Walking Together

While the elders of Daiyue and Valley Tribe were discussing matters in the council hall, Yan and Qingsui were strolling along the path from the Valley Tribe council hall to the Fire Tribe's temporary camp by the dock. The path wasn't long, but Qingsui walked very slowly, her steps small as she walked beside Yan, as if afraid that if she walked too fast, she would reach the end.

Yan walked to her left, his pace slow, matching her rhythm. Qingsui lowered her head, looking at the road beneath her feet, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her clothes. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed it back. She repeated this several times before finally speaking again.

"You rarely come here, and you're leaving so soon?" Her voice was very soft, as if she didn't want to disturb something.

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, there are still many things to take care of in our tribe."

Qingsui was silent for a moment, then slowed her pace and said, "I understand." Her voice held a hint of disappointment. "Your Fire Tribe has so many people and so many things to do, and you're the young chief, you must be very busy."

Yan sensed the emotion in her tone and felt a little guilty, saying, "Yes, the Fire Tribe has recently taken in another 10,000 people, bringing their Fire Tribe population to 110,000. I need to get the grain back as soon as possible so they can feel at ease."

Qingsui paused, looked up at Yan, and asked with a hint of surprise, "110,000 people? You've grown so fast?"

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, quite a few small tribes have joined our Fire Tribe on the west bank of the Fish River, and quite a few people have also come from the Little Horse River basin."

Qingsui lowered her head and continued walking, her brows slightly furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice even softer. "You haven't been to the Valley Tribe for several months."

Yan's heart tightened. He remembered that the last time he came to the Valley Tribe was several months ago. Now it was late autumn, which meant it had been several months. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain something, but he felt that any explanation would be pale and powerless. The Fire Tribe was busy, and the Valley Tribe was not idle either. Qingsui was learning how to manage the tribe from Daiyue, so she must be busy too. But busy as she was, she still missed him after not seeing him for several months.

"Yes," Yan said, his voice tinged with apology, "But the Fire Tribe has been really busy lately. We've taken in 10,000 new people, and we need to settle them, distribute land, and provide supplies. The shipbuilding workshop is working day and night, and we've already built a ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, and we still need to build more large ships. The Youth Team has also received many new children, and we need to train them and teach them to read. There are just one thing after another, and we can't stop."

He paused, looking at Qingsui's profile, and said, "However, our Fire Tribe's management center will likely be moved to our Little Fish River Mouth Outpost next year." His voice held a hint of anticipation. "Then, we'll be even closer."

Qingsui suddenly raised her head, her eyes lighting up like a star suddenly appearing in the night sky, and asked, "Really?"

Yan nodded, seeing the light in her eyes, and his heart brightened. He said, "It really is. It used to be the Fish Tribe's camp, but now it's our Fire Tribe's Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. From there, you can take a boat down the Fish River to the Valley Tribe in just ten days."

Qingsui's eyes brightened, and a slight smile appeared on her lips as she said, "Ten days? So fast?"

Yan smiled and said, "Well, when our Fire Tribe's management center moves there, we'll be even closer. If you come to visit, you can take a boat from the Valley Tribe and travel upstream along the Fish River; it will only take about twenty days."

Qingsui nodded, her smile deepening, but it quickly faded, like clouds scattered by the wind.

"I've been very busy lately," she sighed. "My father made me learn how to manage the tribe. Every day I have to handle so many things: checking accounts, inventorying supplies, assigning people, and accompanying him to meet the tribal chiefs. I'm never free." She paused, a hint of helplessness in her voice, "I don't have time to visit your tribe for the time being."

Yan looked at her and felt a pang of heartache. Qingsui was only fifteen years old. In her previous life, she would have been a middle school student. Here, however, she had to learn to manage a tribe of 20,000 people.

"It's alright," he said gently. "Come visit whenever you have time. You're always welcome to come to the Fire Tribe."

Qingsui nodded, her smile returning somewhat, and said, "Okay, I'll definitely go have some fun when I have time."

The two continued walking forward. A gust of wind blew by, bringing a few fallen leaves that swirled around their feet. Qingsui reached out and caught one, looked at it, and then let go, letting the wind carry it away.

"Your Fire Tribe is truly remarkable," she suddenly said, her voice tinged with admiration. "You can now build ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin (25,000 kg), and you've absorbed another 10,000 people, bringing your population to 110,000. In this Fish River Basin, only the Tiger Tribe has a slightly larger population than you."

Yan nodded, his gaze drifting downstream towards the Tiger Tribe. "We're forced into this situation. The Tiger Tribe is difficult to deal with, and our Fire Tribe needs to make some preparations in advance." He paused, his voice becoming serious. "The Tiger Tribe has over 100,000 people, 30,000 armored warriors, and giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Although our Fire Tribe is developing rapidly, we still lag behind the Tiger Tribe. We must hurry!"

Qingsui nodded, deeply agreeing, and said, "The Tiger Tribe is indeed difficult to deal with. Our Valley Tribe Tiger Tribe suffered a lot at their hands over the years."

Yan didn't respond. He was aware of the situation of the Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe. Both tribes were being suppressed by the Tiger Tribe, one upstream and the other midstream. The two walked in silence for a while.

"Then you should prepare well today and get some rest," Qingsui said. "You'll be handling the transaction tomorrow, so you'll definitely be very busy."

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, we need to start the handover first thing tomorrow morning. It's over four million catties of grain, plus the inventory of the pottery, so it will take at least two days."

Qingsui did some calculations and then asked, "So you'll be finished by the afternoon of the day after tomorrow?"

Yan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "More or less, it should be finished by the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."

Qingsui nodded, her eyes brightening, and said, "I also have some things to take care of recently, so I'll come see you the day after tomorrow afternoon."

Yan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

The two walked a little further. They had arrived at the Fire Tribe's temporary camp. People were walking around, talking, and singing in the camp. The sounds carried from afar, creating a lively atmosphere. Qingsui stopped and turned around to look at Yan.

"I'll be going now," she said, her voice tinged with reluctance.

Yan nodded and said, "Then be careful on your journey."

Qingsui nodded, turned and walked towards the direction of the Valley Tribe. After a few steps, she turned back and said, "Yan, you go back first. See you the day after tomorrow."

Yan smiled and said, "Okay."

Qingsui smiled, turned around and walked away quickly. Her figure grew farther and farther away, smaller and smaller. Yan stood at the camp gate, looking in that direction, and didn't move for a long time until she was completely out of sight. Only then did he turn around and walk back to the camp.