Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

He knew all too well that any mercy shown to these cruel and tyrannical bandits, whose hands were stained with the blood of innocent people, would be a betrayal of the deceased.

"Speak! Where is Shi Xie's main force now? Where is your stronghold? If you utter even the slightest lie, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Gu Rubing's voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling sense of oppression.

The prisoners were terrified and rushed to kowtow and beg for mercy, offering their accounts all at once.

After Gu Rubing ordered the use of the most severe torture to repeatedly interrogate and cross-verify the information, they finally obtained relatively reliable intelligence.

Shi Xie's main force is indeed currently entrenched in the strategically important and easily defensible Black Wind Ridge in northern Youzhou.

Moreover, they were not isolated and helpless; they had secretly colluded with the remnants of the Wuhuan tribe who had been scattered and fled into the deep mountains! Shi Xie provided the Wuhuan with some of the looted goods and food, while the Wuhuan provided them with high-quality warhorses, acted as guides, and even provided cavalry support during some large-scale operations.

“Wuhuan…”

Gu Rubing pondered the name, his eyes growing even deeper and colder.

"You really don't learn your lesson! It seems the last lesson wasn't profound enough, daring to jump out again at this time, colluding with Shi Xie and challenging my bottom line!"

He was indeed finding the Wuhuan's swift and agile mobility somewhat troublesome.

These nomadic peoples are naturally skilled cavalrymen who are adept at utilizing the terrain. Eradicating them completely will be no easy task and will inevitably require a huge amount of time and manpower for a long period of clearing and blockading.

In contrast, Shi Xie's main force, entrenched in Black Wind Ridge, although defending a strategic location, had a fixed objective. As long as the plan was proper and superior forces were concentrated, it would be relatively "easier" to deal with them, at least because their objective was clear.

But at the same time, a doubt arose in Gu Rubing's heart.

The Wuhuan people are not fools; they should be well aware of the consequences of making enemies of them.

In the last battle of Youzhou, they suffered heavy losses, and their tribe was almost scattered. Why would they still dare to risk being completely wiped out and support Shi Xie, this stray dog?
Unless... Shi Xie possesses something that the Wuhuan people cannot refuse, and are even willing to take risks for?

Is it a huge fortune that would be enough to restore their vitality?
Or is it... some kind of promise, or coercion?
Black Wind Ridge is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and Shi Xie's bandit gang is as cunning as a fox. If their foundation cannot be destroyed, even if a large army surrounds and suppresses them, it is hard to guarantee that they will not be able to escape again by taking advantage of the complex terrain and external support.

Gu Rubing knew that the horses, guides, and even possible military support provided by the remnants of the Wuhuan tribes were the key to Shi Xie's current rampant behavior.

To destroy Shi Xie, one must first cut off his external support! After comprehensively considering the enormous cost and time required for a direct military campaign to wipe out the remnants of the Wuhuan tribe, Gu Rubing made a bold decision—to personally go to the Wuhuan tribe to negotiate!

As soon as the proposal was put forward, Zhang Fei was the first to jump out and oppose it.

"Brother! Why risk your life yourself?"

Those Wuhuan barbarians are fickle and utterly untrustworthy! Let me, Old Zhang, lead the troops and raze their camp to the ground!"

Gu Rubing shook his head, his gaze deep.

"Yide, conquering by force is certainly exhilarating, but Youzhou cannot withstand prolonged warfare, and our main force cannot remain here for long. The best strategy would be to force them to submit with force and lure them to surrender with benefits, thus dismantling Shi Xie's allies without bloodshed."

Besides, I also want to see for myself what it is that gives these defeated generals the confidence to still dare to oppose me.

He had made up his mind and ignored Zhang Fei's grumbling, carefully selecting his entourage.

Ma Chao was exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts. Coming from the Xiliang cavalry, he had some understanding of the customs of the grassland tribes, making him an indispensable deterrent and assistant.

In addition, he only brought a few dozen of his most elite and loyal bodyguards, each equipped with two horses, to ensure mobility and sufficient self-defense capabilities.

To show his "sincerity," he also specially ordered people to prepare more than a dozen boxes of fine Shu brocade, Jiangnan tea, and some exquisite porcelain as gifts.

After preparations were complete, Gu Rubing temporarily entrusted the military affairs of Yuyang to Zhang Fei and the garrison commander Zhao Tong, strictly ordering them to hold their ground and not to make any rash moves!
Subsequently, he and Ma Chao led this elite squad, following the approximate location provided by the prisoners, and rode deep into the vast and desolate grasslands and hilly areas of northern Youzhou.

After several days of trekking and careful searching, they finally found the settlement of the remaining Wuhuan tribes.

It was a small camp located in a river valley, built along the water and grass. The camp was sparsely populated, and the number of cattle and sheep was far less than in its heyday, revealing its decline and distress everywhere.

The tribe's guards spotted the group from afar and immediately sounded their horns. A commotion broke out in the camp as dozens of Wuhuan cavalrymen rushed out, wielding scimitars, and warily blocked them outside the camp.

Ma Chao stepped forward and, in a mixture of broken Hu language and Chinese, revealed his identity and purpose: "I am Gu Rubing, the King of the Great Han, who have come in person to meet with your tribal leader."

Upon hearing that it was King Lie himself who had arrived, the Wuhuan cavalrymen clearly showed shock and fear on their faces. After whispering among themselves, one of them quickly returned to the camp to report.

After a while, someone came out and signaled that they could enter, but most of the accompanying guards were required to stay on the perimeter of the camp. Only Gu Rubing, Ma Chao, and four guards carrying gift boxes were allowed to enter the core area.

In front of the largest yurt, decorated with some old animal horns and colorful strips of cloth, Gu Rubing met the leader of this remnant of the Wuhuan tribe.

This was a burly, rugged-looking middle-aged man wearing a slightly worn leather robe. His eyes were sharp and wary, even carrying a hint of deliberate arrogance.

He did not come out of the tent to greet him, but instead sat imposingly in the main seat inside the yurt, with several tribal chiefs standing beside him, all with equally unfriendly expressions.

"Why does the mighty King of the Han Dynasty come to our harsh grasslands instead of enjoying his luxurious life in your land?"

The leader spoke, his voice hoarse, carrying a clear sense of detachment and a hint of barely perceptible disdain.

"I don't have the pavilions, towers, fine wines, and delicacies that you Han people like here."

Gu Rubing remained calm as he walked to the felt carpet spread out in the tent and sat down cross-legged. Ma Chao stood beside him with his hand on his sword, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the tent like that of a hawk.

Gu Rubing spoke slowly.

"Why ask such a question when you already know the answer? You know perfectly well why I have come."

Shi Xie is a notorious traitor to the nation, who slaughtered my people and plundered my prefectures and counties. I've heard that you, nobles, have been in close contact with him lately?

The leader snorted, his tone becoming even more arrogant.

"The eagle of the grasslands, who does it befriend? Does it need to report to you Han people? King Lie, your power is indeed great, but this is the grassland of our Wuhuan people!"
The sky is high and the land is vast; you can't send a large army many times. Even if you do, we can simply mount our horses and disappear into the depths of the grasslands. What can you do to us? You want us to sever our cooperation with Shi Xie? On what grounds?

His words were almost a blatant display of his fearless attitude, relying on geography and mobility.

They believed that Gu Rubing's core power base was far away in the Central Plains, making it impossible to carry out a sustained and effective crackdown on them.

As Gu Rubing listened, his gaze gradually turned cold. He knew that for this kind of person who believed in the law of the jungle and feared power but not virtue, simple reasoning and appeasement would not work; a combination of soft and hard tactics was necessary, and the "hard" side had to be unforgettable.

He said no more, but simply picked up the cloudy mare's milk wine, which was of unknown origin, presented by the Wuhuan people in front of him, took a small sip, and then seemingly casually slammed the wine cup on the ground.

This is the signal!
Ma Chao, who had been standing like a statue, moved!

Fast! So fast that it left only a blur!
It was as if a silver lightning bolt suddenly exploded!

Before the Wuhuan chieftains and guards inside the tent could even react, they felt a chill in their throats or a pain in their chests, and the world before them was quickly swallowed by darkness.

Ma Chao's dragon cavalry spear transformed into countless cold stars, precise and deadly. Accompanied by several short, muffled groans, almost simultaneously, all the Wuhuan guards and chieftains inside the tent, except for the leader, were shot in the throat or heart and fell to the ground dead!

Blood instantly stained the carpet red.

The cold, blood-stained spear tip, after Ma Chao slightly trembled his wrist, shaking off the blood droplets, was already pressed silently against the throat of the Wuhuan leader like a venomous snake.

The icy touch sent chills down the leader's spine. He could clearly feel the deathly aura emanating from the tip of the gun; with just a slight flick of the wrist from the gunman, he would immediately follow in the footsteps of his men.

The arrogance and haughtiness on his face vanished instantly, leaving only boundless fear and disbelief. His body stiffened, and he dared not move, with large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Only then did a cry of surprise and the sound of weapons being drawn come from outside the tent, clearly indicating that the guards left behind and the Wuhuan guards outside the tent had heard the commotion.

However, the dozens of guards that Gu Rubing brought were already prepared and immediately formed a battle formation outside, confronting the Wuhuan warriors who had come upon hearing the news. The atmosphere was tense and ready to fight.

Gu Rubing seemed oblivious to the carnage before him and the spear tip at his neck. He put down his wine glass, his gaze calm as he looked at the pale-faced leader. His tone remained steady, yet carried an undeniable authority and a chilling coldness.

"Now, can we have a proper talk, Chief?"

He patiently explained the advantages and disadvantages, word by word.

"Shi Xie's massacre of the village and its inhabitants was so cruel that it aroused the wrath of both gods and men. This has crossed my bottom line."

He must die, and his gang must be eradicated!

There is absolutely no room for ambiguity on this point. As for those forces that helped him, providing him with shelter, horses, and provisions, allowing him to continue his evil deeds…

Gu Rubing's voice suddenly turned stern, like the cold wind of the north.

"After I wipe out Shi Xie, I will not let him go! Every single one of them will be dealt with and completely eliminated! Do you think you can rest easy just because the grasslands are so vast?"
I can tell you that if the Wuhuan continue to assist Shi Xie, then every single person in your remaining tribe, regardless of age or gender, will be considered an accomplice of Shi Xie!

I will mobilize a large army and unite with all the surrounding tribes to carry out a sweeping purge, burning their pastures and cutting off their water sources!
"At that time, do you think your small group can survive on this grassland? Utter annihilation awaits you!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow to the heart of the Wuhuan leader.

The coldness of the spear tip against his neck, the thick stench of blood in the tent, and the overwhelming killing intent and unwavering determination contained in Gu Rubing's calm words completely shattered his last psychological defenses.

He had no doubt that this seemingly calm Han Chinese king was absolutely capable of both his words and deeds!
"Spare me...spare me! King Lie...spare me!"

The leader's voice trembled, filled with fear.

“I…I agree! From this day forward, our Wuhuan tribe will sever all ties with Shi Xie and have no further dealings with him! We will never again provide him with a single horse or a single grain of food!”

Gu Rubing looked at him, knowing that the time was right, softened his tone, and offered him the carrot.

"Very good. A wise person knows when to yield."

As long as the nobles keep their promise and sever all ties with Shi Xie, I, Gu Rubing, can also promise that after the banditry is quelled, my forces are willing to engage in long-term, fair trade with the Wuhuan.

You can trade your cattle, sheep, and furs for the grain, salt, iron, and cloth of my Great Han. At least, this will allow your remaining people to live a less impoverished life and be able to recuperate.

Coercion, coupled with enticement. The leader's expression shifted, showing struggle, fear, and finally a hint of helpless compromise.

With the constant "reminder" of the deadly silver spear in front of his throat, he hesitated again and again, but finally nodded with difficulty.

“I…on behalf of the tribe, agree to King Lie’s conditions…we have nothing more to do with Shi Xie!”

"Wise choice."

Gu Rubing gestured for Ma Chao to retract the spear tip slightly, but the intimidating aura remained.

he asked next.

"Now, tell me everything you know about Shi Xie, especially his main force's deployment at Black Wind Ridge, the size of his troops, and... what exactly makes him so persuasive that you would risk cooperating with him."

Having narrowly escaped death, the leader dared not conceal anything any longer and spilled all the information he knew, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.

He confirmed that Shi Xie's main force was indeed at Black Wind Ridge, and described in detail the locations of several known passes and outposts, as well as the number of core combat forces that Shi Xie could probably muster.

At the same time, he also mentioned that Shi Xie did indeed gather together some of the remnants of other small Wuhuan tribes that were defeated by the Han Dynasty, unwilling to submit, or had nowhere else to go. He promised them great benefits and made them serve as the vanguard and outer shield for bandit raids.

"As for how he managed to find us..."

The leader's face showed a hint of bitterness and lingering fear.

“About a month ago, Shi Xie personally led a few people to my camp, trying to persuade me to form an alliance with him.”

Gu Rubing's eyes narrowed.

"Oh?

Who did he bring with him?

The leader recalled the events, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes.

"Besides a few guards, he was accompanied by a man in a gray robe carrying a long spear."

That person... is terrifying, extremely terrifying!
He barely spoke, but... but back then, right in my tent, because one of my men spoke rudely to Shi Xie, that man... he struck him. (End of Chapter)