C147. Deep Into The Grassland.

C147. Deep Into The Grassland.

These two Xiongnu were left behind.

However, all the other Xiongnu were mercilessly killed.

Even when some Xiongnu regretted and shouted "surrender" and "I can also guide you," it did not stop the swords from striking them.

The two Xiongnu who had stepped forward first looked at their dead comrades, their legs trembling with fear. They were filled with a mix of fear and relief, grateful that they had seized the opportunity to save their lives.

But they soon realized that this chance at survival was not as easy as it seemed.

They were kept imprisoned the whole night, without a drop of water. Early the next day, these two Xiongnu were taken out. They were roughly tied up and hoisted onto horses, informed that they would only receive water when they led the way to a tribal clan.

The faces of the two Xiongnu changed.

Nomadic tribes living on the grasslands understood the importance of water and the agony of thirst. Without water, a person could perish in three to four days, suffering a painful death.

The despicable people from the Central Plains resorted to withholding water to force them to lead the way quickly. This method was truly cruel!

But driven by the instinct to survive, they dared not say anything, anxiously guiding Yuan Li's group deep into the grasslands.

In order to continue living, they had to find a tribal clan within three days.

Generals like He Lang and Duan Yuquan remained at the border, while Yuan Li, with Jia Qing and Yang Zhongfa, ventured further into the grasslands.

Yuan Li had previously trained an elite cavalry unit, which had grown from a thousand to eight thousand, after Chu Hechao took three thousand to attack Jizhou, Yuan Li brought four thousand to the northern frontier.

Now, he divided these four thousand troops into two, with Yang Zhongfa leading one group. They traveled light, each accompanied by a Xiongnu defector, a guide, and a makeshift compass, silently advancing into the grasslands.

The compass, guide, and Xiongnu defector working together significantly increased the success rate of finding the tribal clan on the grasslands, and reduced the likelihood of the Xiongnu lying.

This compass is a simple compass made of water and needles by Yuan Li, and he taught this method to Yang Zhongfa.

Fortunately, the Xiongnu defectors were honest and eager to find the tribal clan. Finally, after three days, the Xiongnu guided Yuan Li to the first tribal clan.

By this time, the Xiongnu were so thirsty that they were weak, their lips cracked and purple, their eyes dark and unfocused, pleading, "Water, water...we found the clan, water."

Yuan Li nodded to the soldier beside him, who approached with a water skin, uncorked it, and roughly lifted the Xiongnu's face to feed him water.

The Xiongnu paid no attention to the soldier's roughness, grasping the water skin tightly, tears of joy streaming down his face as he greedily drank, unwilling to waste a drop.

But when the water skin was halfway empty, the soldier mercilessly pulled it away, handing him a piece of dry food instead. He told the Xiongnu, who was struggling and still desperate for water, "You'll have water when you lead us to the next clan."

The Xiongnu swallowed hard, their thirsty gaze fixed on the water skin, "I understand."

In the distance, Jia Qing looked at the tents of the tribe and asked, "How does Lordship plan to proceed?"

Yuan Li countered, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Jia Qing said, "Since Huyan Hutu has gained such power by aligning with the various barbarian tribes, these tribes are his allies. We should eliminate these tribes to weaken Huyan Hutu's strength."

"That's exactly what I had in mind," Yuan Li said with a slight smile, "but that alone won't be enough."

At this moment, just before dawn, the sky was gray and misty, and the grassland was peaceful.

The distant tribal camp was silent, the barbarians still in their slumber. The dim light of dawn concealed the group of dark figures.

Yuan Li looked at the camp and said, "We must make these barbarians aware that it was Huyan Hutu's provocation that brought them this disaster. It was because of the guidance of the Xiongnu that we were able to find their whereabouts."

Jia Qing nodded approvingly, "Are you suggesting inciting the barbarian tribes to turn against Huyan Hutu?"

"Exactly," Yuanli tightened the reins, "wipe out the smaller tribes completely, provoke the larger ones to the best of our ability. We need to sow discord among them before Huyan Hutu can react. If we can gain a position in the Xiongnu court through these barbarian tribes, even better. Generals, follow me!"

With that, Yuan Li led the charge.

Jia Qing closely followed to protect Yuan Li's safety, ordering his men to surround the camp from the left and right flanks, drawing their swords.

The sleeping camp was abruptly awakened, cries piercing through the night.

It was a small tribe, with only a few hundred people, no match for Yuan Li's two thousand cavalry. By the time the sun rose, they had conquered the tribe and swiftly moved towards the next one.

Among the group was a person tasked with drawing topographical maps on silk with charcoal. This was Yuan Li's instruction - from the moment they entered the grasslands, to map out the locations of various tribes, rivers, forests, and valleys.

Mapping out the terrain was crucial; even if tribes relocated, the rivers, forests, and valleys remained constant. Nomadic tribes relied on water sources for survival, and by mapping these unchanging features, they could locate the barbarian tribes based on water sources.

The mapmaker was an intelligence officer from the Grain Allocation Department, who had received systematic training in cartography. As they followed Yuan Li in the continuous conquest of the barbarian tribes, the maps they created gradually took shape.

Despite venturing deep into the grasslands, Yuan Li maintained contact with the northern frontier and Yang Zhongfa. Cavalrymen returned daily to exchange messages, but as they delved deeper, the round trips took longer.

This was Jia Qing's first time accompanying Yuanli in battle, and also Yuanli's first time leading the charge. Jia Qing had expected Yuan Li to be flustered, but Yuanli remained calm, so composed that he didn't seem like a first-time combatant. His usual gentle demeanor had completely vanished in the battlefield.

He could be ruthless without wavering from his original intent. The more time Jia Qing spent with Yuan Li, the more he respected and admired him; he was completely won over.

Facing the enemy with no mercy, yet treating his own people with kindness, YuanLi's charisma was irresistible to Jia Qing.

These small barbarian tribes were no match for this elite cavalry.

The reason why these barbarian tribes had aligned with Huyan Hutu was because of their own weak strength. They had thought that joining the Xiongnu would lead to a better life, only to face attacks from the Central Plains due to their association with Huyan Hutu.

Whenever Yuan Li arrived at a new location, he would reiterate the reasons for attacking them: because Huyan Hutu continuously sent cavalry to invade the borders, we could no longer tolerate it and decided to retaliate deep into the grasslands.

Because you allied with Huyan Hutu, we have come to kill you.

Oh, why don't you guess how we found you?

Was it the Xiongnu guiding us that led us to your tribe?

Some tribes managed to detect Yuan Li's movements in advance and either put up effective resistance or fled. The survivors understood the reason for the attack, and sometimes hatred worked in strange ways.

Even though Yuan Li and the Central Plains people were the ones attacking them, they ended up resenting Huyan Hutu even more.

It was not hard to understand; after all, the enmity between the barbarian tribes and the Central Plains people had existed for centuries.

The Central Plains people killing them was as common as they invading the Central Plains. But betrayal from an ally, and the innocent suffering due to that alliance, was something these tribes couldn't accept.

And it wasn't just one tribe that felt this way.

"Huyan Hutu, I allied with you, gave you the power to rise again, yet your actions entangled us, leading the Central Plains people to our doorstep. Are the soldiers who found us your men or ours?!"

If these barbarian tribes had learned about Central Plains culture, they would surely curse Huyan Hutu for his ingratitude, deceit, and treachery.

The Xiongnu guide who led Yuan Li began to sense that something was amiss and gradually became hesitant. During another attack on a barbarian tribe by Yuan Li and Jia Qing, he took the opportunity to flee.

The mapmaker from the Grain Allocation Department was the first to notice his escape and shouted, "My lord, the Xiongnu has escaped!!!"

Yuan Li turned to see the Xiongnu already fifty meters away on horseback. He signaled to Jia Qing, who was attempting to chase after the Xiongnu, and to his soldiers nearby, "Bring me the large bow."

The soldiers quickly handed him the large bow.

Yuan Li strung the bow and aimed at the Xiongnu's chest. With the bow drawn taut, almost reaching a full moon arch, he swiftly released the arrow.

—The Xiongnu fell off the horse in the next instant.

A direct hit.

Jia Qing's eyes brightened, "My lord, your archery skills are superb! You must have been practicing for many years!"

"Since I was a child, I've been learning," Yuan Li said, feeling content.

A soldier brought the Xiongnu over, and as Jia Qing examined the body, he saw that the Xiongnu was dead. He couldn't help but marvel and advised, "My lord, with your exceptional skills in leading troops and fighting enemies, you have great potential. You should consider following the path of a renowned general to build your reputation."

Yuan Li put away the bow and arrow, smiling and shaking his head, "I already have enough renowned generals under my command, so why would I need to do it myself? Besides, among all the famous generals in the land, who can surpass Chu He Chao? He is in alliance with me, so why should I bother doing more?"

Jia Qing frowned, "But it's a waste not to utilize your talents."

Yuan Li didn't consider it a waste, "There are countless renowned generals in the world, not lacking one like me. However, there are few who can strategize and oversee the entire situation from the rear as well as I can. So, let others take on the role of a renowned general."

These brief words were simple yet magnanimous, leaving Jia Qing feeling enlightened. He nodded in agreement, approving of Yuan Li's perspective.

Though the Xiongnu had died, the simmering hatred instigated among the various barbarian tribes remained unabated. Soon enough, individuals from a tribe stepped forward with resentment, agreeing to guide Yuan Li's group to the location of the Xiongnu court.

The tribes always sought revenge for slights.

If the Huyan clan had brought harm to their tribes, the tribesmen were ready to escort the enemy to ravage the Huyan clan's territories – no one would be spared.

Yuan Li was content with this turn of events. He agreed to the tribal request and spared their people in exchange for a path to the Xiongnu court.

As they made their way towards the Xiongnu court, their movements became more cautious. The mapmaker's concentration was at its peak, ensuring accuracy in every detail.

Deep in the heart of the grasslands lay the Xiongnu court, drawing closer to it meant moving further away from the Central Plains. They had now entered Xiongnu territory.

With only two thousand horsemen at their disposal, Yuan Li's forces were no match for the vast Xiongnu army. Therefore, their objective was not to breach the Xiongnu court but to locate it and then depart the grasslands to strategize further.

However, Huyan Hutu was a vigilant adversary; the escalating conflicts on the grasslands had reached his ears. He deployed numerous Xiongnu horsemen for surveillance, and if not for the prompt actions of their guide, Yuan Li's group would have engaged with the Xiongnu forces on multiple occasions.

And on this particular day, it was no different.

The two thousand horsemen remained hidden in the valley, cautiously observing the departure of thousands of Xiongnu horsemen.

Yuan Li was closely guarded by his soldiers and Jia Qing, and it wasn't until the last Xiongnu horseman had left that they all breathed a sigh of relief.

At this juncture, they couldn't afford to reveal any trace of their presence. If discovered by the Xiongnu, reinforcements would arrive swiftly, and being thousands of miles away from the Northern Frontier, there would be no way to call for help.

Jia Qing's expression turned grave, "My lord, forgive my bluntness, but we cannot continue forward."

They encountered two Xiongnu cavalry just today, if they had not reacted quickly, they would have had no place to bury their bodies now. This place is already heavily guarded, you can imagine how difficult it will be in the depths!

Yuan Li gritted his teeth, unwilling, "We've come this far..."

"Lord!" Jia Qing whispered sternly, "Your safety is more important than the location of the Xiongnu court! Please do not be stubborn, return tonight under cover of darkness!"

Yuan Li tightened his lips, clenched his fists, and looked around from a distance on the hilltop.

It was still an endless grassland, with no end in sight. But Yuan Li knew that the Xiongnu court must be close to this place.

After coming this far, how could Yuan Li be willing to go back without finding the Xiongnu court?

But he was rational and understood that what Jia Qing said was right.

If they continued forward, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance of being discovered by the Xiongnu. Once discovered, it would either be death or capture.

If captured, with Yuan Li's status, it would cause unimaginable disasters for Chu Hechao, Youzhou, Bingzhou provinces, and even the entire Northern Zhou Dynasty.

Jia Qing said, "Lord!"

Yuan Li slammed the ground fiercely, took a deep breath, and stood up, "Let me think about it, we'll talk tonight."

Tonight was the day the weather report updated every seven days. After midnight, Yuan Li would know the weather for the next seven days.

If they left like this, Yuan Li was unwilling, but it was also not feasible to rashly continue forward.

He placed his hope in the weather forecast.

Please give me some assistance.

Yuan Li licked his chapped lips, looked up at the sky, his heart beating rapidly, constantly hoping.

Let it rain.