They Came from All Directions
After finishing their trades with the chiefs of the four great tribes, the Fire Tribe's core members returned to their camp in high spirits, ready to arrange for fires to be lit and food prepared so they could enjoy their late lunch. The women in camp had already set up clay pots and put rich, fragrant fish soup on to boil, while the aroma of roasting meat had begun to spread through the air.
Just then, a commotion came from the valley entrance. The hunters on guard immediately raised the alarm. Jianshi and the others looked toward the sound and saw a straggling procession, whose size could not be overlooked, slowly and hesitantly entering the valley.
The procession numbered close to two hundred, but they were divided into seven or eight small groups, keeping a delicate distance from one another. Most were dressed in rags, wrapped in worn animal hides or even leaves haphazardly bound with grass ropes, shivering in the increasingly cold autumn wind. Nearly every one of them had a sallow, emaciated face and sunken eyes. Prolonged malnutrition made them stagger as they walked, their eyes filled with bewilderment, exhaustion, and a trace of cautious hope. After entering the valley, they did not look for places to camp as the other tribes had. Instead, they gathered helplessly in an open space, their gazes involuntarily drawn to the enticing aromas of food and the bustling activity at the Fire Tribe's camp. They slowly gathered around it, yet dared not get too close, like a flock of frightened lambs longing to approach a bonfire.
The commotion also alerted the four tribal chiefs who had just finished trading with the Fire Tribe. Jijiao, Zongmao, Lu Ming, and Wenshi came out of their camps to investigate. When they saw the condition and number of these people clearly, they all drew sharp breaths, then looked sympathetic but helpless.
"They're from the Black Water Tribe and the Low Woods Tribe... and a few small settlements beyond the mountain..." Lu Ming said quietly, his tone heavy.
"By the look of them, they won't survive this winter. They've come looking for a way to stay alive." Wenshi sighed.
Jijiao shook his head and said gruffly, "Our tribe has only just caught its breath. We're still scraping by ourselves. Where would we find spare food to take in this many people?"
Zongmao spread his hands helplessly too. "Exactly. The heart is willing, but the strength is lacking. If we take them in, our own people will go hungry."
The four tribal chiefs exchanged looks and saw the same answer in one another's eyes-they could not take these people in. And so, without prior agreement, everyone turned their gaze toward the Fire Tribe and its chief, Jianshi, who had just completed large trades with them and displayed astonishing abundance.
Jianshi, Wang Yan, Jianya, and the others had already taken it all in. Looking at those figures huddled in the cold wind, at the children's longing eyes that seemed especially large from hunger, even the hunters, accustomed as they were to the hardships of survival, could not help being moved.
"Father," Wang Yan said quietly to Jianshi, "this is even more than we expected... These people are probably the last small tribes nearby still able to make it here."
Jianshi nodded gravely. He had originally planned to gradually absorb scattered people at the small gathering, but he had not expected the situation to be so dire. These tiny tribes had practically come out in full, clinging to their last hope.
Jianshi immediately called Jianya, Dali, Dazhuang, and the other core members together for an urgent discussion.
"Eldest Brother, there are a lot of them, nearly two hundred! If we take them all in at once, our food stores..." Dali sounded worried.
Jianya's gaze was deep as he analyzed the situation. "There are risks, certainly, but this is also an opportunity! The fact that these people made it here means they're able-bodied adults and women and children who can still walk. They're valuable labor! Our tribe has stored a great deal of food. With proper planning, getting through winter shouldn't be much of a problem. Besides, we need plenty of hands to build the walls, clear farmland, and expand our animal husbandry!"
Dazhuang agreed. "Second Brother is right! If we take them in, our Fire Tribe will immediately become a truly great tribe in this area! Our strength will far surpass the other four tribes!"
The advantages and disadvantages were clear. Jianshi pondered for only a moment before making his decision. His gaze swept over everyone as he said firmly, "We'll take them in! Since they trust our Fire Tribe and have come to seek refuge with us, we can't turn them away to freeze or starve to death! If there isn't enough food, we'll find another way! But we must take these people in!"
With their decision settled, Jianshi drew a deep breath and strode toward the frightened, uneasy people of the tiny tribes. His tall, steady figure instantly drew everyone's attention.
The leaders of those seven or eight small groups, mostly the surviving chiefs or elders of their respective tribes, hurried forward at the sight of him. With humble, pleading expressions, they were about to kneel.
"Everyone, stand up!" Jianshi's voice rang out with an unquestionable force. He reached out to support the elderly man nearest him. "Friends who have traveled from afar! I am Jianshi, chief of the Fire Tribe!"
A stir ran through the crowd, and every gaze focused on him.
Jianshi looked around at them and declared in a clear voice, "I've seen your situation! I know this winter will be hard to endure! Since you have come here and trust my Fire Tribe, then I, Jianshi, give you all my promise!"
He paused, his voice growing even more resonant and firm. "As long as you're willing to join my Fire Tribe and follow its rules, from this day forward, you will be our own people! I, Jianshi, will never mistreat any of our own! As long as we have a mouthful to eat, you will never go without yours! As long as we have huts to live in, you will have somewhere to shelter from the wind and rain!"
His words were like a thunderclap in the depths of winter, like a warm current instantly sweeping across an icebound river. Nearly two hundred pairs of once-numb, despairing eyes suddenly blazed with incredulous light! Many burst into tears on the spot-not from sorrow, but from the overwhelming joy of finding life at a dead end!
"Thank you! Thank you, Chief Jianshi!"
"The Fire Tribe has shown us such great kindness!"
"We're willing! We're willing to join the Fire Tribe!"
Sobs, expressions of gratitude, and declarations of willingness mingled together.
Jianshi raised a hand for silence, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "All right, don't just stand there! You must all be starving! Come, everyone, come over! Eat first! Once your bellies are full, we can take our time talking!"
He turned and called to his people in camp, "Quick! Bring out more food! Fish soup, roast meat, roasted dried fish, bring it all out! Let our new tribespeople have a hot meal first!"
The Fire Tribe's people had long been ready, and at his words, they immediately sprang into action with enthusiasm. Bowl after bowl of steaming fish soup and piece after piece of fragrant roast meat were placed in the new tribespeople's hands. At first, they could scarcely believe it, but then they began wolfing down the food, scalding tears dripping into their bowls and being swallowed along with it.
Watching this scene, Jijiao, Zongmao, and the other two chiefs were filled with countless emotions, deeply admiring the Fire Tribe's generosity and boldness. They knew that from this day onward, the balance of power in this region would change completely. The Fire Tribe had already ridden far ahead, leaving the others in its dust.
Jianshi instructed Jianya beside him, "Second Brother, I'll have to trouble you with this. Once everyone has rested for two days and recovered some strength, take these new tribespeople back to the tribe ahead of us. Hand them over to Qingye and Dabang to get settled, and put them straight to work building huts and clearing farmland!"
"Rest assured, Eldest Brother!" Jianya solemnly accepted the order.