I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 477 Liu Che's Concerns

Today is different from the past.

When Wei Lu proposed moving westward at this moment, the effect was naturally different.

After hearing what he said, Wuwei Chanyu, who had originally determined not to agree to this matter, finally showed hesitation on his face, and it was obvious that he was seriously considering the feasibility of this matter.

He couldn't let the Huns perish in his hands.

Although the Huns did not have historians like the Han Dynasty, and no one wrote orthodox history books, they had their own culture, and with culture comes heritage. If the Huns really perished in his hands, all Huns would remember it and would consign him to history's pillar of shame.

And now, the Huns have undoubtedly reached a turning point of life and death.

His next decision will determine the future fate of the Huns.

Even though he was not a powerful ruler like Maodun Chanyu, he still had this responsibility. At least he would never allow himself to become a sinner of the Huns.

"It seems that what you said before is true that the Han Dynasty already had a strategy to destroy the Xiongnu nation..."

Wuwei Chanyu pondered and said,
"The Han army has been completely transformed, and the Xiongnu have lost all their elite troops. It is almost impossible for them to compete with the Han Dynasty. We should consider a way out for the Xiongnu people."

The pain of losing his son did not make Wuwei Chanyu lose his mind.

It’s not that he didn’t hate the Han Dynasty, the Han army, and the Han prince who caused him to lose his son in middle age, but if you insist, Wu Shilu didn’t die in the Han army, but died at the hands of a Xiongnu traitor...

He even thought that if Wushilu fell into the hands of the Han army, he might still have a chance to survive.

After all, the Hun nobles and high-ranking officials captured before the Han Dynasty were escorted to Chang'an. Even if they could not live a life of luxury as before, most of them were properly dealt with, and some were even made kings.

Therefore, the most hateful and damnable people are those traitors who surrendered!
In order to gain the trust of their new master, these traitors often resort to more drastic means than their enemies, and they spare no effort in harming their former tribesmen.

Thinking of this, Wuwei Chanyu looked at Wei Lu in front of him.

Ever since coming to his tent, this traitor has been trying his best to show off, wishing to tell him everything he knows.

Therefore, what he said should be true, and the westward migration of the Huns was indeed the last thing the Han Dynasty wanted to see.

After all, everyone with a discerning eye must have seen the strategic goal of the Han Dynasty this time:

One is the Huns, and the other is the Western Regions.

The Han Dynasty wanted to open up a trade route to the west of the Western Regions, taking advantage of its vast territory and abundant resources and relying on the newly discovered overseas silver mountains to gain huge profits for the Han Dynasty.

Previously, the Xiongnu were in the north and controlled the countries in the Western Regions, which was undoubtedly an obstacle for the Han Dynasty to realize this ambition.

Even though the Xiongnu was at a disadvantage, if they really decided to migrate westwards and head to the west of the Pamir Mountains with their entire clan, and then drive away their previously defeated general the Yuezhi, and occupy that land to develop and wait for a comeback, they would become an obstacle to this trade route, a fishbone stuck in this trade route, which would certainly be a thorn in the Han Dynasty's side.

This way.

Not only had the Xiongnu not been destroyed, but trade routes to the Western Regions were also blocked.

The two important strategic goals of the Han Dynasty had to be declared bankrupt, and the initiative was once again in the hands of the Huns.

This would undoubtedly be a bigger headache for the Han Dynasty than the previous frequent border harassment. But what could the Han Dynasty do? Even if the Han Dynasty continued to send troops to attack the Huns, the Huns were no longer like they are now, unable to migrate further north.

At that time, the Xiongnu could continue to migrate westwards, and their strategic depth would be much greater than it is now, and they would undoubtedly be invincible forever...

After thinking about this, Wuwei Shanyu suddenly felt inexplicably moved:
"It's not that we can't defend the Dragon's Rise, but it's more cost-effective to move westward!"

"Somebody come!"

Wuwei Chanyu suddenly shouted.

"My subordinate is here!"

The attendant hurried forward and responded.

"Notify all princes and generals to come to the palace immediately. This emperor has an important matter to discuss with them concerning the life and death of the Xiongnu. Hurry!"

Wuwei Chanyu had already made up his mind, but he still needed important Xiongnu officials to reach a consensus before he could actually implement the westward migration.

But he was confident that he could convince these people.

After all, in the current situation, the Huns no longer have many choices.

If anyone objects, then let him face Wei Qing and the Han army's 70,000 cavalry. May he live a long life...

……

Weiyang Palace.

"..."

Looking at the latest and even more shocking victory report from Zhaoxin City, Liu Che felt as if he were in another world. He stared at the words in the report for a long time without saying a word.

When did my army become so invincible?
How could a force of 10,000 soldiers who were surrounded by 60,000 elite Hun cavalry be able to inflict heavy damage on the enemy while their own casualties were only a few thousand?

Is this a war?
Why does it seem that the fighting power of the Southwestern Yi and the Korean Peninsula is much stronger than that of the Xiongnu? These are the Xiongnu, who had harassed and oppressed the Han Dynasty for nearly a hundred years. How could they become so weak after not fighting with them for a few years?
What Liu Che did not expect the most was.

The Han army actually captured the head of the Xiongnu Zuoxian King in one fell swoop?

Who was Zuo Xian Wang? He was the crown prince of Xiongnu and the future Khan of Xiongnu. How could he lose his head so easily?

But this battle is really quite dramatic.

Judging from the identities of the two teams' commanders, this was more like a battle of egos between the Crown Prince of Han and the Crown Prince of Xiongnu.

The results indeed proved that a good father will have a good son.

I was able to drive the Huns to the northern desert, and they were unable to invade the Han border for many years. Naturally, I am more powerful than the Huns' Chanyu.

And my son's victory over the Xiongnu prince also brought me great honor and recognition.

If my prediction is correct, the Huns will soon submit to me, and my long-cherished wish will finally be fulfilled.

Feng Chan!

Must be enthroned!

Wherever the sun and the moon shine, and wherever the rivers flow, all is Han territory!

I am truly an emperor of all ages. The Han army is approaching. Do not move. If you move, your country will be destroyed. This is the achievement I will report to the heaven and earth!
Among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and Qin Shi Huangdi, who can compare with me?
Qin Shihuang was not allowed to ascend to heaven by riding a dragon during his Fengshan ceremony, because his achievements were not enough!
But with such great achievements, perhaps I can really summon a dragon!
"This rebellious son, this is the most appropriate time he once told me, right? Isn't this deceiving the heavens and the earth, and deceiving oneself?"

Thinking of this, Liu Che's heart was filled with satisfaction and pride, but his eyes glanced at a wooden box held by the attendant below that was sent back along with the victory report.

But for some reason, the attendant was always standing far away and his expression was very unnatural.

"What is that thing? Why did you bring it so far away? Why didn't you bring it up to me for inspection?"

Liu Che asked curiously.

Su Wen on the side immediately bowed and replied:

"Your Majesty, it was I who asked him to stand further away. If my guess is correct, the head of the Xiongnu Left Wise King Wushilu should be placed inside... It has already smelled bad, and the smell is still strong even through the wooden box." Otherwise, how can we say that Su Wen is capable of doing things?

The last time Liu Che saw the blood letter sent back by Liu Ju, he almost vomited because of the stench.

This time, it was obvious that something was wrong with this thing, so Su Wen certainly wouldn't give Liu Che any more problems.

"This rebellious son always comes up with such weird things!"

Liu Che laughed and cursed, then waved his hand and said,
"I will not look at it. Take it out. After having it opened and verified, hang it on the Bacheng Gate for a month for public display. This will also allow the subjects of Chang'an to appreciate the might of the Han army."

"promise."

Su Wen turned around and nodded slightly to the attendant holding the wooden box.

The attendant suddenly felt as if he had been pardoned, and hurriedly turned around and ran out. He really couldn't hold it in any longer, and if he really vomited in the greenhouse hall, it might be a serious crime of disrespect.

Liu Che lowered his head again to read the victory report that he had read several times. While shaking his feet unconsciously, he was still muttering to himself:

"But I don't like this rebellious son's move of 'getting involved himself'."

"He doesn't even consider his status. What if something goes wrong? This time, not only will I not praise him, I will personally write an imperial edict to reprimand him. I will reprimand him severely so that he will know his limits in the future and not take such risky actions again."

"Otherwise, even if you achieve some insignificant results, I won't like it!"

"..."

Su Wen quietly lowered his body again to hide the changing expression on his face.

He spoke of Liu Che with some reluctance.

What is meant by "insignificant results"?
If all these were "insignificant", then based on Wei Qing and Huo Qubing's previous achievements, they would not be qualified to be granted the titles of Marquis of Changping and Marquis of Guanjun, and they could also be exempted from the title of general. Being granted the title of a colonel would be enough to make them grateful.

However, when Liu Che commented on his son in this way, outsiders could just listen and there was nothing much to say.

"And this Wei Qing, with his personality, he actually agreed to this matter... Forget it, forget it, I won't bother with him, I don't need to bother with him."

Liu Che seemed to want to criticize Wei Qing, but at the last moment he changed the subject.
"Su Wen, draft an edict for Wei Qing."

"He fought well this time. He is worthy of being my general. I am very pleased."

"It should be difficult for the Xiongnu to fight against the Han army now. I am afraid that they will abandon Xinlong City and flee in all directions, just like the battle in Mobei, and then come back to rebuild after the Han army leaves."

"Tell Wei Qing in your imperial edict that after conquering Xinlong City, don't rush back. Let him offer sacrifices to the heavens at Langjuxu Mountain and to the earth at Guyan Mountain, just like Huo Qubing did."

"By the way, didn't Huo Qubing go to Beihai during the Battle of Mobei? Let Wei Qing go there this time and make sure he pee in Beihai."

"Also, isn't Sima Qian here too? Order him to follow Wei Qing closely and record all of Wei Qing's affairs. The more detailed the better. In the future, compile this matter into the history books for me and write a good biography of Wei Qing. Praise him to the utmost, even if he goes beyond my authority."

"promise."

Su Wen carefully wrote down Liu Che's request, but he always felt that Liu Che's reaction to Wei Qing was becoming more and more wrong.

Although Liu Che mistook Su Wen for Wei Qing and said many inexplicable things after getting drunk, he did not mention Wei Qing's illness at all, so he still doesn't know why Liu Che did that.

Is it because Liu Ju is getting older and becoming sentimental?

"also!"

Liu Che thought about it and emphasized,

"Draft an edict for Liu Ju, warning him that if the Xiongnu intend to surrender this time, no matter what old or new hatreds the Han and Xiongnu have, he should restrain his temper and not kill the Xiongnu as he did in Loulan, especially not killing the Xiongnu Chanyu."

"In the vast desert grassland, the Xiongnu people cannot be killed completely. The Han Dynasty can only send a small number of officials and garrisons to control them, and then use seals and ribbons to grant the Xiongnu people the position of Han officials to win them over. Only in this way can we have long-term peace and stability. If he continues to act recklessly, I am afraid that my grand plan will be ruined."

"I told him implicitly in the imperial edict that I am very satisfied with his performance this time."

"If he obeys my orders and does not disobey me after returning, I will be able to reinstate him as the crown prince, and the chances of reinstating him are very high."

"promise……"

Su Wen responded again.

He knew in his heart that Liu Che was trying to control people again and dangling a carrot in front of Liu Ju.

In fact, since Liu Ju had made such great achievements this time, it would be unreasonable for Emperor Wu of Han not to reinstate him... However, Liu Che obviously did not intend to do so. He still wanted to use this to keep Liu Ju hanging and make him an obedient son.

As for when it will be suspended.

That probably depends on Liu Che's mood. Maybe he can be kept hanging until the moment before his death.

After all, Liu Ju's "merits surpassed his father's" this time, and Liu Che was probably worried that after he reinstated him, some ministers would think that Liu Ju's succession to the throne was a foregone conclusion, so they would defect to Liu Ju in advance, thus taking away some of his power before he died, or even sidelining him.

……

surrender?

Surrender?

Liu Che still thought too highly of Liu Ju.

Liu Ju had long said that the Huns were too big and had no qualifications to surrender or submit.

While Liu Che was checking the victory report, Liu Ju and Wei Qing's army had already arrived less than a hundred miles away from Xinlong City and set up camp there.

Along the way, the Han army did not encounter any obstacles.

After all, the main force of the Huns had suffered an almost devastating blow, and the sharpness shown by the Han army this time also made the Huns believe that rashly fighting the Han army would be tantamount to suicide.

Besides.

Dozens of "hunting detachments" of the Han army never stopped their actions.

Let's put it this way. With the main force of the Han army as the center, the "hunting detachment" is within a thousand miles of the area, and they also have two missions:

First of all, they would harass the Xiongnu tribes, making it impossible for them to graze their livestock in peace, otherwise they would lose all their sheep and people.

Secondly, they also shouldered the duties of scouts, and the "hunting detachment" spread across the desert and grasslands made it impossible for any major movements of the Huns to escape detection.

During this process, the envoy of Uwei Chanyu also arrived at the Han army camp.

"Your Highness, General, I am here on behalf of Chanyu Wuwei."

Wave after wave of Xiongnu envoys became visibly humble in front of Liu Ju. It turned out that dignity only lies on the edge of the sword.

"Uwei Chanyu knows that he cannot defeat the might of the Han army, so he is willing to surrender the city to the Han army and ask for forgiveness. From now on, he is willing to be a vassal of the Han army and form a thousand-year alliance."

"It's just that there are still some people in the country who are against this."

"Therefore, Wuwei Chanyu hopes that the Han Dynasty will give the people some more time to appease them. By then, the Han army can enter the city and avoid fighting. This will be a good thing for both the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu."

(End of this chapter)