The Fire Tribe's Reinforcements Arrived

On the evening of the day the Fish Tribe was utterly defeated by the Wolf Tribe outside their camp, a group of people stood at the entrance of the Pottery Salt Tribe Tribe's camp, craning their necks and looking eastward. Leading them was Jia Li, the chief of the Pottery Salt Tribe. He was lean and wiry, with shrewd eyes. At this moment, he was squinting, staring at the road leading to the mouth of the Stone Creek River Mouth in the distance.

Behind him stood Cangbo, the leader of the Marsh Tribe, Muye, the leader of the Beast Taming Tribe Muye, and various important leaders from the three tribes, forming a dense, dark mass.

No one spoke; only the wind whistled through the flagpole at the camp entrance.

"They're here!" someone suddenly shouted.

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all looked into the distance. On the horizon, a black line appeared. The black line grew closer and thicker, and gradually it became clear that it was a cavalry unit, at least five or six hundred riders, lined up in neat rows, slowly galloping towards them.

The sound of hooves was like muffled thunder, growing louder and Fire Tribe. Jia Li took a deep breath and quickly went to meet them. Behind him, the crowd followed one after another. The cavalry was getting closer and closer. The person in the lead was a burly man with a broad back and a thick waist. He was riding a tall chestnut horse. He was none other than Dazhuang, the leader of the Dazhuang Tribe.

He is Jianshi's younger brother and Yan's uncle. He is one of the top five warriors in the Fire Tribe and has made countless contributions to the Fire Tribe over the years. At this moment, he is riding his horse, exuding a fierce and valiant aura that makes people afraid to look directly at him.

Dazhuang saw Jia Li and the others approaching, he reined in his horse, dismounted, and the cavalrymen behind him also dismounted.

"Chief Jia Li!" Dazhuang strode forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Dazhuang is late, I've kept you all waiting!"

Jia Li quickly returned the greeting, his face full of smiles.

"Brother Dazhuang! Fellow brothers of the Fire Tribe! You must be tired from your journey! We're relieved to see you here!"

He grasped Dazhuang's hand and shook it vigorously, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Dazhuang smiled and asked, "What's the situation with the Wolf Tribe right now?"

Jia Li sighed, his smile fading.

"Brother Dazhuang, let's talk as we walk. You must be tired from your journey, so please go to the campsite and rest. I've already had someone prepare some hot food."

Dazhuang nodded, then turned to a young man behind him and said, "Yingmu, take the brothers to find a place to rest, feed the horses well, and don't mistreat them."

The young warrior named Yingmu responded and immediately led the large cavalry to an open space next to the camp, where fodder, water, and temporary tents had been prepared. Dazhuang, along with several Fire Tribe warriors including Shimao, Liehuo, Mangu, Liaoya, and Shinian, followed Jia Li and the others deeper into the camp.

In the council hall of the Pottery Salt Tribe, wooden tables were already set up, laden with food—golden-roasted mutton, tenderly stewed fish soup, freshly picked wild vegetables, and steaming rice. As everyone took their seats, Jia Li personally poured Dazhuang a bowl of fruit wine.

"Brother Dazhuang, come on, have a bowl of water to refresh yourself!"

Dazhuang took the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. Everyone else started eating and drinking too. The steaming food seemed to relieve their fatigue. After eating and drinking for a while, Jia Li put down the wine bowl and started to talk about business.

"Brother Dazhuang," his expression turned serious, "the Wolf Tribe has come with great force this time, the situation is not good."

Dazhuang also put down his wine bowl and listened attentively.

Jia Li said, "Yesterday, scouts from the Little Wolf Tribe were spying on our tribe. Our cavalry spotted them and drove them away, but judging from their appearance, they were trying to find out our strength."

He paused, then continued, "After our scouts received the news, they immediately notified the Beast Taming Tribe, the Marsh Tribe, and the Hundred Crafts Tribe. Upon receiving the news, the Marsh Tribe and the Beast Taming Tribe rushed to our side without even having time to gather their grain. The elderly and weak from the Hundred Crafts Tribe also came over."

Dazhuang nodded and asked, "How many men do you have on your side right now?"

Jia Li counted on his fingers. "Our Pottery Salt Tribe has about three hundred able-bodied warriors, including one hundred cavalry. Among the people who retreated from the Beast Taming Tribe, there are two hundred and forty able-bodied men who can fight, including fifty cavalry. Among the people who retreated from the Marsh Tribe, there are two hundred able-bodied men who can fight, including fifty cavalry."

He looked up. "In total, there are about 750 able-bodied soldiers, of whom about 200 are cavalry."

Dazhuang silently memorized it.

Jia Li continued, "Over at the Hundred Crafts Tribe, there are still more than 800 able-bodied men and women remaining in their own camp. They have about 400 warriors and about 100 cavalry. They couldn't bear to leave behind the grain that hadn't been harvested yet, so the old and weak retreated first, while the able-bodied stayed behind to guard it."

He sighed, "With them, we can muster over 1,100 soldiers and about 300 cavalry."

Dazhuang nodded and then asked, "What about the Wolf Tribe? How many people are there?"

Jia Li's expression turned serious.

"According to the scouts, the Wolf Tribe has sent nine hundred warriors this time, including about six hundred cavalry, followed by about fifteen hundred support personnel. They are probably planning to plunder."

He paused, his voice low, "They went towards the Fish Tribe first; judging by the time, they should have arrived today."

Dazhuang frowned. Nine hundred warriors and six hundred cavalry.

Jia Li continued, "That Xueya from the Wolf Tribe is treacherous, cunning, and ruthless. The Fish Tribe is likely to suffer a loss this time."

Dazhuang remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"You're right. The Wolf Tribe has already raided the north, spilled blood, and seen battles. If the Fish Tribe stays in their camp, it's fine, but if they come out to fight, they'll be in trouble."

He paused, then continued, "Upon receiving the news, we immediately lit the beacon fire at the Stone Creek River Mouth Outpost. The message will reach the Fire Tribe headquarters within a day."

He looked at Jia Li, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Although most of our Fire Tribe's large ships have been used to transport grain to the Valley Tribe, we have recently built ten large ships weighing 10,000 jin each and twenty large ships weighing 5,000 jin each. We also have two hundred Xiaozhou 500 jin each, which are ready to be deployed at any time."

He paused, then continued, "Our headquarters has received word that we will soon send men by boat to provide support. Transporting a thousand elite troops at a time will not be a problem, and we will send more troops if needed."

Jia Li's eyes lit up as he listened.

"A thousand elite troops! Add to that our own forces, what are we afraid of, the Wolf Tribe!"

Cangbo and Muye nodded repeatedly, their faces showing excitement.

"The Fire Tribe's strength is indeed formidable!"

Joining the Fire Tribe was definitely the right choice!

Just as everyone was discussing this, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside, and then a warrior from the Pottery Salt Tribe rushed in.

"Chief! The Fish Tribe has arrived! They need help!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Jia Li stood up. "Please come in quickly!"

Soon, two people were brought in. They were covered in sweat and looked exhausted, clearly having rushed over. As soon as they entered, they knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Chief Jia Li! Fellow chieftains! Please, save the Fish Tribe!"

The one in the lead had a hoarse voice, trembling with tears.

"Yesterday, Xueya of the Wolf Tribe arrived at our tribe with four hundred cavalry!"

He caught his breath and continued, "Chief Jia Li! Fellow chieftains! We beg you to save the Fish Tribe! The Wolf Tribe is coming on strong, and if we're too late, our Fish Tribe will be in big trouble!"

After saying this, he kept kowtowing! Jia Li quickly stepped forward and helped him up.

"Brother, get up! Don't do this!"

He turned to look at Dazhuang, Dazhuang remained silent for a moment before slowly standing up.

"Chief Jia Li," he said, "Although the Fish Tribe hasn't joined the Fire Tribe yet, they've always been our friendly tribe. The Wolf Tribe is everyone's enemy, and we can't just stand by and do nothing."

"Chief Jia Li, I plan to lead my cavalry to support the Fish Tribe first thing tomorrow morning."

Jia Li nodded. "Of course, of course, I'll send someone with you too."

He thought for a moment and then began calling out names.

"The Biaotou!" he shouted.

A burly middle-aged man stepped forward. "Present!"

"You take fifty cavalrymen and go with Brother Dazhuang!"

"Yes!"

Jia Li then looked at Cangbo and Muye.

"Brother Cangbo, Brother Muye, why don't you send some men too?"

Cangbo nodded and said to a man behind him, "Changgāo, you take thirty cavalrymen and go with Brother Dazhuang!"

The man called Changgāo replied, "Yes!"

Muye also ordered, "Liequan, take twenty cavalrymen and go with us!"

The Liequan grinned. "Alright! I've been wanting to see those wolves from the Wolf Tribe again for ages!"

Dazhuang looked at the selected cavalrymen and nodded to himself. Fifty from the Pottery Salt Tribe, thirty from the Marsh Tribe Beast Taming Tribe, plus the six hundred he brought, totaling seven hundred cavalrymen. Seven hundred cavalrymen were enough.

"Great!" he exclaimed. "It's settled then! We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning!"

The crowd responded in unison, and the Fish Tribe warrior who had come to ask for help kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.

"Thank you! Thank you, leaders! Thank you, Fire Tribe! Thank you Pottery Salt Tribe!"

Dazhuang helped him up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Brother, don't be like this. The Wolf Tribe is everyone's enemy. Helping you is helping ourselves."

The man nodded, choking back tears, unable to speak. Jia Li had someone take him down to rest, then turned to Dazhuang and said...

"Brother Dazhuang, you two get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone prepare some dry rations for you to eat on the road."

Dazhuang nodded and said, "Jia Li, Chief Jiali."

Jia Li waved his hand. "It's nothing, we'll be family soon, no need to be so polite."

After chatting for a while, everyone dispersed and left the council hall. Dazhuang looked up at the sky; it was already dark, and the sky was full of twinkling stars. He took a deep breath and thought silently to himself.

Tomorrow, he would be facing off against the Wolf Tribe. Those wolf cubs who had slaughtered countless people in the north—this time, he would teach them a lesson. He clenched his fists and strode towards the temporary camp.