Returning to Headquarters

After leaving the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, Yan led the fleet upstream along the Fish River. The scenery on both sides of the Fish River slowly receded, and the autumn wind blew across the Fish River, carrying a slight chill. However, the sun shone brightly all the way, making it feel warm and cozy.

Yan stood at the Chuantou, his hands gripping the gunwale, watching the familiar river mouth strongholds pass by one by one. He would take a few extra glances at each one to see what changes had taken place. These strongholds of the Fire Tribe were changing every day.

Several boats were moored at the dock of the Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost. People were loading and unloading cargo, and others were mending fishing nets. It was a scene of bustling activity. On the shore, rows of newly built wooden houses stretched out, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys. In the distance, people were turning over the soil, the black, oily earth gleaming in the sunlight, preparing for next year's spring planting. Several teenagers ran barefoot along the ridges of the fields, chasing and playing, their laughter ringing out.

Feiyu stood beside Yan, watching the busy figures at the stronghold, and couldn't help but sigh. When he was in the Fish Tribe, this area was still a wasteland, and it was hard to see even a single person. Now, however, there were houses everywhere, people everywhere, and cultivated fields everywhere.

"Young Chief, our Fire Tribe's outposts outside are developing so fast, they change every day!" Feiyu's voice was full of admiration. "When I came last time, the docks here weren't this big, and there weren't so many wooden houses. It hasn't been long, and it's changed again. Look at those fields; last year they were wasteland, and this year they've become fields. At this rate, our grain production will increase even more next year."

Yan nodded, then looked into the distance and said, "Yes, everyone is working very hard now. Even after the autumn harvest, they're still busy turning the soil, repairing irrigation ditches, and building houses. Nobody's slacking off. Look at those people, they're still working even though it's almost dark."

Bailin also came over and pointed to a newly cultivated field in the distance, saying, "Young Chief, look over there. It used to be wasteland by the river, but now it's been turned into farmland. That area is at least several hundred acres. Next year, when we plant rice, we can harvest a lot of grain."

Yan followed his finger and saw that the field was located on the riverbank, surrounded by simple dikes to prevent the river from overflowing.

"It wasn't easy," Yan said. "Riverbank land is difficult to cultivate; everyone must have put in a lot of effort to clear that area."

Feiyu nodded and said, "Yes, our Fish Tribe also wanted to cultivate that kind of land before, but we gave up after several attempts. The Fire Tribe's bronze tools are much better. After switching tools, our efficiency has increased a lot."

Bailin chuckled and said, "That's right. Before, we used stone and bone tools, which made digging a hole a real struggle. Now, with bronze Chutou, it's much more efficient."

The Fire Tribe's fleet continued its journey, passing by the strongholds at the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost, the Little Gathering River Mouth Outpost, the mouth of the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, and the Fire Creek River Middle Outpost. Each place was more bustling than the last time they had visited, with more people, houses, and fields. Yan stood at the Chuantou, silently watching all this, a complex emotion welling up inside him. Just a few years ago, many of these places were barren wastelands, devoid of any human presence. Now, they had become the Fire Tribe's granary. In just a few years, the changes had been immense.

Feiyu stood beside him, also looking at the strongholds, clicking his tongue in amazement, "Young Chief, look at the Fire Creek River Middle Outpost. At first, there were only a few hundred houses, but now there are at least a thousand. And the dock at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost has been expanded again."

Bailin also came over and pointed to a field in the distance, saying, "That field, it was wasteland when I came last time, but now it's planted with winter vegetables. Look at that lush green field, it's growing so well."

Yan smiled and said, "You two haven't stopped talking the whole way."

Feiyu scratched his head and chuckled, "We're just happy! Seeing our Fire Tribe grow bigger every day makes us feel great."

As evening fell, the Fire Tribe's main valley appeared before Yan's eyes. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the valley in gold, gilding the wooden houses, fields, and rivers. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, adding to the warmth of the twilight.

At the dock of the Fire Tribe headquarters, people were already waiting. Yan instructed Feiyu and Bailin to settle the people and supplies of the fleet, while he strode towards the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters.

At the entrance to the council chamber, the guards saw him and quickly bowed, saying, "Young Master, the Master instructed us that you can go directly in to find him upon your return."

Yan nodded, pushed open the door and went inside. Inside, Jianshi was sitting in the main seat, with several animal skin maps spread out in front of him. The fire in the hearth was burning brightly, making the room warm and cozy. He was holding a charcoal pencil and drawing something on the map, his brows slightly furrowed. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, put down the pencil, and smiled.

"Yan, you're back?"

Yan walked over and sat down opposite him, saying, "Father, I'm back. Our trade trip went smoothly this time. Our goods were very popular with the tribes, and everyone had a pleasant transaction."

Jianshi Shi nodded, leaned back in his chair, and said, "That's good. These places were originally the trading partners of the Fish Tribe. Now that the Fish Tribe has joined our Fire Tribe, we can take over."

Yan said, "Previously, the Fish Tribe had high costs for sourcing goods and sold them at relatively high prices, resulting in low sales volume. Now that our Fire Tribe has taken over, we can lower the price to the lowest possible level, and sales volume has actually increased. Most tribes in the Green Leaf River Basin, Clothing River Basin, Big Horse River Basin, and Little Horse River Basin are now directly exchanging goods with our Fire Tribe, which is both cheaper and more convenient."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Jianshi's eyes as he said, "That's for the best. The longer we trade with these tribes, the closer our relationship becomes. Once our relationship is closer, we can discuss things more easily in the future."

Yan then said, "Father, during our trip there, quite a few people from the Green Leaf River Basin and the Little Horse River Basin wanted to join our Fire Tribe. There are more than 5,000 people from the Green Leaf River Basin and more than 4,000 people from the Little Horse River Basin, totaling nearly 10,000 people."

Jianshi's eyes lit up, he sat up straight, and asked, "Ten thousand people?"

Yan nodded and said, "Over in the Green Leaf River Basin, the Long Leaf Tribe and Short Leaf Tribe are doing alright, but many smaller tribes are struggling. They've heard that things are better here in our Fire Tribe, and they're all interested. As for the Little Horse River Basin, those who have recently migrated there are also struggling and want to join our Fire Tribe."

Jianshi stood up and paced back and forth in the room a few times. With the addition of these 10,000 people, the population of the Fire Tribe would increase significantly. He thought about it in his mind. This year, the Fire Tribe had a good harvest, and the warehouses were full. It would be no problem to support another 10,000 people.

"Our Fire Tribe still has plenty of food left over; absorbing another ten thousand or so people is no problem at all." He stopped and turned to look at Yan. "You've done a great job. Since those tribes are willing to come, our Fire Tribe will accept them. The more people we have, the stronger we will be."

Yan said, "I've already had Uncle Dali and Uncle Dazhuang contact them and have them gather at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. They can board our fleet as soon as it arrives."

Jianshi Stone nodded, walked back to his seat, and said, "Your Uncle Jianya Fang has returned with the grain transport fleet. You should also prepare to lead the fleet to pick up the people there in two days."

He picked up a wooden plank with numbers written on it and said, "Recently, we successfully tested eight boats with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin and ten boats with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin. Now we have forty boats with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin and one hundred and eighty boats with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin. Take all these large boats with you, along with some boats with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin and large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 jin. That should allow you to bring everyone back in one go."

Yan was overjoyed. Forty ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 catties each, and one hundred and eighty ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 catties each—this transport capacity could easily haul away 20,000 people, let alone 10,000.

"Okay." He nodded. "With these ships, we can bring them all back to the Fire Tribe headquarters in one go."

Jianshi added, "During this period, I will also relocate some people from the Fire Tribe headquarters. Once these people arrive, they can be settled directly."

Yan thought for a moment and then said, "Father, there's something else I'd like to tell you."

Jianshi looked at him and said, "Just say what you want to say."

Yan organized his thoughts and slowly said, "Our Fire Tribe's main valley can only accommodate 20,000 people at most. We now have more than a dozen outposts outside, all of which are developing rapidly. It's becoming increasingly inappropriate to keep the Fire Tribe's management center at headquarters."

Jianshi didn't speak, waiting for him to continue. Yan stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall. It was a rough animal hide map, drawing the general course of the Fish River and marking the various strongholds of the Fire Tribe.

He pointed to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost on the map and said, "Father, look, the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost is located at the northernmost part of our Fire Tribe. From here, it's very convenient to go north to the Valley Tribe, south back to our headquarters, and east to various strongholds. Moreover, the Little Fish River Mouth area is vast, with good water and fertile land. At least 50,000 mu of high-quality paddy fields can be cultivated just near Little Fish River Mouth. The development potential along the banks of the Little Fish River is also great. If we make good use of it, we can feed many people."

Jianshi stood up, walked to the map, and looked at the location Yan Zhi pointed to: Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. It used to be the Fish Tribe's camp, but now it has been expanded into a large outpost by the Fire Tribe. This place is indeed spacious and has good soil and water.

Yan continued, "There are many advantages to setting up the Fire Tribe's management center at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost:"

First, we can set up a blockade along the Fish River, just like the Valley Tribe and the Tiger Tribe did. The area south of the line between the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is all our Fire Tribe's territory. Anyone who wants to cross the river will have to get our approval first.

Jianshi Stone nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Secondly, we can allocate resources to Dali develop the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. That place has great potential, and once developed, it will be much stronger than our headquarters. Our headquarters is only so big, with so much land, so development is limited. But Little Fish River Mouth is different; it's large, with more land to cultivate and more space to build. If we move the Fire Tribe's management center there, the development speed there can be more than doubled."

He paused, then pointed to the Fish River Estuary Outpost on the map and said:

"Third, the Fire Tribe's management center is located at the Little Fish River Mouth, which makes it easier for us to make decisions. We will definitely have conflicts with the Tiger Tribe in the future. Once something happens, we can light the beacon fire, and the troops upstream can quickly go downstream and assemble at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. If the management center is still at headquarters, it will take several days just to get from headquarters to the Little Fish River Mouth, which will cause delays."

After Yan finished speaking, he stepped aside and waited for his father's reaction. Jianshi stood in front of the map and remained silent for a long time. His gaze moved from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, then to the Fire Tribe's main valley, and then back to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The room was very quiet, with only the occasional crackling of firewood in the hearth.

After a long while, Jianshi finally spoke, his voice low but Chenwen: "I hadn't thought of this idea before, but upon closer examination, it is indeed very good."

He turned around, looked at Yan, and said with approval in his eyes, "Our Fire Tribe's main valley is small, limiting our development. Many of the outposts outside are much more spacious than our main area. Having the management center at the Little Fish River Mouth is more beneficial for the future development of our Fire Tribe."

Yan felt a sense of relief and asked, "Father, then..."

Jianshi raised his hand to stop him, and said, "This isn't urgent. Let me first talk to everyone and hear their thoughts. At the end of the year, I'll call everyone together to discuss it further. Relocating the Fire Tribe Management Center is such a big decision; I can't make the decision alone. Everyone has to agree before we can proceed."

Yan nodded and said, "That's only right."

Jianshi walked back to his seat, picked up his bowl, took a sip of water, and continued, "Did Dali and Dazhuang say anything when you went to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost this time?"

Yan sat down and said, "Uncle Dali said he's doing well at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, but he's not used to the food. The chefs there aren't as good as those at headquarters. I've already promised to send a skilled cook over there."

Jianshi smiled and said, "Dali is good in every way, except he's picky about food. He used to freeload off you at headquarters every day, but now that he's at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, no one's cooking for him, so he's definitely not used to it."

Yan smiled and said, "Yes, but there are more people over there now. We'll be hosting a banquet for the tribal chiefs on the west bank of the Fish River, and we need someone who can cook. I've already had someone prepare, and once the fleet departs, I'll have him come with me."

Jianshi nodded and then asked, "What about Dazhuang? How's he doing?"

Yan sighed and said, "Uncle Dazhuang is quite busy. He manages the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost by himself, and also has to look after the Pottery Salt River Mouth, Stone Creek River Mouth, Qinghe, Shuize, Hundred Crafts, Beast Taming, and the High Pointed Mountain. He's incredibly busy every day. When I visited, he said that many times he didn't even have time to eat a hot meal."

Jianshi sighed and said, "Dazhuang is indeed having a tough time. There are many outposts and a large population there, and it's really difficult for him to manage them all by himself. I'll send more people to assist him and let him hold on a little longer."

Yan nodded and said, "That's what I told him too. We'll send more people to help him. Once we have more people, his burden will be lighter. He'll be free once the Fire Tribe's management center moves there."

Jianshi glanced at the sky outside; it was already dark. He said, "Yan, you must be tired from your journey. Go get something to eat and rest early. Make proper preparations in the next two days, and take the boat over there to bring the people back."

Yan stood up to take his leave, saying, "Yes, Father."