The Giant Ship's Successful Trial

A few days after Yan led his fleet away from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost outpost, the Fire Tribe's Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost was already in sight. The autumn sun shone on the river, making the water sparkle like countless pieces of gold dancing. Yan stood at the Chuantou, his hand on the gunwale, and could see the ever-growing dock in the distance. Now the Fire Tribe had more and more boats, and the docks in many places were also expanding. What was originally a place that could only hold a few small boats had now become a port that could accommodate hundreds of large ships.

But what caught Yan's eye wasn't the bustling crowd, but a giant ship moored at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost dock. That ship was more than twice the size of Yan's 20,000-jin (10,000 kg) carrying capacity ship. It was wide and long, with a raised Chuantou and a flat, broad stern. Sunlight shone on the hull, and the tung oil reflected its luster. The whole ship looked like a sleeping behemoth, lying quietly on the river. A lifelike bird with outstretched wings was carved on the Chuantou, as if it were about to take flight at any moment.

Shibang was the first to spot it. He leaped from the ship's side, pointed at the giant ship, and his voice, now shrill and high-pitched, startled everyone around him. "Boss! Look! That behemoth! It must be that 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) heavy-duty ship we recently built!"

He was so excited that his face turned red, and he jumped and danced on the deck like a monkey whose tail had been stepped on, making the ship sway a little. Yan next to him grabbed his belt.

"Be careful! If you fall in, I won't be able to pull you out!" Yan said irritably, still gripping the Shibang's belt tightly.

Shibang chuckled, regaining his footing, but still couldn't resist standing on tiptoe to peer at the giant ship. He craned his neck, his eyes almost bulging out. Bailin also joined in, craning his neck to look at the ship, clicking his tongue in amazement. "My goodness! Even from afar, it looks huge. If it gets closer, won't we have to look up to see it? How tall do you think the Chuantou is? It's taller than some of the houses in our Fire Tribe, isn't it?"

A Xiaotou ran over, his eyes wide and jaw almost dropping to the ground, and shouted, "A ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin! Our Fire Tribe built it ourselves! Before, when we went to the Valley Tribe, we were so envious of their 50,000-jin carrying ships. Every time I saw one sail by, I thought, 'When will our Fire Tribe have one too?' Now, it's great, our Fire Tribe has one too!"

Yan didn't speak, but his gaze remained fixed on the giant ship. The Fire Tribe had finally built a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin (approximately 25,000 kg). From small boats with a carrying capacity of a few thousand jin, to ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin, to ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin, and now to ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, the Fire Tribe had come a long way, each step arduous. He recalled the craftsmen in the Fire Tribe's shipbuilding workshop, working day and night, countless sleepless nights. Dabang had said that several craftsmen had collapsed from exhaustion in the workshop while building this ship, had to be carried back to rest for a day, and then returned the next day.

"With this ship, when we go to the Valley Tribe to transport grain, the people Valley Tribe will definitely be shocked," Bailin continued, his voice tinged with pride, his back straightening considerably. "Especially that Daiyan, he used to always come here to show off in his 50,000-jin-capacity ship, swaying back and forth in front of us, showing off like crazy. Next time we'll go in our own ship, let's see how he can show off then, we'll sail our ship right in front of them, let them look up at us too."

Shibang nodded repeatedly, clenched his fist and waved it, saying, "That's right! With this big guy, we feel much more confident going out. Before, when we went to the Valley Tribe, we always felt inferior to them and didn't dare to speak loudly. Now, we're on equal footing! No, we're even a head taller than them!"

Yan smiled and said, "Don't just be happy. If we have one, we'll have many more. My father said that once the Fire Tribe builds the first one, the rest will be easy; we can just follow the template!" He looked at the giant ship, his eyes gleaming. "Next year, our shipbuilding output will increase, and we'll build even more and bigger ships."

Shibang lowered his voice, leaned closer mysteriously, looked around, and whispered like a thief, "Boss, I heard from my father that our Fire Tribe is already researching ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin! A ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin! Just think how big that would be!"

Bailin gasped, his eyes widening like copper bells as he exclaimed, "A ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin? I heard that only the Tiger Tribe at the very bottom of the Fish River has one! And they don't have many of them. If our Fire Tribe really builds one, wouldn't we be able to do whatever we want in the Fish River Basin? We could go wherever we want, and who could stop us?"

Yan waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about that far ahead. Next year, let's build a few more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, get the grain transport sorted out, and then we can talk about other things. Let's take it one step at a time; there's no rush."

The fleet continued onward, getting closer and closer to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. The outline of the giant ship became clearer and clearer, every plank of the hull and every rope was clearly visible, and the carving of the bird on the Chuantou was so lifelike that even the feathers were carved out.

"There's someone standing on that boat!" Shibang, with his sharp eyes, shouted, pointing to the Chuantou.

Yan squinted and saw a man standing at the Chuantou. He was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, standing out conspicuously in the crowd. He wore a linen short jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thick forearms and rough, powerful hands. The man was pacing back and forth on the deck with his hands behind his back, sometimes touching the gunwale as if caressing his own child; sometimes patting the mast to test its sturdiness; sometimes bending down to examine the planks, as if he wanted to check every single plank. He was busy as a bee, muttering to himself, seemingly muttering something to himself.

Yan looked closely, couldn't help but smile, and said, "That's Uncle Dali."

Shibang saw it clearly too, and burst into laughter, bending over with laughter. He said, "Why did Uncle Dali go there? Wasn't he at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost? Did he really come back with Feiyu and the others this time?"

Bailin smiled and said, "He must have heard that the 50,000-jin carrying capacity ship was about to be completed, so he rushed back with the fleet overnight. You don't know, Dali Dali's obsession with big ships is well-known in our Fire Tribe. Last time, when the 10,000-jin carrying capacity ship was tested, he was the first to rush up, and no one could stop him. How could he possibly miss the launch of the 50,000-jin carrying capacity ship? Even if it's at the ends of the earth, he'll come running back."

Yan steered the boat closer, stood on the gunwale, waved at the giant ship, and shouted, "Uncle Dali!"

Dali was squatting at the Chuantou, inspecting the deck planks, one hand touching the seams of the planks, his face almost pressed against the deck. Hearing the shout, he looked up, squinted, and seeing it was Yan, quickly stood up and walked briskly to the ship's side. He was covered in dust, his hair was messy, and his eyes were bloodshot, clearly having rushed back and not slept well.

"Yan'er! You're back!" His voice was hoarse, but he was full of energy, and his eyes were bright.

Yan asked with a smile, "Uncle Dali, when did you get back?"

Dali sighed, his smile fading, and he deflated like a punctured balloon. After a long while, he finally spoke, "I came back with Feiyu and the others yesterday, and although I rushed as fast as I could, I still missed it."

He slammed his hand heavily on the gunwale, the sound echoing across the river, and said with a tone full of frustration, "I wasn't there when this 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) cargo ship was tested, and I wasn't there when your father and Dabang went up to have some fun. By the time I heard the news and rushed back yesterday, the ship had already been launched."

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, and slapped the gunwale of the boat again, exclaiming, "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) cargo ship? From last year to this year, from spring to autumn, I've been dreaming about it! And what's the result? During the sea trials, I was carrying Shitou at the Red Flower River Mouth! Carrying Shitou!"

Yan and Shibang exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh. Shibang laughed the loudest, bending over backwards, tears welling up in his eyes. He had to hold onto the gunwale to avoid falling. Dali's eyes Dali, his thick eyebrows standing up like two knives.

He glared angrily at Shibang, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, and said, "Shibang! You little brat, still laughing! It was all because your father kept it from me that I missed out on such a good thing! Your father certainly had his fill this time, and I'm not letting him off the hook! When I get back to the Fire Tribe headquarters later, I'm going to settle the score with him!"

Shibang was startled and quickly shrank behind Yan, only peeking out half his head. Like a frightened rabbit, he said, "Uncle Dali, you can't take your anger out on me! I'm innocent! You should go find my father, it has nothing to do with me! I don't know anything!"

Yan was suppressing his laughter, his shoulders shrugged, his lips were tightly pursed, and his face was flushed. Bailin also held back his laughter, turning his head away, not daring to look at Dali's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Yan smiled and waved his hand, speaking gently, "Uncle Dali, your position at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is very important, so you certainly can't leave for long. Besides, it's not close to the Fire Tribe headquarters, and it would take several days to travel back and forth. They probably took that into consideration, which is why they didn't call you back."

Upon hearing this, Dali was about to jump up again, stomping his feet on the boat planks, and said, "Important? Even if it's important, you can't leave me out! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this 50,000-jin carrying capacity ship? From last year to this year, from spring to autumn..."

Yan quickly reassured him, stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Uncle Dali, don't worry. Our Fire Tribe is currently researching the manufacture of a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. It is estimated that it will be completed by the end of next year or the beginning of the year after."

Dali's eyes lit up instantly, like two lamps had been lit. His mouth opened wide, his jaw almost dropping as he asked, "A ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin?" His voice changed, becoming high-pitched and shrill, as if someone had grabbed his neck.

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, and I've already suggested to Father that we move the Fire Tribe's management center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. It's not far from the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, so it will be convenient for you to travel back and forth." He paused, looked into Dali's eyes, and said seriously, "When the 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship is almost finished, I suggest Father have you take charge of the sea trials, okay?"

Dali's face instantly brightened, like the sun breaking through the clouds. He slapped his thigh, the sound echoing across the river, almost splashing Shuihua everywhere. "Good! Good! Leave the trial run of the 100,000-jin (50,000 kg) boat to me!" He pounded his chest, his voice booming like thunder, making everyone's ears ring. "Nobody's allowed to take it from me! Anyone who dares to take it from me, I'll fight them!"

Shibang peeked out from behind Yan, cautiously glanced at Dali's expression, and tentatively asked, "Uncle Dali, you're not angry anymore, are you?"

Dali glared at him, snorted, and said, "I'll let you off this time because your boss helped me get this trial run. But if you laugh at me again, I'll teach you a lesson."

Shibang let out a long sigh of relief, stepped out from behind Yan, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Yan then said, "Uncle Dali, don't worry. Our Fire Tribe will only have more and more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin next year. The Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is an important stronghold for our Fire Tribe. I will suggest that Father also station a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost to strengthen its defenses."

Dali's eyes brightened, and he perked up, straightening his back as he spoke, "That's a great suggestion! The Red Flower River Mouth Outpost stronghold is extremely important now; it definitely needs a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin!"

Dali paced back and forth on the deck, his steps light as if he were walking on clouds, already calculating. "With a ship that can carry 50,000 jin, won't those tribes on the west bank of the Fish River behave themselves? If anyone dares to disobey, we'll sail right up to their doorsteps and see if they still dare."

Everyone laughed, and the laughter echoed across the Fish River. Yan and Dali chatted for a while longer, Dali asked about the Fire Tribe's plans for next year. Yan told him about the Fire Tribe's idea of setting up a blockade line along the Fish River next year.

Dali hearing this, Dali's eyes lit up even more. He patted his chest and said, "As long as you send me enough boats, I'll keep the west bank of the Fish River firmly under my watch. Not even a mosquito will be able to fly past my nose! Let alone mosquitoes, even a small fish won't be able to swim across the Red Flower River Mouth without my permission!"

Yan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Dali."

He waved his hand Dali and said sincerely, "What's this talk of trouble? It's my duty. The affairs of the Fire Tribe are my affairs."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Yan led the fleet that had been assembled at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost back upstream along the Fire Creek River to the Fire Tribe headquarters. The Fire Creek River was not at its lowest point during the dry season, but the water level was still not high enough. The giant ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin was too deep to enter the Fire Creek River and could only stay temporarily at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost.

Yan stood at the Chuantou and glanced back at the giant ship. Dali was still on the ship, directing people to check the sails. He would point to the mast and have people pull the ropes, and then squat down to check the deck. He was busy and kept shouting orders.

"Let's go," Yan said, turning around.

Soon the fleet slowly started moving, going upstream along the Fire Creek River. The scenery on both sides of the Fire Creek River slowly receded, with Fire Creek River Middle Outpost and Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost passing by one by one.

As evening approached, the Fire Tribe's main valley came into view. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the valley in gold, gilding the wooden houses, fields, and rivers like a warm painting. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, adding to the warmth of the twilight. On the dock, people were already waiting.