New Tribesmen Win Over and Grain Transport Resumes

Six days after Yan led his fleet away from the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost dock, on this morning, he led the flotilla of boats to pick up the new inhabitants, traveling upstream along the Fish River. They finally returned to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost dock. The large boats in the flotilla were loaded with the belongings of these new inhabitants. The new inhabitants sat on boats with a carrying capacity of less than 20,000 jin (approximately 10,000 kg), the cabins soft and comfortable, even more so than the larger boats, like sitting at home. The elderly sat in the cabins, squinting in the sun, their faces full of satisfied smiles; children leaned on the gunwale, curiously watching the river; women sat in the cabins, carrying bundles, their faces beaming; and young people stood on the deck, looking at the scenery on both banks, pointing and discussing animatedly.

Yan ordered Shibang and Feiyu to moor the large ship at the Fire Creek River Mouth dock. From there, they would use smaller boats to transport the goods to the Fire Tribe headquarters. The large ship was too deep to enter the Fire Creek River, so it had to stop at the Fire Creek River Mouth. Shibang and Feiyu, along with their men, began unloading the cargo. They unloaded the supplies for the new tribesmen from the large ship and piled them up on the dock, creating small, colorful Little Mountain of all kinds. Then, they used smaller boats to transport the goods to the Fire Tribe headquarters, making trip after trip.

Yan led these new tribesmen on small boats, traveling upstream along the Fire Creek River back to the Fire Tribe Fire Creek River. The small boats lined up one after another, forming a long dragon that stretched as far as the eye could see. The river water was clear, and one could see the Shitou and fish swimming at the bottom. The Shitou were round and smooth, and the fish swam happily to and fro.

These new tribesmen were already awestruck by the Fire Tribe's massive fleet. They had never seen a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin (approximately 50,000 kg) before, and now it appeared right before their eyes—something they never dared to dream of. They looked up at the giant ship, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time. Some even rubbed their eyes, thinking they were seeing things.

As the boat sailed on the Fish River, they saw the Fire Tribe's vast stronghold, with rows upon rows of wooden houses, fields stretching as far as the eye could see, and herds of cattle and sheep. They had long since accepted their decision to join the Fire Tribe and felt at ease. They even regretted not joining the Fire Tribe sooner, for having suffered so much in vain, gone hungry for nothing, and had people freeze to death for nothing last winter.

After the small boat sailed on the Fire Creek River for a while, the Fire Tribe headquarters dock finally came into view. From afar, Yan could see several people standing on the dock, with Jian Jianshi leading the way, followed by Qingye, Dabang, Jijiao, Canglan, and other leaders. They stood on the dock, craning their necks to look at the river.

The fleet slowly approached the shore, and the new tribespeople disembarked one after another. Guided by the Fire Tribe members, they went to designated places to rest, eat, and settle down. Jianshi stood on the dock, watching these people, feeling very happy. More than eight thousand people, a dark mass, plus the two thousand or so from the Long Leaf Tribe Short Leaf Tribe who hadn't yet arrived, meant the Fire Tribe had absorbed another ten thousand people this time, bringing its population to around 130,000. It was said that the Long Leaf Tribe Short Leaf Tribe was still traveling around persuading other tribes to join the Fire Tribe, running back and forth on the Clothing River South Bank. There should be definite news in a while, and more people would come then.

Jianshi addressed Yan, who had arrived at the dock, saying, "This time you've brought quite a few more people to join the Fire Tribe, over eight thousand in total. The Fire Tribe's strength has increased once again."

Yan laughed and said, "Seeing the tribe's strength growing stronger and stronger, I'm full of energy. I feel like I have inexhaustible strength. I wouldn't be tired even if I ran a few more trips, and I'd be willing to do it a few more times."

After a brief chat with Jianshi, Jian Shi led him towards the Fire Tribe's council hall. The new tribespeople would be taken care of. The Fire Tribe had a well-established and efficient system for settling these new members, like a perfectly molded template.

First, everyone will be registered, their names, ages, which tribe they come from, their skills, and the number of people in their families written down on wooden boards. Then, clothing will be distributed, and everyone will be allowed to wash and change into clean clothes, discarding or burning the old and dirty ones. Next, some physical examinations will be conducted to check for injuries and illnesses; those that are present will be treated, and those that are not will be prevented from doing so, with extra attention paid to the elderly and children. The tribal leaders will then naturally take them to see the Fire Tribe's granary, the stored supplies, the piles of grain, the mountains of salt, and the bundles of cloth. After this tour, who would still doubt the decision to join the Fire Tribe?

After everything is done, we will arrange a welcome feast for everyone. There will be hot soup and rice, fish and meat, vegetables and soup, and everyone can eat their fill. Afterwards, we will distribute supplies according to the number of people and the number of households, so that every family and every person will receive a share.

They would arrange accommodations for families separately, one room for one family, another for one family, to prevent them from living together in close proximity and causing trouble or conflict. Afterwards, there would be training: learning rules, literacy, and skills. Then they would be divided into groups and assigned to various workshops, fields, and settlements. Those with skills would go to workshops, those with strength to the fields, and those with intelligence to learn management. After this process, these new members of the tribe would quickly adapt to their new life in the Fire Tribe: well-fed, warmly clothed, well-housed, with work, hope, and a promising future.

In the council hall of the Fire Tribe headquarters, after everyone was seated, Jianshi gestured for Yan to explain the details of the reunion.

Yan stood up, walked to the center of the council hall, cleared his throat, and said, "Father, esteemed leaders, my journey to pick up the people went very smoothly, without any trouble. These new tribespeople were greatly impressed by our massive fleet, especially that colossal ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. They could also directly witness and feel the formidable strength of our Fire Tribe, and they wholeheartedly agree with joining such a powerful tribe."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly, a hint of excitement in it, and said, "When I went to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost this time, Uncle Dali said that the Long Leaf Tribe Short Leaf Tribe were lobbying those independent tribes on the Clothing River South Bank, and the results were very good. Many tribes also want to join our Fire Tribe, and they've all come to inquire. These tribes are not affiliated with the Clothing Tribe and are not under the Clothing Tribe jurisdiction, so we can absorb them with peace of mind. We don't need to worry about offending the Clothing Tribe or causing trouble. They estimate that if everything goes smoothly, around the autumn harvest, about ten thousand more people will join our Fire Tribe!"

Everyone was thrilled upon hearing the news, as if they had been injected with adrenaline and taken stimulants. Some slammed their fists on the table, making a loud bang; others slapped their thighs, making a loud slapping sound; some shouted "Bravo!" loudly, making the council chamber as lively as a market.

Jianshi said, "Based on this calculation, the Fire Tribe's population will soon reach 140,000. The Fire Tribe hasn't done a population census for a while. If we include recent newborns, life has been better these past few years, with ample food and more births. Our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe will gain at least another 10,000 people, bringing our population to around 150,000 this year. 150,000! That's not far from the Tiger Tribe's population."

Dabang excitedly declared, "By the end of this year, our Fire Tribe will also be a large tribe with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin and a population of 150,000. That way, our strength won't be much different from the Tiger Tribe's. The Tiger Tribe has over 100,000 people, and so does our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe. They have 100,000-jin ships, and so do we. They have bronze weapons, and so do we. Neither of us is inferior to the other! Who's afraid of whom!"

Jianya also spoke, stroking his beard, "As long as we have enough food, build more large ships next year, and train our warriors well, we will have the strength to talk to the Tiger Tribe on equal terms in the Fish River. At that time, they will have to think twice before they try to bully us."

Jianshi nodded, but his gaze remained clear; he wasn't blinded by the enthusiasm of the crowd. He said, "Although our Fire Tribe's strength has greatly increased, we shouldn't go to war with the Tiger Tribe unless absolutely necessary. War is never a good thing; it results in death, burning of grain, destruction of fields, and a huge expenditure of resources. After all, they are an old and established tribe, having cultivated their power for many years. The Tiger Tribe also has many affiliated tribes, which together constitute a considerable force that we cannot underestimate. Even with these, the Tiger Tribe's strength is still not to be underestimated. Our Fire Tribe cannot be careless or complacent. There's no benefit in going against the Tiger Tribe now; when two tigers fight, neither gains an advantage, and both will only suffer heavy losses. Our Fire Tribe must continue to focus on developing its strength. As time goes by, our Fire Tribe's strength will only grow stronger!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, but in their hearts they all believed that the Fire Tribe's strength would soon surpass that of the Tiger Tribe; it was only a matter of time, maybe next year, maybe the year after.

Then they talked about the relocation of the Fire Tribe's management center. After the autumn harvest, Jianshi planned to personally oversee the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost stronghold. Of the 20 million catties of grain the Fire Tribe had ordered from the Valley Tribe this year, 15 million catties had already been transported back, leaving 5 million catties short. The friction between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe had intensified, and the two sides were like fighting cocks, ready to fight at any moment. Jianshi told Yan to prepare to lead a fleet to the Valley Tribe in a couple of days to transport the remaining 5 million catties of grain back. He felt more at ease having the grain stored in his own warehouse.

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

While Yan was away picking up people, several more of the Fire Tribe's 50,000-jin carrying capacity ships were successfully launched. Now the Fire Tribe has 45 ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. Apart from the two kept at the outer strongholds, one at the Red Flower River Mouth and one at the Little Fish River Mouth, and three reserved for their own headquarters and other strongholds, Yan can take 40 ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin to transport grain this time.

This time, Yan plans to bring one ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, forty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin, and two hundred ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin. The rest of the ships will be left for the Fire Tribe Migration Management Center.

They chatted for a while longer, discussing the construction of the new ship, the building of the granary, the resettlement of the new tribespeople, and the trade with the Horse Tribe, before gradually leaving.