Arc 19The River Mouth Expansion

The Fire Tribe expanded its fleet, grain stores, population, and network of outposts while honoring its trade alliance with the Valley Tribe and preparing for rising regional threats. The arc ended with Jianshi moving the administrative center to Little Fish River Mouth and setting ambitious plans for settlement and shipbuilding.

  • Jianya secured the Valley Tribe’s grain trade and agreed to discuss its request for an early delivery of bronze weapons as the Bear Tribe’s strength grew.
  • Jianshi launched the Fire Tribe’s first hundred-thousand-jin ship, and Yan visited the Horse Tribe and arranged to trade for cattle and horses.
  • Yan led a fleet to collect thousands of newcomers from the river-mouth outposts, while Jianshi sent him to retrieve the Valley Tribe’s remaining grain.
  • Yan brought the flagship and forty fifty-thousand-jin ships to the Valley Tribe, where he agreed to reserve twenty million jin of grain for next year and provide bronze weapons early.
  • The Fire Tribe completed the grain handover, and Yan and Qingsui discussed regional threats before Yan sailed home with the grain.
  • Jianshi agreed to honor the bronze-weapon promise as Yan reported that the Wolf Tribe had grown stronger and brought news of its attacks on the Great Boulder Tribe.
  • The Fire Tribe harvested more than thirty million jin of grain, welcomed over ten thousand newcomers, and Jianya returned from the Horse Tribe with cattle and horses.
  • Jianshi and Yan relocated the administrative center to Little Fish River Mouth, where Jianshi set a goal of accommodating fifty thousand people and Dabang planned a much larger fleet.
Chapters 451–475 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 451The Valley Tribe's Urgent Need

Jianya brought the Fire Tribe’s enlarged fleet to the Valley Tribe, where he met with Daiyue to exchange gifts and discuss trade and security. Daiyue requested this year’s bronze weapons early, and Jianya promised to raise the request with his tribe before returning for the grain handover.

  • Quyong saw the Fire Tribe’s fleet of twenty-three fifty-thousand-jin ships arrive and ordered his men to prepare berths and notify Daiyue.
  • Jianya arranged for his men to guard the fleet and prepare for the handover, then followed Fengren to the council hall with gifts for Daiyue.
  • Jianya presented pottery, coarse salt, and bronze weapons, which Daiyue and the seven great elders praised during the banquet.
  • Daiyue asked to receive the year’s bronze weapons early because the Bear Tribe was growing stronger with secret support from the Tiger Tribe, and Jianya agreed to discuss it with his tribe.
  • Daiyue promised that the conflict with the Bear Tribe would not disrupt the grain trade and guaranteed at least twenty million jin of grain next year.
  • Jianya and Daiyue settled the trade details and discussed the Bear Tribe’s scouts near Little Valley Camp Outpost and the Wolf Tribe’s activity near Great Rock before Jianya left.

Ch. 452Nighttime Discussions and Preparations

Daiyue and the Valley Tribe’s elders discussed the Fire Tribe’s growing naval strength, threats from the Bear and Wolf Tribes, and plans to strengthen their own defenses and population. The meeting ended with the Valley Tribe preparing for conflict while Daiyue left for the night.

  • Daiyue told the elders that the Fire Tribe was rapidly building large boats and could soon have fifty, far surpassing the Valley Tribe’s fleet.
  • Hefeng and Lin Feng discussed the Fire Tribe’s growing power and the techniques that had helped it develop.
  • Jin Ye asked how to distribute the bronze weapons, and Daiyue assigned them all to Little Valley Camp because of rising clashes with the Bear Tribe.
  • Daiyue urged the Valley Tribe to recruit discreetly and grow its population to thirty thousand, despite Hefeng’s concern about provoking the Tiger Tribe.
  • Daiyue predicted that the Wolf Tribe would raid again after its supplies ran low, but said it would first have to contend with the Great Boulder Tribe.
  • After the elders departed, Qingsui told Daiyue to rest, and he left the meeting hall.

Ch. 453A Smooth Voyage Home

Jianya returned to the Fire Tribe with another five million jin of grain and reported that the Valley Tribe wanted its bronze weapons early as conflict with the Bear Tribe intensified. Jianshi agreed to send the weapons ahead, while the Fire Tribe celebrated its growing grain stores and shipbuilding fleet.

  • Jianya arrived at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost with more than twenty ships carrying five million jin of grain, and Jianshi and the other Fire Tribe leaders welcomed him.
  • Jianya told Jianshi that the Valley Tribe wanted to receive this year's bronze weapons early because its conflict with the Bear Tribe was worsening and the Tiger Tribe was supporting the Bear Tribe.
  • Jianshi agreed to send all the Valley Tribe's bronze weapons in a couple of days, saying the Fire Tribe should support its ally.
  • Jianshi told Jianya that the Fire Tribe had launched ten more fifty-thousand-jin ships, bringing its fleet to thirty-five, and was close to completing its first hundred-thousand-jin ship.
  • Jianshi led Jianya and the others to the council hall, where they ate, drank, and discussed the Valley Tribe, the Bear Tribe, and the Fire Tribe's new ships.

Ch. 454A Bountiful Harvest and a Distant Journey

Jianshi reported the Fire Tribe’s growing grain stores and planned to bring in more tribespeople, cattle, and horses. After Jianya sailed to collect grain from the Valley Tribe, Yan departed with a fleet to visit the Red Flower River Mouth and Little Fish River Mouth outposts.

  • Jianshi said the Fire Tribe had brought back five million jin of grain from the Valley Tribe and expected an abundant early rice harvest.
  • Jianshi told Yan to visit the Red Flower River Mouth and Little Fish River Mouth outposts after the harvest, recruit nearby tribes, and negotiate for cattle and horses with the Horse Tribe.
  • Jianshi ordered Jianya to take another fleet to the Valley Tribe soon because its conflict with the Bear Tribe was worsening.
  • Jianya sailed downstream with a large fleet to collect more grain from the Valley Tribe.
  • The Fire Tribe harvested its early rice, and Yan worked in the fields alongside the people.
  • Yan loaded ships with trade goods and departed downstream with Shibang, Yingmu, Feiyu, Bailin, and others to collect people from the outposts.

Ch. 455Learning the Situation at Red Flower River Mouth

Yan visited the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost to learn about tribes seeking to join the Fire Tribe and gathered details for his report to his father. After agreeing to collect the Long Leaf and Short Leaf tribes and their subordinate tribes after the autumn harvest, he continued toward the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and the Horse Tribe.

  • Yan arrived at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, where Dali welcomed him and described his daily patrols aboard a fifty-thousand-jin ship.
  • Yan told Dali that a hundred-thousand-jin ship might be ready for testing soon and promised the outpost would receive one in the future.
  • Dali reported that the Long Leaf and Short Leaf tribes, along with their subordinate tribes, wanted to join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest and hoped to persuade nearby tribes to join them.
  • Yan agreed with the tribes’ plan and said he would return with a fleet to transport them after visiting the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and the Horse Tribe.
  • Yan left the outpost by ship, and Dali watched the fleet sail down the Fish River.

Ch. 456Learning the Situation at Little Fish River Mouth

Yan arrived at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, where Dazhuang briefed him on the outpost’s growth and the small tribes seeking to join the Fire Tribe. After breakfast the next morning, Yan led the fleet downstream toward the Horse Tribe.

  • Yan brought the Fire Tribe fleet to Little Fish River Mouth, where Dazhuang welcomed him and hosted a meal.
  • Yan told Dazhuang that the hundred-thousand-jin ship was nearly finished and that the Fire Tribe’s management center would move to the outpost.
  • Dazhuang reported that about five thousand people from dozens of independent tribes on the north bank of the Little Horse River wanted to join the Fire Tribe.
  • Yan planned to collect those people and about three thousand others from the west bank of the Fish River in one fleet trip.
  • Dazhuang described the outpost’s expanded housing, dock, farmland, and management center as the Horse Tribe’s movements were discussed.
  • Yan rested overnight, ate breakfast, and led the fleet downstream toward the Horse Tribe while Dazhuang watched from the dock.

Ch. 457Doing Business with the Horse Tribe

Yan visited Chief Junfeng of the Horse Tribe to warn him about the Wolf Tribe and negotiate a cattle and horse purchase. Junfeng agreed to sell at the old price in exchange for the Fire Tribe’s future help, and Yan left with a deal for autumn delivery.

  • Yan led the Fire Tribe fleet into Horse Tribe territory and traveled to Junfeng’s camp with gifts.
  • Yan warned Junfeng that the Wolf Tribe might soon attack the Great Boulder Tribe and urged the Horse Tribe to prepare.
  • Yan proposed buying cattle and horses at a higher price, but Junfeng offered the old price and asked the Fire Tribe to help the Horse Tribe in future crises.
  • Yan agreed to help, and the two settled a deal for one thousand short-legged horses and one thousand cattle to be exchanged around the autumn harvest.
  • Yan and his people returned toward the fleet the next morning with furs and mountain products from the Horse Tribe.

Ch. 458The Fire Tribe's Giant Ship Nears Completion

Yan returned to the Fire Tribe's main settlement and reported on his journey, including new arrivals waiting at two outposts and a successful cattle and horse trade with the Horse Tribe. Jianshi told Yan that the Fire Tribe's first one-hundred-thousand-jin ship would be tested the next morning.

  • Yan reached the Fire Tribe's main settlement and told Jianshi that people at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost were ready to join the Fire Tribe.
  • Yan explained that the Long Leaf Tribe and Short Leaf Tribe planned to arrive after the autumn harvest with supplies and help recruit more small tribes.
  • Yan reported that he had ordered a thousand cattle and a thousand short-legged horses from Chief Junfeng, who agreed to the old prices and sought the Fire Tribe's support against the Wolf Tribe.
  • Jianshi told Yan that the Fire Tribe's one-hundred-thousand-jin ship would be ready to launch the next morning, and that the tribe now had forty fifty-thousand-jin ships.
  • Jianshi and Yan left the council hall to eat and rest before going to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost to watch the ship's test.

Ch. 459The Giant Ship's Maiden Voyage

Yan and Jianshi attended the maiden voyage of the Fire Tribe’s hundred-thousand-jin ship, which passed its inspections and sailed successfully on the Fish River. Jianshi celebrated the achievement, discussed expanding production and relocating the administrative center, then allowed Dali to stay two more days before returning to his outpost.

  • Dali stayed overnight at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost to watch the ship’s final inspection, and Jianshi and Yan arrived there with the other leaders the next morning.
  • Dabang oversaw the ship’s launch, and Dali inspected the hull and reported that it was balanced, stable, and free of leaks.
  • Dali led the ship on a sailing test on the Fish River, and Jianshi and the leaders celebrated its successful maiden voyage.
  • Dabang estimated that the Fire Tribe could build twenty or thirty ships of that size next year, while Jianshi urged the leaders to finish relocating the administrative center to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost before the autumn harvest.
  • Dali asked to stay aboard the ship, and Jianshi granted him two more days before he had to return to the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost.
  • After the feast, Dali took the ship back onto the river while Jianshi and Yan returned upstream to headquarters.

Ch. 460The Fire Tribe's Grain Transport Fleet Returns

Jianya returned to the Fire Tribe with a grain transport fleet and saw Dali testing the new 100,000-jin ship. After overseeing the unloading, Jianya reported to Jianshi that the Valley Tribe’s grain shipment had arrived safely, with one more trip needed to collect the rest.

  • Jianya arrived at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost with more than thirty large grain ships and met Dali aboard the 100,000-jin ship.
  • Dali told Jianya the ship was steady and fast, and that Jianshi had promised the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost one next year.
  • Jianya ordered Binmao to unload and safely store the grain before traveling upriver to the Fire Tribe’s main settlement.
  • Jianya reported to Jianshi that the fleet had brought back five million jin, bringing the total to fifteen million jin, with five million jin still to collect.
  • Jianshi discussed the grain, the Bear Tribe conflict, the Wolf Tribe, trade with the Horse Tribe, and the new ship with Jianya, then sent him to eat and rest.

Ch. 461Splitting Into Two Groups to Pick Up the People

Jianshi celebrated the Fire Tribe’s growth and arranged for Yan to bring more than eight thousand people from the river outposts back to the tribe. The fleet departed upstream with the new settlers, while Dali watched the great ship disappear into the mist.

  • Jianshi reported the Fire Tribe’s growing grain stores, population, fleet, and territory, then urged its leaders to keep developing cautiously.
  • Jianshi assigned Jianya to guard headquarters and help move the administrative center, while Yan prepared to collect settlers from the outposts.
  • Yan’s fleet reached the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, where Shibang and Feiyu took half the ships downstream to collect people from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost.
  • Dali took the hundred-thousand-jin ship out for repeated rides while Yan and the remaining crew waited at the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost.
  • Shibang and Feiyu returned with more than five thousand people, joining roughly three thousand from the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, and Yan led the fleet upstream with them aboard.
  • Dali watched the fleet and its great ship recede until it vanished into the mist, then left the dock.

Ch. 462New Tribesmen Win Over and Grain Transport Resumes

Yan returned to Fire Tribe headquarters with more than eight thousand new tribespeople, and the tribe celebrated its growing population and strength. Jianshi cautioned against war with the Tiger Tribe and ordered Yan to prepare a fleet to collect the remaining grain from the Valley Tribe.

  • Yan brought more than eight thousand new tribespeople to Fire Tribe headquarters, where they were welcomed and settled through the tribe's established process.
  • Yan reported that the Long Leaf and Short Leaf Tribes were persuading independent tribes to join, with around ten thousand more people expected by the autumn harvest.
  • Jianshi and the other leaders discussed Fire Tribe's growing population and strength, while Jianshi warned them not to underestimate the Tiger Tribe or seek war.
  • Jianshi told Yan to take the fleet to the Valley Tribe in two days and retrieve the remaining five million jin of grain amid rising tensions between the Valley Tribe and the Bear Tribe.
  • Yan agreed and planned to use one hundred-thousand-jin ship, forty fifty-thousand-jin ships, fifty twenty-thousand-jin boats, and two hundred ten-thousand-jin boats for the grain transport.

Ch. 463Displaying Their Strength

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s enormous fleet downstream to the Valley Tribe to transport grain and demonstrate the Fire Tribe’s growing strength. He instructed his companions to remain courteous to their allies as the fleet continued toward its destination.

  • Yan explained to Jianshi that the hundred-thousand-jin ship would display the Fire Tribe’s shipbuilding power and reassure the Valley Tribe, despite the risk that the Tiger Tribe would hear of it.
  • Jianshi sent Yan off with a warning to travel safely, and Yan boarded the flagship with Shibang, Yingmu, Feiyu, Bailin, and the others.
  • The fleet left the Fire Creek River Mouth dock, led by the enormous ship, while Jianshi and Dabang watched from shore.
  • Shibang and Yingmu admired the flagship and praised the craftsmen who had built it, and Yan said its existence would make other tribes think twice before challenging the Fire Tribe.
  • Yan told his companions to treat the Valley Tribe with respect and avoid boasting, even while openly demonstrating their strength.
  • The fleet sailed past the Fire Tribe’s expanding outposts as its crew discussed Daiyan’s likely reaction to the flagship, then continued toward the Valley Tribe.

Ch. 464Giant Ship Shocks Daiyan

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s fleet to the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost, where Daiyan learned that the Fire Tribe had built a hundred-thousand-jin ship and greatly expanded its fleet. After seeing the ships for himself, Daiyan welcomed Yan and sent guide boats to lead the fleet to the Valley Tribe’s main settlement.

  • Yan discussed with Shibang how to greet Daiyan respectfully and avoid embarrassing the Valley Tribe.
  • Daiyan admired the Fire Tribe’s gifts until he heard they had brought a ship with a capacity of one hundred thousand jin.
  • Daiyan boarded the Valley Tribe’s fifty-thousand-jin ship and sailed upstream to verify the report himself.
  • Daiyan saw the Fire Tribe’s hundred-thousand-jin ship and forty new fifty-thousand-jin ships, and felt shocked and jealous at the contrast with the Valley Tribe’s ten old ships.
  • Yan greeted Daiyan, who praised the Fire Tribe’s shipbuilding and arranged for guide boats to lead its fleet to the Valley Tribe’s main settlement.

Ch. 465Surging Waves at the Dock and Settling into Camp

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s fleet to the Valley Tribe headquarters dock, where its hundred-thousand-jin-capacity ship astonished the people and impressed Quyong. After Quyong arranged for the fleet to dock and the camp to be set up, Yan settled his people in and learned that Chief Daiyue would likely host a banquet that night.

  • Yan brought the Fire Tribe fleet, led by its enormous ship, to the Valley Tribe headquarters dock.
  • The dockside crowd and Quyong were stunned to see the Fire Tribe’s hundred-thousand-jin-capacity ship.
  • Quyong greeted Yan, praised the Fire Tribe’s shipbuilding, and arranged docking and a temporary camp.
  • Quyong sent word to Chief Daiyue that the Fire Tribe had such a large ship and urged him to prepare to receive the visitors.
  • Yan’s people set up their usual camp beside the dock, and Yan thanked Quyong for his help.
  • Quyong told Yan that Chief Daiyue would probably host a banquet that evening, and Yan returned to camp.

Ch. 466Daiyue's Shock and Plans

Daiyue learned that the Fire Tribe had arrived with hundreds of ships, including a 100,000-jin vessel, and recognized how rapidly its power had grown. He planned to strengthen the Valley Tribe and ordered preparations for a lavish banquet to welcome Yan and the Fire Tribe’s delegation.

  • A warrior reported that the Fire Tribe’s grain fleet had reached Little Valley Camp with a ship capable of carrying 100,000 jin.
  • A second messenger told Daiyue that the fleet included forty 50,000-jin ships and hundreds of other vessels, astonishing the Valley Tribe at the dock.
  • Qingsui reminded Daiyue that the Fire Tribe had long concealed its strength, while Daiyue noted its growing population and the risk of conflict with the Tiger Tribe.
  • Daiyue decided to increase the Valley Tribe’s population to around 40,000, expand its fields, and trade for the Fire Tribe’s bronze weapons.
  • Daiyue told Qingsui to prepare a lavish evening banquet and sent Fengren to invite Yan and the others to the meeting hall.

Ch. 467The Banquet and a Long Conversation

Yan attended a banquet with Daiyue and the Valley Tribe elders, exchanged gifts, and arranged to buy at least twenty million jin of grain next year. After hearing about threats from the Bear and Wolf Tribes, Yan left with Qingsui to discuss the next day's grain handover.

  • Fengren escorted Yan and his attendants from the Fire Tribe camp to the Valley Tribe council hall, where Daiyue and the seven great elders welcomed them.
  • Yan presented the Valley Tribe with pottery, fine salt, hemp cloth, bronze knives, and other supplies, easing the elders' resentment over the Fire Tribe's growing fleet.
  • Yan agreed to reserve twenty million jin of grain for next year and gave Daiyue supplies worth ten million jin of grain as a deposit.
  • Daiyue told Yan that the Valley Tribe could not transport next year's grain and described the Bear Tribe's growth and the Wolf Tribe's attacks on the Great Boulder Tribe.
  • Yan and Daiyue discussed regional affairs, then Qingsui accompanied Yan toward the docks to coordinate the next evening's grain handover.

Ch. 468A Moonlit Walk and Affection Conveyed Through Spices

Yan and Qingsui walked together after the banquet, discussing the Fire Tribe’s growth and the Valley Tribe’s need for bronze weapons. After Yan agreed to provide weapons in advance and promised to visit more often, they parted at the Fire Tribe’s camp with Qingsui carrying a bag of spices.

  • Yan praised Qingsui’s cooking, and she credited him with teaching her to use spices.
  • Yan explained the Fire Tribe’s shipbuilding, defenses, and plans to grow its population by accepting people from independent tribes.
  • Qingsui asked Yan to advance bronze weapons against the Bear Tribe, and he agreed to provide them when Uncle Jianya came to collect next year’s grain.
  • Qingsui kissed Yan’s cheek, and they embraced before discussing his departure after two days and his promise to visit her more often.
  • Yan gave Qingsui a bag of spices, and they arranged to hand over the bronze weapons the following evening before she left.

Ch. 469A Seamless Handover and an Agreement at Dusk

Yan oversaw the handover of the Fire Tribe’s grain from the Valley Tribe and the inspection of salt and bronze weapons for next year’s order. After sharing dinner with Qingsui, he completed the weapon count and agreed to meet her again the next afternoon.

  • Yan inspected the Fire Tribe’s camp and fleet before Hefeng and Fengren arrived with Valley Tribe workers to begin the grain handover.
  • The tribes loaded half of this year’s grain onto the Fire Tribe’s boats while Hefeng counted and inspected the coarse salt for next year’s deposit.
  • Yan cooked dinner for Qingsui, who joined him at the camp and eagerly ate the meal.
  • Qingsui and Yan counted and recorded the bronze weapons, then each kept a signed copy of the tally.
  • Qingsui left to report to Daiyue and arranged to find Yan the following afternoon.

Ch. 470Aboard the Boat to Admire the Moon

Yan completed loading five million jin of grain onto the Fire Tribe’s boats and spent a peaceful evening with Qingsui aboard the largest boat, where they discussed the Wolf Tribe’s threat. He and Qingsui parted for the night before Yan’s return journey the next morning.

  • Yan organized the Fire Tribe’s teams to count and load the remaining grain while Fengren and Hefeng oversaw the Valley Tribe’s assistance.
  • By afternoon, the boats were loaded, and Yan cooked a feast that he and Qingsui shared at the temporary camp.
  • Yan and Qingsui walked along the Fish River, then went aboard the hundred-thousand-jin boat to admire the moon.
  • Yan told Qingsui about the Fire Tribe’s efforts to prepare for conflict with the Tiger Tribe, and Qingsui assured him she understood his secrecy.
  • Qingsui warned Yan that the Wolf Tribe had grown stronger and might soon overwhelm the Great Boulder Tribe; Yan suggested the Great Boulder Tribe seek allies.
  • Yan walked Qingsui back to the camp entrance, and she said she would come see him off the next morning.

Ch. 471The Return Voyage and Daiyue's Plans

Yan and the Fire Tribe's fleet departed the Valley Tribe's headquarters after Daiyue reaffirmed their trade agreement. After watching them leave, Daiyue and the elders discussed the Fire Tribe's rapid growth and agreed to expand the Valley Tribe's population and prepare for future threats.

  • Daiyue saw Yan off and promised to have twenty million jin of grain ready for the Fire Tribe next year, while Yan reaffirmed their agreement and promised to return at the start of spring with bronze weapons.
  • Yan boarded the largest ship with Yingmu, Shibang, Feiyu, Bailin, Jia Li, and others, and the Fire Tribe's fleet sailed upstream as Qingsui watched it depart.
  • Daiyue told the elders that the Fire Tribe's population and shipbuilding strength were growing rapidly, and Hefeng warned that the Valley Tribe needed to strengthen itself between powerful neighbors.
  • Daiyue proposed increasing the Valley Tribe's population to around forty thousand to reinforce Little Valley Camp against the Bear Tribe and the Wolf Tribe, and most of the elders agreed.
  • The elders discussed how to distribute the Fire Tribe's deposit and next year's bronze weapons, then reached a rough plan and dispersed.

Ch. 472The Voyage Home and New Tasks

Yan returned safely to the Fire Tribe with five million jin of grain after visiting the Valley Tribe, and he reported on its alliance and the Wolf Tribe’s growing threat. After the autumn harvest, Yan was to bring more tribespeople to headquarters, while Jianya was assigned to buy cattle and horses from the Horse Tribe.

  • Yan brought the fleet to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, where he saw its expanded dock, new buildings, and farmland, and spoke with Dazhuang about preparations for Jianshi’s arrival.
  • After twenty-six days sailing upstream from the Valley Tribe, Yan reached the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost with all five million jin of grain, and Jianshi, Jianya, and Dabang welcomed him.
  • Yan told the council that he had promised the Valley Tribe an early delivery of bronze weapons in return for its guarantee of twenty million jin of grain next year, and Jianshi agreed that the Fire Tribe should honor the promise.
  • Yan reported that the Wolf Tribe had defeated two subordinate tribes of the Great Boulder Tribe, seized grain, recruited young men, and grown to more than three thousand cavalry.
  • Jianshi ordered the Fire Tribe to begin the autumn harvest the next day and assigned Yan to bring willing tribespeople from the south bank of the Clothing River to headquarters after the harvest.
  • Jianshi assigned Jianya to prepare goods and travel to the Horse Tribe to buy cattle and horses after the harvest.

Ch. 473Autumn Harvest and Bringing People Home

After the Fire Tribe completed a bountiful autumn harvest, Yan brought more than ten thousand people from the Long Leaf Tribe, the Short Leaf Tribe, and nearby southern tribes back to join them. Meanwhile, Jianya traded with the Horse Tribe and returned with cattle and horses, leaving the Fire Tribe greatly expanded and well supplied.

  • The Fire Tribe harvested more than thirty million jin of grain, filling its storehouses alongside the grain brought back from the Valley Tribe.
  • Yan arrived at the Red Flower River Mouth with a fleet and began transporting Gaogan, Zhuangzhi, and more than ten thousand people to the Fire Tribe.
  • The fleet carried the newcomers upstream, bringing the Fire Tribe's population to around 140,000 and its total population with natural growth to over 150,000.
  • Jianya brought salt, pottery, hemp cloth, and bronze knives to the Horse Tribe and traded them for cattle and horses.
  • Jianya returned to the Fire Tribe's main settlement after more than twenty days, safely driving the cattle and horses back.

Ch. 474Plans for New Outposts

Yan returned to Fire Tribe headquarters with more than ten thousand newcomers and proposed building forward outposts at Green Leaf River Mouth and Little Horse River Mouth. After Jianya took charge of the headquarters and nearby outposts, Jianshi led a fleet downstream toward Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to relocate the administrative center.

  • Yan arrived at Fire Tribe headquarters with the newcomers, bringing the tribe's population to more than 140,000, and Jianshi welcomed him.
  • Yan proposed establishing outposts at Green Leaf River Mouth and Little Horse River Mouth as forward defenses and links for trade and communication, and the leaders approved discussing the plans further.
  • Jianshi decided the headquarters would remain a training and rehabilitation center for newcomers and become a secure research center.
  • Jianya returned with the horses, left draft oxen at several outposts, and took charge of the headquarters and its surrounding outposts.
  • Jianshi, Qingye, Yan, and the other leaders departed with a large fleet for Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to relocate the administrative center.

Ch. 475Prospects for the River Mouth Outposts

Jianshi visited the thriving Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and reviewed its growth and the Fire Tribe’s plans for expanding its fleet and river-mouth settlements. He left Dazhuang in charge of establishing the Green Leaf River Mouth and Little Horse River Mouth outposts, with construction plans underway.

  • Jianshi, Yan, and Dabang admired the growing river-mouth outposts and discussed how fertile land and boat transport could support a much larger Fire Tribe population.
  • After three days, Jianshi arrived at Little Fish River Mouth, where an exhausted Dazhuang welcomed him and brought him to the council hall.
  • Dazhuang reported that Little Fish River Mouth had expanded its dock, homes, warehouses, fields, canals, population, and livestock, and Jianshi set a goal of accommodating fifty thousand people there.
  • Dabang announced plans to build twenty ships carrying one hundred thousand jin, one hundred carrying fifty thousand jin, and two hundred carrying twenty thousand jin the following year.
  • Jianshi assigned Dazhuang to establish the Green Leaf River Mouth and Little Horse River Mouth outposts, beginning with about a thousand people at each, and promised his side two large ships.
Arc 19 of 28
Arc 19 of 28