章 577: 554. Tugeh Khagan's Death
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Finally, Tugeh Khagan's army entered the valley, moving cautiously at first, but growing more confident as they saw no sign of Batu and Zolgar's main forces. Just as Tugeh Khagan's army advanced deeper, a signal was given, and the sound of horns blared across the valley as Batu's and Zolgar's warriors emerged from the ridges, effectively trapping Tugeh Khagan's forces between two fronts.
Tugeh Khagan and his allies, caught off guard by the ferocity of the ambush, quickly realized the gravity of their situation. Surrounded by both Batu and Zolgar's forces on one side and the Han troops led by Li Dian on the other, panic spread among the Xiongnu ranks.
Many warriors cast wary glances at Tugeh Khagan, seeking guidance, fearing the worst. Yet, even in the face of overwhelming odds, Tugeh Khagan's resolve did not waver. He called out to his warriors, rallying them with a mixture of desperation and unyielding defiance.
"Warriors of the Xiongnu!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the valley walls. "Today, we stand against betrayal and foreign greed. We are the sons of the steppes, and we will not fall to those who sell our land for the price of their own ambitions. Form ranks! Defend yourselves and show these cowards the strength of true warriors!"
With remarkable discipline, Tugeh Khagan's men obeyed, forming a tight defensive circle as he commanded. Shields, spears, and any available weapons were raised, creating a protective wall around them.
The warriors held fast, bracing for the onslaught. His ability to swiftly rally his forces, even under such dire circumstances, instilled a renewed sense of determination among his men. Yet, they knew they were outnumbered, and the sight of Han soldiers closing in only heightened their sense of doom.
On the other side of the valley, Batu and Zolgar observed the scene with grim satisfaction. Their gamble had paid off: Tugeh Khagan had fallen into their trap. Yet, whispers of doubt circulated among their own chieftains.
Several of them questioned how the Han army had arrived so precisely at the right time and place, doubting the "luck" Batu and Zolgar claimed. The timing of the Han army's arrival, coupled with the knowledge of the valley's layout, raised suspicion among the chieftains who were less loyal to Batu and Zolgar.
One of the chieftains voiced his doubts aloud. "How is it that the Han forces knew exactly where to strike? It's as if they were guided here."
Batu quickly interjected, his face a mask of feigned anger. "You doubt our loyalty to the Xiongnu? We would never ally ourselves with outsiders beyond what was necessary. It was a mere coincidence that the Han appeared, drawn by the conflicts on their borders. They have no loyalty to us, only to their own interests."
Zolgar backed Batu up, adding, "Do you not remember the price we paid for our independence? We cut ties with the Han after they rewarded us for our initial agreements. This is fate, nothing more."
The two leaders managed to soothe the chieftains' fears temporarily, but the seeds of doubt lingered. Batu and Zolgar knew that any cracks in morale now could be fatal, and they resolved to keep their allegiance with the Han a closely guarded secret.
Meanwhile, as the fierce battle raged on in the northern valley, Lie Fan was holding a council in Xiapi with his advisors Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Mi Zhu, Liu Ye, and Sima Yi.
Lie Fan had long been a forward-thinking ruler, seeking to modernize his domain with innovations inspired by his knowledge from his past and the Book of Knowledge.
The implementation of a basic accounting system almost a year ago had transformed his administration, allowing for greater transparency and efficiency in the management of resources.
Jia Xu, one of the people that Lie Fan had appointed to oversee the implementation, spoke first. "My lord, the success of the accounting system is evident across Xiapi and Guangling. The economy is flourishing, storages are well-managed, and taxes are collected with minimal discrepancies. It has brought order where there was once disorganization."
Chen Qun added, "The structured approach has also led to a reduction in corruption among local officials. They know their actions are documented, creating an incentive to maintain integrity in their duties."
Lie Fan nodded, satisfied with the progress. The next step in his grand plan was the introduction of woodblock printing, an invention he believed could revolutionize not just administration but also education and culture within his domain.
Liu Ye then presented the prototype of the finished woodblock printing press, crafted by Lie Fan's specialists in a hidden base near Huai'An.
"This, my lord," Liu Ye began with pride, "is the future of communication and knowledge. With this press, we can mass-produce documents, texts, and educational materials for the academy in Xiapi, and distribute them across your territory."
Lie Fan took a close look at the prototype, marveling at its potential. "With this, knowledge will no longer be confined to the elite. We can educate the masses, and ensure that even the poorest children learn to read and write. Imagine the loyalty of a people who see their ruler as a bringer of wisdom and knowledge, as much as strength and protection."
Sima Yi observed the woodblock printing prototype, "The printing press will also serve as a tool of propaganda, my lord. With it, we can control the narratives that reach the people, solidifying your rule in both mind and spirit."
Lie Fan agreed. He saw the printing press as a means to unite his domain culturally, spreading teachings, laws, and messages of loyalty to bolster his hold on the land. Plans were made to produce essential materials that would benefit administration, education, and even morale, with the advisors discussing which texts would be most beneficial to print first.
Back in the valley, the battle was reaching a fevered pitch. Tugeh Khagan's forces fought with unmatched ferocity, holding the line against Batu and Zolgar's warriors on one side, while desperately fending off Li Dian's disciplined soldiers on the other.
Li Dian, observing Tugeh Khagan's forces from a nearby ridge, was impressed by their resilience. Yet he remained resolute; he had been tasked with a job, and he intended to fulfill it with precision.
"Advance," he commanded his captains. "Press forward, break their formation."
Li Dian soldiers, well-armed and experienced, moved in disciplined waves, hammering against Tugeh Khagan's defensive circle. Bit by bit, they wore down his forces. Despite their bravery, Tugeh Khagan's men began to tire, their formations growing loose. The relentless assault was taking its toll.
Seeing his ranks falter, Tugeh Khagan called out to his warriors again, urging them to hold their ground. "We will not fall here! Even if we die, let it be with honor, as free men of the steppes!"
His words rekindled a fierce resolve among his warriors, but they knew the situation was grim. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the blood-soaked valley, it was clear that their defenses could not hold much longer.
On the other side, Batu and Zolgar watched with anticipation. They knew that if Tugeh Khagan fell here, their path to solidifying control over the Xiongnu would be assured. Yet, despite the strategic victory within their grasp, they both harbored a lingering unease.
The cost of their allegiance with the Han loomed large, a bargain that might haunt them in ways they had yet to realize, something that they just realized due to the constant discontent from their chieftains.
As night fell, Li Dian's forces finally broke through Tugeh Khagan's lines, encircling the remnants of his warriors. Batu and Zolgar's men moved in to finish the job, cutting down any who resisted. In the final moments, Tugeh Khagan, surrounded and bloodied, stood alone, defiant to the end.
His last words, uttered amidst the carnage, were a vow. "My spirit will haunt this land, and the Xiongnu will never submit to foreign rule. Remember this day, and remember that our freedom was not sold cheaply."
With that, he fell, his legacy forever etched in the memories of those who survived. Batu and Zolgar's victory was complete, but at the cost of their people's trust and the pride of the Xiongnu as an independent power.
After their victory, Batu and Zolgar commanded their warriors to sweep the battlefield, not only to honor the fallen but also to preserve their own image. They moved with feigned vigilance, posting guards and remaining watchful, creating the impression that the Han army could still be lurking nearby.
It was essential for Batu and Zolgar to maintain this facade, as the slightest crack in their narrative might cast doubts among their men about their independence from the Han.
The rumors they'd already had to dismiss weighed heavily on them, but they both knew that preserving unity, however tenuous was critical.
Meanwhile, Li Dian swiftly led his troops away from the valley, their mission complete. However, before departing, Li Dian ordered some of his soldiers to spread a rumor, and whispered here and there to just a few key individuals.
The story, laden with hints that Batu and Zolgar had orchestrated the Han's timely arrival, slowly seeped into the ranks of the Xiongnu. This tactic had been orchestrated by Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, who saw the Xiongnu coalition as a delicate structure that should never truly be united under Batu and Zolgar.
By fostering subtle discord, they ensured Batu and Zolgar would be reliant on Cao Cao's support, leaving Cao Cao with leverage over the Xiongnu leaders.
As the Han army disappeared beyond the horizon, a collective sigh of relief escaped the Xiongnu chieftains and warriors. But the relief was short-lived. Whispers of the rumor began to circulate. Some dismissed it as baseless, the idle talk of soldiers, but others found it unsettling.
The idea that Batu and Zolgar might have aligned with the Han, even temporarily, had rise once again and was abhorrent to some chieftains, especially those who had long been belive to Tugeh Khagan's ideals of independence but doesn't like him due to him bringing consecutive defeats in the past.
Batu and Zolgar were quick to catch wind of the unease spreading through their ranks. They held an urgent council with their closest supporters, struggling to contain the creeping suspicions.
In a bid to quash the doubts, Batu took the lead, addressing the assembled chieftains with a carefully crafted story. He attributed the rumor to Xianbei saboteurs, claiming it was an enemy ploy to divide and weaken the Xiongnu from within.
"Chieftains of the Xiongnu!" Batu roared, his voice reverberating through the gathering. "These tales of alliance with the Han are no more than Xianbei poison, intended to drive a wedge between us. They fear our unity and seek to undermine our strength. Do not let their treachery succeed! Trust your brothers, not the whispers of enemies who want to see us crumble."
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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
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