Recaps

Shibang’s three thousand Fire Tribe cavalrymen defeated Yexiao’s thousand Wolf Tribe riders on the north bank and forced Yexiao to flee into a dense forest with about thirty men. Shibang halted the pursuit, guarded the forest, and began gathering prisoners and supplies while planning to meet the others near Stone Ridge Mountain.

• Shibang surrounded Yexiao’s Wolf Tribe cavalry on three sides, and the outnumbered, poorly equipped riders were crushed by the veteran Fire Tribe troops.
• Yexiao tried twice to break through toward Stone Ridge Mountain but was driven back, then led about a hundred men north toward the forest.
• Fire Tribe arrows and pursuit reduced Yexiao’s group to thirty-odd riders by the time they reached the forest.
• Yexiao ordered his men to abandon their horses and follow him into the dense forest, intending to hide until night and make for Stone Ridge Mountain.
• Shibang refused to send cavalry into the forest, leaving a hundred men to guard its edge and ordering the rest to collect prisoners, grain carts, and supplies.

Yan joined Julang after Xueya escaped the ambush and learned that the Wolf Tribe's forces and supplies had largely been defeated. They led fifteen hundred cavalry toward Stone Ridge Mountain to reach its southern foot before Xueya and ambush his survivors.

• Julang waited in ambush on the road to Stone Ridge Mountain, but Xueya and his survivors never appeared.
• Yan arrived with five hundred cavalry and told Julang that the Fire Tribe had seized the Wolf Tribe's supplies, killed Duzhu and her cavalry, and was besieging the north-bank camp.
• Yan explained that Xueya had escaped with five riders by taking a remote trail toward Stone Ridge Mountain.
• Julang warned that Xueya could join Xueshou at the mountain lair and become difficult to defeat.
• Yan and Julang gathered fifteen hundred cavalry and set out by the main road to ambush Xueya at the mountain's southern foot.

Yan and Julang learned that Xueshou was bringing nine hundred Wolf Tribe cavalry toward the Great Rock River and prepared a valley ambush. The Fire Tribe forces took their positions and waited for Xueshou's men to enter the trap.

• Xueshou led nine hundred Wolf Tribe cavalry west to meet Xueya after receiving his call for help.
• A mounted scout reported Xueshou's approach to Yan and Julang, giving them time to prepare.
• Yan identified a narrow valley as an ideal ambush site and assigned archers, cavalry, and his own force to attack from multiple directions.
• Julang led four hundred archers to the cliffs and five hundred cavalry around to the far side of the valley.
• Yan waited with six hundred cavalry near the valley entrance for Xueshou's force to arrive.

Xueshou led nine hundred Wolf Tribe cavalrymen into a Fire Tribe ambush in a narrow valley, where stones and arrows killed or wounded most of them. Yan killed Xueshou at the valley exit and led his cavalry into the valley to hunt down the remaining Wolf Tribe stragglers.

• Huibao warned Xueshou that the valley might be an ambush, but Xueshou whipped him and ordered the cavalry to keep moving.
• Xueshou led all nine hundred Wolf Tribe cavalrymen into the valley, where Yan and Julang's ambush attacked them with stones and arrows from the cliffs.
• Xueshou rallied the surviving riders and charged toward the exit, but Yan met them with six hundred Fire Tribe cavalrymen.
• Yan struck Xueshou with his spear, killing him, and the Fire Tribe cavalrymen cut down the riders who had escaped the valley.
• Yan left three hundred men guarding the exit and led the rest into the valley to kill the remaining Wolf Tribe stragglers.

Yan and Julang’s forces destroyed the Wolf Tribe remnants in the valley, while Huibao surrendered and offered to guide the Fire Tribe to the Stone Ridge Mountain stronghold. Yan agreed to spare Huibao and his men if they served the Fire Tribe, leaving them committed to helping capture the stronghold.

• Julang and five hundred cavalrymen blocked the Wolf Tribe remnants’ retreat and killed the trapped survivors.
• Yan led three hundred cavalrymen into the valley, where Huibao and more than twenty men surrendered.
• Huibao offered to guide Yan through the Stone Ridge Mountain stronghold’s defenses and said only four hundred warriors remained there.
• Yan promised Huibao and his men freedom after five years of service, with a shorter term for meritorious service.
• Huibao and his men accepted Yan’s terms and pledged to work for the Fire Tribe.

Yan led a disguised force up Stone Ridge Mountain and captured the Wolf Tribe’s three checkpoints by deceiving their guards. After Huibao killed Qinglang at the main stronghold’s gate, Yan’s men overwhelmed the defenders and secured the stockade.

• Yan split his twelve hundred cavalrymen with Julang, then led four hundred men and Huibao’s surrendered soldiers up the mountain in captured Wolf Tribe armor.
• Huibao used Xueshou’s dagger and a false story about Chief Xueya to persuade the first two checkpoint leaders to open their gates, allowing Yan’s men to disarm the guards.
• Yan’s remaining four hundred men joined him at the second checkpoint, and he left troops to hold the captured posts while advancing toward the third checkpoint.
• Huibao bluffed the hesitant third checkpoint leader into opening the gate, and Yan’s men disarmed the defenders and continued to the main stronghold.
• Huibao lured Qinglang to the main gate and killed him with Xueshou’s dagger as Yan’s men entered.
• Yan’s forces killed the stronghold’s defenders, and Yan ordered his men to search the stockade and secure its storehouses and houses.

Yan’s forces captured the Wolf Tribe’s stronghold and took its stockpiled supplies. He arranged for Julang to garrison Stone Ridge Mountain and discussed the defenses and division of supplies, leaving Yan to prepare to take the rest back to the tribe.

• Yan’s men cleared the Wolf Tribe’s stronghold and found enough food to feed over five thousand people for more than a year, along with weapons and armor.
• Yan ordered Huibao to have Julang bring most of his men up the mountain while leaving two hundred guards below.
• Julang arrived and told Yan that the Wolf Tribe had been driven out, though Xueya had escaped; Yan promised rewards for the fighters and said Xueya would eventually answer for the blood debt.
• Yan assigned Julang to garrison Stone Ridge Mountain, repair its defenses, and keep half a year’s grain while Yan took the remaining supplies back.
• Yan and Julang calculated the supplies and garrison duties until evening, then Yan went into the main stockade to rest.

Yan and Shinian left Stone Ridge Mountain for the camp on the south bank of the Great Rock River after defeating the Wolf Tribe, while Julang stayed behind to guard the mountain. They planned to consolidate their gains and turn their attention to the Tiger Tribe.

• Shinian arrived at Stone Ridge Mountain with two thousand men and carts to transport the supplies seized from the Wolf Tribe.
• Yan left Julang in command of eight hundred men, instructing him to maintain the checkpoints and guard the grain stockade.
• Yan and Shinian led the convoy south toward camp and discussed how the Wolf Tribe's defeat had cleared the way to fight the Tiger Tribe.
• Shinian regretted that Xueya had escaped, and Yan assured him they would have another chance to settle the blood debt.
• Yan and Shinian reviewed their gains, including territory, supplies, and tens of thousands of captives, and Yan planned to report the victory to his father after returning to camp.

Xueya and Yexiao reunited with twenty surviving riders after the Fire Tribe defeated the Wolf Tribe and occupied its stronghold. They decided to flee north across the Long River, rebuild their strength, and eventually return to avenge their fallen people.

• Xueya and Yexiao reached the Wolf Tribe’s temporary hunting site separately and reunited with only twenty riders remaining.
• Yexiao reported that the Fire Tribe had occupied the Wolf Tribe’s stronghold on Stone Ridge Mountain and kept guards on its paths.
• Xueya blamed himself for the deaths of Xueshou and many Wolf Tribe warriors, while Yexiao urged him not to take all the blame.
• Xueya and Yexiao agreed to cross the Long River and rebuild the Wolf Tribe on its northern bank, where they hoped to gather strength and take revenge.
• Xueya counted their arrows and inspected his blade, then led the twenty riders north under cover of darkness.

Yan held a council after the Fire Tribe defeated the Wolf Tribe, reviewing the people and supplies captured and planning defenses against the Tiger Tribe. He left Daya in charge of the camps while preparing to report to his father, with a possible campaign against Tiger Tribe outposts still awaiting approval.

• Daya reported that the Fire Tribe had brought more than twenty thousand people under control on the south bank and selected more than ten thousand willing recruits, while seizing supplies and crops.
• Shibang reported that the Fire Tribe had brought more than ten thousand people under control on the north bank, nearly ten thousand of whom wanted to join, and had captured supplies and fields.
• Yan said the Wolf Tribe had been rooted out and its leaders Xueshou and Duzhu killed, while Xueya and Yexiao had escaped with a few dozen people.
• Shibang said Tiger Tribe boats had investigated the Great Rock River mouth but turned back when they encountered the Fire Tribe fleet.
• Yan assigned Daya to guard the camps on both banks and ordered the outposts to strengthen their defenses while preparing boats, troops, and provisions for possible attacks on Tiger Tribe outposts.

Yan returned to the Valley River Mouth Outpost after the Fire Tribe defeated the Wolf Tribe, where Jianshi welcomed him and praised the victory. At a feast, Yan reunited with Qingye, Qingsui, and Yi'er, reassured Qingsui about his safety, and joined the leaders and warriors for a hot meal.

• Yan left Daya and Shibang at the Great Rock River Mouth Outpost with instructions before leading the fleet upstream.
• Yan returned to the Valley River Mouth Outpost, where Jianshi welcomed him and praised the defeat of the Wolf Tribe.
• Yan credited Shinian, Daya, Shibang, Julang, and the other warriors for the victory, and Jianshi invited everyone to a feast.
• Qingye welcomed Yan, and Qingsui brought Yi'er to him; Yan held his son while Qingsui explained how worried she had been during the campaign.
• Yan reassured Qingsui that the Fire Tribe had been strong and that he had returned unharmed, while she urged him to be more cautious in future battles.
• Jianshi invited everyone to eat, and the returning warriors and leaders shared a hot meal in the council hall.

Yan described the Fire Tribe’s victory over the Wolf Tribe, and Jianshi outlined plans to prepare for a campaign against the Tiger Tribe after the autumn harvest. The leaders left the meeting having agreed to rest, settle people at key outposts, stock supplies, and train troops before the campaign.

• Yan explained how the Fire Tribe routed the Wolf Tribe’s evacuating forces, destroyed Xueshou’s reinforcements, and captured the Wolf Tribe’s stronghold and supplies.
• Yan reported that Duzhu and Xueshou had been killed, the Wolf Tribe’s territory was under Fire Tribe control, and more than twenty thousand people could join the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi promised rewards for the fighters and said the Fire Tribe’s population was growing faster than the Tiger Tribe’s.
• Jianshi announced that the Fire Tribe would take back the former Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe territories after the autumn harvest to gain land and people and weaken the Tiger Tribe.
• Jianshi directed Yan to rest, settle people at the Great Rock River Mouth and Great Green River Mouth outposts, move some residents to Fire Creek River Mouth, and prepare provisions, boats, and troops.
• Jianshi warned that the Tiger Tribe remained a much stronger enemy, then dismissed the meeting.

Yan returned home after the feast and told Qingsui that he would lead the Fire Tribe’s campaign against the Tiger Tribe’s territories after the autumn harvest. Qingsui worried about his safety and Yi'er growing up without him, and Yan promised to take more people and return as soon as he could.

• Yan arrived home and told Qingsui that the Fire Tribe planned to attack the Tiger Tribe after the autumn harvest, while he would first oversee settlements at the Great Rock River Mouth and the Great Green River Mouth.
• Yan explained that the Fire Tribe intended to weaken the Tiger Tribe by taking the Willow Vine Tribe’s and Great Luwei Tribe’s territories and disrupting the great elder’s faction.
• Qingsui worried that the Tiger Tribe would fight to reclaim its territories and asked whether Yan would have enough soldiers.
• Yan described the Fire Tribe’s plan to take the territories quickly and defeat reinforcements before the Tiger Tribe could recover.
• Qingsui asked Yan to return safely for Yi'er’s sake, and Yan reassured her that he would take more people and come home as soon as he could.

Yan rested at the Fire Tribe management center with Qingsui and Yi'er while Zhuangchai visited to ask whether veteran soldiers could join Yan's forces. Yan agreed and revealed that the Fire Tribe planned to attack the Tiger Tribe after the autumn harvest, then the family gathered for lunch at Qingye's home.

• Yan cared for Yi'er at home while Qingsui sewed, and Zhuangchai arrived to visit him.
• Zhuangchai told Yan that veteran soldiers wanted to transfer from rear outposts to serve under him, and Yan agreed, telling them to prepare their weapons, horses, and arrows.
• Yan told Zhuangchai that the Fire Tribe planned to attack the Tiger Tribe after the autumn harvest and reclaim the Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe territories.
• Qingsui invited Zhuangchai to stay for lunch, and they all went to Qingye's home, where Jianshi joined them.
• Jianshi held Yi'er as the family ate Qingye's fish and other dishes together.

After the Fire Tribe eliminated the Wolf Tribe, the Tiger Tribe debated how to defend its southern territories without abandoning its northern expansion. Hu Zheng secured agreement to send seventy percent of the mobile troops south and leave thirty percent in the north, but the rival factions left the council hall still at odds.

• Yan led people gathered at the Fire Tribe's management center onto boats and divided them between Great Rock River Mouth and Great Green River Mouth.
• Hu Zheng convened the Tiger Tribe's leaders and warned that the Fire Tribe's advance had exposed Willow Vine Tribe River Mouth and Great Luwei River Mouth to attack.
• Grand Elder Tongding urged sending troops south, while Hu Bashan argued that doing so would disrupt the Tiger Tribe's efforts to absorb people north of the Long River.
• Tong Dachui, Hu Zhenshan, and Hu Dingshan joined the dispute, and Tongding and Hu Bashan traded accusations over past military defeats and troop deployments.
• Hu Zheng proposed sending seventy percent of the mobile troops south and keeping thirty percent in the north, and both factions accepted the compromise.
• Tongding planned southern fortifications, boats, and sentries, while Hu Bashan agreed to scale back northern operations; the leaders then left separately.

Yan transported people from the river outposts to new homes, checked the defenses, and resupplied his fleet at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. After sharing credit for the Wolf Tribe victory with Jianya and reporting Daya’s appointment, Yan continued downstream with the fleet.

• Yan arrived at the Great Green River Mouth Outpost, where Shibang reported that housing and supplies were ready and that the Tiger Tribe’s boats had not advanced past their usual patrol route.
• Yan warned Shibang to maintain the outpost’s defenses, then left people there and at the Great Rock River Mouth Outpost before gathering the fleet and heading to Fire Creek River Mouth.
• Jianya welcomed Yan and praised his victory over the Wolf Tribe, and Yan credited the victory to the people who supplied the front lines.
• Yan told Jianya that Daya had been put in charge of the Great Rock River Outpost and had fought well, and Jianya told Yan to discipline him when needed.
• Jianya’s people settled the arrivals and loaded supplies and new boats, then Yan departed downstream along the Fish River.

Yan gathered several hundred veteran warriors at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and brought them to the management center, where Jianshi assigned him thirty thousand elite warriors, boats, and supplies for the campaign against the Tiger Tribe. After visiting Qingye, Qingsui, and Yi'er, Yan led the fleet downstream toward the front.

• Kuaitui, Shimao, Changteng, Jiandun, Lichi, Heizhua, and several hundred veterans asked Yan to take them to fight, and he agreed.
• Dali handed Yan boats and supplies at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost before the fleet continued downstream.
• Yan told Jianshi that the resettlement was complete and that he had brought the veterans with him.
• Jianshi prepared boats, supplies, and thirty thousand elite warriors for Yan, ordering him to take the Willow Vine Tribe's and Great Luwei Tribe's territories.
• Yan visited Qingye, who gave him rice cakes, then held Yi'er and reassured Qingsui before leaving.
• Yan led the fleet downstream along the Fish River toward its lower reaches.

Yan gathered the Fire Tribe commanders at Great Rock River Mouth Outpost to plan an attack on the Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe territories held by the Tiger Tribe. He assigned forces to seize both territories and planned to confront Tongding’s reinforcements, with the army set to depart in three days.

• Yan arrived at Great Rock River Mouth Outpost and convened Daya, Bailin, Yingmu, Shibang, and the other leaders to discuss the campaign against the Tiger Tribe.
• Yan declared that the Fire Tribe intended to take the Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe territories, and the assembled commanders shouted their support.
• Shibang explained that the Tiger Tribe oppressed the populations in both territories and stationed four thousand troops in Great Luwei and three thousand in Willow Vine.
• Yan assigned Yingmu eight thousand men to attack Great Luwei and Shibang six thousand to attack Willow Vine, while Daya handled logistics and Yan watched the Fish River for Tongding’s reinforcements.
• Yan ordered everyone to prepare and assemble at the docks in three days to set out against the Tiger Tribe.

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s fleet down the Fish River and captured the Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe, destroying the Tiger Tribe’s naval force and defeating its defenders. He ordered the surrendered soldiers treated fairly and the local populations registered and supplied with grain.

• Yan ordered Yingmu and Shibang to land their troops on opposite banks of the Fish River and secure the beachheads.
• Yan’s fleet rammed and destroyed the Tiger Tribe’s ships at the Great Luwei docks.
• Yingmu’s troops seized the Tiger Tribe’s camp in Great Luwei, while Shibang’s troops captured its camp in the Willow Vine Tribe.
• The Fire Tribe defeated the seven thousand Tiger Tribe defenders and took control of both territories and their supplies.
• Yan ordered Yingmu to guard and register prisoners, and told Shibang to inventory supplies and count the Willow Vine Tribe’s population.

After capturing the Willow Vine Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe, Yan organized their supplies and absorbed more than fifty thousand people, many of whom welcomed joining the Fire Tribe. He prepared for the Tiger Tribe’s expected counterattack by assigning Shibang and Yingmu to fortify the two camps and coordinate their defenses.

• Yan repaired the Great Luwei camp, organized its buildings and supplies, and ordered guards to watch the captives.
• Shibang and Yingmu registered residents at the two territories, while boats brought grain, cloth, salt, medicine, and weapons upriver.
• Yingmu reported that about thirty thousand people at Great Luwei eagerly joined the Fire Tribe, and Shibang reported that about twenty thousand at Willow Vine were also willing to join.
• Shibang said many Willow Vine residents had been taken from the north bank of the Long River and resented the Tiger Tribe’s rule, while most surviving garrison soldiers were willing to work.
• Yan warned that Tongding would send troops to retake the territories and ordered the camps fortified, supplies stocked, and soldiers trained.
• Yan assigned Shibang to defend Willow Vine against an attack from the north and Yingmu to guard Great Luwei and its dock, promising to support each with flanking forces or boats.

After the Fire Tribe captured the Willow Vine Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe, the Tiger Tribe’s leaders argued over blame and whether they could spare troops to respond. Hu Zheng sent twenty thousand men south under Tongding and Hu Bashan to assess the Fire Tribe’s forces, attack only if an opportunity arose, and otherwise preserve the troops and defend the main base.

• A messenger reported that the Fire Tribe had taken the Willow Vine Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe, defeating or capturing their seven thousand defenders and destroying their naval forces.
• Tongding urged the Tiger Tribe to mobilize for a counterattack, while Hu Bashan argued that troops stationed along the Long River and the Western Shu and Wuyue borders could not be spared.
• Tongding blamed Hu Bashan for withholding mobile troops, and Tong Dachui and Hu Zhenshan joined the factions’ heated argument over past losses and responsibility for the southern defenses.
• Hu Zheng stopped the dispute and ordered Tongding to take his remaining ten thousand southern troops together with ten thousand men under Hu Bashan to investigate the Fire Tribe’s fleet and deployment, striking only if conditions were favorable.
• Tongding agreed to prepare boats, and Hu Bashan agreed to muster his troops on the condition that they retreat rather than be sacrificed in a losing fight.

Yan’s Fire Tribe fleet defeated Tong Dachui’s Tiger Tribe forces on the Fish River, while Hu Bashan withdrew his fleet rather than help. The survivors fled toward the Tiger Tribe’s main camp, and Yan continued downstream, planning to scout its defenses before attacking.

• The Fire Tribe fleet, led by Yan, overwhelmed the Tiger Tribe’s smaller ships and pushed the battle line toward the main camp.
• Tong Dachui accused Hu Bashan of holding his ten thousand troops back and decided to retreat with his remaining forces.
• Yan sent Yingmu to keep Hu Bashan occupied while he and Shibang attacked Tong Dachui, but Hu Bashan fled downstream and Yingmu captured only a few boats.
• Yan and Shibang scattered Tong Dachui’s fleet, and Yingmu struck the retreating ships from behind, leaving Tong Dachui to escape with just over a thousand naval troops.
• Yan continued toward the Tiger Tribe’s main camp and agreed with Shibang to scout its ships, walls, and sentry posts before attacking.

Yan advanced with the Fire Tribe fleet to the Tiger Tribe’s heavily defended main camp, but fierce resistance and strained supply lines made a direct assault too costly. He decided to withdraw, consolidate the Fire Tribe’s recent gains, and prepare for a later campaign against the Tiger Tribe.

• Yan ordered the fleet to slow down and sent scouts to inspect the Tiger Tribe’s defenses.
• The scouts reported a fortified stockade, archers, and a trench filled with sharpened stakes, while the Tiger Tribe gathered nearly twenty thousand troops at its main camp.
• Yan’s fleet fought several probing battles with the Tiger Tribe’s navy, and both sides suffered losses.
• Shibang and Yingmu warned Yan that the enemy’s fierce resistance and the Fire Tribe’s supply strain made a prolonged campaign dangerous.
• Yan decided to withdraw in two days, reinforce the Willow Vine Tribe and Great Luwei Tribe territories, and consult his father before deciding the next move.
• Yan ordered the boats to regroup and withdraw toward the Willow Vine Tribe River Mouth early on the third day.

After the Fire Tribe withdrew, Tiger Tribe leaders argued over the war losses and whether to place all troops under Hu Bashan’s command. Hu Zheng rejected Hu Bashan’s proposal and postponed the decision until next spring, while Tongding and Hu Zheng quietly moved toward an alliance.

• Hu Zheng acknowledged the Fire Tribe’s strength, and Tong Dachui accused Hu Bashan of holding back while Tong Dachui’s forces suffered heavy losses.
• Hu Bashan defended his actions, claiming his troops had protected the main camp, while Tongding stopped Tong Dachui from continuing the argument.
• Tongding weighed his faction’s weakened position and decided he needed Hu Zheng’s support against Hu Bashan.
• Hu Bashan proposed becoming supreme commander of a unified army, but Tongding argued that concentrating troops was premature.
• Hu Zheng sided with Tongding, kept the troops under their existing leaders, and told Hu Bashan to repair ships and replenish supplies.
• Hu Bashan left angrily, and Tongding and Hu Zheng exchanged a discreet nod before Tongding departed with Tong Dachui.

Yan returned to the Fire Tribe’s administrative center with captured ships and supplies, then reported the victory over the Tiger Tribe and the losses both sides suffered. Jianshi praised the army and ordered Yan to rest before returning to guard the front line.

• Yan returned to the Great Valley River Mouth stronghold, where Jianshi and Qingye welcomed him and his fleet.
• Yan reported that the Fire Tribe had seized the Willow Vine Tribe’s and Great Luwei Tribe’s territories, absorbed more than fifty thousand people, and inflicted heavy losses on the Tiger Tribe.
• Yan explained that Hu Bashan’s faction had held back during the campaign and that the Fire Tribe had withdrawn after fierce fighting near the Tiger Tribe’s main base.
• Jianshi said the Fire Tribe’s population had passed four hundred thousand and planned to crush the Tiger Tribe’s navy before launching a final attack.
• Jianshi promised to reward the fighters and ordered Yan to rest briefly before returning to guard the Willow Vine Tribe River Mouth and Great Luwei River Mouth.