Discussing Cooperation at the Banquet

In the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, Yan had just finished his work and was about to sit down for a short rest. After thirteen consecutive days of sailing, it would be a lie to say he wasn't tired. Although the Fire Tribe fleet had had a smooth journey, Yan had to keep an eye on the fleet and handle various miscellaneous matters every day, keeping his mind constantly on edge.

Now that they had finally arrived at the Valley Tribe, Yan could finally relax a little. He had just sat down when he heard hurried footsteps outside.

"Young Master Yan!" A warrior from the Fire Tribe ran in, "People from the Valley Tribe have arrived!"

Yan stood up, walked out of the tent, and saw two people walking in front of him. One was Fengren, the chieftain of the Valley Tribe, Daiyue's most trusted confidant. The other was a young girl, Daiyue's only daughter, Qingsui. She was wearing a light-colored linen dress, her hair was tied in a simple bun, and she had a smile on her face, but there was a hint of reproach in her eyes. When she saw Yan from afar, Qingsui quickened her pace and almost ran over.

"Yan!" she exclaimed, "Why are you only getting here now? It's been spring for ages!"

Yan looked at her, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He hadn't seen her for several months, and Qingsui had grown taller and more beautiful.

"Qingsui," he said with a smile, "There's been a lot going on with the Fire Tribe lately. I went to the west bank of the upper reaches of the Fish River to bring back a lot of people to the tribe, and then I went to the Fish Tribe to bring back the rest, so I was more than twenty days late."

Qingsui looked at Yan, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes. Yan's face showed signs of fatigue.

"Aren't you tired from running around like this?" Her tone softened. "Get some rest early today and get a good night's sleep."

Yan felt a warmth in his heart.

"It's nothing," he said, "I just need a rest."

He took a large bundle from the side and handed it to Qingsui.

"These are spices I brought for you. You should have finished using the ones from last time, right?"

Qingsui took the large bundle, opened it, and saw that it contained many small cloth bags, all filled to the brim. Her eyes immediately lit up.

"At least you still have some conscience!" she said reproachfully, but her face was full of smiles.

She packed up her large bundle and said, "Since the end of last year, I've been working for my father, helping him with odd jobs and learning about tribal management."

Yan nodded. "That's good. Learn more, it'll be helpful in the future."

Qingsui sighed, "Yan, you don't know, our tribe's seven elders were arguing fiercely in the council hall just now about the profit distribution from this year's trade with your Fire Tribe. They've been debating this since last year, and they still haven't reached a consensus."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I only just managed to find time to come see you. My father has prepared food in the council chamber and invites you to the banquet."

Yan looked at the Fengren not far away and nodded.

"Wait for me a moment, I'll go and call a few of our Fire Tribe leaders, and also get things ready."

Qingsui said, "Yan, you go first, there's no rush."

Yan turned around and went to find Jia Li, Feiyu, and Bailin. The three were resting in the tent. Upon hearing Yan's call, they immediately came out. Yan told them to get ready and to choose about ten more trusted men, along with the prepared gifts.

Soon, the group was ready. Yan led them, following Qingsui and Fengren, toward the council hall of the Valley Tribe. Along the way, Qingsui walked beside Yan, whispering to him.

How many days will you be staying this time?

"It depends. We'll leave once the grain is loaded, probably in a day or two."

"Well... that's good too, at least I can stay for a day or two."

Yan looked at her, feeling a little guilty, but there was nothing he could do. There were still a lot of things waiting for him in the Fire Tribe. Soon, they arrived at the Valley Tribe's council hall, a huge wooden house, even larger than the one in the Fire Tribe. At the entrance of the council hall, a group of people were standing there waiting. The person in the lead was none other than the Valley Tribe's chief, Daiyue. Behind him stood the seven elders of the Valley Tribe. Yan quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed.

"Chief of Daiyue! Elders! How could I trouble you all to personally greet me?"

Daiyue laughed heartily, stepped forward, and grasped Yan's hand.

"Young Chief Yan, you're too kind! Your Fire Tribe is now an important trading partner of our Valley Tribe, and we, the Valley Tribe, will certainly give you a warm welcome!"

He took Yan's hand and led him inside. "I've already had hot food prepared. You've come a long way, you must be tired! Come in and have something to eat!"

Yan smiled and said, "Daiyue, Chief Daiyue and all the elders."

The group entered the council hall and took their seats according to their status as guests and hosts. As soon as Yan sat down, he had his confidants present the gifts. A dozen or so confidants each carried a load of gifts, totaling a dozen or so loads. When they opened them, they were filled with exquisite pottery—large pottery jars, small pottery bowls... a dazzling array of everything imaginable. The eyes of the seven elders of the Valley Tribe lit up.

"Young Master Yan, this... this is too kind!"

"The leader of the Jianshi is truly generous!"

"These pottery pieces are all top-quality!"

They touched the pottery with obvious delight, their smiles impossible to hide. Daiyue nodded in approval; the Fire Tribe's gifts were becoming more numerous and of better quality with each visit. Their generosity and magnanimity were truly comforting.

"Young Master Yan," Daiyue said, "Jianshi Jian Shi is generous and magnanimous. When you go back, please thank your father for me."

Yan nodded. "Okay, I will definitely convey your message."

Daiyue waved his hand. "Bring the dishes!"

Steaming hot food was quickly served: golden-brown roasted lamb, tender stewed pork, fresh fish soup, and steaming rice... The table was laden with food, and everyone began to eat and drink. The atmosphere grew increasingly lively. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Daiyue put down his wine bowl and began to get down to business.

"Young Master Yan," he asked, "You arrived more than twenty days later than scheduled. What happened?"

Yan put down his chopsticks and answered seriously.

"Chief Daiyue, we picked up some people on the west bank of the upper reaches of the Fish River and brought them back to the Fire Tribe headquarters. Later, we also brought the Fish Tribe to the Fire Tribe headquarters, which is why we were more than twenty days late."

He paused, then added, "But please rest assured, elders, our Fire Tribe has a huge demand for grain, and we've already prepaid a large amount of pottery as a deposit to the Valley Tribe. We want to fulfill this year's order of 20 million catties of grain more than anyone else."

Daiyue and the elders exchanged glances and nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good," Daiyue said.

But then he asked, "Isn't your Fire Tribe short of food? Why have you recruited so many people? How many people are there now? Is there enough food?"

Yan smiled and answered truthfully.

"Chief Daiyue, it's like this, the Wolf Tribe over there has started causing trouble again. If it hadn't been discovered in time, the consequences would have been dire. Tribes like the Fish Tribe couldn't stand the Wolf Tribe's harassment and chose to join our Fire Tribe."

He paused, then continued, "As for the tribes on the west bank of the upper reaches of the Fish River, they were living in dire straits. We thought we should help them if we could, and since they wanted to join us, we readily agreed."

Daiyue nodded, waiting for him to continue.

Yan looked at everyone present and slowly said, "After the Fire Tribe joined the Fish Tribe and the tribes on the west bank of the upper reaches of the Fish River, the population has reached about 77,000. Adding the affiliated criminals of the Wolf Tribe, our current population is about 85,000."

The moment the words were spoken, the council chamber fell silent.

"Eighty-five thousand people?" Fourth Elder Lin Feng couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The other elders exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock. Eighty-five thousand people! The Valley Tribe had only reached a little over twenty thousand after so many years of development, while the Fire Tribe had nearly ninety thousand? Could the Fire Tribe afford to support so many people? Daiyue was also stunned, unable to recover for a long time. Yan, observing their reactions, chuckled inwardly.

But he remained expressionless and continued, "Our Fire Tribe has seen a significant population increase, and we certainly don't have enough food. Therefore, we need to purchase large quantities of grain from outside. We estimate that we will need at least 20 million catties of grain next year."

He looked at Daiyue and said earnestly, "If the Valley Tribe can sell us another 20 million catties of grain next year, that would be wonderful."

Daiyue took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He discussed the matter in hushed tones with the elders for a while before speaking.

"Chief Yan, our Valley Tribe also very much wants to reach a deal with the Fire Tribe for 20 million catties of grain next year, but..."

He paused, then said, "Our Valley Tribe's grain production next year will be reduced due to a significant decrease in soil fertility. At most, we can only sell you 15 million catties."

Yan frowned slightly but remained silent.

Daiyue continued, "However, we can go downstream of the Fish River to buy some grain to make up for the remaining 5 million catties of grain shortage."

Yan's brows relaxed, and he nodded.

"That's good."

Daiyue added, "Next year we will need to purchase grain from the lower reaches of the Fish River to make up for the shortfall, which will increase our costs. Therefore, we hope that the Fire Tribe can give us 20% more pottery next year."

Yan thought for a moment and nodded.

"I understand. I can agree on behalf of the Fire Tribe."

A smile appeared on Daiyue's face.

"Good! Young Master Yan is truly straightforward!"

The two raised their bowls, drank them down in one gulp, and then Yan spoke again after setting down the bowls.

"Chief of Daiyue, there's one more thing I'd like to mention to you."

Daiyue looked at him. "Speak."

Yan said, "Last year, we wiped out the Wolf Tribe's stronghold in High Pointed Mountain near the Fish Tribe, but Wolf Tribe leader, Xueya, escaped with about a hundred people. They are now hiding in the area between your Little Valley Camp Outpost and the Horse Tribe."

He looked at Daiyue and said seriously, "This Wolf Tribe is cunning and ferocious; you must be careful of them."

Daiyue frowned. "Are you worried that if these hundred or so remnants cause trouble, it will affect the grain trade between our two tribes?"

Yan nodded. "Yes, Xueya is very cunning and difficult to deal with. I'm worried that he might cause trouble and affect the grain production of Little Valley Camp."

Fourth Elder Lin Feng smiled from the side.

"Young Master Yan, don't worry! That damned Wolf Tribe only has about a hundred people. What threat could they pose? If they dare to make any moves, we can wipe them out with a wave of our hand!"

Daiyue nodded as well.

"Young Master Yan, rest assured, our Valley Tribe has reserved 10 million jin of grain this year. The grain production of Little Valley Camp is less than one-third of our tribe's grain production. Even if the grain production there is affected, we are capable of guaranteeing the 20 million jin grain trade with the Fire Tribe this year."

He paused, then explained, "Little Valley Camp is currently in a standoff with the Bear Tribe and can't spare a large force to search for those hundred or so people for the time being, but we'll be keeping an eye on things, don't worry."

Seeing their reaction, Yan decided not to interfere further.

"Good, with Chief Daiyue's words, I can rest assured."

The two chatted for a while longer before the banquet ended. Daiyue, accompanied by the seven elders, escorted Yan and his entourage to the entrance of the council hall. Qingsui stood to the side, watching Yan.

"I'll see you off," she said.

Yan nodded and walked towards the dock with her. Behind them, Daiyue watched their backs, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

But soon, that emotion vanished, and he turned around and walked back to the council hall with the seven elders who had remained there.

On the way Fire Tribe Tribe's temporary camp, a gentle night breeze blew and stars twinkled. Yan and Qingsui walked side by side in silence. When they reached the entrance of the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, they stopped.

"Qingsui, let's go back," Yan said.

Qingsui looked at him, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"Yan, are you staying for two days before you leave?"

"Okay, let's wait until the food is loaded before we leave."

"Well... I'll come see you again the day after tomorrow afternoon when you're less busy."

Yan smiled, "Okay."

Qingsui looked at him, then suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. She turned and ran, disappearing into the night. Yan stood there, stunned, touching the spot where he had been kissed. A warm feeling welled up in his heart. He stood there for a long time before turning around and walking back to the camp.