Taking Stock

After Yan led about three hundred men to conquer the Wolf Tribe's Wolf Tribe, he ordered his men to wipe out all the remaining members of the Wolf Tribe who had hidden there. After that, Yan led his men to search for the supplies in the Wolf Tribe's lair. The Wolf Tribe had used this place as their last refuge and had stockpiled a lot of things here. There was enough food alone to feed more than five thousand people for more than a year. In addition to food, there were also a lot of leather armor, bronze weapons and other supplies.

Yan was very satisfied with this, and then said to the Huibao beside him, "These supplies are more than I expected. The food alone is enough to feed us for a while. These leather armor and weapons are also usable. Wolf Tribe has hoarded here is a bargain for us. Send someone to have Julang leave two hundred men at the foot of the mountain to guard it. The rest of the men will gradually come up the mountain to prepare to carry some supplies down."

Huibao nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

The next day, Julang led his men up the mountain. He walked along the path, his leather armor covered in dust, his face reddened by the mountain wind, but he was full of energy, his eyes bright. When he reached the main village gate, he saw Yan standing by the wall looking down. He quickly walked forward, stopped in front of Yan, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and then said, "Young Chief, this time we've finally eradicated the malignant tumor that is the Wolf Tribe. We chased them from the Great Rock River to Stone Ridge Mountain, and we've wiped out all the Wolf Tribe's forces. Now we can focus on dealing with the Tiger Tribe, and we no longer have to worry about being stabbed in the back."

Yan Chao nodded to him, switched the wooden tablet from his left hand to his right, and said, "You all fought well this time. When I get back, I will ask my father for your commendations. Shibang, Daya, Shinian, and you and all the brothers who participated in the battle, I will remember your contributions and reward you all accordingly."

After listening, Julang's expression relaxed a little, but he still shook his head, opened his palms at his sides and then closed them again, before speaking in a lower voice than before, "This is what we should do, and we feel much better after wiping out the Wolf Tribe. We've had this debt with the Wolf Tribe weighing on our hearts for years, and today we've finally paid it off. It's just a little regrettable that we couldn't defeat Xueya."

After listening, Yan put the wooden tablet into his robes and said, "This time we have completely wiped out the Wolf Tribe. Xueya and his men should be almost out of manpower. When he ran away, he only had a few riders left, and he was wounded. His brother Xueshou is dead, his leader Duzhu is dead, his lair has been destroyed by us, and all his supplies are in our hands. Without his own men, he can't cause any Langhua here. He might head north. As long as our Fire Tribe continues to grow strong, we won't be so lucky when we encounter him again. He will have to pay the blood debt he owes us sooner or later."

After listening, Julang withdrew his hand from his side, patted his belt with a short, muffled thud, and then said, "Next time I see him, I will tear him to pieces! He may hide today, but he can't hide tomorrow. As long as he's alive, one day I will find him, personally behead him, and avenge my fallen clansmen!"

Yan Chao nodded to him and then said, "Now that the Wolf Tribe has been destroyed, Wolf Tribe stronghold is in a good location. There's only one road from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, and it's narrow and steep, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. From the top of the mountain, you can see the movements for dozens of miles around. Staying here will allow you to monitor the Tiger Tribe to the north and control the surrounding territory. I plan to have you take some men and stay here first. Repair the mountain strongholds and passes, re-lay the traps and tripwires, and leave some of the grain from the granary here—enough for half a year. I'll take the rest back with me. When the tribe has enough manpower, I'll send someone to replace you. Then you can return to the Greater Qing Tribe or go somewhere else. Father will make arrangements."

After listening, Julang nodded and said, "Okay, young chieftain, don't worry. I'll guard this place. Stone Ridge Mountain is indeed an important place. To the north lies the Tiger Tribe's territory. If we occupy this place, it's like driving a nail into the Tiger Tribe's south. If they want to extend their reach further south, they'll have to remove this nail first. As long as I'm here, they won't have any peace."

Yan nodded, took the wooden tablet out of his pocket again, glanced at it, and then used a bone needle to make a few marks on it. He recalculated the amount of supplies to be taken and the amount to be left behind, and then checked the number of people stationed and the shift arrangements with Julang. The two stood by the stockade wall and discussed from afternoon until evening. The sun slowly sank below the western ridge, turning the Shitou of Stone Ridge Mountain a dark red. The path at the foot of the mountain became a thin gray line in the twilight, stretching from the foot of the mountain all the way to the distant Great Rock River. Julang looked at the sky and said to Yan, "Young Chief, it's getting late. You should rest first. Tomorrow I will redeploy the defenses on the mountain. You take the men to count the supplies, and once Shi Nian and the Shinian arrive, we'll transport them down. I'll guard here; there won't be any problems."

Yan nodded to him, then turned and walked into the main village.