A Reluctant Farewell
The familiar trading valley was already in sight, which also meant it was time to part with the twenty-five warriors from the four allied tribes. Nearly a month of living together day and night, trekking together, standing watch side by side, and even facing the threat of wolves together had long since dissolved the initial unfamiliarity of this hastily assembled group, nurturing a camaraderie like that of comrades-in-arms.
Among these twenty-five men, a few particularly outstanding warriors had left a deep impression on Jianshi and Wang Yan, quietly stirring their appreciation for talent.
· "Manshi" of the Bison Tribe: he was one of the most powerfully built warriors under Juti, second only to Juti in strength, with an honest, straightforward nature and an astonishing appetite. Throughout the journey, he had carried the heaviest supplies and taken the hardest night watches without a word of complaint. In a wrestling match during one rest stop, he had even held his own against Dali for quite a while before losing, earning repeated praise from Dali himself.
· "Niqiu" of the White Pig Tribe: true to his name, he was not particularly tall or large, but exceptionally nimble and agile, especially skilled at moving through difficult terrain and setting ingenious little traps. Several discoveries of potential dangers and shortcuts along the way had all been thanks to his alertness.
· "Qingti" of the Deer Tribe: he was the Deer Tribe's best tracker, light-footed and sharp-eyed. He had offered much valuable advice on the group's route and assessments of campsite safety.
· "Changjiao" of the Green Sheep Tribe: a man of few words but astonishing arm strength.
Jianshi and Wang Yan had seen these men's abilities and character, and their hearts filled with delight. These were the cream of their respective tribes. If they could be brought into the Fire Tribe, they would surely strengthen it immensely.
Over this journey of nearly a month, Dali and Dazhuang, the Fire Tribe's two mighty warriors, had become thoroughly friendly with the leaders and warriors of the other tribes.
At camp, their hearty laughter and boasting-more often mutual praise-frequently rang out around the fire. Dali would swing his stone axe, demonstrating some of the Fire Tribe's techniques for putting strength into a strike while hunting; Dazhuang would compete with others in contests of strength, his bear-like power winning over many a stout fellow. In return, the warriors of the other tribes would demonstrate their own unique hunting methods or insights into fighting, such as how the Bison Tribe used charging attacks to create openings, or how the White Pig Tribe kept their balance and exerted force in the mud.
They shared hearty mouthfuls of the Fire Tribe's plentiful food-salt-cured dried fish and chunks of roasted meat dripping with fat. Abundant nourishment had made everyone visibly sturdier, and they were all in excellent spirits. Amid these frank and enthusiastic exchanges, their friendship had rapidly warmed.
At last, they reached the fork where they would part. Jianshi had his tribespeople bring out the gifts prepared well in advance.
· One hemp garment per person: soft, breathable, and sturdy, these hemp clothes were worlds apart in comfort from the coarse animal hides they wore.
· One portion of dried fish per person: delicious meat sufficient to feed each of them for several days.
· One small pottery bowl per person: these were small pieces of pottery the Fire Tribe had deliberately set aside, suitable for eating and drinking, both practical and a symbol of status.
When these gifts were placed in the warriors' hands, they were all stunned! Hemp clothes and pottery bowls were fine things that only chiefs and a very few others could enjoy in their tribes! Yet the Fire Tribe was so generous that everyone received a share!
"This... this is too precious!" Qingti of the Deer Tribe said, his hands trembling slightly as he cradled the pottery bowl.
"Chief Jianshi, how could we possibly accept..." Changjiao of the Green Sheep Tribe also stammered.
Juti gave the brand-new hemp garment he wore a firm pat, feeling its unprecedented comfort, and laughed in a booming voice. "Haha! Good! Chief Jianshi, your Fire Tribe really knows how to treat people! I, Juti, am making friends with you for good! Next time there's a cushy job like this, where we get to eat and drink our fill and take home good things, make sure you don't forget our Bison Tribe!"
"Yes, yes! Don't forget us!" Niqiu of the White Pig Tribe and the other warriors chimed in, their faces brimming with heartfelt smiles and gratitude.
The reluctance they had felt at parting was now greatly eased by these generous gifts and sincere friendship, replaced by the anticipation of "doing great things together again next time."
Dali and Dazhuang tightly embraced these brothers with whom they had competed, drunk, and boasted throughout the journey, pounding one another's chests.
"Manshi, next time we meet, let's have another match!"
"Niqiu, I still haven't learned all of your trapping tricks!"
Amid farewells and promises, the warriors of the four tribes headed off toward their respective tribes in complete satisfaction, bearing the Fire Tribe's gifts, bellies full of food, and an entirely new understanding of the Fire Tribe's generosity and strength.
Watching their retreating figures, Jianshi said to Wang Yan beside him, "Did you see that, Yan? Sometimes food and weapons can make people submit, but only sincerity and sharing can win true friends and respect. Once these men return, they'll all be the best people to spread the word about our Fire Tribe."
Wang Yan nodded deeply. His father was not merely trading goods; he was cultivating people's hearts. The long-term value of this "extra" investment might be even greater than that of the pottery they had traded away. The Fire Tribe's reputation for benevolence and generosity would surely spread far and wide through these twenty-five mouths, drawing in more talent in the future and forging firmer alliances.