Bows and arrows are the perfect weapons for the Great Stone Tribe. In this primitive era, combat mainly consists of close-range weapons, although there are some long-range weapons like slings and javelins, their accuracy and damage are very low.
On the other hand, bows and arrows, through training and practice, can achieve high accuracy and superior long-range damage compared to slings or javelins.
To craft bows and arrows, two essential materials are needed: string and bird feathers. While bird feathers may seem useless at first glance, they play a crucial role in adjusting the direction and increasing the range and accuracy of arrows.
During this time, Minh Vu was eager to make bows and arrows, but lacked the necessary materials. Fortunately, the Red Chicken Tribe brought feathers, which were considered worthless, and Minh Vu managed to negotiate a deal at half price. While chicken feathers were usually only used for lining beds, they were perfect for making arrows, and the deal was sealed with just a bowl and a spoon.
While other tribes were busy gathering dry grass and small branches, the Stone and Fire tribes began their exchange. As Minh Vu stated, they still had 20 large pots and plenty of other pottery items, attracting many other tribes.
The Stone Tribe's priority was food, and they managed to secure 10 large pots at a relatively low price of 3 large animal skins and 1 bag of salt per pot.
Calculating based on food as the standard unit:
1 large animal skin = 3 bags of food
1 bag of salt = 5 bags of food
1 person = 10 bags of food
According to this ratio, the Stone Tribe needed to give up 14 bags of food for each large pot, while other tribes had to pay even more, up to 16 bags of food.
Despite the high price, they were satisfied because the large pots would help them survive the winter easily.
The Stone Tribe focused on exchanging for plant-based foods like tubers and Op seeds, as well as dried meat, which they had in surplus.
Additionally, they could fish in the icy streams during the winter.
After a productive morning, the Stone Tribe harvested 34 large animal skins and 36 bags of food, including 20 bags of Op seeds, which Minh Vu considered as potatoes for future planting in the spring.
Minh Vu favored the Dry Tribe, as they not only lowered their exchange prices but also received two pairs of shoes as gifts, greatly appreciated by Akk and Epx for the warmth they provided.
The Red Chicken Tribe also had a fruitful harvest, exchanging Red Beans for trade and using chicken feathers, which they considered worthless, to obtain a bowl and a spoon, much to their delight.
In contrast, the Tooth and Black Tooth tribes faced difficulties exchanging with the Fire Tribe, feeling they were at a disadvantage.
For example, the Tooth Tribe mainly brought dried meat and animal skins for exchange.
Iru disagreed with the high price set by the Stone Tribe, demanding 10 large animal skins for one large pot, but Lusu refused to accept this and had to reluctantly agree to the exorbitant price set by Simba.
Similarly, the Black Tooth Tribe had to pay a high price of 40 bags of food for one pot, earning them a profit but also enmity from the powerful Stone and Fire tribes.
After exchanging with the current tribes, Minh Vu was left with only 10 bowls and 6 spoons.
He decided to find something else to exchange, realizing the importance of other items for the future development of the tribe.
However, finding suitable items was challenging, as most tribes focused solely on food and survival items.
Minh Vu also struggled to identify the potential uses of various resources gathered by the tribes, such as chili peppers found in the tribe's storage, which he saw as a possible ingredient for future developments.
Deciding to take a chance, Minh Vu and Klu went out to explore during the exchange.
Unfortunately, luck was not on their side, and they only found large bones suitable for making weapons or stone knives.
Returning to camp, the women had finished their tasks, and the new recruits, after a night of rest and abundant food, were recovering their strength. Minh Vu decided to stay one more day before returning to the tribe, citing the need for the new recruits to rest and the necessity of making more backpacks to transport the animal skins and food back to the tribe. With a bountiful harvest, including over 70 large animal skins and 40 bags of food, the Stone Tribe's stockpile was replenished, although the salt needed refining before use.
Meanwhile, the other tribes quickly returned after completing their exchanges, believing that caves were the safest place during winter.
At the central tent of the Stone Tribe, Simba and Ohot, the two highest leaders, were discussing matters related to the tribe. Outside, several tribal warriors stood guard, indicating the importance of the location.
Simba and Ohot were examining the items laid out before them, contemplating their next move. While they were confident in their tribe's strength and believed they could defeat the Great Stone Tribe within a day, they were hesitant to engage in winter warfare, knowing the dangers it posed.
However, waiting until the end of winter would deplete their food supplies, weakening their tribe. Hence, they believed the present time was the most suitable for attacking the Great Stone Tribe. This was the plan they devised.
At that moment, Kkav rushed in to report, "Leader! The other tribes have returned, but the Great Stone Tribe is still here, and they seem to be actively gathering dry grass and small branches! I wonder what they're up to!"
Simba furrowed his brow. "What are they gathering those for, Ohot?"
Ohot replied, "Let's go and find out immediately!"
With that, they headed towards the gathering spot of the Great Stone Tribe.
Upon arrival, they found the Stone Tribe concentrating together, with Camil instructing the new recruits on weaving shoes and backpacks.
They needed to make as many backpacks as possible, and even the Klu tribe was helping out, as they didn't have enough. They were also crafting an additional cart because of the surplus goods, requiring an extra means of transportation.
By the end of the afternoon, as some women began preparing dinner, they heard footsteps approaching from outside. It was Simba, Ohot, and their ten warriors.
Simba stepped forward and asked loudly, "The trading session has ended. Why hasn't your tribe left yet?"
Seeing the imposing group approaching, Minh Vu felt something was amiss and quickly stepped forward.
"Leader Simba, the new recruits we brought in were too weak from hunger to travel yesterday, so we had to stay for another day," Minh Vu explained with a smile.
"Then why are you gathering dry grass and small branches?" Simba continued to question.
"Oh, recently, our tribe has managed to make an item using grass and small branches!" Minh Vu replied.
"Show it to us!" Ohot demanded.
"Here it is!" Minh Vu pointed to a completed backpack.
He knew that if he didn't provide a satisfactory explanation, these people wouldn't leave them in peace.
With just a winter season, or even half a winter, the Great Stone Tribe would be able to withstand the Stone Tribe's attacks and might even be able to defeat them.
That's what they had planned and discussed.
Meanwhile, Kkav ran in again to report, "Leader! The other tribes have returned, but only the Great Stone Tribe remains here. Moreover, they are actively gathering dry grass and small branches! I wonder what they intend to do!"
Simba furrowed his brow. "What are they gathering those for, Ohot?"
Ohot replied, "Let's go and find out immediately!"
With that, they headed towards the gathering spot of the Great Stone Tribe.
Upon arrival, they found the Stone Tribe concentrating together, with Camil instructing the new recruits on weaving shoes and backpacks.
They needed to make as many backpacks as possible, and even the Klu tribe was helping out, as they didn't have enough. They were also crafting an additional cart because of the surplus goods, requiring an extra means of transportation.
By the end of the afternoon, as some women began preparing dinner, they heard footsteps approaching from outside. It was Simba, Ohot, and their ten warriors.
Simba stepped forward and asked loudly, "The trading session has ended. Why hasn't your tribe left yet?"
Seeing the imposing group approaching, Minh Vu felt something was amiss and quickly stepped forward.
"Leader Simba, the new recruits we brought in were too weak from hunger to travel yesterday, so we had to stay for another day," Minh Vu explained with a smile.
"Then why are you gathering dry grass and small branches?" Simba continued to question.
"Oh, recently, our tribe has managed to make an item using grass and small branches!" Minh Vu replied.
"Show it to us!" Ohot demanded.
"Here it is!" Minh Vu pointed to a completed backpack.
He understood that if he didn't come up with a good enough explanation, these folks wouldn't be satisfied and might cause trouble.
Simply giving him the time of a winter, or even just half, would be enough for the Big Stone tribe to gather strength to confront the Stone tribe, maybe even defeat them.