Recaps

Jianshi brought Fire Tribe reinforcements to Little Gathering Valley and organized a rapid response to the Wolf Tribe’s expansion. He and Yan reached the Pottery Salt Tribe, where Jia Li welcomed them and the tribespeople greeted the fleet with cheers.

• Jianshi arrived at Little Gathering Valley, heard Yan’s report on the new tribespeople and the Wolf Tribe’s attacks, and ordered defenses strengthened.
• Jianshi assigned Yan to join the river expedition, Yingmu to lead cavalry by land, Shimao and Liebao to escort supplies, and Dazhuang to oversee the outpost.
• Jianshi and Yan sailed downstream with three hundred elite warriors the next morning, while the other groups prepared to reinforce the Pottery Salt Tribe by land.
• A Pottery Salt Tribe messenger told Jianshi that fifty Wolf Tribe cavalrymen had arrived and that Jia Li was seeking aid.
• Jianshi’s fleet reached the creek near the Pottery Salt Tribe on the second evening, where Jia Li welcomed him and Yan.
• The fleet entered the Pottery Salt Tribe’s creek as the tribespeople cheered the arriving reinforcements.

Jianshi and Yan helped the Pottery Salt Tribe prepare for the Wolf Tribe’s expected attack, then joined its forces in defeating Tujiu’s raiding cavalry outside Wolf Fang Valley. The captured Wolf Tribe riders began revealing where Xueya’s main force had gone and what he planned.

• Jia Li told Jianshi and Yan that Tujiu’s fifty cavalrymen were harassing the Pottery Salt Tribe, and Yan suspected Xueya’s main force had targeted the Marsh Tribe or the Green Grain Tribe instead.
• Jianshi said two hundred Fire Tribe cavalrymen were on their way and ordered the fleet to collect the remaining troops and supplies; he and Yan later scouted Wolf Fang Valley and found no sign of Xueya’s main force.
• Jia Li learned from Canglan that Xueya was moving near the Marsh Tribe and the Green Grain Tribe, while Yingmu’s two hundred cavalrymen arrived near the valley on the third day.
• Biaotou and Yingmu attacked Tujiu’s cavalry from opposite directions, but Tujiu escaped; the allied forces killed twelve Wolf Tribe riders and captured four.
• Yan questioned the bound captives about Xueya’s main force and plans, and they began telling him what they knew.

Cangbo organized the Marsh Tribe’s defense against Yexiao’s cavalry, then led his people to escape through the marsh before Xueya’s main force arrived. The Wolf Tribe seized the abandoned supplies and planned to plunder the Green Grain Tribe next.

• After a scout warned that at least forty Wolf Tribe cavalrymen were approaching, Cangbo ordered the men to defend the camp while the women fled through the back gate.
• Yexiao reached the camp, found its defenders ready, and sent a rider to tell Xueya that the Marsh Tribe might already be escaping.
• Cangbo led the warriors in a controlled retreat into the marsh, where the terrain stopped Yexiao’s cavalry from pursuing them safely.
• Xueya arrived with the main force, seized the remaining grain and furs, and distributed less valuable goods to the vassal troops.
• Xueya decided to leave the Marsh Tribe’s homes and fields intact so the Wolf Tribe could plunder them again after the next harvest.
• Xueya ordered Yexiao to lead the cavalry toward the Green Grain Tribe and prevent its people from escaping.

Uncle Sui strengthened the Green Grain Tribe by sheltering fleeing tribespeople and prepared to resist Xueya’s approaching army. The Wolf Tribe surrounded the defended camp, and Xueya weighed his options without yet ordering an attack.

• Uncle Sui welcomed fleeing tribespeople, raising the Green Grain Tribe’s population to fifteen hundred and its fighting-age men to around three hundred.
• After scouts warned that Xueya was approaching with over a thousand people, Uncle Sui’s leaders urged resistance and reminded him that the Fish Tribe had promised help.
• Uncle Sui ordered Shinian, Gucang, Wotu, and Chutou to prepare the warriors, weapons, camp defenses, and other residents for a siege.
• Xueya sent Yexiao’s cavalry ahead, and Yexiao found the Green Grain Tribe’s camp fortified and defended by about six hundred able-bodied people.
• Xueya arrived with more than eight hundred troops and, after Yexiao warned of possible losses and Fish Tribe reinforcements, considered his next move instead of attacking immediately.

Xueya used a fire attack to break into the Green Grain Tribe’s camp and ordered his cavalry to ambush those fleeing through the back gate. The Wolf Tribe captured the camp and its stores, while Uncle Sui’s people were scattered and slaughtered.

• Xueya ordered Yexiao to ambush the Green Grain Tribe’s back gate while Shichui and Duyan gathered firewood and straw for an attack.
• The Wolf Tribe set fire to the camp’s palisade and thatched houses, forcing Uncle Sui to send the tribe’s leaders and vulnerable people fleeing through the back gate.
• Uncle Sui stayed behind as the Green Grain Tribe’s leaders led warriors, elders, women, and children out of the burning camp.
• Xueya led the Wolf Tribe through the collapsed main gate and pursued the fleeing Green Grain Tribe people, while Yexiao’s cavalry trapped and scattered their warriors.
• The Wolf Tribe killed or captured many fugitives, seized grain and valuables, and returned to the camp as night fell.
• Xueya ordered the camp gates shut and gave his warriors leave to celebrate with the spoils and captives.

Julang led Fish Tribe reinforcements toward the Marsh Tribe, but learned that Xueya's Wolf Tribe had captured both the Marsh Tribe and Green Grain Tribe camps. He redirected his army toward the Green Grain Tribe, determined to confront Xueya at dawn.

• Shentan reported that the Marsh Tribe's people had fled, and Julang ordered his force to hurry toward their camp.
• Cangbo told Julang that the Wolf Tribe had taken the Marsh Tribe camp, and Julang persuaded him to head for the Green Grain Tribe instead of trying to reclaim it.
• At dawn, Julang and Powang joined forces with Changgāo and a hundred Marsh Tribe warriors and marched toward the Green Grain Tribe.
• Shentan reported that Xueya had used fire and an ambush to capture the Green Grain Tribe camp and seize its supplies.
• Julang ordered Shentan to find Green Grain Tribe survivors and learn the Wolf Tribe's whereabouts, then ordered his army to march at dawn and pursue Xueya.

Julang led the Fish Tribe against Xueya's Wolf Tribe forces at the Green Grain Tribe camp, where both sides prepared for battle. Xueya led his warriors and vassal troops out to face Julang in the wilderness, and the armies drew near as the fight was about to begin.

• Julang led eight hundred Fish Tribe troops toward the Green Grain Tribe camp after Shentan reported that Wolf Tribe sentries had spotted them.
• Xueya learned the Fish Tribe had arrived and ordered his warriors to arm and assemble at the camp gate.
• Julang taunted Xueya into leaving the camp, then withdrew his forces to an open area two li away.
• Xueya arranged for Yexiao to harass the Fish Tribe's flanks and threatened the vassal troops with the fate of the White Stone Tribe if they fled.
• Xueya led three hundred elite Wolf Tribe warriors and five hundred vassal troops out of the camp as the two armies approached each other.

Xueya led the Wolf Tribe to a decisive victory over Julang and the Fish Tribe in the wilderness, routing their conscripted vanguard and overwhelming their elites. Julang escaped, but the Wolf Tribe seized the battlefield and prepared to consolidate its power and take the Green Grain Tribe’s fertile land.

• Xueya ordered Shichui’s vassal troops to charge the Fish Tribe’s hastily assembled vanguard while Yexiao’s cavalry harassed the flanks and rear.
• The Fish Tribe’s vanguard panicked and fled into its elites, throwing Julang’s formation into chaos as the Wolf Tribe attacked.
• Xueya and Duyan led the Wolf Tribe elites into the fight, and Xueya battled Julang until Shentan arrived and carried Julang away during the retreat.
• Yexiao pursued the fleeing Fish Tribe warriors, and the battle ended with more than two hundred Fish Tribe elites and at least three hundred conscripts dead, alongside over two hundred Wolf Tribe and vassal casualties.
• Xueya ordered his forces to collect weapons and supplies and told Shichui to finish off the wounded before leading the Wolf Tribe back to camp to celebrate.

After defeating the Fish Tribe, Xueya celebrated the Wolf Tribe’s victory and assessed its spoils and losses. He decided to raid nearby small tribes to strengthen his forces before confronting the region’s stronger tribes next year.

• Xueya returned to camp, celebrated the victory, and joined the Wolf Tribe’s revelry as its warriors divided the spoils and captives.
• Yexiao reported that the battlefield yielded hundreds of sets of armor and many weapons, while the chiefs boasted about defeating the Fish Tribe.
• Xueya and Yexiao estimated that only a little over four hundred Wolf Tribe fighters remained ready for battle, so Xueya rejected an immediate attack on the Fish Tribe’s camp and nearby allied tribes.
• Xueya ordered Duyan to escort the wounded, supplies, and captives back to camp, while he led the remaining fighters to raid small tribes and Yexiao recalled Tujiu and his cavalry.
• Xueya declared that the Wolf Tribe would force the region’s tribes to submit or die, then sat by the fire planning the next day’s actions.

After defeating the Fish Tribe, Xueya led his forces to subdue nearby small tribes, but found them fleeing in fear. When Tujiu reported that the Fire Tribe had arrived with at least two hundred cavalry, Xueya abandoned the campaign and ordered a retreat.

• Xueya sent Duyan back with the wounded, supplies, and captives, then led Yexiao, Shichui, and about four hundred troops toward the small tribes.
• Yexiao found the Little Leaf Tribe deserted, and Xueya’s troops found no food when they searched its camp.
• Julang and Shentan encountered small tribes fleeing toward the Fish Tribe after learning of its defeat, and Shentan urged Julang to return and strengthen the Fish Tribe’s defenses.
• Xueya found the next two small tribes deserted as well, while more tribes fled in fear of the Wolf Tribe.
• Tujiu arrived with his surviving cavalry and reported that at least two hundred Fire Tribe cavalrymen had attacked them near the Pottery Salt Tribe.
• Xueya ordered his forces to retreat and sent two cavalrymen to warn Duyan to hurry and stay alert.

Jianshi and Yan rallied the Pottery Salt Tribe and pursued Xueya’s Wolf Tribe forces after they defeated the Fish Tribe near the Green Grain Tribe. The Fire Tribe cavalry trapped Xueya inside the Little Leaf Tribe’s camp and waited for infantry and allied reinforcements before attacking.

• Jianshi and Yan persuaded Jia Li to have the Pottery Salt Tribe join the campaign against the Wolf Tribe, and Jia Li committed one hundred infantrymen and twenty cavalrymen.
• Jianshi led the cavalry toward the Green Grain Tribe, where they found the camp burned and learned that the Fish Tribe’s reinforcements had been defeated; the Wolf Tribe’s main force had gone toward the Fish Tribe.
• Jianshi pursued the Wolf Tribe and caught up with its retreating main force after Tujiu’s scouts spotted the cavalry.
• Jianshi ordered Yingmu’s five cavalry squads to harass the Wolf Tribe as it retreated toward the Little Leaf Tribe’s camp, inflicting more than thirty casualties.
• Xueya’s forces fortified themselves inside the Little Leaf Tribe’s camp, while Jianshi surrounded it and sent messengers to hurry the Fish Tribe and the approaching Fire Tribe infantry.

Jianshi gathered a large allied army to destroy the Wolf Tribe after its failed attempt to break out of the Little Leaf Tribe's camp. The allies surrounded the camp, and Jianshi called the tribal leaders to plan an all-out attack.

• Wu Xiong sent Shifu and Kaishan with troops from the Hundred Crafts Tribe to join Jianshi, while Muye dispatched Liequan and Jiangsheng from the Beast Taming Tribe.
• After learning of the alliance, Canglan sent Julang and Shentan with 150 Fish Tribe warriors and recruits, ordering them to follow Jianshi's commands.
• Xueya led the Wolf Tribe out of the camp, but Fire Tribe cavalry harassed its flanks as Julang's force arrived, forcing the Wolf Tribe to retreat behind the gates.
• Jianshi and Yan stopped Julang from attacking the camp, and Julang agreed that the Fish Tribe would follow Jianshi's command.
• The allied forces assembled, totaling more than 900 people, and Jianshi told Yan to summon the tribal leaders to discuss the attack plan.

The allied tribes launched a fire attack on the Little Leaf Tribe camp, forcing Xueya and the Wolf Tribe to break out before nightfall. The allies destroyed the Wolf Tribe’s main force, but Xueya escaped into the northeastern forest with a few leaders.

• Xueya decided the Wolf Tribe would break out northeast after dark, while Jianshi and the allied leaders planned to burn the camp and intercept them.
• Huangye agreed to let the Little Leaf Tribe camp burn after the allied leaders promised to help rebuild it, and Jianshi assigned forces to surround the Wolf Tribe.
• When the fires started on three sides, Xueya led the cavalry out through the main gate, where the Fire Tribe’s infantry attacked the Wolf Tribe’s infantry.
• Yan pursued Xueya and defeated Tujiu’s rearguard, while Yingmu’s cavalry blocked the route to the wooded mountains and harassed the fleeing riders.
• Xueya, Yexiao, Shichui, and a handful of survivors abandoned their exhausted horses and escaped into the forest; the allied forces returned to find the Wolf Tribe’s main force defeated.
• Yan told Jianshi that Xueya had escaped, and Jianshi recognized the allied victory while remaining wary of the surviving Wolf Tribe chief.

After the allied tribes defeated the Wolf Tribe, the Fire Tribe shared most of the spoils and welcomed the Green Grain and Little Leaf tribes as new members. Jianshi and Yan set out for the Fish Tribe to discuss the refugees displaced by the Wolf Tribe’s destruction.

• Jianshi gave most of the captured horses, weapons, and armor to the allied tribes and ordered a feast from the remaining food.
• Shinian asked Yan whether the Green Grain Tribe could join the Fire Tribe, and Yan welcomed the idea.
• Huangye asked Jianshi to take in the Little Leaf Tribe, and Jianshi welcomed both it and the Green Grain Tribe into the Fire Tribe.
• Julang and Shentan invited Jianshi and Yan to the Fish Tribe to discuss the aftermath of the Wolf Tribe’s destruction, including the refugees gathered nearby.
• The allied forces departed the next morning, and Jianshi and Yan led the Fire Tribe and Fish Tribe contingents toward the Fish Tribe’s camp.

After the Fire Tribe’s victory over the Wolf Tribe, Shentan reported the news to Canglan, who weighed the Fish Tribe’s losses and security needs. Jianshi and Yan arrived at the Fish Tribe, where Canglan welcomed them and arranged for the Fire Tribe to take in refugees and hire the Fish Tribe’s fleet for its next grain journey.

• Shentan returned to the Fish Tribe and told Canglan that the allied forces had destroyed the Wolf Tribe’s main force, while Xueya escaped into the mountains.
• Canglan’s leaders debated how to rebuild the Fish Tribe’s forces, then agreed to accept five hundred refugees and strengthen mutual defenses with nearby tribes.
• Jianshi and Yan arrived with two hundred cavalrymen and three hundred infantrymen, and Canglan welcomed the Fire Tribe with a banquet.
• Canglan offered the Fire Tribe more than two thousand refugees, and Jianshi agreed to consider taking them in.
• Canglan offered the Fish Tribe’s fleet for the Fire Tribe’s grain transport next spring, and Yan promised advance payment and extra compensation.

Jianshi and Yan led the Fire Tribe in welcoming thousands of refugees and members of the Green Grain and Little Leaf Tribes into their territory. After the newcomers settled safely, Jianshi and Yan assessed the tribe’s rapid growth and the challenge of managing its expanded population.

• Jianshi told Canglan that the Fire Tribe would leave, then ordered preparations to bring the Green Grain and Little Leaf Tribes home.
• Jianshi and Yan offered refuge to nearly 2,500 displaced people, and the small-tribe chiefs agreed to join the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi returned ahead to prepare while Yan organized the migration, protected the refugees, and distributed meat to them.
• Yan escorted the migrants south, adding nearly 600 more refugees at the Small Gathering Valley Outpost, until the group exceeded 4,000 people.
• Jianshi welcomed the migrants to the Fire Tribe, where Qingye arranged their washing, clothing, housing, and supplies.
• Jianshi and Yan calculated that the Fire Tribe now had over 19,000 members and around 3,800 warriors, and discussed the need to manage its growth.

The Fire Tribe assessed the costs of its northern campaign, then welcomed Jianya's fleet carrying 1.15 million jin of grain and strengthened its trade ties with the Valley and Fish Tribes. The chapter ended with Qingsui receiving Yan's gift and the surviving Wolf Tribe leader Xueya vowing revenge.

• Yan reviewed the Fire Tribe's slowed production and planned to move metal refining and possibly bronze-casting closer to the mines while preparing for future population growth.
• Jianya returned with 1.15 million jin of grain, and he told Yan that Qingsui had helped secure cotton and crop seeds for the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi welcomed Fengren, Feiyu, and Bailin, discussed buying more grain from the Valley Tribe next year, and gave them gifts and pottery for future cooperation.
• Yan sent Qingsui spices and seasonings through Fengren, while the Fish Tribe chiefs departed with pottery as advance payment for helping transport grain.
• Jianshi and the other Fire Tribe leaders stored the grain and planned to clear more fields, while Qingsui anticipated Yan's return and Xueya vowed revenge against the Fire Tribe.

Jianshi and the Fire Tribe’s leaders planned how to manage their growing population, secure vital industries, expand farming, and prepare for future threats. The meeting ended with assignments to strengthen the outpost, acquire cattle, trade and explore upstream, and increase production and military strength.

• Yan proposed moving copper and tin refining to the Deer Tribe’s mining area and building a fortified workshop guarded by Fire Tribe cavalry; Jianshi put Yan in charge of the project.
• Yan proposed relocating three thousand integrated tribespeople to the Small Gathering Valley Outpost next spring, and Jianshi assigned Qingye to select them while keeping families together and matching their skills.
• Jianya proposed buying draft cattle from the Horse Tribe and expanding the cavalry, so Jianshi sent him by boat with two hundred warriors to purchase cattle and ponies and warned him to alert Junfeng about the Wolf Tribe.
• Yan asked to lead a winter trading voyage with Dali and explore the west bank of the Fish River, and Jianshi approved the trip and allowed them to recruit willing small tribes.
• Jianshi ordered the workshops to maintain or increase production and urged the Fire Tribe to expand its fields, grain stores, warrior ranks, and population to protect its people and secrets from threats such as the Tiger Tribe.

Yan and Dali led a fleet up the Fish River to trade with tribes along its tributaries and explore the western bank. About three thousand people from the eastern-bank tribes agreed to join the Fire Tribe, while the western-bank tribes agreed to trade again next year.

• Jianshi sent Yan and Dali upstream to trade, make contact, and avoid the Fish River's narrow upper reaches.
• Yan traded with tribes along six eastern tributaries and arranged for about three thousand people who wanted to join the Fire Tribe to gather for pickup.
• Yan and Dali explored five western tributaries, traded for goods, and promised tribes there they would return the following year.
• Yan returned to Fire Creek Wharf and reported the eastern tribes' requests and the western-bank expedition to Jianshi.
• Jianshi told Yan that pickup fleets had already left in groups to collect the new people.

Yan and Jianya reported on their journeys, the new members joining the Fire Tribe, and trade with the Horse Tribe. Jianshi assigned plans for relocating people, building an ore-refining workshop, and reinforcing the Little Gathering Valley outpost.

• Yan estimated that the Fire Tribe had grown to around twenty-two thousand people and agreed with Jianshi that people would need to move to outposts and former tribal sites next year.
• Yan reported that three thousand people had joined from the Fish River region and expected more to join after further visits.
• Jianya reported bringing back ponies, draft oxen, and other goods from the Horse Tribe, and said Junfeng had not taken the Wolf Tribe warning seriously.
• Jianshi ordered Dali to continue bringing back the remaining newcomers and their supplies, and sent Yan to establish an ore-refining workshop at the Deer Tribe.
• Jianshi assigned Jianya to relieve Dazhuang at the Little Gathering Valley outpost and planned to station two hundred cavalry there; Jianya agreed to defend it.

Yan checked on the expanding Youth Team and his family before traveling to the Deer Tribe camp with an ore convoy. There, he reunited with Shibang, inspected the mine, and began planning an ore-refining workshop near the camp’s mountain springs.

• Yan visited the Youth Team, praised Gubang’s leadership, and heard that Shizhua had placed third in a spear-throwing assessment.
• Yan spent time with Chasing Wind, Treading Clouds, and his younger brothers, then prepared supplies and a bronze short saber for Shibang.
• Yan rode with Lizhua and an ore convoy along the new road to the Deer Tribe camp, where Shibang greeted him and asked to join a future combat unit.
• Yan explained that the Fire Tribe needed Shibang to guard the copper and tin mines, and promised to support his transfer once Gubang could take over.
• Yan and Shibang inspected the organized, reinforced mine and discussed building an ore-refining workshop at the camp; Yan gave Shibang the bronze saber and asked to see the mountain springs.

Yan planned and oversaw the rebuilding of the Deer Tribe camp and the construction of an ore-refining workshop, while Shibang organized charcoal production and the residential area. After the workshop produced its first copper ingots, Yan left Shibang and Yandun in charge and rode back to the Fire Tribe's headquarters.

• Yan surveyed the Deer Tribe camp and planned defenses, a refining workshop, and a nearby farming settlement for up to two thousand people.
• Yandun arrived with three hundred Fire Tribe warriors, who repaired the camp, built watchtowers and a beacon tower, and dug a wider, deeper ditch.
• Yan planned the workshop's layout while Shibang prepared charcoal and Yan's workers sorted ore.
• After half a month, Yan assigned one hundred warriors to train as refiners and put Shibang in charge of the residential area's construction.
• Yan taught the selected warriors, and the workshop produced its first copper ingots after he stayed at the Deer Tribe for about ten more days.
• Yan entrusted workshop security to Yandun and the residential area and mining support to Shibang, then rode Chasing Wind back to the Fire Tribe's headquarters.

Yan returned to Fire Tribe headquarters and proposed expanding bronze tool production, selling coarse salt, and developing a network of outposts. Jianshi approved a phased plan focused next year on bronze tools, land reclamation at the Small Gathering Outpost, a self-sufficient Deer Tribe residential area, and a checkpoint at Fire Creek Mouth.

• Yan returned from the Deer Tribe and reported that its ore purification workshop was producing twice as fast as headquarters.
• Yan proposed using more bronze for tools and farming implements, and Jianshi directed Dabang to prioritize production for land reclamation and workshops.
• Dazhuang and Dali reported the acreage already cleared and described plans to expand farming at the Small Gathering Outpost and Fire Creek Valley.
• Yan proposed trading coarse salt directly with small tribes, and Jianshi agreed to begin gradually next year.
• Yan outlined plans for outposts at the Small Gathering Valley, Deer Tribe, former tribal sites, and Fire Creek Mouth, with a possible northern outpost.
• Jianshi set four priorities for next year: bronze tools, land reclamation at the Small Gathering Outpost, a self-sufficient Deer Tribe residential area, and a checkpoint outpost at Fire Creek Mouth.

Yan proposed a martial tournament to select the Fire Tribe’s strongest warriors and build unity, and Jianshi approved it as a way to establish a system for choosing leaders. Preparations began across the tribe, with the tournament set to start in three days.

• Yan proposed holding a martial tournament, and Dazhuang, Dabang, Dali, and Jianshi supported the plan.
• Jianshi approved awards for the top hundred warriors and bone blades and a three-day feast for the top ten.
• Yan set regional selections for the Small Gathering Valley Outpost and Deer Tribe mining area, with headquarters warriors competing to fill the remaining places in the finals.
• Yan established one-on-one matches with drawn opponents and a challenge right for those eliminated in the first four rounds, and Jianshi appointed him to oversee preparations.
• Yan arranged messengers, fighting rings, and trained veteran referees, while Qingye organized food, supplies, and a medical station.

The Fire Tribe began its first martial arts tournament, and Yan won his opening match when Teng surrendered rather than face him. After the first round and a midday break, Yan prepared to compete in the second round.

• Jianshi opened the tournament and told the warriors to compete fairly, then the contestants drew lots for their first opponents.
• Mangu defeated a young newcomer in the first match by knocking away his spear.
• Teng surrendered to Yan, giving Yan the win without a fight.
• Yan noticed that most newly joined tribespeople lost quickly, though a nimble young man from the Stone River area defeated a veteran warrior.
• The first round ended before noon, and the winners registered and drew lots for the next round.
• Yan reassured Teng over lunch, then went to find arena number three hundred and forty as the second round began.