The Bear Tribe's Scheme
News of the Wolf Tribe's rampage in the Great Boulder Tribe after autumn quickly reached the Bear Tribe. The news, like wings, flew across rivers and mountains, reaching the ears of the Bear Tribe leader Xiong Lie. The Bear Tribe was located south of the Great Boulder Tribe. Since the Wolf Tribe arrived near Stone Ridge Mountain, they had been causing chaos between the Great Luwei Tribe and the Great Boulder Tribe, stirring up trouble and bringing unrest to the area. The Bear Tribe had also benefited greatly from this.
The Wolf Tribe frequently wreaked havoc, often wiping out small tribes and leaving the area desolate. This terrified the smaller tribes in the region, turning them into frightened birds. Many of the tribes closer to the Bear Tribe Bear Tribe chose to join them, bringing their families, packs, and livestock. Although the Bear Tribe offered lower wages, at least they had a way to survive and avoid being wiped out by the Wolf Tribe. This recent Wolf Tribe rampage has caused even more small tribes to flee the chaos, joining the Bear Tribe like refugees. The Bear Tribe's population has now reached over 20,000, and if this continues, it will soon reach 30,000. This makes the Bear Tribe Bear Tribe's leader Xiong Lie, extremely happy, as if he's drunk honey. Even the frustration the Bear Tribe had recently felt under the pressure of the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp has been released, as if he's finally vented his anger.
Inside the Bear Tribe's council hall, the room was warm and cozy. Several animal skin maps hung on the walls, depicting the distribution of Great Rock, Great Luwei, and the Wolf Tribe in charcoal. In a corner, there were piles of bronze weapons, some gifts from the Tiger Tribe and others purchased.
Xiong Lie's eldest son, Xiong Pan, sat at the lower end of the table, his eyes gleaming with a fighting spirit, like a young bull. He wore a leather armor and a bronze axe hung at his waist, its blade gleaming. He couldn't sit still, constantly shifting his body as if something was biting him, as if thorns had grown under his buttocks.
His voice was rough and booming, like thunder, making the dust on the roof beams fall down. He said, "Father, you were the one who saw things far ahead back then, letting the Wolf Tribe go and cause a ruckus over there. Sure enough, the Great Boulder Tribe was badly tormented by the Wolf Tribe. The Wolf Tribe deserves some credit for our Bear Tribe's rapid population growth."
Xiong Lie sat in the main seat, a burly man with broad shoulders and a powerful build, like a mountain. His face was full of fierce features, and his eyes gleamed with ruthlessness and shrewdness, like a lurking bear ready to pounce at any moment. He wore an exquisite leather armor, the plates of which were made of thick, hard bear hide. A bronze broadsword hung at his waist, its scabbard engraved with Hutou's head, and a ruby inlaid on the hilt. His hair was gray, but he was in good spirits, his back ramrod straight.
His voice Chenwen as he began, "I went there with a try-it-and-see attitude, just to see how it went. I didn't expect the Wolf Tribe's arrival to be so effective. It was like lighting a fire; a hundred or so people were able to create such a huge commotion so quickly. The Wolf Tribe's leader, Xueya, is quite cunning and resourceful. If the Great Boulder Tribe continues like this, it will be devoured piece by piece by the Wolf Tribe. By the end of next year at the latest, it will be completely swallowed up by the Wolf Tribe, leaving not even bones behind."
Xiong Pan's voice carried a hint of worry and doubt, his brows furrowed slightly as he spoke, "Father, after the Wolf Tribe occupies the Great Boulder Tribe's territory, will it have any negative impact on our Bear Tribe? Since our two tribes will be constantly running into each other, will the Wolf Tribe come to attack our Bear Tribe?"
Xiong Lie smiled confidently, a smile of contempt and disdain. He waved his hand and said, "Our Bear Tribe has developed for so many years, with deep roots and a strong foundation. We also have close ties with the Tiger Tribe. The Wolf Tribe not only dares not offend us, but they might even beg our Bear Tribe to introduce them to the Tiger Tribe, like begging grandpa and grandma. Without the Tiger Tribe's approval, the Wolf Tribe cannot gain a foothold in the Great Boulder Tribe's sphere of influence. Even if they annex the Great Boulder Tribe and occupy its territory, if the Tiger Tribe does not agree, the Wolf Tribe will have to obediently spit it out, like vomiting up something dirty."
Xiong Pan nodded, his eyes brightening as he said, "Yes, the Great Boulder Tribe isn't far from the Tiger Tribe. Without the Tiger Tribe's approval, the Wolf Tribe definitely can't stay; they'll be like rootless grass."
Xiong Lie nodded, his gaze deep, and said, "Yes, and the Wolf Tribe doesn't engage in production or farming; they only know how to plunder. Even if they occupy the Great Boulder Tribe, they will quickly decline if they don't change their development model, like water without a source, like a tree without roots. However, the Wolf Tribe and the Valley Tribe have a blood feud, which we can make good use of. If the Wolf Tribe wants us to introduce them to the Tiger Tribe, they'll have to pay a price, bleed a little, and help our Bear Tribe deal with the Valley Tribe. When the Wolf Tribe Wolf Tribe to our Bear Tribe for help, we can ask them to join us in attacking the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp. Once we capture the Little Valley Camp and take this piece of fat meat into our Bear Tribe's mouth, I will agree to introduce the Tiger Tribe to the Wolf Tribe. Otherwise, no way."
Xiong Pan's voice was full of admiration as he repeatedly praised, "Father is brilliant! Brilliant and mighty! That move was superb, truly superb!"
Xiong Lie picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, wiped his mouth, and a smug smile appeared on his face.