Each Had Something to Gain
Julang led Jianya and his group closer to the center of the Fish Tribe, they saw Fish Tribe leader, Canglan, along with several tribal elders and warrior leaders, already waiting in front of the largest wooden house. Upon seeing Jianya approach, Canglan immediately put on an even warmer, more solicitous smile than before and strode forward to greet them.
"Jianya brothers! Hahaha, long time no see! I'm so glad you've come! You must be tired from your journey. Come on in!" Canglan's voice was loud and clear, his tone as warm as if he were seeing an old friend. He reached out and grabbed Jianya's arm.
With a polite smile, Fang returned the greeting with Jianya hand. "Chief Canglan, you're too kind. I'm sorry to have bothered you."
As they walked, they exchanged pleasantries. Canglan warmly invited Jianya to sit in the main seat inside, and then quickly invited the other guests from the Fire Tribe to take their seats. The Fire Tribe was no longer the poor neighbor that had to rely on the Fish Tribe; it was now the Fish Tribe's largest, most stable, and most generous trading partner—a veritable gold mine. Canglan naturally dared not neglect them and immediately ordered, "Quickly! Bring out all the best food from our tribe to entertain our distinguished guests!"
Soon, the women of the Fish Tribe served the delicious fish soup, the roasted river fish, the freshly steamed rice, and the seasonal wild fruits and vegetables in fairly exquisite pottery.
Jianya also signaled to his trusted confidants to present the gifts they had brought. Several beautifully crafted new-style pottery jars from the Fire Tribe, as well as several large bags of sweet berry preserves made from honey and dried fruit—a specialty of the Fire Tribe —were placed on a wooden table in the center of the room.
"This is just a small token of our appreciation, specially requested by Chief Jianshi to express our gratitude to the Fish Tribe for their continued support. Please also try some of our Fire Tribe's specialties," Jianya said with a smile.
The eyes of the Canglan and Fish Tribe leaders lit up. The pottery was clearly more exquisite than what the Fish Tribe used themselves, and even more so than the ordinary pottery they had previously bought from the Fire Tribe, while the sweet-smelling dried fruit was a rare find. They thanked them profusely, their faces beaming with smiles. "Chief Jianshi is too kind! Brother Jianya is too kind!"
Canglan picked up a pottery jar, caressing it with obvious affection and praising it. In his mind, however, he was quickly calculating how many good things he could exchange for this jar with some tribes downstream.
Jianya cut to the chase. "Chief Canglan, these are just small gifts. This time, we're transporting grain to the Valley Tribe. The journey is long and the quantity is large, so we'll have to rely heavily on the brothers of the Fish Tribe for their hard work and effort."
Canglan immediately put down the pottery jar, patted his chest, and assured him, "Brother Jianya Fang, don't worry! What kind of relationship do our two families have? Your business is our business! This time, our Fish Tribe is prepared to dispatch ten large ships with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties each, plus ten Muzhou with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties each. We will definitely help the Fire Tribe transport this batch of grain back safely and without losing a single grain!"
He paused, then added, "Besides, we know the route well. We know exactly where the Qiantan and rapids are in the river! With us leading the way, we guarantee a fast and safe journey!"
Jianya wanted this guarantee, and his smile became even more sincere upon hearing it, "Then thank you very much, Chief Canglan! With the warriors of the Fish Tribe protecting us, we feel at ease."
With the business settled, the atmosphere became even more harmonious. After eating a few bites, Canglan seemed to suddenly remember something and said apologetically, "By the way, Brother Jianya, there's something I need to tell you. This year, after our Fish Tribe's autumn harvest, we originally planned to sell our surplus grain to the Fire Tribe as usual. But unexpectedly, the neighboring Pottery Salt Tribe sent people over early on, offered a high price, and bought up all our surplus grain. I'm really... sorry."
Upon hearing Jianya was taken aback at first, then his mind raced. The Pottery Salt Tribe? The tribe that had been plundered and attacked by the Wolf Tribe a few months ago, suffering heavy losses?
In a flash, Jianya understood. He nodded calmly, his tone even. "I see, it's alright. In business, the highest bidder wins, that's common sense. The Pottery Salt Tribe probably... wants to stockpile more grain."
He didn't spell it out, but everyone present understood. The Pottery Salt Tribe was terrified by the Wolf Tribe and suffered heavy losses. Now they were probably tightening their belts to stockpile food, firstly to restore the tribe's strength, secondly to guard against another Wolf Tribe attack, and perhaps even... to use their food reserves to attract other small, equally anxious tribes in the surrounding area to join them, thereby strengthening their own power.
Seeing that Canglan Jianya wasn't displeased, Canglan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Next time! Next time, if our Fish Tribe has surplus grain, we'll definitely inform the Fire Tribe first! As for the price, we can discuss it!"
He had a clear plan: selling to the Fire Tribe would be a fair price, with quick settlement (mostly in the form of pottery and other physical goods), a sure-fire long-term deal. Although the Pottery Salt Tribe had offered a higher price this time, that was a special case and unsustainable. He even planned to expand his rice cultivation area next year, relying on the Fire Tribe as a major customer.
"No problem, no problem," Jianya replied with a smile, not dwelling on the matter.
The conversation naturally turned to the relative strengths of both sides. Canglan, his face filled with undisguised curiosity and probing, asked, "Brother Jianya, I heard from my men that the fleet your Fire Tribe has sent this time is much larger than the last one? There are forty-five ships with a capacity of five thousand jin each?"
Jianya nodded readily, his tone both proud and calm. "Yes, Chief Canglan is well-informed. To be honest, all fifty of the five-thousand-jin-capacity ships that our Fire Tribe planned to build this year have been completed and launched. We brought almost everything we could with us on this trip."
"Fifty ships?! All completed?!" Even though Canglan was somewhat prepared, upon hearing this exact number, he couldn't help but gasp along with several other high-ranking Fish Tribe.
How long has it been? Just a few months since we last saw the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe thirty of these ships! And yet, without a word, they've built just as many, bringing the total to fifty! And judging from Jianya's words, this isn't the end?
The shock on Canglan's face lingered for a long time. It took her a while to process the information before she exclaimed with a complex tone, "The Fire Tribe... is truly amazing! Their shipbuilding skills are probably unmatched even by some of the larger tribes downstream."
After the initial shock came a burning desire. Canglan's eyes gleamed, and he leaned forward slightly, tentatively asking, "Brother Jianya, do you Fire Tribe sell these large ships with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties? The price is negotiable!"
Jianya had anticipated this, and smiled as he shook his head, "Chief Canglan, I'm truly sorry. This five-thousand-jin-capacity ship is the foundation of our Fire Tribe's livelihood and the means to transport food and supplies; we currently have no plans to sell it."
Seeing the obvious disappointment in Canglan's eyes, Jianya Fang changed the subject. "However, as our Fire Tribe's fleet expands, we can consider gradually replacing some of our earlier, repaired, but no longer main force 2,000-jin heavy-duty Muzhou over the next year or two. If the Fish Tribe is interested, they can send someone to our Fire Tribe to take a look. The price will definitely be fair."
The situation took an unexpected turn! Canglan's disappointment was immediately replaced by surprise. The large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties was an excellent supplement to the tribe's transportation capacity! Although it couldn't compare to the five thousand catty giant ship, it was far better than the clumsy and easily damaged boats that the Fish Tribe had built themselves!
"Great! That's wonderful!" Canglan slapped his thigh excitedly. "Brother Jianya, I'll remember that! Our Fish Tribe will definitely pay you a visit! Your Fire Tribe must reserve some good ships for us, don't be stingy!"
"Of course, of course," Jianya agreed with a smile. Exchanging an old ship that was about to be phased out for the friendship, cooperation, and possible other resources of the Fish Tribe was a very worthwhile deal.
Next, the two sides finalized the specific details of the departure. Canglan said that he was too busy with his tribe's affairs to personally lead the team south this time, but he would send two capable generals from the Fish Tribe —Flying Feiyu and Bailin, two of the Ten Great Warriors—to lead the fleet and assist Jianya throughout the journey.
Jianya had heard of these two warrior leaders from the Fish Tribe and knew that they were experienced, brave, and relatively reliable on the water, so he thanked them again.
With the matter settled, both host and guests enjoyed themselves. Jianya and his men replenished their fresh water and a small amount of fresh food at the Fish Tribe, politely declining Canglan's offer to stay overnight, and led their group back to the temporary camp near the dock to make final preparations for their joint voyage the next day.
In the darkness of night, the Fire Tribe's massive fleet lay silently moored outside the Fish Tribe's dock, like a group of silent behemoths. Jianya stood by the camp, gazing at the ship's silhouette against the starry sky, pondering the journey south, the handover with the Valley Tribe, and Fumu's long-awaited "observation of the giant ships."
Inside the largest wooden house in the Fish Tribe, Canglan's smile gradually faded after seeing off his guests. He stroked the exquisite pottery jar that Jianya had brought him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"Fifty ships, each with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties... The speed of development of the Fire Tribe is truly astonishing." An elder murmured in admiration, his tone tinged with awe and a hint of unease.
"Yes," Canglan said slowly, "Not only can they build it themselves, but they can build it so quickly and so well. That Fumu... back when we were here, they didn't show such skill. The Fire Tribe's strength is truly unfathomable."
He paused, then lowered his voice even further. "However, it's a good thing they're willing to sell us ships, even old ones... Next time they come to buy grain, we can offer a discount. That Pottery Salt Tribe..."
A glint of light flashed in Canglan's eyes. "Their eagerness to stockpile grain might not be a bad thing. The threat from the Wolf Tribe Wolf Tribe is still there; having them draw their attention might actually benefit our Fish Tribe."