Autumn Harvest and Migration

After Yan returned from transporting grain from the Valley Tribe, he only rested for two days before becoming restless. During those two days, he slept soundly, ate several hot meals, and changed into clean clothes, feeling much more energetic. However, he had things on his mind and couldn't sit still. The tribes in the Big Horse River Basin would be migrating after the autumn harvest, the stronghold at the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost needed to be built, and there were still ten million catties of grain to be transported from the Valley Tribe. One thing after another, he couldn't afford to delay.

On the morning of the third day, just as dawn was breaking, Yan set off with Jia Li, Feiyu, and Bailin Lin. They were on a large ship with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin. The ship was neither too big nor too small, fast enough, and easy to dock. There were dozens of people on board, some rowing, some steering, and several attendants responsible for recording and communication. The ship sailed upstream along the Fish River, first patrolling the stronghold at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost on the west bank.

The Red Flower River Mouth Outpost was much larger than when Yan last visited. The dock had been expanded, and several new rows of wooden stakes had been built, allowing more boats to dock at the same time. There were also many more wooden houses in the camp, arranged in neat rows. The crops in the fields had been mostly harvested, with only some late-maturing crops remaining, golden yellow, swaying gently in the wind.

When Dali heard that Yan had arrived, he was already waiting at the dock. When he saw Yan jump off the ship, he strode forward and hugged Yan tightly.

"Yan'er! You're here! Come in and take a look, our Red Flower River Mouth Outpost has expanded quite a bit!"

Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "Uncle Dali, I see it. The dock is much bigger than when I last came, and there are many new houses in the camp. This place is developing really fast."

He Dali released him, put his hands on his hips, and said with a smug look on his face, "That's right! This year, our Red Flower River Mouth Outpost opened up 8,000 mu of new paddy fields and harvested several million jin of grain. The population has also increased significantly; there are now 20,000 people here, with about 4,000 soldiers. I even told my elder brother that next year the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost will expand by at least another 10,000 mu!"

Yan nodded and followed Dali around the camp. Every place was better and more complete than the last time he came. He took notes as he walked, nodding to himself in approval.

After leaving the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, the fleet continued downstream.

Over the next few days, Yan led his men to inspect the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, the Clothing River South Bank River Mouth Outpost, the Little Horse River Mouth Outpost, as well as the strongholds of Pottery and Salt, Shi Stone Creek, Qinghe, Xun Beast Taming, Hundred Crafts, Shuize, and High Pointed Mountain. He visited each stronghold, inspected each stronghold, and spoke with the person in charge of each stronghold.

The Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost is only slightly smaller than the Red Flower River Mouth because it is the front line of the Fire Tribe, and a lot of resources are poured into it, so its development speed is very fast.

Although the Clothing River South Bank River Mouth Outpost was newly established, its development speed was astonishing. The camp was already built, the walls had been erected, and several large ships were moored at the dock. The leader of the stronghold was a man in his early thirties named Hutou, a burly man who was decisive and efficient in his work. He led Yan on a tour of the camp, pointed to a newly cultivated field, and said in a loud voice, "Young leader, this land is over four thousand mu that we just cultivated this year. We can plant crops next year!"

The Little Horse River Mouth Outpost was smaller than the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost. The person in charge of the stronghold was a lean middle-aged man named Ma'an. As he walked, he reported to Yan, "Young Chief, our total population here is now close to ten thousand, with about two thousand soldiers."

The strongholds of Pottery and Salt, Stone Creek, Qinghe, Beast Taming, Hundred Crafts, Shuize have all developed in their own way. By the time Yan led his people to slowly inspect all the strongholds and return to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, the autumn harvest had already ended, and the entire Fire Tribe was immersed in the joy of the Fengshou.

This year's harvest is even better than last year's. The millet is plump and the beans are round. The granaries are full of grain, with bags stacked neatly like golden fortresses. The faces of the people are all smiling, and they walk more lightly than usual. The children run around the camp, holding newly harvested ears of grain in their hands, chasing and playing with each other, their laughter as clear as silver bells.

In the council chamber of the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, Jianshi Shi was discussing the next steps with several leaders. When he saw Yan enter, he looked up and smiled.

"Yan'er, you're back? How was the journey? Did you visit all the outposts?"

Yan sat down on the chair next to him, picked up the earthenware bowl on the table, took a sip of water, and then nodded, saying, "I've seen them all. Red Flower River Mouth, Green Leaf River Mouth Clothing River South Bank, Little Horse River Mouth, as well as Pottery and Salt, Stone Creek, Qinghe, and those others. I've been to all of them. Each stronghold has expanded considerably compared to before, with increased population, more houses, and more farmland. In particular, several river estuary strongholds have developed the fastest and have become important support points for our Fire Tribe."

Jianshi nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's good. These strongholds are the foundation of our Fire Tribe, so we must keep a close eye on them."

Yan added, "Jianya is in charge of the Little Gathering River Mouth, the Fire Creek River Mouth, as well as the Middle Fire Creek River, the Bison, the Green Sheep, the Deer Tribe Mining Area, and the White Pig strongholds. Last time he was here, he said he would report directly to you, so I didn't go."

Jianshi nodded and said, "Yes, I don't worry about Jianya. He's been operating in the main valley for so many years, he's very experienced, and there won't be any trouble."

After resting for two days, Yan began preparing to go to the Big Horse River Basin to pick up the people. Fifteen thousand people was no small number, and the migration route was not short. It would take several days to travel by water from the Big Horse River Mouth to the valley where the Fire Tribe were located. So many people would have to live on the boats for many days, and food, drinking water, clothing, and herbs were all essential. Yan and Jia Li made a long list, clearly marking the quantity of each item, so that the logistics department could prepare it in advance.

The fleet was also reorganized. Two giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties were left in reserve at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost dock, and all the remaining giant ships were dispatched. Eighty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties went, and many ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 catties and 10,000 catties were also taken. The entire fleet was magnificent, like a giant dragon.

With everything prepared, Yan led the fleet off. The fleet sailed downstream along the Fish River for several days and finally arrived at the Big Horse River Mouth. The dock at the mouth of the Big Horse River Mouth was packed with people.

Maple, the leader of the Maple Leaf Tribe, and Chunmu, the leader of the Toon Tribe, stood at the forefront, followed by dozens of leaders, and behind them a dense crowd of men and women, young and old, all dressed in their best clothes, carrying bundles, shoulder poles, and leading children. Some had expectant smiles on their faces, some had tears of reluctance in their eyes, and some looked around, their mouths agape and their eyes wide open, watching the huge fleet of boats slowly approaching on the river.

"They're here! The Fire Tribe's fleet is here!"

"My God, so many ships! Even more than last time I saw them!"

"Those dozen or so largest ships were like mountains! And there were still so many people standing on them!"

"The Fire Tribe is amazing! We're now members of the Fire Tribe!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, their voices rising and falling like bubbling water at the bottom of a pot.

The fleet slowly approached the shore. The gangplank was set up, and Yan disembarked. Feng and Chunmu quickly stepped forward, clasping their hands in a respectful greeting. "Young Master Yan! You've finally arrived! We're all ready! Fifteen thousand men are here!"

Yan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people on the dock. A feeling he couldn't quite put into words welled up inside him. From this day forward, these people would be members of the Fire Tribe. They would live better lives, no longer suffering from hunger and cold, no longer worrying about whether they could survive the winter.

"Thank you for your hard work," Yan said, his voice soft but clear. "Have everyone line up and board the boat in batches according to their tribe. Don't push or shove. Everyone will have a boat and a seat."

Maple and Chunmu nodded in agreement and turned around to organize the crowd. The dock immediately became busy. The warriors of the Fire Tribe stood on both sides of the gangplank to maintain order; the leaders of the Maple Leaf Tribe and the Toon Tribe moved through the crowd, directing everyone to line up; the women carried children and helped the elderly, step by step, onto the gangplank; the men carried loads and followed behind.

Fifteen thousand people is no small number. It took quite a while to get them on the ship. Yan stood on the dock, watching the last person board the ship and the last animal being driven into the cabin, and breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned around, boarded his boat, and said to the warrior at the helm, "Let's go! Fire Tribe!"

The fleet slowly left the Big Horse River Mouth and sailed upstream along the Fish River. The cabins were packed with people, but no one complained. Everyone looked around, finding everything on board new and fascinating. Children ran around in the cabins, only to be scolded by the adults and then obediently sit down. The women huddled together, talking in hushed tones with smiles on their faces. The men sat in the corners, some dozing off, others whispering amongst themselves.

After traveling for several days, the fleet finally arrived at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. Jianya was already waiting at the dock with his men. He had cleared out a large area in the valley of his main tribe, prepared food and clothing, and was waiting for the new tribesmen to move in.

Yan disembarked from the ship and asked Jianya, "Uncle Jianya, all 15,000 men have been brought. How are the arrangements going?"

Jianya nodded, his voice Chenwen, "Everything is arranged. Several thousand houses have been cleared out in the valley at headquarters, enough to accommodate everyone. Food is also prepared, and clothes, blankets, and tools are all ready."

Yan nodded and said, "Then let's begin the arrangements."

Over the next two days, 15,000 people were transferred in batches to small boats and entered the main valley along the Fire Creek. Jianya directed the warriors to settle the new tribesmen into the prepared accommodations one by one. At each new accommodation, there was a person in charge to receive them and tell them where to fetch water, where to get food, and where to work.

Everything proceeded smoothly and efficiently, busy yet not chaotic. Yan stayed at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost for two days, watching the last batch of new tribesmen being settled before he finally felt at ease. He found Jianya, and the two stood on the dock, watching the last small boat disappear around the bend in the creek.

"Uncle Jianya, thank you for your hard work this time," Yan said.

Jianya waved his hand and said, "It's not hard work, I'm used to it. Over the years, new clansmen have been settled in batch after batch, and we're familiar with the process. There won't be any problems."

He paused, then continued, "This time it's 15,000 people, next time it might be 20,000 or 30,000. The Fire Tribe is growing stronger, and there are more and more things to deal with. You're under even more pressure outside, dealing with the Tiger Tribe, expanding your territory, and building strongholds. I'm in the rear, and all I can do is take care of these things so you don't have to worry about them."

Yan looked at him, a warm feeling welling up inside him, and said, "Uncle Jianya, with you supporting us from behind, we can work with peace of mind."

Jianya chuckled, patted Yan on the shoulder, and said, "Alright, enough with the formalities. Go back now; your brother is still waiting for news from Little Fish River Mouth."

Yan nodded, turned and boarded his boat. The fleet left the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost and sailed downstream along the Fish River towards the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. After three days, the dock of the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost was in sight. Jianshi was already waiting with his men at the dock. When he saw Yan's fleet come into view, a smile appeared on his face.

As the ship docked, Yan jumped off and quickly walked to Jianshi, saying, "Father, I'm back. All 15,000 people have been settled. Uncle Jianya's side has been arranged, and most have moved in."

Upon hearing this, Jianshi nodded repeatedly and said, "Good! Good! With these people joining, our Fire Tribe's population will be around 180,000. The Tiger Tribe's population is only that many now. In terms of population, we are now on par with them!"

He paused, then continued, "We received news from Dazhuang that the Horse Tribe, the Clothing Tribe, and quite a few other tribes want to join our Fire Tribe. Many more may join before winter this year. We need to make some preparations so we don't end up in a panic."

Yan nodded and said, "Since the Clothing Tribe and the Horse Tribe don't interfere with our absorption of independent small tribes over there, many tribes will naturally want to join our Fire Tribe. With these people joining, our Fire Tribe's population will soon reach around 200,000."

Jianshi nodded and said, "Yes, two hundred thousand people. We never dared to dream of that before, but now, it's about to become a reality."

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have any ideas about the construction of the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost?"

Yan nodded and said, "Yes, the Maple Leaf Tribe used to be located at the Big Horse River Mouth. There are some existing wooden houses and docks there. We can use those old buildings for now, make some minor repairs, and they'll be ready to use. There's no need for a major overhaul for now. Let's build a temporary base for about two thousand people, mainly for trade and communication. We can expand it next year, depending on the situation."

"Regarding the selection of personnel, I suggest that Feiyu take charge of this temporary base. He has extensive experience on the water, understands trade, can liaise with the Valley Tribe, and can also gather information from the north. Feiyu is reliable and won't cause any major trouble."

Jianshi listened, pondered for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "Alright, we'll do it your way. You can choose any supplies and personnel you like. Three days later, you'll lead the fleet to the Valley Tribe to transport grain, and take the supplies and personnel with you. We can also take care of the construction of the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost during this trip."

Yan clasped his hands in a respectful greeting and said, "Yes, Father, I will go and prepare immediately."