Echoes and Promises Farther Upstream
Leaving Stone River Mouth, Yan and Dali's streamlined fleet continued upstream along the Fish River. Two days later, the fleet arrived at the confluence of the "Valley River". The people in the Valley River basin have now all joined the Fire Tribe. The Fire Tribe used to send people to patrol several abandoned tribal camps along the Valley River, but now the Fire Tribe has moved its temporary stronghold to the vicinity of the Valley River Mouth.
Yan ordered the fleet to rest at a gentle bend in the river outside the Valley River Mouth Valley River Mouth. The Fire Tribe set up a simple temporary outpost there, with some stilted wooden houses and a spring next to them. The outpost was empty at the moment. Only at a specific time each year would the Fire Tribe send a small team with supplies to stay and patrol there for a period of time. This was both a symbolic "declaration of presence" and an important information outpost and supply point.
The fleet replenished its water supply, inspected its vessels, and allowed the weary crew to rest. After the fleet had rested, it set off again, leaving the Valley River basin and continuing its journey upstream towards the Fish River. After three more days of upstream sailing, it reached the mouth of the Wood River, where the population was less than that of the lower reaches of the Wood River Fish River.
Along the banks of the Wood River, there were two middle-class merchant tribes with populations of about two hundred each. The tribes in the Wood River basin were in even more dire straits than those encountered along the Water River, Forest River, and Stone River Wood River. When the Fire Tribe's fleet, though reduced in size, was still conspicuous, it immediately caused a sensation. Upon receiving the news, the leaders of the two tribes almost ran to the shore, their faces filled with undisguised excitement.
"It's the Fire Tribe's ship! It's Young Chief Yan!" One of the chiefs, with sharp eyes, recognized Yan standing at the bow of the Chuantou. They had traded with the Fire Tribe last year and had a deep memory of this young but extraordinary chief.
As the ship docked, Yan stepped off, and the two chieftains immediately surrounded him, eagerly asking, "Young Chieftain Yan! Is your Fire Tribe here for trade, or... or like last year, to recruit people?" Their voices were full of longing, their eyes fixed on Yan, afraid of missing a single word.
The Wood River borders the Valley River, which has already been "absorbed" by the Fire Tribe. Both tribes know that all the tribes along the Valley River have joined the Fire Tribe. Moreover, during their last trade with the Fire Tribe, they encountered some former Valley River tribesmen. These men wore neat linen clothes, carried fine weapons, and were all ruddy-faced and robust. Their eyes shone as they spoke of their life in the Fire Tribe. They had privately inquired about the Fire Tribe and were told, "We eat well, live well, and have good linen clothes. As long as you follow the rules and work hard, you're fine." Before last winter, about five hundred tribesmen along the Wood River who couldn't survive had also left with the Fire Tribe's boats.
At that time, the leaders of the two "middleman" tribes were still somewhat hesitant, worried about giving up their existing, albeit meager, "middleman" status and going to a large, unfamiliar tribe with an uncertain future. But at this moment, seeing the Fire Tribe warriors who had come with Yan by boat—each one was strong and capable, fully equipped, and full of energy; and seeing the few tribesmen Yan had specially brought who had joined the Fire Tribe from the Wood River just last winter—in just a few months, these once sallow-faced acquaintances had now gained weight, had rosy complexions, wore clean clothes, and had eyes full of confidence and hope—the hesitancy in the two leaders' hearts instantly vanished, replaced by deep regret and urgency.
"We're hiring! Our Fire Tribe welcomes new members who are willing to work together!" Yan's answer was clear and forceful.
"We join! Both tribes of the Wood River are willing to join the Fire Tribe!" The two leaders spoke almost in unison, their voices trembling with excitement. Behind them, their tribesmen erupted in suppressed cheers, many with tears welling in their eyes. They had had enough of the struggle for survival!
Yan was deeply moved and nodded solemnly, "The Fire Tribe welcomes you! Friends of the Wood River, from now on we are family!"
The two chieftains were overjoyed and immediately said that there were some scattered and smaller tribes along the Wood River who were also struggling. If the Fire Tribe was willing to take them in, together with their two tribes, they would have nearly two thousand people.
Yan estimated the transport capacity of the boats currently stationed at the three river mouths of Shui, Lin, and Shi for transshipment, as well as the headquarters' capacity to receive and resettle them. After a moment's thought, he said frankly, "Chiefs, our Fire Tribe absolutely welcomes every brother and sister who is willing to join! However, most of the boats we brought this time have already been used to transfer tribesmen who joined earlier at other river mouths. We currently have limited boats and cannot take everyone away at once."
Seeing the disappointment on everyone's faces, Yan immediately raised his voice and assured them, "But don't worry! Our Fire Tribe keeps its word! Please ask the two chieftains to help organize the tribes that are willing to join and gather them in a safe place near the Wood River Mouth. After we return, we will immediately organize more boats and return to the mouth of the Forest River Mouth to pick you up as soon as possible! It will be no later than a month!"
This promise was like a reassuring pill, rekindling the hopes of the two leaders and their people. They nodded in agreement repeatedly. Yan left behind a batch of food, salt, and clothing as provisions and tokens for them during their waiting period. At the same time, he informed them in detail of the approximate location of the Fire Tribe headquarters and the basic rules they would have to follow after joining, so that they would be aware of them in advance.
Carrying the hopes of the tribes along the Wood River, Yan and Dali set off again. Over the next eight days, they arrived at the mouths of the Clear River and White River further upstream.
These two rivers are located in a remote area upstream of the Fish River. The tribes along the river have very little contact with the outside world and are almost in a semi-isolated state. However, they are not completely isolated from the Fire Tribe. This is thanks to the Fire Tribe's fleet's two stable transactions in the past, which established a friendly trade relationship between the two sides. Before last winter, the Fire Tribe also took in about five hundred members of small tribes living on the verge of despair along these two rivers.
This time, Yan also brought several people who originally belonged to the Clear River and White River, but have now integrated into the Fire Tribe. When these "old acquaintances" appeared at the river mouth and told their old friends about life in the Fire Tribe, the shock and longing they felt were unprecedented.
"Look! That's Ashi! He used to be so skinny you could be blown away by the wind, but now... now he looks like a real warrior!"
"And Acao, her face used to be sallow, but now she looks so healthy!"
"They say that in the Fire Tribe, as long as you work, you can eat three meals a day! You'll also have good clothes to wear and nice wooden houses to live in!"
Seeing is believing. The tribesmen along the Clear River and White River, who were still struggling on the poverty line, saw the living examples before them and listened to those they once knew but who now seemed to have been reborn recount the strength of the Fire Tribe (abundant food, sturdy houses, and fair rules). The last trace of doubt and conservatism in their hearts was shattered.
When Yan explained his purpose and indicated that the Fire Tribe was willing to accept more members, the tribal chiefs and elders along the Clear River and White River rivers, after a brief discussion (mostly an excited exchange), expressed their willingness to join, either entirely or partially, with a sense of relief and anticipation.
"Young Master Yan! We believe in the Fire Tribe! We are willing to go with you!"
"I just want a way to survive, and a future where my children won't go hungry!"
"We have some people who live in even more remote mountain valleys; we'll go and inform them now!"
Faced with the overwhelming desire to join, Yan was both moved and felt a great sense of responsibility. He sincerely explained again the current difficulties in transporting ships and made the same promise he had made at Wood River Mouth: "Everyone, the gates of the Fire Tribe are always open to friends! Please organize yourselves for now and gather in the safe area at Clear River Mouth / White River Mouth. We will definitely arrange for ships to come back and pick you up as soon as possible! At the latest, within a month! Please trust the promises of the Fire Tribe!"
To ease the wait and to further demonstrate sincerity and strength, Yan left behind more supplies than he had in the Forest River —including food, salt, a small number of tools, and some thick linen. These supplies were a godsend for these remote tribes, further strengthening their resolve to wait and join.
When the fleet finally left Clear River Mouth, Yan and Dali decided to lead the fleet back to port.
Standing at the stern, gazing at the receding White River Mouth, Yan's emotions remained unsettled for a long time. Traveling upstream along the Fish River Fish River, he had truly witnessed the profound hardships of survival on the vast lands of the upper reaches, and also felt the powerful allure of the Fire Tribe. The anticipated increase in population was an extremely large number, far exceeding even the most optimistic estimates before departure, meaning the Fire Tribe's strength would rapidly expand.