Chapter Summaries

Yan returned with the Fire Tribe's grain fleet and reported new recruits, expanded grain agreements, and shifting threats among neighboring tribes. Jianshi approved a new outpost at the Big Horse River Mouth and assigned Yan inspections and preparations before the autumn recruitment voyage.

• Yan returned to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost after twenty days with twenty million jin of grain, and Jianshi welcomed the fleet with a feast.
• Yan reported that about fifteen thousand people would join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest, and Jianshi and the leaders agreed to build a small outpost at the Big Horse River Mouth.
• Yan confirmed that Daiyue had promised another ten million jin of grain that year and forty million jin the next year, and Jianshi proposed expanding their trade in supplies, furs, and medicinal herbs.
• Yan reported continued Tiger Tribe infighting and warned that the Bear Tribe and Wolf Tribe could threaten the Valley Tribe and disrupt grain supplies, prompting Jianshi to request advance defensive preparations.
• Jianshi assigned Yan to inspect nearby outposts, plan the new outpost's staffing and supplies, and lead the fleet to collect recruits after the autumn harvest.
• Yan checked Jia Li's accounts for the voyage, found no problems, and headed home to rest.

Yan inspected the Fire Tribe’s outposts, led a fleet to bring fifteen thousand people from the Big Horse River Basin to the main valley, and reported their successful settlement to Jianshi. With the Fire Tribe’s population nearing two hundred thousand, Yan and Jianshi agreed to establish a temporary Big Horse River Mouth Outpost while Yan prepared to transport grain from the Valley Tribe.

• Yan inspected the Red Flower River Mouth, Green Leaf River Mouth, Clothing River South Bank, Little Horse River Mouth, and other outposts, noting their growth and expanded farmland.
• After the autumn harvest, Yan and Jia Li organized supplies and a fleet to transport fifteen thousand people from the Big Horse River Basin.
• Yan oversaw the people’s orderly boarding at Big Horse River Mouth and led the fleet upstream to Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost.
• Jianya settled the fifteen thousand newcomers into prepared housing in the main valley, and Yan stayed until the final group had moved in.
• Yan returned to Little Fish River Mouth and told Jianshi that all fifteen thousand people had been settled, bringing the Fire Tribe’s population to around one hundred and eighty thousand.
• Yan proposed Feiyu lead a temporary Big Horse River Mouth Outpost, and Jianshi approved the plan and told Yan to prepare for the grain trip to the Valley Tribe.

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s enormous grain fleet down the Fish River, establishing a forward outpost before reaching the Valley Tribe to deliver grain and renew their alliance. He arrived at a warm welcome and a feast, where he presented the Valley Tribe with bronze knives.

• Yan departed the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost with a fleet of sixteen giant ships and hundreds of other vessels after Jianshi urged him to keep everyone safe.
• Yan reached the Big Horse River Mouth and instructed Feiyu to build and defend the strategic outpost, maintain ties with the Valley Tribe, and report activity from northern tribes.
• Yan continued downstream and arrived at the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost, where Daiyan and Quyong welcomed the fleet and prepared its moorings and camp.
• Daiyue welcomed Yan and his companions to a feast, where Yan presented the Valley Tribe with more than a hundred finely made bronze short knives.
• Daiyue and the seven great elders praised the gifts and toasted Yan as the gathering grew lively.

At a feast with the Valley Tribe, Yan revealed the Fire Tribe’s growing fleet, population, and new outpost, then promised support if the Tiger Tribe attacked. After discussing northern threats and arranging grain and bronze supplies, Yan left with Qingsui, who invited him to share a meal before his departure.

• Daiyue asked Yan about the Fire Tribe’s expanded fleet, and Yan said it had twenty giant ships and a hundred large ships.
• Yan announced that the Fire Tribe’s population had reached around 180,000 and that it had established the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost beside Valley Tribe territory.
• Yan promised Daiyue that the Fire Tribe would help defend the Valley Tribe if the Tiger Tribe attacked.
• Daiyue described the Wolf Tribe’s advances against the Great Boulder Tribe and the Bear Tribe’s growing strength, and Yan warned that the Valley Tribe should prepare for danger from the north.
• Daiyue asked to borrow bronze farming tools and weapons on credit, and Yan agreed to provide them when the grain was loaded the next morning.
• As Qingsui walked Yan back to the Fire Tribe’s camp, she invited him to try a new dish before he left, and Yan accepted.

Yan completed the grain and bronze goods exchange with Quyong’s Valley Tribe, shared a meal and farewell with Qingsui, and led the Fire Tribe fleet home. After the ships departed, Daiyue and the elders discussed strengthening the Valley Tribe against the Tiger Tribe, and Daiyue asked Qingsui what she thought of Yan.

• Yan and Quyong oversaw the exchange of bronze tools and weapons for ten million jin of grain, which the Fire Tribe loaded onto its ships.
• Qingsui cooked Yan a new beef dish, and the two walked by the Fish River before embracing and parting for the night.
• Daiyue and the Valley Tribe’s elders saw Yan off as the Fire Tribe fleet sailed upstream toward home.
• Daiyue and the elders discussed the Fire Tribe’s strength, the Valley Tribe’s limited resources, and plans to gather intelligence from the north in case the Tiger Tribe acted against them.
• Daiyue asked Qingsui what she thought of Yan, and she described him as earnest and considerate before leaving him alone in the council hall.

The Wolf Tribe exhausted the Great Boulder Tribe with repeated feigned attacks, then launched a coordinated assault before dawn. Xueya conquered the camp and ordered the captives secured as he looked south.

• Dashi ordered the Great Boulder Tribe's warriors to rest in shifts and vowed to defend their ancestral land.
• Xueya planned a night assault that used staged attacks to exhaust the defenders before the Wolf Tribe's veterans struck before dawn.
• Xueshou and Yexiao led waves of feigned attacks that kept the Great Boulder Tribe awake and gradually lowered its guard.
• Xueya, Xueshou, and Yexiao led the real assault, breached the camp, and overwhelmed Dashi's exhausted forces.
• Dashi, Shishan, and Shizhua died resisting the Wolf Tribe, and Xueya took the camp and ordered its captives secured.

After conquering the Great Boulder Tribe, Xueya agreed to the Bear Tribe’s terms in exchange for an introduction to the Tiger Tribe and protection for the Wolf Tribe’s new territory. He left the banquet resolved to help attack the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost, seeing the alliance as a way to secure the Wolf Tribe’s future.

• Xueya learned that Xiong Pan, the Bear Tribe chief’s son, had arrived to discuss an alliance.
• Xueya and Xueshou agreed to accept the Bear Tribe’s conditions so the Wolf Tribe could gain the Tiger Tribe’s recognition and protection.
• Xiong Pan offered to introduce the Wolf Tribe to the Tiger Tribe if it sent warriors to help attack the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost.
• Xueya accepted the Bear Tribe’s requests and hosted Xiong Pan at a celebratory banquet.
• Xiong Pan said the Bear Tribe chief planned to visit the Tiger Tribe after spring began, and Xueya promised to send a Wolf Tribe representative.
• After Xiong Pan left for the night, Xueya told Xueshou that the Wolf Tribe would help attack the outpost to gain wealth and secure the Tiger Tribe’s protection.

Xueya planned how the Wolf Tribe would hold the Great Boulder Tribe’s territory without overextending its forces and use its captured ponies to gain boats and favor with the Tiger Tribe. He settled on leaving five hundred cavalry behind while he took supplies and prisoners away, aiming to strengthen the Wolf Tribe and avoid becoming entangled in the Bear Tribe’s conflict with the Valley Tribe.

• After Xiong Pan departed for the Bear Tribe, Xueshou told Xueya that the surrounding small tribes had fled or hidden, and Xueya decided not to pursue them.
• Xueya proposed sending Duzhu to oversee the Great Boulder Tribe and settling subordinate tribes there to farm and herd livestock while the Wolf Tribe collected the harvest.
• Xueya set the Wolf Tribe’s force limit at five thousand cavalry and planned to trade more than two thousand surplus ponies to the Tiger Tribe for boats and to demonstrate submission.
• Xueya planned to encourage the Tiger Tribe to annex the Great Luwei Tribe, offering Wolf Tribe assistance so his people could gain favor and raid supplies.
• Xueya argued that the Bear Tribe’s attempt to take Little Valley Camp would invite retaliation from the Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe, leaving the Wolf Tribe free to raid supplies without holding territory.
• Xueya ordered the Wolf Tribe to take the supplies and prisoners it needed, leave five hundred cavalry at the Great Boulder Tribe, and await Duzhu’s arrival.

Xiong Pan returned to the Bear Tribe after securing the Wolf Tribe’s agreement to join an attack on the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost. Xiong Lie praised his son but urged caution and said he would confirm the Tiger Tribe’s plans before committing to the campaign.

• Xiong Pan returned to the Bear Tribe’s camp and told Xiong Lie that the Wolf Tribe had agreed to the Bear Tribe’s terms and would help attack Little Valley Camp Outpost in exchange for permission to plunder supplies.
• Xiong Pan reported that Xueya had also agreed to submit to the Tiger Tribe and visit its chief and grand elder in spring.
• Xiong Lie said the Wolf Tribe’s support would help them take Little Valley Camp, but warned that the Valley Tribe and its ally, the Fire Tribe, remained dangerous.
• Xiong Pan proposed attacking when the Fire Tribe was not transporting grain, then imagined the Bear Tribe gaining territory and becoming a great power after the Valley and Fire Tribes were destroyed.
• Xiong Lie cautioned Xiong Pan against rushing ahead, praised his negotiations, and said he would send people to confirm the Tiger Tribe’s plans before meeting its grand elder in spring.
• Xiong Pan received praise from tribespeople, went to rest, and dreamed of riding into the Valley Tribe’s camp as the Bear Tribe’s banner rose above it.

Yan returned to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost with ten million jin of grain and reported on the Valley Tribe, the Tiger Tribe, and the shifting balance of power in the north. Jianshi ordered Yan to prepare a trip north to bring back five thousand people from struggling small tribes while strengthening intelligence and defenses.

• Yan brought the grain fleet safely to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, where Jianshi and the leaders welcomed him home.
• At a meal in the council hall, Yan reported that Feiyu was repairing the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost and that the Valley Tribe had supplied the grain and accepted bronze goods on credit.
• Yan relayed that the Tiger Tribe remained divided, the Bear Tribe had failed to overcome the Valley Tribe on the water, and the Wolf Tribe was close to defeating the Great Boulder Tribe.
• Jianshi told Yan to have Feiyu monitor the Wolf Tribe and Bear Tribe, and urged the Fire Tribe to build ships, train soldiers, and store grain for a future conflict with the Tiger Tribe.
• Jianshi said Dazhuang had arranged for five thousand people from struggling tribes to come to the Fire Tribe that year, with more to follow in spring, and asked Yan to take supplies north to meet them.
• Yan agreed to prepare for the trip, while Jianshi told him to let the fleet and warriors rest for two days first.

Yan led the Fire Tribe fleet to Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, where he welcomed five thousand migrants and supplied the small tribes staying behind. After the migrants boarded for the journey home, Yan left Dazhuang to oversee the outpost and prepare for possible trouble from the Wolf Tribe.

• Yan set out from Little Fish River Mouth Outpost with a large fleet carrying supplies for the small tribes.
• Yan arrived at Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, where Dazhuang confirmed that five thousand people had volunteered to join the Fire Tribe.
• Yan welcomed the migrants and promised they would have food, clothing, and shelter, while the small-tribe chiefs thanked him for supplies meant to last through winter.
• Yan and Dazhuang discussed the Fire Tribe's growth, future boats, and the danger of the Wolf Tribe expanding into Great Boulder Tribe territory.
• Yan sent the five thousand migrants upriver toward the Fire Tribe's main settlement and left Dazhuang in charge at Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost.

Yan delivered five thousand newcomers to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, where he briefed Jianya on the Fire Tribe’s growth and regional threats before sailing on to reunite with Jianshi. The newcomers continued toward the main camp, while Yan reported their safe arrival to his father.

• Yan brought five thousand people from small tribes near the Clothing Tribe and Horse Tribe to the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, where Jianya welcomed him.
• Yan told Jianya that fifteen thousand more people were expected next spring and discussed the Tiger Tribe’s internal conflict and the Wolf and Bear Tribes’ growing threat in the north.
• Jianya said the Fire Tribe planned to build forty giant ships next year, bringing its fleet to sixty, and Yan promised to report the plan to Jianshi.
• Yan left the outpost after bidding Jianya farewell, and the fleet sailed for three days to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost.
• Jianshi welcomed Yan and learned that all five thousand newcomers were safe and would reach the main camp within a few days.

Yan reported on the successful pickup of five thousand new tribespeople, plans for expanding shipbuilding and farming, and the Horse Tribe’s interest in joining the Fire Tribe. Jianshi urged Yan to rest before inspecting the outposts and preparing to collect more people in spring.

• Qingye served fruit and pumpkin-mushroom soup before Jianshi asked Yan for news from Jianya and the outposts.
• Yan described how Dazhuang had prepared five thousand newcomers for the journey and how small-tribe chiefs admired the Fire Tribe’s fleet and supplies.
• Yan reported that Jianya’s outpost expected to build forty large ships next year, while Jianshi calculated that the Fire Tribe would surpass the Tiger Tribe’s fleet.
• Jianshi and Yan discussed expanding farmland and grain reserves, as well as the possibility of bringing the Horse Tribe into the Fire Tribe.
• Yan said Chief Junfeng was seriously considering joining, and Jianshi decided to revisit negotiations after the remaining fifteen thousand newcomers arrived in spring.
• Jianshi told Yan to rest before inspecting the outposts, and Yan agreed to use the time to organize his observations.

Yan led Bailin, Yingmu, Shibang and others on a tour of the Fire Tribe’s river outposts, checking their winter preparations and growth. After reporting that the outposts were secure and well supplied, Yan returned to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, where Jianshi told him to go home and rest.

• Yan set out with a fleet to inspect the Fire Tribe’s river mouth outposts after resting at the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost.
• At the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, Dali showed Yan its expansion, reported a strong harvest and complete winter preparations, and promised to grow the outpost next year.
• Yan warned Dali to watch for outsiders from the west as the Bear Tribe and Wolf Tribe became more active.
• Yan visited the Stone Creek, Pottery Salt, Shuize, Hundred Crafts, Qinghe, Beast Taming and High Pointed Mountain outposts, checking their supplies and winter readiness.
• Yan inspected the Little Horse, Green Leaf, Clothing River South Bank and Big Horse outposts; Dazhuang and Feiyu reported plans for growth, and Feiyu said he had established contact with the Valley Tribe.
• Yan reported his findings to Jianshi, who was satisfied with the outposts’ preparations and told him to go home and rest.

Yan brought 15,000 people from several dozen small tribes to join the Fire Tribe, raising its population to 200,000, and saw ten newly completed giant ships at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. After reporting back to Jianshi, Yan set out with a large fleet to collect 40 million jin of grain from the Valley Tribe.

• Yan arrived at the Green Leaf River Mouth Outpost, where Dazhuang confirmed that all 15,000 people from several dozen tribes were waiting to be collected.
• Yan welcomed the newcomers into the Fire Tribe, met their chiefs, and had Bailin, Jia Li, Yingmu, and Shibang board everyone safely.
• At the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost, Yan saw ten new 100,000-jin ships, and Jianya said the outpost would build thirty more as quickly as possible because of the threat from the Tiger Tribe.
• Yan returned to Jianshi and reported that all 15,000 newcomers had been settled, bringing the Fire Tribe's population to 200,000.
• Jianshi told Yan to prepare to transport the 40 million jin of grain agreed on with the Valley Tribe, and Yan led the fleet out three days later.

Yan brought the Fire Tribe’s expanding fleet to the Valley Tribe to collect grain, and he and Daiyue discussed the shipment and growing northern threats. After agreeing to meet Qingsui before his fleet departed, Yan returned to the temporary camp.

• Yan led the Fire Tribe’s grain fleet down the Fish River and arrived at the Valley Tribe’s main camp, where Daiyan and Quyong helped guide and berth the ships.
• Yan told Quyong that the Fire Tribe had brought twenty giant ships and planned to transport thirteen million jin of grain, then joined Daiyue’s welcoming feast.
• Daiyue confirmed the grain would be loaded within three days and told Yan that the Wolf Tribe had absorbed the Great Boulder Tribe while the Tiger Tribe was building strength.
• Yan warned Daiyue to watch the Wolf and Bear Tribes, and Daiyue said he had sent people to monitor the north and the Bear Tribe’s dock.
• Qingsui walked Yan back toward camp, and they agreed she would visit him after the grain was loaded so he could try her new dish.

Yan oversaw the loading of thirteen million jin of grain from the Valley Tribe, then led the fleet back to the Fire Tribe and reported on the region’s changing situation. Jianshi ordered preparations for another grain shipment and plans to strengthen the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost while exploring contact with the Horse Tribe.

• Yan and Quyong coordinated the loading of thirteen million jin of grain onto the Fire Tribe’s ships over two and a half days.
• Qingsui shared a meal with Yan and accepted a bundle of spices before he departed the next morning.
• Yan stopped at the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost, praised Feiyu’s progress, and told him to recruit nearby small tribes willing to join the Fire Tribe.
• After about twenty days, Yan returned to the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost and told Jianshi that the grain shipment had gone smoothly and the Wolf Tribe had taken over the Great Boulder Tribe’s territory.
• Jianshi ordered Yan to return to the Valley Tribe for more grain and directed him to help make the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost permanent before the end of the year.
• Jianshi said Dazhuang would prepare to contact the Horse Tribe, while Yan reported that Junfeng’s attitude toward the Fire Tribe had softened.

Xiong Lie and Xueya set out to meet the Tiger Tribe and discuss their submission, with Xueya bringing two thousand short-legged horses as a tribute. Xueya led the Wolf Tribe north by land, hoping the Great Luwei Tribe would attack and give him grounds to fight them.

• Xiong Lie assigned Xiong Pan to guard the Bear Tribe and keep its trade, training, and spring planting running while he traveled downstream to the Tiger Tribe.
• Xiong Lie arrived at the former Great Boulder Tribe's dock, where Xueya waited with two hundred Wolf Tribe warriors and two thousand short-legged horses intended as a tribute to the Tiger Tribe.
• Xueya explained that the horses would help secure the Tiger Tribe's acceptance of the Wolf Tribe's submission, and Xiong Lie offered a five-thousand-jin boat to accompany them.
• Xueya led the Wolf Tribe's cavalry and horse herd north overland, while Xiong Lie's fleet continued downstream.
• Yexiao warned that former Great Luwei Tribe allies might ambush them, but Xueya said he hoped they would attack so the Wolf Tribe could claim self-defense and gain the Tiger Tribe's approval to strike back.

The Great Luwei Tribe tried to stop Xueya’s Wolf Tribe from crossing its territory with two thousand ponies, which were being taken as a gift to the Tiger Tribe. Xueya evaded Lusheng’s cavalry for several days and slipped through their blockade at night, leaving the Wolf Tribe’s party free to continue north.

• Lusheng summoned the Great Luwei Tribe’s leaders and, after hearing Lujian and the elders debate, led two thousand cavalry to intercept the Wolf Tribe.
• Xueya met Lusheng on the riverside road and said the Wolf Tribe only wanted to pass through, while Lujian demanded that they leave the ponies behind.
• Yexiao revealed that the ponies were a gift for the Tiger Tribe, and Lujian persuaded Lusheng that the Great Luwei Tribe could not let the Tiger Tribe receive them.
• Xueya spotted Lusheng raising his hand and ordered his riders to retreat, while the Wolf Tribe drove the herd away using fresh horses in rotation.
• Xueya led the Wolf Tribe in circles for several days, then crossed the blockade under cover of darkness and fog and shook off the pursuers by dawn.

Xueya reached the Tiger Tribe with two thousand ponies and negotiated the Wolf Tribe’s submission and a supply of boats. He agreed that the Wolf Tribe would attack the Great Luwei Tribe for the Tiger Tribe and later join the Bear Tribe in taking the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost.

• After evading the Great Luwei Tribe’s pursuers, Xueya led the Wolf Tribe to the Tiger Tribe, where its cavalry escorted them to Tongding.
• Xueya offered Tongding two thousand sturdy ponies and explained that Lusheng’s people had tried to seize them on the road.
• Xueya asked for boats to make the Wolf Tribe’s return journey easier, and Tong Dachui questioned whether the Wolf Tribe had a dock.
• With Yexiao backing him, Xueya proposed that the Wolf Tribe attack the Great Luwei Tribe and help the Tiger Tribe expand south.
• Tongding agreed to sell the Wolf Tribe large boats and let it take supplies from the Great Luwei Tribe, while reserving its territory and people for the Tiger Tribe.
• Tongding required the Wolf Tribe to join the Bear Tribe in attacking the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp Outpost, and Xueya agreed before leaving to rest.