My younger brother Lü Fengxian

Chapter 313: Ping Mo Nan

However, although Liu Hong's health is deteriorating, he can still hold on for another two or three years without any problem.

Therefore, Lu Yi turned his attention back to Mo Nan, preparing to seize this opportunity to completely pacify Mo Nan and give himself a more vast and stable rear base.

Now that Lu Yi has just obtained the position of Governor of Bingzhou, his position is not yet stable.

If he could have another achievement like the one he had done in annihilating the Black Mountain Army's Zhang Yan, it would be extremely difficult for the imperial court to remove him from his position as governor.

However, the next major military achievement closest to Bingzhou can only wait until next year when Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun of Yuyang declare themselves emperors and openly compete with the imperial court.

Lu Yi doesn't have the patience to wait that long.

So we can only make our Hun brothers suffer a little longer.

The foreshadowing of Mo Nan has been laid out for so long, it’s time to wrap it up.

The third year of Zhongping, autumn.

Lu Yi reported to the court that the Xiongnu in the south of the desert were flattering Jiang Qu and seemed to be planning a rebellion, so the court sent 20,000 troops to invade the south of the desert.

This expedition is different from previous ones.

Lu Yi not only controlled the entire Bingzhou region, but also had nearly three million people.

With the money and grain accumulated over the years and the support from the Zhen family, the logistical problems that had been plaguing him were no longer a problem.

As long as he wants, he can fight in Mo Nan as long as he wants.

After all, Lu Yi only had 20,000 Bingzhou cavalrymen who were fully employed as soldiers.

Although the cost of each Bingzhou cavalry exceeded that of ten ordinary Han soldiers.

But the role they play is far greater than that of ordinary soldiers.

Lu Yi's 20,000 Bingzhou cavalry can match the attack power of 200,000 Han troops.

As for mobility, there is a world of difference. The configuration of one person and two horses is no joke.

It is enough to travel a hundred miles in a day and night and remain combat-ready at all times.

In autumn, the grass grows and the birds sing in the south of the desert. There is so much grass that the war horses can't finish eating it.

Therefore, Lu Yi only needed to bear the food and wages for 20,000 Bingzhou cavalry.

With three million people in Bingzhou, there were 20,000 heavily-armored cavalrymen to support, with an average of one hundred and fifty households supporting one cavalryman.

Although the cost of heavy cavalry is staggering, the proportion is still very easy.

Therefore, Lu Yi's expedition this time was bound to resolve the dispute in the south of the desert.

Even because of their lifestyle, the Han army could not occupy the south of the desert for long.

However, Lu Yi also wanted to support a tribe that was completely pro-Han and firmly under his control to become the new controller of Mo Nan.

This will be enough to ensure stability in Mo Nan for the next twenty years.

Not only will he never go south to plunder Han territory again, he will also stab Lu Yi in the back.

In addition, they could also continuously provide Lu Yi with excellent war horses, oxen and livestock.

And twenty years was enough time for Lu Yi to compete with other heroes in the world and take control of the Central Plains.

Lu Yi's expedition immediately caused a drastic chemical change among the various forces in Mo Nan that had originally reached a balance.

When Jiang Qu's troops heard that Lu Yi led his army to the south of the desert again, they immediately treated it as a formidable enemy. They immediately summoned all the tribes scattered across the Youzhou grasslands and gathered an army of 50,000.

The population of the Xiongnu was far smaller than that of the Han people.

Nowadays, most of the territory is occupied by the Xianbei and Wuhuan people, leaving only the southern part of the desert. With less land, the population that can be supported has also been greatly reduced.

In addition, after several years of internal fighting due to Lu Yi's ulterior motives, the population of the Xiongnu is now even more sparse and has reached its lowest point in history.

However, the short two-year recuperation period is simply a drop in the bucket for population recovery.

Jiang Qu was able to gather an army of 50,000 Huns, which was all the military force he could muster, and this was a situation in which everyone was a soldier, including the old, the weak, women and children.

But even so, facing the increasingly powerful Lu Yi, Jiang Qu still felt uneasy.

While he continued to plunder all the war resources he could, including people, food, war horses, livestock, etc., he also sent envoys to the Xianbei and Wuhuan people to request reinforcements.

However, the Wuhuan people had been beaten half to death by Gongsun Zan, who was a comrade-in-arms with Lu Yi. They could hardly take care of themselves, so how could they have extra troops to help Jiang Qu?

Moreover, even if they had the ability, they would not dare to leave Gongsun Zan any excuse worthy of his attack.

After all, for a national hero like Gongsun Zan, he had to go and kill the Hu people even if they didn't get paid, and he had to prepare his own food and weapons.

This is his ideal and joy in life.

Although the more powerful Xianbei had enough energy to help Jiang Qu, there were no external enemies around that could threaten them.

However, the absence of external enemies does not mean there will be no internal strife.

As early as seven years ago, when Lu Yi first raided the Xianbei as a regular army of the Han Dynasty, he deliberately laid the groundwork.

He ignored the Eastern Xianbei Kebineng tribe, which was at a disadvantage at the time, and instead took on the challenge of attacking the more powerful Left Xianbei Budugen tribe, which was also the descendant of Tan Shihuai.

His purpose at that time was to balance the power of the Xianbei, and not allow these two incompatible people to lead the powerful Xianbei into endless civil strife and infighting.

In the original history, after the death of Tan Shihuai, the Xianbei did fall into a protracted internal struggle. Until Cao Pi ascended the throne, the outcome of the struggle between Kebi Neng and Budugen had not yet been determined.

Because of the long-term internal friction, not only did the population and power of the Xianbei become increasingly weaker, but later, what was originally just an internal struggle among the Xianbei turned into a situation where both Kebi Neng and Budugen allied with Cao Wei to attack each other.

If Tan Shihuai knew about this in his afterlife, he would be so angry at these two that he would jump out of his grave.

Therefore, Budugen and Kebi Neng of the Xianbei side both received Jiang Qu's letter for help, but they had no way and no energy to spare to help Jiang Qu.

They are already fighting among themselves, so who has the time to care about the life and death of other ethnic groups?

Not to mention that this foreign race once enslaved the Xianbei for hundreds of years, which can be said to be a real feud.

Jiang Qu is isolated and helpless, and he now has only two options left when facing Lu Yi.

One is to fight with Lu Yi. As long as he can defeat Lu Yi, he can consolidate his position again, and he may also take this opportunity to unify Mo Nan and become the true overlord of Mo Nan.

The second option is to lead the people to flee from Mo Nan, choose to hand over Mo Nan to others, and retreat from Lu Yi's edge.

However, the Wuhuan in the east could hardly protect themselves and did not have enough land to accommodate their people.

Although the Xianbei in the north were large, Jiang Qu knew that as long as he went north to submit, he would be used as cannon fodder by one of Budugen and Kebineng to consume the opponent's strength.

The road to the west to flee to the Western Qiang was blocked by Lu Yi, so this road was also blocked.

Therefore, the only option left for Jiang Qu was to fight to the death with Lu Yi.

He and Lu Yi had used all kinds of conspiracies and tricks. Once the war started, it would be a head-on battle, and the fight would not end until one was dead. Therefore, Jiang Qu began to prepare actively.

The reason why he did not cause trouble for Lu Yi in the past two years and chose to cooperate with him temporarily was also because he wanted to accumulate strength secretly.

Jiang Qu had also prepared for this day for a long time.

But it is different from those who hate Lu Yi.

However, the Hunye tribe, the family of Lu Yi's wife, and the Zazade tribe, founded by Lu Yi's confidant Qin Han, were very welcoming to Lu Yi's arrival.

Upon hearing that Lu Yi was coming, they also gathered warriors from various tribes under their command, assembled a light cavalry force of 30,000, and immediately took the initiative to come forward to meet Lu Yi.

"My lord!" Lu Yi and Jiang Qu had completely fallen out, so Qin Han naturally didn't need to continue his disguise. When he saw Lu Yi, he immediately bowed down excitedly with the Han etiquette.

"Thank you for your hard work over the past few years. If this battle goes well, you can return to Bingzhou and choose any county to become the governor of a region. This is my recognition of your contribution!"

"As for Zazade's troops, I will choose someone else to take charge."

Looking at Qin Han, who was dressed like a Hu man and looked almost identical to the Huns, Lu Yi couldn't help but patted his shoulder with some emotion and promised.

"No!"

Qin Han took a step back, let his shoulder leave Lu Yi's palm, and bowed again.

"Jiang Qu and his ilk dared to resist the might of the lord. They will definitely be captured by the lord, and Mo Nan will be pacified as a result."

"However, the south of the desert is only a part of the desert. To the west of the south of the desert is the Western Qiang, to the east of the south of the desert is the Wuhuan, and to the north of the south of the desert is the Xianbei."

"My lord, you are considering my merits and want to treat me well. I have the feeling, but my civil and military skills are at the bottom of your army. There are many people who are more suitable to be governors than me. Most of my talents are in this desert, associating with the Hu people. If this is the evaluation, no one in your army can surpass me."

"Therefore, I am willing to continue to stay in Mo Nan to investigate the movements of the Hu people for my lord and help my lord take care of Mo Nan."

"Well... Qin Hanni is right. Since you have this intention, I will fulfill your wish."

"If this lord succeeds in his mission in the future, I will never forget your efforts and contributions!"

Lu Yi felt even more relieved after hearing this, and he solemnly promised Qin Han again.

"The hopes of countless people are pinned on you, my lord. You will definitely succeed!"

Qin Han was also very excited. He looked at Lu Yi with admiration and believed in Lu Yi's words without a doubt.

Following the Zazade tribe was the Hunye tribe.

"Brother-in-law, I have been waiting for you for many days. Today I finally see you again!"

Hartler, Lu Yi's brother-in-law and little fan, is now a young man. Many years of holding a high position have made him restrained and he no longer has his former reckless temperament. However, when he faces Lu Yi, he still has admiration and worship on his face, and his feelings for Lu Yi have obviously not been diluted in the slightest with the passage of time.

"That's right, I see that you can now stand on your own, Hartler. Your brother-in-law is proud of you!"

Lu Yi also patted Hartler's shoulder with satisfaction. He was going to put this brother-in-law to great use in the future.

"Sixiao, my dear son-in-law, I never thought I would be able to see you again before I die! It seems my prayers have been successfully conveyed to the Eternal Heaven!"

However, unlike the young and energetic Hatter, Lu Yi's adoptive father-in-law Hexutuo has changed a lot in appearance. After not seeing him for a few years, he has become extremely old. He has even fallen to the point where he needs crutches and the support of servants to walk. It is obvious that he is close to the end of his life.

"I haven't seen you for a few years. Why does my father-in-law look so old?"

Seeing this, Lu Yi showed a look of surprise and hurried forward to support He Xutuo.

"Alas... We Xiongnu people are not like the Han people. We have lived in this cold desert all year round. We are exposed to the wind and sun all year round. There are also endless annexations and fighting between tribes. I am getting older and older, and some injuries I suffered when I was young have been exposed one after another. That's why I am like this now."

He Sutuo was also deeply moved when he heard this.

"However, the Hunye tribe was able to develop from a small tribe to the Xiongnu Zuoxianwang tribe today under my leadership. These costs are worth it!"

However, Hexu's sigh only lasted for a moment, and then he held Lu Yi's hand tightly and spoke repeatedly.

"The best thing I have done in my life, and the thing I am most proud of, is finding a good son-in-law!"

"Without Sixiao's contribution, my Hunye tribe would have been annexed by the now-destroyed Zhade tribe. My father and I might still be suffering from the slavery and humiliation of that old villain Ang Riduo!"

Perhaps he became nostalgic as he grew older, or perhaps Kasuto realized that the power of his father and his tribe all rested on the son-in-law in front of him, so he did this deliberately.

He Xutuo held Lu Yi's hand and never let go, repeatedly expressing his gratitude and emotion to Lu Yi, which did not seem like the attitude of a father-in-law towards his son-in-law.

Instead, it looked like an old loyal servant of a different surname expressing his loyalty to his master.

"Ha ha……"

"This is all due to the planning and leadership of my father-in-law. I am just assisting from the side."

Lu Yi also laughed in agreement.

Today, because of the dual relationship of in-laws and partnerships, the Luyi and Hunye tribes are inseparable.

Lu Yi needed the Hunye tribe to continue to stabilize the south of the desert for him after the demise of Jiang Qu, so he also had to do his best to maintain the relationship between the two sides.

Moreover, Lu Yi and He Xutuo's daughter Qiqige have been married for many years and have a son, Lu Rong, who is now seven or eight years old. Therefore, Lu Yi's respect and closeness to He Xutuo is not completely a disguise.

"Alas... I am getting old and less capable. Sixiao must be thirsty after leading his army from afar. I have prepared a camp for Sixiao and the warriors. There are fine wines, delicious food, and beautiful women in the camp. Come with me to the feast!"

Hexutou suddenly slapped his forehead and reacted, and then he pulled Lu Yi's hand and walked back.

"I really want this, and I dare not refuse!"

And Lu Yi naturally would not refuse his father-in-law's kindness.

……

After a night of drinking.

On this day, Lu Yi went to the tent to discuss matters with everyone.

"Now that Jiang Qu has received the news and is preparing to fight to the bitter end, I wonder if you have any plans to eliminate this official and restore peace to the southern desert?"

"My lord and Jiang Qu's troops are already at loggerheads, and he has no way to escape. He can only fight to the death with my lord."

"But the lord's army is mighty, and Jiang Qu, a defeated general, will definitely not have any chance of winning. He is just desperate."

"Although Jiang Qu is determined to die, the tribesmen under his command may not share his determination!"

Upon hearing this, Tian Feng immediately stepped out and gave Lu Yi some advice.

"The military advisor wants to use the strategy of sowing discord...?"

Lu Yi seemed to be thinking about something after hearing this.

……

(End of this chapter)