A Moonlit Walk and Affection Conveyed Through Spices

Yan left the council hall of the Valley Tribe and naturally took Qingsui's hand as they walked back to the Fire Tribe's temporary camp. The night breeze carried the moist scent of the river, the fresh fragrance of rice paddies in the distant fields, mixed with the aroma of grass and the sweetness of flowers, a truly refreshing experience. Starlight shone on them like a thin layer of silver gauze, and the sound of flowing water could be heard in the distance. They both walked slowly, afraid that if they hurried, it would be time to part ways in the blink of an eye, and neither of them wanted to be the first to arrive.

Yan broke the silence first, saying, "The food at tonight's banquet was delicious, even better than last time. The main dishes were all very authentic, cooked to perfection, not too salty or too bland. You were in charge of making them, weren't you? I could tell from just one bite; no one else could replicate that flavor."

Qingsui nodded, a faint smile on her face, and said, "I made all those main dishes. Of course, the ladies in our kitchen also put in Dali, helping to wash and chop the vegetables, tend the fire, and watch the heat. They were all sweating profusely. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to finish the dishes so quickly. Even if I had managed to do them, I would have been exhausted."

Yan praised sincerely, "Your cooking is getting better and better. You've improved a lot since the last time you came. You're ready to graduate!"

Qingsui raised her chin slightly, like a proud little peacock, her mouth stretching to her ears, and said proudly, "Of course! My father has been praising me like that lately too! He says my cooking is many times better than the tribe's cooks. Now he makes me cook every day, saying he can't get used to what others cook. Of course, you deserve credit too. If you hadn't taught me and brought me spices, I wouldn't be able to make it taste so good. You're practically my mentor."

Yan laughed happily, "Haha, you're absolutely right. I'll shamelessly accept this credit. It seems I've done a good job as a master; my apprentices have all graduated now."

After a few words, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. She tilted her head, looked at Yan, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, and said, "Yan, your Fire Tribe is truly mysterious and powerful. You've built a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin so quietly. You must have more than forty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin by now, right?"

Yan's gaze remained calm as he nodded, saying, "Our Fire Tribe isn't that mysterious. You just haven't visited our Fire Tribe often and don't know our situation there. Otherwise, you wouldn't have such thoughts and would think it's commonplace. Our 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship is the result of our tribe's collective efforts. As you know, our Fire Tribe possesses a wide range of skills: pottery, coarse salt, bronze, shipbuilding, textiles—we have it all. The Tiger Tribe downstream of the Fish River is difficult to deal with; they're like a tiger crouching there. Our Fire Tribe was forced into this situation. We had to take precautions in advance, not wait until they attacked us before we panicked. Now, our Fire Tribe has finally built the 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship, giving us some self-defense capabilities. Our Fire Tribe can finally sleep peacefully at night."

Qingsui said, "I heard that your Fire Tribe is still absorbing people recently. News came from the Clothing Tribe that your Fire Tribe is absorbing small tribes on the Clothing River South Bank. My father is also worried that you might absorb the subordinate tribes of the Clothing Tribe as well."

Yan didn't hide anything, nodding frankly, "Yes, our Fire Tribe wants to quickly increase its population to around 150,000, but relying solely on natural growth is too slow. We can only absorb some people from outside, which is faster. We've absorbed some small tribes on the Clothing River South Bank without using any coercion; they all came voluntarily. We only accepted Fire Tribe if they wanted to come; we didn't force Fire Tribe to come if they didn't. Moreover, those small tribes are all independent tribes, not vassals of the Clothing Tribe. I estimate that by autumn, our Fire Tribe 'Fire Tribe population will reach around 140,000. Adding the newly added population, our Fire Tribe's population this year will exceed 150,000."

Qingsui's voice carried a mixture of admiration, emotion, and disbelief as she said, "Your Fire Tribe is truly amazing. In just a few years, you've grown from a small tribe of about two hundred people into a large tribe with over a hundred thousand. Our Valley Tribe, after decades of accumulation and the efforts of generations, doesn't even have a fraction of your Fire Tribe's population. It makes me feel ashamed."

Yan's gaze turned serious as he spoke, "Our Fire Tribe possesses a wealth of technologies that have enabled our rapid development: pottery, coarse salt, bronze, shipbuilding, and textiles—all are valuable resources. Our rapid improvement in strength is also to better protect ourselves, to ensure we are not bullied or looked down upon."

Qingsui wholeheartedly agreed, nodding and saying, "Yes, only with strength can a tribe be safer. The weak will be beaten, bullied wherever they go, and no one will listen to them."

Then Qingsui lowered her voice and said, "Yan, my father asked me to ask you, could you prepay the portion for bronze weapons to our Valley Tribe for the 20 million catties of grain you ordered next year? The Bear Tribe, with the covert support of the Tiger Tribe, is extremely arrogant, like a mad dog. Although we have temporarily suppressed the Bear Tribe with your bronze weapons, we still want our warriors to replace their equipment with bronze weapons as soon as possible, eliminating Shitou, bone, and wooden ones. That way, our Valley Tribe can face the Bear Tribe's provocations more calmly."

Yan nodded and readily agreed, "Sure, no problem. We also hope that the Valley Tribe can stabilize and avoid war. Only after suppressing the Bear Tribe can your Valley Tribe ensure the safety of food production. Next year, when my Jianya Fang comes to transport grain, I will have him prepay your Valley Tribe for next year's bronze weapons so that you can get them as soon as possible and change your equipment."

Qingsui jumped up happily, like a joyful little bird. Her skirt swayed gently in the night breeze, like a butterfly in flight. She exclaimed, "That's wonderful, Yan! Thank you! You've helped our Valley Tribe a lot! On behalf of the Valley Tribe, thank you!" With that, Qingsui excitedly tiptoed and lightly kissed Yan's cheek, like a dragonfly skimming the water. Then her face flushed instantly, as red as an autumn apple, as red as the sunset. She tightened her grip on Yan's arm, leaning closer to him like a kitten.

Yan was also affected by Qingsui's emotions. He stopped and turned around, gently embracing her as if holding a precious piece of porcelain. Qingsui did not flinch, but rested her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and her eyelashes trembled slightly. The two stood there quietly, the night wind blowing, stirring their hair and the hems of their clothes. Starlight sprinkled on them like a thin layer of silver gauze. In the distance came the sound of flowing river, gurgling like a lullaby or an ancient ballad.

After a while, the two separated. Qingsui blushed, lowered her head, and dared not look Yan in the eye. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, making it wrinkle. After a long while, she raised her head and asked softly, "Yan, how long will you stay in the Valley Tribe this time? When are you leaving?"

Yan thought for a moment and said, "This time we've come to transport the remaining five million catties of grain that we ordered from the Valley Tribe this year. We've brought large ships this time, so loading will be much faster than before. We should be able to complete the delivery in two days. I plan to depart on the morning of the third day to return to the Fire Tribe."

Qingsui's happy mood just now immediately plummeted upon hearing these words. Her smile faded, her brows furrowed slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her eyes were filled with reluctance.

Yan gently comforted her, "Qingsui, our Fire Tribe is only busy these past few years. Next year, our Fire Tribe shouldn't be so busy. Also, our Fire Tribe's management center will be moved to our Fire Tribe's Little Fish River Mouth Outpost around this autumn harvest, which used to be the Fish Tribe's camp. That way, we'll be closer to your Valley Tribe. Before, transporting grain from the Fire Tribe to the Valley Tribe took about forty days round trip. After we move our Fire Tribe's management center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, it will only take about thirty days for us to transport grain to the Valley Tribe round trip. Moreover, our Fire Tribe and Valley Tribe have now formed a military mutual assistance alliance. In the future, besides grain trade, there will be many opportunities for cooperation in other areas. Our two tribes will have more frequent exchanges, and we'll have more opportunities to meet. I'll come to the Valley Tribe to see you whenever I have the chance, instead of just once or twice a year."

Hearing Yan's words, Qingsui's mood improved considerably. A smile returned to her face, and her eyes brightened again. She said, "You have to keep your word! Don't lie to me! Don't forget what you said when things get busy! And don't just talk the talk!"

Yan's voice was solemn, as if he were making a vow, as he promised, "I definitely keep my word. I'll come to the Valley Tribe to visit you as soon as I have the chance. Don't worry, I won't forget you, I'll remember you."

Seeing Yan's serious expression, Qingsui cheered up. The two chatted for a while longer, talking about the interesting things in the Valley Tribe, the Fire Tribe's new ship, the Bear Tribe's movements, and the Wolf Tribe's evil deeds. Before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of the Fire Tribe's temporary camp. The light from the campfire shone through the camp, a warm yellow, especially comforting in the night, like a blooming red flower. People were walking around, talking, and singing in the camp, their voices carrying from afar, carrying a sense of liveliness and warmth.

Yan handed a large bag of spices to Qingsui. The bag was bulging and tied with hemp rope, emitting a rich aroma that was a mixture of wild onions, wild garlic, and wild Sichuan peppercorns. It smelled so good it made one's mouth water. He had brought it specially from the Fire Tribe. Inside were dried wild onions, wild garlic powder, wild Sichuan peppercorns, wild fennel, and several other herbs that he couldn't name. They had all been dried, ground into powder, and packed in a fine linen bag.

Qingsui took it and hugged it to her chest like a treasure. She opened a corner, brought it close to her nose and smelled it, her eyes lighting up.

"It smells so good! This will last me a long time! Thank you, Yan! You always bring me nice things!"

"I'll bring you more next time you come, double the amount," Yan said with a smile.

Qingsui nodded, clutching the spice bag even tighter as if afraid it would be snatched away, and said, "Okay, then we'll settle the bronze weapons tomorrow night, same place, same time, same rules. Don't forget."

Yan nodded and said, "Okay, see you tomorrow."

Qingsui waved, turned and left, her steps light and quick. After a few steps, she turned back and waved to Yan with a smile. Yan waved back. She smiled, turned and walked away quickly, her skirt swaying gently in the night breeze. Her figure grew smaller and smaller in the moonlight, until it finally disappeared into the night.