I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 930: Everything Has Changed
Han Cheng had been absolutely right—thanks to the tall mountains separating them, the temperature in Jinguancheng was significantly higher than in the Green Sparrow main tribe. This was easy to tell just by touching the thin, easily broken ice.
So far, only two snowfalls had occurred here.
Moreover, the snow was light, forming just a thin layer that quickly melted away.
Having personally spent a winter here, Han Cheng finally felt completely at ease.
Time quietly passed, and as the Green Sparrow Tribe labored, the temperature slowly began to rise without anyone noticing.
People may not have felt it, but the growing plants had already sensed the hidden breath of spring beneath the lingering cold.
Pushing aside some withered grass with his foot, Han Cheng saw that the roots were starting to turn green.
He stretched his arms vigorously, cheering himself on.
Spring had arrived, and the time to plant rice was drawing near. They had to speed up the preparation of the paddies…
The group moved through the grass and trees. Along the way, some bent down to pick the few flowers that bloomed in this season and tucked them into their hair to look more beautiful.
The desire to adorn oneself exists in all humans, from ancient times to the future.
Later generations, however, took it to extremes.
With the repeated use of various “magical tricks,” a scruffy young man could return from a trip transformed into a delicate young lady; middle-aged women could become irresistible little girls who captured everyone’s attention…
Had the ancient women in their group known these future tricks, they would have been amazed, their hair curling from dirt and cold seeming to straighten in shock.
Their group was large, easily fifty or sixty people.
They carried many things; nearly everyone had a load on their back.
Not only that, but some of the large animals they led were also burdened with supplies.
These included furs, food, and most importantly, items highly valued by them: pottery and salt—salt that could make food irresistibly delicious to any human being!
They treasured these items immensely. If someone tripped while walking, they tried to fall forward to protect the precious goods on their back.
They valued these items because they could easily trade them with other tribes for many things.
It was thanks to these goods that their tribe lived relatively comfortably, wealthier than most other tribes they had seen.
The weather remained cold, and long-distance travel left their hands and faces roughened by frostbite.
Many had small cracks in their skin from the cold.
Yet their spirits were high.
Not only had they grown accustomed to this lifestyle, but the flowers in the women’s hair and their playful antics were uplifting, and more importantly, they knew that after a little more walking, they would reach a tribe they had previously traded with.
They had not visited this region for a long time. Any salt traded earlier would have been mostly used up.
Based on past experience, they knew they would be warmly welcomed and could easily trade for the other tribe’s stockpiled food.
Pottery might last forever, but delicious salt, no matter how sparingly used, would eventually be consumed.
This was a lesson learned through long experience.
Another lesson was that the longer the interval between visits, the more they could acquire during the next exchange—just like gathering wild vegetables.
Going too often to the same place yielded fewer vegetables each time; waiting allowed them to collect more in a single trip…
As they walked, dry grass and plants were crushed underfoot. Seeds stuck to their bodies and the animals they led.
Some seeds clung tightly; others fell off after a while.
In time, if conditions of water and temperature were right, and sunlight touched them, these seeds would take root and grow into new plants…
“@#￥QWE!”
The dried grass was shorter here. On a protruding hill, a dark cave marked the home of the tribe they were approaching.
Around the cave, some adults lounged against rocks or plants, lazily basking in the sunlight.
Children chased and played nearby. Everything looked idyllic.
The leader of their group was an older man with a lined face.
His back was slightly hunched, perhaps from years of carrying burdens or other causes.
Even so, he looked strong.
In his hand, he held a wooden stick with something shiny attached to the end that caught the sunlight.
Walking to the front, he saw the cave and the people around it and shouted loudly to announce their arrival.
This both prepared the people there, preventing panic or hostility, and prompted them to ready food and goods for trade.
As expected, upon hearing the call, the people stood and looked toward them. Anticipating the exchange, the group quickened its pace toward the tribe.
However, unlike usual, this tribe did not greet them with joy.
The hunched leader ignored this and, focused on the prospect of harvest, continued toward the tribe with excitement.
“@43￥%5…”
Soon, they arrived.
The hunched leader greeted the tribe’s chief with words they could not understand, then embraced him briefly.
Two fleas took the opportunity to switch hosts, perhaps for a change of pace.
Meanwhile, the group unloaded their possessions from themselves and their animals, arranging them in full view.
The pottery and salt, contained in gourds or other packaging, were placed prominently.
After all, these were the items most in demand.
The hunched leader released the chief and gestured toward the goods, smiling.
It was only then that he noticed something strange.
Previously, after placing goods, the tribe’s chief and his people would eagerly gather around, excited to see what had been brought.
Now, despite the invitation, the chief and his people remained indifferent.
The hunched leader froze.
He had never encountered such behavior in any tribe they had traded with before.
After realizing the value of their goods, seeing them again without excitement was unprecedented.
What was happening?
Were their goods not good enough?
Scratching his head, he looked at the items again.
They were as fine as ever—beautiful, tempting—so why this indifference?
Previously, this had never happened.
Could it be that the items they previously received from this tribe had not yet been consumed?
Even though much time had passed, he could only think of this as an explanation. Nothing else made sense.
“#￥@#3…”
He gestured toward the pottery and salt again, making a trade motion, hoping the chief would respond.
But to his dismay, the chief still ignored him.
Worse, after glancing at the goods, the chief shook his head forcefully.
Not just the chief, but many in the tribe shook their heads along with him.
The hunched leader and his companions could hardly believe their eyes.
Did these people understand what they were asking?
By shaking their heads like that, once they left, there would be no chance to trade for these precious goods!
Dazed, the group watched as the chief turned back into the cave.
Because he had straightened his body too much, he bumped his forehead on the cave entrance.
Rubbing his reddened head, he lowered his posture and carefully entered the cave.
Normally, this would have been amusing. The hunched leader, who loved to laugh, surely would have laughed.
But now he did not.
Not just because the tribe’s reaction was strange, but because the chief returned carrying something in his arms.
The hunched leader’s eyes widened, as did everyone else’s.
Their gaze followed the object the chief held.
Seeing the reaction of the hunched leader and his group, the chief’s pride swelled.
Previously, it had been his tribe’s people flaunting pottery and salt. Now, the chief’s tribe could boast before them.
Even with the bump on his forehead, the chief lifted his head high again.
The tribe imitated their chief, puffing out their chests and raising their heads—somewhat comical, yet they maintained their posture.
The chief carefully placed the fine pottery and a gourd on the ground.
The pottery was large, round, flawless, and visually stunning.
The hunched leader cautiously touched it in disbelief.
The chief hurriedly wiped the spot, fearful that the precious pottery might be damaged or dirtied…
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