Sharpening Weapons and Feeding Horses, Awaiting Those from Afar
The atmosphere in the Fire Tribe's valley reached an unprecedented peak in the days leading up to the autumn gathering. Everyone knew the tribe was about to undergo a crucial "expansion," and preparations had entered their final sprint. The scene in the designated weaving area was particularly spectacular. New garments in the natural color of hemp were made one after another and stacked into a small mountain.
These hemp garments would be the first gift for the new members about to join the tribe, as well as one of the key goods for this trading trip to the Fish Tribe. Compared with rough animal hides and prickly grass skirts, comfortable, warm hemp clothing undoubtedly held enormous appeal. In the pottery workshop, the kiln fires burned almost day and night without stopping. The three aunties and their assistants devoted all their energy to making medium and large pottery vessels. This time, they were not firing bowls and jars for everyday use, but large pieces specifically intended for trade-water jars, wide-mouthed cooking pots, and storage urns with better seals.
Wang Yan had high standards for this batch of pottery. He personally checked that the clay vessels were of even thickness and instructed the women to polish them with smooth pebbles when they were half-dry, making their surfaces smoother and more lustrous. Even during firing, he tried controlling the kiln temperature, hoping to produce fine pieces with purer colors and harder bodies.
When batch after batch of pottery emerged successfully from the kiln and was laid out on the open ground, even the tribe's own people, accustomed as they were to pottery, exclaimed in admiration. The large vats gleamed a rich, subdued reddish-brown in the sunlight, substantial and imposing; the wide-mouthed pots were evenly shaped and looked highly durable.
"Take these to the Fish Tribe, and we're sure to get good things in exchange!" Aunt Luye said confidently, stroking a smooth pottery urn.
The stream and the newly built fishpond were just as busy. Women and children deftly slit open and gutted the large quantities of freshly caught fish, cleaning them thoroughly. Some were carefully cured with precious coarse salt, while the rest were hung straight onto well-ventilated drying racks to dry naturally in the autumn wind and sunlight.
A strong fishy smell filled the air, yet at that moment, the scent was reassuring. Row upon row, string upon string of dried fish shimmered silver-white in the autumn sunlight, as though draping the tribe in a suit of harvest scale armor. These dried fish were both winter reserves and important food supplies and trading extras for the upcoming small gathering and the journey to the Fish Tribe.
That night, the fire in the chief's hut once again burned late. The core members gathered once more for a final check before departure.
"Father, uncles, Mother, the goods for the small gathering in three days will mainly consist of one hundred hemp garments, thirty medium-sized pottery vessels, and five hundred jin of dried fish. These will be enough to show our abundance and attract nearby small tribes struggling to survive to join us. Our goal is to take in around a hundred people."
Jianya added, "At the small gathering, we also need to trade for things we urgently need, especially flint and animal bones for making bone needles. If there are outsiders skilled at weaving or working hides, we can invite them to join us too."
Wang Yan nodded and moved his finger down the list. "As for the party going to the Fish Tribe, Uncle Jianya will lead it. Shibang, Gubang, Yingmu, and I will be among the ten youth team members going along to learn and gain experience. Our cargo will be twenty large pottery vessels, including five large cooking pots, ten water vats, and five storage urns; fifty fine hemp garments; and another five hundred jin of dried fish for food on the road and additional trading."
He drew a deep breath and stated the most crucial objective. "Our first priority on this trip to the Fish Tribe is to trade for high-quality grain seeds! Whatever terms they offer, as long as they're willing to trade seeds, we can negotiate! Second, if possible, we should take in as many people living in hardship around the Fish Tribe who are willing to come with us as we can. The target is also around a hundred. They live close to a great river, so they may have the boatbuilding techniques or more advanced fishing techniques we need."
"Not a word about the salt," Jianshi emphasized solemnly at the end, sweeping his gaze over everyone. "Until we have enough strength to protect it, salt is our Fire Tribe's greatest secret. On this trip, we're just an ordinary tribe that got lucky, learned to fire pottery and make hemp clothing, and has a little more food to spare. Understood?"
"Understood!" everyone answered quietly, their gazes resolute.
Everything was ready.