A Meeting of Chiefs
Inside the tallest and most spacious chieftain's council chamber in the Valley Tribe, the atmosphere was initially somewhat somber. Chief Daiyue and the tribe's seven elders sat around, reviewing the harvested rice and discussing logistical preparations for the increasingly tense standoff with the Bear Tribe. This year's rainfall had been plentiful, resulting in a good harvest.
Just then, a messenger from the Little Valley Camp Outpost on the east bank was brought in, carrying a message from his younger brother, Daiyan: Canglan, the leader of the Fish Tribe, was leading a fleet to trade, accompanied by an unfamiliar tribe called the "Fire Tribe," which also had a sizable fleet, and their goal was also to buy grain.
Daiyue's brow relaxed; this was indeed good news. Canglan of the Fish Tribe was a regular customer. In recent years, he had not only reduced or even stopped buying pottery from the Valley Tribe, but he had also somehow acquired some pottery of good quality, yet cheaper than that from the Tiger Tribe, to trade with the Valley Tribe. Each visit replenished the Valley Tribe's warehouse, making it profitable to resell to downstream tribes or use it themselves; the only problem was that the quantity was never enough. Now that he had returned with a new customer, it meant even more transactions and supplies would flow in.
"The Fire Tribe? They brought twenty large ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin each?" Upon hearing this detail, Daiyue's heart stirred slightly, and he exchanged glances with the elders present. Being able to build ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin meant that the other party possessed considerable skill in woodworking and shipbuilding, and such skills often required readily available metal tools. The bronze trade in the lower reaches of the Fish River was basically controlled by the Tiger Tribe. If any tribe upstream wanted to acquire bronze, they either had to pay a huge price to resell it from the Valley Tribe, or... they would have to travel by land, risking their lives to cross the unknown mountains and Huangye of the north to trade further downstream or in other regions.
"It seems this Fire Tribe is no ordinary tribe," Fourth Elder Lin Feng muttered, stroking his beard.
"Whether it's simple or not, as long as they come with supplies to buy grain, they are good guests," said Fifth Elder Xiaoze with a smile, though he was more concerned with practical benefits.
Daiyue nodded and called over his most trusted confidant, instructing him, "Fengren, go to the dock and receive the leaders of the Fish Tribe and the Fire Tribe. Tell them we are having a meeting and they can come directly; there's no need to be discreet." He deliberately didn't let the elders disperse, firstly to show that the Valley Tribe's meeting was open, and secondly to let these elders see for themselves the newly emerged Fire Tribe, which seemed to have some strength.
Fengren accepted the order and left. The meeting continued, but the topic had unconsciously shifted to the upcoming guests.
Not long after, another guard rushed in, this time carrying Fengren's message. When he heard that "Qingsui secretly rode Chief Daiyue's horse, but the horse ran into a panic and headed towards the dock. Fortunately, it was rescued by the son of the Fire Tribe chief," Daiyue's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly!
"What?!" His first reaction was fear and rage. "That girl! She's utterly lawless! Even I can't fully control that horse, how dare she ride it so recklessly?!" Upon learning his daughter was unharmed, this fear quickly transformed into a raging fire. "When she gets back, I'll teach her a lesson!"
"Chief, please calm down!" Second Elder Hefeng quickly interjected to defend her. He had been terrified when he heard that Qingsui's granddaughter had been in danger, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that she had been rescued. "Qingsui is alright, isn't she? Children are playful, it's just their nature. Just say a few words to teach her a lesson, and that'll be enough."
"Father-in-law!" Daiyue said anxiously and angrily, "You can't spoil her like this anymore! She's not a three-year-old anymore! She dresses up as a boy all day and runs around wildly. This time she almost caused a disaster! If you don't discipline her strictly, who will be able to control her in the future? She was lucky this time, but what about next time?" He both loved and worried about his only daughter, especially after his wife passed away. He felt even more sorry for his daughter, but he also knew that in this dangerous river basin, being too indulgent would only harm her.
The Sixth Elder Zhiyun, was the only female elder. She gently advised, "Chief, Qingsui is a good-hearted child. She always wants to contribute to the tribe like a boy. She was frightened this time and is probably scared herself. A little admonishment will suffice."
The other elders also spoke up to ease the tension. A subtle, calculating glint flashed in the eyes of the First Elder Yaoshan, but he maintained a concerned expression on his face.
Just as the council hall was abuzz with discussion about Qingsui's matter, footsteps and Fengren's announcement came from outside the door. Daiyue took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, composed himself, and rose with the seven elders. Regardless of family matters, they were now facing an important trading partner and could not afford to be impolite.
Fengren stepped in first, leading the way. Canglan walked in with a smile, followed closely by Jian Shi, who was tall and composed, and Jianshi, whose gaze was calm and whose steps were steady. Behind them was Qingsui, who hung her head and wished she could shrink herself away. She quietly slipped to the back of the crowd, trying to make herself less noticeable.
"Chief of Daiyue, elders, it's been a long time! You're still as impressive as ever!" Canglan greeted them with a familiar bow, his gaze sweeping over each elder present, clearly showing his understanding of the power structure of the Valley Tribe.
Fengren stepped forward and introduced them loudly, "Chief, elders, this is Chief Canglan of the Fish Tribe. These two are Chief Jianshi of the Fire Tribe from the upper reaches of the Fish River, and his son, Yan. It was Young Chief Yan who intervened at the dock just now, subduing the frightened horse and saving Qingsui."
Daiyue smiled sincerely and stepped forward, saying, "Chief Canglan, Chief Jianshi, welcome, welcome. Chief Yan, thanks to you for saving Qingsui this time. I know my horse; it's incredibly fierce. Once it goes berserk, few of the tribe's warriors can stop it. You're truly amazing! You must be tired from your journey! Please take a seat!" The young man's eyes were bright, and he showed no fear in the face of the Valley Tribe's formidable presence, which secretly impressed Dai Yue.
Jianshi returned the greeting with clasped hands, and after sitting down, he gestured to his subordinates behind him to present the gifts he had brought. They were all exquisite pottery, with a warm luster and beautiful shapes, while the others were fine linen, soft in texture, and clearly made of superior craftsmanship.
The eyes of everyone in the Valley Tribe lit up when they saw the gifts. Daiyue smiled and said, "Jianshi Jian Shi is too kind. It's enough that you came; there's no need to spend money. Chief Yan, on the other hand, has really helped me a lot this time. I will definitely thank you properly later." Despite his words, his smile grew even wider. Several elders also praised the Fire Tribe's gifts for their exquisiteness, especially the Third Elder Jin Ye, who picked up a pottery jar and examined it carefully, his eyes filled with admiration. The First Elder Yaoshan, glanced at the linen several times, seemingly assessing its value.
Hearing Daiyue praise Yan, Canglan immediately chimed in with a smile, his tone brimming with pride. "Chief Daiyue, your judgment is spot on! My nephew Yan is truly outstanding among the younger generation of the Fire Tribe!" He gave a thumbs-up, "He commands over a thousand youths, and they all respect him! Your Ma Duolie, Yan'er subdued him without hesitation; such courage and skill are remarkable!"
These words contained a great deal of information. Daiyue and the elders were all taken aback. Managing over a thousand youths? This meant the Fire Tribe had a considerable base of able-bodied adults and already possessed a system for cultivating young leaders. Combined with those twenty 5,000-jin (2,500 kg) ships... this suddenly appearing Fire Tribe was likely far stronger than they had previously estimated. Daiyue scrutinized Jianshi again. This tall, taciturn man sat there as Chenwen as a mountain, clearly a leader possessing both courage and prestige. His son, Yan, who had saved his daughter, sat quietly to his father's side, his expression composed, yet his eyes held a Chenwen and insight beyond his years.
"Indeed, heroes emerge from among the young! Chief Jianshi has a fine son!" Daiyue praised sincerely, then instructed his servants, "Quickly, bring up the tribe's best meat, fresh fruit, and fresh goat's milk! Today, we must properly entertain our distinguished guests who have traveled from afar!"
His gaze swept across the hall, finally spotting Qingsui hiding in a corner, trying to make herself inconspicuous. His face immediately hardened, and he snapped, "Qingsui! What are you still doing hiding in there? You're getting more and more outrageous! Come here and sit over there! Wait until the guests leave, and I'll settle accounts with you!" He pointed to a seat a little further from the head seat, closer to the door.
Qingsui shrank her neck, knowing that her father was really angry this time. She didn't dare to argue, lowered her head, and obediently went over and sat down. She didn't dare to look at Yan once, and felt her face burning.
Daiyue then turned back to the guests, raised the earthenware bowl that the servant had just filled with goat's milk, and his face regained its warm smile, "Come, Chief Jianshi, Chief Canglan, Chief Yanshao, and all the elders, let us first share a bowl to welcome our friends from the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe who have come from afar!"
"Let's drink together!" Everyone raised their bowls.
After the delicious goat milk was consumed, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became lively.