The Voyage Home and New Tasks

While Daiyue and the seven elders were discussing ways to enhance the strength of the Valley Tribe, Yan had already led his fleet upstream along the Fish River, heading back to the Fire Tribe. The fleet sailed on the wide river, with the massive ship, capable of carrying 100,000 jin, leading the way. Its Chuantou was raised high, cleaving the water and creating white Langhua. Behind it followed forty ships, each with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, and many smaller boats, sailing majestically on the Fish River.

The Fire Tribe's grain transport fleet traveled at a leisurely pace, sailing during the day and resting at night. With the help of wind and manpower, the fleet's speed was not particularly slow. Thanks to the sails, the Fire Tribe's grain transport fleet traveled relatively smoothly, covering a considerable distance each day. The weather had been consistently good recently, with gentle breezes, bright sunshine, and clear blue skies, without encountering any strong winds or heavy rain.

When Yan led his fleet to the Fire Tribe's Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, it had changed again. The dock was bustling with boats and people, much more lively than before, resembling a small town or a lively market. The dock at Little Fish River Mouth Outpost had expanded considerably, extending several meters into the river. Solid logs were driven into the riverbed and covered with thick planks, making it incredibly sturdy. Now, it could accommodate many large ships; several ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin could be moored side-by-side. The camp at Little Fish River Mouth Outpost extended outwards, with rows and rows of wooden houses, neat and orderly. In the distance, vast fields stretched as far as the eye could see, growing vigorously. Many places that were wasteland last year, overgrown with weeds taller than a person, had now become fertile farmland.

The Fire Tribe's management center has basically moved here, and the area is becoming increasingly crowded and lively. With a little more preparation, Jianshi will be coming to oversee things personally. Currently, Dazhuang is still in charge, but the Fire Tribe headquarters has sent many people to assist—some to do the work, some to manage affairs, and some to cook—sharing a lot of the workload. Dazhuang is much more relaxed now; he doesn't have to work until midnight every day anymore, and he has a smile on his face, unlike before when he was always frowning. Even his steps are lighter now.

Yan saw that the dock at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost had expanded again, more than doubling in width and extending far into the river, capable of accommodating even more large ships. There were also more houses, rows and rows of brand-new wooden cabins, the wood still smelling of resin. Much of the land had been reclaimed; what was wasteland last year had become fertile fields this year, a truly pleasing sight. Once the Fire Tribe's management center moved here for a period of time, this place would become very prosperous, like a small town, like a small market, bustling with people and incredibly lively.

Yan and his fleet rested here for a while, chatting with Dazhuang for a bit. Dazhuang was wearing a full set of leather armor, the plates of which were made of wild boar hide, thick and hard. He had a bronze sword at his waist, the scabbard engraved with simple patterns. His skin was tanned dark, like it had been painted with ink, and his hands were rough and strong, with large knuckles, yellowed nails, and calloused palms. He stood on the dock, craning his neck to look at the river. When he saw Yan disembark, he quickly came to greet him, grabbed Yan's hand, and said, "Yan, you're back! You must have had a long journey! Was the trip smooth?"

Yan nodded and said with a smile, "It went smoothly. Chief Daiyue was very hospitable, and the seven elders were also very polite. Uncle Dazhuang, the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost has changed a lot. It's only been a short time since I last saw it, and it's already completely different."

Dazhuang grinned and said, "Yeah, when are you coming, Big Brother? Everything's ready at our Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The houses are built, the roads are repaired, the docks have been expanded, and the warehouses are all finished. We're just waiting for you to come, Big Brother."

Yan said, "Soon, I'll come over after the autumn harvest. My father told me to come and check on the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost Little Fish River Mouth Outpost I return, to see how the preparations are going and if there's anything we need."

Dazhuang patted his chest and said, "There's no problem with the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Everything is ready. The houses are built, very sturdy, and habitable; the roads are repaired, very smooth, and vehicles can drive on them; the dock has been expanded, very wide, and can accommodate ships; the warehouses are also built, very large, and can hold grain. We're just waiting for you to arrive, Brother."

The two chatted for a while longer, discussing the construction of the stronghold, the resettlement of the new tribespeople, and this year's harvest. Then, Yan led the fleet back. Dazhuang stood on the dock, watching the fleet gradually disappear into the distance, waving his hand until the fleet vanished around the bend in the river before turning away.

After a 26-day voyage from the Valley Tribe dock, Yan finally led his fleet back to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. Twenty-six days was neither a long nor a short journey. Sailing against the current all the way, they had finally returned safely. Jianshi, Jianya, and Dabang greeted them at the dock. Jianshi wore a long, blue linen robe that shimmered softly in the sunlight, his back ramrod straight, with Jianya standing beside him.

Jianshi Yan disembark, Jian Shi quickly went to greet him, looking him up and down, and said, "You're back? Was the journey smooth? Did you encounter any trouble?"

Yan nodded, walked up to his father, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Father, the return went smoothly. All the grain has been transported back, five million catties, not a single bag missing. The Valley Tribe was also very cooperative this time; the grain was packed quickly without any delay."

Jianshi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Alright, you've worked hard. Let's go to the council hall and sit down first, then we'll discuss it in detail, making sure nothing is missed."

After a brief chat at the dock, the group went to the council hall at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost and sat down. The council hall at Fire Creek River Mouth was newly built, smaller than the main hall, but still spacious enough to seat many people. A hearth burned inside, the firewood crackling and sparks flying, making the room warm and cozy, dispelling the autumn chill. Tea and dried fruit were already laid out on the low table; the tea was steaming, and the dried fruit, brought back by the Valley Tribe, was sweet.

Yan then recounted the details of his trip to the Valley Tribe to those present. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and clear his throat before explaining the situation of the Valley Tribe, the attitude of the Daiyue chieftain, the details of the grain delivery, and the movements of the Bear Tribe in detail. As everyone listened, they nodded from time to time and frowned from time to time.

"Father, I promised the Valley Tribe that I would give them the bronze weapons in advance next year. I'll send the weapons over first so they can arm their warriors and prepare for the Bear Tribe sooner. Chief Daiyue is very grateful and said that the Valley Tribe will guarantee next year's grain supply—20 million catties of grain, not a single grain missing, not a single bag short. He said that as long as we deliver the bronze weapons, the grain will be reserved for us, and our Fire Tribe can transport it at any time."

Jianshi thought for a moment and said, "If we've agreed, then we've agreed. Our Fire Tribe keeps its word. The Valley Tribe is our ally and friend. Helping them is helping ourselves. Our Fire Tribe can't just stand by and do nothing. If the Bear Tribe really attacks and the Little Valley Camp is lost, the Valley Tribe's food production will be affected, and our Fire Tribe's ordered food will be gone. So, helping the Valley Tribe is helping our Fire Tribe."

Then Yan talked about the Wolf Tribe's great victory over the Great Boulder Tribe in the lower reaches of the Fish River, wiping out two of its core subordinate tribes. His brows furrowed slightly, and his voice was heavy with worry as he said, "Father, the Wolf Tribe took advantage of the Great Boulder Tribe's early rice harvest to launch another major attack. They used a feint attack, striking and running away, wiping out two of the Great Rock's core subordinate tribes, seizing a lot of grain, and forcing many able-bodied men to join their ranks. Now the Wolf Tribe's forces have grown to over three thousand men, more than three thousand cavalrymen, each on horseback, moving like the wind, faster than rabbits. Although the Great Rock Wolf Tribe has more people, they are not as ruthless, as willing to fight to the death, and as shameless as the Wolf Tribe. If this continues, they probably won't be able to hold out for long against the Rock Stone Tribe; sooner or later, they will be swallowed up by the Wolf Tribe."

Everyone's expressions turned serious upon hearing this, and their brows furrowed. Dabang Stick, his brows furrowed into a knot, said with a hint of resentment, "That Wolf Tribe is a real menace, like an unkillable cockroach or a fly that can't be driven away. Luckily, they were driven away by the Valley Tribe when they were causing trouble in the Big Horse River Basin, preventing them from gaining a foothold. Otherwise, they would have been a real problem."

Jianya nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, thankfully the Valley Tribe reacted quickly and dispatched troops in time. Otherwise, if the Wolf Tribe had established itself in the Big Horse River Basin, it would have been a major problem."

Jianshi was silent for a moment, then said firmly, "The autumn harvest is here now. The rice in the fields is yellow and heavy. We'll go harvest the grain tomorrow. Let's hurry and take advantage of the good weather to finish harvesting and store it in the warehouse as soon as possible, before it gets rained on. After we're done with this, Yan, you should make another trip to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost to bring back all the tribes from the Long Leaf Tribe Short Leaf Tribe and those on the Clothing River South Bank who are willing to join our Fire Tribe. There are already enough houses available here at headquarters, row upon row, just waiting for people to move in."

Yan nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said, "Yes, Father, I will go there to pick them up after the autumn harvest."

Jianshi then turned to Jianya and said, "Jianya, you're in charge of leading people to the Horse Tribe to buy cattle and horses. Prepare early and bring enough supplies—coarse salt, pottery, linen—so you don't run out and become a laughingstock."

Jianya nodded, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Yes, brother. I'll make some preparations here, and we'll set off after the autumn harvest is finished, once everything is accounted for."

They chatted for a while longer, discussing the autumn harvest arrangements, who was responsible for which plot of land, and who was responsible for which person; they discussed the resettlement of the new clansmen, who would live in which house, and who would be allocated which plot of land; they discussed the maintenance of the fleet, which ships needed repairs, and which ships needed their mooring lines replaced, before gradually leaving.