Shock

At the pier of the Valley Tribe Little Valley Camp Outpost, the autumn sun shines on the water, making it sparkle. Several water birds forage by the pier, sometimes taking flight and sometimes landing, making clear calls.

Daiyan was sitting in the council hall of the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost, handling affairs. He held a wooden plaque for recording supplies in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed. Recently, the Tiger Tribe had been causing trouble, and the Valley Tribe was having a hard time. The sales of coarse salt were still slightly better, but the Valley Tribe's pottery was not selling as well as before, and bronze weapons could no longer be bought in the Tiger Tribe.

The seven elders of the Valley Tribe headquarters are arguing every day, which gives the eldest brother Daiyue, a headache. As the person in charge of the Little Valley Camp Outpost, he is even more overwhelmed. The Bear Tribe in the lower reaches of the Fish River is eyeing the Little Valley Camp Outpost covetously, while the Fire Tribe in the upper reaches of the Fish River is developing too fast. The Little Valley Camp Outpost is caught in the middle and is worried about both sides.

"Chief!" A subordinate rushed in, panting and sweating profusely. "Someone from the Fire Tribe has arrived! They say they've come to deliver a message!"

Daiyan put down the wooden sign, rubbed his temples, and thought, "The Fire Tribe is here again?"

The Fire Tribe arrived quickly this time. He said, "Let him in."

The messenger from the Fire Tribe entered, leading a young warrior. He was lean and tanned, dressed in clean linen clothes, with a bone knife at his waist. He walked with a straight back, clearly well-trained. Behind him were two attendants, each carrying a heavy load of gifts, bending the carrying poles into an arc.

The young warrior stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said crisply, "Chief Daiyan! Our Fire Tribe's fleet is almost here. We expect to reach the Little Valley Camp Outpost today. This is a gift our young chief asked me to bring; it's a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it."

He waved his hand, and his attendant put down the load, lifted the burlap covering it, revealing some exquisite pottery—bowls, jars, and pots, each piece finely crafted—as well as several small bags of coarse salt, tightly tied and quite heavy.

Daiyan looked at the gifts, a satisfied smile on his face. He gently touched a ceramic bowl with his fingers. The Fire Tribe always brought gifts when they came, and each time they were better than the last. This time they were especially generous. Just as he was about to say a few polite words, the young warrior spoke up again.

"Chief Daiyan, our young chief asked me to tell you that our Fire Tribe has brought a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin to transport grain this time."

Daiyan's hand trembled violently, and the ceramic bowl in his hand almost fell to the ground. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide open, his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time!

"What did you say? A ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties?" His voice was shrill and high-pitched, like someone had stepped on his tail, and it was particularly jarring in the quiet council hall.

The young soldier nodded, his tone as calm as if he were commenting on the weather, and said, "Yes, our Fire Tribe has brought one boat with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, fifty boats with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin, one hundred and eighty boats with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin, two hundred boats with a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin, and two hundred large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 jin."

He paused, looked into Daiyan's eyes, and said, word by word, "Our young chief said that this time he wants to transport the remaining 20 million catties of grain that he ordered from the Valley Tribe this year back to the Fire Tribe."

Daiyan stared, speechless for a long time. His mind was buzzing, like countless bees were flying around, all swirling with the words "a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin"! The Fire Tribe already had ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin? When did they build them? How did they build them? He remembered that the last time the Fire Tribe came, their largest ship was only 20,000 jin in carrying capacity. How long has it been? The Fire Tribe already has ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin? The Fire Tribe's shipbuilding speed is too fast!

He asked urgently, his voice trembling, his fingers gripping the edge of the table so tightly his knuckles turned white, "This ship... was it built by your Fire Tribe?"

The young warrior nodded, his gaze frank, and said, "Yes, it was built by our Fire Tribe ourselves, and we only have one so far."

Only one? Upon hearing this, Daiyan felt a little calmer, and his tense shoulders relaxed slightly. But then he thought, even one ship has a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin! If the Fire Tribe can build ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, then ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin and 10,000 jin are even easier to build.

He looked down at the pottery bowl in his hand, then at the bags of coarse salt. The Fire Tribe could make pottery and salt, and now they could even build ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. How many secrets did this tribe still hold? He remembered his elder Daiyue, telling him in private that the Fire Tribe might also make bronzeware. At the time, he thought his brother was overthinking it, but now it seemed that his brother's guess was probably right.

"Go!" He jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair with a loud thud. "To the dock! Take all three ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, that are docked at the Little Valley Camp Outpost!"

The subordinate paused, thinking he had misheard, and asked, "Boss, are we taking all three ships with us?"

Daiyan glared at him, his eyes looking like he wanted to devour him, and shouted, "Take them all! Hurry up! What are you dawdling for?" His voice was urgent and sharp, echoing in the council hall like thunder.

At the dock of Little Valley Camp Outpost, three giant ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin slowly sailed out and headed upstream on the Fish River. Daiyan stood at the Chuantou of the largest ship, his hands gripping the gunwale tightly, his fingers turning white from the force. His eyes were fixed on the direction upstream on the Fish River, unblinking, as if he wanted to see through the surface of the river.

The morning breeze from the Fish River blew over, making his hair a mess and the hem of his clothes flutter in the wind, but he didn't care. His brows were furrowed, his lips were pressed into a line, his jaw was clenched, and his heart was pounding like fifteen buckets of water being drawn up and down.

Does the Fire Tribe really have ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin? Could he have misheard? Or was the messenger exaggerating? He had seen the Fire Tribe's fleet, each one larger than the last, from ships with a carrying capacity of a few thousand jin to ships with a carrying capacity of ten thousand jin, and then to ships with a carrying capacity of twenty thousand jin—their development was indeed rapid. But ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin weren't so easy to build. How many years did the Valley Tribe spend replicating them? The Fire Tribe had only been around for a few years!

He recalled his first encounter with the Fire Tribe's fleet. Back then, the largest ships only had a carrying capacity of 5,000 jin (approximately 2,500 kg), and he had even joked that the Fire Tribe's ships were just small sampans, unable to withstand the wind and waves. Later, when he visited the Valley Tribe, they had ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin (approximately 5,000 kg). Then came ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin (approximately 10,000 kg), and this time, they even had ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin (approximately 25,000 kg). Each time, the Fire Tribe's changes astonished him, each time faster than he had anticipated. Would the Valley Tribe have ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin (approximately 50,000 kg) next?

Not far away, a long fleet of boats appeared on the upper reaches of the Fish River. The fleet emerged from the bend in the river, one after another, like a giant dragon moving on the surface of the Fish River. The boat at the front was more than twice the size of the boats behind it, with its Chuantou hull was wide, much wider than the boats next to it, with a thick mast and huge sails that billowed in the wind like a giant cloud.

Daiyan's pupils contracted sharply, as if pricked by a needle. The Fire Tribe really did have a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin! He involuntarily took a few steps forward, his hands gripping the ship's gunwale tightly until his knuckles turned white. His body leaned forward, as if he were about to throw himself off the ship. His eyes were fixed on the Fire Tribe's largest ship at the front, unblinking, as if trying to see through it, to see every plank and every nail. His breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved.

The Fire Tribe's fleet drew closer, and the Chuantou with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin became clearer. A lifelike bird with outstretched wings was carved on the bow, with every feather meticulously detailed, as if it were about to take flight at any moment. The ship's hull was made of thick planks, each piece fitting together perfectly, and the tung oil glistened in the sunlight.

Daiyan's three large ships slowly approached the Fire Tribe's fleet and stopped next to the Fire Tribe's large ship. He looked up at the brand-new ship and then at the old ship beneath his feet. Suddenly, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart, like a jumble of emotions.

The Fire Tribe's boat was new, with smooth planks, shiny paint, and even new ropes. The Valley Tribe's boat was old, with mottled planks, peeling paint revealing the blackened wood underneath, and worn-out ropes. He gritted his teeth and tapped his finger heavily on the gunwale, producing a dull sound.

"Leader Daiyan!" a voice called from the other side, gentle and clear.

Daiyan looked up and saw Yan standing at the Chuantou of the ship, smiling and bowing to him with clasped hands. The young man was wearing a linen robe and a bronze dagger at his waist. He was tall and straight, and his whole body seemed to glow in the sunlight. His smile was gentle and without any provocation, but Daiyan felt as if something was stuck in his heart, a sour and astringent feeling.

"Young Chief Yan," he forced a smile, his voice dry and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against wood, "Your Fire Tribe has brought quite a few more ships this time, even those with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin."

Yan smiled and said in a relaxed tone, as if chatting, "It's already autumn, and we've brought out all the large ships that the Fire Tribe can use. We want to transport all the grain we ordered from the Valley Tribe this year back." He paused, then patted the gunwale of the ship beside him, the sound crisp and pleasant. "As for this ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, our Fire Tribe has only built one so far. This one ship can't carry much. Our Fire Tribe plans to increase the number of these ships to fifty next year, which will make transporting goods much more convenient."

Daiyan's hand tightened suddenly, his nails almost digging into the wood. Fifty ships? His eyes widened, his eyeballs almost popped out, his mouth gaped open, and his jaw nearly fell onto the deck.

His voice had changed, becoming high-pitched and thin, as if someone were choking him, as he spoke, "Your Fire Tribe plans to increase the number of these large ships to fifty next year?"

Yan nodded, his tone as calm as if he were commenting on the weather, and said, "Yes, we are currently developing a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. If it is successfully developed, it will be even more convenient."

Daiyan's voice became shrill, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and he said, "You're still developing a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin? That's a ship that only the Tiger Tribe has!" He leaned forward slightly, as if trying to put himself in front of Yan to hear every word clearly. His hands were trembling, his legs were trembling, and his whole body was trembling.

Yan smiled and nodded, a gentle smile, but in Daiyan's eyes, it carried an indescribable meaning, like a dull knife, slowly cutting into his heart. Yan continued, "Our Fire Tribe now has a population of 110,000, and we do indeed need a few ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to enhance our image. Although ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin are difficult to build, our Fire Tribe is still somewhat confident in its ability to do so."

One hundred and ten thousand people! Daiyan felt a buzzing in his head, as if something had exploded! The Fire Tribe had one hundred and ten thousand people? The Valley Tribe only had twenty thousand people! The Tiger Tribe only had a little over one hundred thousand people! The Fire Tribe's population was almost catching up with the Tiger Tribe! His hand loosened, and he almost lost his grip on the gunwale. He swayed as if he was about to fall.

He stood there with his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time. His expression kept changing: one moment he was shocked, his eyes almost popping out; the next he was suspicious, his brows furrowed; and then he became bewildered, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost his soul.

He stood there, like a piece of wood. The wind blew, his clothes fluttered, but he remained motionless. His mind was blank, with only the numbers Yan had mentioned spinning in his head—110,000 people, fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin next year, and the development of a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses. His voice was a little shaky, as if it came from a very far place, and he said, "Your Fire Tribe... is truly amazing."

Yan smiled modestly, a sincere and unassuming smile, and replied, "Our Fire Tribe was forced into this situation. We've heard that the Tiger Tribe at the very bottom of the Fish River isn't easy to deal with, so our Fire Tribe had to make preparations in advance."

Upon hearing the Tiger Tribe, Daiyan's face darkened, like the sky before a storm, filled with dark clouds. His brows furrowed even more, his lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenched tightly, and his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white. He said, "The Tiger Tribe has recently been threatening and intimidating our Valley Tribe. Not only do they sell us bronze ware, pottery, and coarse salt, but they also forbid us from selling goods downstream of the Fish River Fish River. They've even threatened and intimidated the larger tribes downstream, forbidding them from buying pottery from our Valley Tribe!"

He grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, his voice rising and falling like thunder, finally exclaiming, "This is infuriating! What did our Valley Tribe do to deserve this? It's just selling some pottery, why is it such a fuss?"

Yan nodded, his tone serious and with a hint of concern, and said, "The Tiger Tribe is indeed being too domineering and arrogant. Their actions will only make everyone resentful and distance themselves from them. Individually, we are still somewhat weaker than the Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe. If we can unite, we won't have to be afraid of them anymore."

Daiyan fell silent. He stood at the Chuantou, looking at Yan, his mind churning with countless conflicting thoughts. Should they unite? The Fire Tribe was quite powerful now, with 110,000 people, a boat with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, and expertise in pottery and salt production. If they added the Valley Tribe, they could indeed put up a tough fight against the Tiger Tribe.

His elder Daiyue, had mentioned developing military cooperation with the Fire Tribe before. Back then, the Fire Tribe wasn't as strong, and everyone felt there was no rush, so they decided to postpone it. Now that the Fire Tribe was so powerful, if they didn't unite now, it would be too late. He remembered that the Fire Tribe had said they would build fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin next year, and his heart tightened. Fifty ships! The Valley Tribe only had ten ships now. When the Fire Tribe's fleet was lined up on the Fish River, that scene... he didn't dare to think about it.

He shook his head, banishing these thoughts from his mind like a fly swatting away. These matters should be discussed by his elder brother and the seven elders of the tribe; he, as the head of a Little Valley Camp, couldn't afford to worry about so many things.

"Chief Yan, what you say makes sense." He took a deep breath, calming his voice and restoring his expression to normal. "But this is a serious matter. You should discuss it with my elder brother. Our Valley Tribe also hopes to complete the grain delivery with the Fire Tribe this year as soon as possible." He paused, then turned and waved to the flag bearer behind him. "I'll send someone to take you to the headquarters dock on the other side."

The flag bearer immediately signaled with flags to convey instructions to the Little Valley Camp dock. Soon, several guide ships sailed out from the Little Valley Camp Outpost dock and headed towards the Fire Tribe's fleet. Yan Daiyan nodded, turned around and returned to his own ship. His steps were light, his back straight, and his figure was particularly upright in the sunlight.

The fleet slowly started, following the lead boat, and headed towards the Gu Tribe Valley Tribe dock on the opposite bank. The brand-new 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) heavy-duty boat was at the front, its Chuantou cutting through the river water and stirring up white Langhua, like a proud swan.