The Deer Tribe's Ore Refining Workshop

After returning, Yan rested for two days in the valley of the Fire Tribe's headquarters. During these two days, he kept an eye on the resettlement of the three thousand new tribesmen who were arriving one after another, while also dealing with various backlogged affairs. The population of the Fire Tribe was being updated every day - when the last batch of new tribesmen arrived, the total population of the Fire Tribe would reach about 22,000 people. This meant that the number of warriors would increase to about 4,400, and the Youth Team that Yan was in charge of would also expand to about 2,200 people.

That afternoon, Yan took some time to go to the Youth Team's training ground. The ground was set up on a flat grassy area by the Fire Creek River. Hundreds of teenagers were training in groups. Some were practicing spear throwing, some were simulating wooden shield formations, and others were learning simple fighting techniques. Although they were all young, they were all focused and their movements were precise and skillful.

"Boss!" a loud voice rang out.

Yan turned his head and saw Gubang running over quickly. This boy who used to follow behind his older brother Shibang had now grown into a strong young man with Chenwen that did not match his age.

"What brings you here today?" Gubang asked with a smile, his eyes shining. He was now the de facto head of the Youth Team. Although Yan was nominally still the head coach and captain of the Youth Team, the specific affairs were all handled by Gubang, assisted by his younger brother Zhuangchai and his cousin Daya.

Yan looked at the boys training on the grass and nodded in satisfaction. "There's still a group of people we haven't picked up upstream of the Fish River. Once they're all here, the Youth Team will increase to 2,200 people. You'll have a heavy burden to bear."

Gubang straightened his back and patted his chest. "Don't worry, boss! Even if there are more people, we can manage. Zhuangchai manages logistics perfectly, Daya is very good at training, and I'll coordinate things on my end. No problem!"

Looking at this confident young man, Yan thought of his older brother Shibang. The two brothers had different personalities, but each had their own strengths.

"How's Shizhua doing lately?" Yan asked his younger brother, Shizhua, who was also training in the Youth Team.

"Great progress!" Gubang immediately said. "He came in third place in the last spear-throwing assessment, but sometimes he's too competitive and trains like a madman. I need to keep a close eye on him."

Yan smiled and said, "We still need to be strict. The Youth Team is the future of the Fire Tribe, and we can't be careless."

The two chatted for a while about the training arrangements before Yan left the training ground. After leaving the Youth Team, Yan went to the stables, where hundreds of ponies were kept, with the best ones having their own stables.

"Chasing Wind! Treading Clouds!" Yan shouted twice before he even got close.

A cheerful neighing immediately came from deep within the stable, and soon two magnificent ponies poked their heads out. Upon seeing Yan, they excitedly pawed at each other.

Yan walked over and first touched the neck of Chasing Wind. This warhorse had made great contributions in the battle to annihilate the Wolf Tribe, especially in the pursuit of Xueya and Tujiu, where it showed amazing speed and endurance.

"You've worked hard, old buddy." Yan said softly, taking out some good stuff from his pocket and giving it to Chasing Wind. Chasing Wind affectionately rubbed his nose against Yan's hand, then carefully picked up the fine grains and chewed slowly.

Treading Clouds beside him, snorted in dissatisfaction, as if to say, "Where's mine?"

Yan smiled and gave Treading Clouds a few bites, saying, "You've worked hard too, staying home and taking care of things isn't easy."

The old stableman came over, smiling, and said, "Chief Yan, these two horses are quite clever. When you weren't here, they kept looking towards the valley entrance, probably waiting for you to come back."

Yan felt a warmth in his heart. He played with the two horses for a while longer before taking them out for a stroll. They walked slowly along the Fire Creek River, with Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds following him on either side. Every now and then, they would lower their heads to nibble on some grass, then look up at their master with gentle and loyal eyes.

After strolling back to the stables, Yan specifically instructed the old groom, "Winter is coming soon, give them more fine hay, especially Chasing Wind. He worked hard on this expedition, so he needs to be well-nourished."

"Don't worry!" the old groom replied repeatedly.

In the evening, when Yan returned to his wooden house, his four younger brothers were playing a simple game of throwing stones in the open space in front of the house. Seeing Yan return, the youngest, Pucao, was the first to rush over. "Big brother!"

"Hey!" Yan picked up the little guy and turned to his three younger brothers, "What did you all do today?"

Zhuangchai, already twelve years old, was a leader in the Youth Team. He puffed out his chest and said, "I led everyone in training today! Brother Gubang praised us for training well!"

Ten-year-old Shizhua, with a strong personality, exclaimed, "My spear throwing has improved again! I'm going to get first place in the next assessment!"

Luti was eight years old and relatively introverted, just smiling shyly.

Yan played with his younger brothers for a while, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. Here, these relatives gave him a great sense of belonging.

In the dead of night, Yan began preparing for the third day's journey. He checked what he needed to bring—measuring tools, a wooden board and charcoal pencil for recording, some dry food, and a gift for Shibang: a newly forged, exquisite bronze dagger.

This knife was specially commissioned by Yan from the bronze workshop; it's much sharper than ordinary bone knives, and the handle is even engraved with simple patterns. That kid Shibang will definitely be overjoyed to see this.

Early on the third day, Yan rode Chasing Wind and set off with a convoy transporting ore.

The team consisted of more than twenty people, escorting over a dozen oxcarts loaded with supplies to return to the Deer Tribe. The team moved slowly along the newly built road, which the Fire Tribe had expanded in the last six months, connecting the Fire Creek Valley and the old site of the Deer Tribe. Although not wide, the road was flat, and the oxcarts moved smoothly.

The leader of the group, Xiaotou veteran soldier named Lizhua, rode alongside Yan and remarked, "Chief Yan, this road is really well-built. It's much faster to get to the Deer Tribe now."

Yan nodded. "With the roads open, the movement of supplies and people will be much more convenient and faster. In the future, roads like these should be built between all the strongholds of the Fire Tribe."

"That's wonderful!" Shijian's eyes lit up. "If we can really complete this, our Fire Tribe will truly be united!"

More than a day later, the outline of the Deer Tribe's camp appeared ahead. In the distance, a figure stood at the Deer Tribe gate, waving in their direction.

"Boss!" the man shouted, his voice audible from a great distance.

Yan laughed—it was Shibang, his childhood friend, still as boisterous as ever.

As the group approached the camp, Shibang eagerly came to greet them. He was even more muscular than he had been a few months ago, his skin tanned dark, but full of energy.

"Boss! We've been waiting for you!" Shibang grabbed Yan's horse reins, his eyes shining brightly. "I heard you led Yingmu to wipe out the main force of the Wolf Tribe in the north? That was quite an achievement!"

Yan dismounted and patted Shibang on the shoulder. "Yingmu has indeed made a lot of contributions this time. I heard he's going to be promoted soon, and he'll have more men under him than you do then."

"What?!" Shibang jumped up immediately. "That brat Yingmu! He only got into the Hunting Team because he's a year older than me! Boss, if you took me with you, he wouldn't get a chance to show off!"

He grabbed Yan's arm, his face full of grievance. "Boss, you have no idea how boring it is to manage this mine! Every day it's just watching people dig and transport ore... Next time there's a war, you have to talk to the leader and get me transferred to the front lines!"

Yan was amused by him, but he could also understand Shibang's feelings. It was indeed a bit difficult for this restless boy to stay in one place all day.

"This mine is no ordinary place," Yan said seriously. "Copper and tin mines are among the Fire Tribe's most important secrets. With them, we can forge bronze weapons and tools. The reason the chief trusts you so much is because he has the utmost confidence in you."

Shibang pursed his lips, but still nodded. "I understand the logic... it's just a little stifling."

Yan thought for a moment and said, "How about this, in a year or two, when your younger brother Gubang has grown up and can stand on his own, I'll talk to the leader and have him replace you. At that time, I'll support whichever unit you want to join."

"Really?!" Shibang's eyes lit up. "Boss, you said it! You can't go back on your word!"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Yan laughed.

Shibang was finally satisfied, and the gloom on his face vanished. He helped Yan lead Chasing Wind to the stable, then directed people to unload the ore from the oxcart before taking Yan for a stroll around the camp.

"Boss, you've come here this time to move the ore refining process here, right?" Shibang asked.

Yan nodded. "Yes. I plan to build a purification workshop inside the Deer Tribe camp. There are several mountain springs here with good water quality and sufficient water volume. The camp can be used after some minor repairs and reinforcements."

He pointed to an open space in the center of the camp. "Moreover, the Deer Tribe camp is well-defended and spacious enough. Headquarters will be sending three hundred warriors over in the next few days to repair and strengthen the defenses here. If we hurry, we should be able to build the workshop before the snowfall this year."

Shibang clapped his hands excitedly. "Great! Boss, you don't know, while you were leading the fleet to the upper reaches of the Fish River, we started preparing charcoal. There are plenty of trees here in the Deer Tribe, so we have as much firewood as we need. The warehouse is already piled high with charcoal, and we can make even more before the snow!"

He paused, then lowered his voice. "Honestly, moving the refining workshop here will save a lot of manpower and resources! Once the workshop is built, we can refine the copper and tin ingots here and then transport them back, allowing one truck to carry several times more!"

Yan looked at Shibang approvingly. "It seems you haven't wasted these past few months here."

Shibang scratched his head and chuckled, "Of course! I haven't been here for nothing!"

As the two were talking, a soldier ran over and reported, "Chief Shibang, a new batch of ore has come out. Would you like to go and take a look?"

"Come on, boss, let me show you our mine!" Shibang pulled Yan out of the camp.

The mine is located at the foot of Colorful Stone Mountain, north of the camp. Several deep openings have already been dug out, and dozens of soldiers are busy at work. Some are using bronze pickaxes to chisel at the rock walls, some are carrying rubble in wooden baskets, and others are responsible for sifting ore.

Yan carefully observed the situation in the mine. The mining work was carried out in an orderly manner, and the safety measures were in place—the tunnel was reinforced with wooden piles, there were special ventilation openings, and an emergency evacuation passage was also set up.

"Well done," Yan said sincerely.

Shibang proudly raised his head. "That's right! When have I, Shibang, ever done anything wrong!"

After visiting the mine, the two returned to the camp, where Yan took out the gift he had prepared—the exquisite bronze dagger.

"Here you go." Yan handed the knife to Shibang.

Shibang took the knife, drew it from its sheath, and his eyes widened immediately. In the sunlight, the bronze blade gleamed with a dark golden light. The blade was long and slender, the edge was sharp, and the patterns on the hilt were simple yet grand.

"This... this is..." Shibang was so excited he could barely speak.

"A bronze knife," Yan said, "Sharper than a bone knife and more durable than a stone knife. Handle it carefully, don't lose it, and don't flaunt it. Bronze is the highest secret of our Fire Tribe!"

Shibang gripped the knife tightly, his eyes suddenly reddening. "Okay, boss... thank you."

Yan patted his shoulder. "Alright, you're a grown man, don't be like this. Come on, take me to see those mountain springs. We need to finalize the location for the workshop as soon as possible."

"Alright!" Shibang wiped his eyes and resumed his boisterous manner. "This way! The water from those springs is excellent; the Deer Tribe used to drink it directly..."