The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 559 Bald Xianbei
On the vast grasslands north of the Yin Mountains, the autumn wind whipped up withered yellow grass clippings, swirling among the low hills. Inside the Xianbei tent, Kebineng slammed his fist on the rough wooden table, making the mare's milk wine bowl bounce.

"The Tang army is advancing on three fronts; they're determined to wipe us out!" His thick beard trembled with rage, and his copper-bell-like eyes swept over the tribal leaders in the tent, finally settling on Budugen: "Budugen, what do you think?"

Sitting on the right, Budugen slowly stroked the jewel-encrusted scimitar at his waist, a sinister glint in his eyes. He finally smiled bitterly and said, "Qin Shou's central army appears slow, but it harbors deadly intent. I suggest we avoid their main force and lure them deeper into our territory."

"Another retreat?" A young chieftain slammed his fist on the table, expressing his discontent. "Our pastures have already been reduced by 30%. If we retreat any further, how will we feed our people in the winter?"

The tent erupted into a cacophony of arguments as the tribal leaders argued incessantly. In a corner, a thin, sinister-looking young man remained silent. He was Tuoba Pigu, the eldest son of Tuoba Jiefen, the leader of the Tuoba Xianbei.

“Baldness, what does your Tuoba tribe mean by this?” Kebineng suddenly called out a name.

The bald-headed Pigu slowly raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his narrow eyes, and solemnly declared, "Our Tuoba tribe has decided to migrate westward."

"What?!" A commotion erupted inside the tent.

"Cowards!" the young leader roared. "With a formidable enemy at hand, you dare to flee?"

Bald-haired Pigu sneered, his long, slender fingers lightly tapping his knee. He coldly scoffed, "Rather than waiting to die here, we'd be better off finding new pastures west of the river. The main force of the Tang army is on the eastern front; the west is undefended."

Budugen narrowed his eyes and advised, "The Hui tribe is entrenched in Hexi. Have you thought about how to deal with Dou Bin?"

“That’s our business.” Bald Pigu stood up, the silver ornaments on his black leather robe jingling, and glanced at everyone, saying, “Take care, everyone. I hope to see you again next spring.”

That night, the Tuoba tribe's camp was brightly lit. Tuoba Pigu stood on a high point, watching his tribesmen dismantle tents, load carts, and tie them up. His younger brother, Tuoba Liwei, approached him, his young face etched with worry, and asked, "Brother, are we really leaving? Father is still negotiating with the Murong tribe in the east."

“Father is old and can’t see the situation clearly,” Bald-haired Pigu said coldly. “The Tang army is coming with overwhelming force this time; Kebineng and Budugen simply cannot stop them. Rather than be buried with them, we should find another way out.”

"Kehexi"

"That old fox Dou Bin," the bald-haired man said with a cold smile, "I have my own ways of dealing with him."

Ten days later, a massive migrating caravan slowly made its way west across the autumn grasslands. Tuba Pi, alone on his warhorse, gazed at the distant, undulating Yinshan Mountains. Behind him were nearly ten thousand tents of his people, with countless cattle, sheep, and horses; the wheels of his chariot churned with a dull thud as they rolled over the dry grass.

"Report! A scout has spotted a cavalry unit from the Meilu Hui tribe thirty miles ahead!" A scout galloped up and reported loudly.

A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the bald-headed man.

“It’s finally here.” He turned to his trusted confidant, the bald-haired Tree Functional, and ordered, “Proceed according to plan.”

As the sun set, a troop of cavalry from the Meilu Hui tribe blocked the path of the migrating caravan. The leading general was burly and had a hideous scar on his face.

“You Tuoba brats,” the scarred general shouted gruffly, “this is Meilu Hui tribe territory. Who gave you permission to trespass?”

Bald-haired Pi Gudu rode forward alone, a humble smile on his face, and bowed, saying, "Warrior, our Tuoba tribe has been forced to migrate westward by the Tang army. Please inform Lord Dou Bin that we are willing to exchange five hundred fine horses for temporary accommodation."

The scarred general's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Five hundred horses? You must be exaggerating!" The bald-haired man clapped his hands, and his men immediately drove out a herd of glossy, fine horses. The scarred general greedily licked his lips and said happily, "Wait here, I'll go report to the lord."

Three days later, inside the royal tent of the Meilu Hui tribe, Dou Bin looked down at the bald-headed Pigu kneeling on the ground. Dou Bin was about fifty years old, with gray hair and beard, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

"Tuoba Jiefen's son?" Dou Bin's voice was hoarse yet authoritative as he casually inquired, "Why isn't your father here?"

"My lord, my father is still negotiating with the Murong tribe on the eastern front," said Tuoba Pigu, his forehead touching the ground, appearing utterly apprehensive. "Our Tuoba tribe is willing to offer a thousand fine horses and a hundred cartloads of ironware in exchange for temporary residence on the Hexi grasslands."

Dou Bin narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are the Tang army really that terrifying?"

"Emperor Qin Shou of Tang personally led an army of 100,000 to launch a northern expedition, and Kebineng and Budugen suffered repeated defeats. Our forces are weak and can only avoid their sharp edge." Tufa Pigu raised his head, his eyes flashing with fear.

Inside the tent, the nobles of the Hui tribe whispered amongst themselves. Dou Bin pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! In recognition of your sincerity, you are permitted to graze your livestock west of the Weak River. However, you must pay tribute of one hundred fine horses every month." He changed the subject, appearing quite pleased with himself.

The bald man looked troubled, but quickly lowered his head: "I will obey your orders, sir."

That night, the Tuoba tribe camped on the west bank of the Ruoshui River. Tuoba Shujineng spat indignantly, "That old scoundrel Dou Bin is clearly taking advantage of our misfortune!"

Bald-haired Pigu remained surprisingly calm. He stroked the short sword at his waist and said softly, "Let him be smug for a few days. Send the order to secretly contact those small tribes that are dissatisfied with Dou Bin."

Meanwhile, in the Tang army camp along the Great Wall, Wei Yan was deep in thought, studying a map. His deputy rushed into the tent: "General, scouts report that a Xianbei tribe is migrating westward and has formed an alliance with the Molu Hui tribe."

A glint of light flashed in Wei Yan's eyes: "How many people?"

"There are about ten thousand tents, and the leader is called Tuoba Pigu, the eldest son of Tuoba Jiefen."

“The Tuoba tribe,” Wei Yan’s finger traced across the map. “They’re trying to avoid our main force.” He slammed his hand on the table and sneered, “Order the entire army to set off tomorrow and cut off their westward escape route!”

Five days later, when Tuoba Pigu's vanguard reached the foot of Yanzhi Mountain, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly rang out in the distance. On the horizon, a dark mass of Tang cavalry surged in like a tide, their banners fluttering and their swords gleaming like snow.

"Tang army! It's the Tang army!" the Tuoba scouts shouted in terror.

Bald-haired Pigu's expression changed drastically, and he immediately ordered: "All troops, form ranks! Women and children, retreat!"

However, it was too late. Wei Yan personally led his elite cavalry to attack from the flank, and the Tang archers unleashed a volley of arrows, throwing the Tuoba tribe's formation into chaos instantly. The reinforcements from the Meilu Hui tribe had just arrived on the battlefield when they were routed by the Tang heavy cavalry.

"Hold on! Hold on!" Dou Bin shouted, brandishing his scimitar, but was struck in the shoulder by a stray arrow and nearly fell off his horse.

The battle lasted a full hour. As the setting sun painted the battlefield crimson, Tuoba Pigu led his remaining troops out of the encirclement, while Meilu Hui's forces suffered even greater losses. Dou Bin was severely wounded and was rescued by his personal guards at great personal risk.

(End of this chapter)