Han officials

Chapter 224 Deception [22]

When these words reached Tadun's ears, he felt as if they were a message from beyond the heavens, ethereal and indistinct.

However, when he came to his senses and realized what Wei Zhe had said, Tadun was both surprised and delighted.

He was happy because Wei Zhe didn't intend to kill him, but surprised because Wei Zhe seemed to be going to help him.

Tadun was puzzled, but out of caution, he cautiously asked:
"I wouldn't dare. My uncle is the true leader of the Wuhuan people, and he is in the prime of his life. I have never had such a thought."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe laughed and said, "How many people die of illness in their prime? Qiu Liju is now, but that doesn't mean he will be in the future! Or... do you want to continue kneeling at the feet of that greenhorn Lou Ban?"

Upon hearing this, Tadun fell silent.

After all, the Wuhuan people did not value etiquette and morality like the Han people; everything was a naked dog-eat-dog world.

Making Tadun obediently assist Louban would be even more cruel than killing him.

The more capable a Hu person is, the more unruly they will be.

If you don't tame a wild horse yourself, you can't win these troublemakers over with inheritance alone!
At the same time, seeing that Tadun Wei Zhe remained silent, he didn't linger any longer.

"Tell me, when do you Wuhuan people plan to launch your uprising?"

Upon hearing this, Tadun was truly frightened, and his heart immediately began to pound violently.

He had never experienced a day as thrilling as today. Whenever he finally managed to relax, Wei Zhe would immediately startle him.

In this critical moment, Tadun didn't have time to think and hurriedly explained, "General, have you heard any rumors? This must be slander from the Xianbei, the Wuhuan..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Wei Zhe tapped the table lightly with his index finger and said coldly, "Once we leave this courtyard, with just one word from me, everyone will know that you were the one who reported the news of the Wuhuan uprising to me... Guess how your uncle will treat you?"

Upon hearing this, Tadun's face turned deathly pale, for he had realized his predicament.

Although it is unknown who leaked the information to this General Zuo, he clearly had no other choice.

He knew better than anyone that once the news got out, he would have no place among the Wuhuan tribes.

Unless... he can lead the Han people to fight back!
Of course, Tadun did have a suspicion that Wei Zhe was bluffing him.

But as I said before, this kind of thing doesn't need evidence.

Even if the Wuhuan people had no intention of rebelling, once the news spread, Tadun was seen as a villain who falsely accused his own people, and he still had no place to stand.

Even if the leaders of the various Wuhuan tribes cried out for justice, Wei Zhe could still cut off their heads to appease the Wuhuan tribes.

So all things considered, he was the most unlucky one!

Therefore, although Wei Zhe did not kill him, he put him in a deadly situation with just a few words.

Unless he completely kneels down and becomes a dog to the Han people!
Having thought everything through, Tadun took a few deep breaths and finally collapsed to the ground in a thunderous roar:
"Tadun, a barbarian from beyond the Great Wall, is willing to die for the general!"

Upon seeing this, Wei Zhe, who was sitting on the couch, finally smiled slightly.

Who said the Hu people were the best at animal husbandry? They were clearly quite skilled too!

……

A moment later, in the backyard of the shogunate.

Tadun stood in the hall, his face covered in sweat, being questioned by Guo Yuan, Xi Zhicai, and Tian Feng.

To be honest, Xi Zhicai and the others were not too surprised when they learned that the Wuhuan people were going to invade again.

After all, since Emperor Huan ascended the throne, the troubles caused by the barbarians in the border regions have become more and more serious. They would only calm down for a while when elite troops and strong generals were stationed in the border regions. Once the main army returned, they would revert to their old ways.

However, upon learning that Yuan Shao had not only colluded with the Wuhuan to invade, but had also granted the Wuhuan all of Liaodong north of Lulong Pass, Xi Zhicai and the others finally lost their temper. The hot-tempered Tian Feng, enraged, immediately cursed, "The Yuan family of Runan has received the Han's favor for generations, yet they have raised such disloyal and unfilial traitors! Shameless! Shameless indeed!"

Seeing Tian Feng's face turn red with anger and he was panting heavily, Wei Zhe was so frightened that he quickly summoned Hua Tuo to prevent him from being angered to death.

Upon hearing this, Guo Yuan couldn't help but sigh, "Yuan Shao really went to great lengths to arrange a marriage between Yuan's daughter and the Wuhuan!"

Even Xi Zhicai was still somewhat shaken at this moment.

After all, Yuan Shao had already invested so heavily in the Wuhuan, so it was even less likely that he would let go of the Xianbei, the strongest people beyond the Great Wall.

Fortunately, Wei Zhe noticed the clues in time; otherwise, if this matter had unfolded, countless people in the nine border counties would have been killed or injured!

Even if the casualties among the Han people are minor, it is likely that most of the counties and prefectures in the northern border region will fall as a result.

For a moment, Xi Zhicai even forgot his anger and stared intently at Tadun, asking, "Just how many tribes has that scoundrel Yuan Shao contacted? Have you all decided on a time to launch your uprising?"

At this moment, Tadun smoothly shifted his mindset, and he spoke in great detail:

“Yuan Shao’s envoy came to our tribe last autumn. At that time, my uncle… Qiu Liju was afraid that Yuan Shao would go back on his word, so he said that troops could only be sent after Yuan’s daughter arrived in our tribe.”

"Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Wuhuan people of the three prefectures will likely rise up in rebellion this spring."

At this point, he bowed helplessly to Xi Zhicai and said, "As for the Xianbei, I really don't know anything. Qiuliju didn't tell me either. He only told me to pay more attention to the movements in the Han territory when I went to pay my respects."

Upon hearing his words, Wei Zhe, who was seated at the head of the table, was not too surprised.

Unlike later dynasties, the Xiongnu people of the Han Dynasty mostly raided the borders in the spring, plundering Han territory.

Because the grasslands are most prone to food shortages in spring, if the previous year's reserves are insufficient, grassland tribes are likely to run out of supplies.

Furthermore, the Han territory was vulnerable to spring plowing and defense, which presented an opportunity for the Xiongnu.

However, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Turks would mostly migrate south in the autumn to attack Han counties and prefectures.

Because horses are at their best in autumn when they are fat and strong, Turkic light cavalry can travel a hundred miles a day and penetrate deep into Han territory.

Furthermore, this was the autumn harvest season in Han China, with granaries full. The Turks could then raid large quantities of grain, cloth, and other supplies in one go to prepare for the winter.

It was precisely because of their different tactical approaches and different surrounding environments that the Turks and the Xiongnu had different customs.

While absorbing a large number of Xiongnu people, the Xianbei people also inherited their plundering habits.

At the same time, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but seem to be deep in thought.

"An invasion in the spring?"

This timing is quite consistent with the launch time.

Yuan Shao was planning such a major event, so he certainly wouldn't dare to delay for too long; it would most likely be either the autumn harvest or the spring planting.

Even if the Wuhuan and Xianbei people ultimately fail, the spring planting season in the counties under Wei Zhe's rule will be greatly delayed, affecting the year's harvest, and the subsequent impact will be far-reaching.

After listening to Xi Zhicai's analysis, Guo Yuan nodded solemnly and said, "The farming season must not be missed!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe remained calm and composed. After a moment's thought, he said, "Order the Protector of the Xianbei, Yan Rou; the Protector of the Wuhuan, Liu Yi; the Commandant of Juyong Pass, Kuang Sheng; and the Commandant of Lulong Pass, Xu Kuan, to diligently gather information from beyond the Great Wall and report back immediately."

After saying this, Wei Zhe looked at the northern border line on the map and fell into deep thought.

This battle might be a good opportunity...

(End of this chapter)