Acting Separately

At the Fire Tribe headquarters dock, the small boat of the Valley Tribe Fengren leader gradually disappeared on the distant river. Jianshi stood on the Fire Tribe headquarters dock, looking in that direction, motionless for a long time. Behind him, the Fire Tribe's high-ranking members waited quietly. Yan stood beside his father, also looking into the distance, thinking about what was to come.

"Let's go back to the council chamber for the meeting." Jianshi turned around.

The group followed him toward the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters. Inside, sunlight streamed in through the skylight, casting golden patches of light on the floor. Jianshi sat in the main seat, with Qingye to his left and Yan to his right. Below them sat Jianya, Dali, Dabang, Canglan Jia Li, Wu Xiong, Wu Xiong, Mu Ye, Shuize Muye, Binmao, Jijiao, and others. Almost all the Fire Tribe leaders were present, as none of them were currently busy. Jianshi's gaze slowly swept over each person present.

"Everyone's here." He nodded. "Yan, tell me about the trip."

Yan stood up and walked to the center of the council hall.

"Father, esteemed leaders," his voice was clear and articulate, "This time we led our people through the Fish River region between the Fire Tribe headquarters and the Valley Tribe, from the Orange River to the Red Flower River, from the Green Leaf River to the Clothing River, and then to the Big Horse River and the Horse Tribe. We've covered the entire area, and my understanding of that region has deepened considerably."

He paused, then continued, "This time, a total of 15,000 people from the Orange River and Red Flower River basins are preparing to join our Fire Tribe. With these people, the population of our Fire Tribe will reach 100,000!"

One hundred thousand people! This number was like a Jushi thrown into a calm lake, creating huge ripples, and the council chamber instantly erupted in chaos.

"One hundred thousand!" Dali slapped his thigh, his face flushed with excitement. "It hasn't been that long, and we've already reached one hundred thousand!"

Canglan couldn't help but sigh, "A few years ago, the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe only had about two hundred people, but now its population has reached one hundred thousand..."

Jia Li nodded repeatedly. "Yes, the Fire Tribe has developed so quickly in just a few years."

Jianya laughed too, "At this rate, it won't be long before we surpass the Tiger Tribe!"

Once everyone had quieted down a bit, Yan continued, "Besides the Orange River and Red Flower River, there are about 15,000 people in the Green Leaf River basin, about 20,000 in the Clothing River basin, and nearly 30,000 between the Big Horse River and the Little Horse River. These are the places we will recruit in the future."

He paused, then his tone became serious as he said, "However, during my trip to the Horse Tribe, I also inquired about the remnants of the Wolf Tribe."

The council chamber fell silent, and everyone listened attentively.

"The Horse Tribe is very wary of Xueya's hundred or so men and has already driven them to the Big Horse River, within the territory of the Little Valley Camp Outpost. Daiyan at the Little Valley Camp Outpost is also on guard against them. Xueya and his men are probably not able to cause any trouble there for the time being."

Jianshi nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

"That's for the best. As long as we have a year or two, even if the Tiger Tribe brings all its members to fight us, our Fire Tribe won't be afraid!"

Yan continued, "This time when I went to the Horse Tribe, I also reserved a thousand oxen at a high price. Chief Junfeng promised to trade with us in two installments. The first transaction will be in a month, and we can go to the Horse Tribe in the next few days. By the time our Fire Tribe people arrive at the Horse Tribe, the Horse Tribe should have already prepared the five hundred oxen."

Jianshi's eyes lit up, and he said, "Great! Our Fire Tribe has seen a significant population increase and needs to cultivate more land and produce more food. With these oxen, our Fire Tribe's land reclamation efficiency will greatly improve. Even if the price is a bit higher, it's worth it."

The others nodded in agreement. After Yan finished his report, he returned to his seat.

Jianshi looked at Dabang and said, "Dabang, tell everyone about the production situation of our Fire Tribe workshop."

Dabang stood up, walked to the center of the council hall, and said in a loud voice, "Chief, esteemed leaders, in the past month or so, our Tiger Tribe has successfully tested nine ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin and ten ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin."

He paused, a look of pride on his face.

"We expect our Fire Tribe's shipbuilding plan for 150 ships with a deadweight of 10,000 jin and 50 ships with a deadweight of 20,000 jin this year to be completed ahead of schedule! Moreover, we have made great progress in our research on ships with a deadweight of 50,000 jin, and we are very confident that we can build one by the end of this year!"

The council chamber erupted in noise once again.

"A ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin!" Dali stood up. "When this ship is built, I'll test it! Don't try to take it from me!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Dali, all you ever do is try to be number one!"

"You were the ship with a 10,000-jin (5,000 kg) carrying capacity last time, and you still want to be number one this time?"

Dali patted his chest and said, "Of course!"

As soon as Dali finished speaking, everyone laughed even louder. Jianshi also laughed and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

Dabang continued, "Currently, most of the bronze in our Fire Tribe's bronze workshop is used to produce tools and agricultural implements. Our Fire Tribe has been reclaiming a lot of land this year, and in order to improve efficiency, we have to allocate a large amount of bronze to these areas."

Jianshi nodded. "Our Fire Tribe shouldn't have any major battles recently, so we do need to ensure the needs of land reclamation here are met."

Dabang added, "Our pottery workshop's output is still increasing, and we expect it to more than double by next year."

He paused, his eyes gleaming, and said, "The planting area of hemp and cotton in our Fire Tribe is getting larger and larger, and the output of the textile workshops has also increased significantly. This year, we can not only meet the needs of the Fire Tribe's 100,000 people, but also have enough for about 50,000 people to spare."

"Our soybean production is also increasing. This year's fine salt production will not only meet the needs of our 100,000 people in the Fire Tribe, but will also have a surplus for another 100,000 people for a year!"

Dabang then reported on the situation of other workshops. Everyone present became more and more excited as they listened to one encouraging figure after another. After listening, Jianshi publicly encouraged Dabang.

"Dabang, you did a great job. Keep up the good work on our Fire Tribe workshop."

Dabang nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, Chief!"

Jianshi then looked at Jianya and said, "Jianya, tell me about your trip to the Valley Tribe."

Jianya stood up.

"Brother, fellow leaders," his voice Chenwen, "This time we transported a total of 2.8 million catties of grain back from the Valley Tribe. The people of the Valley Tribe were shocked when they saw that we had ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 catties, but their enthusiasm for our Fire Tribe has not diminished. Everything went smoothly."

He paused, then continued, "The friction between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe will not affect the grain trade between our Fire Tribe and the Valley Tribe for the time being. The Valley Tribe is also very willing to continue to assist our Fire Tribe transporting grain."

Jianshi nodded. "You've worked hard this time. Take a rest for the next few days. I plan to have Yan, Feiyu, and Bailin take the boats first to bring the people from the small tribes along the Orange River and Red Flower River back to the Fire Tribe headquarters. Once they're back, you can set off to the Valley Tribe to transport grain."

Jianya nodded. "Understood."

Jianshi then looked at Jia Li and Dali and said, "Chief Jia Li, Dali, our Fire Tribe needs a large number of oxen to cultivate the fields. The Horse Tribe should be almost ready as well. Take some boats and make a trip to the Horse Tribe to trade for those oxen."

Jianshi thought for a moment and then said, "These oxen will be settled in the Fish Tribe, the High Pointed Mountain Foothill Outpost, the Pottery Salt Tribe, the Marsh Tribe, the Beast Taming Tribe, the Hundred Crafts Tribe, and the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost. They are currently engaged in Dali land reclamation and desperately need oxen."

Jia Li and Dali responded in unison, "Yes!"

Jianshi then looked at the others and gave them instructions one by one.

"Binmao, you're in charge of the headquarters' resource allocation. Jijiao, you're in charge of liaison between the various strongholds. Canglan, you're in charge of settling the new clansmen. Wu Xiong, Muye, and Shuize, you each take care of your own tasks."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Alright," Jianshi said finally, "Everyone, get to your posts and get ready."

As everyone left one after another, Yan walked out of the council hall and went straight to find Feiyu and Bailin. The two were checking the ships at the dock of the Fire Tribe headquarters. When they saw Yan coming, they quickly came to greet him.

"Young Chief!"

Yan nodded. "Feiyu, take a small group of people and send the representatives from the Orange River and Red Flower River back first. Tell them we'll come to pick them up in a couple of days."

Feiyu nodded. "Understood!"

He immediately went to call the number of people.

Yan then said to Bailin, "Bailin, take some men to prepare supplies: enough grain, coarse salt, pottery, and linen."

Bailin replied, "Yes!"

Two days later, the dock at the Fire Tribe headquarters was bustling again. Jia Li and Dali led more than a dozen boats, loaded with pottery and coarse salt, and sailed down the Fire Creek River towards the Horse Tribe. Yan, on the other hand, led the remaining large boats of the Fire Tribe with a carrying capacity of more than two thousand catties, and sailed down the Fish River towards the Orange River and Red Flower River.

The Fire Tribe's fleet stretched out in a long line on the Fish River. Yan stood at the Chuantou, looking at the scenery on both sides of the Fish River, silently thinking about what to do next. Fifteen thousand people had to be brought back in batches.

The first batch will be from the smaller tribes, as they are experiencing the most hardship and are the most anxious. The second batch will be from the larger tribes after they have finished harvesting their crops. Once all these people are settled, the Fire Tribe's population will exceed 100,000!