Preparing to Return to the Upper Reaches of Fish River

After leaving the council hall, the afternoon sun was shining brightly. Yan did not immediately return to his residence to rest, but instead turned and walked towards the valley training ground, where the Fire Tribe's "Youth Team" camp was located.

Even before getting close, one could hear the orderly shouts and the crisp clash of wooden weapons. On the spacious training ground, hundreds of boys aged eight to fifteen were divided into several small teams, training under the leadership of their respective Xiaotou. Some were practicing basic spear thrusts with synchronized movements; others were practicing sparring in pairs; and still others were practicing throwing stone chains or drawing bows (simple wooden bows).

Seeing Yan approach, Gubang, Daya, Zhuangchai, and others who were in charge of the Youth Team's daily training immediately came to greet him. Gubang was Shibang's younger brother, Daya was Jianya Ya's son, and Zhuangchai was Yan's younger brother. They were all Yan's most trusted partners and capable assistants.

"Boss! You're finally back!" Gubang grinned, revealing his Baiya, his eyes full of excitement. He was now the head of daily training for the Youth Team and Yan's deputy.

"Brother Yan! You must be tired from the journey!" Daya greeted him with a smile. He was now more Chenwen, like his father, Jianya.

"Big Brother!" Zhuangchai rushed to Yan's side, his eyes sparkling.

Several young people immediately surrounded Yan and bombarded him with questions.

Gubang had the loudest voice. "Boss, that's amazing! I heard you guys brought back another million catties of grain this time! It's piled up like Little Mountain over there in the warehouse! And you even struck a big deal with the Valley Tribe for eight million catties of grain! My God, eight million catties of grain! Does that mean our Fire Tribe won't have to worry about going hungry this year?" He was so excited that he was gesturing wildly.

Yan chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, "It's all thanks to everyone's hard work. If the Fire Tribe weren't strong enough and didn't have so much pottery, the Valley Tribe wouldn't be doing such a big deal with us. But this grain isn't for lying on and sleeping; it's for converting into strength!"

Daya's focus was more detailed. He asked curiously, "Brother Yan, is the dock over at the Valley Tribe really much bigger than ours? How do they build their big ships?" The boys were always full of curiosity about the outside world.

Yan nodded and told them that they could go there in a few years to find out for themselves.

At this moment, Zhuangchai interjected with a wink and a mischievous smile, lowering his voice to ask, "Big brother, did you see 'sister-in-law' this time? What did you two talk about?" The "sister-in-law" he was referring to was naturally Qingsui from the Valley Tribe. This was not a secret among the higher-ups of the Fire Tribe, and the Youth Team members who were close to Yan had long heard about it.

Yan's face flushed, and he gave Zhuangchai a flick on the forehead in an annoyed tone. "Go away! You little kid, why are you asking about these things? I think you're just bored and want a wife, aren't you? Should I talk to my father and find one for you?" He deliberately put on a stern face.

"Ouch!" Zhuangchai covered his forehead, his face turning bright red. He quickly waved his hands and backed away. "No, no, no! Big brother, I was wrong! I won't ask anymore! I don't want a wife right now!" His embarrassed appearance caused Gubang and Daya to burst into laughter, successfully changing the subject.

After the joke, Daya asked seriously, "Brother Yan, I heard from my dad that we'll have a lot of surplus grain this year, does that mean... we'll be recruiting more people? Does that mean our Youth Team will have to expand again?" His eyes were full of anticipation; managing more people meant greater responsibility, but also greater training.

Yan gave Daya an approving look. "You're just like your dad, very smart. That's right, in a couple of days I'll be taking a fleet with Uncle Dali to the upper reaches of the Fish River. Besides trading, the main purpose is to see if we can recruit some small tribes struggling to make ends meet into our Fire Tribe. At that time, there will definitely be quite a few teenagers joining, and the number of members in the Youth Team will definitely increase. The burden on your shoulders will be heavier, so you need to prepare for the reception and training in advance."

Upon hearing this, Gubang immediately puffed out his chest and thumped it loudly. "Don't worry, boss! We'll take as many as they come! We guarantee we'll train them to be just as good as we are now! Discipline, formation, basic combat skills—nothing will be neglected!" He now had his own set of methods for training and managing the Youth Team and was full of confidence.

Daya and Zhuangchai quickly chimed in, "We'll definitely cooperate well with Gubang Bro and take good care of the new brothers!"

Seeing his companions so motivated and confident, Yan felt very gratified. The Youth Team was the future of the Fire Tribe, and their growth was directly related to the continuation and prosperity of the tribe. He watched the youths train for a while longer by the training ground. Gubang and the others really had a way of dividing the Youth Team into three groups, training in rotation, with each group training once every three days, and each group training intensively for two hours. This way, they could help with chores at home or learn other skills without interfering with their training, while also ensuring the systematic nature and intensity of the training.

After leaving the Youth Team camp, Yan went to the area where the tribe kept livestock. In a clean and spacious stable covered with hay, two magnificent ponies— Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds —were leisurely chewing their fodder. They were very intelligent; upon seeing Yan's figure in the distance, they immediately raised their heads, let out cheerful neighs, and gently pawed the ground with their front hooves.

Yan smiled and walked over, bringing them some fine food and tender grass. Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds affectionately nuzzled Yan's hand before burying their heads in their "extra meal." Yan stroked them and whispered to them, as if they were understanding friends. After they finished eating, Yan took out the Jiangsheng and led the two horses for a stroll in the specially reserved pasture outside the valley. Chasing Wind and Treading Clouds ran around freely for a while before Yan led them back to the stable with satisfaction and gave them a thorough cleaning.

After finishing all this, the sun was already setting. Yan finished eating and went to play with his younger brothers. He told them some interesting stories from his voyage, which made the little ones' eyes light up.

Not long after, their father, Jianshi, returned after finishing his business with the tribe. Seeing Yan playing with his younger brothers, he joined in and relaxed for a rare moment. After the children were coaxed to sleep by Qingye, Jianshi and Yan sat by the fire pit and talked about serious matters by the firelight.

"While you were away for over forty days, the tribe was quite busy. All 15,000 mu of our prime paddy fields have been planted with rice seedlings, and they are growing well. In addition, the planned 5,000 mu of new paddy fields have been mostly cultivated. By the time you return from upstream, it should all be completed, and we can plant another season before summer."

Yan listened carefully, gaining a clearer understanding of the tribe's agricultural production progress. Food has always been the foundation of the tribe's development.

"Over here in the vegetable fields," Jianshi continued, "100,000 mu have already been reclaimed, and all sorts of vegetables and beans have been planted. There are still about 100,000 mu under reclamation, which is expected to be completed before summer, with some short-growing crops planted to improve soil condition."

This reclamation speed far exceeded Yan's expectations, which shows that his father has put a lot of effort into organizing manpower these days.

"The population migration and resettlement are also progressing smoothly." Jianshi took a sip of hot water. "At the Small Gathering Valley Outpost, all three thousand people planned to migrate have already gone there, and at the Deer Tribe's living area, two thousand people have also arrived. Shibang is managing things well. Currently, our Fire Tribe's main population is around fourteen thousand."

He paused, then stated his next plan. "This year, I intend to relocate another 3,000 people each to the old sites of the Bison Tribe and the Green Sheep Tribe for reconstruction and reclamation. The White Pig Tribe has relatively flat and fertile land with plenty of immediately reclaimable wasteland; I plan to relocate 5,000 people there. This dispersed resettlement will not only make full use of the land but also strengthen our control over our existing territories."

Yan quickly calculated in his mind that this would greatly increase the population and land directly controlled by the Fire Tribe, and he deeply admired his father's grand plan.

"Yan'er," Jianshi looked at his son, his eyes filled with trust, "One of your main objectives in this Dali to the upper reaches of the Fish River is to recruit more people. Which tribes are willing to come, how many can come, and how to arrange for them—you and Dali can make these decisions on the spot. The principle is to both increase our strength and avoid provoking widespread resentment and hostility from the upstream tribes."

"Yes, Father, I understand." Yan nodded solemnly. He knew that this was not just a simple matter of "recruiting people," but also a test of diplomacy and assimilation capabilities.

Next, Yan inquired in detail about the specific output and inventory of the tribe's various workshops—pottery kilns, bronze workshops, shipbuilding workshops, textile workshops, etc.—as well as the reserves of strategic materials such as grain, salt, and tools. Jianshi answered each question clearly and concisely. Yan memorized this information.

The father and son talked until late at night before they went to rest. For the next two days, Yan and Dali didn't have time to really "rest" at all, as they plunged headfirst into the tedious preparations before their departure.

First, there was the preparation of supplies. They needed to bring enough "hard currency" to attract the upstream tribes—pottery, coarse salt, sturdy and durable linen and straw sandals. These supplies needed to be allocated from the warehouse, counted, packed, and loaded onto the ship. Yan personally oversaw the process, ensuring both quantity and quality, especially the pottery, which could not have any defective products, as this was related to the reputation of the Fire Tribe.

Secondly, there was the selection of personnel. This voyage involved trade, potential population migration, and even unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, in addition to the necessary sailors, the fleet needed a sufficient number of experienced and disciplined warriors. Dali was responsible for selecting elites from the Hunting Team and standing guards, requiring them not only to be brave but also to obey orders and to be neither servile nor arrogant in foreign negotiations. At the same time, Yan specifically selected a group of eloquent individuals from the various tributaries of the Fish River that had now integrated into the Fire Tribe tribe. These individuals were familiar with the upstream situation and had a strong sense of belonging to the Fire Tribe. They would accompany the voyage, serving as "living advertisements" and bridges for communication.

Next, the size of the fleet was determined. Based on the quantity of supplies and the estimated number of people who might be brought back, Yan, Dali, and Jianshi discussed the matter repeatedly and finally decided to use all the large and medium-sized ships currently available at headquarters: the remaining forty large ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin, eighty large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 jin, and fifty small Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 500 jin. The remaining one hundred and fifty small Muzhou would remain at headquarters to be responsible for near-shore fishing, patrolling, and short-distance transportation. This fleet size was sufficient to demonstrate the Fire Tribe's powerful strength and transportation capabilities.

Just as Yan and Dali were making their preparations, Jianya had already set off first. He led the remaining twenty large ships with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties each and fifty large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties each, carrying more than two hundred elite warriors and a large quantity of pottery for trade, sailing downstream towards the Horse Tribe. According to the plan, after the fleet reached the riverbank near the Horse Tribe's territory, Jianya would lead his men to unload the pottery and walk to the Horse Tribe to trade, aiming to exchange as many oxen as possible. The animal hides, ox tendons, and other byproducts obtained in the trade would be transported back by the moored ships first. Jianya himself would lead the two hundred warriors, riding the two hundred ponies they had reserved in the trade, and driving the oxen they had acquired, back to the tribe by land.

Two days flew by in a flurry of activity, and on the morning of departure, the pier was once again filled with people seeing them off.

Jianshi, Qingye, Dabang, and other high-ranking officials who remained behind were all present. Jianshi looked at his spirited son and brother and said in a deep voice, "This trip upstream is mainly to attract people and demonstrate goodwill. Safety is the top priority. Be cautious in everything you do, and you two should discuss things carefully."

"Father (elder brother), rest assured!" Yan and Dali said in unison, clasping their hands in acceptance.

"I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Yan added, his eyes resolute.

Qingye stepped forward and straightened Yan's clothes, her eyes filled with love and reluctance. "Go and come back soon, be careful."

"Don't worry, Mother." Yan grasped his mother's hand and nodded firmly.

At the dock, the warriors who were to accompany them had already boarded the ship, and the sails were being raised. The selected "original upstream residents" stood on the ship's side, looking at the familiar river that stretched upstream, their feelings both excited and complicated. They were going back to their homeland, but their identities were different now; they were now the envoys of the Fire Tribe.

"Set sail!" With Yan and Dali's order, the massive fleet slowly left the dock and headed upstream on the Fish River.

Those who saw them off waved until the fleet became distant black dots. Jianshi turned to face the remaining crew, his voice Chenwen and powerful. "We must also hurry up with things back home! Land reclamation, military training, production—we can't slacken for a moment! For the Fire Tribe!"

"For the Fire Tribe!" The crowd's voices echoed through the valley.