Chapter 1050, More Than Qualified

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai finished his breakfast and settled in to wait. There was an important matter to arrange today.

 

Yan Jiao received the summons immediately and made his way to the Yong’an Building, setting aside everything else he had been working on.

 

He stepped onto the second floor and offered a respectful bow. “Shaman, what is it you need me to do?”

 

Yan Jiao knew that being called here directly meant something significant was at hand. Minor matters were always relayed through Yu Ying, or handled by someone else entirely. Nothing ever warranted a personal summons to the Yong’an Building.

 

“You’re aware that our Tribe has a great ship now. That’s exactly what I’ve called you here to discuss.” Su Bai said.

 

“Please go ahead, Shaman. What happened to the great ship?” Yan Jiao asked, curious.

 

He had been occupied with many things lately. Every aspect of tribal affairs demanded his attention, and the workload of the Chieftain had grown enormously compared to before. From first light to last, there was no shortage of matters to manage.

 

“Do you have anyone suitable to recommend? Someone familiar with the routes to the various Tribes in the surrounding area.” Su Bai asked.

 

Yan Jiao blinked in puzzlement. “Shaman, you want someone to sail that great ship to the other Tribes, is that right?”

 

“That’s right. The Flame Dragon Tribe’s reputation has been spreading gradually, but there are still many people who haven’t heard of us.”

 

Su Bai sat up straight and continued, “Some don’t even know how to find their way to our Tribe. That’s precisely where our great ship becomes useful.”

 

“You want to bring people from the other Tribes back to our Tribe? The great ship is truly large, but it still can’t carry that many people.”

 

Yan Jiao thought it through carefully and added, “And people from other Tribes won’t simply go along with strangers. This mission may be very difficult.”

 

“I have no intention of going out to bring people back to the Flame Dragon Tribe. What I want is for people to come here of their own accord.” Su Bai said.

 

“Then what would you have someone familiar with the nearby Tribes do with the great ship?” Yan Jiao asked.

 

“Go and conduct trade, of course. What else would they do?” Su Bai spread his hands.

 

Yan Jiao stared. “Shaman, I’m not sure I understand.”

 

“The great ship has ample storage space and ample accommodation. We can load it with goods and bring them directly to other Tribes. What do you think?” Su Bai asked.

 

“I understand now. Your intention is to bring our goods directly to the other Tribes, which both builds our reputation and draws people from those Tribes back to ours in turn. Is that right?” Yan Jiao had not reached the position of Chieftain without real ability. His mind was sharp.

 

“Exactly. If other people can’t come to us, then we go to them. There’s nothing stopping us.” Su Bai lifted his teacup and took a sip. “And reaching other Tribes doesn’t take particularly long. An undertaking this favourable to us is absolutely worth pursuing.”

 

“It is, it absolutely is, Shaman. This is far too good an opportunity to pass up.” Yan Jiao nodded with undisguised enthusiasm.

 

He understood precisely what this would mean. The greatest benefit was the expansion of the Flame Dragon Tribe’s fame. The various workshops in the Tribe had been operating for a very long time now, and the longer they ran, the faster the workers produced goods.

 

Once production speed increased, inventory began to accumulate. Each year brought a rainy season and a snow season, two periods that severely hampered the movement of goods.

 

When those seasons finally passed, the Tribes that came to trade were always the same familiar faces. The same rotation, the same limited capacity to absorb goods. Certain items were not consumables to begin with. Once purchased, they simply would not be bought again any time soon.

 

Sitting still was not an option. Going out to find buyers was the only sensible choice.

 

In the past, there had been no reliable means of transport. Travelling to other Tribes on foot was simply not realistic. Apart from the time it would consume, the quantity of goods that could be carried was extremely limited. There was also the considerable danger of the journey itself. Protecting the goods was one thing, but even guaranteeing the safety of the people carrying them was far from certain.

 

The waterway was the obvious solution. River travel was not entirely without risk, but precautions could be made well in advance, and if those preparations were thorough enough there was little to worry about.

 

The speed of travel was also far greater than pushing through a forest on foot.

 

Most importantly, the ship was large. It was spacious enough to carry substantial quantities of goods to any Tribe they chose to visit.

 

“Do you have a suitable person in mind?” Su Bai asked.

 

When it came to identifying the right person within the Tribe, Yan Jiao was the most sensible person to consult. There was no one in the Tribe he did not know, even if some he knew better than others. And what Su Bai needed was someone with a strong aptitude for commerce.

 

“I do, as it happens. There’s one person who comes to mind immediately. I had him overseeing the Central Market for a time, and he managed it with remarkable skill.” Yan Jiao’s expression brightened with unmistakable pride. “He and I grew up together. He never had the opportunity to become a Totem Warrior, but I’m confident he can represent our Tribe on any visit to other Tribes.”

 

“Who?” Su Bai asked.

 

“His name is Hu Shi. He’s around the same age as me, in his mid-thirties. His administrative ability is exceptional, and the Central Market has been running remarkably well under his management.” Yan Jiao’s pride, for whatever reason, was plain to see. “He also has a Daughter. The two of them manage the Central Market together, and both are among the fastest learners of Chinese Characters in the entire Tribe.”

 

The pride was understandable. His recommendation was clearly a sound one, and a capable candidate would also take some of the burden off his own shoulders.

 

“Father and Daughter running the Central Market together? Why have I never heard of this person before?” Su Bai said, mildly surprised.

 

Then again, there were many capable people in the Tribe he knew nothing about. There were the heads of the various workshops, the manager of the food street, and so on. All of those appointments had been made by the Chieftain.

 

Su Bai’s involvement extended only to providing management frameworks and setting standards. Personnel selection was not something he involved himself in.

 

“Ah. I assumed these were minor matters and didn’t report them. I’ll have someone brief you going forward, Shaman.” Yan Jiao said at once.

 

“No need. Just leave those matters with you where they belong. I was just curious.” Su Bai shook his head and asked, “Do you think he can handle this mission?”

 

“Absolutely, Shaman. He is more than qualified.” Yan Jiao answered without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“Very well. Bring him here so I can have a look at him myself.” Su Bai instructed.

 

“Understood.” Yan Jiao nodded.