Secret Talks
Yan and Qingsui quickly arrived at the entrance of the Valley Tribe's council hall. The guards simply let Yan in, while Qingsui waited outside. After exchanging a few words with Qingsui, Yan stepped alone into the council hall, which symbolized the highest power of the Valley Tribe but was now unusually empty and quiet, under the respectful gaze of the Valley Tribe guards. The light inside the hall was slightly dimmer than outside, and animal hides and weapons hung on the walls.
Hearing footsteps, Daiyue, who had been facing away from the gate and gazing at the animal hide map on the wall, immediately turned around, a gentle yet solemn smile on his face. He strode forward to greet him, "Young Master Yan! I presume you've finished dealing with things at the docks? I've been too busy with my own affairs to personally oversee things here, please forgive me. I will definitely go to the docks to see you off first thing tomorrow morning!"
Yan quickly took a few steps forward, bowed, and said, "Chief Daiyue, you flatter me! You are responsible for the entire Valley Tribe and are very busy. How could we dare to trouble you to go there in person? With the cooperation of both sides and the supervision of Dali and Fengren, everything will go smoothly and there will be no mistakes. Of course, if we could have you personally escort us tomorrow, it would be a great honor for our Fire Tribe!" His reply was respectful and appropriate, giving the other party a way out while also expressing sufficient respect.
Upon hearing this, Daiyue laughed heartily and gestured for Yan to sit down, saying, "Young Chief Yan, you are too kind! Please sit, please sit down!" He led Yan to the seat of honor, personally poured a bowl of water from a nearby earthenware pot, and pushed over a small plate of freshly washed, still glistening with water droplets, red berries. "These are sweet berries we just picked from the back mountain of our Valley Tribe. They are at their freshest and juiciest at this time of year. Try some; they'll help you relax. Our Valley Tribe values its grain trade with the Fire Tribe more than anything! Rest assured about the transportation of this year's eight million catties of grain; the Valley Tribe will do its utmost to assist you!"
"Daiyue, Chief Daiyue." After expressing his gratitude, Yan picked up a berry and put it in his mouth as instructed. The berry was indeed sweet, juicy, and fragrant. He chewed it slowly, and at the same time, he observed Daiyue's expression and sorted out his own thoughts. He could sense that Daiyue's enthusiasm was not only because of the grain trade, but also contained some deeper expectation.
Daiyue was also observing the young man before him. The light shone on Yan's young yet Chenwen face. The boy was tall and straight, with clear eyes. His speech and manners showed both respect for his elders and the bearing and confidence of a tribal heir. Daiyue couldn't help but feel a little dazed. He had heard Qingsui speak more than once with admiration about how Yan had saved her from a frightened horse, and how he had become the first warrior of the Fire Tribe a few months ago (a large tribe with tens of thousands of people!). He also knew that the pottery that the Fire Tribe was now so proud of was said to have been initially developed by this young man. In these two meetings, Yan's experience and foresight in trade negotiations had already impressed Daiyue. And the suggestions Qingsui conveyed this morning regarding "strengthening relations" and "military cooperation" made him see that this young man possessed a vision far beyond his years.
"Sigh, Jianshi really raised a good son..." Daiyue sighed inwardly, then couldn't help but think of his own daughter. How could he, as her father, not see Qingsui's feelings for Yan? The two young people got along well and were attracted to each other, which was a good thing. But when he thought about how the Fire Tribe was located in the upper reaches of the Fish River, far away and remote, if he really... let his precious daughter marry far away, he really couldn't bear it. If Yan could stay in the Valley Tribe... this thought only flashed through his mind before Daiyue rejected it. The Fire Tribe was clearly raising Yan as their future leader with all their might, pouring countless efforts and expectations into him. How could they let him marry into another tribe? Thinking of this, Daiyue felt a mix of emotions and could only suppress these personal matters for the time being.
Seeing that Yan had finished tasting it and his face showed appreciation, Daiyue asked with a smile, "Young Chief Yan, do you like the sweet berries from our Valley Tribe?"
"Extremely fresh and delicious," Yan exclaimed sincerely. "This is the first time I've ever tasted such sweet berries."
"Haha, that's because you haven't visited our Valley Tribe enough times!" Daiyue laughed. "These sweet berries are very delicate; they must be eaten immediately after picking, otherwise they will rot and spoil. Therefore, they are difficult to transport over Yuantu. If you come again at this time of year, I guarantee you'll eat your fill!"
"That's wonderful," Yan replied with a smile. "It seems I'll have to bother Chief Daiyue more often in the future."
"The gates of the Valley Tribe are always open to friends!" Daiyue replied cheerfully. The atmosphere had been set for a relaxed exchange of pleasantries when he changed the subject, his expression becoming more serious. "Chief Yan, the reason I invited you here today is to discuss something in detail. This morning, Qingsui relayed some of your thoughts to me... regarding the future of our two tribes, it's not just about grain trade; we hope to strengthen ties, even... develop some kind of mutual aid alliance?"
Here it comes! Yan's heart tightened, knowing that the main topic was about to begin. He immediately suppressed his smile, leaned forward slightly, and adopted a posture of attentive listening and response.
"Yes, Chief Daiyue." Yan's voice was clear and steady. "What Miss Qingsui conveyed were some preliminary ideas of our Fire Tribe. To be honest, our Fire Tribe has seen rapid population growth recently, and our demand for food will continue to be strong in the future. Trade with the Valley Tribe is a crucial foundation for our survival and development, which we cherish immensely. However, at the same time, we are located in the Fish River Basin and have always heard of the formidable reputation of the Tiger Tribe at the very bottom of the Fish River... It is said to be a powerful force with hundreds of thousands of people and unfathomable strength, and... their reputation doesn't seem to be very friendly."
He paused for a moment, observing Daiyue's reaction. Daiyue's expression was solemn, but he did not interrupt, signaling him to continue.
"We, the Fire Tribe, understand that to survive on this land, we cannot simply bury ourselves in farming and pottery making. Transforming pottery into food, and then using that food and trade profits to build a real force to protect our homeland, is the path we must take," Yan's tone hardened. "We yearn for peace and development, but we must also be prepared for any potential threats. The Valley Tribe is our most trusted and respected neighbor. Your tribe has close ties with the tribes downstream of the Fish River, is well-informed, and possesses considerable strength. If our two tribes could transcend simple trade relations and establish a closer partnership, including mutual support when necessary, it would undoubtedly be of great benefit in jointly dealing with uncertain risks from the lower reaches of the Fish River... or other directions. I wonder... if Chief Daiyue and the Valley Tribe have also considered this?"
Yan's words were both frank and subtle, expressing the Fire Tribe's concerns and desire for self-improvement while also pointing out the benefits of the alliance in "jointly dealing with risks," especially alluding to the threat from the "lower reaches of the Fish River." He gave the Valley Tribe ample face while also addressing their underlying concerns.
Daiyue listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the smooth wooden tabletop. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke, "First of all, on behalf of the Valley Tribe, I would like to reiterate that we warmly welcome the Fire Tribe to conduct grain trade, and we are also very pleased to see our relationship deepen and strengthen through trade. This is a good thing for both of us."
He then changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious. "As for what you mentioned, developing a further alliance, especially one involving military cooperation... to be honest, Young Master Yan, I am personally very interested in this."
Yan's heart stirred, and she looked at him expectantly.
"However," Daiyue's tone became more serious, "the Valley Tribe is not just my Daiyue. Matters of great importance, such as the tribe's fundamental security and external military alliances, must be discussed by the Council of Elders and receive majority support before a decision can be made. This is not something that I can decide with just a nod."
He leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Yan: "Furthermore, to advance this matter, I need a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the Fire Tribe's strength. Previously, we mostly learned about your tribe through trade and sporadic reports from Fengren, our impressions largely limited to 'skilled pottery makers' and 'high demand for food.' We know very little about your tribe's true military strength, organizational capabilities, and resilience."
Daiyue took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind to reveal some of his trump cards, and also to test Yan's reaction. "Young Chief Yan, do you know just how strong the Tiger Tribe is?" He didn't wait for Yan's answer and continued, his voice deep and powerful, "According to our extensive investigations, the Tiger Tribe has a population of over 150,000! They control a large area of plains and mines near the lower reaches of the Fish River, and are experts in bronze smelting. Their standing army alone numbers over 30,000! And that's just what's on the surface. They possess more than ten giant warships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, and forty or fifty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin! Their land and naval combat power is enough to crush any single tribe in the middle and upper reaches of the Fish River!"
With each number he mentioned, Yan's heart sank a little further. Although he was mentally prepared, hearing such specific and terrifying data still put him under immense pressure. Thirty thousand armored warriors! Dozens of giant ships! This was almost a power gap on the level of a dimensional reduction attack! No wonder the Valley Tribe was so wary and acted so hesitantly.
Seeing the shock flash in Yan's eyes, Daiyue continued, "If it weren't for the constant internal strife within the Tiger Tribe, and the ongoing friction with two powerful tribes on the two tributaries of the Yangtze River, leaving them no time to attend to other matters... we, the tribes in the middle and upper reaches of the river, would probably have been brought under their control long ago, or even wiped out. But who can guarantee that this situation will continue indefinitely?"
His meaning was clear: compared to the Tiger Tribe, we (including the Valley Tribe) are weak. If the weak want to form an alliance, they must know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and whether, when they unite, they have enough power to protect themselves or at least make the other side think twice.
Yan quickly suppressed the shock in his heart. He knew that now was the crucial moment to demonstrate the true strength of the Fire Tribe. Hiding his abilities was useless; he had to show enough power to make the Valley Tribe take him seriously and feel that it was worth forming an alliance with.
He straightened his back, looked directly at Daiyue, and said in Chenwen and clear voice, "Thank you for Daiyue frankness, Chief Daiyue, which has given me a more realistic understanding of how terrifying the Tiger Tribe is." He then changed the subject, "To be honest, Chief Daiyue, it is precisely because we, the Fire Tribe, have felt this potential and enormous threat that we have spared no effort in strengthening ourselves over the past period of time."
He dropped his first bombshell. "Our Fire Tribe's total population is now approaching 40,000. Of those, nearly 8,000 are able-bodied and ready for battle!"
"Forty thousand? Eight thousand people?!" Daiyue repeated in a trembling voice, his face revealing undisguised shock! He remembered clearly that when the Fire Tribe first came to trade on a large scale last year, their population was roughly the same as that of the Valley Tribe. How long has it been? It has almost more than doubled? This rate of population expansion is simply unbelievable! "You... you were not so... how did you increase so quickly last year? With so many people, how will you manage food, administration... Won't there be chaos?" A series of questions blurted out, revealing the intense turmoil within him.
Yan, having anticipated this, calmly explained, "Chief Daiyue is not mistaken; our population was indeed similar to yours last year. However, as I just mentioned, external pressures forced us to take some extraordinary measures. We ventured deep into the upper reaches of the Fish River and took in many impoverished, near-extinction small tribes. They were simply seeking a way to survive, and we have pottery to buy food, which we can provide for them. As for management..."
He paused briefly, his tone carrying a proven confidence. "We have our own set of integration and management methods, using work-for-relief programs, ensuring fair distribution, establishing clear rules, and supplementing them with education. As long as the direction of development is clear, internal fairness is generally maintained, and food supplies can keep up, people's hearts can be united, and the tribe can move forward steadily. So far, the results are quite satisfactory."
Listening to Yan's clear and logical explanation, Daiyue's initial shock slowly transformed into a complex emotion. The Fire Tribe's almost "whale-like" ability to absorb people reflected their powerful organizational skills, resource allocation capabilities, and something that could perhaps be called "centripetal force." This was something no ordinary tribe could achieve. Nearly 40,000 people, nearly 8,000 warriors! This number already exceeded the total strength of the Valley Tribe headquarters and the Little Valley Camp (approximately 18,000 people, with nearly 4,000 warriors)! Although the equipment and training levels of the warriors might still be lacking, the sheer number was a force to be reckoned with! Moreover, the Fire Tribe was building ships at an astonishing speed!
Daiyue remained silent for a longer time, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. He was processing the information and reassessing the value and potential of the Fire Tribe.
"The speed of the Fire Tribe's development... is astonishing." After a long silence, Daiyue finally spoke, his tone now calm but tinged with seriousness and scrutiny. "Nearly forty thousand people, eight thousand warriors... this is indeed a powerful force, one that any neighbor, including our Valley Tribe, must take seriously."
He then turned his attention back to reality. "However, Chief Yan, the alliance is a far-reaching affair. Even though I personally believe it has its necessity and value, pushing it forward within the Valley Tribe will take time and requires more comprehensive planning. After all, it involves changing a long-standing, delicate, and fragile balance between us and our downstream partners (especially the Tiger Tribe). Acting rashly could trigger unpredictable reactions."
Yan immediately expressed his understanding, his attitude sincere and generous. "We fully understand Chief Daiyue's concerns. An alliance is a major event, concerning the fate of both tribes, and should be approached with caution. Our Fire Tribe will never force anything, and we respect the Valley Tribe's internal decision-making process. Right now, our primary desire is to consolidate and deepen the mutually beneficial and trusting trade relations we have already established. Smooth grain trade is the most solid ballast for our relationship. As for whether, when, and in what form we will move towards a closer alliance in the future, we can maintain communication and wait for a more opportune moment."
Yan's humble yet assertive, far-sighted, and respectful attitude dispelled Daiyue's last doubts and instead increased his goodwill towards him. This young man knew how to advance and retreat, and was sensible. He truly had the qualities of an excellent leader and was simply a top-notch all-rounder in both literature and martial arts!
"Excellent! Chief Yan is truly understanding and considerate of the bigger picture!" Daiyue smiled sincerely. "I am very pleased that you understand. Please rest assured that the Valley Tribe will do everything in its power to guarantee the grain trade! As for the alliance, I will gradually discuss it within the tribe at an appropriate time. Let's stay in touch."
What could have been a secret meeting filled with probing and maneuvering turned into a preliminary consensus that was relatively satisfactory to both sides, achieved through frank displays of strength and mutual understanding. Although an alliance was not immediately finalized, the seeds had been sown and channels of communication had been opened. For the Flame and Fire Tribe, this was already a successful step beyond expectations.
The two chatted for a while longer until it got dark, at which point Yan got up to take his leave. Daiyue personally escorted him to the entrance of the council hall. When Qingsui saw Yan and Daiyue come out, she also went to see Yan back to the temporary camp near the dock, intending to freeload a meal. Daiyue watched Yan and Qingsui's backs as they walked towards the dock camp in the twilight, the chief of the Valley Tribe's eyes deep and complex.