Way of Overlord
Chapter 174: The Western Border Tribe and the Western Zhou

Chapter 174: The Western Border Tribe and the Western Zhou

Many of the chief of the Southern Great Steppe or any chief of the Great Steppe would not like a unifier to come.

The prospect of a single leader who could potentially unite the fragmented tribes is met with mixed feelings and resistance. However, Valgrun understands that this is precisely what the tumultuous region needs.

he needed someone to unite the fragmented tribes of the Great Steppe.

Over the years, he has grappled with the pressing issue of dwindling military strength among the tribes on the western border.

While Valgrun has pondered alternative strategies, many of them, despite their merit, have remained unattainable.

The intricate web of tribal rivalries, deep-rooted traditions, and complex politics poses challenges to implementing substantial changes.

The tribes dwelling along the western border of the Great Steppe are renowned for their formidable warrior culture.

Their strength is not merely a matter of choice but a necessity.

Over the years, they have endured relentless raids from the Western Zhou people.

These assaults have effectively forged their way of life.

Survival in this harsh environment necessitates strength and combat prowess.

Weakness is not an option; to be feeble means to be vulnerable.

Therefore, the tribes on the western border have grown into a relentless force, baptized by the blood of their adversaries.

Because of survival, the tribes on the western border become strong and they defended their lands from being encroached.

Their strength and martial skill have acted as a formidable shield, safeguarding not only their own territories but also those of the central and surrounding tribes.

This respect and dependence on the strength of the western border tribes have allowed the tribes on the western border to maintain a measure of stability in the often-tumultuous world of the Great Steppe.

By standing as a bulwark against external threats, these western border tribes have earned the recognition and admiration of their neighbours.

In a land defined by constant challenges, their strength has become a cornerstone for the defense of the Great Steppe from the west

And the central tribes and the other tribes that benefit from the protection of the tribes on the western border usually would respect and would not attack the tribes on the western borders of the Great Steppe

But that is not enough for Valgrun

The tribes on the western border enjoy many privileges.

The western border tribes have earned their privileges through their enduring commitment to defense and their history of confronting the Western Zhou.

Their prowess in combat, honed through countless struggles, has led to increased respect and authority in intertribal matters.

During gatherings of tribes or Ashana, their voices carry significant weight, as their experience and strength are highly regarded.

These tribes have become known for their remarkable archers and skilled cavalrymen, reflecting their unique position and the necessity of these abilities in repelling Western Zhou attacks.

Their marksmanship and cavalry charges are renowned throughout the Great Steppe, ensuring that their enemies think twice before encroaching on their lands.

The tribes on the western border constant conflicts with the Western Zhou have had an unexpected benefit to them.

Over time, the western border tribes have learned and incorporated some of the military strategies and methods of the Western Zhou into their own tactics.

This knowledge has enhanced their combat effectiveness, particularly when engaging with tribes located further to the east.

However, there is also disadvantages of being the shield of the west.

Valgrun in his youth believed he could unite the tribes.

But when he did try, he understood why there was never a unifier that come from the western border of the Great Steppe.

Valgrun learned the harsh reality of his position as the defender of the Great Steppe.

While it was a blessing in times of crisis, it also became a curse when he sought to unite and expand his tribe’s territories.

Once, he led his men toward the east.

The moment he led his men to the east in an attempt to unify the tribes, the Western Zhou army and even neighbouring tribes of the Great Steppe launched attacks on his tribe.

This made Valgrun at that age finally learn the delicate balance of power and alliances in the region.

Usually, the tribes of the western border would aid one another, knowing they faced a common enemy in the Western Zhou.

However, when one of them sought to expand, the solidarity quickly dissolved into rivalry, and the defender became the target.

"The title of being the defender of the great Steppe is a blessing but also a curse" This is what the Ashana told him after he repelled those who wanted to kill his tribe

In normal circumstances, they are protected and even those who did not ally with them, would help them in times of dire difficulty.

This is because, his tribe endure the attack of the Western Zhou soldiers.

But once, he did not do that, once his tribe desire to expand, then what follow would be a swift attack from nearby tribes.

To them, you have forsaken the Great Steppe.

And as such, the Great Steppe shall judge you.

Understanding that, Valgrun no longer held the desire to expand his tribe. Of course, it was not like there is no other recourse.

There is still another way to expand.

Valgrun at that time faced a difficult conundrum.

Expanding east was fraught with challenges, as neighbouring tribes and the ever-present threat of the Western Zhou made such endeavours perilous.

Expanding west was equally impossible, as the powerful Western Zhou lay in that direction, a formidable opponent that had stood the test of time.

The tribes on the western border were indeed caught between a rock and a hard place.

To expand meant risking conflict with fellow tribes, and to venture westward meant confronting the overwhelming might of the Western Zhou.

It was a precarious situation with no easy solution.

Die if they do, damned if they don’t

Valgrun realized that the only conceivable path to challenging the Western Zhou was through unity.

If the tribes on the western border of the Great Steppe could band together in a massive alliance, they might stand a chance against Western Zhou.

Without such unity, any expedition against the Western Zhou would likely be doomed to failure.

"Unless the entire tribes on the western border of the great Steppe unite with each other and send a massive expedition to take Western Zhou, any expedition that they try to do against Western Zhou would probably end in failure"

This is the same words that his grandfather told him.

But he never thought it would be so hard to do it.

Tribal rivalries, old debts, grudged and resentment of the past, how should one deal with all of this?

But if Valgrun could think of such method of trying to expand toward Western Zhou, how could the cunning officials of the Western Zhou could not think of it?

They long have known that if there is a charismatic leader that could lead an alliance of the tribes on the western border to march toward the western Zhou, they would not survive

Since they could see such things, of course, they also have to create countermeasures.

Valgrun had to give it to them. Yan people are cunning and Western Zhou had the same blood as the Yan people and of course they are also cunning

From what Valgrun cold gather, they use diplomatic ploy to sow discord among the tribes on the western border, the creation of alliances with some tribes against others, or the manipulation of internal tribal politics.

Such as creating a succession problem between powerful tribes who has many candidates to succeed the chief position

To maintain their dominance over the tribes on the western border of the Great Steppe, the officials of the Western Zhou adopted a multifaceted approach.

They made alliances with weaker tribes to create a counterbalance against the stronger ones.

They provided resources and gold as incentives to some tribes, which could help foster loyalty and dependence.

On the other hand, they engaged in direct conflict with powerful tribes to keep them in check.

They befriended the weak so that the weak could band against the strong. They fight against the strong so that the strong would always be suppressed

This complex web of alliances, diplomacy, and conflict allowed Western Zhou to exert control over the Great Steppe tribes, preventing any tribes on the western border from uniting into a formidable force.

It was a strategic means of maintaining this status quo that has lasted for hundred of years

One might think why not bribe the strong and fight against the weak?

Western Zhou’s strategy of befriending weaker tribes and confronting the stronger ones is rooted in a deep understanding of the Great Steppe’s tribal dynamics.

Western Zhou had long fight with the people of the Great Steppe and Valgrun dare say that their understanding of the people of the Great Steppe is even deeper than the people of the Yan dynasty

The people of Yan look down on the Great Steppe and they did not want to understand the motivation and the minds of the people of the Great Steppe

But, Western Zhou understood that to defeat an enemy, they first need to understand them

That is why, they bribe the weak tribe and attack the strong tribes

Strong tribes often have their own ambitions and might be less inclined to align with an external power, especially if they feel their independence and dominance are at stake.

Weaker tribes, on the other hand, may be more receptive to alliances and support.

This strategic approach reflects a nuanced understanding of the tribes’ social structures, behaviours, and motivations, which Western Zhou has leveraged to maintain control and prevent the emergence of a united and powerful tribal confederation on the Great Steppe’s western border.

And they know if they tried to befriend a strong tribe they will be met with rejection. After all, it is not their first time

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