Trading for Grain and Bringing It Home
At the Fish Tribe's autumn market, Jianshi and Wang Yan did not linger. After clarifying each other's bottom lines and intentions with Canglan, all that remained was an efficient transaction. The pottery, practical pickled goods, and generously high prices brought by the Fire Tribe allowed them to successfully exchange for the planned 200,000 catties of rice, as well as some other miscellaneous supplies needed by the Fire Tribe, such as specific medicinal herbs, and several kinds of processed aquatic products that were only available in the Fish Tribe.
When it came time to hand over the goods, the Fish Tribe offered to "help" transport some of the grain, seemingly wanting to maintain their usual slightly superior "favor." This time, Jianshi and Wang Yan politely declined with smiles.
"Thank you for your kindness, Chief Jianshi Canglan calmly but firmly, "But we have enough boats and manpower this time, so we can transport everything ourselves in two round trips. We won't trouble the brothers of the Fish Tribe."
Upon hearing this, the Fish Tribe's steward in charge of the handover glanced at the fifty massive Fire Tribe ships outside the dock, resembling Little Mountain, and the elite warriors aboard. He swallowed his words and nodded in agreement. Times had changed; the Fire Tribe now indeed had the confidence and ability to say "no."
With the supplies loaded onto the ships, the Fire Tribe's massive fleet did not delay and immediately weighed anchor and set sail against the current on their return journey. This time, their ship's hold was filled with heavy rice grains, and the waterline was noticeably deeper.
In order to transport the grain back as soon as possible and to reduce the pressure and risks of a single voyage, Wang Yan and Dali discussed and decided to transport it in two batches. Wang Yan and Dali loaded the first batch of 100,000 catties of rice and some other fragile or urgently needed goods, and set off as the first fleet to return.
The fleet sailed upstream at a slower pace than on the way there, but still arrived at the mouth of the stream that flows into the Fish River (called "Homecoming Creek" by the Fire Tribe) within the allotted time. There was a relatively flat riverbank here, which was a temporary transit point agreed upon by the Fire Tribe and the outside world.
Even before the fleet arrived, Jianya, having received the urgent message from Light Boat, had already organized a team to meet them. Hundreds of young men from the Fire Tribe, carrying carrying poles, baskets, simple carts, and even dozens of oxen, were already waiting there. As soon as the lead fleet docked, the shouts of unloading echoed across the riverbank.
"One, two, heave-ho!"
Be careful!
"Move it this way and load it onto the truck!"
The scene was bustling yet orderly. Heavy sacks of rice were carried off the boats, loaded onto oxcarts or by two people using carrying poles, and made their way along the already trodden paths towards the valley. Meanwhile, the large boats and the light Xiaozhou did not stop, but immediately turned around and went downstream back to the Fish Tribe dock to prepare for the transport of the second batch of goods.
With a large workforce and the combined use of boats and vehicles, the first batch of 100,000 jin of rice and related supplies was transported back to the Fire Tribe Valley in just over a day and was safely stored in the prepared granaries.
A few days later, the second fleet, personally escorted by Jianshi, carrying the remaining 100,000 jin of rice and other supplies, also arrived safely at the river mouth. The same reception process was repeated, but with even greater efficiency. When the last bag of grain was stored away and the huge warehouse door slowly closed, the entire Fire Tribe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, followed by an indescribable sense of security and pride.
Especially the newly joined members, including those from the Deer Tribe and Green Sheep Tribe who had just settled down. They watched as mountains of golden rice were transported into the tribe, and as the granaries were filled to the brim. The last trace of unease and doubt they felt from leaving their homes vanished completely. With such a tribe, what was there to worry about? Their confidence had never been so strong!
Jianya reported to Jianshi and Wang Yan on the resettlement of the Deer and Green Sheep tribes. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner, following established practices: registering the population, allocating temporary accommodations (the newly built wooden house area came in handy), incorporating them into production or reserve teams, and explaining tribal rules. The two tribes had about four hundred people each, and with the original and new members, the total population of the Fire Tribe was approaching four thousand!
This number means that the Fire Tribe can mobilize more than 800 warriors! The size of the Youth Team will also expand to nearly 400 people! This is an armed force that any force in the surrounding area, including the Fish Tribe, will have to take seriously.
Standing on the newly built observation platform, overlooking a valley that is larger, busier, and more vibrant than ever before, Jianshi felt a surge of pride. In just a few short years, from the brink of starvation to dominating the region, this transformation seemed like a dream, yet undeniably real.
"Father, there's still some time before the real winter chill sets in," Wang Yan reminded him from the side. "Could we seize this last bit of time to reclaim and level the 3,000 mu of paddy fields that we plan to plant next spring? That way, we can start sowing as soon as spring arrives, seizing the opportune time for farming. By next summer, we can try to reclaim another 1,000 mu, bringing the total to 4,000 mu."
Jianshi's eyes lit up. "Great idea! We can rest while the land works, and now we have even more manpower! Pass down the order: the Hunting Reserve Team and some of the newly joined able-bodied men, after completing their basic training and familiarizing themselves with the rules, will immediately begin winter land reclamation! Clear out all the good land we've set our sights on downstream, and all the places around the valley where we can get water! Food is our eternal foundation!"
The order was quickly relayed. Soon, in addition to training and daily work, teams of young and strong men set off for the planned new farmland, carrying improved wooden plows and stone hoes. Although it was early winter and the weather was getting cold, the enthusiasm for development among the Fire Tribe remained undiminished.