Shock and Resolve
Canglan, the leader of the Fish Tribe, underwent a profound change in mindset during his trip to the Northern Valley Tribe. In the past, he had looked down upon the Fire Tribe upstream. Although previous collaborations had brought tangible benefits, deep down, he still regarded the Fish Tribe as a traditional power in the middle reaches of the Fish River.
However, this time, the sight of twenty large ships from the Fire Tribe, each with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties, moored in unison at the Fish Tribe's dock made him realize for the first time the substantial gap between them. On the way to the Valley Tribe, he shared a boat with Jianshi and Yan, and from their conversation, he learned that the Fire Tribe had a population of over ten thousand, more than two thousand warriors, possessed independent pottery-making technology, and that agriculture and animal husbandry were developing rapidly.
The Fire Tribe was no longer a neighbor to be underestimated, but a partner that had to be dealt with carefully. Canglan's initial thoughts of "competing" with the Fire Tribe were completely extinguished in the face of reality. He knew that in a head-on confrontation, the Fish Tribe had no chance of winning.
But hearing is never as good as seeing. All previous understanding was based on hearsay, imagination, and speculation; nothing compares to the awe-inspiring power of firsthand observation.
When the joint fleet arrived at Fire Creek Mouth and began unloading grain, Canglan stood at the Chuantou, carefully observing this tribe hidden among the mountains and streams. His gaze first fell on the water— the Fire Tribe's own boats.
He carefully counted the large ships, each with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin. A full thirty! Ten more than the ones previously docked at the Fish Tribe's pier! (He, of course, didn't know that this was the result of the Fire Tribe successfully launching five new ships during their month-long voyage.) This number sent a chill down his spine. Thirty large ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin—this meant that the Fire Tribe's water transport capacity and potential combat power had far surpassed that of the Fish Tribe!
Then look at those small boats with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties and five hundred catties, densely packed on the streams and docks, their numbers too numerous to count at once, which demonstrates the powerful inland waterway transportation and fishing capabilities of the Fire Tribe.
His gaze shifted to the shore. On the dock, a dense crowd was methodically unloading grain. The young men were all strong and agile, their faces radiating a healthy glow and focused concentration on their work. Their clothing, though not luxurious, was clean and tidy, mostly made of fine linen, far from the image of a poor, ragged figure. What alarmed Canglan even more was that he could easily distinguish many men in the crowd who were clearly warriors—their eyes were sharp, their posture upright, and even while working, they maintained an instinctive alertness and teamwork. Their spirit seemed even more robust and disciplined than the somewhat slick warriors of the Fish Tribe who spent their lives on boats.
Looking out, the Fire Tribe's settlement, built against the mountainside, is a neat row of wooden and thatched houses, stretching deep into the valley. The scale, the population density... Canglan roughly estimates, is definitely no less than the Valley Tribe's main headquarters of over ten thousand people! Just a few years ago it was a small tribe of a few hundred; how has it expanded to this size?
Inside and outside the earthen walls, flocks of chickens and ducks could be seen foraging, grunting could be heard from the pigsty, and even deer and sheep could be vaguely seen being kept in enclosures. In the fields, vast swathes of rice were growing well, and it was estimated that there were nearly 10,000 mu of fertile land. And the vegetable gardens surrounding the fields, hillsides, and residential areas were even more numerous, probably covering an area of nearly 100,000 mu!
"This... this is hardly a food-starved tribe!" Canglan's heart was filled with shock. "As long as the Fire Tribe doesn't absorb people without restraint, their current output is enough for them to be self-sufficient, and even have a surplus! Their buying of grain is probably more for reserves, expansion, and... preparing for a rainy day!"
The scene before him was completely different from the simple, impoverished, and precarious little tribe he had seen more than a decade ago when he sent his younger sister Qingye off to her wedding! This earth-shattering change had an even stronger impact on Canglan than when he saw the Valley Tribe's giant ships and granaries! This was because the Valley Tribe's strength was the result of decades of accumulation, while the Fire Tribe's rise seemed to have happened overnight!
He took several deep breaths to barely suppress the shock and a hint of indescribable panic in his heart. Then, an overwhelming sense of relief washed over him! He was thankful that he had assessed the situation and changed his attitude towards the Fire Tribe in time, choosing cooperation over confrontation! If the Fish Tribe had still clung to its former arrogance and remained an enemy of the Fire Tribe ... the consequences would have been unimaginable!
His thoughts raced, Canglan's smile instantly became more genuine and warm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible flattery. He made up his mind that he must firmly cling to the Fire Tribe! Not only must he maintain the existing trade relations, but he must also deepen cooperation and strive to become the Fire Tribe's closest ally (at least on the surface). In this way, the Fish Tribe could leverage the Fire Tribe's strength and technology (especially pottery and shipbuilding) to gain a foothold in the complex situation of the middle reaches of the Fish River, and even obtain more benefits. Yes, he must secure a more favorable purchase price for the Fire Tribe's pottery, and those two-thousand-pound Muzhou; if he could buy them at a low price, it would be a huge boost to the Fish Tribe's waterborne capabilities!
Equally awestruck as Canglan was Fengren of the Valley Tribe. As Daiyue's confidant, he had witnessed the Valley Tribe's prosperity and power, but the vibrant life and astonishing scale displayed by the Fire Tribe before him still left him speechless. Tens of thousands of people gathered in this valley, everyone full of energy, orderly and disciplined, with elite warriors, thriving fields and livestock, and numerous boats... It was hard to imagine that all of this had developed from a foundation of only a few hundred people in just a few years. His admiration for the leaders of Jianshi and Yan Shao reached a new height. This was not merely luck, but a manifestation of extraordinary courage, wisdom, and organizational skills!
Jianshi and Yan took in the reactions of the two men, a sense of pride rising within them. They had come a long way, overcoming countless hardships to transform the Fire Tribe from a poor, struggling tribe into its current strength; only they knew the extent of the difficulties they had endured. Now, the time had finally come when they could openly display their power without excessive worry about attracting covetousness. Strength itself was the best protection and diplomatic capital. Letting the representatives of the Fish Tribe and Valley Tribe witness the Fire Tribe's power firsthand would only deepen their commitment to cooperation and reduce unnecessary friction and scheming.
"Brother Canglan, Leader Fengren, this way please." Jianshi smiled and led the way, with Yan accompanying him.
The group left the dock and walked along the smooth dirt road toward the center of the tribe. They arrived at the largest wooden house in the center of the tribe—the council hall and reception hall. Except for the high-ranking members who had to be on duty, almost everyone in the Fire Tribe was gathered here to show their respect. Jianshi ordered the best hospitality to be served: sweet berries, a specialty of the Fire Tribe valley, and snacks made with honey and dried fruit.
Canglan and Fengren tasted them and praised them highly. These snacks and pastries may not be as precious as the ingredients at the Valley Tribe's banquet, but they have a unique flavor and are exquisitely made, which also shows the Fire Tribe's improved living standards and pursuit of a "better life".
As Jian Shi's wife and Canglan's Jianshi sister, Qingye was naturally seated next to her brother. The two siblings hadn't seen each other for many years and had endless things to talk about. Qingye told her brother about the changes in the Fire Tribe over the years, while Canglan listened with mixed feelings. He was gratified that his sister could live in this prosperous land and was even more determined to deepen his relationship with the Fire Tribe.
Jianshi, along with the other high-ranking members, warmly chatted with Fengren, inquiring about the customs and traditions of the Valley Tribe and exchanging experiences in managing the tribe and training warriors. The atmosphere was harmonious and enthusiastic.
Before they knew it, it was noon. Yan personally directed the presentation of the Fire Tribe's signature dishes: crispy on the outside and tender on the inside roasted venison, fish soup stewed with various spices, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, fragrant rice steamed with new rice, and the Fire Tribe's special bean paste and pickles. Although it couldn't compare to the Valley Tribe's dishes, it was superior in terms of fresh ingredients, generous portions, and unique flavors.
Canglan and Fengren thoroughly enjoyed the meal, praising it repeatedly. Fengren was particularly intrigued by the Fire Tribe's food culture, feeling that they seemed to have put a lot of thought into their eating habits.
After a hearty meal and a short rest, someone came to report that all 850,000 jin of grain transported from the Valley Tribe had been unloaded.
Upon hearing the news, Fengren immediately stood up. He knew he bore a heavy responsibility; the Valley Tribe's fleet had been unable to leave for almost a month, leaving their internal defenses weak, and they had to return as soon as possible.
"Chief Jianshi, Chief Yanshao, everyone, the grain has been unloaded, and my mission is complete. I've been away from the tribe for so long, and it's empty. I must lead everyone back immediately to report to Chief Daiyue." Fengren clasped his hands in farewell.
Jianshi and Yan understood his urgency and didn't insist he stay. Jianshi solemnly said, "Fengren has had a long and arduous journey! The Fire Tribe will remember your help. Please convey our gratitude to Chief Daiyue and the members of the Valley Tribe!"
Yan added, "Chief Fengren, have a safe journey. We hope your tribe will continue to assist us with the follow-up transactions we agreed upon."
"Definitely! Definitely!" Fengren readily agreed.
Jianshi had someone bring over the prepared gifts—several exquisite pieces of pottery, some fine Fire Tribe linen, and several jars of the Fire Tribe's special sauces and honey—to present to Fengren as a token of gratitude and to represent the Fire Tribe's friendship.
Fengren accepted the gift, thanked him again, and then hurriedly left the hall to head to the dock, leading the Valley Tribe's fleet on its journey north.