Fighting Outside the Camp

The Wolf Tribe and the Fish Tribe had been exchanging insults all afternoon, neither able to gain the upper hand. However, the warriors on both sides were truly enraged by their insults, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, as if a single spark could ignite it. Xueya, riding on his black ponies, had a face as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

He had been leading his men in a tirade all afternoon, his throat nearly parched, but the Fish Tribe wouldn't come out. They just took turns hurling insults at each other from the camp walls. While those insults weren't as vicious as theirs, they had the advantage of sheer numbers, coming wave after wave without stopping. More importantly, the Fish Tribe shouted about the battle at Yellow Leaf Camp last year, mentioning how Xueya had been chased like a dog...

These words pierced my heart like Xueya.

"Chief," a leader rode up and whispered, "The temporary camp is ready, on that small hill four miles over there."

Xueya followed his finger and saw, in the distance, on a small hill, newly erected tents and a burning campfire could be vaguely seen.

"Okay." He nodded. "Let the brothers take turns resting. Half of them rest, and the other half keep watch. We can't let the Fish Tribe escape."

The leader accepted the order and left. Xueya glanced at the distant Fish Tribe camp, a cold glint in his eyes. Just wait, when my reinforcements arrive, you'll see.

As night fell, the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, casting its cool light upon the earth. In the Fish Tribe's camp, the campfire blazed brightly, and the warriors sat around it, whispering about the day's shouting matches, their faces filled with anger and resentment. Julang sat by the largest campfire, holding a piece of grilled fish, but he couldn't eat a single bite.

His mind was filled with Xueya's vicious words.

"Coward," "coward," "woman from the Fish Tribe"...

These words were like thorns, piercing his heart.

"Julang." A voice rang out.

Julang turned his head and saw Shentan. Shentan sat down beside him, picked up a piece of grilled fish, and slowly ate it.

Still thinking about what happened during the day?

Julang Wave nodded, gritting his teeth, and said, "That bastard Xueya, I wish I could tear him to pieces!"

Shentan sighed.

"I'd like to, but now's not the time."

He gazed into the darkness in the distance, towards the direction of the Wolf Tribe.

"They outnumber us, and they're all cavalry, they're swift as the wind. If we go out to fight, we'll be at a disadvantage."

Julang clenched his fist. "So we're just going to stand by and watch them shout and curse outside?"

Shentan was silent for a moment, then said, "Bear with it, let's wait for reinforcements to arrive before we talk."

Julang took a deep breath and said nothing more. Just then, a rapid sound of horses' hooves came from outside, followed by a warrior from the Fish Tribe rushing in.

"Chief! The Wolf Tribe is here again!"

Julang and Shentan suddenly stood up.

How many people?

"More than a hundred cavalrymen are challenging us outside the camp!"

A cold glint flashed in the Julang's eyes.

"Walk!"

He grabbed the Shifu and strode toward the camp gate, with Shentan following closely behind. Outside the camp, more than a hundred Wolf Tribe cavalrymen were galloping back and forth, shouting all sorts of vulgarities. The one in the lead was Xueya, who saw the Julang emerge and a smug smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, the coward has finally come out?"

The Julang roared in fury, waving its hand. "Charge with me!"

More than a hundred Fish Tribe cavalry charged out of the camp and pounced on the Wolf Tribe. Xueya Julang, turned his horse around and ran away. Giant Wave gave chase. The two groups of people chased each other under the moonlight, the sound of hooves thundering and dust flying. After chasing for a while, Julang suddenly reined in his horse.

"Oh no!" His expression changed. "They're trying to lure us in!"

He turned around abruptly and found that the camp was already far away, and he could vaguely see more Wolf Tribe cavalry approaching.

"Withdraw!"

The Fish Tribe's cavalry turned their horses around and fled back as fast as they could. Xueya led his men in pursuit for a while, but seeing that they couldn't catch up, he didn't force it. He reined in his horse, looked at the receding Julang, and gave a cold smile.

"You've got guts, daring to come out like this."

He waved his hand. "Go back and rest. Tomorrow, they'll be in for a beating."

The next morning, not long after sunrise, the Wolf Tribe's reinforcements arrived. Shichui led 150 cavalry and 200 infantrymen in a grand procession, followed by more than 1,000 logistics personnel, pushing carts and carrying loads, ready to transport supplies.

Xueya stood on the high ground, looking at the army with a satisfied smile. Seven hundred and fifty warriors, including about five hundred and fifty cavalry, plus a thousand support personnel. Such strength was enough to crush the Fish Tribe.

"Let's go!" He leaped onto his horse. "To the Fish Tribe camp!"

The Wolf Tribe's army marched in a grand procession to the Fish Tribe's camp. Xueya, mounted on his horse, looked at the still-closed camp gates and felt a surge of pleasure.

"You cowards, come out and see how many people Grandpa brought!"

The warriors of the Wolf Tribe shouted in unison, their voices deafening. Just then, the sound of hooves came from afar. Xueya turned around and saw Yexiao returning with more than thirty cavalrymen. Yexiao Owl rode over, dismounted, and quickly walked up to Xueya.

"Leader!"

Xueya looked at him. "How is it?"

Yexiao took a deep breath and began to report.

"Chief, I led my men in four groups to scout, and the brothers who went to the Beast Taming Tribe, the Hundred Crafts Tribe, and the Pottery Salt Tribe have all returned."

He paused, then continued, "The entire Beast Taming Tribe has fled, leaving the camp empty. Like the Marsh Tribe, they've all gone to the Pottery Salt Tribe. As for the Hundred Crafts Tribe, the elderly and weak have also evacuated to the Pottery Salt Tribe, leaving only about eight hundred able-bodied men and women to guard the camp. They probably can't bear to leave behind the unharvested grain."

Xueya frowned. "What about the Pottery Salt Tribe?"

Yexiao said, "The camp of the Pottery Salt Tribe now has the able-bodied men of three tribes gathered here: the Beast Taming Tribe, the Marsh Tribe, and the Pottery Salt Tribe's own people. There are at least seven hundred warriors, as well as the elderly and weak from the Hundred Crafts Tribe."

He looked at Xueya and said seriously, "Chief, the people of the Pottery Salt Tribe have spread the news of our emergence to these tribes. The Pottery Salt Tribe must have been on guard."

Xueya remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Okay, I understand. You've worked hard, go and rest."

Yexiao Owl nodded and led his men away. Xueya, mounted on his horse, looked at the Fish Tribe camp in the distance, a cold glint in his eyes.

"The Pottery Salt Tribe..." he said in a low voice, "I'll settle accounts with you after I've dealt with the Fish Tribe."

He turned around and looked at Shichui.

"Shichui, you take two hundred infantrymen and escort a thousand logistics personnel to harvest the rice."

Shichui was taken aback. "Now?"

"Yes, now." Xueya pointed to the golden rice paddy, "Those rice plants will be ripe in five or six days, but we can't wait that long. Let's harvest the early-ripening ones first, as much as we can."

Shichui grinned. "Alright!"

He immediately led two hundred infantrymen, escorting more than a thousand logistics personnel, into the more mature rice field. The logistics personnel, armed with stone sickles and bone knives, began harvesting. They were busy cutting, bundling, and loading the rice.

Xueya led the remaining cavalry to form ranks outside the camp, warily watching the Fish Tribe's camp. Inside the Fish Tribe's camp, Julang watched this scene, trembling with rage.

"Chief!" He rushed to Canglan, his eyes red, "Let me take the men out! We can't let them waste our food like this!"

Laoduo was also anxious. "Chief, if this continues, all our food supplies outside will be gone!"

Xieqian and Langhua chimed in.

"Chief, let's send out the troops!"

We can't let them be so arrogant!

Canglan stood on the watchtower, looking at the Wolf Tribe's logistics personnel harvesting rice in the distance. His face was ashen, and his heart was bleeding. That rice was the result of thousands of the Fish Tribe ' hard work over several months, and now it was going to be stolen by the Wolf Tribe. But he knew even more clearly that if he went out now, he would be falling into the Wolf Tribe's trap.

"No way," he said through gritted teeth. "The Wolf Tribe has over seven hundred warriors and five hundred cavalry, all of whom have blood on their hands. We only have eight hundred men, many of whom are new recruits. We can't win even if we go out."

Laoduo was anxious. "But we can't just stand by and watch them steal the grain!"

Xieqian shouted, "Chief, let's send some men out to harass them! We'll stall them until reinforcements arrive!"

Canglan remained silent for a while. He looked into the distance at the path leading to the Pottery Salt Tribe. Langhua had sent Xiaozhou to deliver the message yesterday, and it should be almost there by now. If the Pottery Salt Tribe Pottery Salt Tribe was willing to come to their aid, they should already be on their way.

The message has reached the Fire Tribe, but they'll be slow to arrive, taking at least another day or two. They just need to hold out until reinforcements arrive...

He gritted his teeth.

"Shentan, take a hundred cavalry and go out to harass them!"

Shentan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Yes!"

"Laoduo, Xieqian, each of you take three hundred infantrymen and coordinate with Shentan! Remember, do not linger in battle, and do not stray far from the camp!"

Laoduo and Xieqian Claw responded in unison, "Yes!"

"Julang, you take the remaining hundred-odd men and stay at the camp!"

Julang cried out urgently, "Chief, I want to go too!"

Canglan looked at him and said seriously, "You stay here and guard the camp. If things go wrong, you lead men to provide backup."

The Julang opened its mouth, but ultimately nodded. "Yes!"

"Langhua, gather all the able-bodied young women, teenagers, and strong elderly people in the tribe who can wield weapons to help Julang defend the camp!"

Langhua nodded. "Understood!"

As orders were passed down, the Fish Tribe camp immediately sprang into action. Soon, Shentan led a hundred cavalrymen out of the camp, followed closely by Laoduo and Xieqian each with three hundred infantrymen. More than seven hundred Fish Tribe warriors marched out of the Fish Tribe camp in a mighty procession. When Xueya saw this scene, he was not alarmed at all, but instead smiled.

"They're finally out."

He waved his hand. "Brothers, let's play with them!"

Shentan led his cavalry to constantly harass and harass, while Laoduo and Xieqian led their infantry, forming ranks with their backs to the camp, not daring to stray far. Shentan's strategy was indeed effective at first. When the Wolf Tribe's logistics personnel saw so many Fish Tribe warriors rushing out, they became frightened and slowed down their harvesting. But Xueya quickly came up with a countermeasure.

"Shichui!" he shouted, "Take men to the Fish Tribe's vegetable fields! Cut down and destroy all those vegetables and crops!"

Shichui's eyes lit up, and he immediately led a group of infantry and logistics personnel to rush towards the Fish Tribe's vegetable fields. Those vegetable fields were right next to the camp, where various vegetables and crops were growing well. At Shi Shichui's command, more than two hundred logistics personnel rushed into the vegetable fields, wielding stone knives and bone knives, and began to destroy and hack wildly.

Laoduo and Xieqian's eyes turned red when they saw this.

"You sons of bitches!" Laoduo roared, "They destroyed our vegetable garden!"

"Charge!" Xieqian couldn't hold back any longer, "Let's fight them!"

The infantrymen, who had been lined up with their backs to the camp, could no longer contain their anger. They forgot Canglan's instructions and the order not to stray from the camp. They surged towards the Wolf Tribe like a tide. Laoduo and Xieqian tried to stop them, but it was too late. They could only grit their teeth and lead everyone to charge forward. When Xueya saw this, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Good timing!"

With a wave of his hand, the cavalry of the Wolf Tribe immediately charged forward. The two sides clashed violently between the rice paddies and vegetable fields, with shouts of battle, screams of agony, and the clash of weapons filling the air. Laoduo led three hundred infantrymen to charge at the Wolf Tribe infantry led by Shichui, and the two sides fought fiercely and evenly.

Xieqian led another three hundred infantrymen to charge at the Wolf Tribe's cavalry, but the cavalry was too fast, and they couldn't catch up at all. They could only passively take the beating. Xueya personally led a squad of cavalry to entangle Xieqian. Like wolves, they kept pouncing and biting, and then quickly retreated, never lingering in battle.

Yexiao and Shichui, along with their men, entangled Old Laoduo. Although Laoduo's infantry outnumbered them, they were all foot soldiers and couldn't catch up with the cavalry. They could only passively take hits, and their casualties grew heavier and heavier. Canglan, standing on the watchtower, saw this scene and his expression changed drastically.

"Quick!" he shouted at the Julang, "Take men out to provide backup!"

Julang couldn't wait any longer. He led more than a hundred soldiers who had stayed behind and rushed out of the camp towards the battlefield. Shentan also led his cavalry to desperately come to the rescue, but it was too late. When they arrived, Laoduo and Xieqian were already seriously injured. The six hundred infantrymen they had led were fighting and retreating in a sorry state.

Julang and Shentan carried people into the battlefield, where they fought fiercely and finally broke through a gap, allowing some of the troops to escape. The Wolf Tribe did not pursue those who successfully evacuated, but instead relentlessly pursued the Fish Tribe warriors who were unable to escape in time.

Canglan stood at the camp gate, watching many blood-covered warriors being brought back. A huge wave of sorrow surged in his heart. The Fish Tribe had lost more than three hundred people, more than three hundred lives, just like that. He walked to Laoduo's side. Laoduo was lying on a stretcher, with a deep wound on his chest, blood gushing out continuously. His face was as pale as paper, and his lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

"Laoduo!" Canglan squatted down and took his hand.

Laoduo opened his eyes, looked at him, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Chief... I... I shouldn't have..." His voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.

Canglan gripped his hand tightly, tears welling in her eyes.

"Don't speak, just focus on recovering."

Laoduo shook his head, the light in his eyes gradually fading. Canglan lowered his head and remained motionless for a long time. Xieqian was also lifted back. His injuries were more severe; one of his arms was almost severed, and he was unconscious.

Canglan stood up, looking at the wounded and the more than three hundred dead outside the camp. A huge sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart. Of the more than eight hundred soldiers, only about five hundred remained.

This battle was a crushing defeat. Outside the camp, the Wolf Tribe members were still cheering, and Xueya, riding on his horse, laughed wildly.

"Shichui!" he shouted, "Take some men outside the camp and give them a good talking to!"

Shichui grinned and immediately led a group of people to the outside of the Fish Tribe camp. They stood at a safe distance and began a new round of shouting and cursing.

"Coward!"

"Come out!"

"Where is your leader? Is he dead?"

Each vulgar word pierced the hearts of the Fish Tribe warriors like a knife, but this time, no one responded. The Fish Tribe warriors lowered their heads, silently carrying the wounded into the camp and silently moving the dead aside. No one spoke, no one cursed back.

Morale plummeted. Xueya watched this scene and laughed even more arrogantly. He turned around and looked at the golden rice field.

"Keep collecting!" he shouted. "Collect all this grain!"

The Wolf Tribe's support staff once again flocked into the rice paddies to begin the harvest, and this time, no one bothered them.