A Private Agreement and the Journey Home

When Qingsui escorted Yan back to the entrance of the Fire Tribe's temporary camp, the moon was already high in the sky, its silvery light casting a clear and distinct outline of the entire camp. The torches at the camp entrance swayed gently in the night breeze, their orange-red flames intertwining with the silvery moonlight to cast warm shadows on the ground. A night breeze blew from the river, carrying the coolness of the water and the fresh, crisp scent of newly sprouted spring grass. Qingsui stood at the camp entrance, the moonlight illuminating her profile and highlighting the fingers holding the burlap sack. She lowered her head slightly, and after a while, she looked up and said, "I came to find you the evening after we finished packing the grain, and we had dinner together."

Yan stood half a step away from her, his hands hanging at his sides. The moonlight stretched his shadow long across the camp behind him. Looking into her eyes, he replied, "Alright, I'll wait for you. Even after the provisions are loaded, the fleet will need to rest for a night before we can leave early the next morning."

Qingsui glanced at him again, then hugged the burlap bundle in her arms tightly. She pressed her fingertips against the surface of the burlap, feeling the outline of the spices inside and their rough texture. Then she turned around and walked briskly towards the Valley Tribe camp. The moonlight stretched her shadow long on the dirt road in front of the camp, swaying gently with her steps. After walking about ten steps, she looked back and saw that he was still standing at the camp gate. She waved to him, then turned back, quickened her pace, and soon disappeared around the corner at the camp entrance.

Yan stood at the camp gate for a while, watching the direction where Qingsui had disappeared until it was completely quiet before turning around and entering the camp. He walked to the tent, took off his outer robe and hung it on the wooden rack, then sat down and silently went over the order of packing food for tomorrow in his mind. After confirming that all the arrangements were in place, he lay down. The linen on the tent roof fluttered slightly in the night wind, and the moonlight that shone through was sometimes bright and sometimes dim. He closed his eyes, listened to the sound of the river in the distance, and soon fell asleep.

The next morning, before dawn, Yan woke up. He heard footsteps and low voices outside the camp, so he got up, dressed, and went outside. The morning air still carried the chill of the night. Fires were already lit on the dock, torches planted on stakes and extending along the rows of boats, illuminating the outlines of the large ships clearly. Even the tiny scratches on the bronze battering Chuantou were visible. The sails hung low on either side of the masts, their edges fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. The warriors of the Fire Tribe were already preparing. Yan was standing on the dock when Quyong arrived with his men. Today, he wore a gray-brown linen robe, the hem tucked into his belt, and his trousers rolled up above his knees, revealing several dried mud streaks on his muscular calves. His straw sandals were new, with neat weave lines on the soles.

His hair had been combed again, looking neater than yesterday, but a few stray hairs still stuck up on his forehead. He saw Yan standing by the dock and raised his hand from afar, his voice particularly clear in the morning air. "Young Chief Yan, good morning! The grain was all counted last night, and the numbers match. Our people will use oxcarts, horse-drawn carts, and manpower to transport the grain from the warehouse to the dock. Your people can count it, and if they're satisfied, it can be loaded onto the ship."

Yan nodded and said, "Then thank you very much, Chief Quyong. We are all ready. Everyone is here, and the hold is cleared. We are just waiting for the grain to arrive so we can start loading."

Quyong nodded, turned around and waved to the people behind him, his hand drawing a short arc in the air. "Let's start transporting! Begin with the warehouse on the east side, oxcarts first!"

The warriors of the Valley Tribe quickly sprang into action. Ox-carts and horse-drawn carts drove along the dirt road from the direction of the warehouse. The two groups had cooperated many times. By evening, when they finished work, Yan stood by the dock, looking at the sacks stacked in the hold and then at the remaining piles of grain that had not yet been transported. He estimated the progress in his mind. If nothing unexpected happened, it would all be loaded within three days.

For the first two days, they loaded about seven million catties each day. The dock was constantly stocked with grain from morning till night. First, truckloads of grain were transported from the warehouse, and then bags of grain were sent into the ship's hold. The whole process was like two parallel streams flowing together and then separating at the dock. By the evening of the third day, the setting sun dyed the river surface orange-red, and the sunset painted a pale golden outline around the edge of the clouds. The last bag of grain was sent into the ship's hold. All that was left were some miscellaneous tasks, which Jia Li and Bailin took on. Seeing that the two of them had taken over all the finishing touches, Yan didn't linger. He told Quyong and turned to return to the temporary camp.

He walked to the basin beside the tent, bent down, scooped up a ladle of cool water and poured it into the basin. He bent down again, splashed the water on his face, and washed it twice, removing the dust and sweat that had accumulated on his skin all day. Water droplets dripped down his chin, leaving a small, dark, damp stain on his collar. He straightened up, dried the water droplets on his face with a linen towel, and then went into the tent to change into a clean linen robe. The robe was light gray, with neat stitches at the collar and cuffs, without any wrinkles. He combed his hair back, smoothed the stray hairs with his fingers, and then sat down at the tent entrance.

He had just sat down when he heard footsteps at the camp gate. Qingsui had arrived. Today she was wearing a light gray linen dress, shorter than yesterday's, so it wouldn't drag on the ground, making it easier to work and sit. Her hair was tied in a braid that hung down her shoulder, the end tied with a thin hemp rope. She carried a wicker basket covered with a clean linen cloth, the corner tucked under the handle. She walked briskly into the camp, her skirt swaying gently at her feet. Seeing Yan already dressed and sitting at the tent entrance, her eyes lit up. She lifted the linen cloth from the basket, revealing what was inside—a sizable piece of pork wrapped in dried lotus leaves. The edges of the leaves were still slightly damp, indicating they had been wrapped that morning; a clean-cut hen, its feathers plucked clean, its skin a pale yellow, its cavity empty and stuffed with a few slices of ginger; a fresh fish, its Yulin scraped off, its belly cut open and hollowed out, its surface dried, gleaming a faint silver in the afterglow; and some fresh fruits and vegetables—some tender scallions, a bunch of wild greens, each ingredient meticulously prepared, as if she had carefully arranged them beforehand, leaving no detail overlooked. At the bottom of the basket was a layer of washed broad leaves, a common wild plant found along the riverbank, said to keep things fresh and isolate the fruits and vegetables from each other, preventing flavors from mixing.

Yan couldn't help but smile when he saw the things, a warm smile playing on his lips as he said, "Qingsui, you brought quite a lot this time. The two of us can't possibly finish all of this."

Qingsui stood by the table, taking things out of the basket one by one, and casually said, "It's alright, share some of what we can't finish with Chief Jia Li and the others, and Quyong's group too. They've been busy packing grain these past few days, just eating dry rations."

Yan didn't refuse again. He rolled up his sleeves and went to the stove to start a fire. He squatted down, struck the flint twice, and ignited the dry grass and kindling. The flames licked the edges of the Mucai and slowly climbed up, emitting a warm light and crackling sounds. Qingsui was preparing the ingredients beside him. She cut the pork into evenly thick slices, each slice being roughly the same thickness. She put the chicken into an earthenware pot, added water, ginger slices, and a few grains of salt, and covered the pot. She rubbed the fish inside and out with salt and minced ginger. Her movements were swift and precise. When her fingers cut through the pork, there was a smooth, unwavering rhythm, as if she had done it countless times before.

The two worked together seamlessly, needing no discussion about who would be in charge of which dish. Each found their preferred position. Yan squatted in front of the stove, adjusting the fire and moving the burning Mucai aside to control the temperature. Qingsui slid the sliced meat into the fire, the sizzling sound particularly clear in the twilight. By the time the dishes were ready, it was completely dark. Yan had his attendants deliver the excess food to the leaders, and the two sat down facing each other, picking up their bowls to eat. As the food was slowly emptied, and the earthenware bowls were nearly empty, they both put down their chopsticks almost simultaneously. Yan put down his bowl and let out a long sigh. Qingsui also placed her chopsticks on the rim of her bowl, glancing up at him as if to confirm that he was full.

After finishing their meal, the two cleared the table together, then left the temporary camp and strolled slowly along the riverbank path to digest their food. The moon had risen high in the sky, turning the river into a flowing silver light. The water shimmered with tiny sparkles in the moonlight, and their shadows stretched side by side on the ground, rising and falling with their steps in perfect sync.

After walking for a while, Qingsui spoke first, her voice relaxed and casual, as if she had just finished eating. "Yan, your Fire Tribe has more and more boats, more and more people, and your territory is getting bigger and bigger. Now the Clothing Tribe is also preparing to join you. When I see your Fire Tribe's fleet lined up on the river, sometimes I feel that it is completely different from when I first saw you a few years ago. It's like a different tribe."

Yan's gaze fell on the water ahead, and he said, "Now the Fire Tribe and the Tiger Tribe are completely at odds. Only by constantly increasing our strength can we feel safe. As you know, the north is making a lot of moves right now, and the Tiger Tribe will definitely come looking for trouble this year. We can't afford not to make some preparations."

Qingsui nodded without speaking. She walked a short distance, kicked a Xiaoshi at her feet, and the pebble rolled into the grass with a soft rustling sound. Then she turned to look at Yan, her voice becoming more serious, and asked, "After the Clothing Tribe joins your Fire Tribe, will you immediately strengthen the military preparedness of your northern stronghold?"

Yan slowed his pace, turning his head to look at her. Moonlight fell on her profile, clearly illuminating her features. He thought for a moment, then said, "We've been strengthening the military preparedness of our northern stronghold, but progress has been uneven. If the Clothing Tribe joins our Fire Tribe, strengthening the northern stronghold will be much easier. After the Clothing Tribe joins our Fire Tribe, our Fire Tribe and your Valley Tribe will be bordering each other on both sides of the Fish River, making it easier for us to meet."

Qingsui slowed her pace slightly for a moment, then resumed her normal steps and said, "Yes, our Valley Tribe also hopes that your Fire Tribe will be closer to us, so that you can provide assistance more quickly if we need it. Our Valley Tribe Clothing Tribe Valley Tribe breaking away from us and becoming independent—after all, we don't have the ability to absorb their population and territory."

Hearing this, Yan felt more at ease and said, "That's good. This will make our plans in the north go much smoother."

Qingsui didn't continue the topic. She walked quietly for a while, the moonlight highlighting her profile. She looked down at her footsteps, the toes of her shoes appearing and disappearing in the moonlight. After a while, she spoke, her voice softer than before, as if she were saying something she had been thinking about for a long time and had finally found the right moment to say, "Yan, I'm eighteen now. In our tribe, many girls are already married at fifteen, some are even running around. People in the tribe are already talking about it in private. Although my father hasn't pressured me, he sometimes mentions at the dinner table, 'You're not getting any younger.'"

Upon hearing this, Yan slowed his pace. He turned to look at Qingsui, whose face was bathed in moonlight. Her gaze did not waver, but remained fixed on the riverbank a few steps ahead of them. It was as if she dared not look directly at him, but she did not avoid the topic itself. Her fingers gently twirled the fabric at her cuffs before releasing it.

Yan said, "My father has also been urging me about this. He's mentioned it to me twice already. Qingsui, I plan to formally bring this up with your father after we defeat the Tiger Tribe. By then, the situation in the north should be clear."

Qingsui didn't answer immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the river ahead, as if letting the words linger in the air for a moment to confirm their truth. After a few breaths, she nodded slightly and said, "Alright, then you'd better keep your word."

Yan looked into her eyes and said, "It definitely stands. I never go back on my word."

The two walked a little further along the riverbank, their pace slower than before. A breeze blew across the water, carrying the coolness unique to a spring night and the scent of newly sprouted grass in the distance—damp and crisp. By the firelight at the campsite entrance, Qingsui stopped, turning to look at him. Moonlight and firelight fell upon her simultaneously, softening her features yet making them distinct. She tiptoed slightly and lightly touched his cheek—a brief, fleeting touch. Then she took a half-step back, smiled at Yan, and said in her usual warm voice, "Then I'll go back. Be careful on your journey tomorrow."

After she finished speaking, without waiting for his response, she turned and strode into the night. After a few steps, she looked back for a moment, the moonlight illuminating her face. Then she turned back and continued walking, the moonlight stretching her shadow longer and longer, as if she were slowly merging into the night, until she completely disappeared around the corner of the camp entrance.

Yan stood at the camp entrance, gently touched his cheek, looked down at the soil beneath his feet, then turned and walked into the camp. He went back to his tent, sat down, listened to the sound of the river in the distance, and after a while lay down and closed his eyes.

The next morning, before dawn, the Fire Tribe's fleet prepared to return. Yan stood at the Chuantou, watching the Valley Tribe's main dock gradually blur in the morning mist, and the figures of those seeing them off slowly turning into rows of small outlines. Qingsui, wearing a light gray dress, stood among the crowd. He withdrew his gaze, nodded to the warrior at the helm, and after the sound of the bull horn, the fleet sailed upstream along the Fish River, one ship after another leaving the dock.

After several days of travel, the fleet arrived at the stronghold at the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost. Yan had the fleet stop briefly, then jumped off the ship and found Feiyu on the dock. Without exchanging pleasantries, Yan stood on the dock, looked Feiyu in the eye, and said directly, "Feiyu, the situation in the north is not very stable. The Tiger Tribe moving faster than expected this year, and there will likely be some activity around the time of the summer harvest. You must keep the warriors vigilant. The lookouts on the watchtowers must not be left unattended, and there should be patrol boats moving back and forth on the river to prevent any gaps."

After listening, Feiyu straightened up, his back even more upright than before. His hands hung at his sides, and his voice, tinged with the efficiency characteristic of someone who had lived by the river for a long time, said, "Young Chief, rest assured, the watchtower has been manned since the beginning of spring. There are shifts, day and night, so there's no gap. Boats are also on duty on the river, constantly moving day and night without stopping." Yan nodded, said nothing more, and turned back to his boat.

The fleet continued its journey and arrived at the dock of the Clothing Tribe tribe. Yan ordered the fleet to dock and disembarked. The Clothing Tribe's chief, Zhixia, was already waiting on the dock. Today, she wore a dark blue linen robe with dark embroidered patterns at the collar. The fabric was thicker than usual. Her expression was much more serious than usual. Her gaze fell on Yan's footsteps, and when he reached her, she clasped her hands in a respectful greeting. Her fingers tightened slightly as she clasped her hands together, her movements conveying a sense of urgency driven by responsibility. She said, "Young Chief Yan, we are ready. I wish to join the Fire Tribe ahead of schedule—not after the autumn harvest, but now."

Yan looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before asking, "Now?"

Zhixia nodded slightly and said, "We have our own information channels regarding the situation in the north. The Tiger Tribe is moving faster than we expected. Our Clothing Tribe is caught in the middle. Rather than waiting for the situation to completely change before leaving, it's better to leave now and have more time." Her tone was calm, but the fingers gripping the edge of her sleeve tightened slightly, as if using this gesture to steady the pace of her words.

Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, we'll transport the grain back to the management center first, then bring a boat to pick you up immediately. You should prepare here first, pack up anything you can take, and gather everyone near the dock. We can leave as soon as the boat arrives."

After listening, Zhixia didn't say much. She simply clasped her hands in a fist salute again, then took a step back. Her gaze lingered on Yan's face for a moment before she turned and walked towards the camp. Her pace was faster than usual, and the hem of her robe was lifted by the wind. Soon, she disappeared along the dirt road leading from the dock to the camp.

The fleet set sail again, heading upstream along the Fish River towards the Fire Tribe Management Center.