Inspecting the Outposts
The Fire Tribe was unaware that the Tiger Tribe was preparing to attack the Valley Tribe next year in response to the Fire Tribe. Early that morning, before dawn, the dock at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost was already bustling with activity. The morning mist, still thin and lingering on the river, hung in the air. Yan stood by the dock, making final preparations. He wore a long, blue linen robe that shimmered softly in the morning light. A bronze dagger hung at his waist, its scabbard adorned with simple patterns, and its hilt wrapped with hemp rope. His hair was neatly combed, and he exuded confidence. Feiyu, Bailin, Jia Li, Shibang, and Yingmu followed behind him, all dressed smartly, chests out, heads held high, full of energy.
Today he was to travel upstream along the Fish River to inspect the Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost and Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost. This was a task given to him by his father, Jianshi, to check the situation at each outpost, their winter preparations, and to see if there were any difficulties or needs.
The fleet was ready; several large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin were moored at the dock, loaded with supplies and gifts for the people at the two strongholds. Yan was about to board when he suddenly heard the rapid sound of oars coming from downstream, growing closer and louder. He turned his head and saw a large ship speeding towards him from upstream, its sails billowing in the morning wind, whistling and its oars cutting through the water, stirring up white Langhua. A man stood on the Chuantou, burly and imposing, like an iron tower, waving vigorously and shouting something in their direction, his voice like thunder.
Yan looked closely and couldn't help but laugh; it was Dali.
Before the boat had even docked properly, Dali leaped off with a swift, cat-like movement. His foot landed on the dock with a "thud," kicking up a small cloud of dust. He wore an old linen shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thick forearms, muscles strong and veins bulging like earthworms wriggling beneath his skin. His hands were rough and powerful, with large knuckles, yellowed nails, and calluses on his palms like two sheets of sandpaper. His hair was tousled by the river wind, resembling a bird's nest, with a few bits of grass clinging to it. Yet his eyes shone like two lamps. He strode over, grabbed Yan's hand, and shook it vigorously.
"Uncle Dali, you're here again to test drive this ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin?" Yan asked with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, helplessness, and a touch of amusement.
Dali chuckled, scratched his head, and looked a little embarrassed, but that embarrassment quickly disappeared, like a spoiled child.
His eyes narrowed to slits, and his mouth stretched to his ears, revealing a set of fairly even teeth as he spoke, "Yes, it's so comfortable to ride on this 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship, like floating on clouds. It's much better than a 50,000-jin carrying capacity ship. If it weren't for the many things I have to do at my Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, I would really like to stay on this 100,000-jin carrying capacity ship every day, eat and sleep on it, never come down, and even sleep on it."
Yan shook his head and said with a smile, "Uncle Dali, you've been coming here far too often. Ever since this 100,000-jin-capacity boat returned from Dazhuang's Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, you've been coming here every few days for a day or two, more frequently than going home, more punctual than eating. Many of our Fire Tribe leaders are still lining up. Dabang, Jijiao, Canglan, and others all want to ride it more often and are now eagerly waiting. Even if they ride this 100,000-jin-capacity boat, they'll be all together, a huge crowd crammed on, like a market. It's nothing compared to how comfortable and enjoyable it is for you to ride alone. You can sail the boat around on the river by yourself, going wherever you want, for as long as you want, stopping whenever you want, going wherever you want, completely at ease."
Dali waved his hand dismissively, chin raised, like a willful child or an unreasonable old man, and said, "I don't care about that. My elder brother promised me himself, in front of so many people. He said that as long as I want to ride this ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, I can come anytime, come and go as I please, no one will stop me. My elder brother's words cannot be taken back. I'm just following my elder brother's orders, not coming of my own volition. My elder brother told me to come."
Yan shook his head helplessly and said, "Uncle Dali, we really can't do anything with you like this. We can't reason with you, and we can't stop you. Don't worry, although we will first equip Uncle Dazhuang's side with a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. His Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost is in the far north and needs a large ship to make a good impression. But our Fire Tribe will prioritize building ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin next year. The shipyard is working day and night, with no rest for the workers. By then, your Red Flower River Mouth Outpost will also be equipped with a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin soon. You won't have to wait too long, and you won't have to be envious for too long."
Dali's eyes lit up, like two lamps suddenly lit in the darkness. His smile deepened, stretching to his ears and revealing a set of white teeth, even his gums. He exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Yan'er, don't lie to me, don't try to make me happy. I really believe you now."
Yan nodded and said earnestly, "It's true. Although we only plan to increase the number of ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to twenty next year, we will build the larger ships first and the smaller ones later. We are already preparing materials at the Fire Tribe headquarters. It is estimated that by next spring, we will have five ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. By the time we go to the Valley Tribe to transport grain for the second time, we will have more than ten ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Before next autumn harvest, our Fire Tribe will have twenty ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Don't worry, we will make sure you have a ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin at your Red Flower River Mouth Outpost. You can't run away or renege on your promise."
He rubbed his hands together Dali, his eyes sparkling with joy, and said, "Yan'er, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I feel at ease now and can sleep well tonight. I was just worried that you would give all the boats to Dazhuang and forget about our Red Flower River Mouth Outpost. Our Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is also an important stronghold. We can't be without big ships, and we can't be without prestige."
He paused, his tone becoming serious, and continued, "Yan'er, don't worry. Our Red Flower River Mouth Outpost is busy with winter preparations and land reclamation. There's a lot to do. After this trip, I won't be able to come here much this year. I'll just take this opportunity to enjoy myself and satisfy my cravings before going back to work hard. I'll come back next year to have some fun."
Yan nodded and said with a smile, "Okay, then I'll be going now. I need to take some men to check out the two strongholds at Pottery Salt River Mouth and Stone Creek River Mouth. I can't delay the task my father gave me. Uncle Dali, have fun this time. Go a bit further and don't just wander around the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Just don't break the boat."
After saying this, Yan turned and boarded the boat, taking Feiyu, Bailin, Jia Li, Shibang, and Yingmu with him, and sailed upstream along the Fish River towards the mouth of the Pottery Salt River Mouth. Dali stood on the dock, watching the fleet gradually disappear into the distance, waving his hand until the fleet disappeared around the bend in the river, becoming a blurry little dot. Only then did he turn around, take three steps in two, jump onto the giant boat weighing 100,000 catties, and happily sail away, the boat drawing white Langhua on the surface of the Fish River.
Yan led his fleet upstream along the Fish River, traveling slowly and frequently. By evening of the second day, the Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost finally came into view. In the distance, Yan could see wisps of smoke rising from the river mouth, like gray snakes drifting away in the twilight. Rows and rows of wooden houses stood neatly arranged, and several small boats were moored at the dock. People were loading and unloading cargo, and others were mending fishing nets—a scene of bustling activity. In the fields on the bank, the harvested rice stubble gleamed golden in the setting sun, and in the distance, people were turning the soil, their backs bent, preparing for next spring's planting.
The current Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost is located closer to the Fish River than the former Pottery Salt Tribe. The main part is built at the confluence of the Pottery and Salt River and Fish River, making water transport convenient. Large areas of paddy fields and vegetable gardens have now been cultivated on both banks, one after another. If all the land along the Taoyan River from the current Pottery Salt Tribe Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost to the former Pottery and Salt River were developed, going upstream and inward, it would be no problem to cultivate 30,000 to 50,000 mu of paddy fields. 30,000 to 50,000 mu, how many people could that support, how much grain could it harvest?
Jia Li stood at the Chuantou, his hands gripping the gunwale, gazing at this familiar yet strange land. His eyes welled up with tears, and his nose tingled. He had once been the chief of the Pottery Salt Tribe, living here for decades, recognizing every blade of grass and every Shitou. Now, the Pottery Salt Tribe no longer existed, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, joining the Fire Tribe. But he saw this land bursting with new life—more people, more houses, more fields—and felt an indescribable mix of emotions and immense satisfaction.
"Young Chief, the changes here are amazing! Everything's completely different!" Jia Li's voice was filled with emotion, relief, and pride, his eyes reddening. "This place is wonderful. The land is fertile, and the water is plentiful. Our Pottery Salt Tribe couldn't develop it before. We were small, had poor tools, and could only make a living from that small piece of land. Now that the Fire Tribe has taken over, it's several times more prosperous than before. There are more people, more land, and more houses."
Yan nodded and said, "Many tributary mouths of the Fish River are excellent locations, naturally suited for building strongholds. Our Fire Tribe doesn't have the capacity to develop them all right now, so we can only focus on developing some key estuaries. The Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost is a good location. With proper development, this area alone could accommodate 30,000 to 50,000 people. The Stone Creek River Mouth, Red Flower River Mouth, Little Gathering River Mouth, and Fire Creek River Mouth are all good places, and they are all key areas for our Fire Tribe to develop in the future. These river estuary strongholds will become more and more bustling and prosperous. As long as we connect these places, our Fire Tribe's strength won't be lacking."
Jia Li and the others echoed his sentiments, nodding in agreement.
Feiyu said, "Young Chief is right. These river mouth outposts are treasures of our Fire Tribe. We can't lose a single one."
Bailin said, "Our Fire Tribe will get better and better in the future, and our days will be more and more promising." Shibang and Yingmu also spoke loudly, as if they were arguing.
Yan led his fleet on a day-long inspection of the Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost. He looked at the fields, squatting down to grab a handful of soil to check its blackness and fertility; he inspected the warehouses, going inside to see how high the grain was piled and how dry it was; he looked at the docks, standing on them to see how many ships were moored and how large they were; he looked at the newly built wooden houses, pushing open the doors to check their sturdiness and warmth. He then held a meeting with the stronghold's leaders, sitting around the hearth, asking about the details of this year's autumn harvest, how much grain had been harvested, and whether it was enough to eat; he inquired about winter preparations, whether there was enough firewood and cotton clothing; he asked about any difficulties, what was lacking, and what was missing.
The leader of the outpost said that everything was fine; there was enough food, enough firewood, and enough houses to live in. They were just waiting for winter to come. Yan nodded in satisfaction and gave a few more instructions, telling everyone to be careful with fire and not burn down the houses; to be careful to keep warm and not get cold; and to be careful to avoid accidents. The next morning, he led the fleet to continue their journey.
That afternoon, the sunlight shone on the river, making it sparkle. The fleet arrived at the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost, located on the east bank of the Fish River, upstream of the Pottery Salt River Mouth. The outpost was similar in size to the Pottery Salt River Mouth, with about ten thousand people. Rows and rows of wooden houses stood neatly. At the dock, some people were unloading cargo, while others were loading ships. In the fields on the shore, some people were turning the soil, Chutou rising and falling, and soil flying everywhere; others were repairing canals, digging soil and carrying stones; still others were collecting manure, carrying manure and composting it, all working busily and enthusiastically.
Yan knew that this place used to be a place where the criminals of the Wolf Tribe were forced to work. Those criminals were from affiliated tribes of the Wolf Tribe, coerced by the Wolf Tribe. The able-bodied men of these tribes had committed crimes, and after being captured, they were sent here to do hard labor, performing the heaviest work. Now, some who had behaved well and showed remorse had been dispersed and integrated into the Fire Tribe, assigned to various strongholds and workshops, becoming official members of the Fire Tribe, wearing new clothes, and eating their fill. Those who were stubborn and unrepentant had long been dealt with, and a small number remained here to continue their reformation, doing the heaviest work, eating the worst food, and wearing the most tattered clothes.
Most of the people at the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost were newcomers to the Fire Tribe, coming from various smaller tribes, from the upper reaches of the Fish River, and from all directions. They had been trained at the Fire Tribe headquarters, learning the rules, recognizing characters, practicing martial arts, and acquiring skills before being assigned here. They were all full of energy and enthusiasm.
Everyone seemed to have inexhaustible energy, as if they had been injected with chicken blood. Next year, the Fire Tribe will Dashui, so everyone is continuing to cultivate paddy fields, dredge irrigation ditches, level the land, and do some preparatory work. Some are digging mud, some are carrying soil, and some are building banks, all in preparation for next spring. No one wants to be idle at all.
Yan stood on a high place, on a large Dashi, hands on his hips, watching everything. He nodded in satisfaction, a slight smile playing on his lips. At this rate, the scale of the Fire Tribe's river mouth stronghold would increase considerably next year. The Fire Tribe had already shifted its construction focus towards the Fish River Estuary Outpost. The Little Fish River Mouth, the Pottery Salt River Mouth, the Stone Creek River Mouth, and the Red Flower River Mouth Estuary were all key areas for the Fire Tribe's future development.
Yan stayed there for another day, held a meeting with the person in charge, and sat around the fire pit. He inquired about the situation, including the autumn harvest, winter preparations, and land reclamation. He inspected the fields and the warehouses. Early the next morning, he led his fleet down the Fish River to return to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost back.