In a barbarian tribe by the lake
"Chief, the stubborn Sen from the mountainside has brought many people to our territory, and they seem to be full of malice."
The tribal scout responsible for keeping watch rushed into the hut that the chief had built with stones and mud.
"What? You didn't read that wrong! We are a friendly tribe, we are friends with them."
The chieftain was a sprightly old man, somewhat surprised by the unprovoked arrival of the Jiangsen tribe. Furthermore, the scouts' description of them was filled with malice.
Not long ago, they signed a non-aggression pact, although it was only a verbal agreement. But at least there was an agreement, wasn't there?
"That damned Stubborn Sen, what an untrustworthy fellow," the clan chief muttered under his breath.
"Quickly spread the word and get our warriors ready. If Jiang Sen really is here to rob us, we'll make him pay the price. Also, get all the women and children in the tribe to the lake. If things get suspicious, get on the boats and leave immediately."
"Yes, Chieftain, I'll take care of it right away." The scout hurriedly left the hut again.
The chieftain, watching his people leave, was also filled with worry.
The Jiangsen tribe is a relatively powerful tribe in this area. They already occupied some good places and often went to the east to harvest crops.
Therefore, their tribe became stronger and stronger, and the number of tribe members also increased.
These small tribes could only depend on the Jiangsen tribe. Although the non-aggression pact seemed to be an equal treaty, it was not at all.
They need to send some dried fish to the Jiangsen tribe to maintain the non-aggression pact.
Because they live by the lake, have good shipbuilding skills, and are decent at fishing, fish are relatively easy to obtain.
However, wood is too difficult to obtain, especially wood for shipbuilding, which they need to trade with other tribes.
So they weren't very wealthy; they were just barely making ends meet.
What are the stubborn tribe members here for this time? Weren't the fish already delivered a while ago? Did they complain that there weren't enough fish? Or were the fish too small?
There was nothing they could do about it; fish were becoming increasingly difficult to catch. He wanted to fish in more distant places, but their boat couldn't go very far.
"Chief, the Jiangsen tribe has arrived at the tribe's gate. What should we do?" Another scout rushed in.
The clan chief stood up and looked at his panicked clansmen.
"Come with me and take a look. Don't panic. We can fight them if necessary."
On an open field outside the tribe, two groups of people faced each other. Judging from their equipment, the Jiangsen tribe was clearly in a better position.
"Stubborn Sen, what brings you to my tribe? I delivered the dried fish to you a long time ago. We have a non-aggression pact, and I hope you are a man of your word."
Stubborn Sen, riding on horseback, laughed and looked at the sprightly old man who had spoken, saying:
"Chief of the Dried Fish King, I did receive your fish, but I'm not very satisfied. How many times have I told you not to put too much salt in it? Don't you know it will be too salty? I sold you cheap salt, but you can't just put it in randomly! You might as well just call yourself the Chief of the Salted Fish King."
The chieftain of the dried fish clan was furious, glaring at the stubborn Sen who was talking so confidently. Luckily, the chieftain didn't have a mustache, so he could only stare helplessly, unable to blow his beard.
"And Chieftain of the Salted Fish Clan, you need to be aware that you're not wealthy either. You're a pauper, you know that? There's really not much in your place that I, Stubborn Sen, would even consider. Look at your supposedly impressive shipbuilding technology; a boat can only carry three or four people before it capsizes in the lake. Although your shipbuilding technology is so terrible, you're the only ones in this area who can build such garbage. Unfortunately, I need to borrow your boat for some business. If the boat gets into trouble in the lake, you'll be responsible."
Stubborn Sen's words enraged everyone in the Dried Fish Tribe.