Tu Fang.
Seated at the head was a middle-aged man named Wuti Marquis. His beard was unkempt, and his loose hair made him look like a wild beast, yet his dark face bore the authority of someone long accustomed to power.
Beside him sat a fair-faced young man who did not look like a member of the Tu Fang Tribe.
"I called you all here today mainly to discuss food. Winter is almost upon us," said Wuti Marquis, the leader of the Tu Fang Tribe.
Everyone present was an influential figure in Tu Fang.
"There's no other choice. We should follow our ancestors' example and raid the borders of the Central Plains. The Central Plains aren't what they once were; they grow weaker by the day. Gui Fang is itching to move, yet that so-called Northwest Protectorate doesn't attack them. Instead, it sets up markets to trade with them. What a joke." The speaker was a burly man named Wu Li, a warrior of rare prowess.
"Indeed. Grass scarcely grows in winter, and we don't have enough cattle and sheep to see us through. Only by raiding Yin Shang's borders can we replenish our supplies. Yin Shang has already grown weak." This time, the speaker was a respected elder named Yi Shangxie.
"Why not give it a try?"
The others voiced their agreement as well.
Seeing that everyone favored marching south to raid, the fair-faced young man looked toward Wuti Marquis.
Wuti Marquis gave a slight nod.
The young man then spoke. "Please hear me out."
The Tu Fang tribesmen turned toward him, their gazes fierce. This man from the Central Plains had arrived in Tu Fang days earlier, bringing a great deal of salt and earning a little goodwill in exchange. But if he tried to stop their raids