Old Brothers Rejoin the Ranks

Yan led his fleet downstream along the Fish River and stopped at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. In the distance, he saw a large group of people standing on the dock, much more lively than usual. The people were chatting in twos and threes. When they saw the fleet docking, they all rushed towards the dock. At the head were several familiar faces: Kuaitui, Shimao, Changteng, Jiandun, Lichi, and Heizhua.

Kuaitui was the first to rush to the edge of the dock. His cheekbones were rough and sturdy, and his eyes, though small, were very bright and quick, darting around as he looked at people. He shouted towards the ship, "Boss! We've finally waited for you! You guys were doing really well against the Wolf Tribe recently. We've all been clamoring to go to the front lines with you since we heard the news!"

Shimao followed behind, slamming his wooden pole into the ground with a dull thud. He then said, "Boss, we've been idle in the rear for quite a while, training every day. Our hands are itching to go to the front lines with you. We missed the Wolf Tribe hunt, but we can't be left behind when we Tiger Tribe."

Changteng chimed in from the side, his voice low but shrill, speaking a beat faster than Shimao's, "Yeah, boss, I heard the fighting at the Wolf Tribe is fierce, with ambushes in the valleys, breaking through three passes, and a direct assault on their lair. It sounds exciting! We've been practicing on the wooden stakes here every day, then eating, then sleeping, then practicing again. We're practically brain-dead from all the practice."

Jiandun, Lichi, Heizhua, and others echoed their sentiments. Some shouted, "Boss, take us there!" Others yelled, "We can fight too!" Still others cried, "Don't leave us behind!" Their voices carried from the edge of the dock all the way to the river.

Yan stepped off the ship. Seeing so many people, the corners of his mouth slowly widened into a smile that extended from his lips to the corners of his eyes, smoothing out the vertical line between his brows. He switched the wooden tablet in his hand to his other hand and spoke, his voice low but clear. "I didn't expect so many of you to come this time. When I left, I was hoping for a few dozen old brothers to come, but looking at this, there are at least several hundred. The tribe is about to make another big move. You've come at the right time. Come with me this time; there's plenty of fighting ahead."

Upon hearing this, the people cheered. Kuaitui jumped up and down with Kuaitui, Shimao raised his wooden pole and waved it in the air, and the people behind him were even more excited. Some people raised their knives and waved them, while others patted each other on the shoulder. The dock suddenly became as lively as if it were New Year's Day.

After Yan and his group had been making a ruckus for a while, Yan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. The voices gradually subsided, and Yan then said, "When we get to the management center, there will be quite a few people coming with us. Don't embarrass me there. Do a good job. There will be plenty of battles for you to fight when we get to the Tiger Tribe." The people responded in unison, their voices loud and clear.

Yan then handed over some ships and supplies to Dali. Dali stood on the dock, his face blackened by the river wind, the skin on his cheekbones rough and sturdy. He handed Yan a wooden tablet, on which was written the number of ships and a list of supplies handed over. Yan took it, glanced at it, checked the numbers, and then nodded to Dali, saying, "Uncle Dali, keep an eye on things here."

Dali nodded and said, "Okay, don't worry about me here. Just focus on fighting at the front. We'll provide plenty of supplies." Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute to him, then led his men onto the boat, and the fleet sailed downstream along the Fish River.

That morning, after Yan led his fleet back to the Great Valley River Mouth at the Fire Tribe's management center, he disembarked Kuaitui, leaving Kuai Tui and the others to wait at the dock. He then went directly to the council hall. When he pushed open the door, Jianshi Shi was sitting in the main seat, examining wooden tablets. Several tablets were spread out in front of him, one of which depicted a map of the Fish River system. A bone ruler lay beside him. Hearing the door open, Jianshi looked up, saw it was Yan, put down the tablets, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and then said, "You're back? Have you completed the resettlement tasks?"

Yan sat down opposite him and said, "Father, the resettlement mission is complete. Everyone is settled. Jianya's place has enough houses and granaries, and the people settled in as soon as they arrived. There were no problems on the way. When we came back, we brought back some boats and supplies from the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost. Many of our old brothers also said they wanted to go to the front lines with me. Kuaitui, Shimao, Changteng Jiandun Lichi, and Heizhua are all here, along with several hundred veterans who were training in the rear. I took them all with me, and they're waiting at the dock now."

After listening, Jianshi nodded and said, "Okay, you'll need manpower for the front lines this time, and it's perfect that they're here to help you. I know your old brothers; they're all capable fighters. They've been training in the rear for so long, it's time for them to go to the front lines."

He paused for a moment and then continued, "I have already prepared ships and supplies for you at the dock, and I have also assembled 30,000 elite troops for you. In addition to the people at the Great Green River Mouth Outpost and Great Rock River Mouth Outpost, even if all the warriors of the Tiger Tribe come out, we will not be afraid of them. This time, you must take over the territories of the Willow Vine Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe over there."

After listening, Yan nodded, put the wooden tablet into his pocket, and said, "Okay, I will definitely take these two territories. If the Tiger Tribe dares to come and seize them, I will make sure they don't leave alive."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Father, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I'll go check on Mother and Qingsui, and then I'll lead the fleet out this afternoon."

Jianshi nodded to him, took his hands off the table, placed them on his knees, and then spoke, his voice lower than before. "Go on, your mother has been talking about you these past few days, saying you're leaving again. Yi'er just got to know you well and you're leaving again. Go talk to her and put her mind at ease."

Yan stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to his father, and then turned and left the council hall.

He went to see his mother, Qingye. Qingye was busy at the stove. When she saw him come in, she put down the wooden spoon she was holding, looked him up and down, and then said, "Leaving again? Have you eaten? There's still something in the pot, I'll heat it up for you."

Yan said, "I'm not hungry right now."

Qingye still slipped two rice cakes into his hand, wrapped in a cloth, for him to eat on the way. He then went to check on Qingsui and Yi'er. Qingsui was holding Yi'er in the yard, basking in the sun. Yan took him and held him for a while, rubbing his face against hers. Qingsui stood beside him, watching, a slight smile on her lips, but still a little worried, and said, "Be careful on the road."

Yan nodded to her, returned Yi'er to her, and then turned and left. That afternoon, Yan led his fleet downstream along the Fish River Fish River.