Great Wilderness Demon Lord

Helian Jinzhang was taken aback, then quickly stood up, his face showing some apology, and said sincerely, "It's not that the food is not to my liking; it's very delicious. It's just that I have something on my mind that I can't let go of."

Xiao Yunlan nodded slightly, his tone gentle: "Please speak freely in the Golden Tent. If you have any difficulties, perhaps I can help you in some way."

Helian Jinzhang remained silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant, before slowly speaking, his tone full of emotion and worry: "General Xiao, after meeting your soldiers today, I realize that your human soldiers are truly formidable. I am genuinely impressed."

In the past, we horsemen were arrogant and conceited, thinking ourselves invincible on the grasslands because of our superb riding and archery skills.

But after witnessing your battle formations and archery skills today, I understand that the strength of the human race lies not only in the sharpness of their weapons, but also in their strict discipline and orderly advance and retreat.

Xiao Yunlan gently shook his head, his tone humble: "The Golden Tent is too modest. The horsemen's archery and horsemanship are unparalleled in the world. They move like the wind across the grasslands, their speed is extremely fast, and no one can match them. We also admire them very much."

Helian Jinzhang gave a bitter laugh, his tone full of helplessness: "No matter how good your horsemanship and archery are, if you can't win, no matter how fast you run, you can only retreat in a sorry state."

We, the Ma people, do not want to keep retreating like this. We only want to trade peacefully with Guibao, exchanging grain, ironware, and cloth so that our people can live a peaceful life.

only……

He paused here, not continuing, his eyes filled with concern and worry.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Yunlan understood, and softly voiced his concerns: "You're just worried that once Wangbei Fortress becomes powerful, it will oppress the tribes like the Langrong before, forcing you to submit and pay tribute every year, right?"

Helian Jinzhang raised his head, looked at Xiao Yunlan with surprise in his eyes, and then slowly nodded, his expression full of sincerity: "What the general said is very true. This is precisely Helian's biggest concern."

Xiao Yunlan slowly put down the wine bowl in his hand, his tone becoming exceptionally solemn, his gaze firm, and he said, word by word, "Golden Tent, you should know the rules of Wangbei Fort: fair trade, voluntary interaction, no bullying of the weak, no coercion of others. These are the rules I, Xiao Yunlan, set, and they are also the rules of Wangbei Fort."

This rule applies equally to the Horsemen tribe, the Grayhorn Deer tribe, the Digging Tribe, and all tribes willing to establish friendly relations and trade with Wangbeibao, without exception.

His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire square, and everyone could hear it clearly. His tone was full of firmness and sincerity: "Today, in front of all the guests, I solemnly say once again: Wangbeibao welcomes all tribes that are willing to trade peacefully and live in harmony."

As long as you abide by the rules of North Fortress, you can freely enter and exit my fortress's market and exchange for everything you need.

If you encounter trouble or are bullied, as long as you are in the right, I, Xiao Yunlan, will stand up for you and will never sit idly by.

Having said that, he looked at Helian Jinzhang, his tone calm yet firm: "Jinzhang, if you don't trust me, Xiao Yunlan, do you trust Wangbeibao?"

Helian Jinzhang trembled. Seeing Xiao Yunlan's resolute gaze, most of his concerns vanished instantly. He then solemnly stood up, bowed deeply to Xiao Yunlan, and said earnestly and firmly, "General, you flatter me. Helian trusts you, and he trusts Wangbei Fort!"

Xiao Yunlan nodded slightly, then turned to look at the old chieftain of the Gray Horned Deer clan, the leader of the Stone Root clan, and the leaders of the various smaller tribes who had gathered around him, his tone still solemn: "You are the same."

As long as you abide by the rules and get along well with Wangbeibao, Wangbeibao will be your strongest support.

In this vast wilderness, whoever wants to oppress you, they'll have to ask me, Xiao Yunlan, first if I'll allow it!

The old chieftain of the Gray Horned Deer clan had slightly reddened eyes, his hand holding his cane trembled slightly, and his voice was full of excitement and gratitude: "General, our Gray Horned Deer people have been oppressed by the Wolf Rong for decades, paying tribute year after year, suffering humiliation year after year, our misery is unbearable. To meet you, General, and Wangbei Fortress is a blessing for our entire clan!"

Chief Shigen nodded repeatedly, his face full of gratitude. He awkwardly followed suit, patting his chest and bowing, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, General. Thank you, General."

The leaders of the other small tribes also stepped forward, surrounding Xiao Yunlan, expressing their sincere gratitude. Their faces were full of genuine emotion, their worries completely dispelled, and they were filled with anticipation for future cooperation with Wangbeibao.

Xiao Yunlan picked up the wine bowl on the table again, a faint smile on his face, his tone both calm and warm: "Come, everyone, let's raise our glasses once more! Today we celebrate the harvest, not our worries, let's drink to our hearts' content!"

Everyone raised their wine bowls, echoed the call, and then drank them down in one gulp, their joy and gratitude all contained in that bowl of wine.

The banquet lasted until evening, and the atmosphere remained warm and harmonious throughout.

As the sun slowly set, it painted half the sky red, and the lanterns in the square lit up one after another, creating a bright red glow that made the entire square as bright as day, warm and inviting.

Xiao Yunlan stood on the steps in front of Tuoxin Hall, quietly watching the scene in the square: people from various tribes sat together, eating meat heartily, talking and laughing loudly, without any barriers between them, their faces full of satisfaction and joy.

Han Zhong walked up to him without him noticing, patted him on the shoulder, and chuckled softly, "Yunlan, you did a really good job. The martial arts demonstration established our authority, and the banquet reassured the people. By combining kindness and force, you not only showed the tribes the strength of Wangbei Fortress but also put an end to their concerns. From now on, these tribes will probably truly rely on Wangbei Fortress."

Xiao Yunlan gently shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the square, his tone calm yet firm: "It's not about relying on me, Xiao Yunlan, but on Wangbei Fortress, and on Wangbei Fortress's fair and just rules."

As long as this rule remains unchanged, no matter who governs Wangbeibao in the future, all tribes will be able to live in harmony with us and trade peacefully.

Han Zhong looked at his resolute expression, paused for a moment, then smiled and said nothing more. He simply picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and felt even more admiration for Xiao Yunlan.

In the distance, Helian Jinzhang was talking quietly with the centaur guards beside him. His face had long since lost its previous solemnity, replaced by relaxation and joy.

The old chieftain of the gray-horned deer leaned against the wooden table, dozing off with his eyes half-closed, his face full of peace and contentment;

The leader of the stone root tribe was still taking big bites of a piece of mutton, eating with great relish, his face full of a simple and honest smile.

Xiao Yunlan withdrew his gaze, looking at the lively yet peaceful scene, feeling gratified. He then slowly turned around and walked into Tuoxin Hall.

Outside the door, bursts of laughter and cheerful conversation drifted in, crisp and cheerful, carried by the evening breeze into the deepening night, lingering long afterward, foreshadowing a more stable and prosperous future for Wangbeibao.