The Second World in Ancient Times

After a long journey across the turbulent sea, Siqing's ship finally approached a strange island. As the ship slowly docked, the unique island atmosphere hit home. The people, dressed in colorful clothing, greeted these distant visitors with curiosity and friendliness.

Si Qing and her crew arrived on the island and were immediately captivated by the sight. The island's market was bustling with activity, with people trading various goods at stalls. To her surprise, she discovered that the currency here was bird feathers. These colorful feathers were meticulously woven into strings or packed in specially crafted bags, serving as a medium of exchange.

Si Qing approached a stall where the owner was exchanging a fine harpoon for strings of bird feathers. Curious, she asked the owner, "Why do you use bird feathers as currency?"

The stall owner smiled and replied, "These bird feathers are not easy to come by. Only brave hunters can collect the most beautiful feathers from the bird nests on the cliffs. Moreover, each type of bird feather has a different value, just like the gold and silver you outsiders use."

Si Qing carefully examined the feathers, some as soft as silk, others gleaming like metal. She realized that this unique form of currency reflected the island's distinct ecology and culture. On this island, the ability to hunt feathers represented wealth and status, a stark contrast to the way her family, known for its wealth, measured through commerce and industry.

She spent several days on the island, gaining a deeper understanding of the trading rules for Toba currency. She discovered that the value of different types and qualities of Toba feathers varied greatly, and that a complex valuation system was involved in the trade. Some Toba feathers, due to their rarity, could even be exchanged for a small boat.

Si Qing recorded this information in detail, knowing it might be helpful for future trade plans. Perhaps they could exchange some of their family's specialties for the feathers, and then bring them back to other places to find more profitable trading opportunities.

After leaving Toba Island, the ship continued to sail and arrived at a country surrounded by dense forests. The people of this country are hospitable, but they have strict religious beliefs and mysterious sacrificial rituals.

When Si Qing and his companions arrived, they happened to catch a grand sacrificial ceremony. People dressed in gorgeous sacrificial attire gathered in a huge square. In the center of the square stood a towering stone platform, surrounded by various mysterious symbols and patterns.

As melodious music played, the sacrificial ceremony officially began. People began dancing, their movements neat and rhythmic, each gesture seemingly imbued with special meaning. Si Qing observed that the dancers held props symbolizing the gods, which shimmered mysteriously in the sunlight.

Si Qing asked a local elder, "What are these dances praying to the gods for?"

The elder replied solemnly, "We are praying to the gods to bless our country with good weather and peace for our people. Our dance is a way to communicate with the gods, and every movement is a tribute and a statement to the gods."

The dance also features special moments. Dancers place offerings around the stone platform, including fresh fruit, exquisite handicrafts, and precious spices. Then, a priest dressed in special attire ascends the platform, sprinkles holy water into the sky, and chants, seemingly conveying the people's wishes.

Si Qing was deeply captivated by this mysterious ritual, and she sensed the importance of religion in the hearts of the people of this country. This method of communicating with the gods through dance and sacrifice was completely different from the family sacrifices she was familiar with. Here, religion is not just a belief, but a force that unites the people of the country.

She realized that when trading with this country, they had to respect their religious beliefs and sacrificial rituals. Any desecration of religion could lead to the severance of trade relations. So, she urged the crew to be careful and avoid violating local religious taboos.

After sailing for a while, Si Qing's fleet arrived at a prosperous foreign city. This city was located on the seashore, with tall and solid walls made of huge stones. The walls were carved with exquisite patterns and words, telling the history and glory of the city.

Entering the city, Si Qing was struck by the architecture. The houses lining the streets had unique styles. Some had conical roofs, like swords pointing to the sky; others had round domes inlaid with colored glass, reflecting brilliant light in the sunlight.

At the heart of the city lies a magnificent palace, built on a grand scale and adorned with marble and gold. Its gates, several feet high, are engraved with vivid mythological scenes, showcasing the country's rich cultural heritage.

Si Qing entered the market near the palace, where people thronged and a dazzling array of goods were on display. There were spices from around the world, housed in exquisite pottery jars, emitting an alluring aroma; there were brightly colored silks, soft in texture and intricately patterned, possessing a distinct charm compared to the silk produced by Si Qing's family; and there were also all sorts of exotically shaped gold and silver ornaments, inlaid with gemstones, with exquisite craftsmanship that was breathtaking.

At the market, Si Qing interacted with local merchants. One spice seller enthusiastically explained the origins and uses of various spices to her: "This spice is shipped from distant desert countries. It can be used to make delicious food and as incense in religious ceremonies. This spice is unique to our area and has healing properties."

Si Qing was full of interest in these novel commodities. She carefully observed and inquired about each commodity. She realized that this prosperous foreign city was a huge trade center that brought together cultures and commodities from different places, providing unlimited possibilities for trade.

Si Qing travels through this bustling exotic city, delving into the stories behind those novel commodities and collecting more information for his trade plans.

She came to a neighborhood dedicated to handicrafts, where shops were filled with a variety of exquisite handicrafts. There were wooden carvings of people, every detail meticulously crafted, their expressions vivid, as if they had souls of their own; there were ceramic vases painted with intricate patterns in vibrant and harmonious colors, showcasing superb painting techniques.

Si Qing walked into a wood carving shop where the owner was meticulously carving a new piece. She asked the owner about the craftsmanship behind the wood carvings: "These carvings are truly exquisite. How did you do them?"

The shop owner put down his tools and proudly introduced: "Our wood carvings are made from a local wood that is hard and fine-grained. We have inherited the woodcarving skills from our ancestors, and each piece requires careful design and a long time to carve. We start with a rough sketch, then use different knives to carve out the shape bit by bit, and finally polish and paint it."

Si Qing picked up a wood carving and admired it carefully. She could feel the craftsman's painstaking effort. She thought of her family's business. If she could introduce this unique wood carving technique, or collaborate with the local woodcarvers, she would surely be able to create more valuable products.

In another shop, Si Qing discovered a special kind of paper. It was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet incredibly strong, and it bore exquisite designs. The shopkeeper told her, "This paper is made from a special plant fiber, and we have a unique production method. It can be used for writing, drawing, and even as pages for precious books."

Si Qing became fascinated by the paper and began to think about how to incorporate it into the family's trade, perhaps exchanging the family's silk or ceramics for the paper, and then selling it to other places where there was a demand for paper.

While exploring foreign cities, Si Qing also noticed the unique social etiquette and business culture there.

Socially, people here place great emphasis on etiquette. When meeting, they perform a special ritual: folding their hands over their chests and bowing slightly. Furthermore, eye contact and body language carry specific meanings during communication. Failure to understand these etiquettes can easily lead to misunderstandings.

Businesspeople here have their own unique way of doing business. They prefer to conduct business negotiations in teahouses or coffee shops, discussing the details of transactions in a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike the formal business negotiations familiar to us, business exchanges here focus more on building interpersonal relationships.

Si Qing attended several business gatherings organized by local merchants and observed their communication styles. At these gatherings, businesspeople would greet each other first, then share interesting stories and daily life experiences, gradually drawing closer. When discussing business, they would not rush into the topic, but instead inquire about each other's needs and ideas, seeking to identify mutual interests.

Si Qing realized that to conduct business here, she had to adapt to the local business culture. She began to learn local social etiquette and worked hard to integrate into the local business community. She established connections with local merchants and participated in various business activities, gradually earning their recognition and respect.

After leaving this prosperous foreign city, Si Qing's fleet continued to sail on the sea, and they encountered many unique places, each with different cultures and customs.

On a small island, Si Qing discovered that the people there made their living by fishing. Their houses were built on stilts over the water. Their fishing technique was unique, using giant nets to catch fish at specific times and in specific areas of the sea. Furthermore, the islanders had their own unique musical culture, crafting instruments from fish bones to create clear and melodious music.

In another country, Si Qing witnessed a unique agricultural culture. Farmland here is terraced on the hillside, and people use ingenious irrigation systems to grow a variety of crops. The people of this country have a deep attachment to the land, and their religious beliefs and festivals are closely tied to agricultural production.

Whenever she arrived at a new place, Si Qing would lead her crew to gain an in-depth understanding of the local culture, customs, and economic conditions. She would record this information in detail in her own log, and this valuable information would provide rich material for her overseas trade plans.

After seeing so many exotic customs and habits from different countries, Si Qing began to think about the issues of cultural shock and integration.

She saw both huge differences and underlying similarities between cultures. For example, people in every place had their own beliefs and sacrificial rituals, but the purpose of these rituals was to pray for happiness and peace; every place had its own form of currency, but they were all designed to facilitate transactions and measure value.

Si Qing realized that in the process of conducting overseas trade, it is possible to use these cultural similarities to build connections, while also respecting and understanding cultural differences. She thought that if the best elements of different cultures could be integrated, perhaps more attractive products and trade models could be created.

For example, combining the weaving skills of Toba Kushima with the family's silk production to create a new decorative silk; or incorporating musical elements of dance rituals into the family's entertainment industry to develop a new performance form.

This cultural integration will not only bring new opportunities for trade, but also promote communication and understanding between different cultures. Si Qing knows that this is a long and complicated process, but she is willing to work hard for it.

As the understanding of the cultural and economic conditions of various places deepened, Si Qing began to adjust and improve the trade plan.

She re-planned the types and quantities of goods based on the demand and preferences of different countries and regions. In places with high demand for spices, she decided to increase the reserves of spices; in cities with a strong interest in wood carvings, she planned to work with local artisans to purchase more wood carvings.

Si Qing also considered transportation costs and trade routes. She found that by rationally planning routes, sailing time and costs could be reduced. For example, connecting adjacent regions with trade ties could create a more efficient trade route.

She also adjusted her trading methods to suit different local business cultures. In regions where interpersonal relationships are valued, she invested more time and energy in building and maintaining relationships with local merchants. In places where contracts and regulations are more important, she strengthened the drafting and review of contract terms.

Si Qing discussed these adjusted trade plans with the crew and merchants, and everyone offered their opinions and suggestions. After several revisions and improvements, a more reasonable and comprehensive trade plan gradually took shape.

Si Qing is well aware of the valuable knowledge and experience gained during her travels. She not only uses them to improve her trading plans, but also focuses on inheritance and sharing within the team.

On board, she organized regular knowledge-sharing sessions. At these, Si Qing and other knowledgeable crew members shared their experiences, observations, learnings, and reflections from their travels. They shared insights on the mysteries of Toba currency, the cultural significance of ritual dances, the unique architectural features of foreign lands, and the craftsmanship of various novel products.

The crew members listened with great interest, finding the sharing experiences broadening their horizons and enriching their knowledge. One young crew member said with emotion, "I never knew the world was so vast, with so many wonderful places and cultures. This knowledge has filled me with anticipation for our trade trip and makes me cherish this opportunity even more."

Si Qing also encouraged the crew to record this knowledge and form their own notes. She hoped that this knowledge would not only be useful during this trade trip, but also leave a valuable legacy for future generations of the family.

After this series of travels and explorations, Si Qing's horizons have been greatly broadened, and she has a deeper understanding and clearer planning for overseas trade.

She continued her journey with these valuable experiences and a refined trading plan.