Everyone's Credit

Yan led the fleet downstream along the Fish River. The cabins were packed with people gathered from various tributary strongholds upstream. After traveling for several days, the fleet first arrived at the stronghold at the Great Green River Mouth Outpost. From afar, Yan could see a large number of people standing on the dock. Shibang stood at the front, wearing a dark gray leather armor with a linen short robe over it. He had a leather belt with bronze buckles around his waist and animal skin boots on his feet. His face was blackened by the river wind, and the skin on his cheekbones was rough and firm, but he was full of energy and his eyes were bright. When he saw the fleet dock, he strode forward to greet them.

The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Yan stepped off. Shibang stepped forward, stopped in front of Yan, and clasped his hands in a salute, saying, "Boss, you've arrived. I've already prepared the house. The empty rooms have been re-laid with straw mats and animal hides, the granary has been replenished, and firewood is stacked behind the house. You can settle in as soon as you arrive. The Tiger Tribe hasn't come to provoke us recently. Their boats are still patrolling near the mouth of the Great Luwei River Mouth, following the same route. They turn back near the mouth of the Great Rock River Mouth, not daring to go further upstream. Our sentries are guarding the riverbank; if they dare to approach, we'll spot them immediately."

After listening, Yan nodded and said, "That's good. Continue to be vigilant and on guard. Don't let your guard down. The Tiger Tribe's current inaction doesn't mean they won't act in the future. They might be waiting for an opportunity, waiting for us to show a weakness. When we attack the Wolf Tribe again, they sent a boat to scout ahead, just to see our reaction. So we can't give them a chance. I brought a group of people with me this time. Arrange for them to disembark, settle those who need to be settled, and organize those who need to be organized. I'll come back to pick up another group to go to the Fire Creek River Mouth."

Shibang nodded, turned and gave a few instructions to the leaders behind him. The leaders then led their men towards the dock, guiding the people off the boats. The crowd moved slowly along the boardwalk. Shibang stood at the edge of the dock, watching people disembark in batches, then turned back to Yan and said, "Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of things here. You go about your business." Yan nodded to him, gave a few more instructions regarding the defense of the Great Green River Mouth, left a group of boats behind, turned and walked onto the gangplank, and the fleet set sail again, continuing towards the Great Rock River Mouth Fish River.

Upon arriving at the Great Rock River Mouth Outpost, Yan settled the remaining people. After the fleet picked up the people at the two strongholds and assembled, the fleet sailed upstream along the Fish River towards the Fire Creek River Mouth.

After several days of travel, the fleet arrived at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost dock that morning. From afar, Yan could see a large number of people standing on the dock. Jianya stood at the front, wearing a gray-blue linen robe with dark-colored stitching on the collar and cuffs. He had a hemp rope tied around his waist and straw sandals on his feet. His gaze swept over the sails of the ships that were docking one by one. Behind him stood some warriors and a group of tribesmen responsible for providing support.

The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Yan led his men off the boat. Jianya stepped forward, stopped in front of Yan, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Yan'er, you did a great job this time. You easily wiped out the Wolf Tribe's forces. When I heard the news from the rear, I was so happy that I couldn't sleep all night."

Yan returned the salute with clasped hands, then said, "Our success on the front lines is inseparable from the support from behind, Uncle Jianya. Without your hard work, where would we get so many good ships, bronze weapons, horses, and food? We fight on the front, and you supply us from behind. The credit belongs to everyone."

After hearing Jianya, Fang's smile stretched from the corners of his mouth to the corners of his eyes, widening the lines around them. He withdrew his hand from Yan's shoulder, letting it hang at his side, and then spoke, his voice slightly higher than before. "Yan'er, I love hearing you say that. Winning a battle without taking credit, but sharing the credit with everyone—that's what a leader should be like. I'll take good care of the people you brought. Absorbing these people will greatly enhance the strength of our Fire Tribe. I have enough houses here, and the granaries are full. People can settle in as soon as they arrive, so don't worry."

Yan nodded, switched the wooden tablet in his hand to his other hand, and then spoke, his voice steady and clear. "Uncle Jianya, I'm relieved to hear you say that."

He paused, as if remembering something, and then continued, "By the way, Uncle Jianya, Daya has been doing a good job following me. He's now in charge of the Great Rock River Outpost. During the recent Wolf Tribe, he knocked Duzhu off his horse and killed quite a few Xueya members. He did a great job, and Father agreed to let him take charge of the Great Rock River Outpost to give him some experience."

After listening, Jianya pulled his hand back from his belt, pressed it in front of him, and then said, "I trust Daya to work for you. If he misbehaves, you help me teach him a lesson. That kid has been tough since he was little and has always loved to talk back. As the older brother, you should scold him when he needs to and punish him when he needs to. Don't spoil him."

After listening, Yan's lips curled up slightly, and he said, "Uncle Jianya, don't worry, Daya is doing a good job under me. He's obedient and hardworking. I scold him when he needs to be scolded, and I punish him when he needs to be punished. I won't spoil him."

Soon, everyone on the fleet was ashore. Jianya's men took the people ashore in batches to settle them in. Yan took some prepared supplies and a new ship with him. The supplies had been prepared by Jianya's side beforehand. Then he clasped his hands in Jianya salute to Fang and said, "Uncle Jianya, I'll be going now. There are still things waiting for me downstream."

Jianya returned the salute with clasped hands, then watched the fleet depart. The fleet slowly left the Fire Creek River Mouth dock and sailed downstream along the Fish River.