Translator: Fan Translation Studio

  “Aren’t you buying it?” Tarico pointed at the necklace.

  Ye Xiaoxian shook her head. “It’s a little expensive. Two taels.” Taking Xiao Baozhu’s arm, she asked him, “Do you want to buy anything? We’re going shopping.”


  Since what the two women were buying was women’s things, it would be strange for him to follow them. “Go ahead. I want to have a walk nearby. Oh yes, be careful, as I see there are quite a few thieves around here.”


  “Okay, we will. Take care of yourself also!” Ye Xiaoxian replied with a smile.

  After they left, Tarico picked up the agate necklace and asked in the local dialect, “Two taels?” He had learned these two simple words on the way there.

  The stall owner nodded. Without hesitation, Tarico gave him two silver taels……

  After counting Ye Xiaoxian’s goods, Mr. Cai sent his men to purchase the many local materials on her list. They included popular products such as porcelain, silk and silver works, along with some fabrics.

  The people living below the Tianshan Mountains liked colorful things very much, but their weaving skills were relatively inferior. Therefore, these fabrics would sell well in the tribe. Apart from these, there were some other specialties. Finally, the 20-odd camels were again fully laden. Then, they started backtracking.

  Crossing the desert, they returned to the tribal market. Soon, half of the goods were snapped up. The rest were transported into town and sold out within two days. In the end, they earned over 60 silver taels. As long as they did it a dozen times, they could then break even!

  Seeing them back safe, the Xiaos and the Lius were overjoyed. They asked whether there was any trouble on the way. After learning that everything had gone smoothly, many of them said they also wanted to go with the camel team next time. Xiao Tongshu, especially, was fascinated by Xiao Tieshu’s description of Beihui city’s prosperity and of the desert’s magnificence. He was resolute to see the scenes in person on the next journey.

  Li Hongmei and Wong Mudan, who were responsible for logistics, quickly went to prepare some food. During the last few days, they hadn’t eaten or slept well, as they had been waiting for the camel team to return. Now that everyone was back, the rest of the bacon was cooked for dinner……

  The news that they had returned reached Mahal’s ears. He sent his men to inquire about it and learned that the three families had earned over 60 taels in total. That made Mahal more than envious. If things kept going like this, these people could earn back their costs within one year, after which they would begin making net profits. It was noted that local familys had a low income of, at most, two taels. But the Xiaos, the Lius and Tarico could respectively earn more than 20 taels at a time. If they went to and fro seven or eight times a year, each was able to make over 100 taels and would qualify as the richest in the tribe. Mahal was extraordinarily agitated.

  The tribe here developed from a primitive one. Before being ruled by Daqi, the tribal leader was selected according to strength and money. If Mahal was outstripped in wealth, he might lose his position.

  Dati went back right on time. Seeing her husband pacing back and forth anxiously, she knew he had learned the news about the three families who had come back with great gains.

  “They must be blessed by the mountain gods, otherwise they might have died in the desert,” Dati said angrily. “But I don’t believe they will always be so lucky. They will have an accident next time!”


  Mahal said, “Tarico knows a lot of people. He asked Ji, an old man known as ‘Desert Eagle’, to lead the way. It’s said that this man can walk out of the desert with his eyes closed.”


  “Why does he help them?” she asked.

  “Firstly, it’s for money. And secondly, he also has two camels and sells his goods the same way. It doesn’t bother him to be their guide.” Mahal explained.

  “I have an idea. Why don’t we ask him not to help them, or……” A trace of slyness appeared on Dati’s face.

  He asked, “Why must he listen to you?”


  “Didn’t you say he helped them for his own good? If so, he will certainly give up the current benefits for greater ones.”


  After a pause, she added, “Alas, you men have no brains in this aspect. Just let me do it.”


  Mahal took a peek outside to ensure that no one was eavesdropping. After that, he ran back and said, “Okay, but you must do it carefully. Don’t let anyone find out.”


  “Sure,” Dati said proudly. “Wait for my good news.”
……

  In the evening, Ye Xiaoxian, Li Hongmei and Xiao Baozhu went back to their bedroom after taking a bath. Only then did Ye Xiaoxian take out the presents bought from Beihui city, including candied fruits, hairpins and necklaces.

  Li Hongmei asked in a whisper, “Only I have these? No one else?”


  Since the two families united, they had been sharing almost everything and seldom made personal gains. Therefore, Li Hongmei was very nervous when receiving presents from Ye Xiaoxian. If the others knew she had hogged the food and jewelry, she would be more than embarrassed.

  Ye Xiaoxian replied in a low voice, “Mom, they also have presents, though not from me. Uncle Tieshu has bought snacks for the children. Jia Zhenbo bought nuts for his family and also jewelry for Qianqian. They thought they did that very secretly, but Baozhu and I found out. Perhaps they also knew I bought things for you, but we all pretended that nothing had happened. Try some, Mom. There is no such food here.”


  Relieved, Li Hongmei put a candied fruit into her mouth. It tasted so pleasantly sweet that she had a big grin on her face. Since coming to the tribe, she hadn’t eaten such sweet treats for a long time. With her stomach unsatisfied, she didn’t stop until she had five or six more.

  She said to Xiao Baozhu and Ye Xiaoxian, “Why don’t you eat? The fruits are too many for me alone.”


  Xiao Baozhu replied, “I’ve eaten so many that I’m tired of these. I have no appetite for them now.”


  Ye Xiaoxian also said, “Yes. When we were in Beihui city, Baozhu and I went out every day and did nothing but eat. Mom, I’ve also bought some fabrics. Summer is coming. I hope you can sew some clothes for us in the local style.”


  “Okay. Then…… are the fabrics also for us only?” Li Hongmei asked.