Downriver to Transport Grain

As the dock at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost receded into the distance, Dali's figure grew smaller and smaller until he became a tiny black dot. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, still thinly floating on the river's surface. The black dot appeared and disappeared in the mist until it finally vanished completely.

Yan stood at the Chuantou, his hands gripping the gunwale, his gaze still fixed on that direction. The morning breeze carried the damp scent of the river and Dali's eager eyes. He remembered how Dali looked on the boat yesterday and couldn't help but smile.

"Uncle Dali really had a blast this time." Yan turned around, looking at the Shibang beside him, his tone teasing. "Yesterday, Uncle Dali not only looked around this 50,000-jin-capacity ship, wanting to touch every single plank, but he also took the big ship for a spin around the Red Flower River Mouth dock. Did you see him? The way he stood at the Chuantou, back ramrod straight, hands on his hips, like a general."

Shibang grinned and said, "How could you not see it? The look in his eyes, he couldn't wait to go with us to the Valley Tribe to transport grain. You didn't notice, when he was standing on the dock watching us set sail, his eyes were wide open and his mouth was agape, he couldn't close it for a long time."

Yingmu chimed in, a smile on his face, "That's right. Yesterday, Uncle Dali kept asking me how long it would take for headquarters to build the second ship. I counted, and he asked at least seven or eight times. He follows me everywhere, like a shadow. I told him it would take about a month, but he didn't believe me and insisted I give him a precise date."

Yan laughed, shook his head, and said, "I reckon as soon as headquarters builds the second one, Dali will be going to ask for it. Do you believe me? He'll definitely be the first one to come back and wait outside the shipyard."

Everyone nodded in agreement and started talking all at once.

"I believe you! Why wouldn't I? Uncle Dali can't resist a big ship."

"Last time, when the ship with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin was tested, he rushed to participate. This time, when the ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin was tested, he missed it and was so anxious that he jumped up and down. Next time, when the ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin is built, he probably won't even sleep and will be guarding the gate of our shipbuilding workshop every day."

"Yes, yes, yes, he'll fight anyone who tries to take it from him."

"He might have even moved his bedding there, living and eating in the workshop, just waiting for the massive ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to be launched."

Everyone chatted excitedly, their laughter echoing across the river. Yan listened with a smile on his face, but his mind was elsewhere. Uncle Dali's obsession with boats was well-known in the Fire Tribe, and it was precisely because of people like him that the Fire Tribe was able to build better and bigger boats.

The fleet continued its journey, sailing downstream along the Fish River. They arrived at the Fire Tribe's Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The dock was bustling with people, some loading and unloading cargo, others mending fishing nets. In the distance, rows of newly built wooden houses stretched out, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys. Dazhuang stood on the dock and waved to the fleet. Yan also waved back, but the ships did not stop.

The fleet continued forward, and they arrived at the Little Horse River. The river was much wider than some of the tributaries of the Fish River upstream. Many trees on both banks had lost all their leaves, and their bare branches stretched towards the gray sky. Occasionally, a few water birds could be seen skimming across the river, making clear calls.

Then they arrived at the Green Leaf River. Yan stood at the Chuantou and looked towards the direction of the tributary. The dock at the river mouth was much larger than when he last came. Several small boats were moored there, and people were walking on the shore. When they saw this huge fleet of ships, they all stopped and craned their necks to look.

Then we arrived at the Clothing River. This river had a larger volume of water than Green Leaf River. The river was wide and the current was gentle. The fields on both banks had already been harvested, leaving only rice stubble. Several farmers were burning stubble on the ridges of the fields, and wisps of smoke rose from the ground. The air was filled with the smell of wood ash.

Then they arrived at the Big Horse River, the last major river before reaching the Valley Tribe. Several small boats were fishing on the river, but upon seeing this massive fleet, they all kept their distance. The fishermen on the boats stood at the Chuantou, mouths agape and eyes wide, watching the 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) giant ship sail past them, their jaws practically dropping to the deck.

Feiyu and Bailin stood behind Yan, discussing something. Their voices weren't loud, but Yan could hear them clearly.

"What do you think Daiyan from Little Valley Camp will look like when he sees that our Fire Tribe also has a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin?" Feiyu asked, his tone tinged with anticipation.

Bailin thought for a moment, then stroked his chin and said, "He'll definitely be shocked. You didn't see it, but last time we went to the Valley Tribe, he came in his 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) boat. He was so arrogant, his nose was practically pointing to the sky. This time we'll go in our own big boat and see if he's still so arrogant."

Feiyu laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits as he spoke, "He won't just be startled, he'll probably be stunned for a long time. Think about it, the last time he saw us, we only had ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 catties. How long has it been? We already have ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties. He must be wondering how we built them."

Bailin nodded, looking smug, and said, "That's right, let him think about it. Anyway, our ship is there, it's real, let him think what he wants."

Feiyu then asked, "Do you think he might come up and take a look?"

Bailin thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's hard to say. Daiyan is a proud and arrogant person. He probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to do it. Even if he wanted to see it, he wouldn't dare to ask."

Feiyu chuckled and said, "If he won't speak, we can invite him up. We should still show him courtesy."

Yan listened to their conversation, a slight smile playing on his lips. He didn't interrupt, his gaze fixed on the distance, Little Valley Camp Outpost of the Valley Tribe was already in sight.

It was a stronghold built on the east bank of the Fish River. It was quite large, with several large ships docked at the pier. From a distance, you could see the outlines of those ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, like several giant beasts lying on the water.

Feiyu also saw it, and moved closer to Yan, lowering his voice to say, "Young Chief, we're almost at the Little Valley Camp Outpost."

Yan nodded, then turned to the people behind him and said, "Pass down the order: slow down and form a line. When we're on someone else's territory, we must behave properly."

As orders were passed down, the Fire Tribe's fleet gradually slowed down. Flags fluttered between the ships as they adjusted their formation. The giant ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin led the way, followed by the other ships lined up neatly, like an army awaiting inspection. Feiyu and Bailin stood behind Yan, their eyes sparkling like children waiting to watch a play.

"Young leader," Feiyu couldn't help but say, "Do you think Daiyan will pause for a moment when he sees our ship?"

Bailin interjected, "Stunned? I was stunned for ages! Have you forgotten the look he gave us when he looked at our 20,000-jin cargo ship last time? His mouth was agape, his eyes were wide open, and he didn't say a word for a long time."

Feiyu chuckled and said, "Then this time you'll have to bulge your eyes out, won't you?"

Yan didn't turn around, but the smile on his lips deepened as he said, "Stop guessing. You'll know when we get there."