The Willow Vine Tribe Submits

After Yan led his massive fleet away from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost stronghold, they traveled downstream along the Fish River for several days. During this time, at every river estuary the fleet passed, people could be seen standing on the banks, some waving at the fleet, others shouting something, their voices scattered and then gathered again by the river breeze. When the fleet passed the Green Leaf River Mouth, Dazhuang stood on the dock, hands on his hips, watching the two hundred giant ships, each with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, sail past one after another. His mouth was slightly open, and after a while, he closed it, turned to the person next to him, and said something. The person nodded, still keeping their eyes on the ship shadows on the river. When they passed the Big Horse River Mouth, Feiyu stood on the dock, still holding a wooden tablet he hadn't had time to put down. His gaze followed the fleet from the head to the tail, and only after the last ship disappeared from sight did he look down at the wooden tablet in his hand, as if he had forgotten what he had been writing down.

Yan spent most of his time standing at the Chuantou, sometimes with Qingsui standing beside him. The two didn't speak, simply watching the budding trees and newly turned fields on both banks slowly recede into the distance. The fleet didn't move fast, but it was steady, like a long embankment being stretched out, moving slowly with the current. Occasionally, Qingsui would look away from the riverbank, pause for a moment on Yan, as if confirming in her own way that he was still there, and then turn back to continue looking at the scenery on both banks.

After several days of sailing, the fleet finally arrived at the river mouth outpost of the Greater Qing Tribe. From afar, Yan could see a large number of people standing on the dock, more orderly than when they last came. Qingya stood at the front, wearing a dark blue linen robe with dark-colored stitching on the collar and cuffs, as if he had changed it specially for today. His hair was neatly combed and held back with a bone hairpin, with a few strands of white hair hanging down from behind his ears, shimmering in the afternoon light. His hands hung at his sides, his gaze fixed on the sails of the ships that were docking, his eyes scanning from Chuantou to stern, as if he were counting the number of ships in his own way.

Behind him stood Qingshi, Qingshi was wearing a dark gray linen robe today, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms. A light-colored old scar on his forearm gleamed faintly in the afternoon light. His hands hung at his sides, his gaze fixed on the giant ships that were docking, slowly moving from Chuantou to stern, as if he were confirming for himself whether the fleet was truly as large as the rumors suggested. He watched for a while, his lips moving slightly, as if counting something, before he turned his gaze back to the soldiers preparing mooring lines along the dock.

On the other side of the Qingya stood Liutiao. Today, he wore a light brown linen robe, with a leather belt embroidered with vine patterns around his waist. His hair was tied back with a leather cord, with a few stray strands falling from his ears and landing on his cheekbones. He looked more energetic than when they last met, his shoulders straighter, as if he had relieved some of the weight that had been pressing on them. His gaze was also fixed on the direction of the fleet, scanning the Chuantou of the giant ships one by one, as if he were confirming in his own way whether the fleet was indeed as large as the rumors suggested. Then he slightly turned his head to look at Qingshi, as if trying to confirm from the other's face that his judgment was correct.

The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Yan and Qingsui stepped off the boat. Qingsui was wearing a light blue linen dress with a few small white Little Flower embroidered on the hem. Her hair was tied into a braid that hung down to her shoulder, with the end of the braid tied with a light-colored string. She walked half a step next to Yan, her gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of the people on the dock.

Qingya stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and his gaze lingered on Yan's face for a moment before shifting to Qingsui's, then returned to his lips, a smile slowly spreading across his face, "Young Chief, congratulations! I didn't expect you to bring your fleet so soon after your wedding. When I saw your fleet lined up so long at the dock, stretching as far as the eye could see, I felt reassured. Now the people of the Greater Qing Tribe can leave with peace of mind."

Yan also returned the greeting with clasped hands. "Our Fire Tribe attaches great importance to the matters concerning the Greater Qing Tribe and the Willow Vine Tribe, so we sent me here personally. This time, I plan to relocate all the members of the Greater Qing Tribe to the Valley Tribe and the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost temporary resettlement. Once the main Valley camp becomes available, we will arrange for more people to go there."

Qingya nodded and said, "We completely agree with this arrangement. We also hope to get there as soon as possible. This place is too close to the Tiger Tribe. We have to send people to keep an eye on the river every day, and we can't sleep soundly. A few days ago, we saw their scouts on the other side of the river again. Although they didn't get close, it still makes us uneasy."

Liutiao stepped forward and clasped his hands in a salute. "Young Chief Yan, after I returned this time, my father and the others agreed to join the Fire Tribe. He asked me to come to the Greater Qing Tribe to discuss the specific timing and arrangements for joining the Fire Tribe with you. Our people have been waiting for some time and will no longer hesitate. My father said that as long as the Fire Tribe is ready, we can set off at any time."

Yan nodded, his gaze lingering on Liutiao's face for a moment before saying, "Our Fire Tribe warmly welcomes the Willow Vine Tribe to join us. My father, Jianshi, specifically sent me here to represent the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe and discuss joining with you. We've already discussed the specific conditions, which are the same as those for the Valley Tribe, Bean Tribe, and Greater Qing Tribe —they won't change. The chief will serve as the council leader, and the chiefs of core subordinate tribes will enjoy the same council leader benefits. Other chiefs will be granted reserve titles, and those with outstanding performance can be directly promoted to full chiefs. We will properly settle your people; houses, food, and tools will all be prepared in advance."

Qingya chimed in, "Hot food has been prepared in the council hall of the Greater Qing Tribe camp. Let's go in and eat and chat. It's windy standing on the dock, Qingsui just got off the boat, so don't let the wind blow on her. We stewed a pot of fish today; it was just caught from the river this morning, and it's very fresh."

The group headed towards the council hall of the Greater Qing Tribe. Qingsui walked beside Yan, her gaze lingering on the newly built walls and tidied campsites along the way. She noticed several trees that had just been pruned, their trunks still bearing the light-colored marks of the trimming. She also saw piles of newly harvested grain in the open space ahead, the grains already dried and being packed into sacks. The council hall wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. The old weapons hanging on the walls were spotlessly polished, and the ceramic bowls and plates on the tables were neatly arranged, with clean linen cloths draped over the rims. After everyone sat down, Qingya had hot tea and dried fruit served, and instructed the kitchen to quickly bring out the hot dishes. Plates of food were brought out, including stewed fish, stir-fried wild vegetables, boiled beans, and several bowls of hot soup. The steam rose gently in the afternoon light, warming the air around the table.

When everyone had almost finished eating and drinking, Qingya put down his chopsticks, which landed on the rim of his bowl with a crisp sound. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and then looked at Yan, saying, "Young Chief, I've already informed the people of the Greater Qing Tribe. They should be able to assemble and board the ships for migration first thing tomorrow morning. I've already divided them into groups, organized by family, so they won't be separated. The elderly and children will go first, and the able-bodied will bring up the rear. All other supplies have also been arranged; nothing will be left behind."

Yan nodded and said, "That's good. I brought many boats with me this time. As long as the tribesmen are gathered, we can migrate there in one go. You go first and settle down in the Valley Tribe and Green Leaf River Mouth Estuary. Once the houses in the main valley are vacated, I will arrange for people to send you there in batches."

Liutiao put down his chopsticks, his fingers pausing on the table. His gaze lingered on Yan's face for a moment before he spoke, his voice lower than before. "Young Chief Yan, my father and the others have agreed to let our Willow Vine Tribe join the Fire Tribe. Including the core and peripheral tribes, we have about 35,000 people. How will we migrate? The Tiger Tribe has people monitoring our tribe's every move nearby. If we make any big moves, it certainly won't escape Tiger Tribe notice. Their spies live in several small camps near our tribe and can see us every day. Whenever a boat docks or people start packing, they send someone to report to the Tiger Tribe."

Yan listened but didn't answer immediately. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze lingering on Liutiao's face before shifting to the edge of the wooden tablets on the table. Then he spoke, his voice low but clear. "This is indeed a bit troublesome, but don't worry. This time I brought ample manpower and ships. After I've relocated all the people of the Greater Qing Tribe and returned, I'll send my fleet over. The Tiger Tribe won't dare to cause trouble; on the contrary, they'll have to be wary of our Fire Tribe's fleet attacking them. We have more ships than them. As long as we hurry and relocate the people to the Greater Qing Tribe's camp by water and land, we'll be safe. They shouldn't dare to chase us here. I've already stationed several thousand elite warriors at the Greater Qing Tribe's dock, and with the defenses in the camp, the Tiger Tribe won't easily approach. Go back and have the Willow Vine Tribe secretly make contact, pack up what you can take, and be ready to depart as soon as the manpower is in place. Our fleet will come to pick you up after settling the remaining people of the Greater Qing Tribe."

Upon hearing this, Liutiao's expression visibly relaxed; his shoulders slumped, and his fingers loosened and tightened on the table. He nodded and said, "Yes, Chief Yan, I'll go back and have the Willow Vine Tribe secretly make contact, pack everything we can take, and we can leave as soon as our forces are in place. Our people have been waiting for some time and won't hesitate any longer. My father said that as long as the Fire Tribe is ready, we can leave at any time."

Qingshi sat beside them, listening to their conversation. After Liutiao finished speaking, he said, "Young Chief, shall our Greater Qing Tribe leave first thing tomorrow morning? The group of able-bodied men I'm in charge of bringing up the rear will leave with the last batch of boats."

Yan Chao nodded to him and said, "We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. You help your father arrange the troops properly, don't make a mess of things. Bailin will take most of the ships first and send these people to the Valley Tribe and the Green Leaf River Mouth Estuary for resettlement. I'll stay here to wait for news and keep an eye on the movements to the north."

Qingshi nodded without saying anything more, but he gently pressed his palm on the table, as if to confirm that what he was about to do had been put into practice.

The next morning, before dawn, the dock of the Greater Qing Tribe was already crowded with people. So, while the morning mist was still floating on the river, the tribespeople who were about to migrate had already formed several long lines along the boardwalk, with the tail of the line extending all the way to the entrance of the camp. They were being gradually illuminated by the morning light, and the morning mist flowed along the water, softening the silhouettes of the people boarding the boats and the outlines of the boats.

Bailin stood on the dock, holding a wooden tablet and counting heads. His gaze swept quickly over the figures boarding the ship, marking each family he passed on the tablet, his finger tracing the edge before withdrawing. Behind him stood several soldiers, one guiding the boarding pace, the other confirming the flow of each group. Then, one soldier stood up and nodded to Bailin. Yan stood at the edge of the dock, watching the people board the ship in batches, neither urging them nor leaving.

Once the last person boarded the ship, Bailin quickly walked up to Yan and handed him the wooden tablet. Yan glanced at the markings on it, nodded, and then said to Bailin, "Take most of the ships and go first. Send these 15,000 people to the Valley Tribe and the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost stronghold and settle them along the way. Once you get there, Jia Li, Dazhuang, and Feiyu will arrange for people to meet you. I'll stay here and wait for your news, and also keep an eye on the movements to the north."

Bailin nodded, put the wooden tablet into his robes, and turned to walk towards the fleet. Soon, most of the ships in the fleet began to adjust their positions, oars dipped into the water, sails rose, and the massive fleet slowly left the dock, sailing downstream along the Fish River towards the Valley Tribe. The figures on the dock grew smaller and smaller, and the sails formed a long white ribbon in the morning light, eventually disappearing at the bend in the river.

Yan stayed behind at the Greater Qing Tribe's camp with a small number of boats, keeping watch while awaiting news from the Willow Vine Tribe. His boats were moored on the inner side of the dock, sails down, but the warriors on board remained on board, ready to depart at any moment. Qingsui stayed ashore with him, and the two settled into an empty house near the camp. The house was small but clean, with newly changed straw mats and animal hides on the bed, and a wooden box in the corner with a small oil lamp on its lid. During the day, they guarded the dock, watching the river, occasionally nodding to those passing by the camp. In the evenings, they returned to the house, sat around a low table, and discussed their next steps. He gestured as he spoke, and Qingsui listened, occasionally adding a comment.

Liutiao led a few people back to the Willow Vine Tribe early the next morning. Yan stood on the dock, watching Liutiao's figure disappear in the direction leading to the Willow Vine Tribe, and then he looked away.