Aftermath and Planning
Daiyue exhaled a long breath, as if trying to release the pent-up frustration and pressure in his chest. He shook his head vigorously, seemingly trying to temporarily set aside those heavy thoughts about internal strife, profit distribution, and future threats.
My gaze inadvertently fell upon that familiar figure— Qingsui, who was still standing like a small wooden stake under the tree not far away, her head bowed, her toes unconsciously kicking at the Xiaoshi on the ground, looking bored and somewhat uneasy.
The scene instantly brought his attention back, which had been diverted by the meeting argument, and rekindled his fear and anger at his daughter's reckless behavior that day. He straightened his face and strode over.
"Qingsui!" Daiyue's voice was filled with suppressed anger, making it sound particularly stern.
Qingsui was startled and looked up abruptly. Seeing her father's stern face, she instinctively shrank back.
"What's wrong with you today? Who told you to touch that horse?!" Daiyue's voice suddenly rose. "Don't you know how wild that horse is? Even your Uncle Daiyan doesn't dare to ride it easily! If someone hadn't intervened today, falling off the horse would have been the least of your worries! What if it had actually charged into the dock, injured someone, or even caused a death? Have you thought about the consequences?! What if you got hurt or something happened to you? What if you caused a huge problem for the tribe?!"
A barrage of questions rained down on her like hailstones. Qingsui already knew she was in the wrong, feeling both wronged and frightened. Her father's harsh reprimand instantly reddened her eyes, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. She sobbed, avoiding her father's eyes, and whispered in protest, "I... I just wanted to try... I know I was wrong... Next time... I'll never do it again..."
Seeing his daughter's tearful, pitiful expression as she confessed her mistake, Daiyue's anger seemed to be doused with cold water, instantly extinguishing most of it, leaving only deep heartache and helplessness. This daughter was his and his deceased wife's only child. She was clever and quick-witted from a young age, but because she lacked her mother's discipline, and because he and his father-in-law couldn't bear to be harsh with her, she had developed this audacious nature. Hitting her was not an option, but scolding her too harshly would break his heart.
He sighed heavily, his tone softening, but still carrying a father's authority. "It's good that you know you were wrong! Remember this lesson, think more before you act in the future, and don't just act on a whim!"
"Mmm..." Qingsui nodded vigorously, tears still falling, but seeing her father's softened attitude, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Daiyue looked at her, thought for a moment, and instructed, "Tomorrow, go to the stable and bring out my other two fine horses— 'Chasing Wind ' and ' Treading Clouds' —and deliver them to the Fire Tribe youth who saved you today. He saved you and prevented a disaster at the docks; that's a great favor. Our Valley Tribe cannot be impolite or appear stingy."
Sending away horses? Or even her father's two other favorite horses? Qingsui hesitated for a moment, then quickly replied, "Yes, Father, I'll go first thing tomorrow morning." She knew that this was both a gesture of gratitude and, to some extent, a form of punishment from her father for causing trouble—giving away part of the "tools" (horses) she had used to get into trouble.
"Alright, stop standing there and go reflect on your actions!" Daiyue waved his hand.
Qingsui felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly wiped away her tears, lowered her head, and hurried to the stable to check on the horses. Daiyue stood there, watching his daughter's disappearing figure, shaking his head helplessly, a bitter smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. This child... hopefully, she'll truly learn her lesson this time.
Meanwhile, near the Valley Tribe's dock, at the temporary camp jointly set up by the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe, a different scene unfolded. Several bonfires were lit in the center of the camp, dispelling the damp chill of the riverbank and illuminating the busy figures of the warriors—they were counting the unloaded pottery, organizing the supplies to be loaded onto the ships, and arranging the night's guard.
After returning from the wooden house in Daiyue, Jianshi, Yan, and Canglan exchanged a few brief greetings before returning to their respective camp areas. In a relatively secluded corner of the Fire Tribe camp, away from the noise of the campfire, Jianshi and his son Yan stopped. It was near the water, and they could hear the gentle sound of the river lapping against the bank; the night breeze carried the coolness of the river.
Yan spoke first, his voice low so that only his father could hear. "Father, just now in the house, when Uncle Canglan mentioned that the pottery was something I invented, I noticed that Elder Yaoshan's expression... seemed to change, and his eyes looked a little off."
Jianshi nodded, his eyes unusually calm and sharp in the darkness. "Yes, I saw it too. In that instant, he probably had other thoughts." As shrewd as Jianshi, he was no stranger to that kind of look that mixed greed, calculation, and a hint of ruthlessness.
"However," Jianshi changed the subject, his tone Chenwen, "He is ultimately not someone who can make decisions. Judging from the later reactions and interactions of the Daiyue leader, he is a shrewd man who knows how to weigh the pros and cons and will not be easily swayed by such short-sighted greed. Our having Canglan 'inadvertently' reveal our population and warrior numbers is also a form of deterrence."
He patted his son's strong shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, we brought only elite troops this time, and they're fully equipped with armor, bronze weapons, and bows and arrows, hidden in the ship's hold. Even if there's an emergency and we force our way out, they might not be able to stop us in a short time, even with those large ships. Besides, Daiyue won't go to war with a tribe of ten thousand for a technology he might not immediately acquire. His biggest headache right now is probably the Bear Tribe to the north and the internal conflicts within the tribe."
After listening to his father's analysis, Yan's lingering worry gradually dissipated. He trusted his father's judgment and the fighting prowess of the Fire Tribe warriors. This journey was inherently a bold adventure, with both opportunities and risks.
Yan changed the subject, his gaze turning towards the direction of the Valley Tribe's headquarters outside the camp. There, lights twinkled, showing the vibrant nighttime life of this vast tribe. "Father," he said, "I'd like to take advantage of these next few days to see if we can trade for something else with the Valley Tribe. They have abundant resources here; perhaps they have special seeds we need, different types of tools, or... their methods for cultivating so much food and managing such a large tribe are also worth learning about."
Jianshi's eyes showed approval. "You're absolutely right. This transaction is significant, but broadening our horizons and learning from others are equally important. The Valley Tribe must have its unique strengths to have developed to where it is today. Starting tomorrow, you can bring a few people, accompanied by Fengren or someone they designate, to explore within permitted areas. You can even trade some small pottery pieces we brought. Remember, observe more, listen more, and speak less, especially avoiding anything that might provoke them."
"I understand, Father." Yan nodded solemnly. He knew that this was not only a trade trip, but also a valuable opportunity for learning and reconnaissance. Jianshi and Yan discussed some arrangements and precautions for tomorrow in hushed tones before returning to their respective rest areas. For them, the most crucial and difficult part of this journey south seemed to be over, but the real gains and impact might only be beginning.