novelraw Chapter 298 The Revenge of Bai 2
Chapter 298 The Revenge of Bai 2
Chapter 298 Bai Er's Revenge
Regarding the matter of the Hanshan tribe, Ling Chengen chose a day without wind or snow and made a special trip to Hanshan.
As soon as she landed at the entrance of Hanshan Village, she saw Bai Xi standing there.
Bai Xi, dressed in a fiery red fur coat with his hands in the pockets, smiled at her: "It seems my information was accurate. You really knew to choose today to come to Hanshan."
Ling Chengen straightened his clothes and asked, "Did A-Yu tell you that?"
"No, he only told me that you would be coming over when you have some free time recently."
“But I reckon you won’t stay long. You’ll definitely come before the war with Uga begins. The weather is pretty good today, so there’s a high chance you’ll return to Stone Forest.”
Bai Xi turned to the side and gestured for her to come in: "Father has been waiting for you for a long time."
Ling Chengen tilted his head and whispered, "Tell me the truth, what are the chances that your father will agree?"
"Let me tell you, what benefits are you giving me?" Bai Xi raised an eyebrow.
Ling Chengen clicked his tongue, then immediately resumed his serious demeanor, saying, "I thought you were one of us, but you're just waiting for me here? There's no benefit for me. I'm really poor right now. We've taken over a lot of small tribes in Beast City, and our supplies are only what we prepared for this year's autumn hunt. We're living frugally every day now."
Upon hearing this, Bai Xi couldn't help but chuckle and teased, "You rich dogs love to complain about being poor all the time."
Ling Chengen was stubborn and retorted, "...Who's a rich dog? They're really poor."
Walking along the mountain path in Hanshan, Bai Xi tilted her head and whispered, "To tell you the truth, Father will definitely agree this time. The question is, what kind of bargaining chips are you willing to offer?"
“We have a general idea of your situation, even if we haven’t thoroughly investigated it. You are about to clash with Uja, but the number of warriors in your city who can fight during the cold season is far less than that of Uja. Moreover, Uja has quite a few affiliated small tribes.”
"Although you have absorbed those tribes on the Mulan Plain, it has been too short a time. If you want to completely control them and make them work for you, you will need at least another year or two of integration."
"The warriors of Snake Mountain are indeed capable fighters, but Han Ji and his men's combat abilities are only half of what they used to be..."
“Our warriors of Hanshan are not afraid of the freezing weather and are good at flying. Their combat ability is basically on par with your Shilin, and their high-level combat strength is also similar. Now you need our help, so Father will not compromise easily. He will definitely fight for greater benefits for Hanshan.”
Bai Xi spoke frankly, hands behind her back, saying slowly, "Besides, I don't think Father did anything wrong. A-Yu and I share the same idea; we also support Hanshan merging into your Ten Thousand Beasts City. But rather than A-Yu being your beast husband, we must prioritize our clansmen. Only by offering generous treatment and conditions can we quell the internal disputes and conflicts..."
Ling Chengen said speechlessly, "I haven't even discussed the terms with your father yet, how can you be so sure I won't offer generous terms?"
Bai Xi spread her hands and shrugged: "I was just saying that casually. Since you were prepared, there's no need to worry so much. Just do things your way."
"However... before Hanshan is incorporated into Beast City, and before Uja attacks your Beast City, I have a plan I'd like to discuss with you."
Ling Chengen had never thought he was such a tactful person before. He said bluntly, "Just tell me directly. As long as it's a serious matter, I will consider it seriously."
"Let's talk about the merger of Hanshan after you and Father have finished discussing it. My plans aren't in a rush."
Ling Chengen gave him a deep look, wondering what he was up to. But Bai Xi was of good character and wouldn't do anything immoral. Once he finished his work, he could listen to his thoughts.
The discussion with the Hanshan clan chief about merging with them went more smoothly than Ling Chengen had imagined.
Moreover, the conditions offered by Hanshan were basically within her expectations, and he did not ask for an exorbitant amount.
So the two quickly decided on the time for Hanshan to move into the Beast City.
After coming down from the mountain, Ling Chengen looked at Bai Xi, who had followed her all the way, and asked, "What are your plans? Just tell me. I probably have to go back by tomorrow at the latest. The sooner we finish talking, the sooner I can feel at ease."
Bai Xi looked at the wind blowing from the stream, shrank her neck slightly, and pointed to the abandoned tree hole in the stone forest territory in front of her.
"Let's talk over there; it's too cold outside."
Ling Chengen lifted the straw curtain and entered the tree hole. Looking at the empty hole, he took out two small stools from his spatial storage, and then took out his small stove and copper kettle. He hung a gas lamp on a nail on the wall, lit the charcoal fire, and looked at Bai Xi, who calmly landed on the opposite side.
The charcoal inside the stove was burning bright red. Ling Chengen poured the soy milk from the water bag into the stove and waited for the cooled soy milk to reheat.
"You're not planning to give up your territory in Shilin, are you?" Bai Xi looked at the things she was fiddling with for a while, then glanced at the oil lamp on the wall, and decided to get straight to the point.
Ling Chengen rested his chin on his hand and pondered, "I had planned to keep it, but Beast City and Stone Forest are still quite far apart. If I can't fly, I can probably only make one trip a day."
"Moreover, there are no defensive barriers here. If we leave our people here, if we encounter any danger, not only will the news not be transmitted in time, but it will also be difficult to provide quick support. The warriors left behind will only die in vain."
Neither the inferior beast hordes nor the wandering orcs near the Lolu Mountains are easy to deal with.
Bai Xi lowered her eyes and said, "What I want to discuss with you is the wandering orcs in Mount Luolu."
"I want to wipe out those wandering orcs before you start a war with Uga, before the temperature drops to a freezing point. Keep the ones you can use and kill the ones you can't."
Ling Chengen looked up and stared into his eyes, his brows slowly furrowing: "You want to keep Hanshan's territory?"
"That's not the only reason."
Bai Xi sighed softly and said, "When Beast City fought with Uja, your Stone Forest was ambushed by the wandering orcs from Mount Lolu, right? The situation was quite dangerous at the time. I then led people to Beast City to support you, but our Cold Mountain was also ambushed."
"The Snake Mountain autumn hunting party returned early, and because Chang Tianchen cared about you and Shilin, he promptly sent Linquan to provide support. Shilin suffered minimal losses, but our Hanshan situation is not good. Because I led the team away without authorization, the elderly, women, and children in the tribe have suffered so much, and several cubs and females have even died in the tribe..."
"I just can't swallow this insult."
Ling Chengen asked in confusion, "How come I've never heard of something this serious?"
"I didn't tell Ayu about this."
Bai Xi lowered her eyes slightly, her face becoming extremely gloomy and dark in the dim light of the tree hole.
"He wasn't in Beast City when it happened."
"Besides, the matter is already settled. The person is dead and the things are lost. What's the use of telling him? It would only make him feel guilty and remorseful."
Ling Chengen raised his eyes and said, "You shouldn't have hidden it from us."
Ling Chengen thought to himself, no wonder he could still see Bai Xi at the beginning, but after he went back to the tribe, he never appeared in the Beast City again.
"I just want to ask you, do you want to deal with those wandering orcs?" Bai Xi raised her eyes, her gaze exceptionally sharp. "Those wandering orcs are a hidden danger. If we can eliminate them, the area of Hanshan, Shilin, and Luolushan... that's quite large, at least a third of the Mulan Plain..."
"Are we just going to throw it away like this?"
"Territory represents resources. The population density of Beast City is too high, which means that individuals have less resources to allocate—this is an undeniable fact. Even if we lose the territories of Stone Forest and Cold Mountain now, we will still have to fight for territory and resources within it again in the future..."
Ling Chengen lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time. The soy milk in the copper kettle had been boiled, and the sweet aroma filled the small space. She reached out and grasped the handle wrapped with hemp rope, poured a cup of hot soy milk for Bai Xi, and poured one for herself as well.
“What you said makes sense, but preserving the two tribes and two territories requires stationing soldiers... Information transmission can be handled by the Crow Tribe, but in case of emergencies, timely reinforcement of soldiers will definitely require the soldiers of Cold Mountain to handle the work…”
"Otherwise, relying solely on our four legs, we wouldn't even be able to eat hot shit in time."
Bai Xi chuckled and said, "How can you talk about yourself like that?!"
"Compared to giving up the territory that is so large as two tribes and arranging for warriors to take turns guarding it, I think it is worth it."
Hanshan's territory isn't exactly a great place, but Shilin's territory is flat and open, with vegetation, rivers, plains, and hills, and is quite rich in resources. Every year, a lot of supplies can be replenished on this territory, so it would be a real pity to give it up.
If we can get rid of the wandering orcs in Mount Lolu, our territory can expand and directly border the Snow Wolf Tribe. Ling Chengen sighed, "I really want to deal with those wandering orcs. Not only can you not swallow this anger, but I can't either. These bandits, though few in number, are unpredictable and can come down from the mountain to plunder at any time. The best way is to wipe them out directly."
“But I have to consider the actual situation. Ujah could attack the city at any time, and the weather is unpredictable. Once the river freezes over, they will cross it…”
"Beast City must retain sufficient manpower."
"There are too many orcs in the city who are powerless to resist. I need to prioritize the situation inside the city."
"The territories of Shilin and Hanshan can be put aside for the time being."
"They'll be the first ones we deal with next spring."
Bai Xi was somewhat disappointed and asked, "There aren't many wandering beastmen, maybe a hundred or so at most. We don't need to send too many people..."
Ling Chengen raised his eyes and asked, "Have you investigated the situation of the wandering orcs of Mount Luolu?"
"They are not as simple as you think."
"Although the number of people is not large, there are quite a few high-level warriors."
"A hundred or so high-ranking warriors are crucial for Beast City, because we are no match for Uga in terms of advanced combat power. Mount Lolu is the stronghold of the wandering orcs; they know the terrain like the back of their hand, while our people don't often venture into the mountains to fight. Once a battle breaks out... losses in high-ranking combat power are inevitable..."
"If we deplete our high-ranking warriors before we even start the war with Uga, our chances of winning will be greatly reduced."
"I cannot risk the safety of the entire Beast City just to avenge the sneak attack by those wandering orcs from Mount Lolu."
Bai Xi took a deep breath, held the cup, her fingertips twitched slightly, but she finally held back.
"I understand. I'll put this matter aside for now and plan for next spring."
Ling Chengen sighed softly: "I know my choice might seem a bit heartless to you, but..."
"You don't need to say anything. You've analyzed it so clearly. I'm not so incapable of not having this much of a big picture perspective."
Bai Xi rubbed her forehead and gritted her teeth, saying, "I'm just angry."
Ling Chengen looked at the bulging veins on his forehead, wanting to say something, but couldn't think of any words to comfort him.
Because the cause still lies with her, in the Beast City.
Hanshan was ambushed while trying to support them.
Chang Tianchen sent people to protect the Stone Forest, but he had no relationship with Hanshan, so he had no responsibility or obligation to help them.
So in the end, the loss to Hanshan was greater than that to Shilin.
Bai Xi, as the next pillar of Hanshan, was responsible for staying behind to protect the rear, but she left without permission...
The pressure he was under was greater than anyone else's.
Some of the tribes still existing in the Lolu Mountains eat beastmen.
Among these inhuman orcs, the flesh and blood of cubs and young females are considered superior, so they prioritize plundering cubs and females.
"The weather is getting colder and colder. People from Hanshan and Shilin should evacuate first. Safety is the top priority."
"In this cold weather, if other tribes migrate here, let them stay for now, and we can talk about it after this winter."
“You harbor hatred towards the people of Mount Lolu, but you must not let hatred cloud your judgment.”
"Even if we're going to fight, we need to figure out their internal situation and survey the terrain on the mountain..."
"Those wandering orcs have also set up many traps on the mountain. If possible... we should find some people on the mountain to be our guides, or see if we can make them fight amongst themselves, or unite with one of the forces to eliminate those cannibalistic wandering orc organizations."
Upon hearing this, Bai Xi quickly perked up and asked, "Do you remember having a few orcs you recruited from Mount Luolu? Could you lend them to me temporarily?"
Ling Chengen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll tell them and borrow three of you."
"Before the war begins, you can go into the mountains to gather information, but you must ensure their safety."
Bai Xi confidently stated, "Don't worry, since we're not fighting now, I will definitely send them back safe and sound."
After their conversation, the two went their separate ways.
Ling Chengen returned to the city that afternoon.
As soon as he landed, he ran into Chongzhen, who was turning out from a street. Before Ling Chengen could even greet him, Chongzhen quickly walked over and said, "You're back just in time. I was just about to talk to you about something."
"One is currency, another is market pricing, and the third is basic education for all citizens."
"Taking advantage of the cold weather, I plan to start the basic teaching first. Most people are very free every day, so this time is just right to learn to read and count. Otherwise, it would be a bit troublesome to promote the use of currency."
Currently, barter is still the most common form of currency. Blue crystal shells are too valuable and scarce to be used as money.
Therefore, Beast City needs its own currency.
They can't count; they can't even tell the amounts on coins.
Ling Chengen nodded and said, "Let's start with basic teaching. Didn't we prepare two sets of textbooks before?"
"Let's focus on learning to read and count first; we can talk about the rest later."
Coin minting requires anti-counterfeiting measures and also necessitates finding a relatively rare resource.
She had considered gold and silver, but to be honest... she hadn't seen any gold or silver mines in anyone's possession yet, and the orcs had special abilities, while the gold-type warriors had similar ore-refining capabilities, so she had to solve the problem of someone refining ore on their own and then privately minting coins.
Otherwise, even if the currency is issued, big problems will arise later.
"Don't just talk the talk, you have two sets of teaching materials, but who will teach them?"
Chongzhen was so anxious that her mouth was practically bubbling, and her hair was flying wildly due to static electricity.
Looking at Ling Chengen, he sighed deeply and said, "And how to teach is also a problem?"
"We can't have everyone crammed into one room. There's not enough space. People would freeze to death sitting outside on this day..."
Ling Chengen just wants to run away right now; she's busy too, okay?
“Find Bai Qingyu to teach him and let him take charge of this matter. I also need to arrange for the relocation of people from Hanshan into the city… Please let me go. Bai Qingyu can read, and he’s quick-witted. You two can work together and come up with a concrete plan for me to see. I’ll take a look, and if there are no problems, I’ll implement it directly.”
"If I have any suggestions, I can put them directly into your proposal, right?"
Suddenly, they grabbed her and made her come up with a complete plan...
That's giving her way too much credit.
How could she be so well-rounded?