Offering Horses

After shaking off the pursuers from the Great Luwei Tribe, the Wolf Tribe's caravan sped northward without making any further stops. The caravan meandered through the mountains and fields, never venturing onto open plains. Xueya ordered everyone to remain vigilant, preferring to take a longer route rather than be ambushed again.

Although the people of the Great Luwei Tribe did not pursue them further, Xueya knew that in this area, no one could predict where the next obstacle would appear. He ordered the team to travel during the day and find secluded places to camp at night, with horses being ridden in rotation and people taking turns to rest, daring not to relax for a moment. At night, they dared not even let the fires burn too brightly, for fear that people in the distance would see the smoke. Occasionally, when the sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance, everyone would stop what they were doing, hold their breath and listen, and only continue with their work after confirming that it was not pursuers.

After traveling for several days, the caravan finally arrived near the Tiger Tribe. From afar, Xueya saw the terrain open up before them. He reined in his horse, raised his Xueya to signal the caravan to stop, and slightly straightened his back. He shielded his eyes from the sun with his left hand, squinted for a moment, his lips parted slightly, then closed again. He turned to Yexiao beside him and said, "We've arrived at the Tiger Tribe. It's bigger than I imagined."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a slight slackening that only comes with reaching one's destination. Yexiao reined in his horse and followed Xueya's gaze. His lips moved, then he swallowed, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of emotion. "This journey wasn't in vain after all. The Tiger Tribe's camp is many times larger than the Great Boulder Tribe's. Just these fields we see here are probably enough to feed tens of thousands of people, and this is only the outer perimeter..."

Xueya didn't reply. He glanced at the houses and chimneys a few more times, as if imprinting the images into his mind. Then he gently spurred his horse, leading the group forward. The horses' hooves began to move again, and they traveled along a well-trodden dirt road for about half an hour. A troop of cavalry appeared ahead. The riders rode tall horses, dressed in uniform blue linen robes, with bronze swords at their waists and bows and short spears hanging beside their Ma'an. Their ranks were orderly, their spacing even, and their hooves moved in unison, clearly indicating that they were rigorously trained cavalry, not hastily assembled.

Leading the group was a robust man in his forties, his face tanned and rough from the wind, with a short beard. His sharp gaze swept over the Xueya's ranks, lingering for a moment on the horses before returning to Xueya. He scrutinized them for a few moments before speaking, his voice neither warm nor cold. "Are you the Xueya chieftain of the Wolf Tribe? Our Grand Elder has been waiting for you for days, saying that if you didn't show up soon, he would send men to search for you along the way."

Xueya reined in his horse, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Indeed, we encountered some delays on the road, and we apologize for keeping the Grand Elder waiting. Please lead the way."

The man didn't say much, but simply turned his horse around, waved his arm behind him, signaling Xueya to follow, and then spurred his horse forward. Xueya glanced back at Yexiao, whispered "Follow me," and then urged his horse to follow the man.

The group moved slowly along the dirt road, the horses neighing softly as they went, their hooves echoing far across the open fields. On the ridges by the roadside, some people straightened up and watched them, their gaze lingering on the horses for a moment before they lowered their heads and continued working.

The Tiger Tribe's camp was far larger than Xueya had imagined. They walked for about half an hour before finally penetrating deeper into the heart of the camp from the edge. The area they passed through became increasingly dense, with wooden huts standing side by side. Some were built with new timber, making them lighter in color; others had been inhabited for many years, their wood dark and dull. After passing through one area, they saw several workshops with piles of timber and bamboo strips at their entrances, from which came the sounds of hammering and banging. A little further on, they passed a pottery kiln area, with wisps of smoke rising from the kilns and the smell of burning earth filling the air. There was also an open area enclosed by a wooden fence, where many cattle, sheep, and pigs were kept, their smells mingling with the odor of straw and manure. Several women were squatting by the fence, milking sheep.

When the Tiger Tribe members passing by saw their caravan, some glanced at them, some stepped aside, and some whispered among themselves. An old man carrying Chutou passed by, glancing at the herd of horses and then at Xueya, before walking on without saying a word. Xueya, riding his horse, stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed straight ahead, but his fingers gripping the Jiangsheng tightened slightly, his fingertips rubbing back and forth on the rough leather, as if searching for a foothold.

He was led to a wooden house that was much taller than the surrounding houses. Two thick wooden pillars stood at the entrance of the house, each requiring two people to encircle it. The wood was dark brown and had a dull luster from years of age. The pillars were carved with Hutou heads, their mouths wide open and Liaoya protruding, lifelike as if they were roaring silently. Several flat stone slabs were laid at the entrance, much harder than mud, and the sound of his footsteps changed as he walked on them.

Two spear-wielding warriors stood ramrod straight at the entrance, their eyes fixed straight ahead. The man leading the way reined in his horse, landed on his feet, and nodded to the two warriors. One of the warriors returned the salute. Then, he pushed open the thick wooden door, the hinges making a low, grinding sound.

The man turned around and said to Xueya, "The Grand Elder is waiting inside. You can only go in alone. The others should wait outside. Someone will take them to a place to rest."

Xueya dismounted swiftly, tossing the Jiangsheng to a follower beside him. He straightened his robe, brushed off the dust, smoothed his disheveled hair, and wiped his mouth. He took a deep breath, as if to suppress the last trace of his jolt, and then strode towards the cabin.

The light inside was dimmer than outside. An old man sat in the main seat, wearing a dark blue linen robe. The robe was made of fine and dense material, and it was tailored to fit him perfectly from the shoulders to the waist. The collar and cuffs were sewn with dark-colored edges, and the stitches were fine and even. The whole garment was without a single wrinkle.

His hair was neatly combed and held back with a bone hairpin, not a single stray hair falling out. His face was covered with fine wrinkles, extending from the corners of his eyes to his temples, from the sides of his nose to the corners of his mouth. He sat there, his hands resting on the armrests, his palms large and his knuckles thick, as if these hands had done a lot of heavy work in his youth. His gaze was steadily fixed on the doorway, watching Xueya walk in, without moving, only slightly raising his chin.

Beside him stood a slightly younger man, with a robust build; his shoulders were almost as wide as the doorframe of the wooden hut. He wore a dark gray linen robe, which was not cinched at the waist, revealing leather armor underneath. A bronze dagger hung at his waist, its scabbard inlaid with a dark green Shitou, polished smooth and round. His left hand was tucked into his belt, while his right hand hung casually at his side. His gaze was not as calm as that of the Tongding, but more direct and sharp, like a dagger not fully sheathed.

He was none other than Tong Dachui. When Tongding saw Xueya walk in, his gaze lingered on him, sweeping from face to toe and back again, as if weighing him down with his eyes. Then he spoke, his voice neither loud nor soft, carrying the composure and rhythm unique to a long-time ruler. "You are Xueya of the Wolf Tribe? Just as the rumors say, I can recognize you at a glance."

Xueya stepped forward a few paces, stopping about five steps away. He knelt on one knee, bowed, and saluted. His movements were swift and decisive, without hesitation or delay. His voice was not loud, but clear, each word sounding as if carefully chosen. "Elder, Xueya of the Wolf Tribe pays his respects. Our Wolf Tribe sincerely submits to the Tiger Tribe; we dare not be the slightest bit hypocritical."

He slightly raised his head, his gaze meeting the Tongding for a moment before lowering it again, as if to show his humility, or perhaps to give himself room to observe the other party's reaction. "This time we brought two thousand ponies as a token of our sincerity to the Tiger Tribe. These horses are not particularly valuable or fine, but they were all carefully selected. They have sturdy frames, can carry loads and run fast, and are hardworking and enduring. Whether pulling carts and carrying goods, or on patrol, they can all be used. Our Wolf Tribe has done everything in its power, hoping only to express our respect and submission to the Tiger Tribe."

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head again, his back slightly hunched, maintaining the position of kneeling on one knee, waiting for the Tongding's response. The fingers resting on his knee slightly opened and then closed, as if using this small movement to steady his breathing.

Tongding didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered on Xueya for a moment, as if he were appraising an offering delivered to his door, or perhaps weighing the subtle expressions and gestures that revealed the true weight of a person's words. His fingers tapped lightly twice on the armrest, producing a soft, rhythmic sound, as if he were mentally calculating an account. Then he spoke, his tone gentler than before, but still deliberate. "Two thousand ponies, that's quite a gift. I heard you were blocked on the way by the Great Luwei Tribe while trying to deliver them?"

Xueya raised his head, his expression unchanged, a moderate calm in his eyes. "Reporting to the Grand Elder, the Great Luwei Tribe did indeed intercept us halfway. They knew we were bringing horses to the Tiger Tribe and tried to forcibly detain us. We circled around for several days with the horses, only managing to shake them off under cover of night and reach the Tiger Tribe. Lusheng's men chased us for quite a distance, but fortunately, our horses were faster than theirs."

Tongding nodded slightly, as if he already knew about it and was just casually confirming. He reached for the earthenware bowl beside him and took a sip of water. The bowl was made of black pottery, with a worn rim, showing it had been used for many years. He put down the bowl, gently wiped his lips with his fingertip, and then looked at Xueya, his tone calm and composed. "You're quite good. Our Tiger Tribe will take these horses. However, our Tiger Tribe operates on a reciprocal basis; we don't take things from others for free. If you need anything, you can tell us now."

Xueya paused for a moment, as if genuinely considering his words rather than feigning thought. His gaze lingered on the edge of the wooden table in front of the Tongding, then he looked up, his voice calm and unhurried. "Elder, it was convenient for our Wolf Tribe to come on horseback; we're adept at traveling by land, relying on our legs and horses. But the return journey is much more difficult. With those two thousand horses sent out, we'll have to rely on the remaining few old horses and our own two legs to return. It will take a considerable amount of time, and resupplying along the way won't be as convenient as it was on the way here."

He paused, as if giving the reason some room for maneuver, or perhaps observing the Tongding's expression. "I noticed that the Bear Tribe people travel very conveniently on the water; they can just paddle and go, saving time and effort. If it's convenient for the Grand Elder, could you give us some boats so that our return journey would be easier, saving us from having to take such a long detour every time we come here? This would also make travel between the Wolf Tribe and the Tiger Tribe much smoother."

Tong Dachui then interjected. His voice was a bit rougher than Tongding's, carrying an undisguised temper, as if he had something to say that just had to come out of his throat, "Want boats? That's easy. Our Tiger Tribe recently built a batch of new boats, but does your Wolf Tribe have a large dock? The boats can't just stay on the shore, can they?"

Xueya bowed slightly, leaning forward a little. "We can build a large dock. We have a suitable place over there. Once we have boats, we'll figure out the rest ourselves. Our Wolf Tribe may not have much else, but we certainly have the strength to work."

The Tongding didn't speak, but glanced at the Tong Dachui. There was no reproach in that glance, but it conveyed a message that the Tong Dachui shouldn't rush into a decision. So the Tong Dachui didn't say anything more, but just snorted, crossed his arms, and leaned against a wooden pillar, but his eyes remained fixed on the Xueya.

Yexiao entered through the door. He had been waiting outside, helping the Tiger Tribe settle their group and horses. Now allowed in, he quickly stepped forward and stood behind Xueya, bowing respectfully to the Tongding. His movements were swift and hurried, characteristic of a traveler. "Elder, we sincerely submit to the Tiger Tribe. The Great Luwei Tribe intercepted us along the way, clearly showing they don't respect the Tiger Tribe. We said we were delivering horses on behalf of the Tiger Tribe, yet they still attacked us. They even dared to intercept the Tiger Tribe's horses; their audacity is astounding."

His tone was calm, but tinged with lingering anger, as if the pent-up frustration from the days he'd been intercepted on the road hadn't completely dissipated.

Tong Dachui snorted, his voice louder than before, carrying a hint of impatient anger. "This Great Luwei Tribe is really too outrageous, daring to intercept even our Tiger Tribe's horses! If it were any other year, I would have already led men to deal with them."

Xueya seized the opportunity, slightly raising his head, his voice steady and resolute, like a Shitou placed in its proper place. "Elder, I've heard that the Tiger Tribe also needs to strengthen its power. If you need it, our Wolf Tribe can lend you a hand."

Hearing this, Tongding finally showed more interest. He straightened up slightly, raised one hand from the armrest and placed it on the table, his fingers curled into a half-clenched position. His gaze fell on Xueya's face, becoming more serious than before, as if waiting for a more specific answer, "What are your thoughts? Tell me."

Seeing his reaction, Xueya felt reassured. He relaxed his shoulders slightly, leaned forward a little, and placed his hands on his knees. His voice was deep and clear, as if he were giving himself every inch of space to speak, "Elder, after our Wolf Tribe returns, we can attack the Great Luwei Tribe. They are a thorn in the side of the Tiger Tribe to the south, and keeping them around will only cause trouble sooner or later. Our Wolf Tribe is familiar with the terrain there, and we've clashed with them a few times before, so we know where their weaknesses are."

He paused, his gaze shifting quickly between the Tongding and the Tong Dachui before settling back on the Tongding's face. "Once we conquer the Great Luwei Tribe, the Tiger Tribe can take over, bringing the Great Luwei Tribe's territory and population under their control. This way, the Tiger Tribe's strength will increase significantly, without us having to exert too much effort. Our Wolf Tribe is willing to pave the way."

He glanced at the Tongding's expression, then continued, his tone revealing a frankness that laid bare his purpose. "If the Grand Elder is willing, our Wolf Tribe can act as the vanguard, paving the way for the Tiger Tribe. We can scout ahead of any tribe, large or small, in the south, should the Tiger Tribe make a move. You'll gain territory and population without firing a single shot, and we're willing to do these things for the Tiger Tribe."

Tongding listened, his eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze lingered on Xueya's face for a long while, as if he were re-evaluating the man. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, the rhythm neither hurried nor slow, like someone silently calculating a balance sheet in their mind, going through the debits and credits. After a few breaths, he spoke, his voice more deliberate and calculating than before. "Your idea is good. The Great Luwei Tribe is indeed sandwiched between our Tiger Tribe and the Wolf Tribe, its location is in the way, keeping them is not very useful, and they even block the way. If our Tiger Tribe can annex the Great Luwei Tribe's territory, we can not only expand our territory, but also open up the southern passage, which will benefit the Tiger Tribe's development."

He paused slightly, withdrew his hand from the table, and placed it back on the armrest, looking at Xueya: "Our Tiger Tribe can sell your Wolf Tribe some more large ships. After you conquer the Great Luwei Tribe, you can plunder there—supplies, food, livestock, you can take some. But the land and people must belong to our Tiger Tribe."

He raised his hand, holding up two fingers like a scale maintaining balance. "After this is done, your Wolf Tribe's status will be the same as the Bear Tribe's. The Tiger Tribe will not mistreat you with the resources, the goods, and the protection you deserve."

His voice deepened, and his gaze grew more intense, as if he wanted to force his next words into Xueya's ears. "But there's one thing—you must also cooperate with the Bear Tribe to take down the Valley Tribe's Little Valley Camp Outpost when our Tiger Tribe is ready. This matter cannot be delayed or postponed. You have submitted to the Tiger Tribe, so the Tiger Tribe's affairs are your affairs."

Xueya's expression didn't change much upon hearing this. However, the fingers resting on his knees loosened slightly, as if a weight had finally been lifted from his heart. He bowed slightly again, his voice neither loud nor soft, like a nail driven into the wood grain. "No problem. Since our Wolf Tribe has submitted to the Tiger Tribe, the Tiger Tribe's affairs are our affairs. We will also cooperate with the Bear Tribe's affairs. When to take action is up to the Grand Elder."

Tong Dachui grunted in satisfaction. Bronze Tongding remained silent, simply picking up the earthenware bowl and slowly taking a sip of water. The lamplight illuminated his face, highlighting his features. His gaze fell upon Xueya, as if to say—the matter has been laid bare; now it's up to you what you do.

Xueya stood up, took two steps back, and bowed again, clasping his hands in a fist salute. His back bent and then straightened, his movements Chenwen and without the slightest sway. "Thank you, Elder. After the Wolf Tribe returns, we will prepare for the attack on the Great Luwei Tribe as soon as possible. Please send someone to meet us from the Tiger Tribe, so that we don't fall and then be unable to get reinforcements. We will send a message in advance when we are ready."

The Tongding set down the earthenware bowl and gestured to him, "Go on. You must be tired from your journey. Go and rest first. We'll have someone take you to choose a boat tomorrow."

Xueya and Yexiao bowed simultaneously, then turned and walked out of the cabin.