If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
Zhang Wei nodded, acknowledging the Xianbei's doubts. "We understand your concerns. To show our sincerity, we are prepared to share the intelligence we have gathered on the Xiongnu's defenses and troop movements, information that could benefit your campaign. We will send our own troops to join you at the agreed locations. Both sides would have eyes on the battlefield, and there would be no room for deception."
Kuitou considered this for a long moment. The offer of shared intelligence was a bold move and unprecedented, suggesting that the Han were willing to place a certain level of trust in them.
Yet he was aware of the risks. An alliance with the Han would mean exposing his warriors to the machinations of a powerful empire that had often viewed the northern tribes with suspicion and crusade against them if they could.
The council watched him expectantly, awaiting his decision. After a moment, Kuitou inclined his head, his voice steady. "Very well, Zhang Wei. We will consider your proposal, but we will need further assurances. You say the Han will join us in the field, yet words are easy to speak. When the time comes, if the Han do not stand with us, we will remember those actions."
Zhang Wei's gaze was unwavering as he replied, "You have my word, and that of my lord, Cao Cao. We will see this alliance through until the demise of the Xiongnu."
Kuitou nodded, accepting the commitment. He signaled to the council of chieftains, who had been silent but watchful throughout the exchange. "Prepare our warriors," he commanded. "We will march as planned. The Xiongnu will soon see that their arrogance and overconfidence have brought them enemies from every side."
The chieftains rose, the weight of decision settling on them as they moved to prepare their forces. The tent emptied, leaving Kuitou and Zhang Wei alone, each studying the other in the silence that followed.
As the day drew to a close, the Xianbei camp bustled with preparations for war. Messengers rode out to rally distant tribes, warriors sharpened their weapons, and banners were readied for the coming march. The fires burned brightly across the camp, a symbol of the unity and determination that Kuitou had instilled in his people.
Meanwhile, Zhang Wei and his retinue made their way back to a tent prepared for them by the Xianbei to take a rest, having accomplished their mission. As they walked, Zhang Wei allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.
As Zhang Wei settled into the tent provided for him, he couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. Not only had he managed to persuade Kuitou and the Xianbei chieftains to form an alliance, but he had also planted a seed of trust that would lull them into a sense of equality in their joint campaign.
Zhang Wei knew well that the promises of equal spoils, territory, and cooperation were far from the real intent of his lord. His mission was to make the Xianbei believe they would gain, while the true benefit would fall squarely into lord Cao Cao's hands.
With this achievement, Zhang Wei imagined the rewards awaiting him. His lord, Cao Cao, valued resourcefulness, and Zhang Wei was certain that news of his success would bring commendations, perhaps even elevation to an advisory role or leadership over a campaign of his own.
Beyond that, he hoped to impress the two master strategists, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, whose guidance was instrumental in shaping Cao Cao's tactics. If they were satisfied with his work, it could be the first step toward an influential position, a dream he had harbored for years.
Unable to wait, Zhang Wei quickly prepared a detailed report on the day's developments. His hand moved quickly, the words flowing as he wrote out his accomplishments, relishing each stroke as he recounted the deceptive alliance he had forged.
He emphasized the Xianbei's willingness to march, their commitment to the planned pincer attack, and the confidence Kuitou and his chieftains had shown.
The report was subtle but clear: Zhang Wei had effectively secured the Xianbei's allegiance for their interests, guiding them into what would likely be a brutal clash with the Xiongnu while their forces moved strategically to capture key territories for themselves.
The hour was late by the time he finished. He tied the letter securely to the leg of a raven he had brought, trained specifically for covert communication. The raven would blend into the darkness, slipping past Xianbei sentries unnoticed and reaching friendly lines at the Great Wall by daybreak. Zhang Wei opened the tent flap, allowing the raven to take flight. He watched as it vanished into the night sky, carrying his success with it.
The raven flew tirelessly, gliding over the rugged landscape and reaching the Great Wall by the next evening. As it approached the main tower, where Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai were currently located, the bird settled on the narrow ledge of a window.
Inside, Guo Jia was poring over a map, refining the details of the carefully planned diversion tactic on the Xiongnu. Xi Zhicai noticed the raven first and signaled to Guo Jia. They both approached the window, Guo Jia carefully removing the letter from the raven's leg before it fluttered off into the darkening sky.
Guo Jia read the letter silently, his lips curling into a satisfied smile as he handed it to Xi Zhicai. "It seems Zhang Wei has fulfilled his mission admirably. The Xianbei are convinced they will gain equal territory and spoils from this alliance."
Xi Zhicai nodded, reading the letter with a keen eye. "He played his part well. With the Xianbei's strength directed against the Xiongnu, we will be free to maneuver and secure the most strategic locations without contest."
Guo Jia leaned back, tracing a finger across the map. "And by the time the Xianbei realize the true nature of this arrangement, the Xiongnu will be weakened beyond recovery, and we will hold all the land worth holding. Zhang Wei's actions have ensured the Xianbei won't question our presence until it's too late."
Xi Zhicai looked up, his face contemplative. "Yet there remains a delicate balance here. We must ensure that Kuitou and his warriors bear the brunt of the Xiongnu resistance. If the Xianbei come through this conflict too unscathed, they may become a problem of their own."
Guo Jia nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. The trick will be to let them do the heavy fighting. We'll have Zhang Wei monitor their movements, keeping the Xianbei at the vanguard. If they succeed, the Xiongnu will fall, and we will have them to thank; if they weaken, we can swoop in and take control."
Over the next few days, the final preparations were made. Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai coordinated Cao Cao's army meticulously, reinforcing their units and ensuring that scouts kept close tabs on both the Xianbei and the Xiongnu.
As word came of the Xianbei's approach, Cao Cai's troops quietly took up hidden positions along the planned battleground, choosing high ground and defensible positions that would allow them to strike when the timing was most advantageous.
Meanwhile, Kuitou was equally busy with his own preparations. The Xianbei's tribal leaders assembled their warriors, rallying them with speeches of vengeance and glory, each one determined to show the might of the Xianbei.
Messengers brought back reports of the Xiongnu's movements, confirming that their forces were thinly stretched and largely unprepared for a two-front attack. The confidence in the camp was high, and though Kuitou harbored a cautious skepticism, he could feel the swelling pride among his chieftains and warriors.
With the pressure of gaining prestige weighing on him, Kuitou felt the weight of his grand-uncle Tanshihuai's legacy. If he could emerge victorious, driving the Xiongnu from their lands, he would finally be acknowledged as a unifying leader for the Xianbei.
He had amassed an impressive force of 150,000 warriors under his banner, a powerful army drawn from all across the Xianbei territories, each man driven by a deep-seated hatred of the Xiongnu and a fierce pride in their heritage. The time had come. With final reports in hand, Kuitou gave the order to march, leading his warriors southward toward the Xiongnu's encampments.
Their objective was clear: hit the Xiongnu's rear flank and destabilize their forces from within. A brutal assault from behind would disrupt the Xiongnu and allow the Xianbei to expand their domain across the northern steppe. As they advanced, the ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet, sending a signal across the plains that a storm was coming.
In the volatile northern steppe, the movement of such a large force didn't go unnoticed. Tribes like the Wuhuan, Fuyu, and Yuezhi watched from a distance, assessing the unfolding situation.
Each tribe was deeply aware of the stakes; if the Xianbei and Xiongnu exhausted themselves, there would be opportunities to expand their influence, settle old grievances, or seize lands and resources. Some tribes began reinforcing their own borders, while others watched carefully, biding their time until the inevitable clash provided an opening for them to act.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shao's men stationed across the Great Wall took note of the Xianbei mobilization. Reports were hastily dispatched back to Nanpi, where Yuan Shao's advisors could deliberate on this significant development.
However, unknown to Yuan Shao's forces, Lie Fan had taken steps to safeguard his plans to instigate a border incident which led to a war between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.
Through his covert network of Oriole agents spread across Yuan Shao's domain, he intercepted these messages, ensuring that Yuan Shao remained in the dark about the true nature of the Xianbei's sudden aggression.
The Oriole agents worked efficiently, expertly removing any evidence that could lead Yuan Shao to uncover Cao Cao's role in stirring up the tribes. Lie Fan intended to keep Yuan Shao and his advisors focused on Cao Cao and the border incident, not on what Cao Cao was doing to the north so as to not let Yuan Shao amass his entire army to give a large blow to Cao Cao, which wasn't part of Lie Fan's plan.
Back at the Xianbei encampment, Kuitou rode at the head of his forces, his heart pounding with anticipation. The chance to avenge his people, to make his mark as the true leader of the Xianbei, was within reach.
He knew that victory here would elevate him, solidifying his position and giving him the authority needed to finally once again unify the tribes under a single banner.
He looked back over the endless line of warriors, their banners waving like a sea of determination. Each one of these men was here for a purpose, to honor their ancestors by forging a fire of revenge against the Xiongnu.
The Xianbei moved swiftly, sweeping through the northern plains and into Xiongnu territory. Their approach caught the Northern Xiongnu tribes on the borders by surprise. A Xiongnu chieftain named Bogda, who was stationed at the border between the two tribes had received vague reports about Xianbei activity from his scouts, but hadn't anticipated an invasion. Bogda scrambled to rally his forces, but the Xiongnu tribes on the border were scattered and were unprepared to face the full might of the Xianbei.
____________________________
Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 32 (199 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
The Xianbei moved swiftly, sweeping through the northern plains and into Xiongnu territory. Their approach caught the Northern Xiongnu tribes on the borders by surprise. A Xiongnu chieftain named Bogda, who was stationed at the border between the two tribes had received vague reports about Xianbei activity from his scouts, but hadn't anticipated an invasion. Bogda scrambled to rally his forces, but the Xiongnu tribes on the border were scattered and were unprepared to face the full might of the Xianbei.
As Kuitou's forces descended upon the Xiongnu's tribe on the border, chaos erupted. The Xiongnu warriors led by Bogda fought fiercely, but the sheer size and ferocity of the Xianbei onslaught overwhelmed them due to the large difference in size.
The Xiongnu's formations fractured under the pressure, and Kuitou seized the opportunity to drive them into a complete rout. In the heat of the battle, Kuitou led a charge directly into the heart of the Xiongnu ranks, his presence inspiring his warriors and striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.
With Kuitou leading the charge into the heart of the Xiongnu formation, his presence seemed to grow with each blow struck and every order given. His warriors rallied around him, their morale boosted by his fierce leadership, and the respect he commanded among the Xianbei chieftains grew.
The thought of a united Xianbei Confederation, a revival of their people's strength and unity, began to emerge in the minds of the chieftains. Yet they knew that these hopes would only have a future if they first crushed the Xiongnu here and now, for that future to have the foundation to be accomplished.
Bogda, the Xiongnu chieftain on the border, felt the crushing weight of his army's defeat. His forces were breaking, the screams of his men punctuated by the relentless clash of Xianbei weapons. With his warriors scattered and few options left, he made the difficult decision to order a retreat.
Raising his sword high, he gave the signal, shouting over the din for his warriors to fall back and regroup. As the command spread through the ranks, the remaining Xiongnu began to scramble in all directions, desperate to escape the Xianbei onslaught.
But Kuitou was not one to let his enemy slip away so easily. Observing the chaos and sensing that victory was at hand, he shouted to his men, "No survivors! Let no Xiongnu escape to carry word of our strength back to their kin!" His voice carried above the sounds of battle, and the Xianbei warriors responded with renewed ferocity. The scattered Xiongnu were pursued mercilessly, their cries fading as they were hunted down across the open plains.
As his warriors executed his command, Kuitou's gaze fell on Bogda, who was retreating with a small group of loyal fighters, desperately trying to shield him as they maneuvered their way out of the battle. Kuitou's eyes narrowed.
This chieftain, the one responsible for guarding the Xiongnu's eastern borders, was a valuable target. Taking Bogda's life would demoralize the remaining Xiongnu and send a clear message to the others. With a nod to his men, Kuitou spurred his horse forward, followed closely by his most trusted warriors, their focus fixed on the fleeing chieftain.
Bogda's escape was fraught with danger as the Xianbei pressed in from all sides. His loyal warriors clashed with the pursuers, buying him precious seconds, but Kuitou and his men were relentless.
They cut down each defender, narrowing the gap with every passing moment. Bogda's heart raced as he glanced over his shoulder, seeing the determined expression on Kuitou's face. He knew there would be no mercy if he were caught.
The chase stretched across the windswept plains, with Bogda darting through shallow ravines and rocky outcrops, his men fighting tooth and nail to protect him. But one by one, his defenders fell, and soon it was just Bogda, alone and surrounded by the Xianbei. Realizing he was out of options, Bogda turned to face Kuitou, his expression defiant even in the face of certain death.
Kuitou dismounted, meeting Bogda's gaze as he approached. The two warriors stared each other down, an unspoken understanding passing between them. In a final, desperate move, Bogda charged, swinging his sword in a wide arc, hoping to take his enemy down with him.
But Kuitou was quicker; he sidestepped and brought his own blade down, striking Bogda with a decisive blow. The Xiongnu chieftain fell to the ground, his lifeblood staining the earth while his eyes were still open filled with unwillingness.
With Bogda's death, the last of the Xiongnu resistance crumbled. The remaining warriors, leaderless and scattered, were hunted down by Kuitou's men, ensuring that no one would escape to warn the Xiongnu main forces of the Xianbei's strength. The plains were littered with the bodies of fallen Xiongnu, a stark testament to the Xianbei's brutal victory.
As night fell, the Xianbei warriors gathered around fires, tending to their wounds and recounting the day's battle with a mixture of pride and awe. Kuitou stood among them, his gaze distant as he contemplated the battle's success and its implications for the future.
This victory was more than a mere battle as it was the first step toward solidifying his people's strength and perhaps, in time, forging a new Xianbei Confederation that could rival the greatest powers in the steppe and even the Han Empire, like what his grand uncle Tanshihuai made.
While Kuitou's warriors rested, scouts were dispatched to survey the surrounding area and ensure there were no nearby Xiongnu camps that might alert their main forces.
The Xianbei's swift and decisive attack had been planned to avoid attracting the attention of Tugeh Khagan's Coalition Army, which was currently engaged with the Han forces near the Great Wall.
Any hint of Xianbei involvement could potentially jeopardize the alliance with the Han, and Kuitou intended to keep his people's strength concealed until they could secure more territory and resources for themselves.
Back at the Great Wall, Yuan Shao's men observed the Xianbei's movements with growing concern, and knowing that they suddenly clashed with the Ziongnu meant some big changes would happen at the steppes.
Though they had no clear knowledge of the exact events unfolding on the northern plains, reports of large-scale mobilizations should have reached their lord's court in Nanpi several days ago, but they received no responses which caused them to send another one.
But once again, Lie Fan's Oriole agents intervened, intercepting these messages to ensure that Yuan Shao remained unaware of Cao Cao's moves, and ensure the success of Lie Fan's plan.
It was imperative that Yuan Shao remain uninformed, as any suspicion might disrupt the increasing border incident that Lie Fan had so carefully engineered between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, waiting for the right moment to unleash the news and cause both sides to battle each other while he enters as a third party.
In the Great Wall main tower, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai received the latest reports from Zhang Wei through his raven. The Northern Xiongnu border tribes had been crushed, and Kuitou's forces were consolidating their hold on the newly claimed lands.
The two advisors exchanged a satisfied glance; the plan was progressing as intended. With the Xiongnu's defenses fractured at their border, they could now proceed with the next phase of their strategy, taunting Tugeh Khagan and leading the fight to him, while also releasing the news of the Xianbei attack to Tugeh Khagan and his army, which would allow them to finally move in to secure key territories while the Xianbei occupied Tugeh Khagan and his army.
Days passed as Kuitou's forces advanced through the plains, capturing strategic locations and establishing a firm presence in the region. The Xianbei's victories continued to attract attention from rival tribes, each assessing the Xianbei's newfound strength.
Kuitou, aware of the delicate balance he was now walking while gaining more power for Xianbei, sent emissaries to nearby tribes, to appease them and promise that the blades of war wouldn't face their direction.
Meanwhile, back at the Great Wall, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai set their next phase into motion. With the northern borders of the Xiongnu fractured and Kuitou's forces advancing swiftly through the steppes, the strategists implemented their tactic of feigned vulnerability.
Guo Jia's gaze sharpened as he reviewed their plans with Xi Zhicai, who was equally intent on making every calculated move work seamlessly. They decided to selectively fortify certain sections along the Wall, presenting the illusion of an overstretched and undermanned defense line. It was a deliberate deception, meant to lure the Xiongnu into what they would perceive as a weak point ripe for attack.
Xiahou Dun, Li Dian, Yu Jin, Ma Teng, and Han Sui were stationed at the seemingly vulnerable positions, each with specific orders to reinforce the illusion while lying in wait. As these generals and his men readied themselves for what lay ahead, scouts were sent to ensure that their movements remained inconspicuous, preserving the mirage of the Han's feigned inadequacy.
The plan was for the Xiongnu to take the bait, believing the Han forces to be overextended, and rush headlong into a trap. The trickle of information about the Xianbei invasion had been carefully orchestrated; they would let the news slowly reach Tugeh Khagan's encampment in just the right manner and timing to spark confusion and overconfidence within the Xiongnu ranks.
In the Xiongnu encampment, several kilometers away on the open plains, the atmosphere was tense and dismal. The past two successive defeats had sent a wave of anxiety rippling through the camp. To maintain morale, the Xiongnu had attempted aggressive raids on the Great Wall, firing volleys of arrows and harassing the Han troops stationed there.
The intention was to lure the Han soldiers into a reckless sortie, hoping to inflict casualties in open skirmishes. However, only half their objective was achieved; while Han soldiers did suffer injuries, they refused to abandon their positions on the wall, remaining unmoved by the provocation.
The skirmishes and raids against the Great Wall had yielded little, and combined with the failure to draw the Han forces out frustrated the Xiongnu chieftains, who gathered in Tugeh Khagan's tent to voice their complaints, where voices filled with anger and disappointment rose as they demanded explanations for their lack of progress and spoils.
Amid the rising discontent in Tugeh Khagan's tent, his advisors tried to calm the disgruntled chieftains, but their words fell short. Just as the tension in the tent reached its peak, a scout burst in, panting from his ride across the plains.
"My Khagan," the scout began, his voice strained but steady, "the situation at the Great Wall is… strange. The Han defenses appear overextended. We see more movement along the Wall—some sections look weaker than others." A spark of interest flared among the chieftains. They exchanged looks, and many had a glint of opportunity in their eyes. This was precisely the kind of news they had been waiting for—a sign of weakness from the Han. However, Tugeh Khagan's advisors remained cautious. Tugeh himself furrowed his brow, wary of the information.
____________________________
Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 32 (199 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Comentario de párrafo
¡La función de comentarios de párrafo ya está en la Web! Mueva el mouse sobre cualquier párrafo y haga clic en el icono para agregar su comentario.
Además, siempre puedes desactivarlo en Ajustes.
ENTIENDO