Goose Three Kingdoms

Chapter 660 Liu Bao's Request
In the winter month, the Xiongnu nobles set out two months earlier than last year.

In fact, many Xiongnu nobles have adapted to the climate of Hedong and Xihe, and Wuyuan and Shuofang are a bit cold for them.

Their children also prefer the study and living environment in Chang'an University Town.

When they lost their military advantage, the Huns' pragmatic survival nature began to prevail.

Whether you come to the university town to learn culture and technology, or to find friends, or even just to enjoy a temporary comfort, it is a preferred choice for survival.

Northeast of Lantian Camp, Mount Li.

After a heavy snowfall, Liu Bao accompanied Black Bear skiing.

On the gentle slope, Liang Hou Prince Rui was wearing deerskin boots and was wrapped in a down jacket so that his figure could not be seen. He also wore a sable fur hat and half-covered goggles, and even his chin and lips were wrapped by a scarf.

Step on the skateboard and glide steadily.

Beside him followed Tai Shi Wengong, the best skier. His skiing skills and style had already won the deep respect of the Huns.

They originally didn't believe that humans could fly, but during this skiing trip, they saw Tai Shi Wengong skiing and flying more than once.

Inside the wooden building, Black Bear, who was playing chess with Liu Bao, was not too worried about his son.

The name Hei Rui was just a bad taste, and in order to avoid taboos in the future, the official spelling of Hei Rui is 叡.

The other sons and daughters only have nicknames, not full names.

The game was over, and Black Bear won easily: "Chanyu, you must be worried. We are friends, so you should talk about it."

"Yes, but Xiao Wang is terrified."

Liu Bao mustered up his courage and said: "In the Western Regions, Kebi Neng can take the northern mountain road, pass through Luntai and enter Wusun, and gather the old people of Wusun. His power is already higher than that of the other Qiang people."

Black Bear turned his head and looked at Yang Jun: "Bring me the map of the Western Region."

"Here."

Yang Jun left quickly, and Black Bear said, "The Chanyu has seen it too. I am busy with domestic affairs this year and don't care about the Western Regions. You may as well tell me in detail."

"Yes, after the Qiang defeated the Wusun, the tribes had different beliefs. The Wusun was originally a branch of the Xiongnu and worshipped the god of war. Their nobles, both big and small, were scattered everywhere, gathering together to resist and wait for the heavenly soldiers."

Liu Bao observed Black Bear's expression and said, "However, China has been through a long war and urgently needs to rest. It is unable to help the country. Therefore, Kebi Neng led his troops out of Luntai and headed west. The remaining Wusun people rushed to return to him. Kebi Neng's power has since grown greatly, and the various Qiang tribes have each occupied one part of their territory, creating gaps between them, and are in danger of being defeated one by one by Kebi Neng."

Under the encouraging gaze of Black Bear, Liu Bao raised his head: "My king thinks that when the Qiang tribes are in trouble, they should either flee to the west of the Amu Darya River or send an envoy to the Grand Marshal for help. My king and the Right Wise King are not getting along very well, so I am willing to lead my tribe to the west and guard the old land of Wusun for the Grand Marshal for generations."

Seeing Black Bear in deep thought, Liu Bao said, "If Kebi is allowed to annex the Qiang tribes, he can gain 300,000 troops with the grasslands of the Western Regions. If the Grand Marshal goes on a long expedition, it will inevitably shake the foundation of the country."

"Don't be nervous, Chanyu."

Black Bear waved his hand to appease the other party, turned his head to look at the noble boy and the Xiongnu boy skiing outside the window, and said to another secretary Lang: "Go and get the map of the Parthian countries."

"Here."

The secretary left quickly, and Black Bear said, "In fact, I had already created an opportunity for Budugen to migrate westwards, hoping to use him to disrupt the Western Regions and prevent the Qiang from recuperating and growing stronger. But he was timid, so my plan failed."

Now it was Liu Bao's turn to listen. He had no choice. When Kebi really conquered the Western Regions and the shogunate launched a large-scale westward expedition, the Huns would have no way to escape.

With such a long distance between them and against a relatively unified Kebineng, the war would be brutal.

Rather than passively responding to the call to fight a tough battle, it would be better to try to attack in advance and drive Kebi Neng to the west of the Amu Darya River.

As long as he agreed to the Xiongnu's westward expedition, he would naturally not object to them flying the battle flag of the Grand Marshal.

They could even have the elite cavalry from Guanzhong accompany them on their western expedition. If the operation was successful, they could acquire the land of the Western Regions without fighting. The Qiang people had already done the hardest work, and they no longer had the aristocratic power that had been entrenched, multiplied, and rooted for generations.

"The Xiongnu can move west, but not next year. I still need the Chanyu to help me defend for another year to balance the Right Wise King."

"I am willing to obey the orders of the Grand Marshal."

Liu Bao agreed, with a bitter look on his face: "Please ask the Grand Marshal to appoint the General of the Central Army of the Xiongnu to supervise the three tribes."

If he can supervise him, he can naturally restrain Ma Chao as well.

"Okay, when the Chanyu returns home this time, I will send a good general to accompany him."

Black Bear agreed, and at this time Yang Jun returned with two maps.

Yang Jun took the chessboard away. Black Bear spread out the map of Parthia and the Western Regions and stared at it with his eyes downcast. "The Wusun can be roughly divided into two parts, the east and the west, because of the different fertility of the regions. The country was also divided because of this. The Xiongnu is no exception and will also be divided because of this in the future."

Liu Bao also stared at the map and nodded in approval.

The internal division of Wusun and the formation of a tradition of division were ultimately due to the mutual hostility between the nobles of the two regions. The root of everything was that the economy and strength of the two regions were not much different, and neither side could absolutely suppress the other.

Unlike Guanzhong, which can crush Hanzhong and Tianshui.

Seeing that Liu Bao did not refute, Black Bear said: "The Chanyu also knows that I have flying lanterns and steam engines in Guanzhong. In the future, when you and I are alive, we may be able to reach Wusun in two days and nights by flying lanterns from Guanzhong; taking a steam car will only take three days and nights. Therefore, there is no promise of hereditary fiefdom. I can only lend the old land of Wusun to the Chanyu for horse grazing. And a few decades later, if the Chanyu's descendants want to become the pride of heaven, they may march to the Guishui River and establish a country to the west to serve as a barrier for me."

Guishui is the Amu Darya River.

Liu Bao was speechless for a long time, dazed.

After a moment, he looked at Black Bear and said, "May I ask the Grand Marshal, how about the king's whole clan being incorporated into Han territory in the future?"

"May the Chanyu be allowed to rule the throne for generations, and live with the country forever."

"Little Wang believes in the great Sima."

Liu Bao's voice was a little hoarse: "The Grand Marshal treated me with sincerity, otherwise he would not have asked for the land for horse grazing. I have also seen the elementary school textbooks compiled by the Grand Marshal, and I know that the Grand Marshal is a benevolent monarch who cares for the common people. It is a blessing that my tribe can be ruled by the Grand Marshal. But I don't like the Right Wise King, who has bullied me many times. I only hope that the Grand Marshal can seek justice for me."

"I know the Chanyu's grievances. Having a vicious tiger like the Right Wise King as a neighbor may make the Chanyu feel a little aggrieved, but his people are more loyal than ever, which is not a bad thing in the long run."

Black Bear consoled him and said, "The future Chanyu will inherit the throne, which has nothing to do with the Right Wise King. He is only in this position temporarily for his nephew. When my son grows up, he will take over the Right Wise King. From then on, our two families will share the same honor. In the Han Dynasty, Xu Chanyu will be the Chanyu; in the Xiongnu, my son will be the Right Wise King. This is a brotherly alliance."

Upon hearing that Ma Chao really could not inherit the throne of Right Wise King, Liu Bao smiled brightly and asked, "What is the meaning of this throne?"

"The border counties and the Western Regions are bitterly cold, which is not conducive to longevity. The Right Wise King is held by my descendants from generation to generation, either by the elder brother after his death, or by the son after his father's death, or by a wise man appointed by the court. The Chanyu and the Left Wise King are held by father and son. The Chanyu resigns at the age of 40 and enters China to be crowned as a king, participating in hearing and discussing government affairs. When the Chanyu enters the court to be crowned as a king, the Left Wise King succeeds him, and another of his sons and nephews succeeds him."

Black Bear told Liu Bao about his plan and advised him, "I also know what the Chanyu is worried about. I have no intention of swallowing the Xiongnu by force. In many cases, keeping the Xiongnu is more beneficial to the country. So the Chanyu should have a son soon so that he can assist the government in the future."

Liu Bao was not infertile, but he was very worried about being replaced after giving birth to a son.

So over the years, even when Liu Bao was the Left Wise King, some children died abnormally.

Liu Bao nodded and asked again: "Can the young prince come to the court to assist in the administration?"

"Compared to the great scholars and celebrities, I trust the Chanyu more."

Black Bear raised his hand and patted Liu Bao's shoulder: "The Chanyu is also the leader of a region, so he naturally knows where the real enemy comes from."

"Yes, Xiao Wang understands!"

(End of this chapter)