The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 529 Working together
At dawn, the grasslands at the northern foot of the Yinshan Mountains were filled with mist. Wei Yan stood on a high hill, looking at the dust raised by the Xiongnu cavalry in the distance, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword.

"Report!" The scout came flying over, "Liu Bao's troops have arrived at the Langjuxu Pass and are preparing to go!"

Wei Yan sneered and said, "Tell Gao Lan to lead 3,000 light cavalry to follow behind them and keep a distance of 20 miles. If the Xiongnu make any unusual movements, send a signal immediately."

Deputy General Gao Lan clasped his fists and accepted the order. When he turned around, he couldn't help but whispered, "General, I always feel that Liu Bao has ulterior motives. He took the initiative to ask for the pursuit, I'm afraid..."

"How could I not know?" Wei Yan narrowed his eyes, "But His Majesty's secret order clearly stated that he wanted to take this opportunity to test the loyalty of the Xiongnu. You remember, no matter what happens, you must not act rashly without my order."

At the same time, in the Tang army camp thirty miles to the east, Zhao Yun was ready to go. His silver armor shone coldly in the morning light, and his personal guards were tying his cloak tightly for him.

"General, everything is ready." The captain of the personal guards handed over the Longdan Silver Spear, "Five thousand elite troops have been assembled and are ready to set off at any time."

Zhao Yun took the spear and looked eastward: "Send the order, set off immediately and meet up with His Majesty as soon as possible."

The two Tang armies parted ways with the sound of thunderous horse hooves. Zhao Yun led his army eastward at a rapid speed, while Wei Yan led the main force to advance slowly northward, far behind Liu Bao's Xiongnu cavalry.

At noon, Langjuxu Mountain was in sight. This mountain, shaped like a crouching wolf, stretched across the end of the grassland and was a sacred place in the hearts of the Xianbei people. Scouts kept bringing news: Kebi Neng's remnants had fled into the mountains, and Liu Bao's army was chasing them closely.

"He is a smart man. He knows what can be done and what cannot be done. He knows that our Tang Dynasty is powerful, so he dare not be the enemy of our Tang Dynasty." Wei Yan quickly understood the reason. There was no joy on his face. Instead, he became more wary of Liu Bao.

Deep in the Langjuxu Mountain, in a hidden valley, a stream gurgled through the dark blue rocks. Liu Bao took off his sword and handed it to his guards, then walked alone towards Kebi Neng who was standing by the stream. The Xianbei leader was dressed in rags, but his eyes still burned with an unyielding fire.

"I hope you are well, Chanyu." Liu Bao bowed with a faint smile on his face.

Ke Bineng snorted coldly: "Liu Bao, you chased me with the swords of the Tang army for three days and three nights, and now you come to greet me hypocritically?"

Liu Bao took out a sheepskin map from his arms and spread it on the rock. He looked at the other party with a smile and said, "Look, Chanyu, this is the pasture where the Murong tribe has grazed for generations. The grass and water are abundant, enough to feed 100,000 people."

Ke Bineng's pupils shrank slightly, and his rough fingers ran over the rivers and valleys marked on the map. He looked at the other person coldly and said, "What do you mean?"

"It's very simple." Liu Bao lowered his voice and said, "I need the cooperation of the Chanyu to put on a show. You pretend to be defeated and flee to the northwest. I will report to Wei Yan that I have expelled you from the border. In return, this grassland will belong to the Xiongnu."

The mountain wind blew through the valley, bringing the neighing of distant war horses. Ke Bineng stared at Liu Bao for a long time, and suddenly laughed: "What a Liu Bao! The Tang army treated you well, but you want to kill someone with a borrowed knife?"

Liu Bao's eyes flashed with a sinister look, and he snorted coldly: "The Xiongnu will never forget who drove us out of the grassland. The Tang Emperor appears to be benevolent, but in fact he wants us to be his watchdogs forever. After they destroy you, we will be the next. Chanyu, if we join forces, it will be enough to keep Wei Yan's 50,000 troops in Langjuxu Mountain forever."

As he spoke, he took off a leather bag from his waist, poured out two cups of kumis and handed them to Kebineng.

After hearing this, Kebineng showed a thoughtful look on his face. If he could choose, he would definitely choose the Huns. Now that the Murong tribe had been defeated, the original grassland was empty.

According to his understanding of the people of the Central Plains, it was impossible for the Tang Dynasty to station troops on the grassland. In this way, there was a gap in the power of the grassland. Letting the Huns occupy it and fill the gap seemed to be a good choice. "Are you sure you can occupy that grassland?" Ke Bineng asked.

"Of course I can." Liu Bao patted his chest and said, "If I defeat you, the Emperor of Tang will commend me for my achievements. I will ask him to grant me a piece of pasture for me to graze my cattle."

Ke Bineng's mouth twitched when he heard this, it seemed that this was how he achieved his military exploits.

Ke Bineng was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed out loud, his laughter echoing in the valley, startling a few birds. He snatched the kumis from Liu Bao's hand, raised his head and drank it all, then smashed the cup heavily on the rock.

"Okay! Liu Bao, I promise you!" Ke Bineng's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "But what I want is not the grassland, but Wei Yan's head!"

Liu Bao's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile: "The Chanyu is indeed straightforward. But Wei Yan is cunning and suspicious, so we must make long-term plans. First, take the grassland, and then make long-term plans."

At this moment, the sound of hurried horse hooves came from afar. A Xiongnu scout came running over and whispered something in Liu Bao's ear. Liu Bao's face suddenly changed, and he turned around and looked towards the entrance of the valley.

"Not good! Wei Yan sent Gao Lan to lead the light cavalry to follow us, and now they have reached the mountain pass!" Liu Bao said anxiously: "Chanyu, you immediately lead your men to retreat from the western path, and I will lead the army to pretend to pursue!"

Ke Bineng sneered and said, "It seems that your plan is not as smooth as you imagined." After that, he jumped on his horse and quickly disappeared into the depths of the dense forest with his personal guards.

Liu Bao quickly reorganized his troops and deliberately created a momentum of pursuit. When he led his troops out of the valley, he ran into Gao Lan's 3,000 light cavalry.

"Why is General Gao here?" Liu Bao pretended to be surprised and asked, "I am chasing after the remnants of Kebineng's army!"

Gao Lan reined in his horse, his eyes sharp as an eagle, staring at the other party coldly and said: "General Liu, the general ordered me to come to support. Which direction did Kebi escape to?"

Liu Bao pointed to the northwest: "Over there! I have defeated his main force, and only a few of his personal guards are left to flee with him."

Gao Lan narrowed his eyes and suddenly waved his hand, saying: "All troops, listen up and follow General Liu to continue the pursuit!" He looked at Liu Bao meaningfully, as if he saw through him.

Liu Bao's heart sank, knowing that Gao Lan was suspicious. But the arrow was on the string and had to be shot, so he had to bite the bullet and lead his army to the northwest.

At the same time, Wei Yan had led the main force to the southern foot of Langjuxu Mountain. He stood on a high slope, looking at the smoke and dust rising from the northwest, his brows furrowed.

"Report!" A scout came running over, "General Gao and General Liu have joined forces and are continuing to pursue Kebineng!"

Wei Yan sneered: "Order the whole army to slow down and not advance. Tell Gao Lan to be careful and not to underestimate the enemy. This Liu Bao is not a simple person. I'm afraid he has other ideas!"

Wei Yan still suspected Liu Bao.

(End of this chapter)