Leading the People Back

The banquet of the Fish Tribe was drawing to a close in a slightly awkward atmosphere. Although the food and wine were plentiful, everyone had their own thoughts. The Fish Tribe was worried that the powerful army of the Fire Tribe would be stationed at their doorstep for a long time, while Jianshi also keenly sensed the host's hidden unease beneath his enthusiasm.

As the last dish of grilled fish was removed from the table, Jianshi put down his wooden cup and said to Canglan, "Brother Canglan, this time we came to provide support. The main force of the Wolf Tribe has been annihilated, and this land is temporarily at peace. We, the Fire Tribe, have been away from home for a long time, and it's time for us to go back."

Canglan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his face showed genuine reluctance. "Brother Jianshi, why the rush? Since you've come all this way, why not stay a few more days and let the Fish Tribe treat you well?"

Sitting to the side, Wang Yan spoke up at the opportune moment, "Uncle, the Fire Tribe does indeed have many things to take care of. We've been away for quite a while this time. Next time we come, we'll definitely spend some time talking with you."

"Since that's the case..." Canglan said, going along with it, "I won't insist you stay, but it's a promise, next time you come, don't be in such a rush!"

Jianshi laughed and said, "Definitely, definitely. Brother Canglan, if you have time, you are welcome to visit the Fire Tribe. Qingye often thinks of you as her older brother."

Mentioning his younger sister, Canglan's eyes flashed with tenderness, and he said firmly, "Definitely, definitely!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Jianshi and Yan led their group to take their leave. The Fish Tribe members saw them off at the camp gate and watched them depart.

Upon returning to the Fire Tribe's temporary encampment, Jianshi immediately convened a meeting of the leaders in a makeshift wooden shed.

"We need to prepare to return early tomorrow morning," Jian Shi said Jianshi. "Shinian, Huangye, are the people from your Qinghe and Little Leaf Tribe ready?"

Shinian quickly replied, "Chief, our men are all ready and can depart at any time."

Huangye Ye nodded, "The Little Leaf Tribe's camp was burned down. Although the tribespeople are saddened, joining the Fire Tribe has given everyone hope."

"Alright." Jianshi said, "Then you two should hurry up and get ready."

The two nodded in agreement and went back to their tribe to prepare.

Jianshi continued speaking to Yan, "I have one more thing to do."

He paused, then continued, "Outside the Fish Tribe camp, there are nearly 2,500 refugees from smaller tribes. They have nowhere to go and are afraid of retaliation or being coerced by the Wolf Tribe, so they dare not return to their Plain Tribe camps. I plan to go and see them; if they are willing, the Fire Tribe can take them in."

This decision caught the leaders' attention; nearly two thousand five hundred people! Although they were all from small tribes, together they formed a considerable force.

"Father, I'll go with you," Yan said.

Jianshi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, "Alright, let's take two hundred cavalrymen and go check out those refugee camps."

Yan mounted his horse and, together with Jianshi, led two hundred cavalrymen towards the refugee camp. Soon after, Jianshi and Yan's group arrived at the temporary camp.

The scene before me was heartbreaking—makeshift thatched huts were crammed together on the open ground along the riverbank, many of them already collapsed. The children were dressed in rags, the women had blank stares, and the men huddled together, whispering amongst themselves, their faces filled with confusion and anxiety.

When the two hundred cavalrymen came into view, the camp was thrown into turmoil. People gathered in fear, some grabbing their makeshift weapons, while most instinctively retreated.

"Don't panic!" Jianshi reined in his horse and gestured to the cavalry behind him. The cavalry stopped neatly a hundred paces away, while only Jianshi and Yan rode forward slowly.

Several of the bolder tribal chiefs hesitated before stepping out of the crowd. One of the elders mustered his courage and asked, "You... which tribe are you from?"

"We are the Fire Tribe," Jianshi's voice was calm yet clear. "My name is Jianshi, and I am the leader of the Fire Tribe."

"Fire Tribe?!"

"Is it that powerful Fire Tribe, the one that wiped out the main force of the Wolf Tribe?"

"Oh my god, it really is them!"

The camp erupted in excitement. People emerged from their thatched huts, spreading the news among themselves. Soon, the leaders of more than twenty small tribes gathered around.

"Chief of Jianshi!" A middle-aged man's voice trembled with excitement, "We've heard! It was you who led the men to annihilate the main force of the Wolf Tribe! You avenged us, the small tribes that were ravaged!"

"Yes, yes!" the others chimed in. "Those beasts from the Wolf Tribe stole half of our tribe's grain a few months ago!" "They killed several of our people!" "My daughter was killed by them..."

The sounds of complaints, gratitude, and curses filled the air. Most of these tribes consisted of only about a hundred people, and under the intimidation of the Wolf Tribe, they were powerless to resist and could only be slaughtered at their mercy.

Jianshi listened patiently, and only after everyone's emotions had calmed down a bit did he ask, "Although the main force of the Wolf Tribe has been wiped out, Xueya has escaped back to High Pointed Mountain. What are your plans for the future?"

This question was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing everyone's excitement. The more than twenty leaders looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion once again.

A young leader said dejectedly, "We dare not go back... If Xueya brings more people out, we simply cannot withstand them."

"The Fish Tribe only took in five hundred people, and the rest..." another chieftain sighed, "... food is running out, and we don't know how much longer we can hold out."

"Chief of Jianshi," the elder asked, mustering his courage, "the Fire Tribe... can the Fire Tribe take us in? We heard that the Green Grain Tribe and the Little Leaf Tribe have both joined the Fire Tribe."

All eyes were fixed on Jianshi, their eyes filled with longing and trepidation.

Yan spoke up at the opportune moment, "The Fire Tribe is indeed recruiting. As long as you follow the rules and are willing to work, we guarantee that everyone will have food to eat, clothes to wear, and shelter to live in."

These words were like a spark that ignited a haystack.

"We're willing to join!"

"Our tribe is willing too!"

"Chief, please accept us!"

More than twenty leaders rushed to express their support, fearing that if they were too late, the quota would be filled. For them, this was the only chance of survival in their desperate situation.

Looking at these expectant faces, Jianshi was also very gratified. The strength and reputation of the Fire Tribe had been recognized by this land, and he did not hesitate.

"Good!" Jianshi shouted, "The Fire Tribe welcomes all those who wish to join! From today onwards, you are all members of the Fire Tribe!"

Cheers erupted, and people embraced and wept. The fear, confusion, and despair of the past few days transformed into hope at that moment.

Jianshi made arrangements: all tribes should start packing their belongings today and set off for the Pottery Salt Tribe early tomorrow morning, where Fire Tribe has a rendezvous point and stockpiled supplies.

After giving his instructions, Jianshi said to Yan, "I'll take thirty riders back to the Fire Tribe to handle some tribal matters and prepare for the takeover. You're in charge of organizing this migration; make sure everyone is safely brought there."

"Father, rest assured," Yan solemnly promised.

Jianshi Shi nodded, selected thirty elite cavalrymen, and rode off south ahead. He had been away for some time, and the Fire Tribe still had many things that required his personal attention. He also needed to make thorough preparations in advance to receive these tribesmen.

After seeing his father off, Yan immediately threw himself into organizing the migration. He first led the remaining hundred or so cavalrymen to move the Fire Tribe's temporary camp to the vicinity of the refugee camp, forming a protective posture. He also sent messages to the cavalrymen to invite the Little Leaf Tribe and the remaining Green Grain Tribe to come and set up camp.

That night, Yan did something that deeply moved the refugees of the small tribe—he ordered all the remaining meat that the Fire Tribe had seized from the Wolf Tribe to be taken out and distributed to the new members of the tribe.

When large chunks of roasted meat were brought to the front of everyone's thatched huts, the entire camp erupted in cheers. These refugees hadn't eaten such a sumptuous meal in a long time, and many ate while shedding tears, their gratitude to the Fire Tribe overflowing.

"The Fire Tribe is truly benevolent!"

"With a tribe like this, we have hope!"

"Let's set off early tomorrow morning!"

At dawn the next day, the migration began. The small tribe of nearly 2,500 refugees, along with the original Qinghe and Little Leaf Tribe of nearly 900 people, formed a massive group of nearly 3,400 people. Under the protection of the warriors of the Fire Tribe, they embarked on their journey south.

This was a peculiar group. They moved slowly but were very orderly. Yan divided the group into ten teams, each led by a Fire Tribe warrior and three Plain Tribe chiefs. They had a planned itinerary every day, a fixed rest time at noon, and designated campsites at night.

Two days later, the team arrived at the Pottery Salt Tribe. The Biaotou, escort leader) had already received the news and led the people of the Pottery Salt Tribe to greet them outside the camp. The two hundred warriors of the Fire Tribe who were left there were also ready to provide support.

After resting for a while in the Pottery Salt Tribe, the group continued south along the banks of the Fish River. A few days later, Yan loaded some of the elderly, children, and supplies onto the Fire Tribe's transport ship, Jianshi, and returned first. He then dispatched a fleet of ships along the Fish River to meet them.

Without so many elderly and weak people to weigh them down, the team's pace quickened considerably, and a few days later, they arrived at their Small Gathering Valley Outpost.

There were still nearly six hundred refugees from small tribes at the Small Gathering Valley Outpost. Yan added them to the migration, and now the entire group had swelled to more than four thousand people. Standing on high ground, Yan looked at the long, winding line of people and felt both proud and moved—the influence of the Fire Tribe had far exceeded Fire Creek Valley.

The final journey home was relatively smooth, and two days later, the panoramic view of the Fire Tribe Valley unfolded before everyone. Shock was the only feeling in the hearts of every new member of the tribe.

In the distance, they saw a high earthen wall, inside which were densely packed but orderly clusters of wooden houses. Outside the wall were vast fields where people were working. Further away, they could see herds of livestock grazing leisurely in the pastures.

"Oh my god... so many people..."

"Look at those houses! They're all made of wood!"

"What's that? Something that's spinning?"

"That's a waterwheel, used for watering," a warrior from the Fire Tribe explained proudly.

As the group entered the valley, an even deeper sense of awe followed. The wide road was lined with members of the Fire Tribe who had come to welcome them. They were dressed in uniform linen clothes, their faces beaming with genuine smiles. Children curiously observed the newcomers, while the women prepared hot water and food.

Jianshi had already led his men to wait at the valley entrance. When he saw Yan return safely, a look of relief flashed in his eyes.

"You've worked hard." Jianshi patted his son on the shoulder.

"They've all been brought back," Yan reported. "A total of over four thousand people. From the start of the migration to their arrival at the Fire Tribe, it took ten days, and they've all arrived safely."

"Alright." Jianshi turned to the newly joined tribal leaders, "Welcome to the Fire Tribe. From today onwards, this is your home."

He personally led more than twenty leaders on a tour of the Fire Tribe's core area—the neat residential area, the well-equipped granary, and the well-trained warrior camp.

When the leaders saw the dozens of granaries piled high with grain, they could hardly believe their eyes.

"This... so much grain?"

"That should be enough for us to eat for several years, right?"

"The Fire Tribe... is too powerful..."

After the visit, Qingye arrived with a group of women to begin arranging the resettlement of the new tribespeople. According to the rules of the Fire Tribe, all new members had to first wash their bodies, change into clean linen clothes, and then be dispersed to various residential areas in family units.

The process was well-organized. It was clear that this was not the first time the Fire Tribe had received new members. All procedures were standardized, including registration, cleaning, housing allocation, and receiving daily necessities. Each step was handled by a designated person.

By dusk, all four thousand new members of the tribe had been settled. They moved into clean wooden houses and received basic necessities. Dinner consisted of hot rice porridge and wild vegetable soup; though simple, the portions were plentiful.

As night fell, lights twinkled in the Fire Tribe Valley. The new tribespeople gathered in front of their wooden huts, whispering about their day's events. Fear and confusion gradually dissipated, replaced by anticipation for their new lives.

Inside the largest wooden house, Jianshi and Yan were compiling the latest population data.

"The Fire Tribe originally had over 15,000 members, with about 3,000 warriors," Yan said, looking at the records on the wooden board. "This time, over 4,000 new members have joined the tribe, including over 800 able-bodied men who can be assigned to the reserve Hunting Team."

Jianshi Shi nodded. "That means the Fire Tribe now has a total population of over 19,000, with approximately 3,800 warriors."

Looking at the brightly lit valley, he was filled with emotion. A few years ago, the Fire Tribe was just a small tribe of about two hundred people, struggling to survive. Now, it has become a powerful force with a population of nearly 20,000 and nearly 4,000 warriors, comparable to the population of the powerful Valley Tribe.

"Father," Yan also came over, "Managing so many people is a big problem."

"I know," Jianshi said, "But this is the only way. For the Fire Tribe to grow and thrive, it must learn to manage a larger population and integrate different tribes."

He turned to his son. "This experience of going north has taught me one thing—force can defeat the enemy, but only benevolence and righteousness can win people's hearts. Giving up our spoils and taking in refugees are more valuable than winning ten battles."

Yan also knew the principle that "those who follow the right path will find many supporters, while those who stray from it will find few."