The Fire Tribe's Spring Meeting

While the Wolf Tribe was causing havoc in the north, the Fire Tribe remained largely unaffected. Time flew by, and winter finally passed. The snow melted, the ice thawed, the rivers rose, the trees sprouted, the grass turned green, and the flowers bloomed. The Fire Tribe's valley was bustling with activity. After the large-scale population influx last autumn and the entire winter of rest and recuperation, the Fire Tribe had more people, more land, and more houses.

The new members of the Fire Tribe who joined last year had a very comfortable winter, the most comfortable winter of their lives. They didn't have to worry about food or clothing; they wore warm linen clothes, newly woven by the weavers, soft and warm. They didn't have to worry about housing either. The elderly sat on the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) basking in the sun, squinting their eyes, while children outside built snowmen and had snowball fights, their little faces red from the cold, their noses running, but they laughed happily. The women sat inside weaving and making clothes, the spinning wheels creaking and the shuttles flying back and forth.

For the first time in winter, they were well-fed, warmly dressed, and slept soundly, without being woken up in the middle of the night by the cold, huddled in a corner, hugging their knees, shivering, or waiting for dawn with rumbling stomachs, unable to sleep. Many people cried during the winter, unsure whether they were happy or sad. They were happy that life was better now, like a dream, but sad because the past was so bitter, as bitter as gall, and some family members had passed away before enjoying this happiness.

In the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters, the firewood in the hearth burned brightly, crackling and sputtering. Although spring had arrived, the mornings and evenings were still cool, so the house needed a fire; one couldn't sit still without one. Sunlight streamed in at an angle, casting golden patches on the ground. Dust motes floated in the patches, like countless tiny flying insects or tiny stars. Several animal hide maps hung on the walls, their charcoal drawings depicting the Fire Tribe's various strongholds and fields, densely packed like a spider web or the roots of a large tree. In a corner lay a pile of bronze farm tools: Chutou, sickles, and plowshares.

The high-ranking members of the Fire Tribe were now seated here. Chief Jianshi sat in the main seat, with Qingye on his left and Yan on his right. Below them sat, in order, the leaders Jianya, Dali, Dabang Dazhuang, Canglan Jia Li, Wu Xiong, Muye, Shuize, Mu Jijiao, Shu Ze, Ji Jiao, and Binmao, among others. Each of them wore a smile, and their eyes shone with a genuine light. The smiles were heartfelt, and the light was full of hope. After a winter of rest, everyone was full of energy and enthusiasm.

Dazhuang and Dali also rushed back from the outpost. They were travel-worn but in good spirits. Dali wore a newly made linen robe, which was blue and shimmered softly in the firelight. He had shaved his stubble clean and looked several years younger. Dazhuang wore a leather armor made of wild boar hide. He had a bronze sword at his waist with simple patterns engraved on the scabbard and hemp rope wrapped around the hilt. His skin was tanned dark, as if it had been painted with ink. His hands were as rough as old tree bark, with large knuckles, yellowed nails, and calluses all over his palms.

Jianshi spoke first, his voice Chenwen and powerful. "Spring is just around the corner, and spring plowing is a major event for our Fire Tribe. It cannot be delayed. This year, our Fire Tribe 'Fire Tribe most important task is to ensure our food security. If the tribe doesn't have enough food, nothing can be done."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said, "Thanks to everyone's efforts last year, the area of paddy fields cultivated in our Fire Tribe has greatly increased. The fields we reclaimed last year can all be planted this year. After planting the reclaimed paddy fields last spring, we can reclaim some more and plant another batch. In this way, the Fire Tribe can grow enough grain to meet our own needs this year. Not only will everyone be fed, but we'll also have a considerable surplus."

His voice rose slightly, tinged with confidence and pride. "Of course, with so many people in our Fire Tribe, over 100,000 mouths to feed, the more food the better. We also need to stockpile as much grain as the Valley Tribe, just in case. This year, our Fire Tribe will also exchange 20 million catties of grain with the Valley Tribe. This matter is also very important to our Fire Tribe, and we cannot afford any mistakes."

He paused, his gaze turning serious, and said, "Transporting grain from the Valley Tribe requires more ships, bigger ships. This year, the conflict between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe will intensify. They've already informed our Fire Tribe that the Valley Tribe Fire Tribe not send ships to assist us in transporting grain this year. Perhaps the Valley Tribe won't even have enough ships of its own. We'll have to rely on our Fire Tribe to transport grain from the Valley Tribe ourselves. Dabang, tell everyone here about our Fire Tribe's ship production situation this year."

Dabang Stick nodded, stood up, and walked to the center of the council hall. He was the head of the Fire Tribe's workshops, in charge of all the workshops, including shipbuilding, pottery, smelting, and weaving. He knew the production situation like the back of his hand and had a mental record of everything. He wore a linen short jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thick forearms, which were muscular and had prominent veins. His hands were rough and strong, with large knuckles and wood and copper shavings embedded in his fingernails. His voice was loud and clear, like thunder, echoing in the council hall.

"Everyone, our Fire Tribe plans to build forty-nine ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each and fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin each this year. By then, our Fire Tribe will have fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each and one hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin each."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said with a smile, "We made ample preparations some time ago. The materials are ready, and we have enough manpower. The craftsmen are working day and night in three shifts. By the time we go to the Valley Tribe for the first time to transport grain after spring, we will be able to build nine ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties each. At that time, our Fire Tribe's naval strength will surpass that of the Valley Tribe."

His voice rose slightly, tinged with pride, as if he were showing off some treasure. "Moreover, as our Fire Tribe continues to increase its fleet, the gap in strength between us and the Valley Tribe will widen, like a snowball rolling downhill. By then, even if we want to trade downstream on the Fish River, the Valley Tribe won't dare to stop our Fire Tribe's fleet."

Amidst cheers and applause, some slapped the table, some slapped their thighs, and some shouted "Bravo!" The council chamber was as lively as a market. Dabang continued, "We expect to be able to develop and build a large ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin by the end of this year. We are very confident in this."

Jianshi nodded, his eyes gleaming, and said, "Alright, for now, our Fire Tribe shouldn't go to the lower reaches of the Fish River to trade. It's best for us to keep a low profile. Once our Fire Tribe has built its 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship, we'll have the strength to challenge the Tiger Tribe."

He paused, looked at the Dabang, and said with anticipation in his eyes, "Are you really confident that you can build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin by the end of this year? That's excellent. We're all waiting for your good news. Now, give us whatever you need—people, materials, whatever you need—make sure you build that ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin."

Dabang nodded, returned to his seat, Jianshi Stone turned to Yan and continued, "Now, our Fire Tribe and Valley Tribe are trading this year's grain. Sixty percent will be in bronze vessels and forty percent in coarse salt. This was agreed upon last year, but for the first transaction, it would be better if you, Yan, went there in person. I trust you to handle things."

Yan nodded, stood up straight, and said, "Yes, Father, I will take care of it and bring the grain back from the Valley Tribe."

Jianshi nodded, then looked at Dali and Dazhuang and asked, "Dali, Dazhuang, how are things at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost? What's the situation there? Don't just report good news, tell us everything."

Dali stood up, grinning, and said, "Brother, things are going well at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost. It's been great. This year, the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is self-sufficient. We have enough food, enough houses, and enough people. We even have some surplus food this year, so we don't need to transport grain from headquarters anymore, which saves us a lot of trouble."

He paused, rubbed his hands together, his eyes sparkling like two light bulbs, and said, "The culinary expert you assigned to me makes incredibly delicious food, better than anything I've ever had before. Braised pork, steamed fish, chicken soup—he's good at everything, and we never eat the same thing twice. I can eat it every day and I never get tired of it."

His voice held a hint of expectation and pleading as he said, "Could I stay a few more days at the Fire Tribe headquarters this time? That 50,000-jin (25,000 kg) boat is so comfortable to ride in, much more stable than a small boat. It doesn't rock, sway, or make you seasick. I'd like to ride it a few more times at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, have some fun, and go for a spin on the Fish River, enjoy the breeze, and see the scenery."

Jianshi smiled, his wrinkles smoothing out, and said, "Alright, then stay a few more days, ride it a few more times, enjoy it to the fullest, and go back when you've had your fill."

He paused, then his tone became serious as he said, "But Dali, you don't need to be envious, don't be jealous, and don't worry. By spring, our tribe will have ten large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each. We'll have more than the Valley Tribe then. Once Yan returns from transporting grain from the Gu Valley Tribe, I'll allocate one to your Red Flower River Mouth Outpost! You can ride it every day, ride it to your heart's content, until you don't want to ride it anymore!"

Dali was overjoyed, his eyes narrowed into slits, his mouth stretched to his ears, revealing a set of white teeth, and he couldn't stop smiling as he said, "Thank you, Big Brother! Thank you, Big Brother! I knew Big Brother was good to me! Big Brother loves me the most!"

Dazhuang also stood up. He said Chenwen, "Brother, things are going well on my end, but there's just too much to do. I'm constantly on the go, overseeing many outposts: Little Fish River Mouth, Pottery Salt River Mouth Estuary, Stone Creek River Mouth, Qinghe, Shuize, Hundred Crafts, Beast Taming, and the High Pointed Mountain. I'm running around every day, going to one outpost today, another tomorrow, and yet another the day after, checking on work, arranging production, handling disputes, and mediating conflicts."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, as if in a knot, and said, "When will our Fire Tribe move the Tiger Tribe's administrative center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost? I've already expanded the camp, dock, and houses at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Everything is ready, just waiting for you to arrive. The houses are built, the dock has been expanded, the warehouses have been built, and the roads have been paved."

Jianshi Shi nodded and said, "We're already preparing for this, making arrangements and planning. We can't rush it, or we'll make mistakes and cause problems. I'll also send some people over to help you soon. After the autumn harvest this year, we should be able to move the management center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost."

He paused, looked at Dazhuang, and said, "Just hang in there a little longer, endure a little more hardship, and bear with it a little longer."

Dazhuang nodded, a smile spreading across his face, and said, "Okay, big brother, I'm not afraid of hard work, I'm just afraid of not doing things well, and I'm afraid of letting you down."

Dazhuang said, "By the way, recently quite a few tribes in the Little Horse River basin have wanted to join our Fire Tribe. I estimate there are more than four thousand of them. They are all small tribes that are struggling to make ends meet, often going hungry. They heard that the Fire Tribe is a good place to live, so they want to come. I had someone inquire about it."

Dali also spoke up, not wanting to be outdone, his voice tinged with urgency. "Big brother, there are about five thousand people in the Green Leaf River basin who want to join our Fire Tribe. Even the Long Leaf Tribe and Short Leaf Tribe are inquiring. They've seen how well the people from the Red Flower River and Orange River are doing after joining us—they have enough to eat, warm clothes, and comfortable housing—and they're tempted to come too."

Jianshi said happily, "This is great news, a wonderful thing! Those who want to join our Fire Tribe, you can agree to join us. We will welcome all who come. After we finish transporting the first batch of grain to the Valley Tribe, we will come to pick them up. We will arrange for them to stay at the Fire Tribe headquarters for a while to adapt to life, learn the rules, learn to read, practice martial arts, and recuperate."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said, "At the Fire Tribe headquarters, I will be relocating a group of people to the outer outposts in the coming period, clearing out houses and land for the newcomers."

Dali and Dazhuang nodded and replied in unison, "Okay!"

Next, Jianshi arranged the spring plowing for the Fire Tribe. He clearly explained how many acres each stronghold would plant, which leader would be responsible for which area, when to sow, when to fertilize, when to irrigate, when to weed, and when to harvest. Everyone discussed and resolved some details and issues.

Then, one by one, people left, their footsteps and voices fading into the distance, like the receding tide.