The Bear Tribe's Plan

After Xiong Pan led his group away from the Great Boulder Tribe, they headed south along the east bank of the Fish River. The autumn wind blew across the withered grassland, rustling the Caoye. The sky was high and bright blue, with a few white clouds drifting lazily by. The distant mountain shadows appeared and disappeared in the thin mist, layer upon layer. The short-legged Xiong Pan rode at the head of the group.

Today he wore a dark blue linen robe of excellent quality, which he had specially changed into before setting off to appear respectable in front of the Wolf Tribe. He wore a wide animal skin belt around his waist, with a bronze dagger hanging from it. The scabbard was engraved with simple patterns and was a gift from his father when he came of age. He always carried it with him. He wore animal skin boots with polished shafts that gleamed in the sunlight.

He stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his chin slightly raised, his face bearing the confidence and pride unique to young people. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, concealing a barely perceptible smile, as if he were savoring something pleasant. His fingers, holding the Jiangsheng, tapped lightly, once, twice, three times, as if keeping a rhythm, or perhaps humming a tune that only he could hear.

The negotiations with the Wolf Tribe went much more smoothly than he had expected. Before setting off, he was worried that the Wolf Tribe might make things difficult for him or take the opportunity to make some excessive demands. After all, Xueya of the Wolf Tribe was now infamous as a ruthless killer. The Wolf Tribe was able to quickly establish itself in the territory of the Great Boulder Tribe because of that ruthlessness. But after actually meeting Xueya, he found that the man was much more shrewd and sensible than he had imagined.

Xueya didn't put on airs or make exorbitant demands. Xiong Pan agreed to all the conditions he proposed. Moreover, Xueya not only didn't make any additional requests, but he also acted very cooperatively, as if he already knew Xiong Pan would come to him and was prepared to agree. This made Xiong Pan feel that he had completed the mission very well and that his father would definitely praise him when he returned home.

Thinking of this, Xiong Pan straightened his back even more and raised his chin even higher, like a rooster that had just won a fight. After traveling for several days, the Bear Tribe's camp finally came into view. The guards at the camp gate saw Xiong Pan's group from afar. One guard ran quickly to the gate, pushed open the main gate made of thick wooden planks, and another guard stood at the door, clasped his hands in a salute to Xiong Pan, and said in a loud voice, "The young chieftain has returned!"

Xiong Pan nodded, did not dismount, and rode straight into the camp. The horse's hooves made a dull sound on the muddy ground. When the tribesmen who passed by saw him, they made way for him. Some nodded to him, some whispered among themselves, and some cast envious glances. Xiong Pan responded to each of them and nodded back.

Upon reaching the entrance of the council hall, Xiong Pan dismounted swiftly and cleanly. He tossed the Jiangsheng to a follower beside him, dusted himself off, and strode toward the council hall. When Xiong Pan reached the door, the guards, who had already received orders, did not stop him but simply opened the door for him.

The room was brightly lit, with the windows open, letting in the afternoon sun. Several wooden tables were set up in the council chamber, covered with linen, and on them were ceramic bowls, pottery jars, and several wooden tablets inscribed with characters. Xiong Lie sat in the main seat, with several wooden tablets in front of him. He was holding one in his hand, looking down at it intently. His brows were slightly furrowed, and the sunlight streaming in from the window fell on his profile, making his features particularly distinct.

Hearing footsteps, Xiong Lie looked up and saw Xiong Pan enter. His brows immediately relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Pan'er, you're back?"

He put down the wooden tablet, stood up, and beckoned to Xiong Pan, saying, "You must be tired from the journey. Come and sit down, and tell me what happened. I heard you had good talks with the Wolf Tribe over there. Tell me the details from the beginning."

Xiong Pan walked over and sat down on the wooden stool next to his father. He picked up the earthenware pot on the table, poured himself a bowl of water, and gulped down most of it. The icy liquid flowed down his throat, dispelling the fatigue and thirst from the journey. He put down the bowl, wiped the water from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and then looked up at his father, his face showing undisguised pride and excitement. "Father, it was just as you thought!"

His voice was loud and clear, carrying the enthusiasm unique to young people. "The Wolf Tribe has now captured the Great Boulder Tribe's camp. The entire territory of the Great Boulder Tribe, including the surrounding small tribes and hunting grounds, is basically under the Wolf Tribe's control. Only a small number of the Great Boulder Tribe's remaining forces fled to the Great Luwei Tribe to the north. The rest either died or were captured and taken prisoner. Even their leader, Dashi, was killed in battle."

He paused, picked up the earthenware bowl, took another sip of water to moisten his throat, and then continued, "Following my father's instructions, the day after the Great Boulder Tribe was breached, I led men to find Xueya, the leader of the Wolf Tribe. At first, Xueya was somewhat reserved, sitting in the main seat and putting on an air of being the host. But after I explained our Bear Tribe's conditions and the Tiger Tribe's intentions, his attitude immediately changed. A smile spread across his face, and he became much more polite. He didn't haggle or make excuses; he readily agreed to everything. Even when we asked them to assist in attacking the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost, he didn't hesitate and nodded on the spot."

Xiong Lie listened, nodded, and said with a satisfied look in his eyes, "The Wolf Tribe has agreed to all the requests made by our Bear Tribe?"

Xiong Pan nodded vigorously and said, "They agreed to everything! Not a single one was missed, not a single one was omitted! They agreed to assist us in attacking the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost, and they will provide troops and manpower without any perfunctory work. However, they made one condition, saying that they would plunder some supplies after the battle, and I agreed on the spot as my father instructed."

A smug smile appeared on Xiong Pan's face as he continued, "After all, the Wolf Tribe people have always relied on plundering for a living. If they don't take something, they won't put in their full effort. I agreed on the spot, as long as it doesn't affect our occupation of the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost."

Xiong Lie nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Yes, agreeing to let them plunder supplies was the right thing to do. The Wolf Tribe members are like hungry wolves; if we don't give them meat, they won't work properly. As long as it doesn't affect our overall strategy of attacking the Little Valley Camp Outpost and doesn't harm the fundamental interests of our Bear Tribe, letting them steal some things is fine. Even a dog has to get a few bites of meat; otherwise, why would the dog risk its life for you?"

Xiong Pan continued, "I've also relayed the Tiger Tribe's demands. They require the Wolf Tribe to submit to the Tiger Tribe, to stop their previous rampages of burning, killing, and looting, to abide by the rules, and to maintain the balance of this region. Xueya has agreed, saying he's willing to submit to the Tiger Tribe Tiger Tribe and abide by its rules. He also said that next spring he'd like to go to the Tiger Tribe with the people of our Bear Tribe to personally meet with the Tiger Tribe's leader and elder to express his submission."

Xiong Pan lowered his voice, as if he were about to say something very important, "I think that Xueya guy, although he's polite to us on the surface, I can tell that he's also calculating his own interests. He needs the Tiger Tribe's approval right now, and he needs to gain a foothold in the Great Boulder Tribe's territory, so he doesn't dare to offend us. Therefore, we also need to be wary of him."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Lie's smile deepened. He said, "It's good that the Wolf Tribe Wolf Tribe agrees. With their addition, the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp is definitely doomed. They'll attack from land, and we'll coordinate from the water. Even if the Valley Tribe had three heads and six arms, they couldn't hold out. When the Tiger Tribe sends troops out, that's when we'll raze the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost. At that time, I'll show the Valley Tribe what happens when you offend the Bear Tribe!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Pan's eyes lit up with excitement. He sat up straight, placed his hands on his knees, leaned forward slightly, and said with a hint of urgency in his voice, "Father, when shall we make our move? I can't wait any longer! I really want to see the people of the Valley Tribe fleeing in disarray! I want those who looked down on our Bear Tribe back then to kneel before us and beg for mercy!"

Xiong Lie looked at him, his gaze carrying the Chenwen and admonition of an elder, and said, "No rush, it's not the right time yet. The Valley Tribe's water strength has recovered to 80%. Although we have received support from the Tiger Tribe and our water strength has also increased significantly, it's still hard to say who will win if a real battle breaks out. War is not child's play; it cannot be won by mere bravado and impulsiveness."

He paused, his voice lowering slightly, and said, "Moreover, the Fire Tribe is also a variable that we can't ignore. The Fire Tribe and the Valley Tribe are allies. If the Valley Tribe is in trouble, the Fire Tribe won't stand idly by. Last time we suffered a loss at the Valley Tribe because we underestimated the Fire Tribe's strength. We can't make the same mistake again this time."

Xiong Pan nodded, as if digesting his father's words. After a while, he raised his head, his eyes showing a thoughtful understanding, and said, "Father, the Valley Tribe was able to recover its strength so quickly because it received support from the Fire Tribe. The Fire Tribe gave them boats, bronze weapons, and confidence. Last time they dared to attack the Tiger Tribe on the Fish River, it was because they had the Fire Tribe backing them up. The Tiger Tribe suffered a loss, so they certainly won't let it go. When the Tiger Tribe sends boats again next time, they will definitely bring a large number of troops and won't be as reckless and overconfident as last time."

He paused, his voice growing even lower, and said, "Not only will the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp be lost, but the Valley Tribe's main headquarters will also be destroyed in one fell swoop, and their very foundation will be uprooted. The Fire Tribe won't fare any better. Although they are powerful, their foundation is still unstable, their territory is not large enough, and their population is not large enough. If the Tiger Tribe launches a full-scale attack, it's still uncertain whether they can withstand it."

Xiong Pan grew increasingly excited as he spoke, his eyes shining brighter and brighter. He suddenly sat up straight and lowered his voice, saying, "Father, I've had people investigate! The Fire Tribe was able to support the Valley Tribe so quickly last time because they happened to be transporting grain to the Valley Tribe and ran into the Tiger Tribe's forces! That was a coincidence, not because they were prepared! Next time, as long as we avoid the Fire Tribe's grain transport and seize the opportunity, we can break through the Valley Tribe first, catching them off guard and preventing them from seeking help from the Fire Tribe! Then, the Tiger Tribe might even join us in wiping out the Fire Tribe!"

His voice grew louder, tinged with the impulsiveness and wild imagination typical of youth. "As long as we wipe out the Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe, the Tiger Tribe is so far away, they definitely won't swallow all this territory. They can't manage it all. At that time, the Tiger Tribe will definitely give our Bear Tribe a lot of territory and people, giving us some benefits. With that territory and people, our Bear Tribe's strength will greatly increase! Maybe we can even become a large tribe with 50,000 or 100,000 people!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, "At that time, our Bear Tribe will not be the Bear Tribe it is now! We will become the top power in the Fish River Basin! Even the Tiger Tribe will have to give us some respect!"

Seeing his son's impassioned expression, Xiong Lie didn't speak immediately. He simply picked up the earthenware bowl, took another sip of water, put the bowl down, and looked calmly at Xiong Pan. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Don't think so far ahead. We have to take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time. We haven't even taken Little Valley Camp yet, and we're already thinking about some large tribe of 50,000 or 100,000 people. It's too early and too hasty."

He looked at Xiong Pan, his gaze becoming more serious, and said, "Before we make our move, we need to improve our own strength. The Valley Tribe and the Fire Tribe are not small tribes; they won't just wait for us to attack them. Especially the Fire Tribe —they were able to grow from a small tribe into such a large tribe in just a few years. It certainly wasn't all luck; they must have their own abilities and strengths."

He paused, his voice growing deeper, and said, "In the next couple of days, I will send someone by boat to travel back and forth along the Tiger Tribe Fish River to the Tiger Tribe to confirm the arrangements for next spring. If there are no problems with the Tiger Tribe, I will lead a group there in the spring to discuss the alliance with the Tiger Tribe's Grand Elder in person."

He reached out and patted Xiong Pan on the shoulder, saying, "Pan'er, you did a great job this time. You handled the negotiations with the Wolf Tribe very well, without any mistakes or disgracing of our Bear Tribe. You've improved a lot since then, and I'm very pleased."

Hearing his father's praise, Xiong Pan's smile deepened, his mouth stretched to his ears, his eyes curved into crescents, and the smile lines at the corners of his eyes were revealed. He puffed out his chest and said, "Father, this is what I should do! Don't worry, if there's anything you need in the future, just leave it to me! I will definitely not let you down!" He patted his chest, making a loud thud.

Xiong Lie smiled and said, "Okay, you should go back and rest first. You must be tired from the journey. Get a good night's sleep and recharge. There's still a lot more to do for you later. You'll be busy for a while."

Xiong Pan stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Yes, Father!"

He turned and strode out of the council hall, his steps light as the wind. As he walked through the camp, the tribespeople passing by greeted him. An older chieftain saw him and called out with a smile, "Young Chief is back! I heard you went to negotiate with the Wolf Tribe? How did it go?"

Xiong Pan puffed out his chest and said in a loud voice, "It's a deal! The Wolf Tribe has agreed to join forces with us and attack the Valley Tribe next spring!" His face was full of undisguised pride.

Those around him nodded in approval, some giving a thumbs-up, some whispering among themselves, and others casting envious and admiring glances.

"Young leader, you're truly outstanding!"

"To accomplish such a big thing at such a young age, he's bound to be extraordinary in the future!"

"With a successor like our young chieftain, our Bear Tribe has no worries about growing stronger in the future!"

Hearing these words, Xiong Pan's smile grew wider. He held his head high, puffed out his chest, and walked with lighter steps. He reached the door of his dwelling and pushed it open. The room was somewhat dark; the windows were closed, and only a few rays of light pierced through the cracks in the door, drawing golden lines in the dim light. A wooden bed stood against the wall, covered with thick animal hides. An oil lamp sat on the table, unlit, its wick still dry.

Xiong Pan walked to the table, poured a bowl of water, and slowly drank it. The water was cool and had a slightly sweet taste. He held the bowl, feeling the rough texture of the earthenware, his mind still replaying his conversation with his father. The names of the Valley Tribe, Fire Tribe, Tiger Tribe, and Wolf Tribe swirled in his mind. He put down the bowl, walked to the bed, lay down fully clothed, put his hands behind his head, and stared blankly at the ceiling. The wood grain was clearly visible in the dim light, in concentric circles. He stared at those patterns for a long time before his eyes slowly closed.

He had a dream. In his dream, he rode a tall horse and charged into the Valley Tribe's camp. The Valley Tribe people scattered and fled. The firelight illuminated half the sky. The Bear Tribe's flag was planted on the roof of the Valley Tribe's council hall. He stood in the firelight, holding a knife, with an endless plain behind him, as if the whole world belonged to him.