Chapter 542, New Commodities

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai was alone in his room, flipping through the books that the System had previously produced. Since there were quite a few books, he spent time reading them every day.

 

However, he had not bothered with books like the Glass Manufacturing Guide or the Various Straw Sandal Crafting Guide from before, directly handing them over to the workshop personnel to read instead.

 

Indeed, the Flame Dragon Tribe had now established a straw sandal workshop and a glassware workshop, with dedicated personnel for these operations.

 

Although the workforce was not large, as they had only just begun, steady progress was being made.

 

When the Tribe had more reliable people in the future, naturally more would be recruited into the workshops.

 

The current approach for workshop personnel was not to seek quantity, but rather quality and loyalty. They must be wholeheartedly devoted to the Flame Dragon Tribe. After all, these items were fundamental to the Flame Dragon Tribe. Such knowledge could not be allowed to reach others and must be firmly grasped in the hands of the Flame Dragon Tribe. Therefore, the workshop personnel remained relatively few in number.

 

“After the snow season passes, the Tribe needs to research and develop more commodities…” Su Bai murmured to himself.

 

Although the Flame Dragon Tribe currently possessed two excellent products—linen and ceramics—the variety remained too limited.

 

If some people did not require linen or looked down upon ceramics, would they cease visiting the Flame Dragon Tribe in future?

 

Even if the Flame Dragon Tribe’s restaurant successfully opened by then, food alone would find it difficult to attract people.

 

Once or twice might be acceptable, but over time, others would gradually find it tiresome. This would be particularly true for Tribes located far from the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

Therefore, to ensure the Flame Dragon Tribe’s long-term prosperity and attract more visitors, the most important factor was developing more commodities.

 

Only a dazzling array of goods could attract a steady stream of people to enter the Flame Dragon Tribe, and those commodities would bring even greater profits to the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“But, what else could be developed? Under these current conditions…” Su Bai fell into contemplation.

 

This matter had been considered previously, but due to having too many administrative matters to manage, suitable ideas had not emerged immediately. Additionally, since no people from other Tribes had yet arrived at the settlement, this matter had been continuously postponed.

 

Now, however, during the snow season, many tasks could not be undertaken, so naturally his thoughts turned to these considerations when time permitted.

 

*Knock, knock, knock…* A gentle knocking sound arose, and Yu Ying’s soft voice followed from outside. “Shaman, are you asleep?”

 

Yu Ying stood outside the door holding a pot of tea, wearing thick animal hide sleepwear and fluffy slippers, presenting a very soft and adorable appearance.

 

“No, please come in.” Su Bai said warmly.

 

*Creak!* Yu Ying entered while holding the tea pot, quietly saying, “Shaman, I have not disturbed your rest, have I?”

 

Su Bai glanced at the alarm clock on the nearby table. The time was only just past nine o’clock in the evening, so he shook his head and said. “No, it is still early.”

 

That alarm clock had naturally been obtained from a System Assistance Package. It was small in size, the latest model from Earth, solar-powered and requiring no batteries.

 

“Shaman, I have brewed a pot of tea for you. Drinking it before sleep will make you feel rather warmer,” Yu Ying said, taking out a cup and pouring some tea.

 

“You should not drink tea so late at night, or you will be unable to sleep.” Su Bai advised.

 

On Earth, many people found that drinking tea prevents sleep, and the snow season was particularly suited for rest. If one drank tea and could not sleep at such a time, what a waste it would be.

 

“Yes, I will drink hot water instead.” Yu Ying nodded emphatically.

 

“If you wish to sleep more comfortably at night, you may brew some ginger tea before sleeping. Drinking it will warm your body,” Su Bai suggested.

 

Moreover, this beverage was particularly beneficial for women and would be especially nice during the snow season.

 

“Shaman, what is ginger tea? Is it brewed using tea leaves and ginger together?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Although she recognised both characters individually, she had never heard them used together in combination.

 

“Indeed, use just a small amount of tea leaves, then cut more ginger slices. After brewing, drink it after meals. It is quite good for the body.” Su Bai explained simply.

 

On Earth, people often brewed ginger tea to dispel cold, as ginger tea promoted sweating and surface relief, warmed the lungs and stopped coughing, showing significant efficacy against influenza, typhoid, coughs and other ailments.

 

Therefore, those who disliked taking medicine often brewed ginger tea to ward off cold. It was not unpleasant to drink, being far superior to medicine.

 

“I understand. Tomorrow evening, I shall brew some and share it with Ah’Hua and the others.” Yu Ying said immediately.

 

“Great. Ask me if you encounter anything you do not understand.” Su Bai said mildly.

 

“Shaman, what are you working on? Why have you not gone to sleep yet?” Yu Ying asked curiously, noticing the books on the table.

 

“I am considering new commodities for the Flame Dragon Tribe to bring in more profits.” Su Bai said.

 

He knew that she could not assist much at this time, but having someone to converse with was always beneficial, particularly as spending the long night alone in soliloquy was rather tedious.

 

“New commodities? Shaman, what sort of new commodities are you thinking of?” Yu Ying asked with curiosity.

 

After all, the Tribe currently possessed linen, ceramics, Wolf Tail Grass Paper and quill pens. All these were excellent items. Besides these, there were relatively novel things like carriages, sleds and cement houses.

 

Yu Ying, who had previously felt somewhat drowsy, immediately became alert upon hearing of new commodities. Having experienced so many wonderful items previously, she now wished to know what other fine things the Shaman had come up with.

 

“I have no clear ideas yet, so I am still thinking,” Su Bai said mildly. This was not a simple matter.

 

“I see. Shaman, please drink your tea first. The aroma is very strong now, but it will not be pleasant once it cools,” Yu Ying said, offering him the teacup.

 

“Okay.” Su Bai accepted the teacup and took a sip, then rotated the black handle as if something had occurred to him.

 

“Shaman, is something wrong? Has the tea cooled? I’ll replace it for you. Things get cool really quickly during the snow season…” Yu Ying said nervously, seeing that he had suddenly paused.

 

“No, you have reminded me. It appears our Flame Dragon Tribe will now have something new.” Su Bai smiled slightly.

 

He set down the teacup and took out paper and pen to begin recording, as Yu Ying’s words had set his thoughts flowing like a spring.

 

“Shaman, what did I remind you of? I don’t think I said anything important.” Yu Ying said, completely bewildered.

 

Su Bai smiled faintly and shook his head, saying: “No, one of your words reminded me of something.”

 

Yu Ying blinked her pink eyes repeatedly and asked. “Shaman, which word? Tea?”

 

She was grasping at straws, having no idea what she had reminded him of.