The Newcomers at Red Flower River Mouth
On the morning of the third day after the fleet left the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost finally came into Yan's view. From afar, Yan could see a large group of people standing on the dock, densely packed and stretching as far as the eye could see. They were the new members of the Fire Tribe who were about to join, with their families, waiting on the dock.
Dali stood on the dock, hands on his hips, like an iron tower, directing people to maintain order. He wore an old linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thick forearms, muscles firm, veins bulging like earthworms wriggling under his skin. His skin was tanned dark, as if painted with ink, and his hands were as rough as old tree bark, with large knuckles, yellowed nails, and calluses all over his palms.
He had a smile on his face, his eyes narrowed to slits, but his gaze was bright, like two lamps. When he saw Yan's large fleet, his eyes lit up, and he strode forward, his feet moving as if they were springs, taking two steps at a time.
The fleet slowly approached the shore. Twenty massive ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, lined up in a row, resembling twenty Little Mountain or twenty giant beasts, lying quietly on the water. The bows of the Chuantou were raised high, and the sails were billowing in the morning breeze. Dali looked at these large ships, his face flushed with excitement, his eyes wide like copper bells, and his mouth agape for a long time. He strode up to Yan, grabbed Yan's hand, and shook it hard. His grip was so strong, like an iron clamp, that Yan's arm shook violently.
"Yan, I can't believe that in less than two months, our Fire Tribe has gained ten more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each! Last time we only had ten, this time there are twenty, that's doubled!" His voice was full of excitement, like thunder, making everyone around him turn their heads. "Our shipbuilding speed is too fast, it's like magic!"
Yan smiled and said, "Yes, we plan to complete the project of building ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin this year first. If we can't build ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin by the end of the year, we'll build more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. As long as we have more ships, we won't be afraid of the Tiger Tribe. If they send one ship, we'll send ten to surround them and see who's stronger."
He paused, then continued, "But we're sure we'll be able to build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin by the end of the year. Uncle Dabang said they're very confident."
Dali nodded, his eyes shining, and said, "Last time I asked Dabang in private, he patted his chest and told me that the ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties would definitely be manufactured by the end of the year. He even swore a solemn oath! He also promised me that after it was manufactured, I would be the first to go for the test voyage, and no one was allowed to take it from me!" When he said this, the expression on his face was like that of a child, full of anticipation, and his mouth stretched to the roots of his ears.
Yan looked at him, shook his head with a smile, feeling both amused and annoyed. He said, "Uncle Dali, don't be in such a hurry this time. After I bring the people back, when Uncle Jianya goes to the Valley Tribe to transport grain, I'll have him bring over that 50,000-jin carrying capacity ship you've been longing for. You'll have one at Red Flower River Mouth, so you won't have to keep thinking about the main tribe, and you won't have to be envious every day."
He nodded Dali, his smile widening, his eyes narrowing into slits, his mouth stretching to his ears, revealing a set of fairly even teeth. "Okay, I know what's important. We'll pick them up first. Picking them up is the tribe's top priority. We'll talk about the boat after that. The boat won't run away; I'm waiting."
Yan turned to Shibang and Feiyu beside him and said, "You two take half the boats and go to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to pick up people. There are several thousand people waiting there. I'll wait for you here. Once you arrive, we'll go back together."
Shibang nodded, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Don't worry, boss, we guarantee we'll bring everyone back, not one missing!"
Feiyu nodded, his expression solemn, and said, "Young Chief, we won't have any problems on the way."
The two men, leading half of the fleet, continued downstream along the Fish River towards the mouth of the Little Fish River Mouth. The fleet was magnificent, with ten large ships leading the way like ten giant beasts, and small boats following behind like a school of fish fry. The sails billowed in the morning breeze, and the oars cut through the water as they gradually moved away and disappeared around the bend in the river.
Dali watched the ten large ships sail away, his eyes gleaming, but he quickly looked away. He glanced at the dense crowd on the dock, then at the ten ships left behind, rubbed his hands together so hard they rustled, and said to Yan, "Yan, could I take one of these ships out for a spin? Just a short trip, nothing too long, nothing too inconvenient to pick up people."
Yan smiled, knowing that his obsession with ships had resurfaced, and said, "Go ahead, but don't go too far. Come back soon so everyone doesn't wait."
Dali responded and turned to run. He jumped onto a giant ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, took the helm himself, and sailed into the main channel of the Fish River. The Chuantou sailed on the river, its bow cutting through the water and stirring up white Langhua. Dali stood at the Chuantou, hands on his hips, head held high, exuding confidence and style. The wind blew his hair and the hem of his clothes. He squinted at the distance, his face full of rapture. The ship circled the river for a long time until the sun was setting before he reluctantly returned, his face full of a satisfied smile, as sweet as honey.
Yan ignored him and had the new recruits at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost load the other small items onto the boat first. They loaded everything they could, leaving nothing behind. The larger items were too heavy, so they were left for later. The new recruits lined up and carried the items onto the boat in baskets and loads. The dock was bustling with people.
The next morning, Shibang and Feiyu arrived with the people from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The cabin was full of people. Together with the people from Red Flower River Mouth, the two new tribes had nearly 10,000 people. Yan ordered the fleet to be combined, and the twenty giant ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties each were moored side by side, like twenty Little Mountain.
Once everyone was on board, Yan gave the order, the horns sounded, and the fleet slowly started moving, heading upstream along the Fish River. Twenty giant ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, led the way, their sails billowing in the morning breeze. The oars slashed the water's surface. The newlyweds stood on the ships, looking at the scenery on both banks with curiosity and anticipation in their eyes. Children ran around on the decks, while the adults pointed to the distant mountains, trees, and fields, discussing animatedly.
Six days later, the fleet finally returned to its stronghold at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. The fleet slowly docked, and the smaller boats, weighing less than 10,000 jin (approximately 5,000 kg), continued upstream along the Fire Creek River, heading directly Fire Tribe Tribe's main valley. The new tribespeople generally traveled in these small boats. The larger boats, with a carrying capacity of 20,000 or 50,000 jin (approximately 10,000 kg), were too deep to enter the Fire Creek River and had to stop at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. The new tribespeople's belongings were loaded onto these larger boats and unloaded directly at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, piled up on the dock like small Little Mountain. They had everything; they would then send smaller boats to transport them back to the Fire Tribe's main territory, taking their time.
Yan led the new tribespeople in a small boat, traveling upstream along the Fire Creek River back to the Fire Tribe's main valley. The scenery along the Fire Creek River became increasingly familiar: lush green fields stretched as far as the eye could see, like a green carpet; neat rows of wooden houses stood like soldiers in formation; and herds of cattle and sheep grazed on the hillsides like white clouds. The newcomers stood on the boat, their eyes shining as they gazed at everything, exclaiming in admiration. Some said, "What vast fields!" Others said, "So many cattle!" and still others said, "What beautiful houses!"
At the Fire Tribe's headquarters dock, Jianshi had already been waiting with some of the tribe's leaders. Dabang, Jijiao, Binmao, Canglan, and Wu Xiong stood ramrod straight. When they saw the fleet dock, Jianshi quickly went to greet them with a smile on his face.
The fleet slowly approached the shore, and the newcomers disembarked one after another. Under the guidance of the Fire Tribe members, they went to designated places to rest, eat, and settle Jianshi. While arranging for people to check the health of these newcomers, change their clothes, and distribute supplies, Jian Shi sent people to take the tribal leaders of these newcomers to see the Fire Tribe's warehouse.
The tribal chiefs followed the Fire Tribe into the warehouse. The warehouse was huge, like a palace. As soon as they entered, they were stunned. The warehouse was filled with grain, sacks stacked neatly from floor to ceiling. Coarse salt was piled up like Little Mountain, and hemp cloth was folded into neat stacks like city walls. Bronze artifacts were displayed on shelves, swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks, gleaming under the lamplight. There were also pottery, tools, and animal hides, everything imaginable, a dazzling array that made one's eyes dazzled.
The tribal chiefs stared in disbelief, their eyes wide and gaping, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground. They had never seen so much grain, so much salt, so much cloth, so many good things in their lives. Some reached out and touched the grain sacks as if they were touching gold; others picked up a handful of salt, tasted it, and their eyes lit up; still others picked up a ceramic bowl, turning it over and over, admiring it as if it were a priceless treasure. Their faces were filled with astonishment, but their hearts were filled with relief. They felt they had made the right choice joining the Fire Tribe; their lives now held hope, and they would never have to worry about food or clothing again.
Jianshi then summoned Yan to the council hall to discuss matters. In the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters, the firewood in the hearth was burning brightly, crackling and sputtering, making the room warm and cozy, dispelling the chill of late spring. Jianshi sat in the main seat, with Qingye on his left and the right seat empty—reserved for Yan. Below him sat the leaders in order: Dabang, Jijiao, Binmao, Canglan, and Wu Xiong, each with a solemn expression. Yan walked in and sat down next to Jianshi.
Jianshi spoke up, "Yan, tell everyone about the situation of this pickup."
Yan nodded, stood up, and walked to the center of the council hall. His gaze swept over everyone present, and he spoke clearly and logically, "Father, esteemed leaders, our evacuation this time went very smoothly. At the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, there were over five thousand people, all from the Green Leaf River basin, coming from both the south and north banks. At the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, there were over four thousand people, all from the Little Horse River basin, coming from the south. In total, nearly ten thousand people were brought back in one go."
He paused, then raised his voice slightly, saying with a hint of pride, "Our Fire Tribe now has a population of 120,000, not counting newborns or babies."
He pointed to the map hanging on the wall, moving his finger across it, and said, "Now our territory extends from the east bank of the Fish River to the Little Horse River. The south bank of the Little Horse River is now our Fire Tribe's territory. Our territory extends from the west bank of the Fish River to the Green Leaf River. Now the south bank of the Green Leaf River is our Fire Tribe's territory."
He paused, then continued, circling his finger on the map. "On the east bank of the Fish River, if our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe to continue recruiting, we can absorb those independent tribes in the Big Horse River Basin. Those tribes are small and scattered, like stars, but together they have quite a few people. On the west bank of the Fish River, the Long Leaf Tribe Short Leaf Tribe are also very interested in joining the Fire Tribe. They've seen the surrounding tribes join and their lives getting better and better, and they're tempted. They're also inquiring about how, if they join our Fire Tribe, we can recruit more people further north, and our Fire Tribe's territory will reach the Clothing River on the west bank of the Fish River."
Jianshi nodded and said, "Recruiting people is the fundamental plan of our tribe. We will recruit people in this way in the future. If we recruit another 30,000 to 40,000 people this year, we will not have any food pressure."
He paused, then continued, "During this time, we've built five more large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, and successfully tested them. Now our Fire Tribe has twenty-five ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each. Yan, you should rest in the tribe for a while; you need to rest, don't overwork yourself. In a couple of days, I'll have Jianya lead a fleet to the Valley Tribe to transport grain. Only grain transported back to our Fire Tribe is truly ours; we don't feel secure leaving it with others. The conflict between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe is escalating, and they might start fighting any day now. The sooner we transport the grain back, the sooner we can have peace of mind."
They chatted for a while longer about the relocation of the management center, discussing the specific time and arrangements—when to move, how to move, what to move first, what to move later—before dispersing.