The Deer Tribe and the Green Sheep Tribe

As autumn deepened, in the secluded valley where the Deer Tribe resided, Chief Lu Ming stood on a high point, watching the deer herd leisurely foraging in the forest, his expression serene. Unlike the chaotic situation of the Bison and White Pig tribes, the atmosphere in the Deer Tribe this autumn was much more relaxed.

"Chief, the grain has all been counted." Elder Lujiao walked in slowly. "Adding the food we got from the Fire Tribe, if we eat sparingly, it should last until next spring."

Lu Ming nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distant herd of deer. "We made the right choice this year."

"Yes," the Lujiao remarked, "Back then, when the Bison Tribe and the Self Pig Tribe were desperately trying to absorb more people, we insisted on maintaining our current size. Now it seems that decision was wise."

Lu Ming turned and looked south, towards the direction of the Fire Tribe: "Did you notice that when the Fire Tribe came to trade last time, they brought a lot of goods? And their people were all full of energy, and they were stronger than ours."

"I heard they had another Fengshou this year," Lujiao said in a low voice. "I specifically inquired about it; their population has now exceeded eight hundred."

The number caused both of them to fall silent for a moment. Eight hundred people—in this region, apart from the Fish Tribe, this was already a scale that no other tribe could match.

"You mean..." Lujiao hesitated before speaking, "What will become of the Fire Tribe if it continues to develop like this?"

Lu Ming didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you still remember the great drought thirty years ago?"

Lujiao' face darkened. "I remember. Back then, our Deer Tribe almost..."

"It was the Fire Tribe that lent us food," Lu Ming continued. "Although they were struggling themselves at the time. Now look, in just thirty years, the Fire Tribe has become this powerful."

Meanwhile, on the grasslands of the Green Sheep Tribe, Chief Wenshi was discussing the same issue with the elders.

"We should be able to get through this winter smoothly," Wenshi said, checking the stored grain. "But we need to think about the future."

A young elder suggested, "Should we also absorb some people, like the Bison Tribe?"

Wenshi shook his head. "No rush. Look at the Bison Tribe, they're living even more precariously than us just to feed a few dozen more people. That's not a wise move."

He stood up and pointed to the distant mountains. "This land can only support a limited number of people. If we want to truly develop, we need to find new methods, like the Fire Tribe did."

"But we don't know the Fire Tribe's methods, and even if we did, we probably wouldn't be able to learn them in a short time," another elder sighed.

"So we need to change our approach." Wenshi's gaze deepened. "Since we can't learn it, why not just join?"

Everyone present was stunned by these words.

"What the leader means is..."

"What I mean is," Wenshi said slowly, "If the Fire Tribe can continue to develop so well, it's not impossible for our Green Sheep Tribe to join them."

He looked around at everyone. "Think about it, has the Fire Tribe ever treated any of the tribes that have joined them unfairly? Those small tribes that joined them last year are doing better than us now. And..."

As the day of the market day approached, both tribes began preparing the goods for the trade.

In the Deer Tribe, young Lu Qingti is carefully inspecting the pelts he is to take with him; he is also one of the tribe's best young hunters.

"Qingti, when we go to the market this time, you need to keep a close eye on things," Lu Ming specifically instructed him, "Especially the Fire Tribe, see if they have any new developments."

"I understand." Qingti nodded. "I heard they created a system where everyone can have enough to eat. Is that true?"

"You'll find out when you get there," Lu Ming said meaningfully. "Remember, observe more, listen more, and speak less. We need sufficient information to make the right choices."

In the Green Sheep Tribe, Wenshi was making similar arrangements. He specifically selected several clever young men and sent them to the market with the caravan.

"You must pay special attention to the warriors of the Fire Tribe," Wenshi instructed. "Observe their equipment and their discipline. These will reflect the true strength of the Fire Tribe."

"What are you thinking about?" His wife appeared beside him without him noticing.

"I'm thinking about the future of the tribe," Lu Ming said softly. "What do you think the tribesmen will think if we join the Fire Tribe now?"

The wife paused for a moment, then said, "Young people might be willing, but the older generation might object. But..."

She gazed at the distant lights. "If the Fire Tribe can truly provide our people with enough to eat and wear, and give our children the opportunity to learn new knowledge, I think most people will eventually accept it."

Lu Ming nodded. "Yes. In the end, the strong rule this world. Rather than struggling on, it's better to choose a strong person worth following."

In the council hall of the Deer Tribe, Lu Ming said to the elders, "At this small gathering, we will not only trade goods, but also observe the Fire Tribe. If they are indeed as powerful and just as rumored, then next spring we can begin to consider joining them."

In the Green Sheep Tribe, Wenshi's decision was even clearer. "Tell the tribesmen that we need to prepare for both possibilities. On the one hand, we will continue to develop our own tribe; on the other hand, we must also prepare for the possibility of joining the Fire Tribe."

This autumn, while the Bison Tribe and Self Pig Tribe were still struggling for survival, the Deer Tribe and Green Sheep Tribe had already envisioned a brighter future. They understood that in this world where strength reigns supreme, choosing the right ally was often more important than blind expansion.

Under the moonlight, both tribes' camps appeared exceptionally tranquil. This tranquility was not a despairing silence, but rather the composure of wise men who had assessed the situation. They knew that as long as the Fire Tribe continued its momentum of development, joining it might be the best option for their tribe to be reborn.