The trade fleet set sail again
As the winter snow melted, the ice in the Fire Tribe's main valley was completely thawed, and the vitality that had been dormant all winter burst forth as if awakened by the thunder of the Awakening of Insects.
The fine paddy fields, those 15,000 mu of flat, mirror-like land, have long been plowed, harrowed, and filled with water by the hardworking clansmen. They shimmer in the sunlight, waiting for the seedlings to grow strong so that the most important part of the year, transplanting, can begin. The vegetable gardens have also been renovated, with weeds removed and clods of soil broken up, ready for sowing at the appropriate time.
The busiest place was the dock, which was now teeming with people. A huge fleet of ships was busy loading cargo, with the main force consisting of 45 large wooden boats with a capacity of 5,000 catties each, followed by 90 large dugout Muzhou with a capacity of 2,000 catties each, and 100 light and agile small Muzhou with a capacity of 500 catties each.
The ship was being loaded with mountains of pottery. For this transaction, the Fire Tribe's pottery kilns had been firing day and night at full capacity. At this moment, pottery jars, urns, basins, and bowls of various sizes were carefully tied with straw ropes and carried by the able-bodied men, one load at a time and one basket at a time, from the warehouse to the dock. They were then carefully carried onto the ship, neatly stacked in the pre-planned locations, and secured with ropes.
Besides pottery, there were also some coarsely salted dried fish and meat, as well as items unique to the Fire Tribe, which were loaded onto the ship as add-ons or specialty products.
"Keep it steady! Put some more hay over there!" Yan stood on the deck of a large ship, directing the loading. After spring, he had grown taller and his shoulders were broader. His face had lost some of its youthful naiveté and become more Chenwen and capable.
"Yan, this is almost done!" Dali carried a large earthenware urn and placed it steadily in the designated spot, wiping away sweat. He still looked as imposing as a mountain, but his eyes were sharper than before. This time, he was partnering with Yan.
Dazhuang was also helping out at the dock. This time, he would go with the fleet to the Small Gathering Valley Outpost to relieve the Jianya Teeth there. After the Jianya finished handing over the work, they would take some people and pottery and travel by land from the water to the Horse Tribe to continue trading. Yan and Dali, on the other hand, would lead the main fleet downstream to the Valley Tribe.
After a busy day, all the cargo was finally loaded, and the fleet of ships was densely packed and moored on the dock, creating a spectacular sight.
The next morning, as the sun rose, the dock was packed with people, led by Jianshi Shi, Qingye, Dabang, and other high-ranking members of the Fire Tribe, as well as many tribesmen who had come to see them off.
Jianshi patted Yan's shoulder forcefully, his eyes full of trust and entrustment. "Be careful on the road. When you reach the Valley Tribe, make sure to bring back the food safely!"
"Father, rest assured, I understand." Yan nodded emphatically.
He then looked at Dali: "Uncle Dali, we're counting on you to protect us on the road."
Dali grinned and pounded his chest. "Leave it to me! Anyone who dares to lay a finger on our grain, I'll tear them apart!"
Qingye stepped forward and carefully straightened Yan's clothes, saying, "Take care of yourself and everyone else, and come back safely."
"Mother, I will." Yan felt a warmth in her heart.
"Let's go!" Yan didn't hesitate any longer, turned around and boarded the lead ship, and Dali, Dazhuang and the others also boarded the ship one after another.
On the shore, people waved goodbye as the fleet slowly left the dock. Sails rose one after another, and with the help of the increasingly strong spring wind and the downstream river, the fleet grew faster and faster, gradually becoming a string of black dots in the distance.
The fleet sailed smoothly, and by evening, they were about to reach the Small Gathering Valley Outpost.
Yan ordered the large fleet to anchor in the open waters downstream of the stronghold, and took only a few small boats and a small number of followers to the simple dock of the stronghold. On the dock, Jianya, who had already received the news, was waiting with his men.
"Yan! Dali! Dazhuang! You must be tired from your journey!" Jianya greeted them with a big smile. He had been running his business here and was a bit tanned, but he was full of energy.
"Uncle Jianya!" Yan jumped off the boat. "Father sent us to bring Dazhuang to relieve you. Here are the details." He handed over a wooden board with brief instructions engraved on it.
Jianya took it, glanced at it, and nodded, saying, "Alright, everything's ready here. The handover will be quick. I'll set off for the Horse Tribe with some of your ships first thing tomorrow morning." He turned to Dazhuang and smiled, "Dazhuang, this business is in your hands! You'd better keep a close eye on it!"
Da Zhuang replied in Dazhuang voice, "Don't worry! With me here, not a single hair will be missing!"
That evening, Jianya and Dazhuang conducted a detailed handover of their work in the cabin at the stronghold, including personnel, supplies, defense arrangements, spring planting plans, and so on. Yan and Dali listened in and gained a clearer understanding of the situation.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Jianya boarded the Fire Tribe's fleet and set off with Yan and the others. Two days later, at dawn, the fleet arrived at the confluence of the stream and the Fish River of the Pottery Salt Tribe.
Yan ordered the fleet to dock and unload a batch of pottery and salted dried fish and meat, which had been agreed upon beforehand. Jia Li of the Pottery Salt Tribe personally led his men to receive the goods, and the two sides had a brief but friendly exchange. Yan did not linger for long. After replenishing his supply of fresh water and fresh fruits and vegetables, he immediately set sail again.
As evening approached, the Fish Tribe was nearing its end. As the Fire Tribe's fleet slowly drew closer, the Fish Tribe warriors, though still observing the ever-growing ships with surprise, were no longer as shocked and wary as they had been at the beginning—partly because the Fish Tribe had received advance notice from the Fire Tribe, and partly because this was not the first time the Fire Tribe's fleet had visited.
Julang, the first warrior of the Fish Tribe, waited at the dock with a team of warriors. The fleet was guided and orderly moored in the designated berths.
Yan, Dali, and Jianya, along with several followers and prepared gifts, disembarked from the ship.
"Leader of the Julang, you've come to bother us again." Yan stepped forward and politely cupped his hands in greeting.
Julang laughed heartily, his voice booming, "Leader Yan, Leader Dali, Leader Jianya! Welcome, welcome! Our leader has been eagerly awaiting your arrival!" He gestured for you to enter, "The leader has prepared food and is waiting for you all!"
The group was led to the largest wooden house in the center of the Fish Tribe. The house was brightly lit and filled with grilled fish, stewed meat, fresh river delicacies, and various seasonal fruits and vegetables, with a wonderful aroma. The Fish Tribe chief, Canglan, along with several other leaders, personally greeted them at the door with great enthusiasm.
"Yan'er, Brother Dali, Brother Jianya, you must be tired from your journey! Please take a seat!" Canglan smiled broadly. The Fire Tribe was now the Fish Tribe's most important trading partner and "god of wealth," so he couldn't afford to be indifferent.
After everyone took their seats as hosts and guests, and after a period of feasting and drinking, the atmosphere quickly became lively. The two sides exchanged information about the recent situation of their respective tribes and talked about what they had seen and heard on the river.
Canglan took the initiative to bring up the main business. "I heard that your tribe is going to the Valley Tribe to trade a large amount of grain next time? Do you need the assistance of our Fish Tribe for transportation? Our large ships are currently available."
Jianya put down the bone cup in his hand and smiled, "Thank you, Chief Canglan. That's exactly what we were thinking. Next time, the amount of grain will be large, and relying solely on our fleet might be a bit difficult. If we could get the help of the Fish Tribe's fleet, that would be wonderful."
Yan continued, "We're willing to continue using pottery to prepay for the next shipping and payment."
Canglan's eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed happily, "No problem! This time, I'll have Feiyu and Bailin take ten large ships and ten large Muzhou to accompany you to the Valley Tribe! Just let us know in advance next time you go!"
The two parties finalized the details on the spot. Jianya used some of the pottery he brought to pay the prepayment for the next collaborative transport. Canglan smiled from ear to ear and repeatedly assured that he would definitely get things done.
That night, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely. The next morning, just as dawn broke, the two leaders of the Fish Tribe, Flying Feiyu and Bailin, gathered at the dock with ten large ships with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties and ten large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties.
The combined fleet of the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe set sail again, this time on a larger scale, continuing its grand journey along the Fish River towards the Valley Tribe downstream.
Five days later, the fleet entered the territory of the Horse Tribe. As planned, the fleet stopped at a gentle riverbank. Jianya and his two hundred warriors unloaded his share of the trade goods—mainly pottery—and loaded them into the baskets they had brought.
"Yan, Dali, I'm going ashore from here." Jianya packed his things. "It'll take about two days to walk to the Horse Tribe. This time, we plan to exchange for another two hundred ponies, plus some oxen. Once we've exchanged them, I'll take them directly back to the tribe by land."
"Uncle Jianya, be careful on the road. As for the Horse Tribe, stick to the prices and conditions we agreed on with the Fire Tribe. Be flexible and adaptable," Yan instructed.
"Don't worry!" Jianya smiled confidently, then looked at Dali, "Dali, Yan is in your hands now. When you get to the Valley Tribe, keep your eyes open."
"Do you need to tell me?!" He waved his hand Dali.
After a brief farewell, Jianya led his team, carrying supplies, along a faintly discernible path on the riverbank, heading towards the inland Horse Tribe.
Yan and Dali watched them leave, then ordered the fleet to continue its journey, with the remaining voyage to be primarily the responsibility of the two of them.
Five more days passed at a leisurely pace, the river widening considerably. That afternoon, the lookout pointed ahead and shouted, "Look! The Valley Tribe's camp is almost here!"
Yan and Dali quickly went to the Chuantou and looked over. On a high ground on the shore, there stood a flag with a simple pattern resembling a grain of rice.
"It's the grain sheaf symbol... we're almost there!" Yan took a deep breath and said, "Ahead is the main camp of the Valley Tribe on the opposite bank. Order the fleet to slow down and raise our Fire Tribe's flag!"