Chapter 163
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Thousands of livestock, innumerable and cacophonous, arrived in Ye County. The local people gathered around, watching the spectacle and picking up manure from behind.
The soldiers who brought the livestock were overjoyed, saying, “Duke Wen, these are spoils of war brought to you by the General!”
Yuan Li felt delighted, his face beaming. “Did your General win?”
The soldier nodded and shook his head, informing Yuan Li about the situation in the grasslands.
Chu Hechao led his cavalry deep into the grasslands, killing scattered Xiongnu troops along the way. They had already annihilated ten thousand enemies and obtained a staggering fifty thousand livestock. Chu Hechao sent these livestock to the rear, distributing them to Northern Border, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Jizhou.
“More livestock and Xiongnu captives are on their way back,” the soldier said. “General should have reached the Xiongnu court by now.”
Yuan Li’s expression eased, and though Chu Hechao hadn’t returned, it was still good news.
He inquired further about Chu Hechao’s injuries, the situation of the wounded and sick, and the sufficiency of provisions. The soldier answered all his questions.
After delivering the livestock, the soldier’s group had to return. Before leaving, he hesitated and said, “Duke Wen, General asked me to ask you for something.”
“What is it?” Yuan Li asked.
“Your personal clothing,” the soldier’s dark face turned red, “General wants one of your clothes to ease his lovesickness.”
Yuan Li: “…”
Chu Hechao was definitely teasing him on purpose.
He remained expressionless for a moment before suddenly showing a smile. He instructed Lin Tian to bring a package and handed it to the soldier.
The soldier hurriedly accepted it, thanked Yuan Li, and quickly left.
Over the next month, as the soldier had said, a continuous stream of cattle, sheep, and horses arrived in Jizhou, numbering seventy to eighty thousand. Yuan Li had the sheep and horses tended to by his men, while the cattle were given to willing settlers for farming.
While they were busy with spring plowing in the rear, Chu Hechao had already engaged the Xiongnu court in battle.
Huyan Huntu was caught off guard. His attention had been divided by the conflicts among various tribes on the grasslands, and he didn’t expect Chu Hechao to know the location of the Xiongnu court and strike so deep into the grasslands in early spring.
At this moment, they were at their weakest, with their forces scattered and horses weakened. The hastily organized resistance against Chu Hechao was no match for his troops, and they suffered repeated defeats.
All seventy thousand people of the Xiongnu court were annihilated.
The Xiongnu generals, senior officials, and kings were all captured. Deprived of their horses, the Xiongnu suddenly appeared feeble, as if their ferocious exterior had been shattered. Even they themselves were in disbelief, unable to fathom the situation of being pursued and defeated.
Could they be so weak?
Could the people of the Central Plains be this strong?
The Xiongnu had been ruthless and inhumane when invading the Central Plains, committing atrocities and plundering. Yet they had never imagined that such a tragedy would one day befall them.
Now they were fleeing in panic, amidst severed limbs and agonizing screams, and their status had been completely reversed.
The Xiongnu were finally experiencing the fear that the innocent people of the Central Plains had felt when they were killed.
The horses were too hungry to run, and they couldn’t escape Chu Hechao’s army.
Chu Hechao, covered in blood, swung his large blade. The blood dripped onto the green grass as he calmly glanced over the corpses and shattered tents before looking at the fleeing Xiongnu. “Order to surround the rear of the Xiongnu, it’s not easy to fight a pursuit battle.”
Yuan Congyun immediately complied.
Chu Hechao grinned, wiping the blood from his face. “Let our brothers avenge our previous grievances.”
The grass was stained red with blood, merging into the rivers formed by the spring rain.
Huyan Huntu escaped from the encirclement under the protection of his guards. Once he broke free from the court, he immediately issued orders to call for reinforcements from the Zuo and Youxian Wangs.
On the fleeing horses, he angrily scolded, “Why didn’t anyone inform me of Chu Hechao’s whereabouts when he reached the court!”
His subordinates were in a panic, fearful, and responded like every Central Plains person who had fled from the Xiongnu invasion, “We didn’t know, we didn’t know… It’s Chu Hechao! He must have killed all the Xiongnu he encountered on the way, leaving no one alive to report the news!”
But this possibility only made the Xiongnu even more terrified.
In their eyes, Chu Hechao was undoubtedly as terrifying as a death god.
The troops in the rear were still chasing after them, loudly taunting the Xiongnu Chanyu, “Come and see, even the Xiongnu Chanyu has a day of fleeing in panic like this?”
Huyan Huntu pretended not to hear and led his men to escape to Youxian Wang.
Though Zuoxian Wang was also his son, he had a maternal grandfather serving as the Right General. He never underestimated his brothers and children. From his father, Huyan Wuzhu, he had learned not to place hope on his brothers or children.
Now that the court was about to be breached, if he were to seek Zuoxian Wang, there was also the possibility of being killed by his ambitious son for the throne. However, the eldest son who served as Youxian Wang was simple-minded and honest, and he had control over the forces of the Youxian Wang tribe.
But Huyan Huntu didn’t expect that when he arrived at Youxian Wang tribe, he would find that it had also been attacked.
The attackers were the Wuwan people who had secretly colluded with the Xiongnu long ago!
“Hateful Wuwan people!” Huyan Huntu was furious. His eyes swirled with anger and calmness. “They actually betrayed me…”
From last year to now, everything had slipped out of Huyan Huntu’s control.
Although he had the upper hand, disputes unexpectedly arose among the various tribes who submitted to him. As he dealt with the tribes, the Wuwan people betrayed him.
His subordinates anxiously asked, “Chanyu, what should we do?”
Huyan Huntu cast aside his cruel thoughts and quickly calmed down. “What else can we do? Flee, head north.”
But before fleeing, he also wanted to take the forces and livestock of Youxian Wang tribe with him.
Huyan Huntu pondered for a moment and said, “Send someone to find the leader of the Wuwan people and tell him that Huyan Huntu requests an audience with him.”
As a brutal and powerful Xiongnu Chanyu who had conquered all the tribes on the grasslands, Huyan Huntu knew that he could abandon his dignity and face.
As long as he was alive, he would have a chance to make a comeback.
Puyan received the message that Huyan Huntu wanted to see him, and after hesitating for a long time, he went.
Of course, he didn’t go alone. He brought his bodyguards and had three thousand soldiers lying in ambush behind him, preparing to capture Huyan Huntu to please Chu Hechao.
But what Puyan didn’t expect was that as soon as he saw Huyan Huntu, he was extremely humble, begging for his life.
In the past, when the Xiongnu defeated the Donghu, causing the Donghu tribes to disperse, one of them became the Wuwan people. While the Wuwan people were still active on the grasslands, the Xiongnu Chanyu demanded livestock and furs from them every year. If they didn’t comply, he would take their wives and daughters as slaves.
The Wuwan people valued their wives, which caused their discontent and conflicts with the Xiongnu. The enmity between the two tribes had long existed, and their temporary alliance was only for their mutual interests.
Seeing Huyan Huntu so submissive, Puyan couldn’t help but feel very smug. He was also willing to chat with Huyan Huntu for a few more words. “It’s not that I don’t want to spare you, Huyan Huntu. But you should know that our previous leader, Gulichi, was killed by Chu Hechao for not obeying his orders.”
Gulichi was dead?
Huyan Huntu suddenly realized, and he became even more humble. “If Lord Puyan is willing to spare my life, I’m willing to send all the gold, silver, treasure, and leather tents in Youxian Wang tribe to you.”
Puyan burst into laughter. “As long as I catch you and then take down Youxian Wang tribe, I can still have those things.”
Seeing the ferocity in his eyes, Huyan Huntu suddenly said, “If the Xiongnu are truly completely annihilated, do you think the Wuwan people can live in peace?”
“You Wuwan people have lived within the Great Wall for too long, and no longer see yourselves as barbarians,” Huyan Huntu said calmly, “Gulichi still had some caution, but you have already been tamed by the people of the Central Plains.”
Puyan was enraged, pulling out his sword to strike him, “You–!”
“Listen to me, Puyan!” Huyan Huntu shouted. In the moment Puyan stopped, Huyan Huntu continued, “Even if the Wuwan people have been living within the Great Wall for a long time, you are still Donghu people, just like us, considered barbarians from the grasslands. Do you think that after Chu Hechao kills us, he will spare your lives in Youzhou?”
Puyan frowned and slowly put down his sword, “Are you trying to incite us?”
“I’m just telling you, if the Xiongnu are truly annihilated, it will be your turn next, ” Huyan Huntu’s eyes flashed, and he said in a low voice, “There is an idiom in the Central Plains called ‘when lips are gone, teeth are cold.’ Once the forbidden ones are gone, the courts will become useless. The reason the Northern Zhou took you Wuwan people as subjects was to have you come and attack us, the Xiongnu. Have you forgotten? If we, the Xiongnu, are gone, do you think the Northern Zhou and Chu Hechao will spare you?”
In an instant, cold sweat broke out on Puyan, and his whole body trembled.
He knew that what Huyan Huntu said was true.
Only with the Xiongnu as an external threat could the Wuwan people be respected and well-treated within the Northern Zhou.
Huyan Huntu saw Puyan’s hesitation and took a step back, kneeling on the ground, and tearfully begged Puyan to spare his life, “As long as you spare me, let me take the soldiers and some livestock of Youxian Wang tribe and escape to the north. I will establish a new Xiongnu court in the north and, Puyan, you will be the savior of the Xiongnu people. I, Huyan Huntu, swear that once I recover and have the strength, I will serve you and obey your orders.”
His followers behind Huyan Huntu also knelt down in shame.
Puyan stood still for a moment, and finally stepped aside, giving Huyan Huntu a way out. “I’ll give you one night to leave with your soldiers and everything you can take. But leave the other Xiongnu people with me. I have to give Chu Hechao an explanation. After Chu Hechao arrives, I will pretend to chase you, and whether you can escape will depend on your luck.”
Huyan Huntu’s forehead touched the grass, revealing a faint, unseen smirk.
“Thank you, Lord Puyan.”
That night, Puyan fooled Dahan’s son and secretly allowed Huyan Huntu to enter Youxian Wang tribe.
Chu Hechao relentlessly pursued from behind, and Huyan Huntu dared not linger. He quickly consolidated the forces of Youxian Wang and took the livestock with him. Even so, before dawn on the next day, Chu Hechao caught up.
Huyan Huntu immediately abandoned the remaining things and ordered, “Go!”
His son, Youxian Wang, got on his horse under the protection of his guards and followed Huyan Huntu, trembling in fear.
As expected, Puyan pretended to request Chu Hechao’s permission to pursue the Xiongnu as they had an alliance, as he previously discussed.
Chu Hechao watched the distant Xiongnu army and withdrew his gaze to focus on Puyan. He narrowed his eyes, exuding an inexplicable depth. “How did Huyan Huntu manage to take away so many troops of Youxian Wang tribe?”
Under his intense gaze, Puyan’s heart pounded, his limbs numb. He felt Chu Hechao’s eyes were as fierce as predators. Subconsciously, he lowered his eyes and said, “Huyan Huntu and Youxian Wang conspired together, and our twenty thousand cavalry couldn’t prevent them, falling into Huyan Huntu’s scheme.”
Chu Hechao remained silent.
Although only a few moments had passed, Puyan felt like it had been a year. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and glancing sideways, he saw Dahan’s son also pale with fear.
Silence filled the air, and no one dared to speak. Chu Hechao lightly tapped his horse whip twice, then looked into the distance again, finally speaking, “I’ll allow you to pursue Huyan Huntu, and you can redeem yourself by catching him.”
Puyan and Dahan’s son simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief, thanking Chu Hechao before hurrying to lead their troops to pursue Huyan Huntu.
Chu Hechao patiently waited, waiting for all the Wuwan people to move. Then he lightly kicked his horse’s belly, signaling to move. The army followed closely behind.
Puyan also heard the sound coming from behind and looked back, only to see that Chu Hechao himself had personally led people to catch up.
His expression turned fierce for a moment, knowing that he couldn’t let Huyan Huntu go so easily.
With the Xiongnu people’s swift horses, it was uncertain whether they could catch up or not.
At least he needed to have a showdown with Huyan Huntu and kill some of the Xiongnu people before he could handle Chu Hechao.
Puyan gave a signal to the people around him.
Chu Hechao slowed down his pace.
Compared to the Xiongnu and Wuwan people in front of him, he seemed leisurely, as if he were just out for a stroll. He waited until the Wuwan and Xiongnu people engaged in a fight before he followed at a moderate pace.
Puyan’s eyes brightened, and he took the opportunity to ease his attack, allowing the Xiongnu people to leave in the confusion.
The son of Dadan was puzzled and scolded, “Lord Puyan, what are you doing?”
Puyan snorted coldly and whispered, “If you don’t want our Wuwan people to end up like the Xiongnu, then shut up and listen to me!”
After speaking, he quickly informed Dada’s son of the critical points Huyan Huntu had mentioned.
Dada’s son was shocked and dared not say more, following Puyan’s command to slow down the attack on the Xiongnu people.
After Huyan Huntu had run far away, he looked back at Puyan from a distance and nodded in acknowledgment. Then, he turned his gaze to Chu Hechao behind the Wuwan people.
Someday, he would return…
However, when he saw Chu Hechao’s army’s actions clearly, Huyan Huntu’s thoughts came to a sudden halt. His pupils dilated, his breathing became rapid, and then he immediately turned around and shouted, “Abandon the livestock, hurry, go!”
Youxian Wang had never seen his father so panicked, even when he was driven out of the royal court. Huyan Huntu could still fight against starving wolves at night, what did he see that made him show such a chilling side?
Youxian Wang was both afraid and couldn’t help but be curious, so he also looked back.
And with that glance, he froze.
After seeing that the Xiongnu had run far away, Puyan and Dada’s son both breathed a sigh of relief. They turned around to apologize to Chu Hechao, intending to use this opportunity to delay the Xiongnu’s escape. But as they got closer to Chu Hechao, the soldiers in his army suddenly took a step forward, skillfully drawing their bows.
Thousands of bows were drawn taut, with the arrows pointed not at the Xiongnu but at the Wuwan people who were approaching on horseback.
Puyan and the others stiffened, their eyes widened, and their breath almost stopped.
Chu Hechao stood on his horse behind the archers, looking calmly at Puyan and the others, waving his hand and saying, “Fire the arrows.”
The sharp sound of arrows piercing the air was like the burst of firecrackers, and the arrows were released all at once, heading straight for the Wuwan people.
The dense rain of arrows was like a dark cloud approaching. The shadows of the arrows in Puyan’s eyes got closer and closer, and he could hear the sound of them rushing through the air in his ears.
He opened his mouth, wanting to question Chu Hechao with a “why,” but before the words could come out, the arrows had already hit him.
Puyan’s vision blurred, and he made a choking sound in his throat as he unwillingly and hopelessly fell to the ground.
Chu Hechao…!
Chu Hechao looked at the chaotic scene of the Wuwan people and turned to Yuan Congyun, saying, “Here’s your chance to earn merit. Go and bring me the corpse of Huyan Huntu.”
Yuan Congyun was spirited and replied, “Yes!”
He immediately led the troops to pursue and kill Huyan Huntu.
After abandoning the livestock and excess supplies, Huyan Huntu’s escape speed increased significantly. But even so, they couldn’t outrun horses that had been fed with precious grain throughout the winter. An hour later, they were caught up by Yuan Congyun’s troops.
Huyan Huntu made the ruthless decision to abandon a portion of his forces, allowing them to fight to the death and delay Yuan Congyun’s pursuit.
With this constant cycle of fleeing and chasing, the Xiongnu people lost thirty thousand soldiers, covering a distance of one thousand miles. The grasslands around them were already showing hints of bare yellow sand. The horses in Huyan Huntu’s army could no longer run and collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth.
When Huyan Huntu’s horse fell, he was exhausted and slow to react. Fortunately, he rolled forward just in time to avoid a tragic neck injury.
As the setting sun descended, dusk enveloped the land. Huyan Huntu’s face was covered in sand as he laid on the ground, looking at the horizon, exuding a tragic air of a hero’s end.
In his life, Huyan Huntu had faced many enemies: fathers, brothers, subordinates, men, women… He endured hunger and hardships in the yellow sand, conquered various barbarian tribes on the vast grasslands, witnessed galloping horses and soaring eagles, and experienced the chaos of livestock fleeing from a wildfire…
He was not willing to die here.
Huyan Huntu took a deep breath and, with the help of his personal guards, stood up and looked back at the soldiers fighting against Yuan Congyun.
He had faced life-threatening situations many times in his life. This wasn’t the first time, and it shouldn’t be the last.
Huyan Huntu said slowly, “Divide the remaining forces into three parts. When night falls, head east, north, and west, confusing the Central Plains people, so they can’t tell which way I’m escaping.”
After speaking, he looked at Youxian Wang, remained silent for a moment, and said, “You need to separate from me. If I am unfortunately caught by the Central Plains people, you must find a way to escape to the northern desert, establish a new royal court there, and take good care of the remaining soldiers. After a hundred years, let your descendants avenge me.”
Youxian Wang’s eyes were teary, “Father…”
Huyan Huntu raised his hand to stop him, “There’s no time to lose. Hurry and follow my orders. Slaughter all the horses that can’t run, and let the ones that can rest for a moment. Don’t leave a single horse for the Central Plains people!”
His subordinates replied solemnly, “Yes!”
The sky quickly darkened.
The troops resisting Yuan Congyun had suffered heavy casualties.
Huyan Huntu’s army lacked horses. Many soldiers were abandoned to delay Yuan Congyun’s pursuit, but the Xiongnu people without horses couldn’t resist the cavalry. Yuan Congyun soon caught up again.
While chasing, Yuan Congyun saw the dead horses strewn along the way, and he sighed with pity.
When he got closer to Huyan Huntu, he saw that Huyan Huntu’s forces split into three groups, each heading in a different direction.
Yuan Congyun shook his head, “It’s just a dying struggle.”
He then ordered his army to split into three parts and pursue each group.
After killing twenty thousand Wuwan cavalry, Chu Hechao didn’t leave any prisoners.
The Xiongnu civilians from Youxian Wang’s tribe were captured instead of killed. Chu Hechao stationed his troops in Youxian Wang’s territory, waiting quietly for news from Yuan Congyun.
Five days later, Yuan Congyun returned, covered in dust and exhaustion from the long journey. However, he looked full of energy, as if he had drunk too much wine and was now excited. Yuan Congyun held Huyan Huntu’s head in one hand and pushed the securely tied Youxian Wang to kneel before Chu Hechao, loudly saying, “General, your subordinate has fulfilled the mission!”
Chu Hechao took the head and took a glance, confirming that this was indeed Huyan Huntu. Finally, he burst into a big grin and said, “Good! I’ll remember your great merit!”
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Thanks for the update