A Walk and a Promise in the Night
The night was as still as water, and a cool breeze was blowing. After bidding farewell to the leaders of the Valley Tribe, Yan and Dali, accompanied by Qingsui, embarked on their journey back to the temporary camp at the dock.
The road to the Valley Tribe's headquarters was smoother than the one Yan had visited last time. It was only a short time after dark, and wooden poles with torches stuck in them stood at regular intervals along both sides of the road. The orange flames flickered, dispelling the darkness and lengthening the swaying shadows of the group on the ground.
Dali walked for a while, then looked at the two young men walking side by side ahead who seemed to have something to say, and then at the several Qingsui followers following not far behind. He grinned silently. He was rough but shrewd, and knew that these two young men rarely saw each other and must have a lot to talk about.
He deliberately slowed his pace and struck up a conversation with the Feiyu chief of the Fish Tribe beside him. "Feiyu chief, look at this Valley Tribe, they light so many torches at night, it's really impressive." His voice was neither too loud nor too soft.
Feiyu, being shrewd, immediately understood and replied with a smile, "Yes, it's even brighter than our Fish Tribe headquarters. After all, the Valley Tribe is a large tribe."
Dali took the opportunity to chat with them about the layout and defense of the Valley Tribe, slowing down his pace. Seeing this, the trusted warriors of the Fire Tribe following behind them also slowed down, gradually putting some distance between themselves and Yan and Qingsui in front.
Qingsui glanced back and saw that Uncle Dali and the others seemed to be having a heated discussion and hadn't followed. She then waved to her followers, "You can follow behind, no need to get too close."
The attendants naturally obeyed and stepped back a distance. Now, in the dimly lit streets of the Valley Tribe, Yan and Qingsui seemed to have a relatively independent space, and the surrounding noise seemed to be farther away.
Qingsui tilted her head slightly, looking at Yan's profile, half-lit and half-shadowed in the firelight, and spoke first, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement and curiosity. "Yan, I didn't expect that someone so young could chat so... well, so freely with my father and those elders. I've met many other tribal leaders or their envoys before, and when they met my father and those stern-faced elders, they couldn't speak fluently at all, they were so nervous!" As she spoke, she even imitated the way those people nervously rubbed their hands and avoided eye contact, which was quite adorable.
Yan chuckled at her words and shook his head. "Our Fire Tribe and Valley Tribe are now close partners, so we're sure to get along well. I'm here representing the Fire Tribe with sincerity and promises. I'm confident, so I'm not flustered. Besides, your father and the elders are all reasonable people. We're discussing serious matters, and being nervous would only make things worse." His tone was calm, with Chenwen rarely seen at his age.
Qingsui listened and nodded, finding it very reasonable. She looked at Yan and felt that he seemed a little different after not seeing him for several months, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It seemed that he had grown taller, his shoulders were broader, and his eyes were more... deep? Thinking of this, her cheeks inexplicably became hot, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the flickering torches in front of her.
After a brief silence, Qingsui couldn't help but ask again, "So... how long will you be staying in our Valley Tribe this time?" She asked cautiously, with anticipation in her voice.
Yan quickly estimated in his mind that the two tribes were becoming increasingly adept at the trading process, and Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe were well-prepared before the transaction. "The handover is much faster than before. Tomorrow alone, we should be able to complete the transfer of this million catties of grain and the pottery we brought. If all goes well, the fleet can set sail for home early the day after tomorrow," he said truthfully.
"Leaving first thing the day after tomorrow?" Qingsui's voice immediately lowered, her steps faltered, and the bright smile on her face dimmed slightly, her lips unconsciously pouting slightly. "So soon..." Her voice betrayed her disappointment; she had thought Yan would stay for at least two or three days.
Yan sensed her disappointment and, with a slight tremor in his heart, explained, "Grain is the lifeblood of the tribe. The sooner it's transported back, the sooner all the mouths in the tribe will be at ease. Besides, this transaction is huge, and there will be many more shipments to come; we can't afford to delay it on the road for too long."
Qingsui said "Oh," and with her head down, she gently kicked a Xiaoshi on the road with her toe. The pebble rolled away with a clatter. After a while, she raised her head again, a glimmer of light returning to her eyes. With hope, she asked, "Then... when will you come next time? Will you... come with the fleet again next time?" After asking, she stared intently at Yan, as if trying to find the answer in his expression.
Yan met her gaze and sighed inwardly. He knew Qingsui wanted him to come, and he himself had been paying close attention to the situation in the Valley Tribe. However, there were many things to deal with in the Fire Tribe, and as the young leader, he couldn't personally escort the goods every time.
"This year, the Fire Tribe and the Valley Tribe have a trade of eight million catties of grain. To complete it as soon as possible, the next fleet shouldn't have to wait too long." He gave a rough timeframe first, and seeing Qingsui's eyes brighten even more, he continued apologetically, "As for whether I'll come next time... it's still uncertain. There are indeed many things to handle in the tribe. Spring is here, with spring plowing, training, workshop production, and communication with other tribes... many things require manpower."
Qingsui's smile froze, and her head drooped again, clearly displeased. She turned her head to look at the shadows of the houses beside her and muttered softly, "Always so busy..."
Looking at her throwing a tantrum, Yan found it strangely... amusing. He coughed lightly, softening his tone and speaking with a hint of coaxing, "Even if I don't come with the fleet next time, I'll have them bring you some spices and seasonings that the Fire Tribe has found, and... um, some little trinkets you find interesting. I guarantee there will be more varieties than this time."
He paused, looking at Qingsui's profile, and added, "Besides, you can come visit our Fire Tribe when you have time. Haven't you always said you were curious? Come see our Fire Tribe's valley, see Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds. Although our Fire Tribe isn't as flat and open as the Valley Tribe, it has its own unique scenery." He was seriously considering this suggestion. The relationship between the Fire Tribe and the Valley Tribe was becoming increasingly close, and mutual visits between high-ranking officials were a good way to deepen their ties.
Hearing the first part of the sentence, Qingsui's ears perked up. When she heard that she could go to the Fire Tribe, she immediately turned around and looked at Yan with bright eyes. "Really? I can go?" Then she remembered something and deliberately put on a stern face, "You said it! If you don't come next time, you have to bring me lots and lots of seasonings and spices. Don't be stingy! Otherwise... otherwise I won't let it go!" She waved her little fist, making a "threatening" gesture.
Yan smiled and nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I promise I won't be stingy."
Having received the promise, Qingsui's mood immediately brightened, and her steps became lighter. She said enthusiastically, "Actually, I've been incredibly curious about your Fire Tribe for a long time! Upstream of the Fish River, such a powerful and mysterious tribe has appeared out of nowhere. And..." She smiled slyly, "I really want to see Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds -Treading Horses! You've had them with you for so long, you haven't mistreated them, have you? They're the Valley Tribe's prized steeds!" Once she started talking about the two ponies, she couldn't stop.
Yan immediately protested, "Heaven and earth bear witness! How could I possibly mistreat them? They are my... our Fire Tribe's treasures! They have people who know how to care for horses, they eat the best hay, and their stables are clean and warm." He paused, a proud look on his face, "However, in the last great battle between our Fire Tribe and the Wolf Tribe, Chasing Wind played a crucial role! I rode it to chase after the fleeing remnants of the Wolf Tribe, and its speed was a huge help!"
"Really? Tell me about it!" Qingsui perked up immediately upon hearing there was a story, snuggling close to Yan and urging him on.
So, as they walked, Yan recounted to Qingsui some of the most thrilling and exciting parts of the decisive battle against the Wolf Tribe last autumn. He told her about how the Wolf Tribe ravaged those smaller tribes and how the Fire Tribe defeated Wolf Tribe; he also recounted how, after the Wolf Tribe's defeat, he rode Chasing Wind and led the cavalry in pursuit, expanding their gains.
Qingsui listened intently, sometimes frowning in anger and cursing under her breath because of the Wolf Tribe's atrocities; sometimes holding her breath in tension because of the intensity of the battle; and when she heard that the Fire Tribe had won and was chasing after the remaining enemies, she couldn't help but clap and cheer, her eyes shining like stars.
"And then? Was the chief of the Wolf Tribe caught?" Qingsui asked impatiently.
"That Xueya is very cunning; he escaped. However, their main force was crippled this time, and they won't be able to cause any trouble for a while," Yan said.
"What a pity! Such a villain should have been caught!" Qingsui was somewhat regretful, but she was quickly drawn in by the details of the battle, asking about the feeling of the cavalry charge, Chasing Wind's performance at the time, and so on.
One of them was talking intently, and the other was listening intently. Before they knew it, the journey seemed to have shortened considerably. More voices and firelight came from ahead, and the outline of the dock and the rows of tents in the temporary camp became clearly visible.
Qingsui then realized they were almost there. She hadn't had enough of the story yet. She glanced at the brightly lit camp entrance in the distance, then at Yan, knowing that Yan would definitely have a lot of things to arrange when he got back.
She stopped, somewhat reluctant, but still asked, "Are you... busy tomorrow?"
Yan paused, thought for a moment, and said, "Tomorrow morning is mainly for the delivery of grain and pottery. In the afternoon... there shouldn't be anything urgent. The main thing is to let the team rest and prepare for the return voyage the day after tomorrow."
Qingsui's eyes immediately lit up again. "Then I'll come to see you tomorrow at noon, okay? You said you'd cook something delicious for me! I haven't had your cooking in so long!" Her tone was expectant, with a hint of coquetry.
Seeing her expectant eyes, Yan smiled and nodded, "Okay, tomorrow at noon, I'll see what ingredients we have at the camp and make you some food in the style of our Fire Tribe."
"It's settled then!" Qingsui was so happy she almost jumped for joy, then added, "After you finish your work today, get some rest early, don't overwork yourself."
"Okay, be careful on your way back." Yan nodded.
The two stood at the edge of the campfire and whispered a few more words. Qingsui's attendants and Dali and the others slowly followed and waited not far away.
"Then I'll head back now, see you tomorrow!" Qingsui waved, finally turned around, and walked back along the way she came with her entourage. After a few steps, she looked back once more.
Yan stood there, watching her figure disappear around the street corner, before turning around and walking towards the camp. Dali came up to him, winked, and without saying anything, just patted Yan on the back forcefully.
Yan's face flushed slightly, and he quickly composed himself, saying to Dali, Feiyu, Bailin, and the others, "Everyone, you've worked hard today. Get some rest. We'll begin the transaction early tomorrow morning. Everyone, proceed according to plan."