The Beast Taming Tribe's Decision
When the first wave of alarm messengers from the Pottery Salt Tribe quickly arrived at the Beast Taming Tribe, and when Chief Muye heard the messenger's urgent account and learned that the Wolf Tribe had once again launched a large-scale disturbance, using methods even more bloody and Beast Taming Tribe than before, alarm bells instantly rang in Muye's mind.
He immediately ordered the tribe to strengthen its vigilance, with all Hunting Team and Gathering Team shortening their travel distances and time, and increasing the frequency of patrols. The previous two attacks on the Pottery Salt Tribe had resulted in the Beast Taming Tribe sending warriors to support them, thus creating a grudge with the Wolf Tribe. Now, the Wolf Tribe was even stronger than before and acted more recklessly. Mu Ye, the leader of the Beast Taming Tribe Muye, knew that he could not afford to be careless.
Over the next few days, bad news piled up like dark clouds. First, there were sporadic reports, then more and more fleeing tribes began to appear on the edge of the Beast Taming Tribe's territory. They were exhausted and terrified, and the news they brought was more and more horrifying than the last.
Muye dispatched one of his most capable leaders, Liequan renowned for its tracking and reconnaissance skills, to contact the tribes and gather more accurate information.
The news brought back by the Liequan sent a chill down Muye's spine.
"Chief, the situation is terrible." The Liequan's face was grave. "Those who escaped said that the Xueya of the Wolf Tribe is forcibly conscripting able-bodied men everywhere, and any tribe that disagrees is being exterminated! The White Stone Tribe... and several other smaller tribes—men, women, and children, except for a few young women, have been almost all killed! They may now have gathered over a thousand people, and quite a few horses!"
"Extermination of an entire Muye?!" Mu Ye gasped, his fists clenching involuntarily. Looting and extortion were not uncommon in this land, but such a systematic massacre and extermination of an entire tribe—its brutality and the ambition behind it—far exceeded the scope of ordinary banditry. What was Xueya trying to do? Did he intend to become the ruthless king of this land?
A tremendous sense of crisis and anxiety instantly gripped Muye. He could no longer sleep peacefully and was restless all day long. His mind was constantly calculating the tribe's defenses, food supplies, and the possible Kuangfeng. He summoned the tribe's core leaders— the Liequan, the Jiangsheng, the Shouqun, and others—to discuss countermeasures.
The atmosphere in the council chamber was tense. The Liequan chief spoke first. He had personally participated in the two previous battles to support the Pottery Salt Tribe and still vividly remembered the Wolf Tribe's ferocity. "Chief, the Wolf Tribe has made such a big commotion this time, taking so many people hostage. They must be up to no good! We must strengthen our forces as soon as possible! I suggest we immediately absorb those tribes that have fled here, the more the better!"
The Jiangsheng chief, who oversaw the tribe's defense and warrior training, nodded in agreement, his tone urgent. "The Liequan is right! The Wolf Tribe is extremely vengeful. They definitely remember the two times we helped the Pottery Salt Tribe fight them! Our next target might be our Beast Taming Tribe! With our current manpower, we can't even hold them off! We must immediately expand our forces! Furthermore, we need to send out more scouts to keep a close watch on the Wolf Tribe's movements! Once we discover they're heading our way, we must immediately request reinforcements from the Pottery Salt Tribe, the Hundred Crafts Tribe, and the Fish Tribe! We absolutely cannot withstand this alone!"
The Shouqun chieftain, relatively calm, was in charge of the tribe's supplies and logistics. His brow furrowed, he raised a pressing concern. "Expanding our manpower is necessary, but what about our food? This year's harvest was decent, and we even traded some grain with the Pottery Salt Tribe, but our reserves are limited. A sudden increase in population will quickly deplete our food supply. If we're besieged, we'll starve even before the Wolf Tribe attacks!"
The leaders each had their own opinions, but their core concern was the same: the threat from the Wolf Tribe was imminent, and the Beast Taming Tribe had to find a feasible way to protect themselves.
Muye listened to the crowd's argument, his anxiety gradually subsided. He remained silent for a moment, then glanced at everyone and gritted his teeth, saying:
"Everyone's right. It seems that the Wolf Tribe, that mad dog, is determined to bite. We can't hide from it; we have to bite the bullet and confront it!"
He paused, then began to give specific instructions. "Shouqun chieftain, your concerns are valid. Food is the lifeblood. We can't recruit people indefinitely. Our tribe currently has over eight hundred people; let's increase the population to around twelve hundred! That's the limit we can barely manage right now. You'll be in charge of recruiting! Remember, prioritize smaller tribes with many able-bodied young men who seem honest and law-abiding! As soon as they arrive, assign them tasks immediately, help them integrate into the tribe as quickly as possible, and most importantly, select those who can fight and immediately hand them over to the Jiangsheng chief for training!"
The Shouqun leader nodded vigorously. "Understood, Chief! I will handle things carefully!"
Muye then looked at the Liequan: "Liequan, gathering intelligence on the Wolf Tribe's movements is of paramount importance! Send out all your best spies, especially towards the Pottery Salt Tribe and Marsh Tribe, keep a close watch on them! Report back immediately if there's any movement, and be quick!"
"Yes! I'll lead the men myself!" A glint of light flashed in the Liequan's eyes.
"Jiangsheng Leader," Muye Jiangsheng, turning finally to the man in charge of defense, "The tribe's defenses are entirely yours. Raise the walls where necessary, deepen the trenches where needed, and set up the traps! Sharpen all usable weapons! Train the newly recruited men quickly; they don't need to be elite, but at least they should be able to follow orders and know how to defend the camp!"
"Rest assured, Chief! I will definitely protect the tribe firmly!" Jiangsheng patted his chest and assured him.
The order was issued swiftly, and just as the Beast Taming Tribe was preparing for battle, the second wave of messengers from the Pottery Salt Tribe arrived with an even more urgent request for help.
"Chief of Muye! Chief Jia Li has sent me urgently for reinforcements!" The messenger's face was ashen. "The vanguard cavalry of the Wolf Tribe has already appeared outside our Pottery Salt Tribe! There are about fifty of them! Chief Jia Li judges that the main force of the Wolf Tribe is likely to arrive soon! He implores the Beast Taming Tribe to send troops to support us immediately!"
"What? The Wolf Tribe's cavalry has already reached the outskirts of the Pottery Salt Tribe?" Muye's heart tightened, but he didn't answer immediately. He turned to the Liequan, who had just been urgently recalled, "Liequan, do you have any new information? Have you spotted the main force of the Wolf Tribe?"
The Liequan shook its head, its tone certain. "Chief, my scouts found no trace of the Wolf Tribe tribe's main force."
Upon hearing this, Muye pondered for a moment. He looked at the anxious messenger from the Pottery Salt Tribe, his tone becoming serious. "Brother messenger, you've heard it too. The main force of the Wolf Tribe is currently missing. If it's just a few dozen cavalry harassing us, the Pottery Salt Tribe, with its current strength and fortified camp, should be able to handle it."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "Our Beast Taming Tribe is also stepping up its preparations for war, and the threat from the Wolf Tribe is also looming over us. If we send our precious warriors to the Pottery Salt Tribe now, what will we use to defend ourselves if the main force of the Wolf Tribe suddenly attacks our Beast Taming Tribe?"
He looked at the messenger and said, word by word, "Go back and tell Chief Jia Li that our Beast Taming Tribe will not forget our friendship. If the main force of the Wolf Tribe does appear in the Pottery Salt Tribe and launch an attack, we will definitely send troops to support them! This is our previous agreement, and we will never break our word!"
He emphasized, "However, Chief Jia Li, please remember our previous promise! If the Wolf Tribe attacks our Beast Taming Tribe, your Pottery Salt Tribe must immediately send troops to our aid! Right now, both our families must preserve our strength and act cautiously!"
The messenger from the Pottery Salt Tribe opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing Muye's resolute expression and the equally tense atmosphere of preparation within the Beast Taming Tribe, he knew that further words would be futile. He could only sigh heavily, clasp his hands, and say, "I will certainly convey Chief Muye's words! I hope both our families can safely weather this calamity!"
Having said that, the messenger dared not delay and immediately returned towards the Pottery Salt Tribe.