Chapter 326: The Future of the Luoneng Tribe

The people of the Luoneng Tribe had not yet understood the difference between a "nation" and a "tribe" before they were completely bewildered by the sentence Baifeng said next. What do you mean by "your subjects"? You say this is your territory, and because you are powerful in force and have a hard fist, we listen to you—that is no problem, as this era is just like that. But why this word "subjects" you speak of?

Xiu said bluntly: "Huaxia's... Tribal Chief, I still do not understand what you are saying. You say this is your land, and I have absolutely no objection, but could you please speak clearly? I am slow-witted; I truly cannot understand."

Baifeng waved his hand: "My meaning is this: I want this territory of yours, and I want your entire tribe as well. There is no need to kill your people, nor do you need to be slaves. You just need to work normally within my Huaxia nation. In the future, you won't need to worry about not having enough to eat or wear; the entire nation will provide for you. Do you understand now?"

Light gradually appeared in Xiu's eyes, but his mind was still full of questions: "We are, of course, willing to work for Huaxia if you want us to. But as for providing food and clothing, I fear you are joking with me. We cannot even feed ourselves, and we cannot provide much grain to Huaxia, so how could Huaxia possibly turn around and give us food? Actually, you do not need to say such things to me; I would have handed over the entire tribe and the territory to you anyway. I only hope you can leave us a bite to eat and not let us starve to death right now."

Encountering someone so short-sighted, Baifeng understood that explaining any more to him would be a waste. So, finding it troublesome, he said: "Oh, stop asking so much. Won't you know whether you will be given food and clothing when the time comes? Right now, immediately take everything useful from your entire tribe and let's go. We are going to Huaxia's New City, and I will make arrangements for you. You have nothing here; how many people can you feed just by hunting?"

Xiu was sensible enough not to ask more, only nodding to say that everything would follow the Tribal Chief's command. Baifeng felt it was not very interesting, so he got up and left the tent. It was impossible to make it back today, but they could not spend the night here either; even spending the night in the wilderness was better than spending it in a strange tribe.

Xiu followed Baifeng out and immediately arranged for the tribespeople, who were already gathered around the tent awaiting their final fate, to pack up all their supplies and prepare to move. He did not say another word, because he himself felt that the future was uncertain. He did not know what the future would be like, so he had no way to tell his tribespeople.

The people of the Luoneng Tribe all went back to pack up with dejected expressions. They thought they had already received the best possible outcome—the whole tribe becoming slaves—but at least they did not have to die right now. As for the matter of having become slaves and still having to help the slave owner move their own family's things, they did not have much dissatisfaction. This was the use of force; who told them they were too weak?

As for the people of Huaxia, they already knew the situation. The nation was growing stronger, and having added over two thousand able-bodied laborers at once was, for a nation, extremely beneficial. Thus, their moods were quite relaxed. However, because everyone had to perform their own duties, they did not go to greet those prospective citizens or help them. If one was a Soldier, one should be prepared for battle, not doing other things.

The people of the Luoneng Tribe dismantled everything, even wanting to take the wood used to set up the tents, but in the end, Baifeng had them throw it away. It was completely useless—things that only consumed manpower and energy. These things were of no use at all in Huaxia; the firewood they burned was split more neatly than this stuff.

There was not a single grain of food; on this point, Xiu had not lied. Half of the entire Luoneng Tribe was going hungry, especially the women. Women could only go out to pick some wild vegetables and the like to satisfy their own hunger and that of their children. The food the men caught was not enough for them to divide among themselves, and in order to catch more food and protect the tribe, food was prioritized for the men. As for the women, only if there was anything left would they be given some selectively.

Among these two thousand people, half had not eaten a single grain of food in the last two days. Now, hunger combined with fear and depression made even walking a problem.

Watching the sun about to set, they had only walked a very short distance. Everyone was not very happy; if they were not carrying this group of burdens, they would have already left this place far behind.

Baifeng had no choice but to pick a suitable location and let everyone set up camp on the spot.

Subsequently, the Soldiers were organized into two groups. One group was responsible for spreading out to monitor the surroundings closely, preventing the existence of any danger. The other part collected materials to begin setting up camp—gathering firewood, putting up tents. They were busy, but it was orderly. They did not even need Baifeng to command them; they carried out their work according to the methods they had learned and practiced. Baifeng only needed to watch quietly by the fire.

Everyone in the Luoneng Tribe was at a loss. Shouldn't these things be done by them, the laborers? Why were they not being ordered to do anything, as if they did not exist? And it looked as if a portion had even been prepared for them.

His own tribespeople could claim they were timid and ignorant and stand still, but Xiu could not make no gesture. So, he ran to Baifeng and asked if they needed to do anything, even if it was just gathering firewood.

Baifeng took one look at the thin and weak appearance of the Luoneng Tribe people and told Xiu to dismiss the thought and just go wait to the side.

Not letting them work was, firstly, because of the physical condition of their tribespeople. Let alone working, Baifeng was afraid that some would collapse and not be able to get back up after just the short distance they walked today. Secondly, letting them work might affect the Soldiers' work and disrupt them.

Thus, Xiu could only take his tribespeople to watch from the side. However, they were also amazed at the capability of the Huaxia Soldiers; everything was clearly divided and orderly. Before the sun had completely set, the camp had already been built.

The entire camp had only one tent, which belonged to Baifeng. This was a privilege as a King. Because they were in a hurry, everything was simplified. Otherwise, according to their arrangements, all the Soldiers would have several people to a tent, but they would take turns using them for night watch and non-night watch.

The people of the Luoneng Tribe were also assigned a place, though the firewood given to them was indeed not much. However, their own Soldiers could easily pick up plenty of firewood, which was enough for the night.

But what happened next was somewhat unbelievable, because when the people of Huaxia were distributing food, they actually gave them a share as well.