A Morning Farewell

The next day, before dawn, the temporary camp of the Fire Tribe, not far from the dock, was already bustling with activity. The embers of the campfire still emitted wisps of smoke, but no one had time to add more firewood. The warriors were packing up tents, packing supplies, and inspecting boats. The sounds of footsteps, voices, and the movement of supplies blended together.

Yan got up early and stood outside the tent, looking at the busy camp. He silently planned today's journey. Going upstream was slower than going downstream. It would take about 26 days to transport two million catties of grain back to the Fire Tribe. He had to hurry.

"Brother Yan!" Daya ran over, holding two steaming hot rice balls. "Eat something before you get busy. These were just made."

Yan took the rice ball, took a bite, and found that the rice was filled with salted meat and wild vegetables. It tasted good. He ate as he walked toward the dock. At the dock, Dali was directing the loading of miscellaneous items onto the ship, with some finishing up to be done this morning.

"Uncle Dali, how's it going?" Yan walked over and asked.

Dali wiped his sweat. "Almost there, almost there, we'll be finished packing in about half an hour."

Yan nodded and looked towards the Fish Tribe's camp. They were also busy there. Feiyu and Bailin were directing the Fish Tribe members to pack up and prepare to depart. When they saw Yan looking over, Flying Feiyu waved from afar, and Yan waved back. Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the camp entrance.

Qingsui, dressed in a light-colored linen dress, her hair tied in a simple bun, and carrying a small bundle wrapped in linen, stood at the door, her eyes searching through the crowd. She quickly found Yan, a smile appearing on her face, and walked over quickly. Yan went to greet her.

"You're here so early?" he asked.

Qingsui nodded. "I'm afraid I won't be able to get it to you in time."

She handed the small package to Yan: "This is for you, eat it on the boat later."

Yan opened it and saw several pieces of golden-brown roasted meat inside, still steaming.

"You did this?"

Qingsui blushed slightly. "Hmm, I got up before dawn to bake it, I don't know if it tastes good..."

Yan picked one up and took a bite.

"It's delicious," he said earnestly. "It's better than what I make."

Qingsui smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"You're lying, yours is the best."

The two stood by the dock, watching the busy crowd, chatting idly. The sun gradually rose, and the loading work on the dock was nearing completion. Dali was doing the final checks. Feiyu and Bailin led the people of the Fish Tribe onto the ship. Yan looked at the sky and knew it was time to leave.

"Qingsui," he turned around and looked at the girl, "I'm leaving."

Qingsui nodded, a hint of reluctance in her eyes, but a smile on her face.

"Okay, be careful on your way back."

"You too, take care of yourself."

The two looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Just then, Dali suddenly shouted, "Brother Yan! Look over there!"

Yan turned his head and saw a group of people walking towards the dock in the distance. The one in the lead was Daiyue, the leader of the Valley Tribe. Behind him were the seven elders of the Valley Tribe: Elder Yaoshan, Elder Hefeng, Elder Jin Ye, Elder Lin Feng, Elder Shuize, Elder Liu, and Elder Qi.

A large and imposing group of people arrived. Yan was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that Daiyue would come to see them off in person, bringing all the elders with him. This was a great show of respect to the Fire Tribe.

He quickly said to Qingsui, "Your father has arrived."

Qingsui turned her head and saw the group of people. She was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered. Yan strode forward to meet them, and Dali followed. Daiyue saw Yan approaching from afar, smiled, and quickened his pace.

"Young Master Yan! Dali!" His voice boomed, "Several elders and I have come to see you off!"

Yan walked up to him, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Chief Daiyue is too kind! It's undeserved for the elders to personally come and see me off!"

Daiyue waved his hand. "Of course, of course. Your Fire Tribe is an important partner of ours, so it's only right that we see you off."

He glanced at the dock behind him, then at the ships already loaded with grain, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Are you almost ready?"

Yan nodded. "That's about it, we're about to set off."

Daiyue patted him on the shoulder, his tone sincere. "Young Master Yan, you've had a hard time these past two days. Be careful on your way back; going against the current is not the same as going with it, so please be extra cautious."

Yan nodded. "Daiyue your concern, Chief Daiyue."

Daiyue added, "This time I will again send Fengren with a boat to assist you with transportation. If you need anything, just contact him directly."

He paused, then continued, "Of this year's eight million jin of grain, only one and a half million jin remain. We've already prepared them; you can just transport them directly next time you come."

Yan's eyes lit up. "Great! With Chief Daiyue's words, we can rest assured."

Daiyue smiled, a smile that held a deeper meaning.

"As for the 20 million catties next year," he said, "Our Valley Tribe will do everything we can to ensure the supply of this grain. Go back and tell Chief Jianshi that I, Daiyue, am sincere in this commitment."

Yan clasped his hands in a salute once more.

"Daiyue, Chief Daiyue! Your words give our Fire Tribe even more confidence. Next year, we will build more ships to ensure the transportation of grain. If all goes well, we will need a large amount of grain in the coming years. If the Valley Tribe is willing to help, we will be extremely grateful!"

Daiyue laughed heartily.

"Chief Yan, your Fire Tribe offers fair trade and high-quality goods at reasonable prices. Our Valley Tribe greatly appreciates doing business with you, and we would be more than happy to help you!"

Yan smiled, and the two chatted for a few more minutes. Then Yan glanced at the sky and knew it was time to take his leave.

"Chief of Daiyue, elders," he said, bowing respectfully, "It's getting late, we must set off. The people of the tribe are eagerly awaiting this grain; the sooner we return, the more at ease they will feel."

Daiyue nodded. "Of course, of course, Young Master Yan, Chief Dali, have a safe journey!"

Thank you!

Yan and Dali turned around and walked towards the dock. After taking a few steps, Yan couldn't help but look back. In the crowd, Qingsui was standing not far behind Daiyue, quietly watching him. She didn't say anything, just looked at him with her eyes full of reluctance.

Yan waved to her, and Qingsui also raised her hand and waved gently. Then Yan turned around and strode towards the ship. He and Dali quickly boarded the largest ship, weighing ten thousand catties. The soldiers on the ship took their positions and awaited orders. Yan stood at the Chuantou and took a deep breath.

"Blow the horn!"

The sound of Niujiao rang out, deep and resonant, echoing across the river in the early morning. Flag signalers waved their flags, relaying the order to depart to each boat. The Fire Tribe's fleet slowly set off, leaving the dock and sailing into the wide Fish River. The Fish Tribe's fleet followed behind, and the Valley Tribe's transport vessels also joined in. The massive combined fleet, vast and mighty, sailed upstream.

Yan stood at the Chuantou, watching the group of people on the dock grow smaller and smaller as they moved further away. Daiyue and the seven elders were still standing there, watching them leave. Qingsui was also standing there. She stood in the crowd, her figure slender yet exceptionally conspicuous. Yan kept watching her until she became a blurry dot and disappeared into the morning mist.

"Brother Yan," Dali walked over and stood beside him, "Qingsui is a very nice girl."

Yan nodded. "Mm."

"Let's keep in touch often..."

Dali didn't finish speaking, but Yan understood what he meant. He didn't say anything, but just looked ahead. Ahead was the road home. On the dock, the crowd gradually dispersed. Daiyue led the seven elders back along the way they came. As they walked, they discussed something in hushed tones—probably about their conversation just now, about next year's grain, or about their impressions of the Fire Tribe.

Qingsui didn't follow them. She stood there, watching the departing fleet for a long, long time. The morning breeze blew her skirt and her hair, but she remained motionless, like a statue, until the fleet completely disappeared from sight.

"Miss," the attendant approached and gently reminded her, "It's time to go back."

Qingsui nodded, but didn't move. She stood there and looked for a long time. On the distant river, only shimmering waves remained. The boats and the person were gone.

"Let's go." She finally spoke after a long while.

She turned around and slowly walked back. After a few steps, she looked back again. There was still only shimmering light on the river. She lowered her head and continued walking. The sun was already high in the sky, and the sunlight shone on her, warm and comforting. But in her heart, there was a little emptiness.

That emptiness will take a very long time to be filled. She'll wait until next spring, until that person comes again, until she goes to that place called the Fire Tribe, to see it with her own eyes. Thinking about these things, her steps gradually became lighter.

The attendant followed behind, watching the young lady's retreating figure, and thought to himself, "Young lady, you've really grown up."

When she returned to the tribe, it was almost noon. Qingsui went into her wooden house and placed the small package on the table. It was a gift that Yan had given her when she brought him food that morning, saying it was a return gift. She opened the package and found a piece of exquisite linen, the fabric was fine and soft, embroidered with simple patterns, and a small comb made of animal bone, with fine teeth and a smooth finish.

Qingsui picked up the comb and gently stroked it. The comb was still slightly warm, whether from Yan's hands or the sunlight, she didn't know. She pressed the comb against her face, closed her eyes, and Yan's image floated into her mind: the way he spoke, the way he smiled, the way he talked seriously, the way he made her happy...

"Next spring..." she murmured.

Soon, in a few months, we'll see each other again. She opened her eyes, carefully put away the comb, and then walked out of the wooden house towards the dining area. Her attendants were waiting outside, and when they saw her come out, they quickly followed her.

"Miss, you haven't had lunch yet."

Qingsui nodded. "Okay, let's go eat now."

As she walked, she suddenly asked, "By the way, do you think the Fire Tribe is really that good?"

The attendant hesitated, unsure how to answer. Qingsui didn't expect an answer from him, and simply muttered to herself:

"I'll find out when I go see it."