The Ambition of Hundred Crafts

Laughter filled the council hall of the Hundred Crafts Tribe. This wooden house was much larger and sturdier than the one of the Beast Taming Tribe. The walls were made of whole logs, the roof was covered with thick thatch, and two thick wooden pillars stood at the entrance, carved with simple patterns—the mark of the Hundred Crafts Tribe, representing craftsmanship and heritage.

In the center of the room, a large fire was burning brightly, its light illuminating the faces of the people sitting around it, revealing their excited expressions. Wu Xiong, the leader of the Hundred Crafts Tribe, sat in the main seat. He was burly, with broad shoulders and a strong back, and his large, rough hands were clearly those of someone who did heavy labor year-round. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his voice was loud and clear, exuding a sense of pride. At this moment, he wore a smile on his face.

"In eight or nine days," he said, "Our rice will be ready for harvest. Once the harvest is complete, we can join the Fire Tribe."

The leader of the Kaishan tribe, sitting to his right, said loudly, "Don't worry, Chief! I've already given the orders. After joining the Fire Tribe, anyone who dares to disgrace our Hundred Crafts Tribe will be dealt with by me, Kaishan!"

Kaishan was the number one warrior of the Hundred Crafts Tribe, and he was even stronger Wu Xiong. Last year, when he fought with the Fire Tribe at the Yellow Leaf Camp, he personally killed several members of the Wolf Tribe and chased the Wolf Tribe's Xueya. After that, he never took the Wolf Tribe seriously again.

"That Xueya is nothing special," he often said to people. "It looks fierce, but in a real fight, it's not that bad."

The Shifu leader also spoke up. He was a man of few words, but his words carried great weight.

"The Kaishan chief is right. We, the people of the Hundred Crafts Tribe, cannot afford to lose face when we go to the Fire Tribe."

The Lieying leader nodded in agreement. He was the tribe's most skilled tracker, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Yes, we must perform well and show the Fire Tribe that our Hundred Crafts Tribe is not just sitting around doing nothing."

The Ruimu chieftain smiled too. He was one of the youngest chieftains in the tribe, in his early twenties, quick-witted and full of ideas.

"Chief, do you think we'll be assigned to the shipbuilding workshop if we go to the Fire Tribe? I heard Fire Tribe ships are huge, some weighing ten thousand jin!"

Wu Xiong laughed heartily, "That depends on your abilities. If you're capable, you can go anywhere; if you're not, you'll only be able to farm."

Kaishan slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Farming will do! At least we won't go hungry!"

Everyone laughed again. Just as they were chatting happily, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside, and then a patrolling warrior from the Hundred Crafts Tribe rushed in.

"Chief! People from the Pottery Salt Tribe have arrived! It's urgent!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Wu Xiong frowned and stood up. "Please come in quickly!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than two men strode in. The one in the lead was lean and dark-skinned with exceptionally sharp eyes. He wore old leather armor, a stone knife hung at his waist, and his face showed signs of travel fatigue. He was Tao Wu, the scout of the Pottery Salt Tribe.

Behind him was a young man, his deputy. As soon as Tao Wu entered, his gaze quickly swept over the people in the room. When he saw Wu Xiong, he stepped forward and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Chief Wu Xiong! Tao Wu has urgent news to report!"

Wu Xiong's heart sank, and he quickly asked, "What is it?"

Tao Wu took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady.

"Three days ago, we discovered the Wolf Tribe's forces about five days' distance from the Hundred Crafts Tribe."

The room fell silent instantly; everyone was stunned. Wolf Tribe? Five days away?

Tao Wu continued, "They came with about nine hundred men, including about six hundred cavalry, followed by a support team of over a thousand men with carts and horses. They were probably planning to plunder, and they were heading towards the Fish Tribe."

Nine hundred men, six hundred cavalrymen—this number felt like a Jushi crashing down on everyone's hearts. Wu Xiong's expression changed, and Kaishan suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with shock.

"The Wolf Tribe? They're here again?"

Tao Wu nodded. "Yes, our leader instructed us scouts to immediately evacuate the Hundred Crafts Tribe to the Pottery Salt Tribe if we discover anything unusual about the Wolf Tribe. Our camp there has been fortified, and with more people, it's easier to defend. Moreover, the Fire Tribe has six hundred cavalry and four hundred infantry at the Stone Creek River Mouth. We've already sent someone to deliver the message, and it should arrive today. Reinforcements should arrive at the Pottery Salt Tribe within the next day or two at the earliest."

Evacuate? The people inside looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Shifu leader couldn't help but say, "But our rice will be ripe in eight or nine days! If we retreat now..."

Tao Wu looked at him and said earnestly, "Chief Shifu Axe, life is more important than food. Those people from the Wolf Tribe are fierce and brutal. They not only rob food but also kill people on sight. As long as people are alive, food can still be grown later."

Shifu opened his mouth but couldn't speak, while Kaishan slammed his hand on the table.

"Withdraw? What withdrawal!" he shouted, his eyes flashing with anger. "Other tribes may fear the Wolf Tribe, but we, the Hundred Crafts Tribe, are not! If the Wolf Tribe dares to come, I'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the room like an enraged wild beast.

"Last year at Yellow Leaf Camp, I personally slaughtered several members of the Wolf Tribe! I chased Xueya like a rabbit! Now that they've barely recovered some strength, they dare to come? Come on! I'll kill one if they come, and two if they come, I'll kill them both!"

His voice was so loud that dust fell from the roof beams, and the Shifu stood up.

"Kaishan is right," he said, his eyes shining with determination. "We can't let the prestige of our Hundred Crafts Tribe, built up over so many years, be lost at the last moment. If we retreat now and join the Fire Tribe in the fall, how can the people of our Hundred Crafts Tribe hold their heads high?"

Lieying Shadow nodded. "Yes, we withdrew. That grain just went to the Wolf Tribe for nothing."

Ruimu frowned, thought for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"Brothers, I think..."

Everyone looked at him.

Ruimu said, "We will withdraw, but not all of us."

He looked at Wu Xiong: "Chief, I have an idea."

Wu Xiong looked at him. "Speak."

Ruimu walked to the center of the room and drew a simple diagram on the ground.

"Look, our Hundred Crafts Tribe has about two thousand people, including about twelve hundred elderly people, children, and women. These people can't be of much help if they stay. They can retreat to the Pottery Salt Tribe first, where it's safer. Once they're gone, we'll have fewer worries."

He paused, then drew another circle.

"We have over eight hundred able-bodied men and women; these men will stay behind to guard the camp."

He raised his head and looked at the crowd.

"As long as we hold the camp and the unharvested grain, we haven't lost. If the Wolf Tribe comes, we'll wear them down until the Fire Tribe's reinforcements arrive, then they're finished."

Lieying's eyes lit up.

"Yes! That's a great idea! Let the old and weak go first, then we won't have to worry about anything and can fight the Wolf Tribe without any worries!"

Kaishan nodded in agreement. "Alright! Let's do it! I've been wanting to find a chance to kill a few more wolf cubs!"

Shifu agreed, "Ruimu ' idea is good. The old and weak should go first, while we young and strong stay behind. This way, we can protect our people and also preserve the camp."

All eyes turned to Wu Xiong. Wu Xiong remained silent for a moment, then looked at Kaishan, then at Shifu, Lieying, and Ruimu, and finally at Tao Wu.

"Brother Tao Wu," he asked, "Will the reinforcements from the Fire Tribe really arrive in two days?"

Tao Wu said earnestly, "Chief Wu Xiong, our men can deliver the message to Stone Creek River Mouth today. There are six hundred cavalrymen there. If they move quickly, they can reach Pottery Salt Tribe the day after tomorrow. From the Pottery Salt Tribe to the Hundred Crafts Tribe, it's still a day's journey, but they can ride horses for half a day. In other words, at most two or three days, Fire Tribe's cavalry will be here."

Two or three days passed silently for Wu Xiong. Three days had passed since the Wolf Tribe was discovered, and they were still two days' journey from the Hundred Crafts Tribe. In other words, by the time the Wolf Tribe arrived, the Fire Tribe's reinforcements could arrive in a day if they held out for just one more day...

He took a deep breath and suddenly stood up.

"Okay!" His voice was loud and clear, full of determination. "It's settled then!"

He looked at Kaishan: "Kaishan, you're in charge of organizing the warriors. Gather all the able-bodied men, distribute weapons, and tell the brothers that this time, we're going to teach the Wolf Tribe a lesson!"

Kaishan responded loudly, "Yes!"

Wu Xiong looked at Shifu: "Shifu, you are in charge of arranging the evacuation of the elderly and weak. Make sure they take all the food and belongings they can carry. Set off today. Be careful on the road. When you arrive at the Pottery Salt Tribe, follow Chief Jia Li's instructions."

Shifu nodded. "Understood!"

Wu Xiong looked at Lieying: "Lieying, take a few men and keep an eye on the direction of the Wolf Tribe. Report back immediately once you spot any trace of them."

Lieying replied, "Yes!"

Wu Xiong finally looked at Ruimu: "Ruimu, you take some men to reinforce the camp, dig the trenches deeper, strengthen the fences, and set up more traps. If the Wolf Tribe comes, let them taste the methods of our Hundred Crafts Tribe!"

Ruimu grinned. "Don't worry, Chief, I'll make sure they regret it!"

As orders were passed down, the entire Hundred Crafts Tribe sprang into action. Tao Wu stood aside, watching all this, secretly admiring the tribe. The Hundred Crafts Tribe truly lived up to its reputation; they were spirited, courageous, and resourceful. No wonder they had been able to establish themselves so strongly in this place for so many years.

He stepped forward and said to Wu Xiong, "Chief Wu Xiong, I must hurry back to report. Take care!"

Wu Xiong grasped his hand. "Brother Tao Wu, thank you for bringing the news! Go back and tell Chief Jia Li that our Hundred Crafts Tribe will definitely hold the line!"

Tao Wu nodded. "I'll definitely bring it!"

After saying that, he turned and left with his deputy. Wu Xiong stood at the door, watching their backs disappear into the camp. He took a deep breath, then turned around and strode towards the center of the camp. The entire Hundred Crafts Tribe was in an uproar. The old, the children and the women were packing their things. They carried bundles, led cattle and sheep, and pushed wooden carts left by the Fire Tribe. Under the command of Shifu, they formed long lines.

Kaishan was distributing weapons to the able-bodied men, including Shimao, Shifu, and bone knives. Lieying led a few men on horseback eastward, while Ruimu Mu was leading his men to dig trenches and set traps around the camp.

Standing on high ground, Wu Xiong looked at all this and felt a surge of pride Hundred Crafts Tribe was not afraid of the Wolf Tribe. They had their own pride, they had their own fighting spirit, and they had the Fire Tribe as their backing. The sun was gradually setting in the west.

The first group of elderly and infirm people have already set off, forming a long procession that slowly moves along the path leading to the Pottery Salt Tribe.

The second group of elderly and weak were preparing, while the able-bodied men were still busy in the camp. Wu Xiong stood at the camp gate, looking east, the direction from which the Wolf Tribe had come, and also the direction of the war.

"Come on, Xueya," he whispered, "Let's see if your Langya are sharper, or my Hundred Crafts is harder."

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, stretching his shadow long, like a mountain, an unyielding mountain.