The Valley Tribe's Urgent Need

As Jianya led the Fire Tribe's fleet slowly toward the Valley Tribe's main dock, the sun was already setting. More than twenty giant ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each led the way, their Chuantou raised high and their sails billowing in the spring breeze. The entire fleet resembled a giant dragon, moving across the river.

At the Valley Tribe's main dock, people were busy at work. Upon seeing the massive fleet, everyone stopped what they were doing. "Look! The Fire Tribe's fleet is here!" "How come there are so many ships? Even more than last time!" "Why are those ships at the front so big?" "One, two, three... twenty-three! Twenty-three ships with a carrying capacity of fifty thousand catties each! My goodness!"

People on the dock put down their work and rushed to the edge, craning their necks to look. Quyong stood on the dock, his eyes wide as he watched the approaching fleet. He was the dock defense chief of the Valley Tribe and had seen many large ships and fleets, but he had never seen such a large fleet. Twenty-three giant ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin each, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin each... He had never seen such a sight even in his dreams. His men were also dumbfounded, standing there motionless.

"This... this..." Quyong murmured, his voice so low that only he could hear it. "The Fire Tribe has only been here for a little over a month, and they've already added more than a dozen large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin? Last time they only had ten, and this time there are twenty-three, more than double the number. The speed at which they build ships is too fast."

He recalled that last autumn, Yan had told him at the dock that the Fire Tribe was going to build ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. At the time, he had been quite skeptical, and he had somewhat believed it last time. But now, seeing these twenty-three brand-new ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, he was even more convinced. If the Fire Tribe could build more than twenty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each in a few months, why couldn't they build a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin each in a year?

Who knows, one day the Fire Tribe might actually bring ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Even if they can't build ships with that capacity, the Fire Tribe can build more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, greatly increasing Fire Tribe naval strength. If 23 ships aren't enough, they'll build 30. If 30 aren't enough, they'll build 50, 100. 100 ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin lined up would form a wall. Even against the Tiger Tribe, as long as they have more ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, they'd have a fighting chance. No matter how powerful the Tiger Tribe's 100,000-jin ships are, they can't withstand the Fire Tribe's sheer number of ships.

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. "Quick! Quickly arrange the berths! Clear out the largest berths for the Fire Tribe's large ships! All twenty-three ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties should use the widest berths!" He shouted loudly, his voice echoing on the dock.

The subordinates then snapped out of their daze and rushed off to make arrangements. "Yes, sir!" "Go quickly!" "Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"

The dock instantly sprang into action, people running around, some moving moored boats, some clearing the berths, some preparing mooring lines, and some carrying things. While arranging for the Fire Tribe's boats to dock, Quyong sent someone to inform Daiyue of the Fire Tribe's arrival. After all, Daiyue had recently instructed him repeatedly to report the arrival of the Fire Tribe's fleet immediately, without a moment's delay. He called over a young warrior and whispered a few instructions. The warrior nodded and turned to run towards the tribe's council hall.

The Fire Tribe's fleet slowly approached the shore. One after another, twenty-three giant ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, sailed into their berths. The ships came to a steady stop, and the mooring lines were thrown up, caught by the dockworkers, and tied to the bollards. Jianya jumped off the largest ship and strode toward the dock. His steps were light, his Binmao following behind, and he carried a wooden plank with numbers written on it.

Not long after Jianya and his men settled into the Fire Tribe's temporary camp near the Fire Tribe, Fengren arrived to invite Jianya to a banquet. He wore a linen Fire Tribe, a bronze sword at his waist, and walked with a steady gait and sharp eyes. He approached Jianya, clasped his hands in a salute, and said crisply, "Jianya Fang, you must be tired from your journey. Our leader has prepared food and wine in the council hall. Please follow me."

Jianya made some arrangements, instructing his men to keep an eye on the fleet, inventory the supplies, and prepare for the handover the next day. Then, he led his men, including Binmao, carrying more than a dozen loads of gifts, and followed Fengren to the banquet. The loads contained exquisite pottery, snow-white coarse salt, and two loads of bronze weapons.

At the entrance of the council hall of the Valley Tribe headquarters, Daiyue stood at the door with the seven elders of the Valley Tribe to greet them. The seven people stood in a row, wearing neat linen robes, their hair combed in a neat hand, and their expressions solemn. Daiyue stood at the front, with a smile on his face and his eyes narrowed into slits. When he saw Jianya walking over, he quickly went to meet him, grasped Jianya's hand, and shook it vigorously.

"Jianya Leader, you must be tired from your journey! Please come in, please come in!" His voice was full of enthusiasm, as if he were seeing a family member.

Jianya bowed respectfully and said, "Chief Daiyue, you are too kind."

Daiyue laughed heartily, pulling Jianya's hand and leading him inside, saying, "Of course! We warmly welcome your Fire Tribe!"

The group entered the council hall. The firewood in the hearth was burning brightly, crackling loudly, making the room warm and cozy. As soon as Jianya sat down, he waved his hand, and his attendants immediately presented gifts. There were more than a dozen loads of gifts, each one covered with hemp cloth. Exquisite pottery; snow-white coarse salt; and two loads of bronze weapons. Daiyue and the seven elders' eyes lit up, like hungry wolves seeing their prey. They picked up the bronze swords, drew them from their sheaths, and their cold light was dazzling, the blades sharp. Daiyue kept praising them.

"What a fine knife! What a fine knife! The bronze weapons from the Fire Tribe are even better than those from the Tiger Tribe —sharper, cheaper, and better!"

Jianya smiled and said, "I'm glad Chief Daiyue likes it. These were all made by our Fire Tribe ourselves, so the craftsmanship is rough. Please forgive us."

Daiyue quickly waved his hand and said, "Not rough at all! Much better than the Tiger Tribe's!" He carefully sheathed the knife, placed it on the table like a precious treasure, and then waved his hand, signaling for hot food to be brought over. "Come, come, eat first, we can chat while we eat."

Everyone started eating and drinking. Jianya didn't stand on ceremony, eating meat in large bites and drinking wine from large bowls. Binmao sat next to him, also eating with his mouth full of oil. The seven elders took turns toasting, one bowl after another, and the atmosphere became more and more lively.

When everyone had almost finished eating, the dishes on the table were almost empty, and several jars of wine had been drunk. Daiyue put down his wine bowl, wiped his mouth, and spoke, his voice filled with emotion and admiration.

"Jianya Fang, your Fire Tribe is truly remarkable. In such a short time, you've built so many large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. Last time you only had ten, but this time there are twenty-three, more than double the number. If there were any more, and the Tiger Tribe found out, they'd have to think twice before coming to cause trouble for your Fire Tribe."

Jianya that there were no outsiders and everyone in the council hall was one of their own, and that the seven elders were all trustworthy, Fang put down his wine bowl and said in a low voice, "Chief Daiyue, our Fire Tribe has too many secrets. Pottery, coarse salt, bronze—each one is something that others covet. We must build more large ships and make more preparations."

Daiyue nodded and said, "We understand. The bronze weapons your Fire Tribe gave us are very useful. The warriors all say they are excellent, much better than those of the Tiger Tribe. And the price is half that of the Tiger Tribe. But now our conflict with the Bear Tribe is becoming more and more intense. With the Tiger Tribe's covert support, the Bear Tribe has greatly increased its quantity of bronze weapons, and they are becoming increasingly powerful."

He paused, his voice tinged with urgency and anxiety, and said, "We want to get this year's bronze weapons in advance, so we can get them as soon as possible and arm our warriors. We hope the Fire Tribe can help us!"

Jianya thought for a moment and said, "Chief Daiyue, our two tribes are now in a military alliance. Helping your Valley Tribe is our Fire Tribe's obligation. I'll go back and talk to the tribe about your request. There shouldn't be any major problems. When I come again next time, I'll bring all the bronze weapons we traded with you this year."

Daiyue was overjoyed, his smile deepening as his eyes narrowed into slits. He exclaimed, "That's wonderful! Jianya Fang, rest assured, even if our Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe clash this year, it won't affect our grain trade. We'll risk our lives to ensure you have enough grain, and next year we guarantee at least 20 million catties of grain traded, no less!"

Jianya said with satisfaction, "Very well, with Chief Daiyue's words, I can rest assured."

The two then discussed the details of the transaction, including the amount of grain to be exchanged, the delivery date, and the delivery method. They also talked about the situation downstream of the Fish River, the movements of the Bear Tribe, and the activities of the Wolf Tribe. Daiyue said that the Bear Tribe had become increasingly rampant recently, with scouts frequently coming to the vicinity of the Little Valley Camp Outpost. The Wolf Tribe was causing a great disturbance near the Great Rock. Jianya listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

Seeing that it was getting late and the moon had risen, Jianya rose to take his leave, saying, "Chief Daiyue, elders, it's getting late, we should head back. We still have a lot to do to deliver the grain tomorrow."

Daiyue stood up and, accompanied by the seven elders, escorted Jianya to the entrance of the council hall. Jianya in a salute, then turned and left.