An Unexpected Windfall from Trade
While the Wolf Tribe wielded their butcher knives on the northern grasslands, reaping wealth and horses with bloodshed and fear, the Fire Tribe's ships, laden with goods, once again sailed upstream along the Fish River.
The initial trade along the four tributaries of the upper reaches of the Fish River near the Fire Tribe was a great success, but it was largely exploratory. While the Fire Tribe's preserved goods and tools were popular, the tribes deeper in the tributaries clearly hadn't expected such a "generous" caravan, and their prepared exchange goods were limited. Now, a month later, those relatively powerful "middleman" tribes, with populations of around two hundred, have likely mobilized the surrounding smaller tribes, collecting considerable amounts of furs, medicinal herbs, local specialties, and various seeds, eagerly awaiting the Fire Tribe's fleet's return.
The Fire Tribe naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. This time, they prepared even more attractive goods: a full thousand sets of upgraded and improved linen clothing and matching straw sandals! For the upstream tribes who were used to wearing animal skins year-round, or even barely clothed, these were simply irresistible luxuries. In addition, there were two hundred large earthenware pots suitable for large families and two hundred large earthenware jars for storing water and food. These were symbols of a high quality of life, far more appealing than simple salt and food.
Thirty large Muzhou, each with a carrying capacity of two thousand kilograms, were assembled at the Fire Creek Mouth. This time, Wang Yan and Dali led the team. Wang Yan had specifically requested this mission from his father, Jianshi, eager to gain a deeper understanding of the situation upstream and gather firsthand information for the tribe's future planning. Jianshi no longer saw Wang Yan as a child needing protection; Wang Yan's bravery and composure in the last battle outside the White Pig Tribe had left a deep impression on him. Not to mention, Wang Yan's wisdom and insight had played a crucial role in the Fire Tribe's growth from near starvation to its current size of over six thousand people.
"Go ahead, Yan. I know you know what you're doing." Jianshi patted his son's shoulder, his eyes full of trust and expectation. "If you encounter any difficult decisions, you can discuss them with Dali. Safety first!"
With his father's approval, Wang Yan was filled with enthusiasm. That morning, led by Wang Yan and Dali, the fleet set sail again, heading upstream towards the waters that were opening their arms to them.
Two days later, the fleet arrived at the mouth of the first tributary— the First Water River. Wang Yan ordered Dali to lead most of the fleet and cargo to set up camp in a safe place at the river mouth, while he himself led ten large boats, carrying some carefully selected goods, and slowly sailed into the First Water River.
The river narrowed, but the current remained gentle. Before long, the first target tribe came into view. It was the Little Marsh Tribe, a group of two hundred people who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. When their leader, Zebo, heard that the Fire Tribe's fleet had indeed come again, and that it was led by a young but dignified captain named Yan, he was overjoyed and immediately led the tribe's high-ranking members to the riverbank to welcome them.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Yan had samples of hemp clothing and straw sandals brought ashore. The soft feel of the hemp cloth and the lightweight yet sturdy straw sandals immediately captivated Zebo and everyone present! They carefully touched them, their eyes revealing undisguised fondness and longing.
"Captain Yan, how... how do we change these clothes and shoes?" Zebo's voice trembled slightly.
Wang Yan quoted a relatively fair price, but it was definitely not low in the barter era. Zebo almost hesitated and immediately decided. "We want a hundred sets! No, as many as possible!" He planned to equip the forty bravest warriors in the tribe with them, give the rest to the elders and meritorious tribesmen, and keep some as precious gifts or to resell at a higher price to the leaders of the smaller tribes that were affiliated with them. This was definitely a symbol of status and huge profits!
The trade proceeded swiftly. Besides hemp clothing and straw sandals, large earthenware pots and jars were also highly sought after. The pottery of the Fire Tribe was exquisitely crafted, yet its price was significantly lower than that of the Fish Tribe's caravan, which only made occasional visits and had a rather arrogant attitude. This made the people of the Little Marsh Tribe regret that their resources were not abundant enough to buy everything. They brought out various high-quality animal hides, dried herbs, some exotic plant seeds, and local specialties that they had accumulated over a long period of time to exchange for these goods.
With a bountiful harvest and a more amicable relationship, Wang Yan's fleet continued deeper into the First Water River, visiting three other tribes of similar size (named the Water Grass Tribe, Water Fish Tribe, and Water Stone Tribe) in the same manner. The trading process was largely the same; the Fire Tribe's goods were the hard currency in these relatively closed river basins. Apart from necessary rest, Wang Yan hardly stopped, completing all the transactions by evening before returning to the river mouth to reunite with Dali.
The fleet rested for one night and continued upstream the next day, arriving at the Second Forest River two days later. The vegetation here was even denser, and the tribes mainly relied on gathering and hunting. Wang Yan had Dali wait at the river mouth as usual, while he led eight large boats into the Forest River.
The four tribes here (the Forest Wood Tribe, the Forest Beast Tribe, the Forest Medicine Tribe, and the Forest Fruit Tribe) were equally enthusiastic. Their demand for hemp clothing and straw sandals was no less than that of the tribes along the First Water River; each tribe ordered over a hundred sets at once. Pottery was considered a magical tool for improving their lives, with each tribe snapping up over a dozen pieces. The Fire Tribe's fleet was almost overwhelmed by various animal hides (including some rare furs), medicinal herbs, nuts, and dried fruits. Wang Yan keenly noticed that some of the medicinal herbs and nuts produced here were of excellent quality and might have greater value in the Fire Tribe. In the evening, Yan returned to the river mouth for another round of inventory and sorting of supplies.
After sailing for another two days, they arrived at the Third Stone River. The river basin here was relatively barren, and the tribes were also smaller, consisting of only three tribes with about two hundred people each (Shijian Tribe, Stone Whetstone Tribe, and Stone Mine Tribe). Wang Yan led six large boats in, and the trade proceeded smoothly, but he could sense that these tribes had relatively limited reserves of supplies, resulting in a smaller exchange volume compared to the previous two rivers. However, they did bring out some unique mineral samples and Jianren stones, which greatly interested Wang Yan.
The fleet's final destination was the Fourth Valley River, the uppermost tributary. Two days later, the Valley River Mouth came into view. Dali once again led the team to stay behind, while Wang Yan, with six large boats and a spirit of exploration, sailed into this tributary, which was closer to the source and perhaps even more isolated from the world.
The first tribe in the Valley River was called the "Valley Abundance Tribe". The chief, "Fengmao", was a middle-aged man who looked quite shrewd but had a worried expression. He warmly received Wang Yan, but after the initial pleasantries, the conversation took a turn.
Fengmao didn't rush to haggle; instead, he began to inquire in detail about the Fire Tribe: How many people were there? What did they eat? Where did they live? Did they really have that many and big boats?
Wang Yan was somewhat surprised, but he still spoke frankly, introducing the general size of the Fire Tribe (omitting specific numbers, only saying that they were far larger than them), their affluent life (they were fed as long as they worked), and the various types of ships that were under construction.
When they heard that the Fire Tribe's population was likely dozens of times their own, that they possessed numerous large ships, and had abundant food supplies, Fengmao and his high-ranking officials wore expressions of disbelief mixed with deep shock and longing. They couldn't even count how many times that was; they only knew that it was a vast world beyond their imagination.
"Captain Yan, to be honest," Fengmao sighed, his face growing even more worried, "Life is tough for the tribes in our Valley River. The land isn't fertile, the game isn't plentiful, and the winters are unbearable. Most importantly, salt is completely controlled by the Fish Tribe and those middlemen downstream—it's expensive and scarce. Even we so-called 'large tribes' are barely scraping by, and the smaller tribes nearby are living hand to mouth."
He paused, looking at Wang Yan with a determined glint in his eyes. "We... we, the Valley Abundance Tribe, and the other tribes along the Valley River, have long sought a stronger ally. Our two previous encounters with your Fire Tribe, with its fair trade and refusal to oppress the weak, have intrigued us. Hearing your words today, it seems the Fire Tribe is far more powerful and wealthy than we imagined... Our Valley Abundance Tribe wishes to bring our entire clan to the Fire Tribe! We earnestly request Captain Yan to take us in!"
This sudden request stunned Wang Yan, but a surge of joy immediately welled up within him. Voluntary submission, and genuine submission after understanding the situation, was far more stable than conquest by force or influence through trade!
Without hesitation, he solemnly replied, "Chief Fengmao, as long as you are truly willing to abide by the rules of the Fire Tribe and wholeheartedly contribute to the tribe, our Fire Tribe welcomes all brothers and sisters to join us! I, Wang Yan, on behalf of my father, Chief Jianshi, accept your Valley Abundance Tribe!"
The news spread like wildfire, and the entire Valley Abundance Tribe erupted in cheers. Fengmao was especially excited, immediately declaring, "Captain Yan, it's not just us who want to join! The other two tribes along the Valley River, the ' Valley Plenty Tribe ' and the ' Valley Ascending Tribe,' with over two hundred people each, are also struggling and have long harbored this idea! There are also several smaller tribes that depend on us for survival; if we leave, they'll lose their means of buying salt and won't be able to survive! If they're willing, perhaps they could also...?"
Wang Yan's eyes lit up; this was an unexpected delight! He immediately said, "Of course! Chief Fengmao, if you can persuade them to join us, it will be a great service to the Fire Tribe! In that case, take me to see the other two chiefs right now! If they are willing, we will accept them all!"
Fengmao was overjoyed and immediately accompanied Wang Yan by boat to the Valley Plenty Tribe and Valley Ascending Tribe. When the other two leaders, Yuman and Denggao, heard this incredible news, they could hardly believe their ears. After repeatedly confirming and witnessing Wang Yan's sincerity and the strength of the Fire Tribe's fleet, they agreed on the spot without hesitation, fearing that Wang Yan might go back on his word!
Without delay, Wang Yan immediately dispatched the fastest messenger Xiaozhou to sail downstream and return to the Fire Tribe as quickly as possible to report this crucial news to his father, Jianshi: the three tribes along the Valley River, totaling over six hundred people, were willing to surrender as a whole! He requested that his father immediately prepare houses and food for them and urgently mobilize all available transport vessels—including three 5,000-jin giant boats and twenty 2,000-jin large boats that had just been successfully tested—to come and pick them up!
After arranging the messenger's arrival, Wang Yan quickly returned to the Valley River Mouth to meet up with Dali. He needed to take the fleet back and prepare for the upcoming large-scale population migration. Standing at the Chuantou, looking at the vast Fish River, Wang Yan was filled with emotion. What was originally a planned trade trip had unexpectedly turned into a diplomatic victory and a population absorption event.