Persuading the Valley Tribe to Surrender
Early the next morning, Bear Tribe as dawn was Little Valley Camp, the sky Valley Tribe the eastern mountains turned a pale white, like a white crack. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, floating thinly on the river. Several early birds Tiger Tribe out from the trees by the river, their clear voices drifting in the morning breeze, as if singing for the new day, or perhaps lamenting the impending battle.
Under the command of Tong Dachui, Hu Zhua of the Tiger Tribe set off from the vicinity of the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost with a giant ship capable of carrying 100,000 jin (50,000 kg) of cargo, heading towards the Valley Tribe's main dock on the west bank of the Fish River. The giant ship floated on the water like a giant beast, its Chuantou raised high, its hull enormous, its sails billowing in the morning wind, making a whooshing sound, and its oars cutting through the water with a splashing sound. Standing on the ship were many Tiger Tribe warriors, holding spears, carrying scimitars at their waists, carrying longbows on their backs, wearing leather armor and leather helmets, each with fierce eyes and a murderous aura.
All of the Valley Tribe's boats have now been taken away by Quyong. The Valley Tribe's main dock has become an empty dock, deserted and quiet. Only a few small boats are hiding in the depths of the Valley River, concealed in the Luwei, not daring to show their faces. The Valley Tribe's main dock is empty, with only a few mooring posts standing there forlornly.
The Tiger Tribe Hu Zhua, carrying the Tiger Tribe's behemoth, arrogantly circled the Valley Tribe's headquarters dock several times. The large ship turned round and round, Chuantou facing the dock, stern swaying back and forth. The warriors on board shouted loudly, brandished their weapons, and sang the Tiger Tribe's war song. The rough song echoed in the morning air, startling a flock of water birds. After showing off the Tiger Tribe's naval power to their heart's content, they slowly approached the Valley Tribe's headquarters dock and stopped there.
Although the Tiger Tribe currently holds an absolute advantage in naval power, with three massive ships capable of carrying 100,000 jin (50,000 kg) and over a dozen large ships capable of carrying 50,000 jin (25,000 kg), they roam the Fish River like crabs. However, their land forces do not hold an advantage over the Valley Tribe's headquarters. The Valley Tribe's headquarters has several thousand warriors, a dark mass, guarding behind the fence of their camp, armed and watching intently. Hu Zhua of the Tiger Tribe dares not rashly go ashore to negotiate with the Valley Tribe's people, fearing that the Valley Tribe's headquarters might cause trouble. If negotiations fail, the Valley Tribe might swarm him and take him hostage, which would be troublesome, and he would become meat on the Valley Tribe's chopping block.
Hu Zhua stood at the Chuantou, hands on his hips, head held high like a proud rooster. Behind him stood many warriors of the Tiger Tribe, shields in hand, protecting him. He ordered his men to shout loudly, summoning Daiyue, the chief of the Valley Tribe, to speak. Several Tiger Tribe warriors shouted at the top of their lungs, their voices high-pitched and shrill, echoing in the morning air.
"Daiyue, chief of the Valley Tribe, come out and speak! Our Tiger Tribe's leader wants to see you! Come out now! Don't be a coward! Don't hide inside and keep quiet!"
Hu Zhua Claw, carrying the Tiger Tribe's massive ship with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, cruised near the Valley Tribe's main dock early in the morning, rampaging and causing a stir, which had already alarmed the Tiger Tribe's leadership. The Valley Tribe's main dock was already crowded with people. Warriors, armed with weapons, stood at the front, followed not far behind by women, the elderly, and children, all craning their necks to look at the river. Among them were the Valley Tribe's leader, Daiyue, the seven elders, and many other leaders, all with solemn expressions and furrowed brows.
Seeing the Tiger Tribe's constant shouting and arrogance, Daiyue was filled with rage. He took a deep breath, his chest heaving, pushed through the crowd, and strode to the dock. Standing at the front, followed by the seven elders and dozens of leaders, he stood with his hands on his hips, head held high, his voice booming like thunder, echoing across the dock and making the ears of those around him ring. He shouted at the giant ship on the river:
"I am Daiyue, the leader of the Valley Tribe! Why did your Tiger Tribe, without any reason, join forces with the Bear Tribe to attack our Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost? Our Valley Tribe and your Tiger Tribe have no past grievances or recent feuds. Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of all the tribes along the Fish River by acting so recklessly? Aren't you afraid of provoking the wrath of the masses? If your Tiger Tribe doesn't give our Valley Tribe an explanation today, our Valley Tribe will fight you to the death! We will fight to the bitter end!"
Hu Zhua of the Tiger Tribe sneered at Daiyue's words, his lips curling down in disdain. He took a few steps forward, stood at the very front of the Chuantou, crossed his arms, and shouted:
"Chief Daiyue, our Tiger Tribe's attack on your Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp this time isn't reckless; rather, it's because your Valley Tribe acted recklessly first! You previously peddled pottery from other tribes downstream of the Fish River Fish River, disrupting the healthy trading environment, throwing prices, the market, and the rules into disarray! After being punished by our Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe, instead of reflecting on your mistakes, admitting your errors, or apologizing, you secretly continued to sell smuggled salt downstream of the Fish River, ignoring our words and warnings. Your Valley Tribe completely disregards our Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe! Our Tiger Tribe has come to teach your Valley Tribe a lesson, to let your Valley Tribe and all the tribes along the Fish River know the power of our Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe, that we are not to be trifled with, and that we are the true masters of the Tiger Tribe Fish River!"
Upon hearing this, Daiyue's voice was high-pitched and shrill as he immediately retorted, "Your Tiger Tribe accuses our Valley Tribe of illegally selling salt downstream of the Fish River. What evidence do you have? Don't make baseless accusations! Don't smear us! I think your Tiger Tribe is just looking for an excuse to attack our Valley Tribe, annex our Valley Tribe, Valley Tribe our grain! Every tribe along the Fish River knows about your Tiger Tribe's ambitions!"
Why would Hu Zhua of the Tiger Tribe genuinely discuss evidence with Daiyue of the Valley Tribe? At this point, evidence is completely unimportant; might makes right. He snorted coldly, waved his hand, and shouted loudly:
"Chief Daiyue, you know in your hearts whether you've done these things or not. Our Tiger Tribe will provide evidence later to all the tribes along the Fish River, letting everyone know the true face of your Valley Tribe. Don't give me any of that nonsense. I'm here today with orders from our commander, Chief Tong Dachui. We've already wiped out half of your Valley Tribe's waterborne forces, and your Little Valley Camp is surrounded. The Bear Tribe has several thousand cavalry who will arrive this morning. They're about to raze the Little Valley Camp Outpost, kill all your Valley Tribe, and plunder all your food! Our Dachui Hammer said that if your Valley Tribe is willing to submit to our Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe, we can spare your lives. But if your Valley Tribe continues to resist stubbornly and refuses to yield, your Valley Tribe Little Valley Camp Outpost will be destroyed today!"
As soon as Hu Zhua of the Tiger Tribe finished speaking, the dock at the Valley Tribe headquarters erupted into chaos, like a pot boiling over, like a hornet's nest being stirred up, like a volcanic eruption. Some were cursing Hu Zhua wildly, cursing his ancestors for eighteen generations, their spittle flying everywhere; some were crying in fear, tears streaming down their faces, snot and sobs flowing; some were whispering and discussing amongst themselves, their voices clamorous. The Valley Tribe headquarters dock was instantly thrown into complete disarray.
However, the high-ranking members and key leaders of the Valley Tribe already knew that the Fire Tribe's fleet and the fleet led by Quyong, the head of the Valley Tribe, were also waiting for an opportunity to attack nearby. The Fire Tribe's young leader, Yan Shao, had already agreed to strike at the Tiger Tribe and Bear Tribe ' naval fleets. This news gave them immense confidence and reassurance, like a powerful stimulant. The threat posed by the Tiger Tribe's "Hu Zhua" would have been extremely useful if the Fire Tribe hadn't arrived, like a knife to their throats. But with the arrival of the Fire Tribe's fleet—five giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin and fifty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin— Daiyue and his people from the Valley Tribe had many more options.
The Tiger Tribe is now pressing forward relentlessly, their appetites are insatiable. For the Valley Tribe Valley Tribe submit and become their slaves would be tantamount to their extermination and enslavement. Daiyue could not possibly agree to the Tiger Tribe's demands now. He gritted his teeth, a fierce glint in his eyes, and shouted back:
"The Bear Tribe is the mortal enemy of our Valley Tribe! Our two tribes have fought for years, and countless lives have been lost! Now you've joined the Bear Tribe to attack our Valley Tribe, making your Tiger Tribe an enemy of our Valley Tribe! Our Valley Tribe will never submit to or be subservient to your Tiger Tribe. Today, it's either you die or I live! If you want to fight, then come on! Our Valley Tribe will fight to the bitter end!"
Having said that, Daiyue waved his hand, his arm powerful, like a Fengren slashing down. Seeing Daiyue's gesture, Feng Ren, along with several hundred archers already lying in ambush from the Valley Tribe headquarters, squeezed behind the crowd, nocked their arrows, and then, at Fengren's command, his voice booming like thunder, shouted, "Release the arrows!"
The archers of the Valley Tribe stepped forward in unison, forming several rows, and unleashed a barrage of arrows at Hu Ya's ship, which had a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. The arrows rained down like a swarm of locusts, darkening the sky and forming a dense, overwhelming mass.
Hu Ya had been anticipating this move and was well-prepared. His eyes widened like copper bells, and as soon as he saw any movement from the Valley Tribe headquarters, he shouted, "Raise your shields! Take cover!"
The warriors on the Tiger Tribe's ship quickly raised their shields to protect themselves, taking cover behind the gunwales. The Valley Tribe's arrows struck the shields like raindrops on banana leaves, and hit the gunwales with a thud, like woodpeckers pecking at a tree. Several warriors were unable to dodge in time and were hit by the arrows, falling down with screams and bleeding profusely. Hu Ya directed the warriors to return fire while ordering the helmsman to turn the Chuantou around and slowly retreat, joining up with the Tiger Tribe's Tong Dachui.
Tong Dachui, standing at Chuantou dock of the Little Valley Camp Outpost on the east bank of the Fish River, stood at the bow of his boat, hands on his hips, waiting for news from Hu Zhua. He saw Hu Zhua's returning boat, its hull and sails covered with many new arrows, the shafts still swaying and the fletching still trembling. He knew that Hu Zhua's attempt to persuade him to surrender had not been successful. His face darkened instantly, like the sky before a storm, with dark clouds gathering and lightning flashing. His brows furrowed into a knot, deep lines etched on his forehead, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
After hearing Hu Zhua's report, Tong Dachui learned that the Valley Tribe chief, Daiyue, had not only refused to submit but had also ordered his archers to shoot down the ship. Tong Dachui was instantly enraged, like a volcano erupting. He slammed his hand on the gunwale, his eyes wide like copper bells, blazing with fury, and shouted:
"This Valley Tribe dares to defy our Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe much, completely disregarding us! They're as bold as animals! Luckily, our Tiger Tribe came this time. If we had waited any longer, allowing the Valley Tribe and Fire Tribe to deepen their alliance and grow stronger, the Valley Tribe would have rebelled! Since the Valley Tribe is so ungrateful, let's teach them a lesson first! We'll cooperate with the Bear Tribe to take down the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp, destroy this stronghold, and cut off this arm of the Valley Tribe! Then we'll see if the Valley Tribe's main force will still be so tough, still dare to be so arrogant, and still dare to fire arrows!"
Next, the Tiger Tribe's Tong Dachui arranged for the Tiger Tribe's fleet to blockade the Fish River. Three giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 catties were lined up in a row, and more than a dozen large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 catties were scattered on both sides, like two rows of teeth or two rows of swords. The Valley Tribe headquarters was not allowed to send troops to rescue the Little Valley Camp. Not a single ship was allowed to pass, not a single person was allowed to be released, and not a single bird was allowed to fly over.
After a period of preparation, the sun slowly rose, peeking out from behind the mountains to the east. The three thousand cavalry of the Bear Tribe arrived, their hooves thundering, shaking the earth and filling the sky with dust, like a giant yellow dragon or a sandstorm. They came from the north along the main road, surrounding the Little Valley Camp. The cavalrymen rode on short-legged horses, wielding curved swords and carrying longbows, each one exuding a murderous aura, shouting and demonstrating their power to the warriors in the Little Valley Camp Outpost Valley Tribe the Bear Tribe. Their shouts shook the heavens.
Daiyan, the Little Valley Camp Outpost of the Valley Tribe, couldn't possibly lead his warriors to flee before the battle even began, leaving the old and weak behind to save his own life. He couldn't bear such a disgrace and responsibility. Moreover, he had received news from Quyong that a large number of reinforcements from the Fire Tribe were already lying in ambush nearby: five giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin, fifty large ships with a carrying capacity of 50,000 jin, and many smaller ships. This news instantly boosted Daiyan's confidence. Previously, he had been extremely envious of the Fire Tribe 'Fire Tribe naval strength and their many large ships, but now Daiyan was hoping that the Fire Tribe would bring more large ships this time, the more the better, the bigger the better, ideally sinking the ships of the Tiger Tribe and Bear Tribe.
All sides were preparing. The Tiger Tribe's fleet was on high alert on the river, the Bear Tribe's cavalry was watching them intently on land, and the Valley Tribe's warriors were holding their ground in their camp awaiting reinforcements. This period of time was indeed a brief period of calm, like the calm before the storm, like a fully drawn bow, like a taut string.