The Valley Tribe's Luncheon

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the seven elders of the Valley Tribe all had rosy complexions. Holding their wine bowls, they toasted each other, creating a lively atmosphere. However, each of them would occasionally glance at Yan, as if examining some rare object.

Yan put down his wine bowl and looked around. The First Elder was sitting to Daiyue's left, slowly drinking from his wine bowl, his eyes narrowed to slits, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. The Second Elder, Hefeng, was sitting next to the First Elder, holding a piece of roasted mutton, eating it with gusto, nodding occasionally as if agreeing with someone.

Third Elder Jin Ye leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, expressionless, but his eyes were fixed on Yan. Fourth Elder Lin Feng and Fifth Elder Shuize were whispering to each other, the two were very close and their voices were very low. Sixth Elder and Seventh Elder sat at the bottom.

Yan cleared his throat, and the council hall gradually quieted down, with everyone's eyes focused on him.

"Chief of Daiyue, elders," Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly in the quiet council hall, "This time, I brought a fleet from the Fire Tribe to transport all the remaining grain that our Fire Tribe ordered from the Valley Tribe this year back to the Fire Tribe headquarters."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"This time we 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. In total, we can transport more than four million jin of grain. We are still a little short, and we need the Valley Tribe to send people to assist us with one transport trip."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low gasp of surprise rang out in the council hall. Although everyone had heard that the Fire Tribe had brought a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties to the Valley Tribe, hearing Yan say it with their own ears was still a different feeling. Some people gasped, some put down their wine bowls, some sat up straight, and some began to whisper among themselves.

Fourth Elder Lin Feng couldn't help but whisper to Fifth Elder Shuize beside him, "More than four million catties of grain, transported back in one go? The Fire Tribe's fleet has a transport capacity several times greater than our Valley Tribe's." Shuize nodded without speaking, but the shock in his eyes was undisguised.

The Third Elder Jin Ye, remained expressionless, but paused for a moment before slowly bringing the wine bowl to his lips. The First Elder opened his narrowed eyes a crack, glanced at Yan, and then closed them again. Daiyue raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

Once the murmurs subsided, he spoke, "Chief Yan, your Fire Tribe is truly remarkable! In such a short time, you've developed a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin." His voice carried a mix of admiration, respect, and a complex, unspoken emotion. "Our Valley Tribe spent a very long time trying to replicate it, going through countless detours and wasting countless resources. Your Fire Tribe, on the other hand, figured it out yourself, experimented, and built it in just a few years."

He paused, picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, put it down, and continued, "As for your need for our Valley Tribe's assistance in transporting grain, no problem! Although our relationship with the Bear Tribe is becoming increasingly tense, and we can't guarantee we can assist your Fire Tribe in transporting grain every time next year, this time there shouldn't be any problem." He turned to look at Fengren, who was sitting below him, "Fengren, you go with the Fire Tribe again."

Fengren nodded and said, "Yes, Chief."

Yan clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Daiyue, Chief Daiyue."

Daiyue waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite.

Yan continued, "Our Fire Tribe also paid a heavy price to develop this ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, but one large ship is still not enough." His tone became serious. "Next year, our Fire Tribe plans to increase the number of these ships to fifty. In addition, we are also developing a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, which we expect to be completed by the end of next year at the earliest."

There was another low murmur in the council hall, this time louder than before. Even the First Elder opened his eyes. The Second Elder, Hefeng, dropped the mutton in his hand onto the table. The Third Elder, Jin Ye, froze in mid-air with his wine bowl in hand. The Fourth Elder, Lin Feng, and the Fifth Elder Shuize, stopped their hushed conversation. The Sixth Elder and the Seventh Elder raised their heads, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.

"A ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin?" Fourth Elder Lin Feng couldn't help but exclaim, "That's a large ship that only the Tiger Tribe has!"

Yan nodded and said calmly, "The Tiger Tribe at the very bottom of the Fish River is not easy to deal with. Our Fire Tribe should also make some preparations in advance."

Daiyue nodded, sighed, and said, "The Tiger Tribe is indeed difficult to get along with. We understand why you're doing this." His gaze lingered on Yan's face for a moment, as if trying to discern something from Yan's expression, but Yan's face only showed calmness and sincerity.

Yan added, "This time I brought with me an advance payment for 20 million catties of grain next year, and pottery equivalent to 8 million catties of grain, all on the ship. We just need to wait for the delivery tomorrow."

A smile spread across Daiyue's face, a smile that was much more genuine, even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. "The Fire Tribe is truly generous and trustworthy. Young Chief Yan, rest assured, although the Tiger Tribe imposed sanctions on our Valley Tribe this time, we purchased a large amount of grain from several major tribes downstream of the Fish River after our autumn harvest. When the Tiger Tribe imposed sanctions on us, we had already sold off our pottery and coarse salt in exchange for grain and other supplies." He paused, raising his voice slightly, "Our two tribes' 20 million catties of grain trade next year will not be affected."

Yan was overjoyed, and his smile became even more sincere. He said, "Chief Daiyue is indeed powerful. That's good. On behalf of the Fire Tribe, I thank you."

Daiyue waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me. You can just come and transport the grain next year."

He paused, thought for a moment, and then said, "However, could we exchange next year's grain for supplies like coarse salt? Pottery isn't selling well downstream in the Fish River. The Tiger Tribe is keeping a tight rein on it; they'll cause trouble for anyone who buys our Valley Tribe's pottery. But coarse salt is valuable and something everyone needs. It's not easily marked, so our Valley Tribe can secretly bring it downstream for trade. As long as we're careful, the Tiger Tribe won't find out for the time being."

Yan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Sure, no problem. Our Fire Tribe has plenty of coarse salt, more than enough."

Daiyue nodded in satisfaction, picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and said, "This time, our two tribes have over four million catties of grain to deliver. Although we cooperate well, it will still take at least two days to complete. I will have Second Elder Hefeng and Fengren deliver the grain to your Fire Tribe."

Second Elder Hefeng put down the mutton in his hand, nodded to Yan, and Fengren also nodded in acknowledgment.

Yan clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Daiyue, Chief Daiyue, and thank you, elders."

Daiyue picked up his wine bowl again and said, "Come on, let's have another bowl!"

Everyone raised their wine bowls and drank them down in one gulp. After the bowls were put down, the atmosphere in the council hall became even more lively. The seven elders toasted Yan one after another, one bowl after another. Yan did not refuse and drank one bowl after another. His face was slightly red, but his eyes remained clear and his speech was still organized.

The elder walked over with a wine bowl, patted Yan on the shoulder, and said, "Young Chief Yan, your Fire Tribe is truly remarkable." After saying this, he drank it all in one gulp, turned around, and walked back to his seat.

The Second Elder, Hefeng, also came over to offer a toast, saying with a smile, "Young Master Yan, next time you come, please bring more coarse salt. Pottery doesn't sell well, but coarse salt sells well." Yan nodded in agreement.

The Third Elder Jin Ye, did not come over to offer a toast. He simply raised his bowl to Yan from a distance and then drank it himself. The Fourth Elder, Lin Feng, and the Fifth Elder Shuize, came over together. The two of them asked Yan a lot of questions about the Fire Tribe, and Yan answered them one by one, patiently and thoroughly.

The Sixth Elder and the Seventh Elder also came over to offer a toast. They didn't say much, just "Welcome, welcome" and "Thank you for your hard work," before retreating. The banquet lasted for another half an hour before gradually dispersing.

Yan stood up, clasped his hands in farewell to Daiyue, and said, "Chief Daiyue, it's getting late, we'll head back now."

Daiyue also stood up, grasped Yan's hand, and said, "Young Master Yan, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

Yan nodded and said, "It's nothing."

Daiyue, accompanied by the seven elders, escorted Yan all the way to the entrance of the council hall. Qingsui was standing on one side of the entrance, saw Yan come out, her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over.

"Father, I'll see them off." Her voice was light and cheerful, like the tinkling of bells in the night breeze.

Daiyue glanced at his daughter, then at Yan, a slight smile playing on his lips, and nodded. "Go."

Qingsui walked to Yan's side, and the two walked side by side toward the dock. Yingmu and Shibang, knowing better, led the people back to the Fire Tribe's temporary camp first.

"Yan, how many days will you be staying this time?" Qingsui asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Yan thought for a moment and said, "We'll stay for at least two days. We'll leave after we finish delivering the grain."