Shock and the Banquet
Guided by a lead boat, the Fire Tribe's fleet sailed in a grand procession toward the Valley Tribe's headquarters dock on the west bank of the Fish River. More than 600 boats formed a line stretching for miles on the river, with ten giant ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, leading the way, their Chuantou raised high. At the Valley Tribe's headquarters dock, people were busy at work, but upon seeing the Fire Tribe's massive fleet, everyone stopped what they were doing, as if they had been frozen in place.
"Look! That's the Fire Tribe's fleet!" someone shouted, their voice high-pitched.
"Why are there so many big ships? There are even more than last time! There weren't this many when we came last time!"
"Why are those first few ships so big? They're as big as the ships from our Valley Tribe!"
"One, two, three... ten! Ten ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each! My God!"
People on the dock dropped what they were doing and rushed to the edge, craning their necks to look. Some stood on tiptoe, some climbed to higher ground, and some squeezed to the front, all wanting a better view. Their faces were filled with shock, their mouths agape, their eyes wide open, and some didn't even notice when they dropped what they were holding.
If Daiyan hadn't sent someone to warn them beforehand that the Fire Tribe's fleet was arriving today, the Valley Tribe would have thought the Tiger Tribe had come to attack. Such a large fleet, so many ships, such a grand display—only the Tiger Tribe could muster such resources. Without prior warning, it would have certainly caused immense panic.
Quyong stood on the dock, staring wide-eyed at the approaching fleet, his mouth agape, his jaw practically dropping to the ground. He was the dock defense chief of the Valley Tribe, in charge of dock affairs. He had seen many large ships and fleets, but never one this large. More than six hundred ships: ten with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, fifty with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin, two hundred with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin... He had never seen such a sight, not even in his dreams. His men were also dumbfounded, standing there motionless as if struck by lightning.
"This... this..." Quyong murmured, his voice so low that only he could hear it, as if talking to himself. "How long has it been? One winter has passed, and the Fire Tribe's 50,000-jin carrying capacity ships have increased from one to ten? One to ten, a tenfold increase! Ten ships! That's the same as our Valley Tribe! Our Valley Tribe spent decades developing before we increased our 50,000-jin carrying capacity ships to ten! The path the Valley Tribe traversed over decades, the Fire Tribe accomplished in just a few years. The difference..."
He recalled that last autumn, Yan had told him at the dock that the Fire Tribe was going to build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. At the time, he was very shocked and skeptical afterward, thinking the Fire Tribe was just bragging and exaggerating. A ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin was something only the Tiger Tribe possessed. The Fire Tribe had only been developing for a few years, and they already wanted to build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin? Dream on. But now, seeing these ten brand-new ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, he was starting to believe it. If the Fire Tribe could build nine ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin in a few months, why couldn't they build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin in a year? The young leader of the Fire Tribe must be very confident to say that.
It seems that the Fire Tribe does indeed have the potential to become a large tribe like the Tiger Tribe. They have people, technology, food, resources, ambition, and drive. If this trend continues, another large tribe like the Tiger Tribe will probably emerge in the Fish River Basin, one at the river mouth and one upstream, facing each other from north to south!
Quyong took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and began to give orders. His voice was loud and clear, like thunder, startling his stunned subordinates.
"Quickly! Arrange the berths! Clear out the largest berths for the Fire Tribe's big ships! Ten ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each must use the widest berths!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the dock. "Also, send a few more men to help tie the mooring lines! The Fire Tribe has many ships, and they might not have enough manpower! Don't keep them waiting!"
The subordinates then came to their senses and rushed off to make arrangements.
"Yes!"
"Go quickly!"
"Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"
The dock suddenly became bustling with activity. People were running around, some moving the moored boats, some cleaning the berths, some preparing ropes, and some carrying things. The noise and footsteps were chaotic, like a pot of boiling porridge.
Quyong stood at the dock, watching the Fire Tribe's fleet slowly approach. A smile played on his lips, but it was somewhat stiff and unnatural. The Tiger Tribe had now imposed sanctions on the Valley Tribe, preventing them from selling pottery, buying bronze, or purchasing coarse salt—a stranglehold on their livelihood. The Fire Tribe had become the Valley Tribe Valley Tribe's most important trading partner, their benefactor. The stronger the Fire Tribe became, the more beneficial it was to the Valley Tribe; the stronger the Fire Tribe grew, the more the Valley Tribe would benefit.
The fleet docked, and ten giant ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin (25,000 kg) slowly entered the berth. The ships came to a steady stop, and the mooring lines were thrown up, caught by the dock workers, and tied to the bollards. The ships behind them docked one after another, lined up neatly like soldiers in formation.
After arranging the docking of the fleet, Yan jumped off the largest ship and strode towards the pier. His steps were light, and he had a smile on his face. He felt relaxed. Jia Li followed behind him. Feiyu and Bailin stayed on the ship, still directing the docking and inventorying the supplies.
Quyong quickly stepped forward, his smile becoming more genuine. His eyes narrowed into slits, and his mouth stretched to his ears. He warmly shook Yan's hand and said, "Young Chief Yan, it's been a long time! Your Fire Tribe's fleet is growing larger and larger. Last year when you came, you said that your Fire Tribe was researching and building ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. I didn't quite believe it then, but seeing you increase the number of ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin from one to ten in just a few months, I'm starting to believe it now."
Yan smiled, a gentle yet confident smile, and said, "The conflict between your Valley Tribe and Bear Tribe has intensified. This year, our Fire Tribe and Valley Tribe will be trading 20 million catties of grain. We'll have to rely on our Fire Tribe for transportation. It won't be convenient without building more large ships! Transporting 20 million catties of grain is no small amount; without ships, we can't get it back."
He paused, then continued, "Our Fire Tribe has recently made some breakthroughs in shipbuilding technology. The craftsmen have figured out new methods that have greatly improved efficiency. We are confident that we can build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin by the end of the year, which will make transportation much more convenient."
Quyong gave a thumbs-up in admiration, his eyes wide, and said, "Your Fire Tribe is truly amazing. You've grown from a small tribe to this size in just a few years. Our Valley Tribe has been developing for decades, and we're still not as good as you."
He paused, then turned and pointed to an open space next to the dock, saying, "Young Master Yan, I've cleared out this space near the dock. It's the same old spot; you can set up a temporary camp there. It's spacious and easy to get water."
Yan clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, his movements crisp and efficient, and said, "Then thank you very much, Chief Quyong. I'm so sorry to trouble you every time I come."
Quyong waved his hand and said, "It's only right, it's only right. Please make yourselves at home. I'll go arrange some other things first. There are still many things waiting for me to handle at the dock."
Yan nodded and said with a smile, "It's alright, you guys go ahead and do your work. Don't worry about us, we can manage."
Quyong nodded and left quickly. Yan turned around and, with Yingmu, Shibang, and Jia Li, went to set up a temporary camp. They busied themselves in the open space. Feiyu and Bailin were in charge of the Fire Tribe's fleet docking and the handover of coarse salt and bronzeware for tomorrow. Just as Yan was finishing up, Qingsui and Fengren over to invite Yan and his men to a banquet.
Qingsui wore a light-colored linen dress, her hair tied in a simple bun and secured with a wooden hairpin. A few stray strands of hair fell beside her ears, shimmering in the sunlight. A faint smile graced her face, and her eyes sparkled like two stars. She had arrived at the Fire Tribe's temporary camp earlier than the others. When the Fire Tribe warriors saw her, they all greeted her with smiles, some calling out "Girl Qingsui," some nodding, and some waving.
Seeing Yan, she quickened her pace, walked up to him, and asked in a clear, bell-like voice, "I didn't expect you to come first this spring! I thought Uncle Jianya would come first! My father said it was Jianya, but I said it might not be."
Yan looked up at her and said, "After all, this is the first transaction of the year, and the situation is complicated. My father sent me to take charge. For the next few transactions, Uncle Jianya will handle it."
Qingsui nodded, her eyes shining, and said, "Your Fire Tribe's fleet is even larger this time, and you even have ten ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each. You have as many large ships as our Valley Tribe! You build ships really fast. Our Valley Tribe has accumulated ten ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each over a long period of time, taking decades to gather them all. You've built nine of them in just a few months."
Yan said, "Our Fire Tribe has too many secrets. Pottery, coarse salt, bronze—these are things others covet. If we don't seize the time to develop our strength and build large ships, what will we use to defend ourselves when they come knocking on our door? We need to make more preparations!"
Qingsui nodded and said, "I understand. By the way, my father has invited you to a banquet. Food and drinks have been prepared in the council hall. Why don't you come with us and have something to eat? You've been on the boat all day; you should rest."
Yan nodded, wiped the dust off his hands, and said, "Okay, I'll go prepare. Wait for me a moment, then call a few people and bring some gifts."
Qingsui nodded and waited at the camp gate. Yan summoned Feiyu, Bailin, Jia Li, Yingmu, and Shibang, and brought ten trusted followers, each carrying a load of gifts. The loads contained exquisite pottery, coarse salt, fine linen, and several bronze artifacts—gifts for Daiyue, not for trade. He explained the matters at the Fire Tribe's temporary camp before going with Qingsui and Fengren to the Valley Tribe's headquarters for the banquet.
As the group walked along the road, the members of the Valley Tribe stopped what they were doing and looked at the group with curiosity. Some of them recognized Yan and whispered among themselves.
"That's the young leader of the Fire Tribe? He's so young."
"I heard the Fire Tribe now has over 100,000 people, much larger than our Valley Tribe."
"Look at the loads those attendants are carrying, aren't they full of gifts? The Fire Tribe is so generous, always bringing so many good things every time they come."