The Valley Tribe's Feast

At the Valley Tribe's headquarters dock, Chief Quyong had received the news early on. He stood on the dock, squinting as he looked towards the Little Valley Camp Outpost on the opposite bank. Behind him stood several Valley Tribe chiefs and a group of warriors, all craning their necks to look at the river.

"Chief Quyong, has the Fire Tribe's fleet really arrived?" a young chieftain asked, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation.

Quyong nodded, his gaze still fixed on the opposite bank, and said, "We've arrived. News has come from the Little Valley Camp Outpost that the Fire Tribe's grain transport fleet has reached the dock on the other side and is heading this way. I've already sent someone to inform the chief so he can make some preparations."

The young leader stood on tiptoe and looked out over the river again, saying, "The Fire Tribe's fleet is getting bigger and bigger. Last time they came, there were ten giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin each. I wonder how many more there are this time."

Quyong didn't answer, because he had already seen it: one, two, three... Quyong counted silently in his mind, becoming more and more alarmed with each count.

Thirteen giant ships, each with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Last time the Fire Tribe came, there were only ten. How long has it been? Three more have been added. How were they built? Even if they worked day and night, it was impossible to do it this fast! Quyong's throat bobbed, and he swallowed hard.

The leaders and warriors of the Valley Tribe behind him also saw it, and they all stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, and began to discuss amongst themselves.

"My God! Thirteen ships! Last time there were only ten, and this time there are thirteen!"

How did the Fire Tribe manage to do that?

"I heard the Fire Tribe towed the Tiger Tribe's sunken ship back for research; it seems they learned quite a bit."

"The Fire Tribe is getting stronger and stronger. Our Valley Tribe made the right choice by allying with them."

"Yes, having such a strong ally makes us feel much more at ease. At least if the Tiger Tribe really comes looking for trouble, our Valley Tribe has such a powerful ally, which gives us some confidence."

Listening to the chatter behind him, Quyong was filled with mixed emotions. Just a few years ago, the Fire Tribe was an insignificant little tribe on the upper reaches of the Fish River, with a population of only a few hundred, living a life of semi-starvation. And now? The Fire Tribe has become a large tribe of 160,000 to 170,000 people. With more than a dozen giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties each, who wouldn't think twice about their own weight when they saw them? Even the Tiger Tribe, the overlord of the Fish River, suffered a defeat at their hands, sinking one of their giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties.

The alliance between the Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe was indeed the right choice, Quyong thought to himself. Fortunately, their leader Daiyue had the foresight to establish a good relationship with the Fire Tribe early on. Otherwise, given the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe's current strength, if the Valley Tribe stood against them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As the fleet drew closer, Quyong snapped out of his daze and hurriedly began making arrangements.

"Quickly! Clear the debris from the dock to make room for the Fire Tribe's boats!" "Go prepare supplies for the temporary camp—firewood, water, and everything else!" "Take some men to move gangplanks; prepare several, as the Fire Tribe's boats are large, and the gangplanks need to be wide and sturdy enough!"

As orders were passed down, the docks immediately came alive with activity. Warriors from the Valley Tribe ran around, some carrying things, others clearing the area.

The Fire Tribe's fleet slowly approached the shore, one ship after another docking at the pier. The ships were large and took up a lot of space, making the pier crowded. Warriors jumped off the ships, some tying mooring ropes, some setting up gangplanks, and some carrying supplies. Their movements were skilled and quick, clearly those of experienced soldiers.

After arranging things for his subordinates, Quyong strode towards the dock. Yan was just stepping off the largest ship when Quyong greeted him with a fist and palm salute, his face full of warm smiles.

"Young Chief Yan, welcome to the Valley Tribe!" His voice was loud and clear, as if to let everyone around hear. "Our chief has prepared a feast and is waiting for you! Once you're settled in here, the chief will send someone to pick you up."

Yan returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, a smile on his face, saying, "Thank you very much, Chief Quyong. You've troubled us again."

Quyong waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Young Master Yan, what are you saying? How can this be considered trouble? It's nothing! If it weren't for your Fire Tribe's help, our Valley Tribe would have been in trouble last time. Your Fire Tribe is a great benefactor to our Valley Tribe. What's a little thing for us to do?"

He turned to the side and pointed to an open space next to the dock, saying, "We've already cleared that area for you. You can set up your temporary camp there. It's spacious and close to the dock, making it convenient for you to get on and off the ship. If you need any help while you're here, just let us know. Don't hesitate to ask."

Yan looked in the direction he pointed and said with satisfaction, "Chief Quyong, you've gone to so much trouble. We won't stand on ceremony then. I'll go settle in first and then come over to bother you again when I'm done."

Quyong nodded and said, "Alright! Young Master Yan, please take care of things! I'll also have someone keep an eye on things here. If you need anything, just let me know."

Yan turned around and waved to Feiyu and Bailin behind him, saying, "Feiyu, take some men and moor the boat properly. Bailin, take some men and set up the temporary camp. Jia Li, come with me to check the gifts we brought; we need to take them with us to the banquet later."

Feiyu responded and turned to direct the boats to dock. Bailin also turned to arrange the temporary camp. Yan led Jia Li into a simple shed by the dock and began to count the gifts they had brought: bronze daggers, fine salt, exquisite pottery, and some embroidery items exchanged with the Yi Clothing Tribe. Every item was of good quality and had been carefully selected. Yan and Jia Li inspected each item to confirm the quantity and quality, and then had them packed up in preparation for taking them to the banquet.

After everything was arranged, Yan came out of the shed and saw that the boats on the dock were already moored and the temporary camp was almost set up. Feiyu was standing by the dock, talking to a chief of a Valley Tribe. Bailin was walking around the camp, checking the sturdiness of each tent. Everything was in good order.

Yan nodded and was about to turn back to the camp when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw a burly man striding towards him. The man was wearing a dark blue linen robe, with a bronze buckle belt around his waist and a bronze knife hanging from it. His hair was neatly combed and held in place with a bone hairpin. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were sharp. He was Feng Ren, the top confidant of Daiyue, the leader of the Valley Tribe Fengren.

Fengren walked up to Yan, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said, "Young Master Yan, the leader has made preparations and sent me to invite you to the banquet. Please!"

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, thank you for your hard work, Leader Fengren."

He turned and called out to the camp, "Jia Li, Shibang, Yingmu! Come with me to the feast!"

The four people, along with some others, followed Fengren towards the council hall of the Valley Tribe headquarters. The Valley Tribe headquarters camp was much larger and more lively than the Little Valley Camp Outpost. Wooden houses were lined up one after another, some for living, some for storing grain, and some for making workshops. People came and went in the camp, some working, some chatting, and some taking care of children. Smoke rose from the chimneys and drifted into the evening sky.

The council hall in the center of the camp was taller and more imposing than the surrounding wooden houses. At the entrance of the council hall, Daiyue was already waiting with the seven elders of the Valley Tribe. Daiyue was wearing a blue linen robe today. The robe was newly made, with simple patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Although it was not as exquisite Clothing Tribe, it was still very respectable. He wore a leather belt with bronze buckles around his waist and animal skin boots with polished boot shafts. His hair was neatly combed and held in place with a jade hairpin, which shimmered with a warm light in the setting sun. He had a smile on his face, his eyes were bright, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. He seemed to be in a very good mood.

The seven elders stood behind him, lined up in a row. They were all dressed in their most presentable clothes. Some were fat, some were thin, some were tall, some were short, some were smiling, and some had serious expressions, but their eyes were all on Yan.

Seeing Yan approach, Daiyue strode forward, grabbed Yan's hand, and said, "Young Chief Yan! You've finally arrived!"

His voice was loud and clear, tinged with excitement as he continued, "Please come in! Please come in! The banquet is all prepared, we're just waiting for you!"

Yan replied, "Chief Daiyue, you're too kind. We've come to bother you again."

Daiyue released his grip, patted Yan on the shoulder, and said, "What do you mean by disturbing us? We're overjoyed that your Fire Tribe could come! If it weren't for your Fire Tribe, our Valley Tribe would have been defeated last time! You are our Valley Tribe's benefactor; you're welcome to come anytime!"

As he spoke, he turned to the side and gestured for him to come in, saying, "Please! Please come in!"

Yan nodded, and led Jia Li, Shibang, and Yingmu, following Daiyue into the council hall. The hall was brightly lit, with several oil lamps hanging on the walls, their flickering flames illuminating every corner clearly. Several wooden tables were joined together to form a long table, covered with burlap and filled with earthenware bowls and plates. A whole roasted lamb sat in the center, sizzling and oozing with oil, its aroma filling the air; beside it were roasted fish, stewed chicken, boiled beans, wild vegetable soup, and flatbread, all laid out in abundance, like a festive New Year celebration.

Daiyue invited Yan to sit in the main seat, while he himself sat in the seat beside him. The seven elders sat down in turn, with Jia Li, Shibang, and Yingmu in the lower seats. After Yan was seated, he gave Jia Li a wink, Jia Li stood up and had the gifts he had brought brought out: bronze daggers, fine salt, exquisite pottery, and embroidery from the Clothing Tribe. Each piece was well-made and of superior quality.

Daiyue's eyes lit up when he saw the gifts. He picked up a bronze dagger, examined it over and over, and gently ran his fingers along the blade, feeling its sharpness.

"What a fine blade! What a fine blade!" His voice was full of praise. "Young Chief Yan, the bronze weapons of your Fire Tribe are getting better and better; the quality is much improved since the last one!"

Yan smiled and said, "I'm glad Chief Daiyue likes it. The bronze daggers we brought this time are the latest batch produced by our Fire Tribe. They were made using a new smelting method, making them sharper and more durable than the previous ones."

Daiyue nodded repeatedly, carefully putting away the dagger and saying, "Good, good, good! Excellent!"

He handed the gift to the attendant behind him for safekeeping, then turned around and called out towards the back of the council chamber, "Qingsui! Bring up all the good food!"

A moment later, Qingsui emerged from the back of the council hall with several maids. Today, she wore a light green linen dress embroidered with Little Flower, lifelike pink flowers on the hem. Her hair was tied in a simple bun, secured with a silver hairpin, with a few stray strands falling beside her ears, gleaming softly in the firelight. A faint smile graced her face, and her eyes sparkled.

She carried a ceramic plate filled with slices of roasted meat, its aroma wafting through the air. She walked to the table, placed the plate in front of Yan, bowed slightly, and said softly, "Young Chief Yan, please enjoy your meal."

Her voice was soft, like a breeze brushing past his ear. Yan looked up and met her gaze. Their eyes met in the air, and a slight blush rose on Qingsui's face. She lowered her head, turned around, and walked back to the back of the council hall with light steps.

Yan watched her departing figure, a slight warmth spreading through his heart. Daiyue, oblivious to these small details, was busy urging everyone to eat and drink. He picked up his wine bowl, stood up, and said in a loud voice, "Come on, everyone! Have a drink first! Welcome Young Chief Yan of the Fire Tribe and all the other leaders to our Valley Tribe!"

Everyone raised their wine bowls, clinked them with Daiyue's, and drank them down in one gulp. The wine was spicy and fiery as it went down their throats. After setting down their bowls, Daiyue poured another one, picked it up, and said, "The second bowl! To the friendship between our Valley Tribe and Fire Tribe! May our two tribes forever be of one heart and mind, brothers, supporting each other and never abandoning one another!"

Everyone drank another bowl, and after putting down their bowls, Daiyue poured another one, saying, "The third bowl! To the warriors of the Fire Tribe! Last time you fought bravely on the Fish River, defeating the Tiger Tribe and saving the Valley Tribe! This bowl of wine is to toast your bravery! To toast your loyalty!"

After everyone drank their third bowl of wine, the atmosphere suddenly became lively. People started talking and laughing loudly, toasting each other, and passing food to each other. The whole roasted lamb was broken into pieces, leaving only the skeleton; the roasted fish was eaten down to the bones; and the stewed chicken was even poured into bowls with the broth, and everyone drank it all. Yan ate until his belly was round and full, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh.

Daiyue had finished eating, put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked at Yan with a more serious expression. He said, "Young Chief Yan, thank you so much for last time. If it weren't for your timely defeat of the Tiger Tribe and Bear Tribe with your fleet, our Valley Tribe would have suffered even greater losses. Moreover, you were willing to help us recover our strength afterward by lending us ships on credit. Our Valley Tribe will always remember this kindness."

He paused, then continued, "Although our Valley Tribe's naval strength has only recovered to 80%, as long as the Tiger Tribe doesn't attack, our Valley Tribe should have no problem protecting itself."

Yan sat up straight, waved his hand, and said, "Chief Daiyue, there's no need to be so polite. The Valley Tribe is an ally of our Fire Tribe tribe, and we certainly won't stand by and watch our ally be bullied. Moreover, the recovery of your Valley Tribe's strength is very beneficial to the trade between our two tribes. Only when you are strong can we guarantee our food supply and have a source of resources."

Daiyue nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Yan then asked, "Chief Daiyue, have you heard any news from the north lately? How are things going with the Tiger Tribe?"

Daiyue thought for a moment and said, "According to our informants, after Tong Dachui of the Tiger Tribe returned to the Tiger Tribe, he didn't get the Tiger Tribe's leadership to agree to deal with us with all their might. They're still fighting amongst themselves. The Hu Bashan and Tong Dachui's faction are still sabotaging each other, neither willing to tolerate the other. However, they're both gathering strength, as if preparing for a big operation in the future."

He paused, then said, "I estimate that the Tiger Tribe won't bring troops to attack us this year. They're not united internally, and even if some wanted to fight, they couldn't send their main force. This year should pass peacefully."

Yan nodded, feeling relieved.

Daiyue continued, "The Bear Tribe recently brought a fleet to our Valley Tribe to cause trouble. They have received support from the Tiger Tribe, and their naval strength has increased considerably. They are now about 80% of our Valley Tribe's original naval strength. They came to provoke us, probably to test our strength and see how much we have recovered."

"Although our Valley Tribe's water strength has only recovered to 80%, we are not easy to bully. We confronted each other for a while, exchanging insults and firing a few arrows, but we didn't actually fight. Seeing that we were heavily guarded and our morale was not low, they withdrew after a period of confrontation."

Yan nodded and said, "It seems that things have generally stabilized this year. As long as the Tiger Tribe doesn't make any moves, the Bear Tribe won't dare to make any major moves. That's good, everyone needs time to rest and recuperate, and everyone needs time to develop."

He paused, then asked, "What's the situation with the Wolf Tribe and the Great Boulder Tribe in the north?"

Daiyue sighed and said, "After the first harvest this year, the Wolf Tribe Great Boulder Tribe launched a fierce attack on the Great Boulder Tribe, gradually encroaching on their territory. How can the Great Boulder Tribe now stand a chance against the Wolf Tribe? They have suffered several defeats, lost many people, and lost a lot of territory. The smaller tribes within their sphere of influence have scattered. Some fled north, some ran south to join other tribes, and some simply surrendered to the Wolf Tribe."

"Right now, the Great Boulder Tribe can only passively defend itself, relying on its own forces to put up a stubborn resistance, hiding in its lair and not daring to come out. If this trend continues, and if things go smoothly, the Wolf Tribe can annex the Great Boulder Tribe this year. At that time, the Wolf Tribe's strength will increase significantly, making it a force to be reckoned with in the north."

Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "If the Wolf Tribe wants to gain a foothold over there, they will definitely have to rely on the Tiger Tribe. They are outsiders, and they can't establish themselves locally without a backer. Once the Wolf Tribe joins the Tiger Tribe, the Tiger Tribe will have one more lackey, and we need to be more vigilant."

Daiyue nodded, his gaze becoming more serious, and said, "Our Valley Tribe will also pay close attention. I will send someone to inform your Fire Tribe immediately if there is any movement in the north."

He paused, looked at Yan, and the seriousness on his face eased somewhat, replaced by a smile. "Young Chief Yan, my men reported that the fleet your Fire Tribe brought this time has grown considerably. There are thirteen giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin each, eighty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, and many smaller ships. It seems your Fire Tribe's strength has increased significantly. Congratulations!"

Yan smiled and said, "This time we've added five more large ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, making a total of fifteen. We brought thirteen of them with us to transport grain, leaving one at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and one at the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost. Our Fire Tribe's plan this year is to increase the number of ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to twenty. I estimate I'll achieve that goal by the time I return with the grain this time."

Daiyue was stunned for a long while after hearing this. His mouth was slightly agape, and he stared at Yan without blinking, asking, "Twenty ships?" He repeated the number, as if to confirm that he hadn't misheard. "Your Fire Tribe can increase the number of giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to twenty this year?"

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, our shipbuilding workshop at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost has recently developed some new technologies that have greatly improved shipbuilding efficiency. At the current speed, I should be able to finish building twenty ships before I go back."

Daiyue remained silent for a moment, as if processing the news, before speaking with a mixture of emotion and admiration, "Your Fire Tribe is truly remarkable. According to our intelligence, the Tiger Tribe only has about twenty ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. It took them many years to accumulate that many, and your Fire Tribe has caught up in just a few years. If you continue to develop at this pace, even if the Tiger Tribe launches a full-scale attack next year, we won't have to fear."

Yan nodded, a hint of confidence in his eyes, and said, "Yes, and most of the tribes in the Big Horse River Basin have already agreed to join our Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest. At that time, our Fire Tribe will build a stronghold at the Big Horse River Mouth, not far downstream from your Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost. If the Tiger Tribe really attacks next year, you only need to light the beacon fire, and our first batch of reinforcements will arrive within three days."

Upon hearing this, Daiyue was overjoyed, his smile widening as he exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful! The closer you are to us, the more at ease we feel!"

He paused, then continued, "Our Valley Tribe has already prepared the grain you've brought for this trip. All that's left is to load it onto the boat. We've increased our manpower this year and opened up some new fields, resulting in a good harvest. We also plan to purchase some grain from the lower reaches of the Fish River. So, in addition to the 20 million jin of grain you ordered, we can provide your Fire Tribe with an extra 10 million jin this year. You can transport it back next time you come."

Upon hearing this, Yan's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Ten million catties? Chief Daiyue, that's wonderful!"

Daiyue nodded and said, "We also hope to pay off the debt we Fire Tribe as soon as possible. We've always remembered the ships you gave us on credit last time. Next year, our Valley Tribe should be able to find a way to provide 40 million catties of grain to the Fire Tribe."

Yan nodded repeatedly and said, "That's wonderful! Our Fire Tribe has a large population and vast territory, so food has always been a major problem. Let alone 40 million catties, even 50 million catties wouldn't be too much for our Fire Tribe."

Upon hearing this, Daiyue smiled and nodded, saying, "With Chief Yan's words, we feel even more confident. We will continue to increase grain production and strive to provide your Fire Tribe with even more grain next year."

The two chatted for a while longer, discussing intelligence on the Tiger Tribe, the movements of the Bear Tribe, the threat posed by the Wolf Tribe, and the details of next year's grain trade. As darkness fell, the light of the oil lamps shone warmly in the night. The noise in the council hall gradually subsided; people had drunk their fill, some were dozing off in their chairs, some were chatting quietly, and some had already taken their leave.

Yan stood up, clasped his hands in a salute to Daiyue, and said, "Chief Daiyue, it's getting late, I'll take my leave now. We'll start loading the grain tomorrow, and then we'll head back."

Daiyue also stood up, clasped his hands in return, and said, "Alright! Young Master Yan, please go back and rest early. Don't worry about loading the grain; I'll have them keep an eye on it and make sure it won't delay your time."

Yan nodded, turned and walked out of the council hall. Qingsui came out from behind the council hall and quickly followed. The two walked side by side in the moonlight, neither of them speaking, just walking slowly and gently, as if enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.