Splitting Into Two Groups to Pick Up the People

The next morning, Jianshi Shi gathered all the leaders, including Yan, Jianya, Da Dali, Dabang, Ji Jijiao, Canglan, and Jia Li, in the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters. Everyone sat around the fire pit, their faces beaming with smiles, creating a wonderful atmosphere, like a festival.

Jianshi sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His voice Chenwen and powerful, like a hammer striking iron. "I've called you all here today to share some good news and to make some arrangements."

He paused, then smiled and said, "We've already delivered more than half of the grain we ordered from the Valley Tribe this year—15 million catties! Our granaries are overflowing, even the headquarters warehouses can't hold it all! The Fire Tribe's first ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties has been built and successfully launched; Dali has already taken a ride and had a great time! The Fire Tribe's early rice harvest this year is also excellent, with over 20 million catties, more than last year, piled up like mountains. Our Fire Tribe's population is also growing rapidly, over 120,000, like a snowball rolling downhill. Our territory is expanding, and our fields are increasing! If we just give the Fire Tribe some time to develop peacefully, we won't have to fear any Fire Tribe in the Fish River Basin anymore. Even Tiger Tribe Fire Tribe, we won't be afraid."

Upon hearing Jianshi's words, everyone immediately became enthusiastic. Some clapped, some cheered, their voices deafening; others whispered amongst themselves, their voices clamorous. Dali's eyes gleamed, his mouth stretched to his ears, revealing a set of white teeth. Jianya stroked his short mustache, his fingers trembling slightly, his eyes narrowed into slits. Dabang slapped his thigh, the sound like a drumbeat. Jijiao nodded, his face full of smiles, even the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. Canglan and Jia Li also laughed, talking to each other, their heads huddled together.

Jianshi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, pressing his palm down slightly. Once the noise subsided, he continued, his gaze becoming serious, his brow furrowing slightly. "However," he said, "Don't let your guard down. Our Fire Tribe must continue to focus on development. Now is not the time for complacency. The Tiger Tribe is still here, the Wolf Tribe is still here, and our Fire Tribe cannot be careless. We must continue to buy food, continue to build ships, continue to recruit people, and continue to develop the land. The development of the Fire Tribe cannot stop for a moment!"

Then Jianshi turned to Jianya and said, "Jianya, you've worked hard these past few days, running back and forth to the Valley Tribe, with the fleet coming and going. You've lost some weight from exhaustion. For the next while, you should stay here at headquarters and rest. You don't need to run around anymore. Also, assist me with the relocation of the Fire Tribe's management center. The autumn harvest isn't far off, and we need to speed up the relocation. We can't delay any longer. Besides, even after we relocate the Fire Tribe's management center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, the location of the Fire Tribe's headquarters in the Valley Tribe remains extremely important. It's our rear, our roots, our home. I've decided to leave you here to guard it. With you here, I can feel at ease, I can focus on managing things outside, and I can finally sleep soundly."

Upon hearing this, Jianya stood up excitedly, almost tipping his chair over. He clasped his hands in a deep bow, his voice filled with excitement, determination, and emotion as he said, "Brother, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of the Fire Tribe headquarters and develop it well. There won't be any trouble! You can rest assured outside, I'll take care of things at home!"

Jianshi nodded, then turned to Yan and said, "Yan, prepare for the next couple of days. Go to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to pick up the people there. They're waiting. Take the fleet, bring them back, settle them in, and let them live a peaceful life as soon as possible."

Yan nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said decisively, "Yes, Father, I will make preparations today and depart first thing in two days."

Jianshi then turned to Dali and said, "Dali, you should go back early tomorrow too. Although there shouldn't be any problems at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost Estuary stronghold, you can't stay away for too long. They need you there. Don't worry, after the Fire Tribe Management Center relocates to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, I will also take this 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship there and dock it at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost pier. If you want to come and have some fun, no one will stop you. You can sail for as long as you want and as far as you want. Just be patient for a while longer, don't be impatient."

He nodded Dali, his smile fading slightly, and said, "Okay, big brother, I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Then Jianshi had Jianya explain the details of their trip to the Valley Tribe. Jianya stood up, walked to the center of the council hall, and recounted the situation of the Valley Tribe, the movements of the Bear Tribe, the details of the grain delivery, the words of the Daiyue chief, and the attitude of the seven elders in detail. Everyone listened, nodding occasionally and frowning occasionally.

They chatted for a while longer, discussing the construction of the new ship, the early rice harvest, the resettlement of the new tribespeople, the trade with the Horse Tribe, and the movements of the Wolf Tribe, before gradually leaving.

Dali had been itching to get going for a while. As soon as the meeting ended, he stood up, as if he had thorns in his backside. He strode out of the council hall like a wild horse, heading straight for the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost to continue riding the 100,000-jin (50,000 kg) heavy-duty boat. He was going to return to his Red Flower River Mouth Outpost tomorrow, and he wanted to cherish these last moments, ride a few more times, and enjoy himself to the fullest.

Three days after the meeting, Yan led a large fleet from the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost stronghold and sailed downstream along the Fish River. After three days and three nights of sailing, the fleet sailed on the river, stopping and starting. They sailed during the day and rested at night. On this morning, the dock of the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost finally came into Yan's view.

From afar, Yan saw a man standing on the dock, a burly figure with broad shoulders and Dali. It was none other than Dali. He wore an old linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thick forearms, muscles firm and veins bulging. His hands were rough and strong, with large knuckles, yellowed nails, and calluses all over his palms. But his eyes shone like two lamps. He had received the news early and knew that Yan was arriving today, so he had been waiting on the dock since early morning.

The fleet slowly approached the shore. Yan jumped off the ship with a swift and decisive movement. Dali went to greet him, grabbed Yan's hand, and said with a big smile, "Yan, you've come! You must be tired from your journey! You've also brought this huge ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, that's wonderful!" Dali's gaze passed over Yan and landed on the giant ship. His eyes widened as if they were glued to it.

Yan nodded and said with a smile, "Uncle Dali, you're here really early. The fleet needs to split up. Shibang and Feiyu will take half the boats to Little Fish River Mouth to pick up the people, while Yingmu, Bailin, and I will take the other half of the boats to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost to wait for them. We'll meet up with them tomorrow and return to the Fire Tribe headquarters together."

Yan turned to Shibang and Feiyu beside him and said, "You two take half the boat and go to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to pick up the people. There are several thousand people waiting there. After picking them up, come back tomorrow morning and meet them here. Don't delay."

Shibang nodded and said, "Don't worry, boss, I guarantee I'll bring them back, not one missing!"

Feiyu nodded, his expression solemn, and said, "Young Chief, we will be careful; there won't be any problems on the road."

The two men, leading half of the fleet, continued downstream towards the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The fleet was vast and imposing, with large ships in front and small ships following behind, gradually receding into the distance and disappearing around the bend in the river.

Yan turned around, looked at Dali, then at the massive ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Uncle Dali, this 100,000-jin ship will be temporarily moored at the mouth of the Red Flower River Mouth. Please have someone keep an eye on it. We need to use it to pick up people tomorrow, so we don't want anything to go wrong."

Dali's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, "Okay, okay! Leave it to me, don't worry! I'll keep a close eye on it, I won't leave your side for a moment!"

Looking at him like this, Yan felt both amused and annoyed. He shook his head, sighed, and said, "Uncle Dali, go and arrange lunch. The brothers have been on the boat all morning and are starving; their stomachs are growling."

He nodded Dali, turned around and ran to make the arrangements, but after a few steps he stopped, looked back at the giant ship, swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. He arranged lunch, and then he couldn't hold back any longer. Like being scratched by a cat, he jumped onto the giant ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, and took the sailors to circle around the Fish River.

Dali stood at the Chuantou, hands on his hips, head held high, his face beaming with a satisfied smile, as sweet as honey. He turned left and right, sometimes downstream, sometimes upstream, the giant boat circling on the surface of the Fish River, round and round.

Yan stood on the dock, watching the giant ship circle back and forth on the river. He shook his head, sighed, crossed his arms, and said to Yingmu beside him, "That Uncle Dali, really... there's no way to deal with him."

Yingmu laughed and said, "Boss, let him be. This is Uncle Dali's only hobby. If we don't let him have his way, he'll be itching to do it and won't be able to sleep at night."

Yan nodded and shouted loudly towards the river, "Uncle Dali, don't go too far! Remember to come back for lunch! Don't keep everyone waiting!"

Dali waved from the boat to indicate that he had heard, but the boat did not stop and continued to circle on the river, round and round.

Around noon, Dali reluctantly steered the boat back and moored it at the dock. He jumped off the boat, a satisfied smile on his face. Everyone ate lunch together, enjoying hot soup and rice until they were full. In the afternoon, Dali jumped back onto the giant boat and continued to circle around on the river. Yan stopped interfering and let him do as he pleased.

The next morning, Shibang and Feiyu returned with more than 5,000 people who had been waiting at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Together with the 3,000 or so people who had been waiting at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, the two groups of more than 8,000 people gathered at the Red Flower River Mouth dock, creating a huge and lively scene.

Yan ordered the fleet to merge. Once everyone was on board, Yan gave the command, and the sound of horns rang out. The fleet slowly began to move, heading upstream along the Fish River. The colossal ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin led the way, cleaving through the water and stirring up white Langhua. Dali stood on the dock, watching the fleet gradually disappear into the distance, remaining motionless for a long time. His eyes were fixed on the giant ship until it became a small dot on the river surface and disappeared into the mist before he turned and left.