Alliance Formation

When Wutong heard Zhan Xiaobai personally propose an alliance, he was so overjoyed he could barely contain himself. “This, this, of course! I wholeheartedly agree with Brother Xiaobai’s suggestion.”

Since Wutong had already given his consent, Zhan Xiaobai dismissed the onlookers. Soon, only he, Wutong, Sword Tyrant, and the rest remained in the main hall—five representatives from each side, gathered to discuss the precise terms of the alliance and the division of benefits between the two villages.

Xiaobai Village was strong, while Wutong Village was weak. Naturally, Xiaobai Village would claim a larger share of the spoils, but the people of Wutong Village had no objections; no matter how unfavorable, nothing could be worse than their current predicament.

Zhan Xiaobai took the initiative to offer aid—timber, copper coins, and other construction resources—to help Wutong Village resume its normal operations. Then, he put forth a request: “I’d like to borrow your population quota.”

Wutong was momentarily stunned. “But... all our farmers are dead.”

Zhan Xiaobai smiled. “No, what I mean is, I’ll provide the food, and I’d like to borrow your village’s population slots so I can raise more farmers.”

Wutong was taken aback, then suddenly understood. “You mean...?”

“Exactly. Borrowing the village to raise farmers.”

Zhan Xiaobai chuckled, saying no more. It was only an idea for now—whether it would succeed remained to be seen.

The negotiating table erupted in exclamations of surprise and admiration.

Afei slapped the table, leaping to his feet with excitement. “Damn, Boss, you’re a genius! With this, our village’s actual population doesn’t have to be limited to just one hundred; we can break through that cap!”

Sword Tyrant couldn’t help but secretly admire him. He had originally thought to simply take advantage of a neighboring village and expand his influence a bit, but Zhan Xiaobai had come up with a brilliant move, directly shattering the limit of one hundred farmers for a small village. Though this would mean a greater burden in food supply, in a month’s time, it would also translate into tremendous gains. Don’t underestimate this slight advantage; accumulated, it could lead to exponential growth down the line.

Wutong agreed wholeheartedly. Since founding his village, he’d never had more than five farmers; the population quota was useless to him, so he might as well offer this big favor to Xiaobai. Besides, with the alliance, the stronger Xiaobai Village became, the better it would be for him.

Qiushui watched from the side, secretly amused. In her heart, she felt nothing but respect for this leader who could quietly turn the tide in his favor.

Eventually, the clamor died down.

Wutong voiced a concern: “But right now, we have no timber, no farmers, and no cottages in Wutong Village. It’ll be hard to recruit any farmers in the short term.”

Zhan Xiaobai smiled. “Don’t worry about that, Brother Wutong. Since you’ve agreed, here’s what we’ll do: Young Hero Chunqiu, take twenty farmers and a hundred units of timber, and go to Wutong Village immediately to build ten cottages. Have some of Wutong’s men accompany you and bring guards. Stay alert along the way. Safety first.”

“Yes, Boss. Leave it to me.” Young Hero Chunqiu promptly left the courtyard, rallied two hundred player-guards, gathered the farmers and timber, and set off downstream with several of Wutong Village’s core players.

Still uneasy, Wutong said, “Brother Xiaobai, you’re thorough, but if bandits attack, I’m afraid Wutong Village won’t be able to hold out...”

“Don’t worry. Even if we lose a bit of timber, it doesn’t matter, as long as the cottages get built,” Zhan Xiaobai replied with a smile. “Besides, I have another proposal that will benefit us all.”

“Please, Brother Xiaobai, go on,” Wutong urged.

Everyone waited expectantly for Zhan Xiaobai’s next ingenious idea.

“Borrow land for farming,” Zhan Xiaobai declared.

Nods all around. Not a bad idea—if they could borrow population slots, why not borrow some land, too?

Wutong laughed heartily. “No problem. If there’s one thing Wutong Village has, it’s land. Brother Xiaobai, plant as much as you like.”

Zhan Xiaobai shook his head. “No, I don’t mean I borrow your land—I mean you borrow mine.”

Wutong was taken aback. “Why is that?”

He wasn’t alone; everyone was puzzled. Why was it the other way around now? Wutong Village borrowing land from Xiaobai Village to farm?

Zhan Xiaobai explained, “I’m concerned about the safety of Wutong Village. I suggest moving your farmland and farmers to Xiaobai Village, so we can centralize farming and security. If we’re scattered, it’ll be hard for Xiaobai Village to muster enough force to keep everyone safe.”

Sword Tyrant’s eyes lit up. Brilliant, he thought. So after all this maneuvering, this was Xiaobai’s true goal!

Wutong finally understood. This time, he fell silent.

If the farmers and farmland were all moved to Xiaobai Village, Wutong Village would be almost entirely absorbed. Even if he didn’t much care for Wutong’s future, he still had to consider the fate of his brothers—whether or not to make this final decision.

The earlier arrangements were simply collaborative agreements between allies, but now Zhan Xiaobai’s proposal was to fully incorporate Wutong Village. Xiaobai Village would be the head; Wutong Village, the tail.

Wutong and his men began to discuss quietly.

“Brother Wu, think carefully before making this decision,” one player urged, worried.

“What’s there to consider?” another argued. “Xiaobai Village has people and resources, and Boss Xiaobai is loyal. Sticking with him is better than guarding an empty, isolated village.”

“Better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big one,” someone mused.

“Nonsense. Try surviving on wild greens for a few days in the wasteland. If there’s a good opportunity, why not seize it?”

“It’s not a fish’s tail—it’s a phoenix’s tail.”

“Three to two, Brother Wu. Let’s merge with Xiaobai Village!”

Hearing their deliberations, Wutong made up his mind. He was never cut out to be a leader, so he might as well follow someone who was, enjoying the good life instead of struggling on his own.

Resolute, Wutong turned to Zhan Xiaobai. “Alright, since Boss Xiaobai thinks so highly of us, we have nothing more to say. Whatever instructions you have in the future, just tell us directly—nothing is out of the question.”

Zhan Xiaobai, Sword Tyrant, Qiushui, and Afei were all delighted.

Zhan Xiaobai raised his voice. “Very well! We have no wine, but let us toast with water instead. From this day forth, Xiaobai Village and Wutong Village are sworn brothers—united in loyalty and honor. Whatever I have, so too will my Wutong brothers. Together, we shall conquer Xiliang and rule the land! What do you say?”

“Agreed!” came the resounding reply.

Few would remember this day, but the alliance between Xiaobai Village and Wutong Village quietly altered the balance of player power in the Longyou region of Xiliang, unnoticed by almost everyone.