The Fish Tribe's Choice

The atmosphere in the Fish Tribe's council hall was lively. This wooden house was much larger and more imposing than the one in the Pottery Salt Tribe. In the center of the house, Canglan, the leader of the Fish Tribe, sat in the main seat. He had been the leader of the Fish Tribe for many years and had experienced countless storms. He had long since developed a Chenwen and composed character. At this moment, he was holding a bowl of hot soup and his gaze slowly swept over everyone present.

To Canglan's left were the seats of the four leaders: Julang, Shentan, Feiyu, and Bailin. Feiyu and Bailin had gone to help the Fire Tribe transport grain and were not present at the moment, but their seats were empty, signifying that they remained important figures in the Fish Tribe.

To Canglan's right sat four leaders: Laoduo, Xieqian, Langhua, and Powang. Behind them were several older elders with white hair and wrinkled faces, but their eyes were still bright. Canglan put down his soup bowl and slowly began to speak.

"Our Fish Tribe has developed rapidly in recent years." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly. "Especially in the last two years, we've absorbed a large number of people, increasing from two thousand to about four thousand five hundred."

He paused, then continued, "With more people, there's more food to eat. This year we've planted all the land that was on fallow and reclaimed a lot of new land, but we still barely have enough food to eat."

He looked at everyone, his expression turning serious.

"Recently, spies from the Wolf Tribe have been frequently appearing near our village. Our crops will be ready for harvest in eight or nine days. I'm worried that the Wolf Tribe is up to no good."

He took a deep breath. "Everyone needs to be on high alert lately."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the Julang suddenly stood up.

"Last year at Yellow Leaf Camp, if Xueya hadn't run fast, I would have killed him long ago!" His voice boomed, his eyes flashing with anger. "If he dares to come again this time, I'll tear his dog's head off!"

Julang is the number one warrior of the Fish Tribe. He is tall and strong, with incredible strength. In the battle at Yellow Leaf Camp last year, he personally cut down several members of the Wolf Tribe and chased Xueya away in a sorry state. After returning, he has been looking forward to fighting the Wolf Tribe again.

Shentan Tan frowned. He was one of the most composed leaders in the Fish Tribe, cautious by nature, and always thought things through several steps ahead.

"Julang, don't rush," he said, his voice low but carrying weight. "We'd better be careful."

He looked at Canglan and slowly analyzed, "Chief, the current situation of our Fish Tribe is not very optimistic."

Canglan looked at him. "Go on."

Shentan Tan stood up, walked to the center of the room, and began counting on his fingers.

"First, all our large ships weighing over two thousand catties have gone to help the Fire Tribe transport grain. Feiyu and Bailin took away nearly a hundred warriors, so now the tribe only has a little over eight hundred warriors left."

"Secondly, more than half of these eight hundred warriors are new recruits from the last two years. We lost a lot of our elite troops in the Qinghe Camp last year. Although we captured some things at Yellow Leaf Camp last year, we didn't replenish our forces much after dividing them among so many tribes."

"Third, the Wolf Tribe plundered a large number of able-bodied men and supplies in the north a few months ago, making them stronger than before. According to our scouts who have returned, they still have more than six hundred cavalry!"

He looked at everyone and said seriously, "So, we'd better be careful."

The room fell silent. Laoduo spoke. He was one of the most senior leaders of the Fish Tribe. He had always advocated for the Fish Tribe's independence and autonomy and refused to be subservient to any power.

"Shentan is right," he said. "It's always better to be careful."

He paused, then continued, "Our fleet has been out for almost a month. Judging by the time, they should be back in the next few days. We have eight hundred warriors now. As long as we guard the camp and don't venture out, even if the Wolf Tribe comes, they won't be able to do anything to us."

His eyes gleamed. "Wait a few more days, and once we've finished harvesting our grain and the fleet returns, we won't be afraid anymore. Then we can unite with the Fire Tribe and the Horse Tribe to wipe out the Wolf Tribe. After that, our Fish Tribe can develop in peace, grow more grain to sell to the Fire Tribe, and help them transport more grain. Life will only get better and better."

Xieqian and Langhua, the two leaders, nodded repeatedly. They were supporters of Laoduo and had always advocated for the independent development of the Fish Tribe.

"Laoduo is right!"

"We can make a good living by doing things ourselves!"

Several elders echoed their sentiments. Canglan looked at them and sighed inwardly. These people were still immersed in their own fantasies. They thought that as long as they could get through this ordeal, everything would be alright. They thought that the Fish Tribe could remain independent forever and live peacefully on this land, just like before.

Unbeknownst to them, times had changed. The rise of the Fire Tribe was unstoppable. Once they absorbed the Pottery and Salt, Beast Taming, Hundred Crafts, and Shuize Tribes, they would be right next to the Fish Tribe. At that point, the Fish Tribe would either have to join them or migrate. Staying would only result in them being slowly squeezed out, and eventually...

Canglan dared not think any further. Just then, a series of rapid hoofbeats came from outside, followed by a patrolling warrior from the Fish Tribe rushing in.

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

The room fell silent instantly.

Canglan's heart sank, and he quickly stood up. "Please come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two men strode in. The one in the lead was lean, with dark skin and exceptionally sharp eyes. He wore old leather armor, a stone knife hanging at his waist, and his face showed signs of travel fatigue.

It was Tao Si, the scout of the Pottery Salt Tribe. Behind him was a young man, his deputy. As soon as Tao Si entered, his eyes quickly swept over the people in the room. When he saw Canglan, he quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Chief of Canglan! Tao Si has urgent news to report!"

Canglan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Explain."

Tao Si's voice was hurried, but very clear.

"Three days ago, we discovered a large force of the Wolf Tribe to the east, about six days' distance from the Fish Tribe! They have about nine hundred warriors, including six hundred cavalry! They are followed by over a thousand support personnel, with wagons and horses!"

The room erupted in an uproar.

Nine hundred men!

"Six hundred cavalry!"

Which direction are they coming from?

Tao Si replied, "They're heading towards the Fish Tribe! We dare not approach, we can only watch from afar, but that road leads to the Fish Tribe!"

Canglan's expression changed, and the Julang suddenly stood up, its eyes wide open.

"That son of a bitch Xueya! He actually dared to come!"

Shentan's expression turned grave. "How many cavalry do they have? Are you sure it's six hundred?"

Tao Si nodded. "Confirmed. We counted them several times; at least six hundred horses."

Laoduo's expression changed as well. He had just said that as long as the camp was well protected, everything would be fine, but now the Wolf Tribe had arrived with six hundred cavalry...

Xieqian and Langhua exchanged a glance, both seeing fear in each other's eyes. Several elders turned pale, some even trembling, and the council hall instantly descended into chaos.

Julang shouted, "What are you afraid of! Let them come! This time, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!"

Shentan shook his head. "We can't be careless. They outnumber us, and a direct confrontation isn't the way to go."

Laoduo said anxiously, "But we haven't harvested our grain yet! If the Wolf Tribe comes and steals our grain, how will we survive?"

Xieqian said, "How about... how about we send someone to the Fire Tribe for help?"

Langhua chimed in, "That's right! The Fire Tribe has troops at the Stone Creek River Mouth; let them come and help!"

Canglan shook his head.

"It's no use." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly. "We haven't joined the Fire Tribe. Even if they send reinforcements, they'll support the Pottery Salt Tribe first. They are quasi-tribe members of the Pottery Salt Tribe, not us."

The room fell silent instantly. Yes, why should the Fire Tribe give them priority? Their relationship with the Fire Tribe was merely one of cooperation. The Fire Tribe helped them transport grain and gave them pottery—that was business. Fighting was a different matter. Laoduo's face paled even more. Xieqian and Langhua also fell silent. Julang gritted his teeth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. Canglan a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

He looked at Tao Si: "Brother Tao Si, have you notified the other tribes?"

Tao Si nodded. "We've notified them. We've also sent people to the Beast Taming Tribe, the Marsh Tribe, and the Hundred Crafts Tribe, instructing them to evacuate to the Pottery Salt Tribe. We've also sent people to the Fire Tribe at the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost. The news should reach them today."

Canglan nodded and then asked, "How many troops does the Fire Tribe have?"

Tao Si said, "There are six hundred cavalry and four hundred infantry at the Stone Creek River Mouth. They have received the news, and the cavalry will come to support first. At the earliest, they will arrive at the Pottery Salt Tribe the day after tomorrow."

The day after tomorrow, Canglan silently calculated that the Wolf Tribe was still three days away from the Fish Tribe. They had cavalry, and if they split up, they would be even faster!

In other words, the Wolf Tribe will reach the Fish Tribe in three days at most...

He raised his head and looked at the people in the room. Everyone looked at him, their eyes filled with different emotions. In the eyes of the Julang was anger and fighting spirit, in the eyes of the Shentan was worry and contemplation, in the eyes of the Laoduo was fear and confusion, in the eyes of the Xieqian and the Langhua was hesitation and unease, and in the eyes of the elders was panic and despair. Canglan took a deep breath and began to give orders.

"Shentan, continue sending scouts eastward to gather intelligence. Keep a close eye on the Wolf Tribe's movements. Find out where they are and how many days until they arrive."

Shentan Pool nodded. "Understood!"

"Laoduo, you lead the men to harvest those nearly ripe rice fields. Harvest as much as you can; we can't let the Wolf Tribe benefit from it."

Laoduo said anxiously, "But it's not fully ripe yet..."

Canglan interrupted him, "Even if it's not fully ripe, it's better than being stolen! Take it!"

Laoduo gritted his teeth and nodded. "Yes!"

"Xieqian, send someone to the Fire Tribe's Stone Creek River Mouth to request reinforcements. Tell them the Wolf Tribe is attacking and ask them to send troops to help. Be sincere and use pleasant words."

Xieqian nodded. "Understood!"

"Langhua, organize all the Xiaozhou in the tribe and have them ready to be deployed at any time. In case... in case the camp can't be held, we'll retreat by water."

Langhua's expression changed, but he quickly nodded. "Yes!"

"Julang, organize the men, reinforce the camp, deepen the trenches, strengthen the fences, and set up more traps. If the Wolf Tribe comes, let them taste the methods of our Fish Tribe!"

Julang responded loudly, "Yes!"

As orders were passed down, everyone obeyed and left. In the council hall, only Canglan and Tao Si remained. Canglan walked up to Tao Si and took his hand.

"Brother Tao Si, thank you so much for bringing the news. If it weren't for you, we would be in a predicament."

Tao Si shook his head. "Of course, the Wolf Tribe is everyone's enemy, so it's only right that we keep each other informed."

Canglan nodded, then turned to the person beside him and said, "Go and get four pottery pieces, the best of them."

Soon, four exquisite pottery pieces were brought over. These pottery pieces were finely crafted and clearly of high quality. Canglan handed the pottery pieces to Tao Si and his deputy.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Tao Si declined at first, but eventually accepted it.

"Thank you, Chief Canglan," he said. "Then we'll head back now."

Canglan nodded. "Be careful on the road. Tell Chief Jia Li that the Wolf Tribe is attacking this time, and we don't know where they plan to attack. If they dare to attack our tribes, we will definitely unite with everyone to resist the Wolf Tribe!"

Tao Si clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Chief Canglan, I will definitely convey these words!"

After saying that, he turned and left with his deputy. Canglan stood at the door, watching their backs disappear into the camp, and remained motionless for a long time. After a long while, he turned around and slowly walked back to the council hall. The room was empty, with only him left. He walked to the main seat and slowly sat down.

He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. The Wolf Tribe was coming—nine hundred men, six hundred cavalry. Could the Fish Tribe hold them off?