| GB | Wash Hands & Legs | 104
Huo Duo’er and Yu Bai didn’t immediately go to meet the orcs from the Qingtu tribe.
The weather was nice, so Huo Duo’er finished setting up the remaining roof beams, while Yu Bai walked around the rice fields, removing pests and weeds.
During the spring and summer, pests were abundant, especially in the humid climate of the south, which provided a perfect breeding ground. Pest control became a crucial task in farming.
As the cultivated area expanded, manual pest control became a challenging and labor-intensive job.
In the past few years, the Yuan tribe had relied on cooperation with the Feather tribe to exchange goods for rice. The Yuan tribe wanted to grow a large amount of grain, but the available land was insufficient. Back then, the amount of grain produced was limited, and manual labor was still manageable.
In this era, there was no use of pesticides. However, the Feather and Longtail tribes, known for their expertise in farming, seemed to have their own methods of repelling insects due to their unique racial traits, giving them a natural talent and special advantage in agriculture.
This special ability appeared to be a closely guarded secret of the orc tribes. Despite various negotiations and discussions of mutual benefits between the two tribes, neither the Feather nor the Longtail tribe had ever disclosed their methods to outsiders.
Now, with the newly established tribe having ample land and a suitable climate, Yu Bai planned to increase rice production. He didn't want to rely solely on cooperation with other tribes to obtain white rice.
He discussed this idea with several orcs responsible for farming.
Looking out over the fields dotted with new greenery, the steady-tempered female orc Li didn't share the inner excitement of the other orcs. Instead, she asked, "What does Priest Bai plan to do? We've tried several methods, but all have failed..."
If they were to use forceful tactics like those of the Huangyuan tribe, forcing the Feather or Longtail tribe to reveal their insect-repelling secrets or annexing them to make them subordinate territories, they wouldn't have to worry so much.
But Priest Bai didn't advocate for active annexation. Since the Longtail tribe was unwilling to share their secret, they couldn't step on their faces to force them to reveal it.
Yu Bai pondered, "Since we can burn certain herbs to repel mosquitoes and poisonous insects, perhaps we can find other herbs that can eliminate pests in the fields without causing much harm to the crops."
—
Meanwhile, the chief and priest of Fantasy Land were each busy with their own tasks, but the "visitors" outside were growing impatient.
The orcs who had fled from the Qingtu tribe, led by their chief, arrived at this new tribe. They gazed in surprise and curiosity at the massive stone walls extending from either side of the tribe's gate, which looked exceptionally sturdy and tall.
On either side of the walls, high wooden platforms had been erected, with male orcs standing guard. Given the height and the advantageous terrain, they could likely see far into the distance.
Following the line of the platforms, he speculated that the orcs on top could probably monitor the comings and goings at the entrance of the territory.
With this thought, even the usually composed Qing Yun couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
He had never seen any tribe build such high stone walls. If the Qingtu tribe had walls like these, the Huangyuan tribe would have found it much harder to invade their territory.
Thinking of their own tribe, Qing Yun's expression darkened as he wiped the dried bloodstain on his face.
He identified himself to the orcs guarding the gate: "I am the chief of the Qingtu tribe, and these are my people. I wonder when your chief will be able to meet with me?"
Qing Yun hadn't led his people to rashly enter this strange tribe, which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere not far from the Huangyuan territory.
On their journey, they had encountered the legendary Giant tribe. Hearing that they were at odds with the Huangyuan tribe, they had used their influence to escape and seek refuge here.
Qing Yun himself was strong and could endure his injuries, but his people were not faring as well.
Growing anxious, he grabbed the male orc on duty: "Could you please bring your chief here? We have a request..."
A’Liao, who had gone to deliver the message, returned and saw that the Qingtu tribe's orcs hadn't entered their territory without permission. Following Big Huo's instructions, he waved to them,
"Follow me."
Seeing ALiao, Qing Yun felt a sense of relief.
"A’Liao, when will your chief arrive? My people are injured and haven't eaten much these past few days. Could we borrow some medicinal herbs and food from you?"
They passed through a small path before entering the square. Qing Yun remained silent, but he was actually paying close attention to the surroundings.
There were piles of wood and stones around, and several long and high mud walls with smoke rising from them. Orcs were adding wood to the fires nearby.
A’Liao pointed with his hand: "Big Huo said you can rest temporarily in these two wooden sheds."
Qing Yun: "Thank you."
His tone was flat, without much intense gratitude.
The Qingtu tribe was a medium-sized tribe, and their strength was not something a small tribe could compare to. This new tribe didn't get along with Huangyuan. He had originally thought he could negotiate cooperation with them, but they weren't enthusiastic, and it didn't seem as smooth as he had imagined.
He had stated his purpose, but he was just casually accommodated like this...
Before Qing Yun could think further, after entering the shed, he realized that the interior was actually different from what he had imagined.
He had thought the wooden shed would be crude, but it was clean and spacious, without any unpleasant odors. In the corner, there was a pile of very thick dry grass, and next to it was a large wooden plank. The dry grass could be spread out to lie down and rest.
A’Liao said: "You rest first. The tribe's witch doctors will come later to treat your injuries."
Qing Yun was startled and this time he looked up seriously at A’Liao, saying: "Thank you."
As for food, he knew he couldn't be impatient. If he took the initiative to cooperate with this tribe, they probably wouldn't look down on them.
Not long after, Mian arrived outside the wooden shed with a few orcs, saying they would treat the injuries of the Qingtu tribe orcs.
The old priest of the Qingtu sat cross-legged on the pile of dry grass, looking up and down at the clean-looking female orc.
"Where is your priest? Can just a few female orcs and sub-female orcs treat us?"
Mian often followed Yu Bai to learn, and inevitably encountered the chief. After getting used to the chief's indifferent expression, she now faced the old priest's questioning with a sense of dignity.
"I am Mian, a disciple of Priest Bai. Our Priest is very busy, and I usually treat the tribe members for him."
The sub-female orc A’Tao, who had a bad temper, spoke up: "If you don't want to be treated, forget it!"
The faces of the Qingtu orcs changed. Although they were angry inside, the male orcs wouldn't verbally abuse the weaker female orcs and sub-female orcs.
Although Qing Yun also had doubts, he saw that A’Liao didn't say anything, so he nodded slightly at Mian: "Thank you for your trouble."
A’Liao took note of the Qingtu tribe orcs' reactions and quickly went to inform Big Huo and Yu Bai.
—
Huo Duo'er came to pick up Yu Bai after finishing the roof beam, first fetching a basin of clear water by the river.
Yu Bai sat quietly on Huo Duo'er's lap, letting him wash the mud off his hands and feet.
After hearing the message conveyed by A’Liao, Huo Duo'er lowered his head, brushed aside Yu Bai's slightly long hair, and patiently explained.
"Man had previously inquired about this Qingtu Tribe. They helped Huangyuan attack other tribes and have some strength, but they would never easily yield. This time they are seeking to cooperate with us, and they will definitely put on a high front. We need to make them yield first."
Yu Bai understood these principles but wouldn't implement them.
He used his clean, cool fingertips to brush against the orc's deep and calm face, his voice gentle and soft: "I'll listen to you."
Huo Duo'er responded in a low voice, grabbing the fingers on his face and kissing them.
A’Liao: "..."
Why hasn't Man returned yet? He can't be the only one suffering...
Thinking of Man, he soon arrived.
Not far away, Man appeared with his usual brash demeanor.
It was late spring, and although the weather had warmed up, a hint of damp chill still lingered in the air.
Man wore only a thin animal hide skirt, exposing his sturdy legs and feet. The tattoos on his face twisted as he grinned.
"Big Huo, Bai, I'm back."
Man stared at the familiar chief and priest, his teeth aching as he unwrapped a bundle of bark.
"Inside is some salt rock I scavenged from the little leader of Huangyuan. Take a look."
Huo Duo'er still held Yu Bai on his lap as he opened the bark.
The exposed salt rock was about the size of Yu Bai's palm. It was a lump of salt, grayish-white in color, and didn't look particularly clean.
Yu Bai examined it: "It's indeed salt, likely formed after the moisture evaporated. We can filter this salt rock using the original salt-boiling method to extract finer, cleaner salt."
Man: "So, is this the kind of salt block dug out from the big pit occupied by Huangyuan? That big-headed orc only had this one piece of salt rock on him, and he treasured it dearly."
He had interrogated them and learned that the amount of salt rock Huangyuan gave to the Longtail Tribe in a year was only half the size of this piece. Moreover, Huangyuan didn't dig out much salt rock from the big pit.
Yu Bai placed the salt rock back into Huo Duo'er's palm and was about to stand up when his vision suddenly rose.
He silently wrapped his arms around the orc's neck, making it easier for him to be carried away.
The gazes of Man and A’Liao made him feel slightly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Huo Duo'er, I won't go with you to meet the orcs of the Qingtu Tribe later. I need to think about which herbs can be used to drive away the pests in the fields."
Huo Duo'er: "Alright."
Man scratched his ear: "Bai, no need to go through all that trouble!"
Yu Bai: "?"
Man: "I stayed with the Longtail Tribe for a few days and learned their method of pest control in rice fields."
"The feces of the Longtail Tribe, when collected and scattered around the fields, not only help the rice grow better but also have the effect of driving away pests!"
Yu Bai: "..."
He exchanged a glance with Huo Duo'er, and it all made sense now.
Huo Duo'er: "Man, this method is something they don't share with outsiders. How did you find out about it?"
Man laughed, a cruel and vicious laugh.
"Of course, we caught a few of the Longtail Tribe, lock them in a pit, and starve them for a day or two, while also giving them a good scare."
Yu Bai: "..."
So much for not using forceful methods like the Huangyuan Tribe.
Huo Duo'er: "..."
Although he understood Bai and didn't agree with Man's approach, what's done is done...
Ze, who had just returned from the hunt, happened to hear this.
A smile appeared on his handsome face: "Man, that's so like you."
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