Continuing to Take In More People

Before the commotion of the grain being stored had completely subsided, Jianshi eagerly summoned Wang Yan, Jianya, Dali, Dabang, and other core members of the leadership to the council chamber. The Fire Tribe was currently riding high, but the more powerful it was, the more it needed clear planning and decisive action.

"The ship is back, the grain is in the granary, and the Fish Tribe has already 'given the word'," Jian Shi said Jianshi, his eyes gleaming. "Now, tell me, what's our next move?"

Jianya spoke first, his face still showing the excitement of returning home. "Brother, our big ships really made a great contribution on this downstream trip! Not only is their carrying capacity strong, but their deterrent power is more effective than a thousand soldiers standing on the shore shouting! In my opinion, since they are so useful, we should put all our efforts into building more! I suggest that we concentrate our efforts for the rest of this year to multiply the number of 5,000-jin ships several times over, and strive to reach fifty!"

This goal was quite radical, but it was immediately endorsed by Dazhuang and others.

"Jianya is right! Big ships are stable, can go far, and carry a lot. They're like mountains on the river; just looking at them gives you peace of mind!"

"The Fish Tribe only relies on their big boats, right? Now that we have them, we'll have even more than them!"

"Yes, with enough ships, we can stand tall and confident, whether it's transporting grain, people, or... anything else!"

Jianshi looked at the leaders in charge of manufacturing, especially the shipyard manager. "Fifty ships, can you do that this year?"

The shipyard manager was no longer the foreman who could only build Muzhou. Having experienced the successful construction of giant boats, his confidence had grown. After a brief moment's thought, he nodded firmly. "Chief, as long as we have enough timber and manpower, there won't be a problem! We now have bronze tools, skilled craftsmen, and established processes. The time to build a 5,000-jin boat is much shorter than the first one! Fifty boats may be a heavy task, but if we grit our teeth, we can finish! Next year, we can build even more, or perhaps try to build an even bigger one!"

"Great!" Jianshi slapped his thigh, beaming with joy. "It's settled then! We have plenty of timber in the mountains behind us, as much as we need! As for manpower, you'll be given priority! By the end of this year, I want to see at least fifty large ships docked at the Fire Creek River wharf!"

This ambitious shipbuilding plan will undoubtedly further solidify the Fire Tribe's advantage on water.

Then, Wang Yan took over the conversation, his thoughts focusing more on the long term and the overall situation. "Father, uncles and elders, although Canglan was vague about the specific situation of the Valley Tribe during our trip to the Fish Tribe, I still managed to glean some useful information from indirect means."

He surveyed the crowd, his tone becoming serious. "First, the Valley Tribe's population is likely close to 20,000. Second, their food production must be quite advanced, primarily focused on rice. Finally, and most importantly, although the Valley Tribe cannot manufacture bronze themselves, they have channels to obtain bronze from potentially more powerful tribes downstream!"

This news made everyone's expressions tense. Nearly 20,000 people, which is already twice the current population of the Fire Tribe! Moreover, the other side also possesses bronze weapons, which means that the Fire Tribe does not have a generational advantage in terms of equipment.

"Our bronze smelting and manufacturing technology is a core secret and our greatest advantage," Wang Yan continued. "But it seems that simply mastering this technology is not enough. Once news of our possession of bronze artifacts spreads, it will inevitably attract the covetous eyes of powerful surrounding forces, especially when our overall strength is not yet sufficient to completely deter them."

"Does Yan mean we still don't have enough people?" Jian Shi asked in Jianshi voice.

"Yes, Father." Wang Yan nodded. "With our current size of nearly ten thousand, we might be able to protect our existing assets, but to develop steadily, protect our secrets, and even gain the upper hand in potential future conflicts, we need at least twenty thousand, or even more, as our foundation! Population is the true 'skeleton' and 'flesh and blood' of the tribe."

This view was immediately accepted by everyone. In this chaotic world, especially when technology may bring the risk of being "sent a fool by possessing a treasure," sufficient size itself is a guarantee of security.

"Where did the population come from?" Jianya asked the crucial question.

Everyone's eyes turned to the map on the wall, especially the area upstream of the Fish River.

Wang Yan pointed to the location of the Valley River: "We previously brought back the three main tribes of the Valley River and their vassals, leaving twenty warriors there. Recently, we received some interesting news from there."

It turns out that the remaining, more remote and scattered small tribes in the Valley River basin had always relied on the three "middleman" tribes to obtain precious coarse salt. Now that the "middlemen" had all moved away, their salt routes were cut off, and their lives suddenly became difficult. Hearing that the Fire Tribe had taken in the larger tribes and treated them well, these smaller tribes began to have their own ideas. They started to spontaneously gather near the former sites of the three larger tribes, hoping to have the opportunity to join the Fire Tribe as well.

"The soldiers who remained there, following our instructions, didn't drive them away. Instead, they guided them to gather in an orderly fashion and await our fleet," Wang Yan said with a smile. "It's said that about 1,500 people have gathered by now!"

"Fifteen hundred men!" Everyone's eyes lit up. This was no small force!

Jianshi clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Excellent! What a brilliant 'building a nest to attract phoenixes' idea! We've taken away the ones with the best conditions, and the rest will naturally yearn for it! We have plenty of food now, another batch of summer grain is about to be harvested, and the autumn grain will be even more substantial. We can definitely afford to feed them! Go and take them away immediately!"

The plan was quickly finalized. Since they were going to make a grand entrance, they needed to demonstrate sufficient strength and ambition. Jianshi decided to utilize most of the Fire Tribe's current water-based forces:

Fifteen massive boats weighing 5,000 jin each, one hundred large Muzhou 2,000 jin each, and one hundred and fifty Xiaozhou 500 jin each, under the overall command of Jianya and assisted by Wang Yan and Dali, with sufficient guards and supplies, set off immediately!

The next day, this unprecedentedly large mixed fleet assembled at Fire Creek Mouth, set sail, and headed upstream. Eight days later, it successfully arrived at Valley River Mouth.

The scene before them was even better than expected. A dense crowd had gathered on the open space along the riverbank, men, women, and children. Although they were ragged and pale, their eyes shone with anticipation. There were more than 1,500 people in total!

Jianya and Wang Yan were overjoyed, but remained calm on the surface. They announced the Fire Tribe's decision to the long-waiting people: those who were willing to abide by the rules and work hard could board the ship and start a new life in the Fire Tribe!

A huge cheer erupted from the crowd. They had already packed simple bags, carrying only the most essential items and a small amount of food, with the rest to be transported back by the Fire Tribe on their next trip. Guided by the Fire Tribe warriors, the people, young and old, began to board the ship in an orderly fashion.

Thanks to the large fleet, these 1,500 people, along with a small amount of luggage, were transported back to the Fire Tribe downstream in just four days.

When this new group of "migrants" stepped onto the Fire Creek River dock, the shock they experienced was exactly the same as that of the three tribes of the Valley River before them. High walls, spacious houses, fertile fields, livestock... everything was beyond their imagination.

What struck them even more was the presence of their "fellow villagers"—old acquaintances from the Valley River who had joined the Fire Tribe earlier. In just a few months, these familiar faces seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, with rosy complexions, robust bodies, clean linen clothes, bright eyes, and expressions brimming with satisfaction and confidence in their new lives.

"Old Shitou? Is that you? I almost didn't recognize you!"

"Acao? You... you've gained weight!"

"This dress is so pretty..."

Envy, excitement, and disbelief permeated the newcomers. Seeing firsthand how well the earlier arrivals were doing, they were filled with the most fervent anticipation for their own upcoming lives.

Jianshi was well-versed in the art of calming people's hearts. He personally led the leaders of several newly surrendered tribes to visit the Fire Tribe's tall, sturdy, and almost overflowing granaries. Seeing the mountains of golden rice and smelling the unique fragrance of the grains, the leaders' last trace of doubt and unease vanished.

"Fellow new brothers and sisters!" Jianshi stood in front of the granary and announced in a loud voice, "See this? This is the confidence of the Fire Tribe! As long as everyone abides by the rules of the Fire Tribe and works hard together, I, Jianshi, guarantee here and now that no one will go hungry! Everyone will be treated equally, and we will share the good fortune!"

"Good!!"

"Thank you, Chief!"

"We will definitely follow the rules and do our job well!"

A warm response echoed across the dock. The faces of the new immigrants radiated the peace of having found a home and the anticipation of the future.

Jianshi nodded in satisfaction, signaling the logistics and resettlement team to step forward and begin to systematically guide the more than 1,500 new members of the tribe into the pre-planned residential area, distribute basic supplies, arrange food and lodging, and initially organize them into work groups.