Night Talk at the Pottery Salt Tribe
The counterattack against the Wolf Tribe and the attack on the Wolf Tribe lair resulted in minimal losses for the Fish Tribe, Fish Tribe Pottery Salt Tribe, the Hundred Crafts Tribe, the Beast Taming Tribe, and the Marsh Tribe. When their leaders saw the Fire Tribe warriors brandishing their bronze weapons, they knew that the annihilation of the tribe was a foregone conclusion. These tribal leaders had not expected that almost every warrior in the Fire Tribe was equipped with a set of bronze weapons!
You know, bronze is something that only the Tiger Tribe, located at the very bottom of the Fish River, could produce in legend. Even the Valley Tribe didn't have the ability or technology to produce bronze weapons! No wonder the Fire Tribe was able to rise to power so quickly! With the technology to make pottery, shipbuilding, salt production, and bronze manufacturing, it would be hard for them not to become powerful!
According to Chief Yan, once they join the Fire Tribe, the Fire Tribe's population will soon exceed 60,000. If the Fire Tribe continues to develop at this rate for another two years, reaching 80,000 or 100,000 in population will be no problem. The Fire Tribe is currently in a period of rapid development, and the sooner they join, the more opportunities they will have!
While the tribal leaders were pondering these matters, Yan led their cavalry to the Pottery Salt Tribe. On his way back to the Pottery Salt Tribe, Yan instructed the Julang leader of the Fish Tribe to lead the Fish Tribe's cavalry back to the Fish Tribe first. Yan told the Julang that he would come to the Fish Tribe after dealing with the matter of the four tribes from the Pottery Salt Tribe joining the Fire Tribe.
The afterglow of the Pottery Salt Tribe, gilding the newly built thatched huts and wooden houses with a warm golden hut. In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys as the tribespeople prepared their evening meal. Nearby, a group of children chased and played in the open space, their laughter ringing out. Several elderly people sat at their doorways, basking in the sun and chatting. Everything seemed so peaceful and serene.
"Young Master Yan!"
A voice rang out, and Yan looked up to see a group of people standing at the entrance of the Pottery Salt Tribe's camp, waiting. Leading them was Jia Li, the chief of the Pottery Salt Tribe. He was lean and wiry, with shrewd eyes. At this moment, he was all smiles as he strode forward to greet them.
Behind him stood Wu Xiong, the leader of the Hundred Crafts Tribe; Cangbo, the leader of the Marsh Tribe; and Mu Ye, the leader of the Beast Taming Tribe Muye. Further back were some important leaders from the four tribes...
A dark mass of people stood there. Yan dismounted and quickly went to meet them.
"Chief Jia Li! Fellow chiefs! I've kept you waiting!"
Jia Li grabbed his hand and shook it hard.
"Soon, soon! Young Master Yan will return in triumph. It's all worth the wait!"
Wu Xiong also stepped forward, his face beaming.
"Young Master Yan, your annihilation of the Wolf Tribe is truly gratifying! We, the entire Hundred Crafts Tribe, are deeply grateful!"
Cangbo and Muye nodded, their eyes filled with gratitude, while Yan smiled and waved.
"My lords, please don't say that. The annihilation of the Wolf Tribe was not solely the achievement of the Fire Tribe. The cavalry you dispatched also played Dali. It was through our joint efforts that we won this battle."
Jia Li nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, yes! Fighting side by side! Fighting side by side!" He grabbed Yan's hand. "Young Master Yan, please come in! We've prepared hot food; let's eat and chat!"
The group chatted and laughed as they walked deeper into the camp. In the council hall of the Pottery Salt Tribe, low tables had already been set up, laden with food—golden-roasted mutton, tenderly stewed fish soup, freshly picked wild vegetables, and steaming rice. Everyone sat down, and Jia Li personally poured Yan a bowl of fermented wine.
"Young Master Yan, come, have a bowl to warm yourself up!"
Yan took the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. Everyone else also started eating and drinking. The hot food seemed to relieve their fatigue. After eating and drinking for a while, the atmosphere gradually became lively. Mu Ye, the leader of the Beast Taming Tribe Muye, put down his wine bowl and looked at Yan.
"Chief Yan," he began, his eyes filled with emotion, "This time, our warriors fought alongside the Fire Tribe, truly opening our eyes to a new era."
Yan looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Chief Muye, what do you mean by that?"
Muye said, "The weapons your warriors carry... are they all made of bronze, aren't they?"
The room fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to Yan. Yan nodded, readily admitting it.
"Yes, they are all bronze weapons."
Although they had suspected it beforehand, hearing Yan confirm it with their own ears still made everyone gasp. Bronze weapons! Those were legendary items that only the Tiger Tribe at the very bottom of the Fish River could produce. Even the Valley Tribe didn't have the technology. How could the Fire Tribe have them?
"Young Chief Yan," Wu Xiong couldn't help but ask, "Your Fire Tribe... can you make bronze on your own?"
Yan looked at him and smiled.
"Chief Wu Xiong, I cannot answer that question right now, but I can tell you that you will see many more surprises after joining the Fire Tribe."
Wu Xiong paused for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.
"We understand! We understand!"
The others nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with excitement. The fact that the Fire Tribe could produce bronze meant they were far more powerful than they had imagined. They could make pottery, build ships, produce salt, and even manufacture bronze...
No wonder the Fire Tribe has developed so quickly!
"Young Chief Yan," Cangbo spoke, his voice tinged with trepidation, "If our Marsh Tribe joins the Fire Tribe, will we also be able to use bronze weapons?"
Yan looked at him earnestly and said, "Chief Cangbo, once you join the Fire Tribe, you're family. Every warrior in the tribe has a share of the tribe's bronze weapons. There aren't enough bronze weapons right now, but there will be more in the future. As long as everyone works hard, everyone will definitely have one."
Cangbo nodded repeatedly, his face full of anticipation.
Jia Li couldn't help but ask, "Young Chief Yan, how many people does your Fire Tribe have now? I heard it's over 50,000?"
Yan nodded. "Yes, with your four tribes added, we'll soon have 60,000!"
A gasp of astonishment rippled through the room. Sixty thousand people! What a massive force! The entire upper and middle reaches of the Fish River combined probably don't have that many!
"Let's wait another two years," Yan continued. "At this rate of development, reaching a population of 80,000 or 100,000 will be no problem."
The crowd was thrilled. Eighty thousand! One hundred thousand! These were numbers they had never dared to dream of before.
"Young Master Yan," Muye said excitedly, "Our Beast Taming Tribe will definitely follow the Fire Tribe and do our best!"
Others also expressed their opinions.
"Yes! Us too!"
"The Fire Tribe is righteous and benevolent; following you will never be a mistake!"
Yan smiled and nodded, raising his wine bowl.
"Great! I'm relieved to hear that! Come on, bottoms up!"
Everyone responded in unison, drank it all in one gulp, and after several rounds of drinks and dishes, Muye spoke up again.
"Chief Yan," he said, "These past few days, we've sent some able-bodied men to harvest all the rice outside the Beast Taming Tribe camp and transport it all to the Pottery Salt Tribe."
Cangbo nodded. "The people, food, and supplies of the Marsh Tribe are all with the Pottery Salt Tribe!"
Wu Xiong said, "We've also taken over the Hundred Crafts Tribe. The elderly and weak have already come over, and the able-bodied ones left a few days ago. Now, all the food and supplies are concentrated in the Pottery Salt Tribe."
Jia Li laughed, "Our Pottery Salt Tribe's camp is packed to capacity right now, with over five thousand people. It's lively every day."
Yan listened and nodded inwardly; these tribes were very efficient.
"Is everything ready?" he asked.
The four nodded in unison. "Ready! We're just waiting for Chief Yan's order to set off for the Fire Tribe!"
Yan thought for a moment and said, "Then let's set off first thing tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow?" The four men's eyes lit up.
"Yes, first thing tomorrow morning," Yan said. "We'll head south along the banks of the Fish River, first to the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost, then to the Small Gathering Valley Outpost, and finally to the Fire Tribe's main valley."
He paused, then continued, "I will send someone back in advance to inform headquarters and let them prepare. Don't worry, everything will be arranged when we get there."
The four nodded repeatedly, their faces full of excitement.
"Okay! Okay! I'll leave tomorrow!"
"The day has finally come!"
"Fire Tribe, here we come!"
Yan looked at them, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. These four tribes had more than five thousand people, nearly six thousand, and the Fire Tribe's population would reach sixty thousand! He looked at the sky outside the window, which was gradually darkening, and then remembered something else: he still needed to go to the Fish Tribe.
He stood up and said to the four men, "Chiefs, please make arrangements for your tribesmen. I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning to go to the Fish Tribe. We'll meet again when you arrive at the Fire Tribe."
The four of them were stunned for a moment.
"Young Master Yan, aren't you coming with us?" Jia Li asked.
Yan shook his head. "I still need to go to the Fish Tribe. I also need to discuss joining the Fire Tribe with Chief Canglan. You guys go first, I'll be there shortly."
The four nodded, indicating their understanding.
Wu Xiong said, "Young Chief Yan, please be careful on your journey. When you arrive at the Fish Tribe, please give our regards to Chief Canglan."
Yan smiled and nodded, "Definitely."
After chatting for a few more minutes, everyone dispersed. The next morning, before dawn, the camp of the Pottery Salt Tribe was bustling with activity. More than 5,000 people, supporting the old and carrying the young, with bundles on their backs, herding cattle and sheep, and pushing wooden carts, began to migrate south along the banks of the Fish River. The long procession, like a giant black python, moved slowly in the morning mist.
Yan stood at the camp gate, looking at the group, silently calculating in his mind. More than 5,000 people would take several days to reach the Stone Creek River Mouth, several more days to reach the Little Gathering Valley, and finally some time to reach the main valley. It would take almost ten days in total. Ten days would be enough time for him to deal with the Fish Tribe's affairs and return to the Fire Tribe.
He mounted his horse and said to Jia Li beside him, "Chief Jia Li, be careful on the road. When you reach the Stone Creek River Mouth, someone will meet you."
Jia Li nodded. "Don't worry, Young Master Yan, we're leaving. Take care too."
Yan nodded, spurred his horse, and headed north. Behind him, Jia Li watched Yan's departing figure without moving for a long time, thinking to himself, "With Yan in the Fire Tribe, how can they not be strong?" Jia Li turned around and walked back to the group.
"Let's go!" he shouted, " To the Fire Tribe!"
The group continued south, the sun gradually rose, and golden sunlight shone on everyone. Those faces that were originally filled with fear and anxiety now wore expectant smiles. Ahead lay a new home and a new life.