539. Battle At The Great Wall

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The others nodded in agreement, each merchant calculating the potential riches such an endeavor could bring. They would need to be discreet, of course. Fireworks appeared to be a guarded technology, something that was likely not available to just anyone in China. But they had their ways. With the right contacts and enough gold, anything could be bought. Their minds were already racing with ideas of how to acquire this mysterious and powerful product.

"I suggest we begin inquiries tomorrow," the youngest merchant suggested. "Find out who controls the production of these fireworks in Xiapi. Perhaps we could strike a deal or learn the secrets behind how they're made."

The elder merchant raised a hand. "Patience. We must not draw too much attention. Xiapi may seem open, but we are guests here and our nation was a subsidiary to the Han, so we need to approach this delicately, find someone who can give us information without raising suspicion. After all, we are here as merchants, not spies."

The group agreed, lowering their voices even further as they laid out their plan for the following days. They would discreetly gather information, using their trade contacts and local guides to learn more about the fireworks and the people behind their production.

If successful, they could return to Goguryeo not just with goods to sell, but with a new technology that could revolutionize both their economy and military, making them drown in riches they would never expect before.

Unbeknownst to them however, their meeting and discussion was being eavesdropped by Oriole Agents, who had recorded everything and recorded their names to be presented to the Oriole Grandmaster Jia Xu, as part of their report.

Meanwhile, in the Lie Clan's residence, the family continued to enjoy the final moments of the night's festivities. The courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, the crackling of fireworks still echoing in the distance.

Lie Fan, sitting with his wives and children, leaned back in his chair, feeling a deep sense of contentment. He watched as his children, still brimming with energy, chased each other around the courtyard, their laughter mixing with the distant sounds of celebration.

His thoughts drifted back to the state of his capital and the recent visitors, including the merchants from Goguryeo, who was allowed to pass freely into his domain through Huai'An, where they sail from Goguryeo to enter his domain in the mainland.

He had been aware of their presence since their arrival through the Oriole agents reports, and though they were here under the guise of trade, he knew well enough that they were likely scouting for more than just commodities, as they will also scout for information and secrets they could found.

Goguryeo's nobles and officials one way or another had connections with these merchants, and after the spectacle shown by fireworks that lighten up the skies, their interest in fireworks would not be surprising, and without any reports from the Oriole agents he knew that tomorrow they would begin to search for any information about fireworks and try to procure them.

Lie Fan smirked, and thought inwardly that it was only a matter of time before others started to take notice of his fireworks. Fireworks are not just a form of entertainment, after all. They have potential beyond mere celebration, and could be used as weapon like the fire lance he will use soon. So he wouldn't be surprised if they were already thinking of ways to use them for military purposes.

But it's better to be cautious, as he never knew what will they do to procure the knowledge of fireworks and the times it self. His eyes narrowing as he considered the possibilities of it happening. He make make a note in his mind to make sure taking any necessary precautions. If they attempt anything, his men will be ready.

Back in the private room at the Serenity Inn, the merchants from Goguryeo finished their discussion, each man deep in thought. They had a long road ahead, filled with negotiations and delicate maneuvers, but if they could succeed in acquiring the secrets of fireworks, they would return home not just as traders, but as heroes who increase the chance of Giguryeo liberating themselves from the Han.

One of the merchants, the youngest, looked out the window toward the fading lights of the fireworks display. "This city," he murmured, "is far more than it seems. There is power here, both in the people and in the technology. We must tread carefully."

The elder merchant nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Xiapi is no ordinary city, and Lie Fan is no ordinary warlord from the information I have gathered. But we have an opportunity here. Let's make the most of it."

The group fell into silence as they finished their meal, their minds already focused on the coming days. Outside, the streets of Xiapi were still alive with the remnants of the festival, but for the merchants of Goguryeo, the real work was just beginning.

While Xiapi basked in the glow of fireworks and festivity, far to the northwest, near the Great Wall, a different kind of energy simmered. The tension between Cao Cao's forces, led by Ma Teng, Han Sui, Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Li Dian, and the Northern Xiongnu Tribe Coalition had finally come to a boiling point.

The Northern Xiongnu Tribe Coalition, led by Tugeh Khagan, had been gathering strength for some time, rallying the nomadic tribes of the steppes under a banner of unity while waiting for the right moment to strik.

Now, Tugeh Khagan believed the moment had come to strike against the Han forces that guarded the Great Wall, aiming to catch them off guard and deliver a crushing blow and take over the illustrious Great Wall under his rule or at least part of it.

Under the cover of night, Tugeh Khagan mobilized his vast coalition of tribes. With over 200,000 Xiongnu tribesmen from a variety of clans and backgrounds, they moved like a tidal wave across the steppes, their horses galloping in rhythm as they approached the formidable Great Wall.

The tribesmen, many of whom were seasoned warriors, felt a surge of confidence as they rode, their spirits high. Tugeh Khagan had convinced them that they would take the Han by surprise, believing that an attack at dawn would shatter the morale of the Han soldiers, who were unprepared for such a massive assault.

The Xiongnu warriors pictured themselves breaching the Great Wall, pillaging the lands beyond, and weakening the Han's hold on the region. The vast expanse of their homeland stretched behind them, giving them the feeling that the steppes themselves were pushing them forward. They were a force of nature, unstoppable, or so they thought.

However, their confidence was misplaced.

Unknown to Tugeh Khagan and the people who were loyal to him, several of their own supposed allies had already betrayed them.

The leaders of the Onggirat and Qangli tribes—Batu and Zolgar, respectively—who had secretly aligned themselves with the Han forces along with other chieftains who doubted the success of Tugeh Khagan's campaign and pledge their support to Ca Cao's forces, had already informed the soldiers at the Greeat Wall about the oncoming attack.

Days earlier, Batu and Zolgar had dispatched their fastest messenger eagles to relay critical intelligence to Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai spies, who had leave the encampment after meeting the two of them and the other chieftains.

The message, laden with intricate details of the Xiongnu's battle plan, their numbers, and the timing of their approach, had been sent with the hope of gaining early favor with the Han leadership.

By informing Cao Cao's forces of the impending attack, these tribal leaders aimed to ensure truly the survival of their tribes but also a potential increase of rewards from the powerful Han forces.

The eagles flew swiftly across the steppes, carrying the fate of the Xiongnu coalition in their talons. Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai spies, upon receiving the message, immediately recognized the gravity of the situation.

They immediately sned the message to Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai who was located at Tianshui, and when Guo Jia received the message, his sharp mind quickly processed the information, and he and Xi Zhicai worked tirelessly to devise a strategy that would turn the Xiongnu's attempted surprise into a deadly trap for their own forces.

While the Xiongnu believed they were approaching the Great Wall under the cover of darkness, ready to strike at dawn, Cao Cao's forces had already fortified their positions. Xiahou Dun's soldiers had set up concealed traps along the most likely paths of attack, while Yu Jin's infantry and Li Dian's cavalry were prepared to mobilize at a moment's notice.

Ma Teng and Han Sui, who both had numerous experience in frontier warfare facing the Xiongnh, ensured that the morale of their troops remained high, reminding them of the honor of defending their homeland against the invaders.

As dawn began to break, the Xiongnu army drew closer to the Great Wall. Tugeh Khagan rode at the front of his forces, his mind filled with visions of victory. He could almost see the fear in the eyes of the Han soldiers, the disarray that would follow his surprise assault. His men were ready for bloodshed, eager to claim the riches that lay beyond the wall.

But instead of unprepared soldiers, the Xiongnu found a well-fortified defense. The moment they were within striking distance, the Han forces unleashed their full might. Archers, hidden in the shadows of the wall, rained arrows down upon the advancing Xiongnu, cutting down dozens of riders before they could even reach the base of the wall.

The traps laid by Xiahou Dun's forces—spiked pits and hidden caltrops—began to take their toll, causing chaos among the Xiongnu cavalry as horses stumbled and men were thrown from their saddles as they approached the Great Wall.

The Xiongnu advance faltered, confusion spreading through their ranks. Tugeh Khagan, realizing that his surprise attack had failed, roared in fury, but it was too late his coalition had already entered the trap which foiled his surprise attack plan.

Amid the chaos, Batu, Zolgar, and the traitorous chieftains, made their move. Under the guise of leading their tribes into battle, they quietly withdrew their forces from the fray, ensuring that their men did not suffer the same fate as the rest of the Xiongnu tribes who had fallen into the trap, retaining the number of warriors under them.

Unaware of this, Tugeh Khagan, seeing his meticulously planned attack fall apart before his eyes, rally his forces, calling for the chieftains to retreat several kilometers away from the Great Wall, far from the range of the Han Archers.

Seeing the Northern Xiongnu Tribes Coalition retreat after their failed surprise attack, Yu Jin and Li Dian, who commanded the infantry and cavalry respectively, halted their counter offensive manuver just outside of the Xiongnu's attack range.

They watched the Xiongnu regroup, retreating to the safety of the open plains, where they could avoid further engagement. It was clear the Xiongnu were stunned by the Han's preparedness, and Yu Jin, along with Li Dian, knew that this initial success was just the beginning. They needed to press their advantage but with strategic caution.

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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