525. Xianbei Decide To Make a Move

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Just then, two figures entered the tent, their cloaks heavy with the dust of the steppes. The agents of Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai had arrived. The men wore simple clothes, blending in easily with the nomadic tribes, but their eyes gleamed with intelligence and purpose. They were the intermediaries between the rebel tribes and the Han strategists, and they carried with them the next phase of the plan.

"Chieftains," one of the agents began, his voice smooth and authoritative. "We bring news from Master Guo Jia and Master Xi Zhicai. The forces of Lord Cao Cao have completed their preparations at the Great Wall, and General Ma Teng and Han Sui have devised a strategy that will allow you to strike at the heart of Tugeh's forces while keeping your own warriors intact."

The leaders leaned in closer, eager to hear what the agents had to say.

"Lord Cao Cao's generals—Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Li Dian—have agreed to assist Ma Teng and Han Sui's plan. They will focus on defending the Great Wall and reinforcing the mountainous regions to the west where they will set up an ambush. This will force Tugeh to commit his cavalry to an assault toward the mountainous region, at the same time spreading his forces across the plains where they are strongest but also leaving them vulnerable to ambush. This is where you come in."

The second agent, a shrewd-looking man with sharp eyes, continued, "Master Guo Jia's plan is simple. Once Tugeh's forces are committed to the attack on our fortifications, you will feign retreat and draw a portion of his forces away. Under the guise of retreating to safer ground, you will create chaos in his ranks by attacking his supply lines and isolating his elite guard. When the moment is right, you will strike from behind, turning the tide of battle in your favor."

The room was silent for a moment as the tribe leaders absorbed the details of the plan. It was a bold strategy, one that relied on deception and precise timing. Batu, ever the cautious leader, voiced his concern.

"How can we be sure that you Han people will not betray us once the battle begins? We are placing a great deal of trust in their promises, and if they decide to turn on us, we could be caught between Tugeh's wrath and Han's blades."

The first agent smiled, his expression calm and reassuring. "Master Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai have no interest in seeing your tribes destroyed. Their goal is to break Tugeh Khagan's power and ensure that the Xiongnu are too divided to pose a threat to us in the future. In exchange for your cooperation, you will be granted autonomy over your tribes, and Lord Cao Cao will recognize your leadership over the northern steppe. The Onggirat and Qangli will rise as the new powers among the Xiongnu, with Batu and Zolgar as their overlords while the rest will become part of Batu and Zolgar council of chieftains."

The promise of power and autonomy was too tempting for the rebel chieftains to resist. They had long chafed under Tugeh Khagan's command, and the prospect of ruling their own lands without interference was a dream they had never thought possible. Slowly, nods of agreement spread around the table.

Zolgar, ever the opportunist, leaned forward and addressed the other leaders. "This is our chance. Tugeh Khagan has overreached, and his arrogance will be his downfall. If we strike at the right moment, we can not only rid ourselves of him but also secure our future as rulers of these lands. The Han are giving us an opportunity, and we would be fools not to take it."

Batu, though still cautious, could see the logic in Zolgar's words. "Agreed," he said finally. "We will move against Tugeh Khagan, but we must ensure that the timing is perfect. We cannot afford to make any mistakes."

The agents from Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai nodded, pleased with the outcome of the meeting. "You will be notified when the time is right. Stay vigilant and keep your forces prepared. When the moment comes, you will have your chance to claim the future you desire."

With the plan set in motion, the rebel leaders dispersed into the night, each returning to their own camps with the weight of treachery on their minds. The coalition that Tugeh Khagan had fought so hard to build was now teetering on the brink of collapse, and the seeds of discord, planted so carefully by Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, were about to bear deadly fruit.

Back at Tugeh's main camp, the Khagan was unaware of the plot brewing against him. He had spent the evening going over the latest reports from his scouts, preparing for the upcoming assault on the Great Wall.

The coalition was vast, and his warriors were eager for battle, but there was an undercurrent of unease that he could not shake. The tribes had always been difficult to control, but now, on the eve of war, their restlessness seemed more dangerous than ever.

Little did Tugeh Khagan know, that the rebellion was already in motion, and soon, the very men he put to lead his flanks would turn against him. The battle for the Great Wall would be the least of his worries, his true battle was for survival against the enemies within his own ranks.

Meanwhile, far to the East, in the cold, rugged steppes of the Xianbei tribes, another council was being held. The sudden gathering of the Northern Xiongnu tribes had not gone unnoticed. The Xianbei, longtime rivals of the Xiongnu, had been alerted to the large influx of warriors and activity in the region.

The sudden big activities of the Northern Xiongnu posed a potential threat to the Xianbei, who had themselves once been the dominant force in the northern plains under the great Tanshihuai.

His leadership had forged the Xianbei Confederation, a mighty coalition of Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Wuhuan tribes that had repeatedly threatened the Han Dynasty's northern border.

But that confederation had crumbled with the death of Tanshihuai in 181 AD. His successors had been unable to maintain the support of the disparate tribes, and the unity that once made them a formidable force was now fractured.

Leadership had passed to Helian, Tanshihuai's son, but his untimely death during a raid left the confederation in disarray. Helian's son, Qianman, was too young to assume leadership, and so the council of chieftains elected Kuitou, Helian's nephew, as the new leader.

Kuitou, though a capable leader, faced the immense challenge of uniting the fractured Xianbei tribes. His leadership was based on respect rather than fear, and while the council of chieftains supported him, he knew that his position was far more precarious than Tanshihuai's had ever been.

The Xianbei tribes were proud and fiercely independent, prone to internal squabbles that made lasting unity difficult to maintain. However, the recent activity of the Xiongnu had given Kuitou an opportunity to rally the tribes under a common cause once again.

As the council of chieftains gathered in the great yurt at the center of Kuitou's camp, the atmosphere was tense. The news of the Northern Xiongnu's sudden mobilization had spread rapidly, and now the Xianbei leaders were eager to discuss their next move. Kuitou, a tall, lean man with sharp features and piercing eyes, sat at the head of the table, his mind already turning over the possibilities.

"Brothers," Kuitou began, his voice calm but firm, "we all know why we are here. The Xiongnu to our west are gathering in great numbers, more than we have seen in recent years. Tugeh Khagan, their leader, seeks to unite the northern steppes under his banner, just as the Great Tanshihuai once did with our own confederation. If we do nothing, we risk seeing the Xiongnu rise again to challenge us for dominance of these lands."

The gathered chieftains muttered among themselves, their expressions grim. The Xiongnu had long been their rivals, and the idea of a united Xiongnu force was unsettling. They knew that if Tugeh succeeded in consolidating power, it would only be a matter of time before he turned his attention toward the Xianbei.

One of the older chieftains, a grizzled warrior named Bayan, spoke up. "Tugeh Khagan is ambitious, but we must ask ourselves—what does he seek? Is it the riches of the Han lands, or does he aim to conquer the steppe itself? If it is the latter, then we are already in his path."

Kuitou nodded thoughtfully. "That is the question. From what we have gathered, Tugeh Khagan's immediate goal is the Han. He plans to attack the Great Wall, no doubt seeking to plunder the wealth of the southern lands. But his forces are vast, and once he has tasted victory against the Han, it is only a matter of time before he looks to us. We cannot allow the Xiongnu to gain the upper hand while we remain divided."

The council fell into a tense silence as the chieftains weighed Kuitou's words. They knew he was right. The Xiongnu had always been their fiercest rivals for control of the northern plains after the disintegration of the confederation, and if Tugeh Khagan managed to unite the tribes under his leadership, it would spell disaster for the Xianbei. But the question remained: what could they do about it?

It was then that another chieftain, younger and more aggressive, spoke up. His name was Yilu, and he was known for his fiery temper and ambition. "Why should we wait for Tugeh to attack us? If we strike now, while he is focused on the Han, we can catch him off guard. His forces are spread out, preparing for the assault on the Great Wall. If we hit him from the north, we could cripple him before he has a chance to strengthen his position."

Several of the other chieftains murmured in agreement. The idea of striking first appealed to many of them, especially the younger warriors who were eager to prove their worth in battle. But Kuitou raised a hand, signaling for silence.

"Attacking Tugeh Khagan now is a bold plan," Kuitou said, "but it is also risky. If we move too soon, we could find ourselves fighting a two-front war against both the Xiongnu and the Han. We must be careful. If we are to confront Tugeh, we need to ensure that the Han will not see us as enemies as well."

Bayan, the elder chieftain, nodded. "The Han have been our enemies in the past, but they are not our immediate concern. If we move against Tugeh Khagan, we could offer to aid the Han in their defense against the Xiongnu. That way, we ensure that we are not fighting two enemies at once."

Kuitou considered this for a moment. The idea had merit. By offering assistance to the Han, the Xianbei could avoid a direct confrontation with them and perhaps even gain some favor in the process. More importantly, they would be able to focus their full strength on crippling Tugeh before his coalition could solidify.

After a moment, Kuitou spoke again. "Bayan's suggestion is wise. We will send envoys to the Han, offering our assistance in their defense against the Xiongnu. If they agree, we will strike at Tugeh Khagan's rear while his forces are engaged at the Great Wall. If they refuse, we will have to reconsider our position, but either way, we cannot allow the Xiongnu to grow any stronger."

The council nodded in agreement, the decision made. Kuitou stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Prepare your warriors. We ride soon."

As the chieftains dispersed to ready their tribes for war, Kuitou remained behind, deep in thought. He knew that the coming conflict would determine the future of the northern steppes.

If the Xianbei succeeded in crippling the Xiongnu, they could reassert their dominance over the region and secure their position for years to come. But if they failed, the Xiongnu would rise again, and the Xianbei would be forced to fight for their very survival.

Far to the west, in Tugeh Khagan's camp, the Xiongnu leader remained unaware of the storm gathering on his northern border. His attention was focused entirely on the Han and the upcoming battle for the Great Wall, blind to the threat that Kuitou and the Xianbei posed. But soon, as his forces marched toward the south, Tugeh would find himself caught between two enemies—one in front of him, and one at his back.

The stage was set for a confrontation that would shake the northern plains. As the Xiongnu prepared for their assault on the Han, the Xianbei readied themselves for war, and far to the south, the master behind all of these chaotic situations—Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Lie Fan—quietly manipulated events to ensure that their enemies would tear each other apart.

None of the three could foresee the full extent of the chaos that was about to unfold, but all were determined to emerge victorious. And so, the northern steppes, long a land of shifting alliances and brutal warfare, prepared for yet another battle. The Xiongnu, the Xianbei, and the Han—three great powers—would soon clash in a conflict that would decide the fate of the northern frontier for generations to come.

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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