A Bountiful Harvest and a Distant Journey
In the council chamber of the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, the firewood in the hearth crackled and sparks flew, tracing brief arcs in the dim light like shooting stars. The room was warm and cozy, dispelling the chill and making one drowsy. The long table was a mess of cups and plates; Little Mountain of white fish bones, stark white, resembled a pile of skeletons; the stew broth was nearly empty, leaving only a layer of oil at the bottom of the bowls; the rice buckets were empty; the fruit wine jars were overturned. Everyone was full, leaning back in their chairs, burping contentedly, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Some rubbed their bellies, some picked their teeth, some closed their eyes to rest, and some slowly sipped their tea.
Jianshi sat in the main seat, picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat. The tea was this year's new tea, with a refreshing aroma. He put down the teacup, the bottom touching the table with a soft "tap." His gaze swept over everyone present, like two knives, lingering on each person's face for a moment. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound, each tap striking the heart of each person.
"This time we transported another five million catties of grain back from the Valley Tribe. Adding to what we received before, we've already brought back half of the twenty million catties of grain we ordered from the Valley Tribe this year—a full ten million catties!" His voice Chenwen and powerful, echoing in the quiet council hall like the tolling of a bell.
"We've been harvesting early rice these past few days. The rice in the fields has turned yellow and is heavy with grains. I had someone check on it, and it's growing very well with plump grains. I expect to harvest over 20 million jin (10 million kg) of grain, even more than last year. We've also expanded our paddy fields; we started digging ditches, building embankments, and leveling the land last winter. By autumn harvest time, we'll be able to harvest even more grain."
He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, but a slight smile played on his lips. "Even if we absorb tens of thousands more this year, our food supply will be sufficient. I've recently received news that several small tribes from the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost want to join our Fire Tribe. They're scattered here and there, totaling several thousand people. Yan, after our Fire Tribe finishes the autumn harvest and this busy period, go there and make a trip. While you're at it, also visit the Horse Tribe and bring them news of the Wolf Tribe's disturbance near the Great Boulder Tribe. Also, discuss the cattle and horse trade with them. Our Fire Tribe needs more cattle and horses to cultivate more paddy fields and improve land transportation. More cattle mean more land can be cultivated; more horses mean goods can be transported faster. Cattle and horses are both valuable resources."
Yan nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and replied, "Yes, Father, I'll go as soon as the autumn harvest is over. It won't delay you. Uncle Dali and Uncle Dazhuang should have made most of the arrangements at Red Flower River Mouth and Little Fish River Mouth. I haven't been to the Horse Tribe for a long time either, so I'll go take a look, see Chief Junfeng, chat with them, and see how they're doing lately, how the horses are doing, and if there's anything new."
Jianshi Stone nodded, then looked at Jianya with approval and satisfaction in his eyes, and said, "Jianya, you did a good job this time, it went very smoothly. In a couple of days, take the fleet to the Valley Tribe again. The conflict between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe is getting more and more intense. The two sides are like fighting cocks, and they might start fighting at any time. We should transport the grain back as soon as possible. The sooner it is back, the sooner the tribesmen will feel at ease. It will be more reassuring to have it stored in our Fire Tribe's own warehouse."
Jianya nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Yes, brother, I'll rest for a couple of days and then leave."
They chatted for a while longer, discussing the early rice harvest, the resettlement of the new tribespeople, the arrangements for the fleet, and the situation of the Valley Tribe. Then, they gradually left.
Two days later, early in the morning, before dawn, the dock at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost was already bustling with activity. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and a thin layer floated on the river like a veil. Jianya stood at the Chuantou of the largest ship, with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties, hands on his hips, looking at the massive fleet before him. Thirty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties, fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 catties, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 catties, two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 5,000 catties, and two hundred large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of 2,000 catties were densely packed on the river.
The sound of horns rang out, deep and resonant, echoing across the river in the early morning. The fleet slowly started, departing from the dock and sailing downstream along the Fish River. The oars cut through the water with a splashing sound as they sailed majestically into the distance. On the shore, Jianshi, Yan, Qingye, and the others stood there, watching the fleet depart until the last boat disappeared into the morning mist before they turned and left.
During this time, the Fire Tribe was also busy harvesting the early rice. The fields were bustling with activity, a scene of vibrant activity. The men, shirtless, wielded sickles, felling the rice stalks with each stroke. The women followed behind, bending over to bundle the rice. The threshing machines creaked and groaned, grains flying everywhere. Children brought water and food along the field ridges, their laughter ringing out. The elderly, their faces beaming, their eyes narrowed to slits, murmured, "A good year, a good year indeed."
Yan also got to the field, shirtless, revealing his strong muscles. He wielded his sickle, cutting rice swiftly, the fallen ears of rice spreading out behind him like a golden carpet. Sweat streamed down his back, glistening in the sunlight, but he didn't bother to wipe it away, letting it flow freely. Those around him watched him work even harder, no one wanting to fall behind, chasing each other like in a competition. In the fields of the Fire Tribe headquarters, a scene of bustling activity unfolded.
After finishing these tasks, Yan began preparing to pick up people from the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. This time, he brought three ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, as well as the old ships from the Fish Tribe —dozens of ships with carrying capacities of 5,000 jin and 2,000 jin each, loaded with grain, coarse salt, pottery, and hemp cloth.
Early that morning, before dawn, Yan was already up. He stood at the Chuantou, hands on his hips, looking at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost in the morning light. A thin mist shrouded the river, and people were already up and about in the camp, wisps of smoke rising like gray snakes. In the distance, a rooster crowed, "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" A new day had begun. He took a deep breath, turned around, and waved to Shibang, Yingmu, Feiyu, Bailin, and the others behind him. His voice was loud and clear, like thunder. "Get on board! Prepare to depart!"
Everyone boarded the ship and took their positions. Shibang stood at the Chuantou to check the mooring lines; Yingmu at the stern to check the rudder; Feiyu and Bailin in the middle to check the supplies. After a while, the sound of the ox horn rang out, and the fleet slowly started moving, leaving the dock and sailing downstream along the Fish River.