The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 579 Three Clans Join Forces
Cheliji's roar echoed within the Qiang tent, causing the flames in the brazier to flicker violently, casting dancing shadows on his ferocious face. The generals in the tent fell silent, except for the Xianbei envoy, Chiliyun, who wore a barely perceptible smile.

"Eh He Shao Ge, have you been terrified by the Tang people's swords?" Cheriji ripped open his fur robe, revealing three hideous scars on his chest, and said coldly, "This is a 'gift' left to me by the Tang general a year ago! I, Cheriji, swear I will not rest until I avenge this!"

Ehe Shaoge knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Chief, please calm your anger. I was just worried."

"No need for further words!" Cheriji waved his hand, turning to Chiliyun. "I accept Lord Kebineng's proposal. However—"

A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "Our two families alone aren't enough. If we can persuade Liu Bao of the Xiongnu to join us in rebellion, a three-pronged attack will surely overwhelm Qin Shou!"

Chiliyun's scar twitched slightly as he said in a low voice, "Chief, your insight is brilliant. My master has already sent someone to contact Liu Bao, but... the Xiongnu are always cunning; they won't act until they see a benefit."

Cheriji clapped his hands with a sinister grin. Immediately, four Qiang soldiers carried in two heavy wooden crates. The crates were opened, revealing a dazzling golden light—two crates full of gold!
"I robbed these from the Tang merchants." Cheliji grabbed a handful of gold ingots, letting them slip through his fingers, and said smugly, "Give them to Liu Bao and tell him that if he can take the Hetao region, the grasslands and women there will all be his!"

A glint of greed flashed in Chi Liyun's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and hurriedly replied, "With such sincerity from the leader, Liu Bao will certainly not refuse. In my opinion, the three of us can take turns sending troops to harass Tang territory, and when they are exhausted, we can then launch a decisive attack on Guanzhong!"

"Good!" Cheliji gulped down a bag of mare's milk wine, the liquid dripping down his beard, and laughed heartily, "We, the Qiang people, will lead the charge! Next month, we'll march into Longxi! Once the Tang army arrives to reinforce us, Lord Kebineng will attack Youzhou, and finally, Liu Bao will seize the opportunity to take the Hetao region!"

That night, a group of Xianbei cavalry, carrying Cheliji's gold and secret letter, quietly left the Qiang camp and sped towards the Xiongnu territory to the north.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, at the Xiongnu royal court.

Liu Bao stood shirtless outside the tent, letting the north wind whip his muscular chest. Although he now controlled the Xiongnu and held a high position, he still maintained the agile physique of a steppe warrior. He toyed with an exquisite jade pendant in his hand, a trophy he had just seized from a Tang merchant.

"My lord, an envoy from the Xianbei requests an audience," a guard whispered.

A glint flashed in Liu Bao's eyes, and he waved his hand, saying, "Bring him in."

A moment later, the weary Xianbei envoy knelt before Liu Bao, presenting Cheliji's letter and a small bag of gold samples with both hands. Liu Bao casually opened the letter, his eyes quickly scanning the words, a cold smile gradually creeping onto his lips.

“That old fox, Cheliji, has finally decided to go all out,” he muttered to himself in the Xiongnu language. He then turned to the envoy and said, “Go back and tell Kebineng that I, Liu Bao, agree. But this is not enough to show my sincerity.”

The envoy, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, asked, "What are your demands, sir?"

Liu Bao narrowed his eyes: "I want the Qiang people to provide five thousand warhorses, and the Xianbei to provide three thousand sets of armor. Furthermore, after this is accomplished, I want the entire Hetao region, including the Shuofang and Wuyuan prefectures!"

"This?" The envoy was stunned.

"Hmph, I am a subject of the Great Tang Dynasty. You want me to betray the Great Tang? That's unacceptable," Liu Bao said quietly. "There has to be something in return!"

The envoy looked hesitant but dared not refuse: "I will go back and report immediately."

"No rush." ​​Liu Bao clapped his hands, and two beautiful Xiongnu women emerged from behind the tent, holding silver pots to pour wine for the envoy. "Rest well tonight, it's not too late to leave tomorrow." That night, Liu Bao secretly summoned his twelve commanders of ten thousand men for a meeting. The royal tent was brightly lit by candlelight, and a rough sheepskin map was spread out in the center, marking the deployment of Tang troops in the Hetao region.

"Our scouts report that Wei Yan is leading the main Tang army in Hebei to suppress a rebellion by powerful clans," Liu Bao said, pointing his dagger at Yunzhong County on the map. "The garrison in the Hetao region numbers less than 20,000, and they are scattered across various fortresses. If we don't take them now, when will we?"

Commander Huyan Zhuo frowned and said, "My lord, Qin Shou is cunning and treacherous. Could this be a trap to lure the enemy?"

Liu Bao drew three attack routes on the map and sneered, "So I'll wait for Cheliji and Kebineng to make the first move. The Qiang will attack Longxi, the Xianbei will attack Youzhou, and once the Tang army sends troops to reinforce, our 30,000 iron cavalry will head straight for the Hetao region!"

Upon hearing this, the generals' eyes gleamed with bloodlust. The Hetao region, with its lush pastures and abundant water, had always been a coveted grazing land for the Xiongnu. If they could conquer this territory, the Xiongnu's revival would be imminent!

"Order all departments to assemble secretly. Remember, no one is allowed to leak any information before Cheriji and Kebineng make their move!" Liu Bao sheathed his dagger, his voice low and dangerous.

Just as the three forces were plotting, Qin Shou, inside Chang'an, stood before a map of the northern frontier, his brow furrowed. The candlelight cast varying shadows on his sharply defined face, adding to his imposing presence.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from the border." Jia Xu appeared silently in the hall, presenting a sealed letter sealed with wax with both hands.

Qin Shou opened the package and his eyes flashed with a cold light: "The Qiang tribe has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, and Xianbei envoys have been secretly entering and leaving the Xiongnu royal court. Just as I expected! These foreign tribes have joined forces."

Jia Xu said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I have already ordered Qin Feng to secretly scout deep into the grasslands, and it has been confirmed that Cheliji, Kebineng, and Liu Bao are indeed plotting something."

"What a fine three-way alliance!" Qin Shou sneered, tapping his finger heavily on the Hetao region on the map, and said disdainfully, "Their real target is here!"

Li Ru emerged from the shadows, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Liu Bao has long coveted the Hetao region, and he will surely take advantage of General Wei's pacification of Hebei to launch an attack."

Qin Shou pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What is the situation in Hebei?"

Jia Xu quickly replied, "General Wei Yan has quelled the rebellions in Changshan and Zhongshan prefectures, and all the remaining members of the Cui clan have been executed. However, it will take at least another half month to completely stabilize Hebei."

"It's too late." Qin Shou turned decisively and coldly snorted, "Issue my decree: order Zhang Liao to immediately lead 30,000 elite troops north to strengthen the defenses of Yunzhong and Wuyuan; send a message to Wei Yan by carrier pigeon, ordering him to wipe out the remaining enemy forces in Hebei within ten days, and then return to Bingzhou at top speed!"

Li Ru hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, if this is the case, what about the new policies in Hebei?"

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Tell Wei Yan that we need not show any mercy to those stubborn aristocratic families!" Qin Shou's eyes were piercing, filled with murderous intent.

He knew that with the issuance of his imperial edict, rivers of blood would flow across Hebei, and countless people would die.

Wei Yan was not an easy person to talk to.

(End of this chapter)