Pressed for Time

Yan led the fleet downstream along the Fish River. The waterway widened and the current became gentler downstream, making rowing much easier than upstream. The trees on both banks had turned from the tender green of early spring to a deeper green, their branches swaying gently in the wind, filtering sunlight into shimmering spots that were broken and pieced back together by ripples on the water's surface, like a layer of moving sequins laid on the seabed. Occasionally, a few water birds skimmed the surface, their wings flashing in the sunlight before folding back up and disappearing into the Luwei in the distance. Yan stood at the Chuantou, his gaze fixed on the river ahead, his fingers resting on the gunwale, adjusting his grip with each rocking motion. Daya and Gubang took turns checking supplies and personnel in the cabin, reporting the numbers every so often and recording the status of each ship on a shared wooden tablet.

The fleet sailed downstream, passing the Little Gathering River Mouth Outpost without stopping, only slowing down at the dock. The leader on the dock waved to the ships, and Yan also raised his hand in response. Gubang, standing at the Chuantou, nodded to him before turning back to the cabin.

When passing the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost, the fleet stopped briefly at the dock to replenish water and essential supplies. During this stop, Gubang and his men tightened several loose ropes and checked the gangplank. He squatted on the gangplank, tugged at the knots to make sure they were secure, then stepped on the gangplank a couple of times before nodding to Yan to indicate everything was alright. Passing the Pottery Salt River Mouth Outpost, the fleet stopped for about half an hour, allowing the crew to stretch their legs. Passing the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, the fleet didn't dock, only slowing down as they passed. Yan stood at the bow and called out to the Chuantou, inquiring about recent defenses and projected harvest. After receiving answers, he ordered the fleet to continue. The dockworkers waved to him, and Yan raised his hand in response.

That afternoon, the fleet arrived at Dali's stronghold at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Yan stepped off the boat. Dali was already waiting on the dock, wearing a dark blue linen robe, a leather belt with a bronze buckle around his waist, and animal skin boots with clean boot tops. His hands were behind his back, and his back was straight. When he saw Yan step off the boat, he strode forward to greet him.

"Yan'er, you've traveled faster downstream than you came, haven't you?" Dali stopped in front of Yan, first looking him up and down, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment, before speaking in a loud voice, carrying a sense of reassurance after confirmation, "I see the fleet's draft is deeper than when they left, so they must have brought quite a few more people."

Yan returned the greeting with a fist salute. "Uncle Dali, this time I brought 20,000 men from the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost to send to the Greater Qing Tribe to replenish the manpower of Shibang. The Greater Qing Tribe can't be left empty; the Wolf Tribe is to the east, and the Tiger Tribe is to the north. That location is too crucial. With an additional 20,000 men, their forces will be much stronger." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on his side. "When I pass through Little Fish River Mouth this time, I have another matter to trouble you with, Uncle Dali. Could you please inform Julang, Shinian, and the leaders of the Fish Tribe and Pottery Salt Tribe who have grudges against the Wolf Tribe, and have them gather a portion of their elite troops at the river estuary? When I return from the Greater Qing Tribe next time, I will take them to the front lines to deal with the Wolf Tribe. My father has already decided that the Wolf Tribe must be eliminated this year."

Dali listening, Dali nodded, his expression remaining largely unchanged. His voice was slightly lower than before, but his tone was steady. "Alright, I'll send someone to inform Julang and Shinian right away. Julang is at the Hundred Crafts Outpost, Shinian is at the Qinghe Outpost. They're not too far apart; they can be there in a few days by fast horses. They've been waiting for this day for several years."

Yan thought for a moment, then gestured with his fingers. "Julang and Shinian will each bring a few hundred men, not too many, just some elite, capable fighters. Too many men are hard to manage and inconvenient to move around. They have a few hundred elite troops, plus my men, that's enough to deal with the Wolf Tribe. The Wolf Tribe only has about seven thousand people right now, scattered in various strongholds, and can't be concentrated yet." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on his side. "Tell them to bring what they need, sharpen their weapons, and wear their armor properly. The front lines won't be as comfortable as the rear; they'll have to endure hardship. Those who want to go can go, and those who don't won't be forced."

Dali nodded, slapping his belt with a short, muffled sound. "Alright, I'll send someone to tell them right away. Julang and Shinian should be fine; they've been wanting to go for a while." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly in front of him. "Have them gather at the river mouth. I'll arrange lodging and provisions for the journey. Don't worry."

Yan nodded and chatted with Dali for a while about the defense of the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and the recent allocation of supplies. Dali said that the warehouses here had enough food and firewood, the shifts at the subordinate strongholds had not been interrupted, and they were keeping a close eye on the news from the north. He counted on his fingers in front of him and said that last month a batch of boats were sent to Stone Creek River Mouth and another batch of people were sent to Pottery Salt River Mouth. Although manpower was a bit tight, it was still manageable. After listening, Yan nodded and gave a few more instructions about the deployment of the northern sentry posts and ferry crossings to prevent scouts. After saying everything that needed to be said, Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Dali, turned around and walked onto the gangplank. The fleet set sail again, heading downstream along the Fish River towards the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost.

When the fleet passed the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, it stopped at the dock for most of the day. Dazhuang was already standing on the dock waiting, wearing a dark blue linen robe, a leather belt with a bronze buckle around his waist, and animal skin boots with the boot tops polished clean. His hands were behind his back, his back was straight, and he strode forward to greet the fleet when it docked.

"Yan'er, you've traveled quite a distance this time, from the Valley River Mouth to the mouth of the Great Green River Mouth Great Green River Mouth Fire Creek River Mouth to the Fire Creek River Mouth, and then back again." Dazhuang stopped in front of Yan, first looking him up and down, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment. Noticing that his cheekbones were more prominent than in winter, he spoke, his voice carrying a concerned tone after being assured of his presence, "Did you encounter any trouble on the way?"

Yan returned the salute with clasped hands. "The journey was relatively smooth, without any trouble. The Tiger Tribe's ships patrolled near the Great Luwei Tribe, but didn't dare to go any further. This time, I took 20,000 men to the Greater Qing Tribe to replenish Shibang's manpower, and also to inform Julang and Shinian to prepare. Next time I return, I'll take them to the front lines to deal with the Wolf Tribe." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on his side. "Father has already decided that we must eliminate the Wolf Tribe this year. Once we eliminate the Wolf Tribe Willow Vine Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe, our defenses can be pushed all the way to the Tiger Tribe's border."

After listening, Dazhuang nodded. His voice was lower than before, but his tone was steady. "Okay, don't worry about Julang and Shinian. They've been wanting to go for a while." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly in front of him. "When you get to the Greater Qing Tribe, please give Shibang my regards. If he needs anything, have someone tell him, and I'll get it for him."

Yan nodded and chatted with Dazhuang for a while about the defenses of the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost and the recent population resettlement situation. Dazhuang said that a new field had been opened up, the irrigation canal had been repaired, and early rice had been planted; the granary was full, enough to last until next year. As he spoke, he gestured towards the new field in the distance. Yan glanced in the direction he was pointing and saw several farmers bending over to plant rice seedlings on the ridge, their movements slow but even. After listening, Yan nodded, didn't linger, and turned to walk onto the gangplank. The fleet set sail again, heading downstream along the Fish River towards the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost.

When the fleet passed Feiyu's Big Horse River Mouth Outpost, it stopped at the dock for more than an hour. Feiyu was already standing on the dock waiting, wearing a gray-brown linen short robe, a hemp rope tied around his waist, and straw sandals on his feet. His face was tanned dark and shiny by the sun, and the skin on his cheekbones was rough and firm, but he was full of energy. When he saw the fleet dock, he strode forward to greet them.

"Young Chief, you must be tired from your journey." Feiyu stopped in front of Yan, clasped his hands in a salute, and said with a sense of relief that came after confirmation, "I received your message that you are preparing to transfer Julang and Shinian to the front lines. I am happy for them; they have been waiting for this day for years." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on his side. "I know Julang well. He doesn't talk much, but he's shrewd. Shinian is straightforward and easily gets carried away on the battlefield. Keep a close eye on him; if he gets too bloodthirsty, he might charge forward and get surrounded."

Yan returned the salute with a fist and palm salute, making a short, crisp sound as his hands closed, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I've seen the men that Julang and Shinian have brought; they're capable fighters. We'll group them together so they can support each other. Shinian will lead the charge, and Julang will follow behind. With the two of them in front and behind, there won't be any major problems."

Feiyu nodded and chatted with Yan for a few more minutes about the defenses of the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost and the recent supply situation. After listening, Yan nodded, turned around and walked onto the gangplank. The fleet set sail again, heading downstream along the Fish River towards the Valley River Mouth Outpost.

When the fleet passed the Valley River Mouth Outpost, it stopped for more than an hour. Yan disembarked and went to the dock, first going to the council hall to find his father. Jianshi Shi was sitting in the main seat, flipping through a wooden tablet. When he saw Yan enter, he looked up, his face showing surprise at first, then slowly relaxing. He spoke in a low but clear voice, "You're back? Was the journey smooth? Did you take care of things with the Greater Qing Tribe?"

Yan sat down opposite him, placing the empty wooden tablet on the corner of the table. "The 20,000 men from the Greater Qing Tribe have all been settled at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. Another 20,000 have been brought from Fire Creek River Mouth to reinforce Shibang. There are still over 10,000 people from the Willow Vine Tribe who haven't been received yet. I went to Great Green River Mouth this time to pick them up. Once the last batch is sent to Fire Creek River Mouth, the Willow Vine Tribe will all be settled." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "When I passed Little Fish River Mouth, I had Dali inform Julang and Shinian to prepare. Next time I return, I'll take them to the front lines to deal with the Wolf Tribe."

After listening, Jianshi nodded, put down the wooden tablet in his hand, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Alright, finish picking up the last batch of people first. The Wolf Tribe matter isn't urgent. Once the Willow Vine Tribe people are settled, you can deal with them when you have time." He paused, as if remembering something, and his voice lowered slightly as he spoke, "By the way, when you come back, go see Qingsui. Your mother said Qingsui is about to give birth. She's expected to go into labor not long after you return from settling the remaining Willow Vine Tribe members at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost stronghold at the Great Green River Mouth. Your mother has already had everything prepared, and a midwife has been hired."

Upon hearing this, Yan's expression first froze, then slowly broadened, the curve of his lips extending from the corners of his mouth to the corners of his eyes. His voice held a mixture of joy at confirmation and a touch of nervousness. "She's about to give birth? Then I need to hurry and bring the last batch of people back. There are still over ten thousand people at Great Green River Mouth; it'll take more than a month to bring them back and settle them in. By the time I get back, she should be just giving birth."

Jianshi nodded, placing his palm flat on the table. "Yes, your mother has calculated the dates; it's about that time. Go and take care of things first. With your mother overseeing things here, nothing will go wrong. By the time you return, the baby should be almost born." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "Your mother has been preparing these past few days. She's sewn several sets of baby clothes and prepared a stack of diapers. She's also contacted the midwife. You don't need to worry about anything; just bring the people from Great Green River Mouth back and give them to your Uncle Jianya."

Yan stood up, the chair making a short, sharp creaking sound behind him. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to his father, then turned and walked out of the council hall. After glancing at Qingsui, he didn't linger long at the Valley River Mouth dock. He quickly returned to the ship, gave Daya and Gubang a few instructions, telling them to arrange the upcoming voyage and the distribution of supplies. Then he walked to the Chuantou, waved to the dock, and shouted into the cabin, "Set sail!"

As the horn sounded, the fleet slowly left the Valley River Mouth dock and sailed downstream along the Fish River towards the Great Green River Mouth Outpost downstream of the Fish River.