Chapter Summaries

As spring arrived, the Fire Tribe expanded farming, shipbuilding, river exploration, and bronze production to support its growing population and strengthen its capabilities. The chapter ended with a thousand bronze spearheads completed as Wang Yan redirected production toward axes and short blades.

• Jianshi’s leaders oversaw planting the first three thousand mu of rice paddies and other crops while workers reclaimed another three thousand mu.
• Fumu and Shuihen advanced construction of the Fire Tribe’s first large ships, while Jianshi prepared exploration teams to travel farther upstream and search for tribes, resources, and information.
• The Fire Tribe expanded ore transport by sending a trade team to obtain fifty draft oxen from the Bison Tribe.
• Wang Yan’s craftsmen completed a thousand bronze spearheads, and he ordered them to focus next on bronze axes and short blades.

Xueya led the Wolf Tribe in a surprise attack on the Bison Tribe, defeating its defenders and burning its camp. Jijiao led the surviving Bison Tribe toward the Fire Tribe for refuge while the Wolf Tribe hurried on to attack the White Pig Tribe.

• Xueya gathered four hundred Wolf Tribe members and secretly advanced on the Bison Tribe.
• Jijiao ordered the Bison Tribe to resist the attack and evacuate its elderly, women, and children toward the Fire Tribe.
• The Wolf Tribe broke through the Bison Tribe's defenses, wounded Jijiao, and drove the survivors into the forest.
• Xueya's forces looted and burned the Bison Tribe's camp, then sent a hundred people back with the stolen goods and continued toward the White Pig Tribe.
• Jijiao sent most of his remaining people to protect the evacuees and led the wounded survivors toward the Fire Tribe, vowing revenge on Xueya.

After learning that Xueya’s Wolf Tribe had attacked the Bison Tribe, Zongmao led the White Pig Tribe in a hurried retreat toward the Fire Tribe. The Wolf Tribe caught up and forced them to abandon most of their supplies, but Xueya stopped short of pursuing them closer to the Fire Tribe.

• A Bison Tribe messenger told Liaoya that Xueya had attacked with nearly four hundred people and that Chief Jijiao had sent for help.
• Liaoya reported the attack to Zongmao, who ordered scouts toward the Bison Tribe, sent a warning to the Fire Tribe, and began evacuating the White Pig Tribe.
• Lichi spotted ten Wolf Tribe mounted scouts near the camp and returned to warn Zongmao, who ordered everyone to abandon most of their belongings and flee.
• Duyan and nine Wolf Tribe riders harassed the White Pig Tribe’s retreat, slowing the group as it traveled toward the Fire Tribe.
• Xueya caught up with roughly a hundred elite warriors before dawn, and Zongmao ordered the fleeing people to discard more supplies and run.
• Xueya halted the pursuit before the Fire Tribe, collected the abandoned supplies, and returned to the White Pig Tribe’s camp.

After the Wolf Tribe attacked the Bison and White Pig tribes, Jianshi led Fire Tribe warriors to rescue the survivors and caught Xueya’s force at the burning White Pig camp. The Fire Tribe broke the Wolf Tribe’s line, but Xueya escaped, leaving the threat unresolved.

• A Bison Tribe messenger reached the Fire Tribe and reported that Xueya had attacked, wounded Jijiao, and driven the tribe from its home; Jianshi dispatched forces by river and land.
• Jianshi met the Bison Tribe refugees, sent fifty warriors to escort them to safety, and accepted Mangu and ten Bison warriors into his force.
• Jianshi found the fleeing White Pig Tribe and joined forces with Zongmao and its fighters before advancing toward the tribe’s former camp.
• Jianshi’s force reached the burning White Pig camp, sent Zongmao and over thirty men to fight the fire, and pursued Xueya’s troops.
• Jianshi’s warriors overwhelmed the Wolf Tribe in close combat as Wang Yan, Dali, Mangu, and Zongmao fought alongside them.
• Xueya and three leaders forced Jianshi back long enough to escape on ponies, and the Wolf Tribe’s remaining warriors fled; Jianshi ordered his forces not to pursue and to tend to the wounded.

After the Fire Tribe defeated the Wolf Tribe, the leaders of the Bison and White Pig tribes asked to join Jianshi’s people. Jianshi welcomed them under the Fire Tribe’s rules and led everyone back to the tribe.

• Dali reported that the Fire Tribe had won with no deaths, captured supplies, and suffered only a few wounded, though the Bison and White Pig tribes had lost several warriors.
• Mangu and Zongmao were awed by Jianshi and the Fire Tribe’s strength and recognized that their tribes had little hope of surviving alone.
• Zongmao pledged the White Pig Tribe’s loyalty to Jianshi, and Mangu asked him to accept the Bison Tribe as well.
• Jianshi welcomed both tribes, told them that all newcomers must follow Fire Tribe regulations, and promised fair shares of food, housing, and supplies.
• Jianshi ordered Dali to escort the wounded and spoils home, sent scouts to watch the Wolf Tribe, and led the expanded group back to the Fire Tribe.

Jianshi led the victorious Fire Tribe force home with the White Pig Tribe survivors, who agreed to join the Fire Tribe after learning that Xueya’s attack had been avenged. The Bison Tribe also formally joined, and the Fire Tribe settled nearly a thousand newcomers as its population and forces grew.

• Zongmao told the White Pig Tribe survivors that Jianshi and the Fire Tribe had helped defeat Xueya’s force, and the survivors agreed to join the Fire Tribe.
• Jianshi sent scouts ahead to report the victory and prepare to receive the newcomers, then continued toward the valley with Dabang’s reinforcements.
• Jijiao thanked Jianshi for sheltering the Bison Tribe and formally pledged the remaining Bison people to the Fire Tribe, asking to take part in future revenge against the Wolf Tribe.
• The Fire Tribe settled nearly one thousand people from the Bison and White Pig Tribes, bringing its population above six thousand and assigning new fighters to its reserve Hunting Team and Defense Team.
• Newly joined warriors trained eagerly, determined to fight the Wolf Tribe and reclaim their homes and dignity.

With the Fire Tribe’s population rising above six thousand, Wang Yan proposed using the Bison and White Pig Tribes’ expertise to improve livestock raising and buying grain from the Fish Tribe to protect the tribe’s food supply. Jianshi approved the plans, and a trading fleet prepared to depart while new members began working in the fields and livestock areas.

• Jianshi and the leaders discussed how the newcomers had increased pressure on the Fire Tribe’s grain reserves.
• Wang Yan proposed forming cattle- and pig-raising groups from skilled members of the Bison and White Pig Tribes.
• Jianshi ordered Jianya and the production leaders to assign skilled newcomers to suitable work.
• Wang Yan proposed sending a fleet to buy grain from the Fish Tribe, and Jianshi ordered Dali and Dazhuang to lead the expedition.
• Newcomers planted rice seedlings and took over livestock work as the fleet loaded goods at the docks.

Jianya and Wang Yan visited the Pottery Salt Tribe to check on a horse trade, warn Jia Li about the Wolf Tribe, and arrange sales of Fire Tribe goods. After learning that the first hundred ponies were on their way and leaving a deposit, they resumed the flotilla’s journey toward the Fish Tribe to trade for grain.

• Wang Yan proposed establishing future Fire Tribe settlements at Small Gathering Valley and the former Little Stone Creek Tribe site to expand territory, supply routes, and defenses.
• Jianya and Wang Yan met Jia Li, who reported that the first hundred ponies had been bought from the Horse Tribe and would reach the Pottery Salt Tribe within days.
• Wang Yan warned Jia Li that Xueya’s Wolf Tribe had raided the Bison and White Pig Tribes, and that the Fire Tribe had driven the attackers back but had not destroyed their main force.
• Jia Li said the Pottery Salt Tribe would pause large-scale horse-buying expeditions and focus on defense and alliances against the Wolf Tribe.
• Jianya and Wang Yan left a deposit and asked Jia Li to sell pottery and cured foods, then returned to the flotilla and continued toward the Fish Tribe.

Jianya and Wang Yan negotiated with Canglan for 200,000 jin of rice, accepting twice the previous price because the Fire Tribe urgently needed grain after taking in refugees. The flotilla remained at the Fish Tribe’s dock as both sides prepared the exchange, while Jianya vowed the Fire Tribe would repay the Fish Tribe once it grew stronger.

• Jianya and Wang Yan arrived at the Fish Tribe with gifts and warned Canglan that the Wolf Tribe had attacked the Bison Tribe and the White Pig Tribe.
• Jianya explained that the Bison Tribe and the White Pig Tribe had sought refuge with the Fire Tribe, which needed grain to feed its growing population.
• Canglan agreed to supply 100,000 jin from the Fish Tribe’s stores and arrange another 100,000 jin from the Valley Tribe, but demanded twice the previous price.
• Jianya and Wang Yan accepted Canglan’s terms, and Canglan ordered his people to prepare the grain and dispatch ships to the Valley Tribe.
• Jianya and Wang Yan told Dali, Dazhuang, and the other leaders about the deal, then assigned them to oversee the exchange and guard the cargo.

After fleeing defeat at the hands of the Fire Tribe, Xueya rallied the Wolf Tribe survivors by directing their anger toward weaker settlements. The Wolf Tribe massacred the Little Mountain Tribe and then set out to attack the Little Water Tribe and Little Flower Tribe.

• Xueya ordered Yexiao to gather survivors, and Yexiao returned with a little over a hundred battered Wolf Tribe warriors.
• Xueya and the other leaders acknowledged the Fire Tribe's strength, then chose to raid three small tribes instead of risking another fight.
• Xueya divided the Wolf Tribe forces and led them in an attack on the unsuspecting Little Mountain Tribe.
• The Wolf Tribe killed nearly everyone in Little Mountain, looted the camp, and took several young women captive.
• Xueya ordered Shichui, Duyan, Yexiao, and Tujiu to lead attacks on the Little Water Tribe and Little Flower Tribe.

After losing a battle to the Fire Tribe, Xueya led the Wolf Tribe home with more than five hundred people seized from small settlements and supplies. He decided to avoid the Fire Tribe for now, rebuild the Wolf Tribe’s strength, and raid the Horse Tribe’s outskirts for ponies.

• Xueya’s group raided five or six small tribes on the way home, taking more than five hundred people and supplies.
• Xueya returned to High Pointed Mountain and told Xueshou and Duzhu that the Fire Tribe had defeated them outside the White Pig Tribe.
• Shichui, Duyan, Yexiao and Tujiu described the Fire Tribe’s armor, weapons, discipline and fighters, especially Jianshi and Yan.
• Xueya said the Wolf Tribe would rest for a month and train the newcomers before moving north to raid or trade for ponies near the Horse Tribe’s territory.
• Xueshou and the other leaders approved the plan, while Xueya vowed to settle the score with the Fire Tribe after rebuilding his strength.

The Fire Tribe received the first hundred thousand jin of rice from the Fish Tribe, easing its food crisis despite paying twice the previous price. Jianshi then ordered a small team to resume trade and exploration in the upper reaches of the Fish River, where the Fire Tribe hoped to build ties and gather information.

• Jianya and Wang Yan completed the grain trade with Canglan and brought one hundred thousand jin of rice back to the Fire Tribe.
• Dali and Dazhuang oversaw unloading and storage as the new members of the Fire Tribe celebrated the arrival of grain.
• Jianya told Jianshi that the Fish Tribe had charged twice the previous price, and Jianshi accepted the cost to secure the tribe's food supply.
• Jianshi discussed the Fire Tribe's five-thousand-jin boat prototype with Wang Yan and planned to trade directly with grain-producing tribes once the boats were ready.
• Jianshi ordered Jianya to assemble a small, alert team to resume upstream trade and exploration, strengthen ties with small tribes, and gather information.

After survivors from the Little Mountain Tribe reported the Wolf Tribe’s latest atrocities, Jianshi welcomed them into the Fire Tribe and vowed to avenge their losses. The Pottery Salt Tribe delivered one hundred ponies, and Biaotou hurried home with warning of the Wolf Tribe’s growing threat.

• Xiaoshitou told Jianshi that the Wolf Tribe had destroyed the Little Mountain Tribe and two nearby tribes, then forced hundreds of people from other settlements to join it.
• Jianshi welcomed Xiaoshitou and the survivors into the Fire Tribe, promised protection, and vowed that the Wolf Tribe would pay for its blood debts.
• Wang Yan warned that the Wolf Tribe had grown stronger despite its recent defeat, and Jianshi urged the Fire Tribe to build its strength before seeking revenge.
• Biaotou arrived from the Pottery Salt Tribe with one hundred ponies, greatly improving the Fire Tribe’s ability to patrol, communicate, and transport supplies.
• After hearing Xiaoshitou’s account, Biaotou hurried back to warn Chief Jia Li, and Jianshi sent him home by river with an escort.
• The Fire Tribe began expanding its stables, assigning caretakers to the ponies, and planning to select and train cavalry.

The Fire Tribe expanded its cavalry training and improved farming, calendrical knowledge, and measurement standards while Wang Yan and the craftsmen completed the tribe’s first great ship. The ship launched successfully and passed its stability test, though the tribe still needed to monitor it for leaks.

• Jianshi selected six hundred warriors for focused cavalry training and promised to expand the ranks when more horses arrived.
• The Fire Tribe continued reclaiming rice paddies and used Wang Yan’s calendar and standard weights and measures to improve farming and management.
• Wang Yan and the shipwrights developed a waterproof paste from slaked lime, hemp fibers, and tung oil to seal the ship’s hull.
• Jianshi ordered the five-thousand-jin ship launched, and Fumu directed the workers as it slid into the water and floated.
• The ship passed a stability test as craftsmen and warriors rocked it without capsizing it, and the construction leader called for several days of leak checks.
• Wang Yan told Jianshi that more ships could weaken the Fish Tribe’s control of the waterway and open trade with the Valley Tribe and others.

Jianshi and Wang Yan sent Fire Tribe teams to explore the upper Fish River while the Fish Tribe focused on grain deliveries. The teams found tributary settlements eager for Fire Tribe goods, opening the prospect of a major trade network and a future outpost upstream.

• Jianshi kept twenty large canoes near the Fire Tribe’s stronghold and sent the other thirty upstream in ten exploration and trading teams.
• The teams mapped four tributaries on the Fire Tribe’s side of the Fish River and found scattered, impoverished tribes that relied on outside traders for salt.
• Fire Tribe teams traded cured food, tools, and weapons for animal sinews, hides, herbs, and seeds, while gathering intelligence about local tribes.
• An exploration leader estimated that more than ten thousand people lived within five sunsets’ travel along the four tributaries.
• The teams returned downstream in less than four days, and Wang Yan and Jianshi proposed expanding trade and eventually establishing an outpost at a suitable tributary.

The Fish Tribe delivered another 50,000 jin of grain, while the Fire Tribe strengthened its outpost, cavalry, mines, and production capacity. The chapter ended with shipbuilding accelerating after the Fire Tribe successfully launched its third 5,000-jin boat.

• The Fish Tribe delivered 50,000 jin of unhusked rice at Fire Creek Mouth, and the Fire Tribe exchanged goods and paid a deposit for the next shipment.
• The Fire Tribe named its stream the Fire Creek River and restricted the Fish Tribe’s boats to the outpost at its mouth.
• Jianshi and Wang Yan expanded cavalry training and assigned Yingmu and thirty elite cavalrymen to guard the Deer Tribe mine and patrol the northern pasture.
• Wang Yan urged the leadership to prioritize bronze production tools for shipbuilding, farming, and machinery, and Jianshi and the others agreed.
• The Fire Tribe successfully launched its third 5,000-jin boat, while seven more large boats neared completion.

Xueya led the Wolf Tribe north to raid herding tribes, first using recruits to massacre a small camp and then launching a surprise attack on the Horse Horn Tribe. Xiao Matou escaped with a few followers to seek refuge with the Horse Tribe, while Xueya seized livestock, supplies, captives, and horses.

• Xueya took four hundred Wolf Tribe fighters north, raided a small herding tribe, and forced the new recruits to kill and plunder.
• Xueya chose the Horse Horn Tribe as his next target because it had many livestock and more than a hundred horses.
• Xueya’s force approached the Horse Horn Tribe by night and attacked its camp before dawn, overwhelming its unprepared warriors.
• Xiao Matou escaped with about twenty followers and rode north to seek refuge with his sworn elder brother, the chief of the Horse Tribe.
• Xueya’s fighters looted the Horse Horn Tribe’s camp, gathered its livestock and captives, and seized its horses.

After destroying the Horse Horn Tribe, Xueya used the Wolf Tribe’s growing force and newly captured horses to extort grain and livestock from the Niujiao and Sheep Horn tribes. He returned to High Pointed Mountain with a larger cavalry force and planned future raids on tribes under the Fish Tribe’s protection.

• Xueya celebrated capturing more than seventy short-legged horses from the Horse Horn Tribe and led three hundred warriors toward the Niujiao Tribe.
• Xueya threatened the Niujiao Tribe with the Horse Horn Tribe’s fate, and Niuyan agreed to surrender a third of the tribe’s grain and some cattle and sheep.
• Xueya’s warriors took the demanded supplies from the Niujiao Tribe and left without attacking.
• Xueya intimidated the Sheep Horn Tribe into surrendering grain, livestock, and ten short-legged horses.
• Xueya returned to High Pointed Mountain with more than eighty usable horses and planned to train cavalry before raiding small tribes under the Fish Tribe.

Wang Yan led a Fire Tribe trading fleet up the four tributaries of the Fish River, exchanging clothing, sandals, pottery, and other goods for local resources. In the farthest Valley River, he secured the voluntary submission of three tribes and sent word to Jianshi to prepare for their migration to the Fire Tribe.

• Jianshi approved Wang Yan's request to lead the expedition with Dali and urged him to prioritize safety.
• Wang Yan traded the Fire Tribe's goods with four tribes on the First Water River and four on the Second Forest River, collecting furs, herbs, seeds, and other goods.
• Wang Yan traded with three tribes on the Third Stone River and found local mineral samples and tough stone that interested him.
• Fengmao told Wang Yan that the Valley River tribes suffered from scarce food and costly salt, then asked to join the Fire Tribe; Wang Yan accepted the Valley Abundance Tribe.
• Wang Yan brought Fengmao to meet Yuman and Denggao, who agreed to join with their tribes, and sent a messenger to Jianshi requesting transport and supplies for the migration.

Wang Yan and Jianshi organized a massive fleet to bring the Valley River tribes into the Fire Tribe after learning that more people wanted to join than expected. The first thousand newcomers reached Fire Creek Mouth and were settled, while Jianya and Wang Yan set out again to retrieve the next group.

• Wang Yan returned from the trading expedition and told Jianshi and Jianya that three Valley River tribes wanted to join the Fire Tribe; Jianshi reported the expanded fleet and arranged boats and supplies for the resettlement.
• Jianya, Dali, Dazhuang, Wang Yan, and three hundred warriors sailed upstream with the fleet and reached the Valley River after eight days.
• Jianya and Wang Yan counted more than three thousand people from the three major tribes and nearby settlements, then agreed with Gufeng, Guyu, and Gudeng to transport them in batches.
• Jianya and Wang Yan brought the first thousand people downstream to Fire Creek Mouth, where Jianshi’s staff assigned them housing, clothing, supplies, and food.
• A day later, Jianya and Wang Yan led boats upstream again to bring back the second batch.