The Horse Tribe's Decision

After Yan led his fleet away from the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, they sailed downstream along the Fish River. The three-day voyage wasn't long, but it wasn't short either; it was enough for the soldiers on board to familiarize themselves with the new ships' handling capabilities. Three days later, at noon, under the blazing sun, the outline of the Little Fish River Mouth dock came into Yan's view. Standing at the Chuantou, watching the dock draw closer, Yan felt a sense of peace that always washed over him upon returning. The ship docked, and Yan and his men disembarked. Without lingering, he headed directly towards the council hall.

When he pushed open the door to the council hall, Jianshi Shi was sitting in the main seat. Hearing the door open, he put down the wooden tablet, looked up, and Yan walked to the table. Without sitting down, he reported directly, "Father, I have brought all five thousand new clansmen from the Big Horse River Mouth Temporary Outpost to Uncle Jianya's place. The journey was very smooth."

As he spoke, he raised his hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from his forehead and continued, "Feiyu has made all the arrangements. The people will disembark as soon as they arrive. Jianya is also ready. They will send the new tribesmen directly to the main valley. There's no need to linger at the Fire Creek River Mouth dock. Jianya said all the houses are available, so the new tribesmen can move in as soon as they arrive without waiting."

He paused, then added with approval, "At the Big Horse River Mouth Temporary Outpost, Feiyu assured me that accommodating 10,000 people by the end of the year wouldn't be a problem. When I went there, the dock had been expanded into deeper water, allowing for larger ships to dock. Many new houses had been built in the camp, the walls had been reinforced, and a lot of new fields had been cultivated. Feiyu said that this year we can basically be self-sufficient in food, and we won't need to transfer grain from headquarters anymore."

Jianshi nodded and said, "Feiyu is a capable person. When you recommended him to Big Horse River Mouth, I was a little worried that he couldn't handle it on his own. But now it seems that we made the right choice. He has a stubborn streak and won't back down when faced with difficulties. He can persevere."

Yan nodded and continued, "Jianya has built ten more new ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin each. I brought them all back this time. With these ten, our Fire Tribe's plan to increase the number of ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin to fifty this year will soon be completed."

Upon hearing this, Jianshi's eyes lit up noticeably. He said, "Fifty giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin each. A few years ago, we wouldn't have even dared to dream of such a thing. Back then, if the Fire Tribe had a ship with a carrying capacity of a few thousand jin, the whole tribe would be overjoyed for days. Now, with dozens of such ships anchored on the water, just looking at them makes us feel at ease."

He leaned back in his chair, his voice steady and strong. "Your Uncle Jianya's side has indeed never stopped. The shipbuilding workshop is working day and night, with shifts in place. I bet they even eat by the dock. We've recently built twenty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin each, and they've already been successfully launched. The carrying capacity and speed of the ships are better than the old ones, but they haven't been officially assigned to the outpost yet."

He paused, as if remembering something, tapped his finger twice on the edge of the table, and said slowly, "You're back just in time. This afternoon, your Uncle Dazhuang will be accompanying Chief Junfeng of the Horse Tribe to visit our Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Dazhuang sent word back in advance, so they should arrive this afternoon."

Yan was slightly taken aback, then leaned forward a little as he stood up straight and said, "Chief Junfeng arrived so quickly?"

A slight smile appeared on Jianshi's lips as he said, "His willingness to come in person shows that he's already inclined to join. He just wants to confirm it with his own eyes. The Horse Tribe chief isn't here as a guest; he's here to make a decision. Once he sees the actual situation of our Fire Tribe, he should make his choice."

He stood up, walked out from behind the table, patted Yan on the shoulder and said, "Don't rush off to do anything else. Have something to eat with me. Your mother knew you were arriving at noon and prepared the meal. Eat your fill first, and we'll wait for them at the dock this afternoon."

Yan nodded in agreement and followed his father out of the council hall, heading towards home. As expected, Qingye had already prepared the meal. On the table was a pot of stewed meat, the pieces of meat cut into large, even pieces, the dark brown broth still steaming slightly, with a few slices of ginger and dried chili floating on the surface. Next to it was a plate of stir-fried wild vegetables, the tender green leaves glistening with oil under the light, and some other delicious ingredients.

Yan sat down at the table, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat and put it in his mouth. The meat was stewed until tender and melted in his mouth, and the saltiness was just right. He then picked up a piece of wild vegetables and ate it with rice. Qingye sat down on the low stool next to him, with the kind of reassuring expression that only a mother would have on her face.

Yan ate very quickly, as if he had been on a long journey and had returned hungry. By the time he put down his bowl, most of the dishes on the table were empty. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, stood up, nodded to his mother, and then followed his father out the door.

The afternoon sun slanted across the dock. Yan and Jianshi stood at the very front of the dock, looking downstream. Jianshi had his hands behind his back, his back straight, and his gaze was fixed steadily on the bend in the river. Yan stood beside him, his right hand resting on a wooden post on the dock, his knuckles occasionally tapping the wood lightly, making a soft tapping sound.

The sunlight shifted slightly westward from overhead, and a ship's silhouette appeared on the distant water. It was a massive vessel with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin (50,000 kg), its hull stable and broad. The Chuantou was not deep in the water, suggesting it wasn't carrying much cargo. The Chuantou gleamed a pale gold in the afternoon sun. Standing at the bow was a familiar figure— Dazhuang. His figure stood out prominently at the Chuantou, his broad shoulders and straight back like a pillar fixed in place. He was waving vigorously in this direction, his palm swinging back and forth above his head with a wide range of motion.

The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Dazhuang was the first to jump off. Then he strode to the Jianshi, grinning and revealing a set of strong Baiya: "Big Brother! Chief Junfeng and the others are here!"

After he finished speaking, he turned to the side and waved towards the boat, his hand waving up and down. Junfeng stepped off the boat. Today he was wearing a dark brown linen robe, newly made, thick and without a single wrinkle. The collar and cuffs were edged with dark stitches, the stitches fine and neat. A wide animal skin belt was tied around his waist, with a short knife hanging from it. The scabbard was polished to a shine, as if it had been wiped many times. His hair was neatly combed and held back with a bone hairpin, not a single stray hair falling down. Although he was not as Dazhuang as Dazhuang, his back was straight, and his steps Chenwen. Each step was placed in the center of the gangplank, his feet firmly planted, as if he were someone accustomed to sailing in the wind and waves.

Two people followed behind him.

The one on the left was taller and thinner, wearing a dark gray linen robe and a long knife hanging at his waist. The scabbard was made of animal hide and had been polished to a shine. His eyes were bright, and as he disembarked, his gaze quickly swept across the dock and camp, even seeing through the top of the wooden stakes to the crack in the warehouse door.

The man on the right was sturdy, his skin tanned darker than Junfeng's by the sun, like someone who spent years herding livestock. He wore a blue linen robe, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his strong forearms. His eyes held curiosity and scrutiny; when he saw the large ships, he paused, his gaze sweeping over each vessel as if silently counting them in his mind.

Jianshi walked a few steps toward them, stopped in front of Junfeng, extended both hands, and grasped Junfeng's hands firmly. His palms were large and thick, with strong knuckles. The gesture of grasping Junfeng's hand carried an unintentional but solid enthusiasm. "Chief Junfeng, welcome to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost! You must be tired from your journey!"

Junfeng was clearly surprised that the Fire Tribe chief would personally greet him at the dock. He paused for a moment, the hesitation lasting only a breath or two, before grasping Jianshi's hand tightly. His voice held a hint of surprise and genuine gratitude. "Chief Jianshi, you're too kind. I just came to take a look; how could I let the chief personally wait for me at the dock?"

Jianshi released his grip, a smile on his face. "It's only right. It's rare for you to take the time to come here, so I should personally receive you." He turned to the side and gestured towards the camp. "Come on, let me show you around our camp first, so you can see for yourself how the Fire Tribe operates. That's more useful than anything you hear from others."

Junfeng nodded, and led the two men, following Jianshi towards the camp. Yan walked beside Dazhuang, a few steps behind them.

Jianshi, accompanied by Junfeng, began their observation from the warehouse area along the dock. Rows of grain silos stood side by side, each constructed of thick wooden planks, their bases raised about half a foot to prevent moisture from seeping in. The exterior walls of the warehouses were darkened by the sun, but not a single plank had warped or cracked. Jianshi pushed open the door of one of the warehouses; the hinges made a slight creak as they turned. Inside, sacks were piled high, stretching from the ground to the roof, leaving only a narrow passageway in between. The sacks were arranged neatly, horizontally and vertically, their openings tightly tied, not a single one loose.

Jianshi stood sideways at the doorway, not going in, but simply pointing inside. "This is one of the granaries. Each major stronghold of our Fire Tribe has its own granary. There are more than a dozen such large warehouses here at headquarters, storing this year's new grain."

Junfeng stood at the warehouse entrance, his gaze lingering inside for a long while. He didn't speak, but simply looked at the mountains of burlap sacks, watching a sliver of light filtering through a crack in the roof at the end of the aisle fall on a row of sacks, illuminating the burlap lining with exceptional clarity. He took a slight breath, as if calculating a certain number in his mind, then slowly nodded, asking no further questions.

Jianshi didn't rush to leave. He waited until Junfeng looked away before closing the door and leading them forward.

Next came the residential area. Rows of wooden houses stood neatly arranged, evenly spaced as if measured with rope and ruler. The roofs were covered with thick thatch; some were newly thatched, lighter in color, shimmering with a pale gold in the sunlight; others had been thatched for a year or two, their color darker, but still thick and flat, without any signs of collapse. The walls were made of large, round logs, filled with a mixture of mud and straw, rough yet sturdy to the touch. Strings of dried chili peppers hung in front of some houses, their bright red color swaying gently in the wind; newly washed linen clothes, ranging in color from pale white to dark gray, hung to dry outside others, fluttering lightly in the breeze. Junfeng slowed his pace as he walked. He didn't say anything, but his gaze kept shifting between the wooden houses and the open spaces in front of them, landing on the clothes drying under the eaves, on the ground where the children played, and on the old woman's fingers slowly twisting rope. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Next was the shipbuilding workshop. Built on an open space by the riverbank, the workshop had a high ceiling supported by thick wooden pillars. A half-finished ship skeleton lay in the center of the workshop; most of the ribs were already installed, revealing the basic structure of the interior. The keel extended straight out, and the wood still bore the marks of recent planing. Several craftsmen were hammering and hammering on the hull, the hammers striking the wood with a fine, rhythmic thud. An old craftsman squatted at the Chuantou, holding a plane, sanding a plank at a joint. Wood shavings settled at his feet, gleaming a pale yellow in the afternoon light.

Bundles of timber were piled up nearby, one end flat and the other end still rough, as if they had just been sawn off. Newly woven canvas was folded on a shelf on the other side, the white fabric reflecting the shadows of the surrounding wood in the sunlight. The air was filled with the smell of wood and tung oil, as well as the unique bitter fragrance of freshly sawn wood.

Junfeng stood in front of the unfinished ship for a while. He walked from the stern to the Chuantou, stopped at a joint where the ribs met, bent down, and gently touched the surface of the wooden plank at the joint, his fingertips gliding over the wood grain. Then he straightened up, his gaze following the direction of the keel to the Chuantou. He didn't ask anything, just looked, but his momentary silence itself was an answer.

Chidian was behind him, his gaze sweeping over the tools and materials. He tilted his head slightly, glancing at the pile of unused timber in the corner of the workshop, his eyes lingering there longer than elsewhere, as if estimating how many new ships that timber could build. Xiao Matou, on the other hand, kept staring at the half-finished ship's skeleton, his head tilted, his gaze following the curves of the ribs, as if he were assembling the shape of a completed ship with his own eyes.

After the visit, it was already dark. The setting sun painted the horizon orange-red, then slowly transitioned to deep purple, finally sinking below the horizon, leaving behind a few wisps of dark clouds. Torches were lit at the campsite, their flames dancing in the twilight.

Jianshi led Junfeng and his group into the council hall. A banquet was already laid out on the table—a whole roasted lamb in the center, its surface golden brown and crispy, still sizzling with oil; beside it were stewed chicken, boiled fish, stir-fried wild vegetables, flatbread, and several bowls of hot soup. The wine was rice wine, stored in earthenware jars, one of which had already been opened, its aroma mingling with the smell of the food, filling the room. Oil lamps were lit, their flames flickering gently in the night breeze, bathing everything in a warm glow.

Everyone sat down in turn. Jianshi and Junfeng sat on either side of the main seat, Yan sat next to Jian Jianshi, Dazhuang sat next to Junfeng, and Chidian and Xiao Matou sat at the lower end of the table. Bowls, chopsticks, and wine bowls were set in front of them. Some were holding bowls, while others had already picked up a bite of food and were slowly chewing it.

The atmosphere at the table quickly warmed up. Jianshi Shi frequently offered toasts, speaking warmly and sincerely with each bowl, recounting the Fire Tribe's development over the past few years and its attitude towards its allies. Occasionally, his hand would tap on the table as he spoke, as if gently marking each word with punctuation. Junfeng was initially somewhat reserved, holding his wine bowl as if listening while simultaneously weighing something. After a few bowls, he gradually relaxed, his shoulders softened, and he became more talkative.

He asked many questions, all of which had been on his mind for some time: How many people did the Fire Tribe have? Could their food production support such a large population? Could the shipbuilding speed be maintained? Was the cooperation with the Valley Tribe long-term or temporary? Jianshi answered each question steadily, without avoiding any of them or using vague wording. When he mentioned the shipbuilding speed, he pointed towards the dock not far away. "The ships you see today were all built from the beginning of spring until now. The workshops haven't stopped for a single day; you're here just in time to see them."

Junfeng didn't respond immediately after hearing this. He picked up the wine bowl in front of him, took a sip, swallowed slowly, and then placed the bowl on the table, his fingers gently tracing the rim. His gaze fell on the glow of the oil lamps on the table, as if he were replaying all the scenes he had witnessed during the day in his mind. Chidian sat beside him, quietly eating his food, but occasionally his gaze would rise and sweep over Junfeng's profile, as if waiting for him to make a decision. Xiao Matou kept watching Junfeng, his chopsticks pausing for a moment before starting again, as if using the act of eating to suppress his eagerness.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, the oil in the lamps had been refilled once, and the flames had stabilized again. The people inside had almost finished eating; some were leaning back in their chairs to rest, while others were still slowly sipping their soup.

Junfeng put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, then pushed the bowl away a little and sat up straight. His movements were slower than before, but very steady. He turned his head to look at Chidian, then at Xiao Matou, as if exchanging something with them with his eyes, before turning back and fixing his gaze on Jianshi's face.

He spoke, his voice much Chenwen than before, as if he had emerged from the boisterous revelry of alcohol and returned to the rhythm befitting a tribal chief. "Chief Jianshi, I've spent the whole afternoon observing, and I have a good understanding. The Fire Tribe's strength is far greater than I've heard from others. Whether it's the ships, the granaries, or the workshops, nothing is fake; every single one can withstand close scrutiny."

He paused, his gaze lingering on the Jianshi face for a moment. "On behalf of the Horse Tribe, I am willing to join the Fire Tribe. The Horse Tribe headquarters and our core affiliated tribes are all willing to submit."

After he finished speaking, the council chamber fell silent for a moment.

Then Jianshi stood up, picked up his wine bowl, and his voice, brimming with undisguised joy, seemed to burst forth from his chest. "Good! Chief Junfeng, you've made a wise decision. The Fire Tribe welcomes you!"

Everyone picked up their wine bowls and clinked them together. The clinking of the earthenware bowls produced a crisp sound, like a small but powerful announcement. A few drops of wine splashed from the rim of the bowls and landed on the table, resembling amber beads in the lamplight.

The two sat down again and began to discuss the specific details. Junfeng proposed that the main Horse Tribe and its core affiliated tribes, totaling more than 10,000 people, should all join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest this year. Jianshi agreed, promising to send enough ships and supplies to pick them up, and guaranteeing that the Horse Tribe would be allocated enough land and houses after the relocation, so that they would not be left without a place to settle down.

Junfeng nodded after listening, as if Shitou had finally been lifted from his heart. He picked up the last bowl of wine, slowly drank it all, tapped the bowl gently on the table bottom up, then leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. His expression seemed much more relaxed than when he arrived, as if a burden he had carried for a long time had finally found a place to rest.

After the banquet, Junfeng and the others stayed overnight at Little Fish River Mouth.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Dazhuang escorted them back to the Horse Tribe along the Fish River. The morning light shone from the east, illuminating the river surface with a golden glow, as if someone had sprinkled a layer of broken copper on the water. The sails were raised, catching the morning breeze, and the boat made a gentle turn on the water before heading downstream with the current.

Yan stood on the dock, watching the ship's silhouette gradually recede into the distance, finally disappearing around the bend in the river. A morning breeze blew across the river, carrying the damp scent of water and the evaporating dew from the riverside grass. Jianshi stood beside him, hands behind his back, back straight, his gaze also fixed on the direction the ship had vanished. He spoke softly, with the gentle slowness characteristic of early morning. "With the Horse Tribe joining, our territory will have a direct route all the way to the Big Horse River Mouth."

Yan nodded, his gaze still fixed ahead. "Yes. With the road open, things will be much easier from here on out."