Heading Up the Fish River to Bring People Back
Four days later, Wang Yan and Dali's trading fleet, laden with the spoils of upstream trade, returned safely to Fire Creek Mouth. Seeing the massive fleet with its masts standing tall at the river mouth, far exceeding their own size, Wang Yan knew that his father, Jianshi, had received the news and completed the assembly and preparation with astonishing efficiency.
The trade fleet slowly sailed into the already sizable wharf deep in the Fire Creek River. On the shore, Jianshi and Jianya, along with their logistics and guards, had been waiting for a long time, ready to receive and unload the cargo. As soon as Wang Yan and Dali jumped off the boat, they quickly walked towards their father.
"Father! Second Uncle!" Wang Yan couldn't hide his excitement. He quickly gave a brief report on the trade, focusing on the warm welcome the Fire Tribe's goods received by the upstream tribes of the four tributaries and the huge potential for future trade. When he mentioned the Valley River at the very top, where three tribes of more than two hundred people had voluntarily requested to join him and he had agreed on the spot, both Jianshi and Jianya showed delighted smiles.
"Good! Well done, Yan!" Jianshi patted his son's shoulder forcefully, his eyes full of approval. "This isn't just about adding a few hundred mouths to feed; it's about winning hearts and minds! Our Fire Tribe is uncovering more and more secrets, and our resources are growing stronger. We need more people, more warriors, to Shouhu and develop together!"
He then pointed to the newly added, conspicuously large boats on the dock and outside the river mouth, his tone filled with pride. "After you left, we haven't been idle at home. The remaining 5,000-jin boats have all been installed, and their launch and trial runs have been successful! Now, our Fire Tribe has ten truly large boats with a 5,000-jin carrying capacity! Thirty new 2,000-jin Muzhou have been launched, bringing the total to eighty! And one hundred more 500-jin small Muzhou have been added!"
This news greatly boosted Wang Yan and Dali's spirits. It meant that the Fire Tribe's water power had taken another significant step forward in a short period of time!
Jianshi continued, "I've already made arrangements. We'll keep some Xiaozhou each weighing 500 jin) for daily fishing and near-shore surveillance, and all the other boats can be used for this repatriation operation. Ten large ships, eighty large boats, plus one hundred Xiaozhou —even if there are two thousand people over there, two trips should be enough. Even if they have some belongings to take, three trips should be enough!"
The group immediately began discussing specific resettlement plans. Jianya was in charge of coordinating the newly built houses and the division of residential areas; Qingye led the women to prepare uniformly distributed clothing (mainly hemp clothing, supplemented with some old animal hides) and the most basic daily necessities (earthenware bowls, wooden spoons, etc.); Jianshi personally took charge of the overall plan to break up the original tribal organization of these newly surrendered people and, based on their age, physical strength, and special skills, initially integrate them into the various production groups and reserve Hunting Team (Defense Team) of the Fire Tribe for training and labor.
Despite the approaching summer harvest and optimistic grain prospects, Jianshi decided to prepare for the worst, considering the potential increase in population. "Grain reserves can't rely solely on the harvest; what if something unexpected happens? Jianya, when you and Yan go to pick up the people, when the Fish Tribe Fish Tribe again, I'll speak with them and ask them to continue buying grain from the Valley Tribe for us, even at a higher price! While our number of large ships has caught up, we haven't yet achieved an overwhelming advantage, and our sailors and warriors still need to accumulate experience in ship handling. It's not advisable to completely break ties with the Fish Tribe for now. Stockpile as much grain as possible!"
The rescue mission was overseen by Jianya, with Dali and Dazhuang assisting, and three hundred elite warriors were assigned to escort and operate the ships. The entire rescue fleet was unprecedented in size.
One hundred Xiaozhou, each weighing five hundred catties, were equipped with a skilled soldier/sailor.
Eighty large Muzhou weighing 2,000 jin each, each equipped with two soldiers (one main and one auxiliary).
Ten giant boats weighing 5,000 jin each, each equipped with four soldiers (including helmsmen, sailors, etc.).
In addition, the ship carried enough dry food, drinking water, and some basic medicines for short-term consumption, in case of emergency.
The massive fleet set out from Fire Creek Mouth and sailed upstream along the Fish River, like a winding water dragon. After eight days of careful and continuous sailing, it finally arrived at the confluence of the Upper Valley River.
The three major tribes of the Valley River (Valley Abundance Tribe, Valley Plenty Tribe, and Valley Ascending Tribe) and their affiliated or familiar twenty-odd smaller settlements had already received the news and gathered several days in advance on the riverbanks near their main camps to wait. When the enormous fleet of ships, which blotted out the sky, slowly appeared on the river, all those waiting to submit were stunned.
Ten giant ships resembling floating fortresses, eighty neatly arranged, sturdy dugout Muzhou, and hundreds of smaller Xiaozhou nimbly weaving through the crowd... This sight far exceeded their wildest imaginations. Many who had never left this Valley River in their entire lives gaped, unable to close their mouths for a long time. The well-equipped Fire Tribe warriors standing solemnly on the ships gave them an indescribable sense of awe and security.
"The Fire Tribe... is actually so powerful!"
"Can... can we really join such a tribe?"
"My God, so many big ships..."
After the initial amazement came a deep sense of awe and a touch of apprehension. They were afraid that they might do something wrong, or that their words or actions might cause the Fire Tribe to change their minds and refuse to take them in.
When Wang Yan and Jianya arrived at the shore in their small Xiaozhou and announced the reception arrangements, everyone was unusually compliant. As required, apart from personal clothing, a few valuable personal items, and necessary rations, all other bulky supplies were to be temporarily left behind for later transport. No one raised any objections, and everyone obediently complied.
Jianya and Wang Yan quickly organized their forces for a preliminary count and reorganization. The result surprised them somewhat—the total number of people from the three major tribes, plus all the smaller settlements within their sphere of influence, exceeded three thousand! Nearly a thousand more than initially estimated.
"Three thousand it is!" Jianya was only slightly surprised before regaining his composure. "Our Fire Tribe can afford it! The summer harvest is almost here, enough to last for a while."
After discussing with the three leaders, Gufeng, Guyu, and Gudeng, it was decided to transport the supplies in batches to ensure safety and order. The three leaders volunteered to leave with some key members in the last batch to help maintain order and supervise the packing of subsequent supplies. Jianya and Wang Yan agreed to this plan and decided to transport the most scattered and needy members of the small tribes first.
The first group, about a thousand people, mainly from various small tribes, carrying simple luggage, boarded various boats under the guidance and assistance of the Fire Tribe warriors. Giant boats, large boats, and Xiaozhou each performed their duties, fully loaded with people's trepidation and anticipation for their new life, turned their Chuantou, and sailed downstream.
Thanks to the help of the water flow, the return journey took only four days. When the huge fleet reappeared at the Fire Creek Mouth and slowly sailed into the dock deep in the Fire Creek River, the shore was already fully prepared to welcome them.
At the dock, Jianshi personally oversaw the operation. Teams of logistics personnel responsible for guidance and accommodation, as well as soldiers maintaining order, were already in their positions. The newcomers, with trepidation, stepped onto the solid ground. The first thing that caught their eye was the tall, long earthen wall they had never imagined! Inside the wall were densely packed, neatly arranged wooden houses, stretching as far as the eye could see. Further away were vast expanses of lush green farmland, crisscrossed by dikes. The air was filled with the sounds of livestock and the aroma of food. In the granary area, the enormous buildings silently testified to the abundance of the place.
Gasps of amazement, gasps of breath, and incredulous whispers filled the crowd.
"Why is this wall so high?"
"How many houses would that be?"
"Look at those fields! They're growing so well!"
"Are those big houses filled with grain?"
After the initial shock came a near-ecstatic sense of relief and excitement. Compared to their precarious lives in the Valley River basin, where they had to rack their brains for even a little salt, this place was simply paradise! The initial apprehension and homesickness were quickly replaced by beautiful anticipation for the future.
The personnel arranged by Jianshi quickly stepped forward and, according to the pre-defined areas and groups, led these new tribespeople in batches to the temporary living areas (newly built communal wooden houses) prepared for them, distributed basic living supplies, and arranged simple food and lodging. The whole process was busy but orderly and well-organized.
Seeing the light of hope gradually igniting in the eyes of these new tribespeople and their sense of belonging to the tribe, Jianshi knew that this step was the right one. As for Jianya and Wang Yan, after a short rest at the dock, they led some ships upstream again a day later to pick up the second group of tribespeople who were waiting.