicycle was nothing in the Shaman’s eyes, did that mean there were things even more astonishing to come?

 

The thought made Yan Jiao shudder, and he did not dare to follow it any further. It was truly a terrifying notion.

 

“Keep this one with you for now. Anyone who wants to ride it can and get everyone learning early.” Su Bai gave a wave of his hand.

 

Since there were not yet enough for everyone, the thing to do was get everyone knowing how to ride first. The rest would sort itself out when more arrived.

 

“Yes. We will take the very best care of this bicycle.” Yan Jiao nodded with great sincerity.

 

Since the Shaman had entrusted this bicycle to him, he would absolutely see to its safekeeping.

 

“Father, let me have another ride in a moment.” Yan Hua immediately spoke up.

 

“No. You are not to touch it again today.” Yan Jiao refused her at once.

 

The truth was, he knew his Daughter already could ride it, and now he wanted a chance to learn himself.