Chapter 193

“Nevertheless, the issue of the herb shortage has existed from the beginning. However, the governor of Red Earth City has requested no resources, whether food or other assistance. He has only informed the capital that he only needs an herb called ’Ming Fa Flower.’ This herb is not found in the Du Regions, the Bai Regions, or even the surrounding areas. It is cultivated in the distant Hu Regions.”

Upon hearing the name of the herb, the three elderly men seemed about to protest again. However, when they saw that Keos’s expression remained unchanged, they refrained from speaking out.

“From this situation, it appears that even the capital has been caught off guard. They sent all the herbs to Red Earth City, and they were quickly used for medicine. Now, the capital of the Bai Regions itself is also experiencing a shortage of herbs. They have managed to secure some supply from the Hu Regions, but naturally, the Hu Regions has used this opportunity to hoard herbs as well.”

“Does everyone understand the significance of this herb now?” Keos opened the floor for questions and comments.

“Yes, this herb is truly essential. In the future, the Hu Regions will have an advantage as long as this epidemic continues to spread.”

“Do they really seek to gain an advantage, or is it unknown? From what you’ve said, it seems the Hu Regions’s production capacity is not very high either, right?”

When someone asked this, Keos smiled with satisfaction. He nodded and poured tea for the questioner. Although the other man was older, he laughed contentedly after receiving such acknowledgment.

“Exactly. Even if they want to gain an advantage, the chances are too slim. They won’t risk their own forces for negotiation leverage. It’s very likely they will keep the medicine for their own use,” Keos said.

“If that’s the case, doesn’t it seem like a dead end?”

“That’s a good question. It does seem like a dead end everywhere. However, I have continuously heard news about Red Earth City and the rather interesting demands of its governor,” Keos said, piquing everyone’s curiosity, and he succeeded.

“Red Earth City’s governor again?”

“What can such a small city’s governor do, even if his actions are strange?”

“Or could it be that they are hoarding the herbs? If that’s true, hasn’t the Bai Regions already investigated them?”

Everyone exchanged their thoughts once more. Keos remained silent, letting them speak until they were satisfied. When they couldn’t find a solution, they turned their gaze back to Keos. The young man smiled and slowly began to speak.

“The governor of Red Earth City has also made an announcement. Everyone who becomes a citizen of Red Earth City will receive treatment. Every day, at least 50 people apply to become citizens of Red Earth City. Initially, he had terms for trade with the surrounding governors, but it seems the negotiations failed.”

“Doesn’t this mean that the governor of Red Earth City still has plenty of medicine? Or perhaps they have another solution? This suspicion led us to investigate further, but understanding the situation is difficult. My informants say they use strange cultivation methods. Even now, they have some vegetables and fruits to eat. It’s possible that...”

“It’s possible that?”

“It’s possible they might have cultivated Mingfa Flowers.” As soon as Keos finished speaking, one of the old men’s teacups fell, causing a loud clatter. However, their ears were already buzzing with the idea that the small Red Earth City might have significant cultivation capabilities.

“I-Is that true?”

“Is this really true? If it is, then Red Earth City...”

The elders found it hard to believe. Since hearing that the arid Red Earth City could cultivate crops, they had been astonished. And now, this seemingly insignificant city was on the verge of achieving something greater than the entire Regions combined. No! It might even surpass the might of the Hu Regions, which they relied on for protection.

Just contemplating this possibility gave the elders goosebumps. They couldn’t fathom what would happen if the Bai Regions received more importance from the Hu Regions. As a small tribe clinging to the Bai Regions, what kind of impact would they face?

Even now, the Bai Regions is receiving substantial support. In the future, if the Bai Regions truly becomes a force for the Hu Regions, they will likely receive even more military support, as well as resources that will make the Bai Regions greater than any other, right?

“Yes, I think the same as everyone else. However, this could also be a good step for our tribe, could it not? No one yet knows what Red Earth City is planning. Nevertheless, we know a few things in advance. First, they are seeking cooperation. But what kind of cooperation? It is up to us to discuss and negotiate with them,” Keos said seriously.

Perhaps this might be the last chance to save the people of the tribe and to preserve their name. If the Hu Regions truly supports them in the future, and if Red Earth City succeeds, the Bai Regions will have to take good care of this small city. If we are not friendly with them now, in the future, they will have to submit to them.

“Negotiate? Negotiate what? Red Earth City has turned into a ghost town. We don’t know what’s going on there. Suddenly, they built such a strong fence. Isn’t it obvious that if they know we’re infected, they will come and deal with us?”

“That’s true. This concern is valid. Red Earth City is practically soaring right now. Why would they care about us anymore? This seems highly unlikely to happen.”

“Master Keos, should we think of another solution, or perhaps steal their medicine-making and cultivation methods?”Many people offered their opinions. Keos could only laugh softly in exhaustion. What were they afraid of now? Why would they rush over and telling them mean admitting that their own fighting force was dwindling? Do they think Red Earth City doesn’t already know that people around their city are infected and barely surviving?

The reason those people didn’t attack, and instead built such strong fences, is that they clearly want to separate their territory and do not wish to merge with their small tribe.

As long as they have food, clothing, and medicine, why would Red Earth City want to take over these disorganized and disobedient small tribes? Previously, their efforts were because Red Earth City was barren and had nothing to eat!

If it were up to him, with such complex geography that is difficult to monitor, he wouldn’t even want to glance at it. As long as Red Earth City remains strong, the various tribes would be more likely to seek opportunities to align themselves with Red Earth City, rather than Red Earth City wanting to take in small, burdensome tribes.

“You all can try to steal if you think it’s that easy. Moreover... if you get caught, the chance to join them in the future will vanish.”

“Let me tell you something else. Cities have been explicitly denied cooperation. Even now, they are willing to accept any offer to get medicine and stop residents from moving their registrations, but the governor of Red Earth City believes he has given enough opportunities. During the time he offered, they ignored it, thinking they could betray and take advantage of Red Earth City. So, when it comes to cooperation, it will never happen again.”

“Do you think...whatever actions you decide on, you can handle the consequences?”

Keos did not stop them. If the thought of stealing the methods of medicine preparation and cultivation was the best idea they could come up with, then so be it. However, after deciding, they should consider whether they could bear the responsibility of the consequences.

“Th-then, what should we do?”

“I think the chance of successfully stealing the methods is slim. Such important methods, would they really reveal them to others?”

“That’s true. If we risk it, there’s a high chance of getting caught and making Red Earth City displeased.”

Upon hearing such warnings, the elders were no longer willing to make a decision. They quickly changed their attitudes. After all... who would dare face such repercussions when it meant the lives of everyone in the tribe?!

“If no one has a better idea, my people and I will go to Red Earth City to see if there’s any way to negotiate. What does everyone think?” Keos said.

“But, if they find out we’re infected with the epidemic...” Some elders still objected. Keos felt a slight headache but patiently and straightforwardly explained.

“In my opinion, Red Earth City has no need to pay attention to our small city anymore. As everyone thought earlier, if they truly have the ability to prepare medicine, do you think Red Earth City would still want horses from us? Would they still desire the difficult-to-manage valley area, with the risks of flash floods, from our tribe?”

“Furthermore, the intentions of the governor of Red Earth City are quite clear. He doesn’t want to invade anyone. Otherwise, he could have simply brought 500 soldiers to crush us, or even worse, he could have just thrown someone infected with this epidemic into the tribes. That alone would ensure everyone would contract the disease.”

“In the case where we end up infected despite the clear barriers they’ve set up, their goal is likely to reduce the number of infections.”

“If we think from our own perspective, if we catch an incurable disease that reduces our forces, would we keep our own people confined within the tribe to die quietly, or would we cause devastation for everyone together?”

Keos spoke earnestly, every word he said making people choke easily. However, there were still many things Keos had not voiced. At the very least, he didn’t say that a tribe with nothing like theirs still thought Red Earth City, which now had everything, would want them so much.

It was fortunate that he managed to keep his voice down; otherwise, it would have further demoralized the elders, who had never faced such a dire situation before.

“Haha, Third Brother, you sure have a way with words. You’ve left the elders speechless!” As the elders remained silent, the door suddenly burst open with a loud kick. A scar-faced man walked in, looking extremely arrogant. His arrival prompted the elders to stand and pay their respects.

“Respect to the first contender for leadership,” everyone responded in unison. Keos sighed wearily but still rose like everyone else.“Respect to you, Elder Brother,” the young man bowed. He knew that what followed would be nothing but harsh words meant to belittle him, all aimed at making him concede and let the other handle the negotiations with the governor of Red Earth City. Of course, if it were other matters, Keos might yield, but this concerned the lives of the entire tribe, and he could not let his elder brother treat it as a game.