Daiyan's Warning

Thirteen days of sailing, neither long nor short, Yan stood at the bow of the Fire Tribe's Chuantou, watching the scenery on both sides of the Fish River recede into the distance, silently calculating the Fire Tribe fleet's journey. Today was the thirteenth day since Yan and Jia Li led the fleet from the Fire Tribe's main valley dock. Based on past sailing experience, they should be able to see the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost today.

Sure enough, after the Fire Tribe's fleet sailed for another half an hour, they could see the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost in the distance. It was an important outpost set up by the Valley Tribe on the east bank of the Fish River, specifically used to blockade the Fish River and monitor passing ships together with the Valley Tribe headquarters.

"Young Master Yan," Jia Li walked over and pointed to the Little Valley Camp ahead, saying, "Is that the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost?"

Yan nodded. "Yes, we need to go to the Valley Tribe headquarters first. We need to report to the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost. That's a rule set by the Valley Tribe."

Jia Li was somewhat puzzled. "Go to the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost to report?"

Yan nodded and explained, "This is a rule of the Valley Tribe. All fleets trading with the Valley Tribe headquarters from the upper reaches of the Fish River must first register at the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost and obtain a pass before they can proceed to the Valley Tribe's main dock."

Jia Li suddenly realized, "I see."

Yan said, "I've already sent a small boat to the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost to deliver a message. Daiyan should be waiting already."

Jia Li asked, "Who is Daiyan?"

Yan said, "He is the head of the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost and the younger brother of Daiyue, the chief of the Valley Tribe."

Jia Li nodded thoughtfully, and the Fire Tribe's fleet began to slow down, slowly approaching the dock at the Little Valley Camp Outpost.

From afar, Yan could see a group of people standing on the large ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin at the dock. The one in the lead, wearing an exquisite linen robe, was Daiyan. Beside him stood several men who looked like leaders, as well as dozens of fully armed soldiers.

On the dock, the massive ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin was more than five times larger than the Fire Tribe's ship with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin. The ship's masts were towering, and the deck was filled with warriors holding long spears.

Yan squinted at the massive ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. Every time Yan saw it, he was awestruck. A ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin was a true behemoth on the water, while the Fire Tribe's ship with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin looked like a small sampan in comparison.

"Hmph." Jia Li scoffed from the side, "This is just showing off their strength."

Yan nodded without speaking. He understood Daiyan's meaning, but they were there to buy grain, not to argue. Besides, the Fire Tribe didn't have the strength to challenge the Valley Tribe on the water. He decided to be patient. He took a deep breath and smiled. The fleet continued to approach, and the large ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin slowly started and sailed towards the Fire Tribe's fleet. Daiyan stood at the Chuantou, looking down at Yan.

"Young Chief Yan!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the river, "Welcome to the Valley Tribe Fire Tribe transporting grain! My elder brother and his men have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of your Fire Tribe's fleet!"

Yan clasped his hands in a respectful greeting and responded loudly, "Chief Daiyan, you're too kind! Our Fire Tribe has been dealing with some miscellaneous matters lately, causing a slight delay. But please rest assured, our Fire Tribe 'Fire Tribe food needs will not decrease this year. We have already prepaid a large quantity of pottery to the Valley Tribe as collateral, and we will not easily renege on our promise!"

Daiyan nodded with a smile on his face, but there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

"We definitely believe in the Fire Tribe," he said. "It's just that some people in the tribe keep asking, and my older brother is getting a little impatient."

Yan said, "We understand. Our Fire Tribe is here to fulfill the agreement between our two tribes."

Daiyan glanced at the Fire Tribe's fleet, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. This time, the Fire Tribe brought eighty large ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 catties each, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 catties each, and two hundred large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 catties each. This transport capacity was even greater than that of the Valley Tribe!

"Your Fire Tribe builds ships very quickly!" Daiyan continued, "It's only been one winter, and you've gained quite a few more ships."

Yan smiled modestly, "Not at all, our Fire Tribe was forced into this situation. This year we ordered 20 million catties of grain from the Valley Tribe, so we can only try to build more ships to ensure the grain trade and transportation between our two tribes."

He paused, then said, "How can our Fire Tribe's small boats compare to the Valley Tribe's large ships? Our Fire Tribe's small boats are only good for transportation. If a water battle really breaks out, your Valley Tribe's large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin are far more powerful."

Upon hearing this, Daiyan revealed a smug expression.

"That's right," he said. "If it's a real battle on the water, no matter how many people you have, or how many small boats you have, it's all about our Valley Tribe's massive watercraft with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin."

He pointed to the large ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin at his feet, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"The situation in the lower reaches of the Fish River is quite chaotic right now. The Bear Tribe, which is not far away, is not easy to deal with. They also have several boats with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. If you go to the lower reaches of the Fish River, you might be seized and swallowed up by the Bear Tribe, along with your boats and cargo."

He looked at Yan and said meaningfully, "So, if your Fire Tribe wants to purchase anything downstream, you can tell our Valley Tribe Valley Tribe, and we'll bring it back for you."

Yan's heart skipped a beat. This was Daiyan's warning, a warning to the Fire Tribe not to cross the Valley Tribe's waterborne cordon. Yan nodded calmly.

"Thank you very much, Valley Tribe. We will definitely come to you if the Fire Tribe needs anything in the future."

Daiyan nodded in satisfaction; he knew that Yan had understood his words.

"Alright," he said, "I still have patrol duties to perform, so I won't stay with you any longer. I'll have someone guide you to the Valley Tribe headquarters dock on the west bank of the Fish River. I've already sent someone there to inform them. Once you get there, someone will take care of you."

Yan clasped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Leader Daiyan. You may go ahead and attend to your work."

Daiyan nodded, turned around and gave the order. The 50,000-jin ship slowly turned around and headed in another direction. Several small boats guided the Fire Tribe's fleet towards the Little Valley Camp 'Valley Tribe main dock on the opposite bank of the Valley Camp. Yan stood at the Chuantou, watching the giant ship gradually disappear into the distance, and remained silent for a long time. Jia Li walked over and stood beside him.

"Young Master Yan," he said in a low voice, "This Daiyan is trying to intimidate us."

Yan nodded.

"I know."

Jia Li said with some concern, "It seems the Valley Tribe isn't a unified force. Chief Daiyue is polite to us, but his brother..."

Yan said, "Don't worry about him. We're here to buy grain, not to argue with anyone. Our priority is to get the grain from the Valley Tribe back safely. Nothing else matters for now."

Jia Li nodded, then asked, "And what did he say...?"

Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "However, what Daiyan said is also true. Our Fire Tribe's current water strength is indeed inferior to that of the Valley Tribe. Not to mention the Valley Tribe, even if we were to face the Bear Tribe Bear Tribe the water, we might not be a match for them."

He looked ahead, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"Therefore, our Fire Tribe needs to develop faster. Once our Fire Tribe can build large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, we will no longer be afraid of them on the water."

Looking at him, Jia Li felt a surge of respect; this young man had truly thought ahead.

The fleet continued sailing towards the opposite bank of Little Valley Camp and soon arrived at the main dock of the Valley Tribe. The main dock of the Valley Tribe was much larger than the Little Valley Camp Outpost. The dock was now full of boats of all sizes, and there were rows of neat wooden houses on the shore. In the distance, one could see vast fields and herds of cattle and sheep.

"We've arrived," Yan said.

The fleet slowly approached the shore, where people were already waiting. The one in the lead was Quyong, the Valley Tribe's dock defense chief. Behind him stood dozens of the Valley Tribe warriors. Yan jumped off the ship and strode forward to meet them.

"Chief Quyong! We meet again!"

Quyong smiled and returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, "Young Master Yan! You must have had a long journey!"

He glanced at the fleet behind Yan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Your Fire Tribe has brought quite a few more ships this time! Eighty ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin each, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin each, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 2,000 jin each... Wow, your Fire Tribe's transport capacity has increased significantly!"

Yan smiled and said, "There's no other way. Our Fire Tribe needs to transport 20 million catties of grain from the Valley Tribe this year. We have to build more ships."

Quyong nodded, said nothing more, turned around, and pointed to an open space next to the dock.

"You can set up camp there. I've had a place prepared, with water and firewood. It'll be convenient."

Yan clasped his hands in thanks. "Many thanks, Leader Quyong."

Quyong waved his hand. "Of course, you should settle in first. Chief Daiyue will send someone to invite you to a banquet later."

Yan nodded and turned to arrange the Fire Tribe's temporary camp. The Fire Tribe's fleet slowly began to dock, and some warriors began to disembark, set up tents, and start fires to cook.

Everything proceeded smoothly. Yan stood in the center of the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, looking at this unfamiliar land, silently thinking about what was to come. Twenty million catties of grain needed to be transported back in several trips; he also needed to negotiate next year's trade with Daiyue; he needed to inquire about the situation downstream; and so on...

He took a deep breath, suppressing these thoughts for the time being, deciding to settle down first. A bonfire was lit in Kaishan Fire Tribe's temporary camp, and the warriors sat around it, eating rations and chatting. Yan sat beside the largest bonfire, watching the leaping flames, his mind racing with thoughts of the day's events: Daiyan's boasting, Daiyan's warning...

However, the Fire Tribe's current naval strength is indeed far from sufficient, but that's okay. As long as the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe is given some time, they will definitely be able to build larger ships.