Shuhan

Chapter 670: Xianbei invaded the border, Wu Zhi responded!
The Protectorate of Wuhuan Commandery was now located in the north of Dai County.

As for his history, it is worth talking about.

At the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, Wuhuan was defeated by Maodun Chanyu, and since then they have been enslaved by the Xiongnu. If they failed to pay tribute on time, their wives and children would be confiscated.

During the reign of Emperor Wu, Huo Qubing defeated the Xiongnu in the left area and relocated the Wuhuan people to Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, Liaodong and other counties outside the Great Wall. He appointed a lieutenant to protect the Wuhuan, with a rank of 2,000 stones, to protect the Wuhuan who had surrendered, and supervised them so that they could not communicate with the Xiongnu. Later, he was appointed as the General of the Central Army of the Xiongnu.

At the beginning of the Restoration, Ban Biao proposed to restore this position to attract the Donghu, so it was re-established. Yongjie was in charge of supervising and leading the people and Xianbei. It was retained in the Eastern Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties. Also known as "Hu Wuhuan Xiaowei".

At this time, outside the towering city walls of the Guardian General's Mansion for the Wuhuan, the vast grassland was dotted with numerous settlements that traded with the other ethnic groups on the grassland.

These settlements are like pearls on the grassland, shining brightly and attracting merchants and travelers from all directions.

Every morning when the sun rises, this place becomes bustling with activity.

When you enter these settlements, the first thing that catches your eye is the various stalls and tents, which are built with colorful cloth and animal skins. They appear rough and bold, yet unique in style.

The stalls were filled with a wide variety of goods. Merchants from the Central Plains brought the wines they were proud of. The mellow aroma filled the air, attracting passing men from the grassland to stop and taste them. Silk was a hot commodity here. Its smooth and delicate touch and brilliant colors made the women on the grassland love it so much that they exchanged their own furs for it.

In addition to wine and silk, merchants from the Central Plains also brought the mysterious Wu Shi San, a medicine that is said to refresh the mind and strengthen the body, and it also has a large market on the grassland.

Those exquisite porcelains, whether blue and white or white, have become luxury items that nobles on the grasslands are vying for with their unique craftsmanship and elegant shapes. Of course, the most indispensable is salt, a seemingly ordinary but vital material that is almost as valuable as gold on the grasslands, and every transaction can cause a small commotion.

The foreigners on the grassland also brought their rich products.

The furs of the Xianbei people were thick and warm, making them the best companions for the people in the Central Plains in winter; the livestock of the Xiongnu people were strong and had great endurance, making them a scarce labor force in agricultural civilization; and the war horses of the Wuhuan people, with their agile posture and amazing speed, became an indispensable weapon on the battlefield.

Every exchange of a warhorse was accompanied by fierce bargaining, but in the end the deal was always concluded at a price that satisfied both parties.

In this bustling trading field, language is no longer an obstacle; gestures, expressions and even eye contact are enough to complete lucrative deals.

The merchants' faces were filled with satisfied smiles. They knew that here, every transaction could bring several times or even dozens of times the profit. How could such an opportunity not make people excited?
As the sun sets, the hustle and bustle of the settlement gradually subsides, but the prosperity and vitality seem to be frozen in the air, becoming a unique landscape on the grassland.

As night falls and a bonfire is lit, merchants sit around in a circle, sharing the day's harvest and interesting stories, while singing and piano music can be heard on the grassland, adding a bit of romance and mystery to this land.

However.
Just as everyone was immersed in the joy and satisfaction of the transaction, a low and powerful vibration sound suddenly came from the north of the grassland. The sound seemed like the pulse of the earth, or like a call from ancient times.

People on the grassland are particularly sensitive to this sound, which is the unique roar of horses galloping, echoing on the grassland like thunder.

Such a shocking sound is definitely not a small one. It must be like thousands of horses galloping, with great momentum.

"More than ten thousand horses..." an old Hun man murmured to himself, revealing deep worry between his brows.

"Could it be that the Xianbei people are here to take advantage of us?"

When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked and their expressions changed.

Didn’t the State of Wei just appoint Ke Bineng as the King of Fuyi?
Why did the Xianbei people tear up the alliance so quickly and invade the border southward?
This sudden change filled everyone's heart with confusion and anxiety.

However, the doubts and uneasiness did not last long, because the Xianbei cavalry swept in like a gale.

They shouted in Xianbei language, their voices full of savagery and fanaticism, like demons breaking out of hell, carrying the power to destroy everything.

There was greed and cruelty flashing in their eyes, as if they were the most ferocious wolves on the grassland, seeing their long-lost prey.

"kill!"

The shouts of the Xianbei cavalry were deafening, and they rushed in like a surging tide.

Their goals are clear: they kill men when they see them, rob women when they see them, and steal valuable goods. They behave like bandits, without any scruples and without any morals.

Everyone in the settlement was frightened out of their wits by this sudden change.

They originally thought that they could enjoy peace and prosperity under the protection of the Protectorate of Wuhuan Commandery, but reality cruelly shattered their fantasy.

"Escape!"

"Run!"

"You can keep the green hills without worrying about having firewood!"

They abandoned their goods and fled in all directions, hoping to save their lives in this catastrophe.

A young merchant was holding tightly in his hand a piece of fine silk, which he was going to exchange for a war horse.

But now, he could only watch the Xianbei cavalry rushing towards him, his heart filled with fear and despair.

He wanted to run away, but his legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead and he couldn't move at all.

"It's over, everything is over..." he muttered to himself, with despair in his eyes.

At this critical moment, a Wei soldier who was guarding the Wuhuan Commandery stronghold rushed over, pushed him away, and used his body to block the charge of the Xianbei cavalry.

"Run!" the soldier shouted, his voice full of firmness and determination.

The young businessman woke up as if from a dream, turned around and ran away, his heart full of gratitude and respect.

He knew that it was this soldier who sacrificed his life to buy him a chance to escape.

Other people in the settlement also fled for their lives. Some rode horses, some ran on foot, and some hid in nearby bushes or tents.

Their hearts were filled with fear and anxiety. They didn't know when this catastrophe would end. They only knew that they had to survive for themselves and their families.

The wind on the grassland whistled past, taking away the prosperity and tranquility of the settlement. The rampage of the Xianbei cavalry continued, their laughter and shouts intertwined, forming a movement of death.

However, mixed in this music are some faint and miserable sounds, which are the sounds of people in the settlement struggling for their own survival and that of their families.

The night was as dark as ink, the moon was hidden and the stars were concealed. The city of the Guardian Wuhuan Commandery was utterly silent, with only the occasional whistling of the night wind, seeming to tell unknown secrets.

Yan Rou had fallen asleep but was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps.

He frowned slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but his years of military career made him quickly restrain his emotions. If it were not an emergency, the guards would never be so presumptuous.

Yan Rou stood up quickly, his movements were agile yet steady. Years of fighting had allowed him to remain highly alert even in his sleep.

He put on his armor and walked out of the dormitory. He looked particularly majestic in the night, and every step he took revealed an aura that should not be underestimated.

"What happened? Why are you so anxious?" Yan Rou's voice was low and powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

Upon seeing this, the guards hurried forward and reported nervously, "The Xianbei have invaded the border. Almost all the settlements and villages outside the city have been ravaged by the Xianbei cavalry. Should we send troops to help the outside of the city? Should we drive away these Xianbei cavalry?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Rou's face darkened and a heavy cloud gathered between her brows.

Although the Xianbei people were not as brave as the Han people, they were numerous and the situation at the moment was not optimistic.

Yan Rou pondered for a moment and asked, "How many people are coming from the opposite side?" The guard was stunned, obviously caught off guard by this sudden question. He hurriedly replied, "The incident happened right next to us. There are so many Xianbei cavalry outside. I don't know the exact number, but there are at least more than 10,000 people."

Yan Rou snorted coldly, secretly calculating in her heart.

He thought about the secret meeting between the envoy of the pseudo-Han and Kebineng a few days ago. He had a premonition that something was wrong at that time. Now it seems that all this was probably premeditated.

He thought to himself, "It has only been a few days since the fake Han envoys met Kebi Neng, and the Xianbei have come south to invade our Wei. Perhaps they have mobilized all their forces, and this battle will be of great importance."

He appeared calm on the surface, but his mind was already going through a thousand twists and turns.

At this moment in Dai County, due to the battle between Wei and Han, most of the elite Wei troops were transferred to the front line. Only more than 10,000 people were left in the city, and every bit of military force was particularly precious.

He could not act rashly, and he could not let these tens of thousands of soldiers die in vain.

"Don't attack at will," Yan Rou said calmly and firmly. "Send someone to find out the situation. I want to know their exact number, deployment, and whether there are any follow-up reinforcements. At the same time, immediately ask Luoyang for help. This matter concerns the safety of the border and cannot be lost."

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately agreed and turned to leave.

Yan Rou looked at the hurriedly departing figures of her personal guards, feeling mixed emotions.

This battle concerns the stability of Wei's borders.

He sighed and thought to himself, "The battle between Wei and Han has made Dai County's defenses vulnerable. Now, there are only 10,000 Wei troops in Dai County. I must be cautious, otherwise, if we lose the defense, the consequences will be disastrous."

The night was still dark. Yan Rou stood alone in the courtyard of the Captain's Mansion, looking at the faint dawn in the sky, with complex emotions surging in her heart.

He was worried about the safety of the border and the instability of the domestic situation.

He recalled his many years of fighting career, and behind every victory were the blood and lives of countless soldiers.

Now, facing such a serious situation, he needs to respond calmly and not let any soldier die in vain.

"I hope the reinforcements from Luoyang can arrive in time." Yan Rou prayed silently in her heart.

"Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult for me to resist the tens of thousands of Xianbei troops with only the tens of thousands of people under my command."

He sighed again, turned and walked into the study, and began to plan a countermeasure.

This night was the longest and most difficult night in his life. He had to formulate a perfect strategy to protect the people on the border and preserve the strength of the Wei army as much as possible and wait for the arrival of reinforcements.

. . .

the other side.

On the grassland.

Kebineng is not on the grassland at this moment.

He knew very well that once he decided to go south, he had to take all his people with him, otherwise the tribesmen left on the grassland would only become spoils of war fought over by other tribes and suffer endless hardships.

So he drove the cattle and sheep, carried pots and pans, and led more than 200,000 Xianbei people, men, women, old and young, like a raging torrent, heading towards the Han area in the south.

This southward movement was not just a simple harassment, but a large-scale, organized invasion.

Kebi Neng's goal is to seize more resources from this fertile land and seek greater living space for his tribe.

Thus, Youzhou, this peaceful land, was instantly shrouded in war.

The iron hooves of the Xianbei people trampled on the tranquility of the Han land. They were like violent beasts, burning, killing, looting and committing all kinds of evil everywhere.

Traces of the Xianbei people can be seen everywhere in Daijun, Yuyang, and Youbeiping.

They rode tall war horses, wielded sharp blades, and slaughtered innocent Han people wantonly.

Those once prosperous villages are now left with only broken walls and corpses on the ground.

The brutal acts of the Xianbei people are appalling.

Not only did they rob property, they also brutally abused and killed Han people.

Those innocent Han women were treated like playthings by the Xianbei people and abused at will. Their cries and pleas seemed so powerless amid their wild laughter and violence.

The brave Han people were forced to take up arms and fight a desperate battle with these brutal invaders, but they were often outnumbered and ended up falling in a pool of blood.

In this brutal war, the suffering of the Han people reached its extreme.

They lost their homes, their loved ones, and everything they had.

Those once warm families are now left with only lonely old people and children, crying helplessly in the ruins.

And those once prosperous streets are now only devastated and desolate.

The Xianbei army led by Kebinen was like an unstoppable torrent, wreaking havoc on the Han land.

Their brutal acts not only brought endless suffering to the Han people, but also plunged the entire Youzhou region into chaos and panic.

The people of Youzhou fled their homes and sought a relatively safe place to take refuge.

Those who could not escape could only silently endure the suffering and devastation brought by the war.

. . .

half a month later.

The news of the Xianbei's invasion of the border reached Luoyang City like a gust of cold wind.

When Cao Rui heard this sudden news, his face instantly became solemn.

Qingzhou was attacked by the Han army, the Xianbei in Youzhou invaded the border, the Han army in Shouchun attacked fiercely, and the Han army in Hedong, Yingchuan, Hongnong and Runan were also ready to move.

Although the State of Wei was powerful, it was still no match for so many enemies.

Chen Qun, the Minister of the Chancellery, looked at Cao Rui's frown and said in a deep voice, "This matter must be reported to His Majesty."

Cao Zhen, who had just returned from Yingchuan, also nodded. The Xianbei people were numerous, and Yan Rou and his men might find it difficult to resist.

"Hundreds of thousands of Xianbei people are heading south. Yan Rou and his men can't stop them. We must have troops to support them." Cao Zhen's tone was filled with anxiety.

Wu Zhi was standing aside, his eyes flickering, and he seemed to have other ideas in his mind.

Soon, everyone came to the palace and saw Cao Pi, who looked sick.

After learning the news that the Xianbei were moving south, Cao Pi's expression became serious.

"How should this matter be resolved?" Although Cao Pi's voice was a little weak, his tone revealed unquestionable majesty.

Cao Zhen immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "If Youzhou is destroyed, Jizhou will bear the brunt. Once the Xianbei and Han troops from Qingzhou join forces, the situation will be disastrous. In my opinion, we must deal with one side first."

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi nodded and motioned for Cao Zhen to continue.

"The Han army in Qingzhou cannot be defeated in a short time, and although the Xianbei people seem to be numerous, they are actually just a mob." Cao Zhen's tone was full of confidence.

"If we can defeat the Xianbei and use their captives to attack the Han army in Qingzhou, then our army will surely win."

When Cao Pi heard this, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"Good good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, obviously he was very satisfied with Cao Zhen's plan.

However, at this moment, Chen Qun stood up.

"The Han army in Beihai and Donglai has already received the support of the local nobles and is now conducting military training." Chen Qun's voice was steady and powerful.

"Han scouts can often be seen in Qi and Le'an counties. I'm afraid Zhao Zilong intends to attack Le'an and Qi counties."

When Cao Pi heard this, his face suddenly turned gloomy.

If the Han army in Qingzhou is left alone, they will become a great threat to the State of Wei.

In other words, the Wei State must first deal with the Han army in Qingzhou.

But in this case, how should we deal with the Xianbei in Youzhou?

At this moment, Wu Zhi laughed, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a way to deal with the Han army in Qingzhou and the Xianbei in Youzhou at the same time."

Cao Pi's eyes flashed with joy when he heard this. He looked at Wu Zhi and motioned him to continue.

"We can adopt a strategy of dividing our forces and attacking simultaneously." Wu Zhi's tone was full of confidence.

"On the one hand, we can send an elite force to Youzhou to join forces with Yan Rou and others to resist the Xianbei attack. On the other hand, we can send another force to Qingzhou to contain and attack the Han army. At the same time, we can also use the power of the gentry in various places to harass and sabotage the Han army. In this way, we can deal with the Han army in Qingzhou and the Xianbei in Youzhou at the same time."

When Cao Pi heard this, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

He looked at Wu Zhi, nodded and said, "This is a great plan! Let's do it according to your plan."

When Wu Zhi heard this, he felt secretly delighted.

This war will be the best stage for him to show himself.

As long as he can successfully defeat the Han army in Qingzhou and the Xianbei in Youzhou, his position in the Wei State will be more stable.

Even surpassing Sima Yi!

However, at this moment, Cao Zhen stood up.

He looked at Wu Zhi, his tone full of worry: "Although the governor's strategy is clever, it requires extremely high coordination and command capabilities to divide the troops and attack together. If we can't do this, we will most likely be defeated by the enemy one by one."

Wu Zhi felt unhappy when he heard this.

He looked at Cao Zhen and sneered, "General Cao Zhen, are you questioning my ability?"

Cao Zhen shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I am not questioning your ability, but I am worried about the quality of our army. Dividing the troops and attacking together requires extremely high coordination and command capabilities, which we cannot ignore."

Wu Zhi felt helpless when he heard this.

What Cao Zhen said made sense, and he couldn't refute it for a moment.

Dividing the troops and attacking together does require extremely high coordination and command capabilities, and the Wei army must also be elite, otherwise it would be easy to be defeated by the enemy one by one.

But now, the elite troops of the Wei army are all at the front lines, and the remaining soldiers probably don't have this ability.

Just as Cao Pi showed disappointment, Wu Zhi stepped forward, his eyes flickering, and said to Cao Pi:

"If the plan of dividing the troops fails, I still have another plan to relieve the siege of Youzhou!"

(End of this chapter)