C145. Huyan Hutu.

C145. Huyan Hutu.

Three days later, Chu Hechao led the army and set out. The army's speed of advancement was fast, with military intelligence letters sent to Youzhou every day. Half a month later, they had already entered the territory of Jizhou.

Yang Zhongfa was left in Youzhou by Chu Hechao, partly to ensure the safety of Yuan Li, and partly because Yang Zhongfa was already an old general and it was best to reduce his travels.

Yang Zhongfa cheerfully accepted the order to stay in Youzhou.

Compared to the hardships of the army ahead, the days in the rear were quite leisurely. Despite his age, Yang Zhongfa's skills hadn't diminished with time. Although Chu Hechao had taken fifty thousand troops, Youzhou remained as safe and prosperous as ever, with the people living their lives unaffected by the border conflicts.

However, twenty days after Chu Hechao left, He Lang, stationed on the border, sent word that the border had been repeatedly invaded by the Xiongnu. Although the Xiongnu were few and fled after a fight, their frequent incursions were becoming a nuisance.

Yuan Li gathered Yang Zhongfa and Yuan Congyun to discuss the situation, and both had the same idea, thinking that the Xiongnu may have learned about the general's departure for Jizhou and were testing their defenses.

"That's right," agreeing with their assessment, Yuan Li nodded. Acknowledging their experience in handling such matters and sought their input on the situation, "You two are both famous generals who have been stationed in the border for a long time. What do you think?"

Yang Zhongfa and Yuan Congyun shared a look, with Yang Zhongfa speaking up, "Lord Yuan, the battle we waged against the Xiongnu upon your arrival in Youzhou significantly crippled their strength. Though they've recovered somewhat over the years, the fear of the thunder cannon's might still lingers. This is why they resort to petty provocations. However, if we continue to endure these tests without retaliation, I fear the Xiongnu's boldness will only escalate. A decisive strike now would serve as a stark reminder of our power and deter future aggression.

Yuan Congyun concurred, "Indeed."

Without hesitation, Yuanli decided to retaliate and demonstrate their strength to the Xiongnu.

After pondering for a moment, Yuanli added, "I will go with you to the border to assess the situation."

As the valiant general, he had never been to the northern border before.

*

Yuan Congyun remained behind to defend, while Yuan Li, accompanied by Yang Zhongfa and Jia Qing, hastened to the northern border.

It was Yuan Li's first time in the Northern border, and from a distance, he could see the vast expanse of green grasslands. The sight was refreshing, and the grasslands seemed endless, the scent of grass wafting in the air. Horses grazed contentedly, loving the feel of the grass under their hooves.

Shepherds tended to their flocks on the grasslands, herding cows and sheep to graze. These were the people from Yuan Li's ranch who grazed their livestock within the Great Wall's grasslands.

The animals were well-fed and paid no mind to the passing group led by Yuan Li, not even lifting their heads as they passed by.

Yuan Li couldn't resist, he stooped down and plucked a handful of wool from a lamb. The lamb let out a "baa" and lifted its eyes in a puzzled manner to look at Yuan Li. This sight made Yuan Li smile and he remarked, "This lamb looks so adorable, its meat must be tender. Let's slaughter it for dinner tonight."

Jia Qing was somewhat amused by the situation.

The atmosphere on the border was far from solemn as He Lang had come forward to welcome Yuan Li and his party in advance.

"Lord Yuan, this is the first time in the Northern Frontier, right?" He Lang greeted Yuan Li warmly, "I'll take you on a tour later! Because of you, the Northern Frontier has improved a lot over the years, and our officers and soldiers have long wanted to see you in person and express their gratitude."

Yuan Li chuckled, "No need, no need."

He Lang then turned to Jia Qing, teasingly saying, "General Jia, have you ever been to the Northern Frontier? It's a good opportunity to see the scenery here."

Having heard of each other's reputation, Jia Qing nodded in appreciation, saying, "Thank you."

Soon, they saw rows of orderly and well-structured camps, numbering tens of thousands, resembling a bustling town.

Most of these camps were built from wood, while some were made of a mix of grass and mud. Several watchtowers surrounded the camps, with soldiers standing guard, vigilant against enemy attacks.

The roads were well-maintained mud paths, with patrol teams passing by from time to time, casting curious glances at Yuan Li's group.

Near the camps were rows of stables.

Soldiers were tossing feed into the troughs, a mix of grass and beans. The horses were enjoying the feed, snorting contentedly with their heads buried in the fodder.

Yang Zhongfa, observing this, expressed surprise, "They are feeding them high-quality fodder? Are they preparing for an imminent battle with the Xiongnu?"

During times of peace, horses could simply graze on grass. However, when engaged in heavy combat, the feed would be supplemented with grains such as bran or beans to provide energy and endurance for prolonged battles.

In the past, resources were scarce, even during battles, horses were not allotted much feed as people were also hungry and resources were limited. Reflecting on the hardships of the past, Yang Zhongfa marveled at the current circumstances, where they could afford high-quality feed in advance, a luxury they could never have imagined before.

"This isn't just preparation for battle," He Lang chuckled, "Lao Yang, haven't you been in Jixian County for these past years? Our warhorses occasionally receive high-quality feed even during peacetime."

He Lang walked over and patted the neck of a brown horse munching on grass, saying, "They love this feed. If we didn't feed them this way, how could they grow so strong and robust?"

The horse, upon being patted, grumbled and moved away, showcasing its strong muscles, sleek fur, and shiny coat.

Jia Qing couldn't help but comment, "Impressive horses."

From the quality of the horse feed, it was evident that the border troops were living quite comfortably.

"What we have here is all thanks to Lord Yuan," He Lang nodded towards Yuan Li respectfully, "His generous contributions have provided ample supplies. Without him, our horses wouldn't be as well-cared for."

Yuan Li, pleased with the well-being of the horses, waved his hand, saying, "No need for thanks, it's the least I can do."

Not only were the warhorses well-fed, but the troops stationed on the border also had enough to eat and were well-clothed. Their lively spirits and well-maintained weapons conveyed a sense of readiness and preparedness.

Although the annual provision of food and military supplies to the border incurred significant expenses, seeing the changes in the Northern Frontier, witnessing the strong and healthy appearance of the soldiers, Yuan Li couldn't help but feel that the money was well spent, giving him a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Other generals, led by Mi Yang and Duan Yuquan, were all waiting in front of the main tent to greet Yuan Li upon his arrival.

As soon as they saw Yuan Li, they warmly welcomed him, showing genuine concern and care.

Being warm and hospitable was essential; the entire Northern Frontier knew they relied on him for sustenance.

They were extremely grateful to Yuan Li; without him, they would still be living in the harsh conditions of before. It's not that they didn't appreciate the Great General, but tough times are hard to endure, and who wouldn't prefer to have enough to eat?

Their enthusiasm caught Yuan Li off guard. Seeing his unease, Duan Yuquan dispersed the others, leaving only a few senior officers present.

"We don't have much to offer to the Governor," Duan Yuquan, a scholarly general, politely remarked, "The houses in the North are simple, and we apologize for having you stay in the Great General's quarters."

Chu Hechao's room?

Yuan Li was intrigued, curious about Chu Hechao's accommodations. With a calm demeanor, he replied, "I am not picky, I can stay anywhere, be it in the mountains or the wilderness. There's no inconvenience."

Duan Yuquan then led them to the room, considering their long journey and allowing them time to rest without much elaboration.

Yang Zhongfa and Jia Qing had their own arrangements and did not stay with Yuan Li.

As Yuan Li entered Chu Hechao's room, he instinctively looked around.

The room was extremely simple, with bare walls. There was only a bed, a desk for administrative work, and a table with a water jug.

A piece of animal fur hung on the wall, which Yuan Li approached and realized it was wolf fur.

The bedding on the bed was also made of animal fur, thick like a bear skin. Yuan Li lifted the covers and took a sniff, expecting a scent, but it was surprisingly clean, with just a hint of unavoidable dust.

It seemed like someone had cleaned it.

Although Yuan Li knew it was a misconception, he couldn't help but think he caught a whiff of Chu Hechao's scent in the beddings. He sniffed again, and a faint aroma lingered at the tip of his nose.

Yuan Li wondered if maybe he missed him after almost a month without seeing him. Otherwise, how could he still smell Chu Hechao's scent on the bedding, which hadn't been used by anyone for years?

But upon further thought, Chu Hechao had been living here for over a decade, so it was normal for the bedding to retain his scent, which couldn't be washed away.

If he were elsewhere, Yuan Li would surely have been polite and reserved. But he knew this was his man's territory, so there was no need for formality in his man's house; he could act freely and casually.

Yuan Li searched the room inside and out and found a pair of pants reduced to shreds and a discarded dagger tucked away in a corner.

After searching the entire room, Yuan Li had one thought: poverty, Chu Hechao was truly impoverished.

The most valuable items in the room were the wolf fur hanging on the wall and the fur bedding on the bed.

Feeling sympathy and pity for his man, Yuan Li slept well that night.

The next morning, he woke up refreshed and learned about another impending Xiongnu raid.

Immediately, Yuan Li, accompanied by Jia Qing, joined Yang Zhongfa and Duan Yuquan to reach the border town.

As the meandering Great Wall came into view, Yuan Li, although having seen the Great Wall in the future, still felt awed by its magnificence.

The ancient Great Wall was more grand and impressive than in the future, exuding a youthful vigor in defense against external enemies. After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Li, with stirred emotions, climbed up the Great Wall.

From the vantage point of the Great Wall, they could see far-off Xiongnu riders engaging in skirmishes with Northern Frontier patrols.

Squinting his eyes, Yuan Li observed.

As mentioned by He Lang, after the devastating defeat six years ago, the Xiongnu had become more cunning. They no longer engaged in direct assaults but resorted to sneak attacks from both sides, harassing and testing the Northern Frontier patrols alternately.

Provoked, the Xiongnu would retreat immediately, leaving the patrols powerless.

"Who is the current ruler of the Xiongnu court?" Jia Qing suddenly inquired.

Duan Yuquan sighed, "General Jia, why don't you take a guess?"

Yuan Li sighed and replied, "It is Huyan Hutu, the second son of Huyan Wuzhu."

Chu Hechao had mentioned this to Yuan Li before. Yuan Li initially thought the throne would be passed to the eldest son of Huyan Wuzhu, as he had commanded most of Huyan Wuzhu's forces and was his most beloved and regarded as the heir.

However, it turned out that the relatively obscure Huyan Hutu had ascended to the throne.

Duan Yuquan nodded, gazing at the retreating Xiongnu riders in the distance. "Due to power struggles in the Xiongnu court, there was internal turmoil for five years until last year when the victor emerged. Huyan Hutu, not favored and with limited power, had been at a disadvantage when clashing with his older brother, even getting expelled from the court by him. But Huyan Hutu didn't give up; he conquered various neighboring tribes and united them under his rule. Two years ago, Huyan Hutu made a strong comeback, defeated Huyan Ting within a year, and claimed the throne."

"Huyan Hutu," Yuanli mused, "his ambitions are not inferior to his father's."

"Yes," Duan Yuquan spoke gravely, "He has been the chieftain for just a year, yet sending multiple reconnaissance missions upon the General's departure from Youzhou, displaying such craftiness, his boldness surpasses that of his brother Huyan Ting."

The expressions of the group grew serious.

They were naturally not pleased by this news; the threat posed by the Xiongnu under Huyan Hutu's command would be even greater than under Huyan Ting.

Yuan Li remarked, "However, he is also a cautious man."

After a pause, he added, "And a patient one."

Yang Zhongfa furrowed his brow for a moment and nodded, "He's not to be underestimated."

He Lang's interjection of surprise, "You two seem more cautious about him than I expected."

Yuan Li turned to him, paused for a moment, and said, "Haven't you noticed?"

"What have I noticed?" He Lang inquired.

Yang Zhongfa sneered and continued, "You, boy, are starting to unconsciously underestimate the Xiongnu."

Huyan Hutu cautiously probed the strength of the North Xinjiang army, making numerous small moves, not enough to completely rupture ties, just enough to be an annoyance like pesky mice.

And mice naturally did not warrant much attention.

But could such thinking be falling into Huyan Hutu's trap?

He even inadvertently made He Lang and the other generals relax their guard, starting to underestimate the Xiongnu.

A man who could conquer various tribes after being expelled from the court and had the patience to do so would not resort to provoking the border troops without assurance. Perhaps Huyan Hutu was waiting for the day when these generals would let their guard down completely.

In that instant, Yuan Li made up his mind, feeling a surge of determination.

This enemy needed to be eliminated as soon as possible.