Chapter Summaries

Tongding and Tong Dachui planned to use the Wolf Tribe to seize territory and strengthen their faction, while presenting the Wolf Tribe’s submission and promised boats to Hu Zheng as a formality. Xueya received two large boats and left the Tiger Tribe with Yexiao, saying the events there were only a beginning.

• Tongding told Tong Dachui that the Wolf Tribe could conquer the Great Luwei Tribe for the Tiger Tribe and help them gain power over Hu Bashan and Hu Zheng.
• Tong Dachui took Xueya and Yexiao to meet Hu Zheng, who acknowledged the Wolf Tribe’s submission and approved the boats Tongding had decided to give them.
• At the dock, Tong Dachui handed Xueya two large boats and urged the Wolf Tribe to move quickly against the Great Luwei Tribe.
• Xiong Lie met Xueya and discussed working together to attack the Valley Tribe’s Little Valley Camp, while Xueya asked about the Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe’s fleet.
• Xueya and Yexiao sailed away from the Tiger Tribe with their people, and Xueya said their dealings there were only a beginning.

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s largest grain fleet yet down the Fish River, stopping at the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost before continuing to the Valley Tribe to collect grain. The outpost was set to become permanent, and the fleet reached the Valley Tribe headquarters, where the grain was ready to load.

• Yan set out with thirty giant ships and a fleet of smaller vessels, planning to collect grain and inspect the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost.
• Yan inspected the expanded outpost, and Feiyu reported that construction was progressing and about five thousand people from nearby small tribes planned to join the Fire Tribe.
• Yan told Feiyu the outpost would become permanent and house around ten thousand people by year’s end, and promised to request a giant ship for him.
• Yan’s fleet continued downstream, and Daiyan arranged guide boats to lead it across the river to the Valley Tribe headquarters dock.
• Quyong welcomed Yan and confirmed that the Valley Tribe’s new grain was ready, with loading expected to take only a few days.

Yan attended a feast hosted by Daiyue, where they discussed grain shipments, the northern tribes, and the Fire Tribe’s growing strength. After the feast, Qingsui walked Yan back and asked about his next visit and the Fire Tribe’s plans to settle Big Horse River Mouth.

• Fengren invited Yan and his companions to a feast at the Valley Tribe’s meeting hall, where Daiyue welcomed them and Qingsui served a chili dish.
• Yan and Daiyue toasted their tribes’ friendship and discussed the Fire Tribe’s ships and its plan to transport sixteen million jin of grain.
• Daiyue warned Yan that Xiong Lie and Xueya had likely gone to the Tiger Tribe, and Yan urged him to guard Little Valley Camp against the Bear and Wolf Tribes.
• Yan told Daiyue that the Fire Tribe’s population had exceeded two hundred thousand and that it planned to settle ten thousand people at Big Horse River Mouth, potentially joining its territory to the Valley Tribe’s.
• Qingsui escorted Yan from the hall and asked when he would return and whether the Big Horse River Mouth outpost would be settled before year’s end; Yan said it should be ready.

Yan gave Qingsui spices before loading and transporting sixteen million jin of grain from the Valley Tribe, then returned to the Fire Tribe and reported on northern tensions and plans to bring five thousand newcomers home. He prepared to collect them next, while the Horse Tribe’s chief considered visiting the Fire Tribe before deciding whether to join.

• Yan gave Qingsui a large bundle of spices, and she kissed his cheek before he left to oversee the grain loading.
• Yan and Quyong coordinated the loading of sixteen million jin of grain over three days, and Qingsui watched the fleet depart.
• At Big Horse River Mouth, Feiyu told Yan that about five thousand people from small tribes were gathering to join the Fire Tribe, and Yan instructed him to treat them fairly and prepare for their arrival.
• Yan returned to Little Fish River Mouth and told Jianshi that the grain shipment had gone smoothly, while reporting that the Tiger Tribe remained divided and the Wolf and Bear Tribe chiefs might be meeting with it.
• Yan told Jianshi about the five thousand newcomers and Junfeng of the Horse Tribe wanting to visit; Jianshi approved the plan and told Yan to prepare to collect the newcomers before making another grain trip.

Yan collected five thousand people from small tribes who wanted to join the Fire Tribe and brought them to the main settlement, where Jianya arranged housing for them. He also received ten newly built giant ships and left with them for the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost, while warning Jianya that the Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Tribes might be plotting together.

• Yan arrived at Big Horse River Mouth and welcomed the chiefs and roughly five thousand people seeking to join the Fire Tribe.
• Yan reassured the newcomers about food, shelter, work, and care for children and elders, then Feiyu organized their boarding and recorded their household details.
• Yan reached Fire Creek River Mouth and inspected ten new giant ships; Jianya confirmed that nearly fifty ships with a carrying capacity of one hundred thousand jin had been added to the fleet that year.
• Yan and Jianya discussed avoiding a premature war with the Tiger Tribe, the possible cooperation of the Wolf and Bear Tribes, and the plan to establish a permanent outpost at Big Horse River Mouth.
• Jianya arranged for the five thousand newcomers to settle in the main settlement, and Yan departed downstream with the ten new ships toward Little Fish River Mouth.

Yan returned to Little Fish River Mouth after bringing five thousand people to Jianya, then joined Jianshi in hosting Junfeng of the Horse Tribe. After inspecting the Fire Tribe’s settlements and ships, Junfeng agreed that the Horse Tribe would join after the autumn harvest, extending the Fire Tribe’s territory to Big Horse River Mouth.

• Yan reported to Jianshi that he had delivered five thousand new tribespeople to Jianya and described Feiyu’s progress at Big Horse River Mouth.
• Jianshi told Yan that Junfeng of the Horse Tribe was coming to inspect Little Fish River Mouth and consider joining the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi showed Junfeng, Chidian, and Xiao Matou the granaries, homes, and shipyard, then answered Junfeng’s questions at a feast.
• Junfeng announced that the Horse Tribe’s main settlement and core affiliated tribes would submit to the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi agreed to receive the Horse Tribe’s more than ten thousand people after the autumn harvest and promised them ships, supplies, land, and housing.
• Dazhuang escorted Junfeng and his party home the next morning, and Jianshi and Yan noted that the Fire Tribe’s territory could now reach Big Horse River Mouth.

Junfeng confirmed that the Horse Tribe would join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest, bringing around fifteen thousand people, while Yan led a fleet to the Valley Tribe to collect eleven million jin of grain. The fleet arrived safely, and the chapter ended with Yan and the Valley Tribe's leaders celebrating their tribes' friendship at a banquet.

• Junfeng told Xiao Matou and Chidian that the Horse Tribe would join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest, bringing its affiliated and nearby tribes with it.
• Xiao Matou said he wanted to join the Fire Tribe so he could avenge his old tribe, which the Wolf Tribe had destroyed; Junfeng promised that the chance would come.
• Yan set out with forty giant ships, one hundred and forty large ships, and smaller boats to transport the Valley Tribe's eleven million jin of grain in one trip.
• Yan told Feiyu that the Horse Tribe would join and urged him to expand the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost; Feiyu described plans to extend the dock and build more houses.
• At the Valley Tribe, Daiyan guided Yan's fleet to the main dock, where Quyong arranged berths and confirmed that the grain was ready to load the next morning.
• Qingsui welcomed Yan and asked him to spend time with her after the loading; Shibang and Yingmu teased Yan about their relationship before Daiyue hosted the Fire Tribe party at a banquet.

Yan and Daiyue discussed the Tiger Tribe’s growing power after it joined with the Wolf Tribe to conquer the Great Luwei Tribe, and agreed to strengthen their defenses and intelligence gathering. Yan promised to load the Valley Tribe’s grain the next morning and stay another day, leaving Qingsui pleased that she would see him again.

• Daiyue told Yan that the Tiger Tribe had expanded its fleet and that Tongding was driving its shipbuilding and military preparations.
• Daiyue reported that the Wolf Tribe had overrun the Great Luwei Tribe, after which the Tiger Tribe took control of its territory and people.
• Yan and Daiyue concluded that the Wolf and Tiger Tribes had planned their alliance and agreed to watch the north closely and prepare for possible conflict.
• Yan told Daiyue that the Horse Tribe would join the Fire Tribe after the autumn harvest, strengthening their territory and northern defenses.
• Daiyue arranged for Quyong to help Yan load eleven million jin of grain at the dock the next morning.
• Qingsui walked Yan back to camp, asked if she could see him during the loading, and he promised to stay another day.

Yan completed the Fire Tribe’s grain shipment from the Valley Tribe and returned home after warning Feiyu about the changing northern situation. Jianshi ordered Yan to inspect the outposts and then bring the Horse Tribe’s people to the main settlement, as the Fire Tribe prepared for a likely conflict with the Tiger Tribe.

• Yan oversaw the loading of all eleven million jin of grain and spent time with Qingsui before the fleet departed.
• Yan told Feiyu that the Wolf Tribe had defeated the Great Luwei Tribe and the Tiger Tribe had taken its territory, then ordered him to strengthen the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost.
• Yan promised to provide the outpost with a large boat and more support as the Fire Tribe expanded its population and defenses.
• Yan returned to Little Fish River Mouth after twenty days and reported the successful grain shipment and northern developments to Jianshi.
• Jianshi predicted a likely clash with the Tiger Tribe next spring and instructed Yan to inspect the outposts, then bring the Horse Tribe’s people to the main settlement.

Yan inspected the Fire Tribe’s outposts and reported their progress to Jianshi, who discussed shipbuilding plans for a possible conflict with the Tiger Tribe. Yan then decided to proceed with bringing the Horse Tribe’s people back and planned to set out with Dazhuang.

• Yan left the Little Fish River Mouth Outpost with Jia Li and Bailin to inspect the Fire Tribe’s outposts.
• At the Red Flower River Mouth Outpost, Dali showed Yan its expanded dock, new houses, and productive fields, while Yan told him about the Tiger Tribe’s growing strength.
• Yan visited several more outposts, assessed their development, and returned to the Little Fish River Mouth management center.
• Yan told Jianshi that the outposts were progressing well overall, though the inland settlements were expanding more slowly.
• Jianshi said the tribe had met its boat-building targets and planned to increase its hundred-thousand-jin boats to 150 next year.
• Yan asked to lead the fleet with Dazhuang to bring back the Horse Tribe’s new tribespeople, and Jianshi agreed.

Yan led the Fire Tribe’s fleet to collect more than ten thousand Horse Tribe people and bring them to the Fire Tribe’s main valley, while coordinating plans for the remaining people and livestock. After confirming the newcomers had settled safely, Yan returned to the Little Fish River Mouth administrative center as the Fire Tribe prepared for a possible conflict with the Tiger Tribe.

• Yan and Dazhuang arranged for the Horse Tribe’s people to travel separately from their livestock, with the able-bodied people and animals to be transported later.
• Yan and Dazhuang discussed the Wolf Tribe joining the Tiger Tribe, the Tiger Tribe’s growing forces, and plans to expand Fire Tribe defenses and shipbuilding.
• Yan met Chief Junfeng and oversaw the boarding of more than ten thousand Horse Tribe people onto the fleet.
• At Fire Creek River Mouth, Jianya transferred the newcomers onto small boats bound for the main valley and promised the outposts would prepare ships and supplies.
• Yan sent Bailin back to collect the remaining able-bodied people, then learned the newcomers had settled in new houses before returning to Little Fish River Mouth.

Yan returned from coordinating the Horse Tribe’s migration and reported the Fire Tribe’s growing population, northern settlements, and shipbuilding plans to Jianshi. He then visited the Clothing Tribe, whose chief planned to end its semi-subordinate relationship with the Valley Tribe next year and join the Fire Tribe.

• Yan told Jianshi that the Horse Tribe’s migration had gone smoothly and that Bailin’s fleet was returning to transport the remaining people.
• Jianshi and Yan discussed the Fire Tribe’s expanded population, livestock, cavalry prospects, northern outposts, and plans to build large ships.
• Jianshi asked Yan to visit the Clothing Tribe and learn whether Chief Zhixia was serious about joining the Fire Tribe.
• Yan traveled with Jia Li and Dazhuang to the Clothing Tribe, where Zhixia and its leaders welcomed them.
• Zhixia told Yan that the Clothing Tribe intended to end its semi-subordinate relationship with the Valley Tribe the following year and then join the Fire Tribe.
• Yan promised to report Zhixia’s intentions to Jianshi, and the two sides agreed to expand trade until the Clothing Tribe formally became independent.

Yan reported to Jianshi that the Clothing Tribe planned to leave the Valley Tribe and join the Fire Tribe, and they discussed the strategic and economic benefits of the alliance. Jianshi asked Yan to consider marriage, but Yan chose to wait until the Fire Tribe had dealt with the Tiger Tribe’s expected move next year.

• Yan returned from the Clothing Tribe and told Jianshi that Chief Zhixia and the tribe’s leaders planned to become independent next year before joining the Fire Tribe.
• Yan and Jianshi discussed the Clothing Tribe’s reasons for joining, the benefits of its population and dyeing skills, and the Valley Tribe’s likely response.
• Jianshi said the Fire Tribe’s administrative center would build giant ships next year and noted that livestock from the Horse Tribe would help expand farming and grain stores.
• Jianshi suggested that Yan consider marrying Qingsui, but Yan said he would wait until the tribe was more stable and the Tiger Tribe’s next move was known.
• Jianshi asked Yan to keep the Clothing Tribe’s negotiations moving without rushing them, and Yan left the council hall to rest.

After a winter of military and shipbuilding preparations, Yan received fifteen new ships from Jianya and set out with a vast fleet to collect grain from the Valley Tribe and assess the north. The fleet planned to discuss the Clothing Tribe’s separation and possible union with the Fire Tribe on the return journey.

• Yan watched Yingmu drill the naval and cavalry troops and Shibang train the infantry, then inspected Dabang’s expanded workshops and improved shipbuilding lumber.
• Through winter, the Fire Tribe trained, built ships, and stored grain in preparation for a likely confrontation with the Tiger Tribe.
• At the start of spring, fifteen ships arrived from Jianya, bringing the Fire Tribe’s new fleet of giant ships to twenty.
• Jianshi ordered Yan to lead the fleet to the Valley Tribe for grain and to investigate conditions in the north, and Yan arranged to depart after two days.
• Yan sailed downstream with Jia Li and Bailin, planning to transport twenty million jin of grain and discuss the Clothing Tribe’s independence and possible union with the Fire Tribe on the way back.

Zhixia asked Daiyue to let the Clothing Tribe leave the Valley Tribe, become independent, and join the Fire Tribe, offering weapons and armor in return. The Valley Tribe agreed, and Zhixia departed with a fleet carrying the promised goods while leaving Daiyue to consider whether his own tribe should join the Fire Tribe.

• Zhixia told Daiyue that the Clothing Tribe intended to become independent and then join the Fire Tribe to prepare for a possible attack by the Tiger Tribe.
• Zhixia offered the Valley Tribe one thousand bronze weapons and one thousand sets of leather armor as thanks for its protection.
• Daiyue consulted the seven great elders, who agreed that the Valley Tribe should accept the Clothing Tribe's independence.
• Daiyue told Zhixia the Valley Tribe accepted her terms and offered boats to transport the weapons and armor.
• Before leaving, Zhixia asked Daiyue whether the Valley Tribe had considered joining the Fire Tribe, then sailed upstream with the Valley Tribe's fleet following her.

Daiyue considered the Valley Tribe’s precarious position as the Fire Tribe’s grain fleet arrived, then discussed northern defenses, the Clothing Tribe, and a large grain shipment with Yan. The Fire Tribe promised to strengthen its northern outposts, while the Tiger Tribe and its allies appeared to be preparing for conflict.

• After Zhixia proposed that the Valley Tribe join the Fire Tribe, Daiyue chose to begin spring planting and maintain the tribe’s independence.
• Yan arrived at the Valley Tribe headquarters with sixty giant ships and met Daiyue at a banquet attended by the elders and Qingsui.
• Yan told Daiyue that the Fire Tribe would welcome the Clothing Tribe and build an outpost at the mouth of the Clothing River to reinforce northern defenses.
• Daiyue reported that the Bear Tribe, Wolf Tribe, and Tiger Tribe were gathering supplies and training warriors, and said the Valley Tribe had increased its patrols.
• Yan agreed that the Fire Tribe would strengthen its northern outposts and asked to take twenty million jin of grain, which Daiyue approved for loading the next morning.

Yan and Qingsui shared a meal and agreed that he would formally approach her father about marriage after the Tiger Tribe was driven back. As Yan’s fleet headed home, he warned the northern outpost to prepare for an early attack, and Zhixia asked to bring the Clothing Tribe into the Fire Tribe immediately.

• Qingsui met Yan after the grain was loaded, and they cooked and shared dinner with food sent to the other chiefs.
• On a riverside walk, Qingsui discussed the northern defenses and told Yan that her tribe had begun asking when she would marry; Yan promised to speak with her father after the northern situation became clear.
• Qingsui touched Yan’s cheek before returning to her camp, and the Fire Tribe fleet sailed home the next morning.
• At the Big Horse River Mouth Outpost, Yan warned Feiyu that the Tiger Tribe might attack around the summer harvest and ordered him to keep the watchtowers and river patrols active.
• Zhixia told Yan that the Clothing Tribe wanted to join the Fire Tribe immediately because the Tiger Tribe was advancing faster than expected; Yan agreed to return with ships to collect them.

Yan returned to the Fire Tribe with twenty million jin of grain and reported that the Tiger Tribe might attack after the harvest. After the Fire Tribe prepared its defenses, Yan led a fleet to bring the Clothing Tribe’s people to their new home.

• Yan returned to the Fire Tribe, reunited with Jianshi, and reported that the grain shipment had arrived safely.
• Yan told Jianshi that the Tiger Tribe had grown stronger and might attack after the harvest, while Feiyu had kept the northern watchtowers and river patrols staffed.
• Yan reported that Zhixia wanted the Clothing Tribe to join the Fire Tribe, and Jianshi arranged housing and ordered preparations for a possible attack.
• After resting for two days, Yan sailed to the Clothing Tribe and met Zhixia as her people prepared to leave.
• Yan helped the Clothing Tribe board the boats, while Dazhuang crossed the river to take over their fields and camp.
• Yan’s fleet departed upstream toward the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost with the Clothing Tribe’s people aboard.

Yan brought the Clothing Tribe’s people and twenty million jin of grain back to Fire Tribe, then returned with supplies and newly built ships from the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost. He warned Jianya and Jianshi that the Tiger Tribe was preparing to move south, and the chapter ended with Yan reporting the successful resettlement and preparing to rest before the harvest.

• Yan arrived at the Fire Creek River Mouth Outpost and told Jianya that the Clothing Tribe had joined Fire Tribe and that the Valley Tribe had supplied twenty million jin of grain.
• Yan warned Jianya that the Tiger Tribe had absorbed the Great Luwei Tribe, strengthened Tongding’s faction, and might attack the Valley Tribe around the first harvest.
• Jianya arranged for small boats to ferry the Clothing Tribe’s people to the main tribe’s valley and gave Yan stored supplies and several new ships to take to the management center.
• Yan oversaw the transfer of the newcomers and supplies, then sailed downstream with the fleet toward the management center.
• Yan reported to Jianshi that the Clothing Tribe’s people had settled and that the supplies and ships had arrived safely; Jianshi told him to rest before the harvest and preparations for the north.

As the Fire Tribe’s first harvest filled its stores, Jianshi sent Yan to the Valley Tribe to bring back grain and assess the northern threat. Meanwhile, Tong Dachui led a large Tiger Tribe force south to attack the Valley Tribe, while Daiyue watched the harvest under approaching clouds.

• The Fire Tribe received reports of a strong harvest, and Jianshi calculated that its grain stores could feed the tribe for more than a year.
• Jianshi ordered Yan to take five thousand naval troops to the Valley Tribe, collect grain, investigate the north, and prepare to aid their ally if needed.
• Tongding instructed Tong Dachui to follow the southern expedition plan despite opposition, and Tong Dachui departed with five thousand naval troops while Hu Ya led seven thousand land troops south.
• Tong Dachui directed the Wolf Tribe and Bear Tribe to send four thousand men each to seize Little Valley Camp Outpost before the Tiger Tribe’s main force arrived.
• Daiyue inspected the Valley Tribe’s harvested grain and watched clouds moving south from the north.