Chapter Thirty-One: Leaving the Tribe

Within the territory, there were dozens of mountain Yue tribes, both large and small. Among them, three stood out in strength: the Li, Fang, and Jian Yue tribes.

Mountain Yue was the name used by the Yue Kingdom's court to refer to them, but in reality, the tribes were diverse in composition, including both indigenous people and various others who had drifted here to escape war or for other reasons. Like the Han people, their daily lives centered on hunting and gathering, though some practiced cultivation—mostly of bird fields. The people were generally fierce, but their weapons were crude; their resistance to the Yue Kingdom's encirclement relied on ambushes, as they could not compete in open battle.

“Let’s start with the Li tribe,” Meng Di said slowly. The first battalion, having acquired many weapons and arrows from Kuaiji City, was no weaker than the elite forces of Yue Kingdom. It was natural to begin with the strongest tribe, as this would intimidate many of the smaller ones.

“Sir…” Han Qu hesitated. After last time, even though he had been invited to the war council, he dared not speak up.

“Speak freely.”

“Sir, I heard that the Li tribe has produced a highly skilled swordswoman. In recent years, she's gained the upper hand in conflicts with other tribes.”

Tribal disputes frequently arose over water sources, game, and the ownership of bird fields. The Li tribe had recently shown signs of becoming the leader among the tribes, which was precisely why Meng Di chose them as his first target.

“A swordswoman? Do they even have swords in the tribe?” Jing Chuo grinned nearby.

Han Qu didn’t really know; he’d only heard talk among the tribes. The woman claimed to be a swordswoman, and it was said she defeated the chiefs of the Fang and Jian Yue tribes with nothing but a dead branch. Han Qu himself doubted the truth of it.

Everyone had learned something about the tribes in recent days, and knew that swords—such advanced weapons—were hard to come by, let alone to become a so-called swordswoman.

After all, the term “swordswoman” was unfamiliar to most present; only Old Jing, who had traveled in his youth, knew of such skilled warriors in the vassal states, recounting them to the villagers as tales.

After the villagers of Jing’s family were brought over, they led everyone in fishing, yielding great harvests and digging plenty of fish ponds. At least this year, there would be no mass starvation, which gave Meng Di the confidence to launch the campaign.

Old Jing was appointed Han Qu’s deputy and took part in the council.

Everyone turned their gaze to him.

Old Jing flushed, waved his hand, and said, “Don’t listen to Chuo’s nonsense. I’ve never seen one myself, but I’ve heard that in the Qi Kingdom, many skilled swordsmen are called swordsmen, some even favored by their king.”

Qi Kingdom? Where was that? The conversation was drifting farther afield.

Meng Di cleared his throat softly. “Enough, it’s decided.”

The chief of the Li tribe was simply called Li—not just him, but every chief bore that title.

Today, Li was in a foul mood.

“A bunch of useless fools!” He hurled half-eaten wild boar leg at the tribesmen kneeling before him.

“Calm yourself, Great King,” his trusted aide approached to advise him. Li preferred being called Great King rather than chief.

“So, what happened?” he demanded.

“Great King, the Fang and Jian Yue tribes have more people. We can’t outfight them.”

It turned out that the Fang tribe had encircled a large group of wild boars. Li, eyeing the prize, sent men to steal them.

Unexpectedly, the Fang tribe was prepared, and joined with the Jian Yue tribe to beat Li’s men black and blue, sending them back in disgrace.

“Great King, perhaps we should ask her for help?” the aide ventured.

Li grew even angrier, kicking the adviser over. “By the time we invite Miss Su’er, the wild boars will have been hauled away!”

In truth, he knew well: he had only three chances to call on her, two already used. How could he waste the last one on a few wild boars?

Miss Su’er had arrived three years ago.

Li remembered it vividly: she appeared in white, plucked a bamboo branch, and sent his tribe’s warriors flying one by one.

Just as Li stood stunned, fearing he’d be next, she said she’d come to repay a debt.

It was a debt owed to the previous chief. Li’s predecessor was irresponsible, rarely stayed in the tribe, and was constantly travelling, claiming he sought ways to make the tribe stronger.

Li seized the opportunity to usurp the chief’s position and proclaimed himself Great King.

From people’s accounts, it seemed the idle predecessor had once saved her father by chance, so after mastering her skills, she came to repay the favor.

“Yes, I am Li!” he laughed proudly.

Thus, there was a three-year agreement: within three years, Miss Su’er would assist Li three times.

The only flaw was that Miss Su’er never harmed anyone when she acted, merely defeating the chiefs of Fang and Jian Yue tribes.

Only one chance remained, Li lamented. He had no grand ambitions. Now that the tribes large and small showed him deference, he was satisfied.

As for annexing Fang and Jian Yue, he hadn’t considered it; after all, their strength was similar to his. Failing to gain the upper hand this time wasn’t much of a disappointment.

The aide, humiliated by Li’s kick, was resentful. His eyes rolled, and he sidled up again, whispering, “Great King, I hear the Han people have acquired a large amount of rice.”

“How much?”

“So much that the city can’t store it all—they’ve transported it to the riverside to hide.”

Li’s small eyes sparkled. As for raiding the city itself, he had reservations; in the past, tribes had joined forces to do so.

But outside the city? If they could steal, they would. If not, they’d run—what was the harm?

Decision made, Li regretfully glanced at the unfinished wild boar meat and ordered the entire tribe to mobilize.

“Everyone?” his aide was startled.

“Yes, this time we’ll seize all the grain. I want to learn how to brew wine, like the city folk—brewing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, yes, the people we robbed last time spoke of brewing. What a marvelous thing—too bad it’s all gone now,” his mouth already watering.

The Li tribe had surplus food lately. With hunger satisfied, thoughts turned to pleasure.

The tribe numbered over two thousand; excluding the elderly, women, and children, fewer than a thousand could actually be mobilized. Most wielded bamboo spears and wooden clubs, only a hundred possessed bamboo bows and arrows.

To be safe, before setting out, Li sent someone to find Miss Su’er. As for the Han people, Li looked down on them: to submit to the Yue Kingdom’s court and enter the city—such mountain Yue were not true mountain Yue.

Besides, the grain storage was said to be far from the Han tribe’s settlement. By the time the Han gathered their men, Li’s tribe would have vanished.

On the way, Li grew ever more pleased, hastily having his men bring the unfinished wild boar meat, devouring it in front of his people’s eager eyes. If only there were wine—it would be perfect.

The grain was stored at the site where Gan Ying had found iron ore. By the riverbank lay a deep, shadowy gorge, flanked by smooth cliffs.

Basket after basket of grain was being carried in. The gorge was thick with trees, with only a narrow exit—a perfect spot for hiding grain. The Han people worked feverishly, blissfully unaware that danger was creeping ever closer.