The Banquet and a Long Conversation

After preparing his Fengren, accompanied by several followers, strode towards the Fire Tribe's temporary camp. He wore a long linen robe, the robe itself being blue, and a bronze sword hung at his waist. The scabbard was engraved with simple patterns, and the hilt was wrapped with hemp rope. Several followers followed behind him. The sun had already set, leaving only a faint crimson glow on the horizon.

When Fengren arrived at the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, Yan Gang had just finished arranging things for everyone. Fengren stepped forward, beaming, and clasped his hands in a salute, saying, "Young Chief Yan, we meet again. Your Fire Tribe has actually brought a massive ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to our Valley Tribe to transport grain, along with forty other ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each. We are truly astonished. Your Fire Tribe's shipbuilding capabilities are truly admirable! Your Fire Tribe is amazing! Our Valley Tribe is far inferior to your Fire Tribe."

Yan said modestly, "Fengren, you're too kind. Our Fire Tribe was forced into this situation. You know the Tiger Tribe isn't easy to deal with, so we were making preparations in advance. We had no choice; our Fire Tribe wouldn't feel at ease if we didn't build more ships."

Fengren knew about the Fire Tribe's situation and had also heard Yan mention the threat posed by the Tiger Tribe. He knew the Fire Tribe had always been on guard against the Tiger Tribe. He nodded and said, "I understand. These days, without some strength, life is hard; you'll get bullied even on the street."

Then Fengren spoke up, "Young Master Yan, you must be tired from your journey. Our leader has prepared a banquet, and he sent me to fetch you to attend it. Please come with me, don't be shy."

Yan nodded and said, "Chief Daiyue is too hospitable. He always goes to such great lengths. We feel bad about it. Chief Fengren, please wait for me. I'll arrange things here and then take my men over." Fengren nodded in agreement and stood at the camp entrance to wait, without urging him.

Yan turned to make arrangements. He called over Shibang and Yingmu, and whispered a few instructions to them. He then called over Feiyu and Bailin, and gave them some instructions. He also spoke with Jia Li about the supplies, and asked him to send someone to guard the camp. Soon, Yan had made the arrangements. He then took Shibang, Yingmu, Feiyu, Bailin, Jia Li, and some followers, carrying more than a dozen loads of gifts, and followed Fengren to the council hall of the Valley Tribe.

The group passed through the Valley Tribe's camp and walked along the stone path towards the council hall. On both sides of the path were densely packed wooden houses and thatched huts, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys and faint sounds of people. When Yan and his group arrived at the entrance of the Valley Tribe's council hall, Daiyue and the seven elders of the Valley Tribe were already there to warmly greet them.

"Young Master Yan, you must be tired from your journey! Please come in! The food and wine are all prepared and we've been waiting for you!" Daiyue stepped forward, shook Yan's hand, and warmly invited him in.

Yan quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Chief Daiyue, you're too kind. We feel unworthy of your personal welcome every time."

After a brief chat, Yan was invited into the council hall of the Valley Tribe headquarters. As soon as everyone entered, Daiyue instructed Qingsui to bring out all the delicious food and drinks. Qingsui nodded and walked out briskly. A moment later, several women filed in carrying trays filled with steaming dishes, their aroma making mouths water and stomachs rumble.

As soon as Yan sat down, he immediately ordered his attendants to present the dozen or so loads of gifts they had brought. Each load was unwrapped, revealing the finest items inside: exquisite pottery, its glaze lustrous and softly glowing in the firelight; snow-white fine salt; fine linen, neatly folded, its fabric dense and soft; and several bronze knives, their blades sharp and gleaming, their sheaths engraved with simple patterns. Daiyue and his companions were overjoyed at the sight of these gifts, their smiles wide and their eyes narrowing into slits.

The seven elders of the Valley Tribe were also envious, crowding forward to examine the pottery bowls, turning them over and over in their caresses; they touched the hemp cloth, admiring it; they tested the bronze knives, testing the blades with their fingers, nodding repeatedly. These exquisite pottery pieces, the snow-white fine salt, and the sharp bronze weapons were all high-value items, each one better and more precious than the last. Originally, the Fire Tribe had brought ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to the Valley Tribe to transport grain, and the elders harbored some other thoughts, some resentment, some jealousy, and some sourness. But for the sake of these gifts, they temporarily suppressed their feelings, their faces beaming with smiles, and their hearts lessened. The atmosphere in the Valley Tribe's council hall gradually became more and more lively, and everyone began to eat and drink heartily.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively, with louder voices and more laughter. Daiyue put down his wine bowl, wiped his mouth, and exclaimed with admiration, "Chief Yan, your Fire Tribe's shipbuilding speed is truly impressive! In such a short time, you've built so many large ships, even those with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin! Your Fire Tribe's shipbuilding technology is amazing, truly remarkable! Our Valley Tribe can only look on in awe, and we are deeply impressed."

Yan put down his chopsticks and said, "Our Fire Tribe also wants to facilitate transportation. We don't have enough small boats anymore; one trip at a time is too slow. We have more and more large ships, and they're getting bigger and bigger, making it much easier to transport grain. One trip is equivalent to several trips in the past, saving time and effort. Of course, our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe also wants to improve our strength to protect our skills and our tribe. We were forced into this Fire Tribe; we had no other choice."

Daiyue nodded and said, "Now your Fire Tribe has built ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. In the entire Fish River, only the Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe can pose a threat to your Fire Tribe. However, the Tiger Tribe is currently tied down by two large tribes on either side of it, one in the east and one in the west. They have been fighting for many years, and the fighting is getting stronger. The Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe is temporarily unable to extricate itself, and its internal situation is also unstable. Right now, the Tiger Tribe is unlikely to be able to fully commit to causing trouble for your Fire Tribe. Moreover, as time goes on, your Fire Tribe will only become stronger, with more ships, more people, and more weapons. At that time, the Tiger Tribe will be even less likely to bother you."

Yan said, "That would be best. Our Fire Tribe also wants to develop peacefully and doesn't want war."

Then Yan's tone became serious, and he said solemnly, "Chief Daiyue, the reason I brought the fleet here this time is to transport the remaining portion of the 20 million catties of grain that our Fire Tribe ordered from the Valley Tribe this year back as soon as possible."

He paused, raised his voice slightly, and said with a hint of determination, "Our Fire Tribe has a large population now. Although we can barely maintain a balance in supply, we also want to stockpile some grain like the Valley Tribe for emergencies. Better safe than sorry. So next year we want to buy more grain from the Valley Tribe, the more the better. Even if it's 50 million catties of grain, our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe can buy it. We don't think we have too much; our warehouses are big enough Fire Tribe."

The seven elders of Daiyue and Valley Tribe were overjoyed to hear this, their eyes lighting up. Although Yan had mentioned before that he would continue to purchase grain from the Valley Tribe next year, the specific details had not yet been agreed upon. The quantity, price, and delivery time were all undecided; only a general outline had been given. It was perfect that Yan had brought it up here now, saving them the trouble of asking again and having to waste their breath.

Daiyue and the seven elders exchanged a few words briefly. Then, Daiyue turned around and said, "Young Chief Yan, we have been absorbing people and expanding planting recently. Our Valley Tribe Valley Tribe will not be able to produce the extra 50 million catties of grain next year, but we can produce 20 million catties of grain next year."

Yan was delighted and said, "Chief Daiyue is truly righteous, generous, and straightforward! In that case, I'll reserve 20 million catties of grain for next year. The old rules apply: grain for supplies. If your Valley Tribe has surplus grain, our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe will need it too—the more the better. We'll take as much as you Valley Tribe. And to put your Valley Tribe Valley Tribe at ease, I've brought 10 million catties of grain's worth of supplies from our Fire Tribe as a deposit to show our sincerity."

Upon hearing Yan's words, Daiyue's smile deepened, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes smoothed out like chrysanthemums. He stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "The Fire Tribe is truly generous, magnanimous, and shrewd! Young Chief Yan, rest assured, next year our Valley Tribe will offer at least 20 million catties of surplus grain to trade with your Fire Tribe, and no less."

Yan nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "With Chief Daiyue's words, I'm relieved. I can explain to my father when I get back, and he'll have peace of mind."

Then, Daiyue said with a hint of apology, helplessness, and embarrassment, "Chief Yan, although we have temporarily suppressed the Bear Tribe and gained the upper hand thanks to the bronze weapons we traded with your Fire Tribe, our Valley Tribe cannot sail far for the time being. Next year, the Fire Tribe Valley Tribe have to find a way to transport grain on its own. We are afraid we cannot help."

Yan nodded and said, "Chief Daiyue, rest assured, our Fire Tribe can handle the grain transportation ourselves. Your Valley Tribe can just focus on growing the grain; our Fire Tribe will transport it. Don't worry."

Daiyue breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face. His tense shoulders relaxed, and he said, "That's good. Your Fire Tribe now has many boats, making transportation much easier."

Then Daiyue chatted with Yan about the specific situation of the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe. The Bear Tribe has also been absorbing people recently, recruiting people from surrounding small tribes. Its population is already close to 20,000. If it weren't for the Valley Tribe exchanging a large number of bronze weapons from the Fire Tribe this year and also absorbing some people, it would be difficult to suppress the Bear Tribe.

Then Daiyue told Yan about the situation downstream of the Fish River, his voice lowered, as if he were telling a secret or a story, "Taking advantage of the Great Boulder Tribe's early rice harvest, the Wolf Tribe caused another huge disturbance. They used a feint attack, striking and running away, wiping out two core subordinate tribes of the Great Boulder Tribe, seizing a lot of food and supplies, and even coercing many young men into joining their ranks. Now the Wolf Tribe's forces have swelled to more than three thousand, more than a thousand more than last year. Although they returned to their lair and hid in the Stone Ridge Mountain after causing trouble for a while, I predict that the Wolf Tribe will definitely cause trouble again after everyone's autumn harvest. They won't stop. Now the Wolf Tribe is probably eyeing the Great Boulder Tribe, wanting to devour them whole, wanting to eat the Great Boulder Tribe until not a bone is left."

Yan nodded in agreement, his brows furrowing slightly as he said, "This Great Boulder Tribe probably won't last much longer. The Wolf Tribe has many people and horses, and they're ruthless and capable of anything. Although the Great Rock has many people, they're not as ruthless, as willing to fight, or as shameless. If this continues, the Great Boulder Tribe will eventually be swallowed up by the Wolf Tribe Wolf Tribe and completely wiped out."

Then Yan and Daiyue chatted about some things, about the Horse Tribe and the Clothing Tribe. Then Yan stood up, clasped his hands in farewell, and bowed.

"Chief of Daiyue, elders, it's getting late, the moon has already risen. We should head back. We still have grain to deliver tomorrow, and there's quite a bit to do. We need to get some rest."

Daiyue stood up and, accompanied by the seven elders, escorted Yan to the entrance of the council hall. A cool night breeze blew, causing the hem of their clothes to flutter. The sky was filled with stars, like diamonds embedded in the heavens. The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the ground, like a layer of frost.

Qingsui also came out, her voice clear and melodious like a silver bell. She whispered to Daiyue, "Father, let me see them off. I also want to discuss the handover details with Chief Yan. The handover is tomorrow night, so we need to agree on the time, place, and personnel. There can't be any mistakes."

Daiyue looked at his daughter, then at Yan, and nodded. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes—a mixture of relief, helplessness, and worry. He said, "Go ahead, talk it over carefully. Make sure there are no mishaps during the handover, or people will laugh at you."

Qingsui nodded, turned and walked to Yan's side. The group headed towards the dock. Yingmu and Shibang had already tacitly gone ahead and returned to the camp. The night breeze carried the moist scent of the river and the fragrance of rice from the distant fields. Starlight shone on the two of them, casting long shadows that overlapped and then separated and overlapped again.