A Seamless Handover and an Agreement at Dusk

Early the next morning, before dawn on the Valley Tribe's side, when it was still pitch black all around, the Fire Tribe's temporary camp was already bustling with activity. Torches blazed brightly, their light casting shadows in the morning mist. The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the damp scent of the river. Several early birds chirped in the trees by the river, their clear voices drifting in the morning breeze, as if singing for the new day, or perhaps cheering on the hardworking fleet.

Yan got up before dawn, earlier than a rooster. He dressed, left his tent, and walked around the camp. He first checked the fleet, walking along the dock to see if the ships were moored securely, if the mooring lines were fastened firmly, and if there was any water in the hold. He then checked the supplies and went to see the sentries, asking if there had been any incidents during the night and if anyone had approached. He was relieved to learn that everything had been normal. By the time Yan had finished making arrangements, the sky was beginning to lighten and the morning mist was dissipating.

At this moment, Hefeng, the second elder of the Valley Tribe, and Chief Fengren arrived with their men to deliver the grain. Hefeng wore a linen robe, faded from washing but very clean, without a single wrinkle, and a straw rope tied around his waist. His hair was neatly combed, not a single strand out of place, and held up with a wooden hairpin. He had a smile on his face, his eyes narrowed into slits, and the corners of his mouth turned up, like a smiling tiger. He held a wooden plaque with numbers written on it. Fengren followed behind, a bronze sword at his waist, its scabbard engraved with patterns, and its hilt wrapped with hemp rope. He walked steadily, his eyes sharp, like an eagle, scanning the surroundings. Behind him were several hundred warriors from the Valley Tribe, all there to load the grain.

The Valley Tribe was extremely enthusiastic about this transaction, more so than ever before, as if they were on steroids. After all, Yan would be making an advance payment for ten million catties of grain next year. Once the transaction with Yan was completed and this year's grain was loaded, the Valley Tribe would be able to secure these supplies. Naturally, the Valley Tribe was very eager and couldn't wait to finish the transaction. They didn't want to wait a moment longer and wished they could start working before sunrise.

After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Yan clasped his hands in a salute, and Hefeng and Fengren quickly returned the gesture. Hefeng said with a smile, "Young Chief Yan, you're up really early today! I thought you were still sleeping."

Yan smiled and said, "Good morning, Elder Hefeng, good morning, Fengren. We, the Fire Tribe, have no choice but to be early. The grain exchange between our two tribes is crucial. The sooner the grain from the Valley Tribe is transported Fire Tribe Fire Tribe, the sooner our people will feel at ease."

Then the two sides began the grain exchange. The Fire Tribe had already paid a deposit for the 20 million catties of grain they had ordered from the Valley Tribe Valley Tribe this year, and the initial payment had been made long ago, not a penny less. The Fire Tribe had already paid for the goods, and the Valley Tribe had also prepared the grain and piled it in the warehouse. Now all that was needed was to count the grain and let the Valley Tribe people load it onto the ship. The two sides had cooperated many times before and were as tacit as the left and right hands. The warriors of the Fire Tribe stood by the ship, directing the unloading and loading, gesturing with their hands and shouting "This way," "That way," "Be gentle," "Slow down"; the people of the Valley Tribe carried the grain sacks, walked across the gangplank, and stacked the grain into the ship's hold, one sack after another, layer upon layer, stacked neatly.

The deposit for next year's order, the coarse salt, will be inspected by the Second Elder Hefeng, and the bronze weapons will be inspected by Qingsui that evening. Hefeng, with his men, counted the coarse salt bag by bag, opening the bags to look inside, grabbing a handful to check its whiteness; picking up a little to taste, checking its saltiness and purity; he nodded, then noted it on the wooden board. His movements were slow and meticulous, not missing a single detail, as if he were inspecting some treasure.

This time, the Fire Tribe brought large ships: one ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin (50,000 kg), and forty ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin (25,000 kg). The ship holds were large and deep, like giant bellies. Loading the grain was also very fast. The grain was carried out from the Valley Tribe's warehouse, hoisted onto the ships, and stacked into the holds. The Valley Tribe had a large number of people, a dark mass; the two sides cooperated well, and the progress was very fast, like an assembly line. By evening, the grain had been loaded halfway, and the holds were piled full, like small golden Little Mountain.

The Second Elder, Hefeng, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting and said with a smile, "Young Master Yan, you've worked hard today. We'll continue tomorrow and try to finish loading as soon as possible so you can transport the grain back."

Fengren nodded and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Master Yan, we're going back to report to Chief Daiyue first. We'll come again early tomorrow morning. You should all get some rest too, don't overwork yourselves today."

Yan returned the greeting with a smile and said, "Elder Hefeng, Leader Fengren, you've worked hard today too. See you tomorrow, and please come early tomorrow."

The two men turned and left with their entourage. Yan stood on the dock, watching their figures gradually disappear into the distance.

Yan had been busy all day, from morning till night, his feet barely touching the ground, spinning like a top. He first inspected the ships, then checked the supplies; then he directed the loading, and counted the quantities, one thing after another, without even having time to drink water. He even ate his lunch standing up, taking a few bites before getting back to work. Now, he had almost finished his work for the day. Half of the grain had been loaded, and the coarse salt had been checked. All that was left was to continue loading grain tomorrow and handing over the bronze weapons that evening. He hurried back to the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, quickly washed up, and went to cook.

Yan knew Qingsui would definitely come for dinner tonight; it was their appointment yesterday. When he arrived at the cooking area, the skilled cook who accompanied him had already done all the preparations. Washing, chopping, and preparing the vegetables, along with the fire, everything was ready, leaving nothing out.

Yan arrived, and all that was needed was to start cooking; there was no need for further preparation. He rolled up his sleeves, tied on his apron, and began to get busy. Soon, Yan had finished cooking: braised pork, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, and chicken soup—all delicious and visually appealing. As if drawn by the aroma, Qingsui Qingsui at the Fire Tribe's temporary camp and came to Yan's side as soon as he finished cooking.

Today she wore a light-colored linen dress with a few Little Flower embroidered on the hem. Her hair was tied in a simple bun and secured with a wooden hairpin. A few strands of hair fell beside her ears, shining in the firelight like golden threads. She had a faint smile on her face, and her eyes sparkled like two stars.

Qingsui took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing into slits, and said with satisfaction, "It smells so good! I knew I was in for a big meal today just from this aroma. Did you add any new spices? It smells a little different to me."

Yan invited her to sit down, treating her like a distinguished guest, and said warmly, "It's freshly made, eat it while it's hot, it won't taste good when it's cold. I added some new spices today, picked from the mountain, I don't know their names, why don't you try it and see how it tastes?"

Qingsui nodded, took the food from Yansheng, and began to eat heartily. She ate with gusto, without any restraint, her cheeks bulging. The braised pork was tender and flavorful, melting in her mouth, rich but not greasy. She picked up piece after piece, unable to stop. The steamed fish was tender and incredibly delicious; she even chewed the fish bones, crunching them like eating cartilage. The stir-fried vegetables were crisp and refreshing, cleansing the palate and stimulating her appetite. She picked up a large mouthful, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed until her mouth was full of green. The stewed chicken soup was rich and mellow; she drank bowl after bowl, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, her cheeks flushed as if she had applied rouge.

Both of them ate until they were very full before putting down their chopsticks. Their bellies were round, like pots covered in broth. They leaned back in their chairs, burping and sighing contentedly. Qingsui rubbed her belly as if she were touching a watermelon, and sighed contentedly, the sound long and soft.

After resting for a while, Qingsui called her attendants over to prepare to count the bronze weapons with Yan. Dozens of attendants walked in, each one strong and capable, with bronze swords at their waists and walking with a swagger. Bronze weapons are valuable and small in size, so the transaction could be completed quickly by simply counting them. Both sides worked very fast, with some counting, some keeping accounts, and others carrying the weapons away.

Qingsui and Yan each held a wooden board. One read aloud, and the other wrote it down. Qingsui read quickly and her voice was clear and crisp; Yan wrote it down carefully, stroke by stroke. Before long, the bronze weapons were counted, and not a single one was missing or missing. Qingsui signed her name on the wooden board, and then Yan signed his name as well. Two copies were made, one for each of them, and they put them in their pockets.

After finishing her inventory, Qingsui took her leave to report to Daiyue. Before leaving, she made a promise to Yan that she would come to visit him the next afternoon after he finished his work. Standing at the camp gate, she turned back to look at Yan, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Yan, see you tomorrow afternoon. I'll come to find you after I'm done. Don't wander off, and don't let me lose you."

Yan nodded and said with a smile, "Okay, see you tomorrow afternoon. I won't wander off; I'll wait for you at the camp."

Qingsui smiled, a beautiful smile in the moonlight. She turned and walked away quickly, her steps light and swift, her figure disappearing into the night as if blending into the darkness.