The Fire Tribe Ready to Set Out
The autumn morning light carried a slight chill, but it couldn't conceal the bustling scene near the Fire Tribe's valley dock. An unprecedented mobilization of supplies was about to take place. Fifty brand-new Muzhou, each with a carrying capacity exceeding two thousand kilograms, resembled fifty colossal beasts lying silently on the water's edge. Their hulls, repeatedly coated with tung oil, gleamed a deep brown in the sunlight. They were no longer simply means of transport, but rather the most direct symbol of the Fire Tribe's strength and ambition. On the shore, dozens more lighter Muzhou, each with a carrying capacity of about five hundred kilograms, were ready to depart together, tasked with auxiliary transport and flexible deployment. For the tribe's daily fishing and short-distance travel, leaving behind a few older boats would suffice.
Wang Yan stood on the dock, inspecting the cargo that was about to be loaded onto the ship with his father, Jianshi, Uncle Jianya, Uncle Dali, and others.
"This time, we're taking out more than five times the amount of dried fish and meat compared to last year," Jianya said with a smile, pointing to baskets of dried fish, venison, and pork that had been carefully cured with coarse salt and then smoked or sun-dried. "Those small tribes have a long way to go to the Fish Tribe to get salt. They'll definitely like these ready-made salted goods; we can exchange them for a lot of furs, medicinal herbs, and local specialties."
Wang Yan nodded and added, "Moreover, processing with our own salt keeps costs under control. This not only helps us deal with excess meat but also opens up new trade avenues."
Even more eye-catching were the pottery piled up on the other side of the open space. Pottery pots, jars, basins and bowls of different sizes and shapes were carefully tied and separated with dry grass, forming small Little Mountain. The quantity was far greater than the scale of the 100,000 catties of rice traded with the Fish Tribe last time. Roughly estimated, it was at least two or three times more than last time.
"The Fish Tribe hasn't done any major trade with us this year, so this is a good opportunity to make up for it." Jianshi Shi stroked his chin, his eyes deep. "Besides exchanging grain, we also want to show them that our Fire Tribe's pottery is not only of high quality but also produced in sufficient quantities. This business can last."
In addition, there were a large number of newly woven linen clothes and woven straw sandals, which were practical and popular items, intended to be exchanged for odds and ends or given away directly at the nearby market to strengthen relationships.
"Everything is arranged," Wang Yan said to his father. "The ships, cargo, manpower, and itinerary have all been confirmed. We expect to set off in a few days, once the last batch of cured goods has dried."
Jianshi looked at the well-organized preparations with satisfaction. "Good! I'll lead the team again this time. Yan, you'll come along and listen and observe. Jianya, you'll be mainly in charge of the small market trading. After it's over, you'll take a group of people and the loose supplies you've collected back to the tribe first. Dali, you'll lead the elite Hunting Team to escort the boat and ensure the safety of the waterways."
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
Just as the Fire Tribe was busily preparing for their upcoming journey and trade, the Deer Tribe and the Green Sheep Tribe, located several sunsets away, were about to hold their annual small gatherings to exchange ideas with neighboring tribes. A subtle atmosphere, different from previous years, permeated both tribes.
Lu Ming, the leader of the Deer Tribe, has recently encountered some familiar faces while leading his hunting expeditions. These are hunters from several smaller tribes that were originally affiliated with the Deer Tribe but later defected to the Fire Tribe. The encounters in the forest are initially awkward, but they quickly begin chatting.
To Lu Ming's surprise, these former "poor relatives" now all had rosy complexions, their muscles were noticeably more toned, and their eyes had lost their former anxiety and numbness, replaced by composure and vitality. In casual conversation, they spoke of their life in the Fire Tribe, their tone filled with contentment:
"Chief Lu Ming Cry, to be honest, in the Fire Tribe, as long as you're willing to work and follow the rules, you've never had to worry about food!"
"Yes, there's plenty of food, we can eat meat every few days, and there are vegetables too!"
"The building is sturdy, and we don't get cold in winter. Training is tiring, but it gives us peace of mind!"
These simple words struck Lu Ming's heart like a hammer blow. He was an old hand at this, and he knew that some things couldn't be faked. When food was scarce, people would become pale and thin, their eyes unfocused; when bullied and oppressed, people would shrink back, become numb, and be full of suspicion. But the people in front of him were strong and healthy, their expressions cheerful, and they even had a faint sense of pride when they talked about the Fire Tribe.
This can only mean one thing: they joined the Fire Tribe and truly began to live a much better life than under the protection of the Deer Tribe! The Fire Tribe not only had the capacity to support the sudden increase in population, but also had the resources to ensure that these new tribespeople lived well!
"Where did their food come from? How could they have so much?" Lu Ming was overwhelmed with shock. At the same time, the thought that had been lingering in his mind for so long became incredibly clear and urgent—joining the Fire Tribe might be the only way out for the Deer Tribe.
The same thing happened to Wenshi, the leader of the Green Sheep Tribe. He also encountered former vassal tribesmen who had defected to the Fire Tribe and received similar feedback. Wenshi was more cautious than Lu Ming, even somewhat indecisive, but the living example in front of him was more convincing than any rumor. His last doubt about whether the Fire Tribe had enough food also vanished.
The two leaders thought to themselves: They must go to this small gathering in person! They must go and see Jianshi in person. Now they also need to think of a way to persuade the conservative and apprehensive elders in the tribe.
While obstacles and risks certainly exist, the Fire Tribe's formidable strength and the tangible allure of a "better life" act like a magnet, firmly drawing Lu Ming and Wenshi's hearts in.