Shuhan

Ke Bineng sat in the hall. Only a few faint flames flickered in the tent, illuminating his deep and complex face.

His eyes flickered in the firelight, as if they were two burning flames, but were bound by his inner hesitation and struggle.

Ke Bineng's fingers tapped lightly on the desk in front of him, and each tap seemed to tell of his inner conflict and anxiety.

Wu Zhi stood opposite Ke Bineng, his figure was tall and straight, his eyes revealed unquestionable determination.

He was wearing the gorgeous clothes of the Wei envoy, and the hem of his clothes swayed gently with his breathing, as if even the air was trembling with his arrival.

Wu Zhi looked at Kebi Neng coldly, with a disdainful sneer on his lips. It was a mockery of Kebi Neng's indecision and a contempt for the possible choices of the Xianbei people.

"Please give me a few days to think about it." Kebineng's voice was low and hoarse, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

The importance of this decision, once made, may change the fate of the entire Xianbei.

However, he also understood that time was not on his side.

Wu Zhi snorted coldly, his voice filled with irresistible majesty: "I will give the king one day at most. The king's army is coming straight down the river from Luoyang, and is heading towards Youzhou without stopping. If we cannot make a decision before the king's army arrives in Youzhou, then there will be only a battle between my Great Wei and the king."

Wu Zhi's words were like ice, causing the temperature in the hall to drop sharply.

Several Xianbei nobles around Kebineng could no longer suppress their anger.

They clenched their fists, their knuckles making crackling sounds, and stared at Wu Zhi fiercely, as if they wanted to eat him alive.

One of the young chieftains even shouted angrily: "We can conquer Youzhou in a month! Even if the Wei army comes, how can they stop our 100,000-man army?"

An older chieftain slowly walked up to Kebi Neng, bowed respectfully, and said in a steady and firm voice: "Great Khan, instead of making such outrageous remarks, why not kill the envoy and issue a declaration of war to the State of Wei? Do we Xianbei still fear the State of Wei?"

Ke Bineng looked at these people coldly. His eyes were as sharp as a knife, dissecting their fanaticism and impulse one by one.

His eyes revealed a deep disappointment and helplessness, and sadness for these Xianbei people who were driven by the interests of the Han State.

He spoke slowly, his voice cold and piercing: "How much benefit has the Han Kingdom given you? You actually want to instigate me to attack the Wei Kingdom. If it is profitable, it's fine, but if it is not profitable, why fight?"

After saying that, Ke Bineng looked at Wu Zhi again, his eyes revealing a complex emotion.

He slowly stood up, walked to Wu Zhi, and said with a smile: "Please go, envoy. I, Kebi Neng, am not a coward, but I will not be easily used by others. Go back and tell the King of Wei that we Xianbei people are not warlike, but if we really have to fight, we Xianbei people will not back down."

Wu Zhi looked at Ke Bineng deeply. He slowly stood up, bowed to Ke Bineng, and then turned and left.

Wu Zhi secretly admired in his heart: "This person is extraordinary, he will definitely be a great enemy of Wei in the future!"

Ke Bineng looked at Wu Zhi's departing back, his eyes revealing a deep contemplation.

This decision was crucial to the future of the Xianbei.

He must weigh the pros and cons and make the wisest choice.

After Wu Zhi left, Kebineng gathered the tribal nobles.

Kebineng stood on the high ground of Dai County and glanced deeply at the Xianbei nobles under his command.

They are all of sturdy build, with resolute faces, and exude an unyielding wildness.

The wind from the grassland blew, and their robes rustled, as if even the wind was cheering for their bravery.

"What do you think of the words of the Wei envoy?" Ke Bineng's voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained a thousand pounds of weight.

His words echoed among the crowd, causing ripples.

General Zonu was startled, and then he strode forward. His face was covered with scars from battles, each of which recorded his bravery and glory.

"The Han envoys cannot be trusted, and neither can the Wei envoys!"

His words were full of determination.

"If Wei was really strong, why would they send envoys here? We invaded Youzhou, and Wei seemed strong, but in fact it was vulnerable. In my opinion, we should attack Yecheng directly and let Wei see how powerful we are!"

Zonu's words aroused the enthusiasm of the crowd, and they echoed him one after another, with their voices resounding through the sky.

However, Ke Bineng fell into deep thought.

His gaze became deeper, as if he was trying to penetrate the mist of the grassland and see the distant future.

At this time, Kebineng's confidant Xie Guini slowly walked forward.

He bowed to Ke Bineng with a respectful and solemn expression.

"Although we Xianbei people are brave,

There was a hint of worry in his words.

"But the Wei and Han people have excellent weapons. If we were on the grassland, we could run away if we couldn't defeat them. But if we get to Youzhou and Jizhou, we can't run away if we can't defeat them."

Xie Guini's words were like a cold wind that blew away the enthusiasm in everyone's hearts.

They all fell silent, with thoughtful gleams in their eyes.

Ke Bineng nodded gently, his eyes shining with wisdom.

"Actually, I think so too."

There was a hint of helplessness in his words.

"You can't get fat in one bite. I've already made a lot of money at the invitation of the Han Kingdom. Now that I'm returning north, I've already won. As for taking over Jizhou, even if I take it, I can't keep it. I still know my own weight."

There was a hint of self-mockery in his words, but more of it was a sober understanding of reality.

He knew the gap between his own strength and that of the Wei State, and he also understood the Xianbei people's shortcomings in siege.

They are good at field battles, but sieges are their weak point.

Otherwise, they would have been able to take down the fortress of the Wuhuan Commandery with a garrison of 10,000 people.

There was a complex light flashing in Ke Bineng's eyes.

He looked into the distance, as if trying to penetrate the barriers of time and space and see the future.

Retreating at this moment is the best option.

They had already captured 100,000 Han people, and the number of craftsmen, money, and food was incalculable.

Such a victory was enough for them to return home with a full load, and also made Tuoba Shoutian no longer dare to easily set his sights on the grassland.

However, there was still a trace of unwillingness in his heart.

As long as they are given enough time and space, the Xianbei people will surely become the overlords of this continent.

However, the reality is so cruel. They still need more time and opportunities to accumulate strength and experience.

Ke Bineng sighed softly, his eyes becoming more determined. "Let's retreat."

"If we go back now, we will have already won. If it's too late, it may not be possible."

The next morning, the sunlight shone through the sparse clouds, dappling onto Kebinen's simple yet majestic tent.

Inside the tent, Kebineng sat upright on a couch covered with wolf skin. He was tall and muscular, with traces of wind and frost on his face. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he could see into people's hearts.

He was wearing a battle robe made of various animal skins, with a long sword shining with cold light hanging around his waist, making him look particularly heroic.

Soon, Wu Zhi walked into the tent led by his attendants. He was wearing a gorgeous Wei costume, the hem of his clothes swaying gently with his steps. Although his face looked a little tired, his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.

"Your Majesty, have you considered carefully what we discussed yesterday?" Wu Zhi said as he signaled his attendants to open the money boxes filled with gold, silver, jewelry and silk. The bright light instantly illuminated the entire tent, and also reflected Kebineng's greedy and cunning eyes.

Ke Bineng nodded slightly, with a barely perceptible smile on his lips. He slowly said, "Messenger of the State of Wei, I have indeed considered it. I can give up the plan to attack Jizhou, but the State of Wei must give me due rewards. After all, the blood of my Xianbei warriors cannot be bought and sold easily."

Although Wu Zhi was unhappy in his heart, he did not show it on his face. He thought to himself: This Ke Bineng is really a difficult character. He knows that he is in the wrong, but he still dares to ask for benefits so blatantly.

However, for the sake of the overall situation, he had to endure it temporarily.

"Your Majesty's words make sense, and the Wei Kingdom naturally understands this. Our dynasty is willing to support Your Majesty to become the common leader of the grassland and compete with Tuoba Shoutian, who is supported by the Han Kingdom."

When Ke Bineng heard this, a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm flashed across his brows. "Don't you, Wu Zhi, know the habits of the grassland people?"
Without tangible benefits, any promise is nothing but a blank check.

"How can Wei support me specifically?"

There was a hint of provocation in his words, and his eyes were fixed on Wu Zhi's face, trying to catch a hint of his true intentions from the other's expression.

Wu Zhi was startled, but then he calmly replied: "If Your Majesty encounters an accident in the battle with Tuoba Shoutian, Wei is willing to use Dai County as a safe haven for Your Majesty to rest and recuperate."

Ke Bineng's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he keenly captured the subtleties in Wu Zhi's words.

"Wei State wants to cede Dai County to me?"

Wu Zhi shook his head slightly, with a barely perceptible sneer on the corner of his mouth.

"No, Your Majesty, the State of Wei can appoint you as the governor of Dai County."

Ke Bineng sneered even more in his heart, for he understood Wu Zhi's implication: the so-called appointment as prefect was nothing more than handing over Dai County to him, and he could take this opportunity to control the 100,000 Han people in Dai County as capital for his future southward advance.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, his voice full of pride and arrogance.

"The envoy is so sincere, how can I, Ke Bineng, not appreciate his kindness? I am willing to sign an alliance with the State of Wei and immediately order my tribe to withdraw its troops from Yuyang and Youbeiping."

Wu Zhi saw this, although he felt unwilling, he also knew that the plan had been accomplished. He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"That's great. Then please prepare, Your Majesty. We will sign the alliance immediately and work together for a great cause."

Kebineng's eyes suddenly flickered, as if a certain idea flashed through his mind. He raised a meaningful smile and asked slowly: "Then, should the Protector of Wuhuan Commandery also be withdrawn from Dai County?"
Wu Zhi heard this, and although he had a thousand thoughts in his mind, he remained calm on the surface. He nodded slightly and responded, "Your Majesty is right. I will go to the Colonel's Mansion and arrange for the withdrawal of more than 10,000 elite soldiers."

After the withdrawal of these elite troops, Cao Zhen's ability to handle Qingzhou affairs will be enhanced.

"If the king betrays the alliance again, our Great Wei will never tolerate it again."

At this point, Wu Zhi's eyes became profound. He did not directly mention the plan to deal with Kebi Neng, but the implication was very clear: although it was allied with Kebi Neng at the moment, the State of Wei would never let go of any force that might threaten the security of its territorial territory.

Ke Bineng naturally understood the hidden meaning of Wu Zhi's words, but he did not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, he laughed and said, "The envoy is indeed thoughtful. I admire him. Then, we will act according to this plan and plan a great cause together when the time is right!"

The two smiled at each other, and at this moment, their calculations and ambitions reached a tacit understanding.

The current alliance is only temporary; the real competition is still in the future.

But no matter what, at this moment, they all chose to cooperate temporarily for their own purposes.

As the two men negotiated, the atmosphere in the tent gradually became harmonious, as if the previous tension was just a misunderstanding.

The servants were busy preparing the documents and sacrifices needed for the covenant, while Ke Bineng and Wu Zhi were immersed in their own calculations. Their eyes met inadvertently, and each of them understood the hidden ambition and cunning in the other's eyes.

In this game of politics and interests, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends, only eternal interests.

Cao Zhen was wearing heavy armor, which reflected the afterglow of the setting sun and flashed a cold light.

He stood at the port of Gaotang, with tens of thousands of troops behind him, a dark mass and a magnificent momentum.

The sea breeze blew his battle robe, and his sleeves fluttered, as if the god of war had descended.

He stared into the distance, his deep eyes revealing determination.

This battle is so important to the State of Wei that it cannot be lost.

Therefore, he must proceed with caution and make sure every step is taken steadily.

In Gaotang, he reorganized his troops and received intelligence from Youzhou and Qingzhou.

His men were busy moving around the military camp, delivering various messages.

Cao Zhen remained calm and composed throughout the entire process. He carefully analyzed every piece of information and did not miss any details.

At this time, Wu Zhi's messenger hurried over and brought good news: Wu Zhi had persuaded Kebi Neng, and although he had compromised with the Xianbei, the problem was solved after all, and he also brought more than 10,000 elite border troops.

After hearing this, Cao Zhen's frown finally relaxed and he revealed a satisfied smile.

The State of Wei is now short of soldiers.

These more than 10,000 elite border troops will play a crucial role in the upcoming battles.

"Wu Zhi alone can retreat an army of 100,000. He is indeed capable."

As for the price paid, we will ask Ke Bineng for it after we defeat the Han Kingdom.

He took the urgent report from Le'an County and looked at the contents with a more solemn expression.

Time is running out and there is no time to hesitate.

So he immediately gave orders to reorganize the troops within three days and prepare to march towards Qingzhou.

Three days later, Cao Zhen led an army of tens of thousands and marched towards Qingzhou in a mighty manner.

His battle flag fluttered in the wind, as if cheering him on.

The morale of the Wei soldiers was high and they had no worries.

This battle!

The victory of Wei is certain. (End of this chapter)