The Reinforcements Return

After the celebratory feast subsided, the Pottery Salt Tribe gradually returned to its former order. The warriors from various tribes, having received their generous rewards, began to return to their camps one after another.

Jia Li personally escorted Julang, Liequan, and Kaishan to the tribe's gate, his face beaming with enthusiasm and expressing his gratitude. However, as he turned to return to his dwelling, the smile vanished instantly, replaced by deep worry.

He dismissed his servants and sat alone on a chair covered with soft animal hides, his brow furrowed. Although today's battle was a great victory, it had also shown him the true strength of the Wolf Tribe.

"I never imagined... I never imagined the Wolf Tribe had become this powerful." Jia Li muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.

He recalled the scenes from the battlefield: the Wolf Tribe warriors' fearless charge, their skillful combat techniques, and their ability to maintain basic formations even in retreat... all of this filled him with lingering fear.

"If we hadn't received advance warning, if it weren't for the reinforcements from the various tribes..." Jia Li dared not imagine the consequences.

He secretly rejoiced that he had never relaxed his military preparedness over the years. Although the Pottery Salt Tribe was small in number, he spared no expense in purchasing the best weapons and armor from various places, and the Biaotou) and others rigorously trained the warriors. Moreover, thanks to his long-standing business network, he maintained good relations with the surrounding tribes, which enabled him to obtain reinforcements in times of crisis.

Thinking about this, Jia Li suddenly realized a problem: Why did Julang seem to hold back at the last moment when they clearly had the opportunity to annihilate the Wolf Tribe?

He initially thought the Fish Tribe was worried about the huge losses, but now that he thought about it carefully, things were probably not that simple.

"That Julang brute, Julang, is usually fearless in battle, but today he's suddenly become cautious..." Jia Li narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping faster and faster, "Unless... Canglan specifically instructed him to do so!"

This thought sent a jolt through him. Yes, that must be it! That old fox Canglan must have deliberately spared the Wolf Tribe's life.

"What a clever scheme of raising a bandit to enhance one's own power!" Jia Li sneered. "If the Wolf Tribe continues to exist, we surrounding tribes will have to rely even more on the Fish Tribe for protection. Canglan, Canglan, you've really got a clever plan!"

But then he sighed. He knew this was Canglan's scheme, but he was helpless. What could he do when the Pottery Salt Tribe wasn't powerful enough?

In fact, the reason why the Pottery Salt Tribe has always maintained a size of around 500 people is also intentional on Jia Li. He knows that if the tribe becomes too powerful, it will inevitably arouse the vigilance of the Fish Tribe, and at that time, they may not even be able to keep their current lucrative business of selling Pottery and Salt.

"We have no choice but to go for an elite force," Jia Li decided. "The number doesn't have to be large, but every soldier must be elite."

Just then, Qiandai tiptoed in. "Chief, the warriors from all the tribes have been made ready and will be leaving one after another starting tomorrow morning."

Jia Li nodded. "Are all the gifts prepared? Especially for the Fish Tribe, add 30% more."

"It's ready as you instructed," the Qiandai replied, then hesitated before adding, "Chief, I have a feeling the Fish Tribe people... didn't seem to be giving it their all today."

Jia Li smiled bitterly, "Even you saw through it? This is Canglan's scheme. Oh well, when you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head."

The next morning, the reinforcements from various tribes began to return home.

Julang led the hundred warriors of the Fish Tribe down the current in the five large ships they had come in. The warriors were overjoyed with their rich spoils, but Julang had some doubts: why had the chief specifically instructed them to spare the Wolf Tribe's lives?

Meanwhile, the Liequan led fifty warriors from the Beast Taming Tribe back. They not only brought back rewards, but more importantly, they won the friendship of the Pottery Salt Tribe, an important trading partner.

Kaishan led the warriors of the Hundred Crafts Tribe back on foot. Although the journey was long, everyone was satisfied. They had taught the arrogant Wolf Tribe a lesson, gained practical benefits, and strengthened their relationship with the Pottery Salt Tribe —a win-win situation.

A day later, Julang returned to the Fish Tribe. He told his soldiers to rest first, while he went directly to the residence of their chief, Canglan.

"Chief, Julang requests an audience," a guard announced from outside the door.

"Let him in." Canglan's Chenwen voice came from inside.

Julang entered the room and saw Canglan sitting on a huge bearskin chair, playing with a gemstone in his hand—one of the gifts Jia Li had given him last time.

"Chief, we have accomplished our mission!" Julang said respectfully. "We have utterly defeated the Wolf Tribe. They lost more than twenty men and wounded dozens. Our Fish Tribe suffered no casualties, only a few minor injuries."

He pointed to the gifts he had brought. "These are a token of gratitude from the Pottery Salt Tribe; the warriors who participated in the battle also received rewards."

Canglan nodded in satisfaction. "Well done. That Xueya from the Wolf Tribe is indeed not someone to be trifled with, is he?"

"Indeed cunning and shrewd," Julang replied. "If he hadn't noticed the anomaly beforehand, we could have annihilated them. Later, we could have pursued and wiped them out completely, but remembering your orders..."

"Very good, you did the right thing." Canglan interrupted him with a smile, "The people of the Wolf Tribe are still useful for now. As for the rewards from the Pottery Salt Tribe, you should accept them; they are what you deserve."

Although Julang had doubts, he never questioned Canglan's decision. Although this leader had rarely fought personally in recent years, his bravery in the past was still fresh in people's minds. Moreover, Canglan had treated him well, so he was naturally loyal.

"Furthermore," Canglan said thoughtfully, "I also want to see how the Fire Tribe will deal with the fleeing Wolf Tribe."

"The Fire Tribe?" Julang asked, puzzled. "The tribe that trades pottery for food?"

"That's right." A glint of light flashed in Canglan's eyes. "This tribe has developed too fast in the past two years, it's unsettling..."

Meanwhile, in the Beast Taming Tribe and the Hundred Crafts Tribe, a completely different scene unfolded.

When the Liequan led the pack back to the Beast Taming Tribe, they received a warm welcome. The tribe's chief, Muye, greeted them with a hearty laugh:

"Good! Well done! Let's see if the Wolf Tribe dares to mess with us again!"

In the Hundred Crafts Tribe, Kaishan was hailed as a hero. Chief Wu Xiong patted him on the shoulder:

"Now everyone knows that our Hundred Crafts Tribe is not to be trifled with!"

The two tribes had a relatively simple idea: they should help their neighbors in need, and they could also benefit from it, so why not? They did not realize that behind this seemingly simple tribal conflict lay a more complex power struggle.

Meanwhile, in the Pottery Salt Tribe, Jia Li had already begun a new deployment. He summoned the Biaotou):

"From today onward, intensify the training of our soldiers. We must focus on quality, not quantity."

Then he said to the Qiandai:

"Continue to maintain relations with the various tribes."

The far-sighted Jia Li had already realized that the power structure in this land was quietly changing. And if the Pottery Salt Tribe wanted to stand firm in the future turmoil, it had to make plans in advance.