Chapter 029: Into the Swamp (Conclusion)

As the Li Tribe's collecting team watched Luo Chong skillfully navigate through the swamp, their curiosity was piqued by his floating craft. Luo Chong, unaware of the tribe's attention, was intensely focused on harvesting the wild rice. He had managed to fill his makeshift snake skin bag with the golden grains, ready to take a vital step towards agricultural innovation in his new world.

After securing a significant amount of rice, Luo Chong decided it was time to head back. Before departing, he paused, feeling a surge of accomplishment. The successful harvest not only promised a potential shift from foraging to farming for his tribe but also marked a personal victory against the harsh challenges of this primitive world.

Luo Chong carefully retraced his steps, using the large woven mat to distribute his weight evenly over the marshy ground. His homemade snowshoes prevented him from sinking into the mud, a trick that intrigued the watching Li Tribe.

As Luo Chong approached the edge of the swamp, he noticed the Li Tribe members gathering nearby. Their expressions mixed curiosity and awe. Realizing this might be an opportunity for a peaceful exchange, Luo Chong waved and called out, greeting them in the simplest terms his limited language skills would allow.

The Li Tribe, led by Li Grass, the woman who had initially tried to warn him, cautiously approached. Her earlier fears had turned into fascination with Luo Chong's unusual techniques and tools. Through gestures and basic words, they exchanged greetings. Luo Chong, sensing their friendliness and curiosity about his raft, began to demonstrate how he crafted it from the materials found in the swamp.

The demonstration turned into an impromptu workshop. Luo Chong showed them the snake skin bag, explaining its use for carrying grains. He shared the design of his raft and snowshoes, explaining their construction and use. The Li Tribe members, particularly Li Grass, listened eagerly, absorbing every detail. They were particularly impressed with how these simple technologies could revolutionize their way of harvesting in the swamp.

Seeing the opportunity for a mutually beneficial relationship, Luo Chong proposed a trade. He offered to leave them a small quantity of wild rice seeds in exchange for some of their harvested water chestnuts and knowledge of other edible plants in the swamp. Li Grass and her people agreed enthusiastically, excited by the prospects of cultivating a crop that could add variety to their diet and stability to their food supply.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple, Luo Chong and the Li Tribe completed their exchange. They shared a simple meal by the swamp, eating smoked fish and water chestnuts, celebrating their newfound friendship and the promise of future collaborations.

With his bag full of wild rice seeds and new knowledge of local flora, Luo Chong bid farewell to the Li Tribe. He promised to return, fostering a bond that would extend beyond mere trade—a bond that could lead to greater understanding and cooperation between their peoples.

Paddling away on his raft, Luo Chong felt a profound sense of contentment. His journey into the swamp had not only yielded seeds that could change the future of his tribe but had also woven the first threads of community and alliance in this untamed land.

As he disappeared into the fading light, the Li Tribe members stood by the water's edge, watching him go. They talked among themselves about the strange yet fascinating man who had walked on their forbidden land and brought them new ideas and hope. In their hearts, they felt a mix of gratitude and wonder, pondering the possibilities that lay ahead.