Downstream Along the Fish River
Early the next morning, the Fish River Wharf was bustling with activity. The joint fleet of the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe completed its final assembly and inspection in the morning light. Eighty large boats with a carrying capacity of 5,000 catties, one hundred and ninety large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 catties (Fire Tribe), plus ten large boats with a carrying capacity of 5,000 catties, ten large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 catties (Fish Tribe), and some small Muzhou, densely covered a large area of the river.
As Yan and Dali raised the flaming flag to signal departure on their main ship, the massive fleet cast off their moorings in succession, oars and paddles working in unison, sails billowing, and began to slowly depart from the dock, entering the main channel of the Fish River and sailing downstream.
With the current and the wind, the fleet was moving very fast. Standing high on the boat, Yan and Dali looked back and saw the Fish Tribe's camp rapidly shrinking before finally disappearing into the river bend.
"Our transport capacity this time has reached its limit!" Dali said, hands on his hips, gazing at the endless fleet of ships, his voice filled with pride. "We have a carrying capacity of over 900,000 jin! If the Valley Tribe is willing to help transport a portion like they did last time, bringing back 1.5 million jin of grain in one trip, I think we have a real chance!"
Yan nodded, his mind racing with calculations. 1.5 million jin sounded like an astronomical figure, but when divided among 37,000 people, it wouldn't last long. To reach the total goal of 8 million jin, such voyages would need to be repeated at least several more times. And this was only to maintain basic survival needs. To support further reclamation, construction, and possible military operations, grain reserves would need to be even more substantial.
The fleet traveled day and night, and the voyage went smoothly. Five days later, the scenery on both sides of the river ahead gradually changed, and they arrived at the territory of the Horse Tribe.
The fleet sailed along the center of the river. Yan and Dali stood at the Chuantou, gazing at the vast and lush Water Grass on the north bank. At this time, the grass had grown quite lush, and in the distance, they could see some moving black dots, which might be herds of wild horses or the ponies of the Horse Tribe's herdsmen.
"Uncle Dali, the buffer zone between the Wolf Tribe and the Fish Tribe was thoroughly stripped up by the Wolf Tribe last year. They plundered what they could, kidnapped what they could, and the rest either fled or died. It's now a nearly deserted 'blank slate.' The Wolf Tribe can't squeeze any more profit out of it there."
Dali's smile faded, and he nodded gravely. "Yes, many leaders mentioned this during the tribe's meeting. The wolf cubs won't just sit around doing nothing, and Xueya isn't one to stay put. To the north..." He gazed into the depths of the grassland, "... the Horse Tribe's territory. Although it's more than ten days' journey from their lair, the grassland is flat, and the horses are fast. For the Wolf Tribe, it might actually be an easier target. Stealing horses, cattle, sheep, or even people would allow them to quickly restore their strength."
"I'm worried about that too." Yan sighed. "When Uncle Jianya went to the Horse Tribe for trade last time, he said that he had solemnly reminded Chief Junfeng of the Horse Tribe to be wary of the threat from the Wolf Tribe, but Chief Junfeng didn't seem to care much."
Dali snorted, his tone somewhat helpless. "The people of the Horse Tribe, especially their leader and core warriors, have always prided themselves on their horsemanship and bravery. They think the Wolf Tribe is too far away and only dares to sneak up and attack small tribes. A large tribe like their Horse Tribe with three thousand people is something the Wolf Tribe wouldn't dare to provoke. Junfeng even told Jianya that if the wolf cubs dared to come, he would teach them a lesson. He was very confident!"
"Overconfidence is arrogance," Yan shook his head. "The Xueya of the Wolf Tribe are cunning and cruel, their greatest strength being attacking the strong with the weak and striking unexpectedly. They attack small tribes because the cost is low and the reward is high, which aligns with their predatory survival instinct. But that doesn't mean they wouldn't dare target larger objectives, as long as they see an opportunity. The Horse Tribe's loose herding style, relying mainly on cavalry mobility and tribal reputation for defense, may not be able to gain an advantage against the Wolf Tribe's sneak attack tactics. Once the Wolf Tribe sets their sights on them, the consequences could be unimaginable."
Dali wholeheartedly agreed, "Who can argue with that! But we've already given them the warnings we needed to, and the Horse Tribe won't listen. There's nothing we can do. They're too far away from us. Even if we wanted to help, it's beyond our reach. We can't exactly send a large force to be stationed at the Horse Tribe, can we? Would we be guarding their homeland for them? Food and supplies would be huge problems."
Yan was aware of this predicament. The Fire Tribe was under immense pressure to develop itself and was powerless to extend its influence to the distant Horse Tribe grasslands. He could only hope that the Horse Tribe's confidence was well-founded, or that the Wolf Tribe was temporarily unable to look north.
"Hopefully we're overthinking it." Yan glanced one last time at the vast northern grasslands, suppressing his worries for the time being. The fleet continued on its way, leaving behind the meadow that held both wealth and potential danger.
Five more days of smooth and fast sailing followed, and the Fish River became wider and straighter, with a gentle current.
The lookout shouted excitedly, "We see it! The Little Valley Camp of the Valley Tribe! And their massive ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin!"
Yan and Dali hurriedly walked to the very front of the Chuantou, which was the Little Valley Camp Outpost of the Valley Tribe. At the camp's dock, the giant ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, like a castle on the water, was quietly moored, like a sleeping behemoth, exuding an invisible aura of intimidation.
Before that, a swift sentry ship had already sailed out from the Fire Tribe fleet, carrying several envoys and a batch of exquisite gifts (mainly for Daiyan), and sped toward the Little Valley Camp dock. This was a courtesy that Yan had arranged in advance.
As the massive combined fleet slowly approached the waters of Little Valley Camp, the giant ship stirred. It slowly raised its anchor, adjusted its course, and headed toward the fleet. Although it was not fast, the oppressive feeling brought by its enormous size became stronger as the distance closed. Many warriors from the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe couldn't help but hold their breath, their eyes filled with awe.
Yan and Dali stood at the Chuantou, feeling the pressure. Every time they saw the ship, Yan's determination to build his own giant ship for the Fire Tribe became even stronger.
The giant ship stopped at a suitable distance, and a familiar figure appeared on the high ship. It was Dai Daiyan, the younger brother of Daiyue, the chief of the Valley Tribe, and the garrison leader of Little Valley Camp. He was wearing fine leather armor and had a bronze sword at his waist, looking very imposing.
Daiyan's gaze swept over the Fire Tribe's fleet, which had clearly grown even larger. He lingered for a moment on the newer ships and the Fish Tribe's vessels, a fleeting hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a condescending composure. Although the Fire Tribe had many ships, they were all "small boats," still merely "a school of fish" before his behemoth.
He was somewhat dismissive of his elder brother Daiyue's repeated instructions not to "make things difficult for the Fire Tribe." The Fire Tribe was very sensible, always giving generous gifts and treating people with respect. Cooperation would also bring huge benefits to the Valley Tribe. He was too busy trying to befriend them to make things difficult for them. His elder brother and some people in the tribe were simply thinking too much of him Daiyan, as stupid and arrogant.
"Young Master Yan! Leader Dali! Long time no see!" Daiyan's loud voice came through the water, carrying a formulaic enthusiasm.
Yan immediately cupped his hands in greeting and responded loudly, "Chief Daiyan! It's been a long time! Thanks to you, we had a safe journey! Our Fire Tribe has come to fulfill our agreement to transport grain. We hope you will forgive any inconvenience caused!"
"Of course, of course!" Daiyan waved his hand. "The Valley Tribe welcomes our trustworthy friends! You can go directly to the headquarters dock on the other side. I've already sent someone to inform them, and everything is arranged there. Look, the guide boat has arrived."
Sure enough, two boats signaling with flags sailed out from the Little Valley Camp pier.
Daiyan continued, "I still have the duty of inspecting the river defenses, so I won't accompany you. I wish you a successful transaction!" His words were grand and proper, showing both the strictness of the Valley Tribe (inspecting the river defenses) and maintaining a certain distance, which was in line with his identity as a local garrison commander.
"Thank you for your help, Leader Daiyan!" Yan thanked him again, his attitude impeccable.
Daiyan said no more and ordered the giant ship to slowly turn around and continue its majestic and slow patrol. Meanwhile, the joint fleet of the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe, led by the Valley Tribe's guide ship, adjusted its course and steadily sailed towards the Valley Tribe's headquarters area on the other side of the river, where the houses were more densely packed and the docks were busier.