Chapter 1424 Ending (2/2)
A few days later, Steve returned from the cave with the rock paintings. He took a lot of photos and analyzed the photos as he wanted to study the origin of the rock paintings.
At that point, Li Du and Old Martin announced the existence of the painted cave: in the deep section of the Blue Ridge, the oldest rock paintings in North America had been discovered!
With the consultant, bodyguards, and experts, Li Du returned to the deep mountains.
This time they flew directly to Pittsburgh by plane, and then transferred to a car. They continued their journey all the way along the winding road into the Blue Ridge and then began to climb the mountains.
There were many mountaineers in the United States. The caves and rock paintings had yet to be discovered because they were hidden in a remote location. Hence, although this time around the climb was easier, it still required a lot of effort and time.
The aged experts were physically weak. Often, they needed the bodyguards to help them along. Li Du had prepared a lot of energy bars and sports drinks in advance to prevent his team members from dropping off with exhaustion.
Fortunately, out of sheer determination, the aged experts endured the hardships and trekked behind Li Du. Some of the old experts did well and it was easy to see that they had considerable stamina.
Old Martin was one of those who trekked well. Li Du wanted to help him but he waved him off. ”Everything's OK. I feel all right. The air here is really good. It's a pity I haven't come to the Blue Ridges previously.”
Li Du replied, ”Keep climbing, there's better scenery ahead of us.”
Finally, under the guidance of the GPS, they entered a cave. Brightly colored, sensationalized rock paintings appeared before them!
After seeing those paintings, their tiredness evaporated at once and they quickly entered the cave with their flashlights to begin the inspection.
Someone wanted to take pictures. An archaeologist stopped him and said seriously, ”This is a precious asset. We have to do everything to protect it. Don't take pictures inside, don't let the light hurt the rock paintings!”
Li Du felt that such a precaution was not necessary. Strictly speaking, these drawings were not painted but carved in the rock. How could they be so easily destroyed?
However, the experts were very cautious, and all the lights brought into the cave were cold lights that minimized any possible impact on the rock paintings.
The rest of the matter had nothing to do with Li Du, who took the consultant group to the Tavisi tribe to trade.
Seeing him again, the people in the tribe treated him with the highest courtesy. Li Du had brought along Ah Ow, who had a place of honor in the tribe.
He had brought many gifts to the tribe, mostly daily necessities needed in the mountains, all kinds of spices, various flavoring agents, household necessities, and also some books. After seeing those, Sadisram could only smile helplessly.
The chieftain smiled at the gift and then brought out his gold, silver, snake skins, fur, herbs, and handicrafts.
In the end, the chieftain said to Li Du, ”If possible, can you help us bring some horses here next time?”
It turned out that originally, North America had no horses. The Europeans brought the animal to the continent, and the natives who lived in the wild quickly became attached to them.
Li Du promised that it would be no problem. This time around they had brought animals over, but they were mules. Without the mules, they would not have been able to bring the gifts up the mountain, nor could they bring the Tavisi goods down the mountain.
Francis and Griffin started their inspection of the precious metals and snake products. As for the rest of the items, Li Du would be pricing them himself. They stayed in the tribe for a day. Finally, Li Du surrendered 400,000 dollars in cash and took away goods that were worth millions.