Chapter 174 - 138: Luring the Snake out of its Hole
Chapter 174: Chapter 138: Luring the Snake out of its Hole
For a time, the Mantuo Tribe, the Manhun Tribe, and the Manhe Tribe all began to pay close attention to Ancient River Pass, their hearts stirring with ambition.
After all, the army garrisoned at Ancient River Pass was like a nail driven between their three tribes. If they could eliminate this force, the three of them would completely occupy a corner of the land north of the Imperial City.
「Night fell.」
In the main camp of the Shengman Tribe, Hunza, the general in command, was sitting in his tent eating roasted meat. He called out to his Vice General outside, "Any news from the Northern Barbarians? I hear they’ve left their lands?"
"Yes, but they stopped moving soon after. They’ve sent out too many Scouts, so our men can’t get close. However, we can confirm their main force is not heading our way.
I’ve already ordered my men to prepare an ambush along their likely route. If they dare to come, we’ll definitely hit them hard." The Vice General sat down to the side, picked up a bowl of wine, and took a large gulp.
"Mmm, well done. According to our spies, the Northern Barbarians are already short on supplies. Their internal politics are too complicated, and many of them are disobedient. We just have to drag this out until winter, wait another half a month, and those Northern Barbarian cavalry will be completely spent. Haha," Hunza said with a wide grin.
He wore a suit of gray armor with beast hide showing at the edges. Though crude, its Defense Power was decent, and it also provided warmth.
"The General is right," the Vice General said quickly.
"Keep sending men to watch them. As long as they don’t come our way in the next half-month, we don’t have to pay them any mind." After speaking, Hunza raised his wine cup and took a drink with his Vice General, a satisfied look appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, within the Mantuo Tribe, the Mantuo Chief sat in the great hall.
It was a massive temple built from giant stones.
The Mantuo Chief was over two meters tall. Even while seated, he looked like a great bear, and his eyes were incredibly fierce.
He swept his gaze below and saw that, surprisingly, both the Manhun Chief and the Barbarian Crocodile Tribe Leader were present.
The Mantuo Chief spoke slowly, "Our Scouts just reported that the court’s main army has left the pass—a force of sixty thousand. Of the forty thousand stationed around my tribe, thirty thousand have also left.
This is an opportunity for us. What are your thoughts?"
The Manhun Chief kept his head down and said nothing, while the Barbarian Crocodile Tribe Leader’s expression was grim, like a piece of deadwood.
"I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried that the court will settle scores with us after a surprise attack. But winter is almost upon us. Once we crush their army, the court will have absolutely no strength left to organize another large army to come after us.
There’s one more thing. I’ve already contacted the Shengman Tribe, and they’ve agreed to trade with us this winter.
A single winter will be enough to increase our strength even further.
By then, the area around Ancient River Pass will be completely secure.
If the court wants to mobilize its troops again, it will have to consider the other Vassal Towns.
Right now, of the thirteen Vassal Towns of the Northern Barbarians, we occupy one.
If the court dares to move against us, don’t the others understand that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold? It’s not like the court hasn’t tried to suppress us these past two years.
But every single time, haven’t we blocked them by working together?
Once the Ancient River Pass region falls into our hands, our territories will be connected. Among the thirteen Vassal Towns, we may not be the largest, but we’ll definitely be in the top tier."
The Mantuo Chief’s words made the eyes of the two men below him flash with a faint glimmer.
After a moment, the Barbarian Crocodile Tribe Leader said in a hoarse voice, "If we make a move now, won’t people think we’re disregarding the bigger picture? After all, the court is at war with the Shengman."
"Is reputation really so important? In this day and age, strength is all that matters. As long as we take this territory and develop it, the other Vassal Towns will have to ask for our help. Even if they don’t want to support us, they’ll have to consider their own interests," the Mantuo Chief said without hesitation.
The Manhun Chief pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. Let’s do it. The sooner, the better. We’ll strike tonight and wipe out the ten thousand court soldiers stationed near the Mantuo Tribe. Tomorrow, the Barbarian Crocodile Tribe Leader and I will return to gather our armies, and our three tribes will rendezvous at Ancient River Pass."
"Haha, now that’s more like it! I’ve already assembled my army; I was just waiting for you to make a decision. Let’s go kill them now," the Mantuo Chief laughed heartily. The orange-red flames cast long shadows on his body, making him look all the more menacing.
CRACK! His wine bowl shattered on the ground.
He rose to his feet and shouted to those outside, "Assemble the army! We’re moving out!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Mantuo Chief strode out of the hall, the other two following close behind.
In the square outside, a massive army had appeared. They were clad in leather armor, holding torches, each with a grim and capable look on their face.
An aura of killing intent hung over them.
The Mantuo Chief swept his gaze over them and bellowed, "March! Our target is Ancient River Pass! Kill every last one of the court’s men!"
He commanded a million households and a population of several million, from which he could field an army of one hundred thousand.
Facing the court’s forty thousand soldiers might have been a struggle, but against a mere ten thousand, he had no such concerns.
He grabbed his weapon and mounted his horse.
The other two chiefs also followed, heading toward the court’s military encampment.
The warhorses galloped, their hooves thundering through the night.
And at that very moment, a unit of well-equipped Scouts was watching from a short distance away.
They were not from Lu Yuan’s camp, but were observation Scouts dispatched by the court.
Every time a war began, the court would send out similar teams to monitor the battlefield’s developments and the actions of its generals.