Chapter Summaries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After handing over the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost to Jianshi, Dazhuang explained its people, supplies, and operations and prepared to lead settlers to build the Green Leaf River Mouth and Little Horse River Mouth outposts. Jianshi ordered an advance party to leave the next day and the main group to depart within five days, while Yan and Dabang began arranging people and supplies.

• Dazhuang, rested after Jianshi took over the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, returned to the council hall to explain the details he had not covered in their initial handover.
• Dazhuang outlined plans for two new northern outposts, and Jianshi ordered supplies for two thousand people prepared and an advance party of two hundred sent ahead the next day.
• Jianshi told Dazhuang to lead the main group to the new outposts within five days, develop Green Leaf River Mouth as the main settlement, and monitor the north while pursuing trade and grain self-sufficiency.
• Jianshi promised Dazhuang two fifty-thousand-jin ships for the new outposts and said he would assign hundred-thousand-jin ships after next year's grain transport.
• Dazhuang detailed the Fire Tribe's outpost populations, leaders, personnel, and reserves while Dabang and Yan recorded the information.
• Dazhuang left to begin preparations, while Jianshi tasked Yan with organizing the people and supplies and Dabang with checking the warehouses.

Dazhuang departed from the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost with eighteen hundred people and supplies to build new outposts, while Dali complained about the ships allocated to them. After Jianshi reassured them that more ships would be shared among the outposts, the fleet sailed downstream and Jianshi led the others back to the meeting hall.

• Dazhuang prepared the fleet as Jianshi, Dabang, and Yan came to the docks to see off the eighteen hundred people heading to build new outposts.
• Dali grumbled to Dazhuang about the new outposts receiving two fifty-thousand-jin-capacity ships and possibly getting larger ships first next year.
• Dali declined Dazhuang's offer to trade posts but said he hoped to visit the hundred-thousand-jin-capacity ship.
• Jianshi promised Dali that the outposts would receive more large ships and advised Dazhuang to prioritize safety and ask for help when needed.
• Dazhuang ordered the warriors aboard, and the fleet departed downstream along the Fish River.
• Jianshi, Dali, Dabang, and Yan watched the fleet disappear, then Jianshi led them to the meeting hall.

Jianshi led a meeting to review the Fire Tribe’s growth and set next year’s plans for ships, farmland, tools, and new residents. The meeting ended with Jianshi assigning preparations for winter across the outposts.

• Jianshi praised the Fire Tribe’s achievements, including its population of about 150,000, 160,000 mu of paddy fields, and a newly completed large ship.
• Yan urged the tribe to keep building its strength by increasing its population, food production, warriors, ships, bronze goods, cattle, and horses.
• Dabang announced plans to build ships at both the main settlement and Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, expanding the fleet to twenty 100,000-jin ships, one hundred 50,000-jin ships, and two hundred 20,000-jin ships.
• Jianshi said the larger fleet should bring the twenty million jin of grain reserved from the Valley Tribe back in two or three trips, and Dabang promised to oversee shipbuilding.
• Jianshi set a goal of expanding paddy fields to 200,000 mu by spring, while Dabang reported that bronze workshops could supply the needed farming tools.
• Yan proposed taking in independent small tribes from areas including the north bank of the Clothing River, near the Horse Tribe, and the Big Horse River basin; Jianshi then assigned winter supplies and repairs for the outposts.

Xueya and the Wolf Tribe leaders planned to weaken the Great Boulder Tribe while it remained isolated from the Great Luwei Tribe. The next day, Xueya led two thousand Wolf Tribe cavalry out from Stone Ridge Mountain on a campaign against the Great Boulder Tribe.

• Xueya reviewed the Wolf Tribe’s victories and said it would keep destroying the Great Boulder Tribe’s core subordinate tribes.
• Xueshou and Yexiao discussed the Great Luwei Tribe’s retreat and the Great Boulder Tribe’s defenses and supplies.
• Xueya planned to expand the Wolf Tribe’s forces to five thousand cavalry and wear down the Great Boulder Tribe before conquering it.
• Xueshou praised the Great Boulder Tribe’s fertile territory and anticipated taking it for the Wolf Tribe.
• Xueya, Xueshou, and Yexiao led more than two thousand Wolf Tribe cavalry out along the mountain road.

Xueya led the Wolf Tribe in raiding the Great Boulder Tribe’s territory, recruiting more than two thousand people and wiping out its core subordinate tribes. After clashing with the Great Boulder Tribe’s forces, he split his army to secure the plunder and draw the enemy away, then returned toward Stone Ridge Mountain with the Wolf Tribe’s strength increased to five thousand.

• Xueya, Xueshou, and Yexiao split the Wolf Tribe’s riders into three forces and rounded up more than two thousand able-bodied people.
• Xueshou and Yexiao forced the newcomers to kill captives from nearby tribes, then the Wolf Tribe attacked and destroyed two of the Great Boulder Tribe’s core subordinate tribes.
• Shishan and Shizhua led more than four thousand warriors against Xueya’s army, but the two forces fought to a costly stalemate and Xueya ordered a retreat.
• Xueya sent Yexiao away with half the people and the plunder while he and Xueshou kept the Great Boulder Tribe occupied.
• Shishan refused to split his forces to pursue Yexiao, and Xueya used hit-and-run tactics until Shishan and Shizhua abandoned the chase.
• Xueya led the Wolf Tribe back toward Stone Ridge Mountain after completing the raids and increasing its strength to five thousand.