Amani Needs Reform

Faced with Tian Sang's persuasion, Zul'jin temporarily cast aside his slight guilt, choosing not to explain the defeat to the commoners. He had no way to explain it anyway, as it was he who had accepted Orgrim's invitation and led the Forest Trolls into the war.

Although they received no explanation, the troll commoners remained silent. Beyond the fear of Zul'jin's brutal rule, a greater problem loomed before them: the winter famine. This issue, combined with Zul'jin's ruthless threats, forced them to set aside their decadence and despair, waiting for a solution from Zul'jin.

Under Tian Sang's suggestion, Zul'jin began making arrangements to retrieve the ships hidden in the straits deep within the Thalas Mountains. These were the vessels the Forest Trolls used for long voyages to Zandalar; while they could not be used for naval combat, they were sufficient for fishing.

Trolls were inherently a people of fishing, hunting, and gathering, and they lacked no experience in seafaring. Armed with hemp nets and javelins, they soon caught a large quantity of fish from the sea, temporarily resolving the food crisis in Zul'Aman.

"Fishing has temporarily solved our food crisis, but because of our defeat, if the Alliance discovers our fishing boats, they will certainly strike. Therefore, we cannot rely solely on the catch." Tian Sang sat upright by the fire, his gaze sweeping over the nearby Witch Doctor priests and high-ranking hunters before finally landing on the silent Zul'jin.

"We must have a more secure method to deal with any situation that may arise."

"It seems you already have a plan." Zul'jin looked at the youth sitting with a straight back, the light in his left eye flickering.

"Yes, your eyes are sharp. I mean reform." Tian Sang looked at Zul'jin's face, nodding slightly and lowering his eyes to avoid his gaze as he broached the topic. Faced with his words, the expressions of those around him varied, though not unexpectedly; Lostro's expression, in particular, was slightly wistful.

"Go on." Zul'jin raised his remaining right hand.

"I propose reform. Your expressions do not seem surprised. Yes, my mentor, Son of Kal'ma, always hoped to reform the vile customs of our race, including cannibalism and blood sacrifice." Tian Sang looked at the group, his tone pausing briefly before he continued.

"I have always held this position as well."

"So, what do you intend to use to convince us?" The Witch Doctor, whose two tusks curved upward past his bald head and whose dark green chin and face were painted with white war markings, asked.

"This war." Tian Sang looked at the Witch Doctor with the upward-curving tusks and nodded slightly. Malacrass, Zul'jin's most trusted and powerful priest, known as the Hex Lord.

"Although this war was a failure, we did not leave empty-handed. We saw the alliance between the Pale Ones, the humans, and the Dwarves, and we also formed an alliance with the Orcs from another world. We saw many things, both of ourselves and of our enemies." Tian Sang looked at the group, speaking eloquently about the necessity of reform.

"The warriors of Zul'Aman are brave enough, but our numbers are too few. Our empire is glorious, but our tribes are scattered. We have the protection of the Loa, but we lack the food reserves for war, nor do we have sufficiently refined weapons and equipment. These are the things that prevent us from gaining the upper hand in war."

"We need reform. We must correct the bad habits of cannibalism and blood sacrifice; this will allow us to save manpower. Beyond that, we need allies, and we need to learn—to learn from our enemies and our allies. We must learn their technology and strategies: forging, agriculture, military, and systems. This knowledge will help us wash away today's failure in the next war."

Faced with Tian Sang's words, the leaders, both great and small, fell into deep thought. Although in their hearts many did not agree that cannibalism and blood sacrifice were bad habits, they could find no words to refute him, and even felt that Tian Sang made a modicum of sense.

Learning from allies and enemies was necessary, but how should they learn, and was it even possible? The Witch Doctor priests and high-ranking hunters cast their gaze toward Zul'jin; in Zul'Aman, he was the final decision-maker.

"Son of Kal'ma, you are more persuasive than your mentor. Although this war was a failure, we gained much. On the foundation of these gains, we must wash away all our shame as quickly as possible." Zul'jin's left eye turned slightly, then he looked up at Tian Sang, and then at the others present.

"I have decided that Zul'Aman must undergo reform. From today on, cannibalism and blood sacrifice against our own kind are forbidden. Whoever defies this order of mine will end up as food for the Raptors."

"Zul'jin, this decision of yours is the harbinger of victory." Tian Sang looked at Zul'jin, who had made the decision, and offered praise without a change in his expression or breath.

"Zul'Aman will surely win! For the glory of Zul'jin!" The loyal Headhunter Dakkalai, unwilling to be outdone, let out a roar.

"For the glory of Zul'jin!" Faced with the successive statements of Tian Sang and Dakkalai, the other Witch Doctor priests and high-ranking hunters chimed in one after another.

"Aside from the ban, Malacrass, Zul'ra, I order you to select suitable personnel to go to Zandalar to learn after spring arrives. Gaza, I want you to be my scout and help me gather information on the Alliance and the Horde..." Zul'jin issued a series of orders.

Zandalar. Hearing Zul'jin's words, Tian Sang could not help but tilt his gaze slightly. Zul'jin's thinking was somewhat conservative; in terms of learning, he did not choose the nearby Orcs, but rather Zandalar.

Actually, there was nothing wrong with that. As the cradle of troll civilization, Zandalar naturally had its merits. It was just that Zul'jin had included him in the study group, which was a unique intention. Tian Sang pondered this in his heart.

"Very well, those are my only orders. You may all leave, but Zul'ra, stay." Zul'jin issued his commands and dismissed everyone, while keeping one person behind. Hearing this, Tian Sang's body stiffened slightly, but he sat back down, waiting for everyone to leave so he could face Zul'jin alone.

"Kal'ma, he and I, along with Dakkalai and Malacrass, were captured by the Pale Ones. The Pale Ones tortured us for revenge and took my right eye. I bit off my left arm to escape." Zul'jin touched his empty right eye socket, a look of hatred appearing in his left eye.

"And Kal'ma?" Tian Sang looked at Zul'jin, pondering inwardly. He had to admit, the Elves had gone too far, but the Horde had been excessive first, so he could perhaps understand it. However, that was not important; what was important was that his mentor had not returned to Zul'Aman.

"I am very sorry. He was too old. If we had brought him..." Zul'jin did not dare to look at Tian Sang. To ensure their escape, they had abandoned Kal'ma.

"Damn the Pale Ones." Tian Sang looked at Zul'jin, his thoughts racing. He chose to darken his expression. These bastards like Zul'jin had actually abandoned an old man.

"This is my fault..." Zul'jin looked at the gloomy-faced Tian Sang, feeling somewhat guilty.

"No, this is all the fault of the Pale Ones. If they hadn't stolen our forests, we wouldn't have had to fight this war at all." Tian Sang looked up at Zul'jin, releasing his fury through a direct gaze.

"Then go to Zandalar and learn advanced technology well. I will appoint you as the Exarch of Zul'Aman!" Zul'jin looked at the fury in Tian Sang's eyes, his own gaze settling as he offered words of encouragement.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill Kal'ma's hopes, Zul'jin." Tian Sang looked at Zul'jin and lowered his gaze once more. This troll Warlord—he would have to fight for this position after all.