Chapter 503 - Attempt (1/2)
Chapter 503
Attempt
When the six people returned, it was already night time. They deliberately waited until the tribesmen slept before carrying the rocks back. Processing the ore was still in the experimental stage, no one knew if it would work. That was why they were going to keep it a secret for the moment.
On the next day, several of Zheng Luo’s blacksmiths came to follow the procedures written by the slave masters. They were just ordinary craftsmen but to the tribesmen, they were already masters, hence everyone called them ‘Master xx’. They blushed whenever people called them that, often wringing their hands and saying they were not fit for the name. Ever since they met Gongjia Heng, they would never dare call themselves ‘Master’, the experience had humbled them.
This time, Shao Xuan invited them over to talk about processing the ore. These people had already read the notes.
A room for melting ore was set up in a section of the tribe. The rocks brought back by the six of them were placed here.
There were many guards outside. Other than the chief, hunt leaders and Shao Xuan, the rest were banned from entry. The few blacksmiths were brought over so the guards would recognise them. These people weren’t really familiar with Zheng Luo’s people.
“In the future, these five will be our craftsmen, they can go in and out of the forging room as they wish,” said Shao Xun to the guards.
After memorising their faces, voices and other characteristics, the guards nodded. It was an important job, the guards took this very seriously.
They wanted to have metal wares.
In the forger, there was charcoal, rocks that served as catalysts, etc. Everything was prepared. It had taken them several days to prepare the materials needed, that was why when Duo Kang and his people left for the hunt, he still hadn’t seen the blacksmiths working.
Shao Xuan also wanted to smelt some iron. Although he could not recognise any ore from sight, he could use the ring diagram to calculate the ore’s position in the cave. However, iron was more difficult to obtain than bronze. There were too few records about this too. Shao Xuan did not dare experiment too much. No one knew what could happen with products of the core seed.
They must do this slowly. Bronze was still a very good material. They’d make bronze wares first.
Shao Xuan and the five blacksmiths melted ore in the forging room according to the Gongjia ancestor’s instructions. Then, they calculated the best metal alloy ratio to make one bronze sword.
Theoretically, this was simple but reality was much more complicated. There were too many factors. If anyone could make a good weapon, then the Gongjia family wouldn’t be revered like they were now.
One day, when Shao Xuan and the blacksmiths were conducting another attempt, someone reported visitors from the Lu tribe. The shaman said Shao Xun should go if he was available.
Shao Xuan’s presence was not needed for their work. After several days, the blacksmiths were experienced enough and more efficient than Shao Xuan too. They were blacksmiths anyway, picking up this skill very quickly. Shao Xuan did not mind leaving this to them.
“Alright, I’ll go immediately.” Shao Xuan sent the messenger back, gave a few instructions to the blacksmiths, washed his face and left.
The Lu tribe had always maintained trade relations with Flaming Horn. Every year, the Lu tribe would visit two to three times. Sometimes, they would bring over several young calves, sometimes they came for advice, then they would also return the favour. Both tribes were on very good terms.
This time, the visitor was Yan Jiu. Shao Xuan recognised him.
After so long, Yan Jiu had thought that something bad must’ve happened to Shao Xuan. After receiving news that Shao Xuan was back, he came to talk to visit. The trade relations between both tribes were built by Shao Xuan anyway.
“Haha! Shao Xuan, long time no see!” Yan Jiu let out a guffaw when he saw Shao Xuan.
“It has been a long time indeed. How is your tribe?” asked Shao Xuan.
“We’re alright, just that we’ve been robbed several times.” Yan Jiu’s smile faded.
“Wans.h.i.+’s people?” asked Shao Xuan .
“Yeah, but other than Wans.h.i.+, there were also slaves sent by the slave masters. They only came once.” Yan Jiu was frustrated. In the past, there was one Wans.h.i.+ tribe. Ever since the war began, the slave masters escaped and became one more problem for them.
At least these slave masters were somewhat civil people. They did not make enemies lightly and cause trouble often. These people were worried the major tribes might target them and take away the last of their goods too.
Due to this, Yan Jiu and his people still dared not walk around this area. It was a difficult journey this time too. The Lu tribe did not bring much to trade during their recent visits, Flaming Horn had stopped trading grown animals with them.
“But I didn’t see Wans.h.i.+ this time, did something happen to them?” asked Yan Jiu. In the past, when they were here, they’d see scattered groups of Wans.h.i.+ people. They hadn’t seen any today.
“No one knows what they’re doing,” said Shao Xuan, shaking his head.
“Right, I heard your tribe expanded?” Yan Jiu asked his first key question.
“Yeah. Just some people we lost contact with. They came back.”
Which tribe could lose contact with four thousand people? Yan Jiu a.s.sumed Shao Xuan did not want to talk about it so he asked another question. “What happened to your tribe a while ago? Why do I sense… your tribe’s fire seed… seems to have…”
Yan Jiu was too embarra.s.sed to say ‘disappear’, for it was taboo, like a curse to a tribe. It was impolite to say it.