I Became The Chief Of A Primitive Village

Chapter 1057, Shipping Insurance

Translator: Silavin

“We also need to sell furniture in the Central Market, and some kettles for boiling water as well…” Su Bai took out paper and pen, muttering to himself as he wrote down what he had just said.

He had been planning to properly stock up the Central Market recently.

For now, it was still manageable, as only the familiar Tribes came to the Flame Dragon Tribe, but if more Tribes came in the future, having too few varieties in the Central Market would be a serious problem.

He had recently asked the carpenters to produce a great deal of furniture: pots, bowls, ladles and basins, tables, chairs, beds and doors, along with various everyday necessities.

Of course, since these were to be sold at the Central Market, the furniture would be crafted to a relatively fine standard.

For instance, the four corners of the tables would be carved with decorative patterns, and the beds would be fitted with a top frame for hanging mosquito nets and the like. In short, everything was to be made a touch more elaborate.

After all, these were goods to be sold at the Central Market, and only well-made items could fetch a good price.

Since the beds had been fitted with frames, there were correspondingly some mosquito nets to sell as well. The nets were quite simple to make. Large leaves were boiled until the surface residue could be scraped away, leaving only the leaf’s own veining.

Skilled craftspeople would then stitch these skeletal leaves together into a large sheet, which could be draped over the bed frame.

When sleeping at night, there would be no need to worry about mosquito bites, and one could sleep soundly through the whole night.

“The mosquito nets need to be made in larger quantities. They have been selling exceptionally well lately…” Su Bai murmured to himself.

Ever since he had developed the mosquito nets, nearly every household with the means to do so had switched to using them.

In a Primitive Tribe, if nothing else, there was certainly no shortage of insects. When night fell, all manner of creatures came crawling out. Though these insects were not lethal, who would want to be stung?

Poor sleep was truly a terrible suffering.

“The windows also need to be put up for sale. They have been selling very well recently too.”

Su Bai continued writing his thoughts on the white paper. “That should be about enough. There are already quite a few varieties now, and other Tribes coming to visit would have plenty to browse.”

He calculated roughly in his mind: the Tribe now sold not only paper, salt, fruit and dried fruit, but also furniture, wine, linen, clothing and more. In short, whatever a person wanted, they could find it at the Flame Dragon Tribe’s Central Market.

“Shaman, I have an idea. Our Tribe’s range of goods is exceptionally varied, but there is one problem that needs to be resolved.” Yu Ying poured a cup of tea into an empty teacup.

Su Bai set down his pen and stretched his fingers. “What problem?”

He would sometimes ask the girls for their thoughts, since he was not always able to consider every angle himself.

Those closest to a situation were often the least able to see it clearly, sometimes asking others for their perspective would bring sudden clarity.

“Although our goods are excellent and very popular, and other Tribes come and buy a great deal when they visit,” Yu Ying’s cheeks were puffed out on both sides. “Transporting those goods back to their own Tribes is the real difficulty. At times like this, other Tribes would consider the transport too troublesome and end up exchanging for far less.”

What Yu Ying said was entirely correct. The Large Tribes might have the confidence to transport everything back, but for Tribes below that tier, it was already a tremendous challenge just to push forward through the forest and protect themselves.

It was already difficult to safeguard their people, now, they had to deliver goods home intact?

“This is indeed a problem we need to overcome. I had thought about it before, but never pursued it in any real depth.”

Su Bai had indeed considered the transport issue previously, only back then the Tribe had only just started out, and the matter had been set aside. But as the Tribe’s goods grew more plentiful, the difficulty other Tribes faced in transporting them had come back to the forefront.

“Shaman, what if our Tribe helped transport other Tribes’ purchased goods back for them, and then charged them a fee?” Yu Ying asked tentatively.

Yu Ying knew she was generally unable to assist with management of the Tribe, but this idea was one she had been mulling over for a long time. Bottling it up inside was too uncomfortable.

“That is indeed a good idea. Before our roads are done, this could be a good way to earn a tidy sum.” Su Bai nodded thoughtfully.

“Since the road has not been extended to the other Tribes yet, we would have to use hot air balloons. It carries some risk, so we could set the price higher.” Yu Ying continued.

Yu Ying spent every day working alongside Su Bai, and over time had developed quite a few ideas of her own.

“En, that is a good idea. Or we could use ships to transport goods for them as well.”

Su Bai nodded with satisfaction and praised her. “The problem you raised and the solution you proposed were both good. In the future, feel free to speak your mind more often.”

The solution Yu Ying had proposed was quite straightforward, but the value lay in her willingness to think about it at all.

That aspect was very much worth commending. With proper nurturing, she would be of great help to him in the future.

As the Flame Dragon Tribe developed at an ever-faster pace, there would only be more and more matters to handle going forward. Relying on himself alone was impossible. He simply would not have the energy to deal with it all.

It was time to cultivate some people who could handle administrative work, which would make things a lot easier for himself as well.

“Thank you, Shaman.” A flush of red instantly rose across Yu Ying’s face.

Yu Ying was extremely happy right now. Her pink fox tail swaying back and forth behind her was proof enough of that.

“Then I will leave this matter to you. You can discuss the specifics with the Chieftain; as for exactly how much to charge, let him decide.”

He had always been gradually delegating authority downwards, keeping everything clutched tightly in his own hands would be exhausting.

This was, after all, an entirely ordinary matter that anyone could handle without issue.

“Leave it to me, Shaman. I will handle this matter well.” Yu Ying was instantly filled with a strong sense of purpose.

“Oh, right. You also need to have them pay an insurance fee, that is, a fee guaranteeing the goods arrive safely.”

Su Bai added immediately. “If they do not pay the insurance fee and something goes wrong with the goods while on route, the Flame Dragon Tribe will only reimburse one third of the value of the goods.”

He had suddenly recalled the shipping insurance model from Earth, if they wanted to ensure their goods arrive at their Tribe one hundred percent safely, they must purchase shipping insurance,

If anything goes wrong with the goods en route, the Flame Dragon Tribe could then provide a 1:1 reimbursement.

But if they have not purchased shipping insurance and something happens to their goods during transit, the Flame Dragon Tribe would at most offer only a token reimbursement.

Though this felt somewhat compulsory, the other Tribes would certainly all accept it.

That was precisely the effect Su Bai was after. He needed to create the impression that transporting goods was extremely difficult, so that people from the other Tribes would not think it was too easy, thus the price should be kept lower.

“I’ll remember that.” Yu Ying’s clear voice rang out.