Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 320 You're Too Late
Shengle.

Yuwen Tai arrived with 5,000 troops, accompanied by Yu Jin.

Many years later, when the Yuwen clan left Wuchuan, Yunzhong, Shengle and other places were plundered by the Six Garrisons led by Po Liuhan Baling, and were almost completely deserted.

But now, the scene before my eyes is different.

The city was fortified and the streets wide, and the people were prosperous. The city itself was not large, but the fields outside were vast, and the livestock in the pens were fat and plump. Among the people coming and going, most were tenant farmers, transporting grain and fodder from the granaries outside the city to the city.

Shengle was the place where the Tuoba clan rose to power. During the height of the Northern Wei Dynasty, many palaces were built in Shengle.

After being plundered by the Six Garrisons, the palace was almost reduced to ruins. Now, there is no trace left by the Tuoba clan.

News of Yuwen Tai leading his troops into the city quickly spread, and the military households in the city gathered at the meeting place.

The main hall of the city lord's mansion.

Yuwen Tai, along with Yuwen Hu and a group of his trusted confidants, followed Yu Jin in.

"This is Yuwen Tai, the Prefect of Hengzhou. He has come to provide reinforcements on the orders of the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition!"

Yu Jin said this, but the military households present did not appreciate it.

"We know, isn't he the one who was ostracized by the Erzhu clan? Erzhu Tianguang sent him here most likely just to get rid of us!"

Yuwen Tai was not displeased upon hearing this. He knew that although their words were unpleasant, they were the truth.

Most of these military households were brought and settled in Shuozhou by Li Shuang years ago. Over the years, they have grown strong and healthy, with horses and slaves in every household. The fields and animal pens outside the city are mostly their property.

The military households in Shuozhou were already militarized, and under Yu Jin's leadership, they were well-managed, with almost every household equipped with armor, making them professional soldiers.

"The Rouran have suddenly invaded Baidao and are looting indiscriminately. Our brothers in Baidao City are still holding out. What should we do? Should we rescue them?"

Yu Jin glanced at Yuwen Tai, and then said:
"I personally supervised the construction of Baidao City. With the abilities of the Rouran people, they cannot take it in a short time. The city's food and fodder are sufficient, so there is no need to worry so much."

During the years that Yu Jin served as the governor of Shuozhou, he focused on repairing three cities.

Clouds, Shengle, and Baidao.

These three cities form a triangle, protecting the core area of ​​Shuozhou.

Yu Jin was not worried about the city being breached; what he was worried about was that the scorched-earth policy had not been implemented thoroughly enough.

"Rest assured, Governor, would we brothers do something that would benefit the Rouran?"

After listening, Yu Jin felt reassured and said:
"When I arrived, I received a decree from Hulijin, the Khan. He led 10,000 cavalry from Woye, Hexi and other places and was already heading towards Yunzhong."

As he spoke, Yu Jin asked Yuwen Tai for his opinion.

"Black Otter, what do you think we should do?"

Yuwentai was from Wuchuan and had a good understanding of the customs of the Rouran people.

"Anagui personally led 30,000 cavalry to plunder Shuozhou. His intention was very clear: to establish his authority."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jin said:

"Does Black Otter mean we should avoid his sharp edge and wait for an opportunity to strike?"

Yuwen Tai said:

"No, he's tough, we need to be tougher than him. Let him know that Shuozhou is not easy to conquer, then Anagui will have some reservations."

The soldiers present all smiled after hearing this.

"This kid's interesting. Tell me, how should we fight him?"

"The Rouran don't have to worry about logistics when they fight, but Baidao is clearly not enough to satisfy their appetite. I estimate that by the time they can't take Baidao City and have finished looting, the Rouran should have already moved deeper into the territory. Let's gather our forces and wait for the right opportunity to fight them!"

After Yuwentai finished speaking, the military households present fell silent.

Their gazes all turned to Yuwen Tai, filled with distrust. Yuwen Hu, standing to the side, said:

"Gentlemen, is there something wrong?"

Yu Jin stood beside Yuwen Tai and said:
"Just say what you have to say!"

“We are all rough men, and we speak frankly. With just over two thousand men here, even with the troops you brought, we only have seven or eight thousand men. How can we possibly fight the main force of the Rouran head-on? Could it be that you have conspired with the Erzhu clan to sell us all out and then take over Shuozhou?”

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hu immediately flew into a rage and said:

"Don't be ungrateful. If we were to sell you out, wouldn't it be better to stay here and watch the Rouran plunder Shuozhou and wipe you out? Shengle City is not as fortified as Yunzhong and Baidao. If the Rouran keep dragging this out, how long can you hold out?"

Yuwen Tai waved his hand, signaling Yuwen Hu to step back. He then took out the Dragon Sparrow Sword and held it horizontally in front of him.

"If my brothers do not believe me, I swear an oath with you all that I will never betray you!"

The group of military households looked at Yu Jin, who nodded.

"it is good!"

……

After the oath-taking ceremony, Yuwen Tai went to reorganize the troops. Someone approached Yu Jin and asked:
"The Yuwen family had a great reputation in the north in the past, but is such a young man worth you, Governor, having to submit to him in everything?"

Yu Jin looked at Yuwen Tai's imposing back and said:

“You are unaware of this man’s abilities! The Rouran have moved south, and the situation in the north has changed. The army in Guanzhong is thousands of miles away, and if anything happens, they will not be able to come to our aid in time. As such, Shuozhou will be devoured by the Rouran sooner or later. Yuwen Tai can help us resist foreign aggression.”

"Putting aside his relationship with the Erzhu clan, what if his third brother, Yuwen Luosheng, is currently under Heba Yue's command? What if they collude and betray us?"

Yu Jin stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming, and said:
"A person with great ambition and ability will not be content to be a mere contributor! In this chaotic world, a true general is hard to find!"

……

On his way back to the military camp, Yuwen Hu was by his side, chattering incessantly.

"Uncle, didn't you see the true colors of those people? Why did you still make an oath with them?"

Yuwen Tai suddenly stopped, looked at Yuwen Hu, and asked:

How have you felt about your journey so far?

Yuwen Hu felt nothing.

Although he was young, he had been to major cities such as Chang'an, Jinyang, and Luoyang. Compared with those major cities, Shengle City was nothing special.

"Isn't it just a poor, remote village with a bunch of unruly people?"

Yuwentai smiled.

“You were young then and don’t remember many things. After the Six Garrisons Uprising, the place where you stand now was a wasteland!”

Yuwen Hu was somewhat surprised, looking at the houses around him and the streets beneath his feet. Although they had an undeniable rustic feel, they were also orderly.

"Ruins? So this city hasn't even been built for ten years?"

Yuwen Tai nodded, and then said:

"These Han Chinese military households mostly came from the mountain valleys back then. They were all sallow-faced and emaciated, even more destitute than us Wuchuan people. But look at them now?"

Yuwen Hu recalled the appearance of the soldiers in the house; the words "plump and strong" would not be an exaggeration.

Yuwen Tai sighed:

"Although the troops of the Six Garrisons are strong and capable in battle, they lack the will to fight. In this chaotic world, elite soldiers are hard to find!"
-
Outside Baidao City, large tents stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Great Khan, we have finally welcomed you back!"

Inside Anagui's tent, a group of ragged Rouran people knelt on the ground, unable to hold back their tears.

The Rouran nobles in the tent, seeing this scene, couldn't help but cry.

This group of emaciated Rouran people, whose hair was unkempt, seemed to represent Anagui's tragic past.

Anagui was deeply moved. He stepped down from the Khan's wolf throne and helped everyone up.

"You have suffered. How many of our people are still in the city?"

"There must be four or five thousand!"

Anagui frowned and asked:

"Why so many people?" "The Great Khan is unaware that after the battle years ago, tens of thousands of our people were given as rewards to the soldiers by the then Grand Commander Li Shengui. The men were made slaves, the women maids, and the children were made servants and attendants. Under the three cities of Shuozhou, who knows how much blood and tears of our Rouran people were shed!"

Anagui clenched his fist and shouted.

"Li Shengui!"

Anagui paced back and forth in the main tent, pointing in the direction of Baidao City, and said:

"Go, send a letter to the city, telling the Han soldiers there that if they release my people from the city, I will give them a way out."

Anagui had barely finished speaking when he was stopped by the Rouran people who had just been rescued.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"Why?"

“The Han soldiers in the city are tyrannical. If we send them this letter, they will probably cut off the heads of our people one by one and throw them out of the city.”

"They dare!"

Anagui roared, and the Rouran slaves continued to persuade him:
"Khan, there's nothing they wouldn't dare to do. Before our army marched south, they had already made preparations, gathering most of the livestock and people outside Baidao City into the city. They only have less than two thousand men, but their fighting strength is formidable. Relying on this fortified city and wasting our time here with them is unwise!"

"There are four or five thousand of my tribesmen in the city, and less than two thousand Han soldiers. Can't we coordinate our efforts from both inside and outside to take this city?"

The Rouran slaves shook their heads and said:

"I'm afraid it will be very difficult!"

"Why?"

"The Han soldiers are very strict with us. Many of the women and children in the tribe have been taken by the Han soldiers. Many of the women's children are already able to ride horses. I'm afraid they may not necessarily be on our side."

Anagui became even angrier upon hearing this.

Just then, a report came from outside the tent.

"Khan, a messenger has arrived from Sheng Le!"

Anagui, upon hearing this, waved his hand and said:

"What messenger? I won't see him!"

"Khan, he said he is a member of the Yuwen family."

"The Yuwen family?"

Anagui's anger subsided temporarily, and upon seeing the messenger, he accepted the letter.

Amidst the gazes of the Rouran nobles, Anagui finished reading the letter and then burst into laughter.

"Khan, why are you laughing? Does Yuwen Tai intend to surrender?"

Anagui stroked his beard and said:

"That's not true!"

"Why is that?"

Anagui waved the letter in his hand and smiled:

"Yuwen and Heba, what a prestigious name these two families were in the north back then. Yuwen Gong was wise and sagacious, but these four sons of theirs are cowards. Their letters are full of flattery, and they even want us to go to Yunzhong."

The prime minister of the Rouran Kingdom stepped forward and said:

"Khan, Yunzhong is rich and there are no mountains to block our way, which is perfect for our army to operate. Going to Yunzhong is not a bad idea."

Anagui shook his head and said:
"The area outside Baidao City has already been fortified and cleared of the land. Yunzhong City is even more extensive and can accommodate more people and livestock. What will our army gain if we go there? Moreover, Shengle City is nearby but weak, while Yunzhong City is far away and fortified. Why should we abandon the nearby for the distant and choose the difficult? What if the battle at Yunzhong City goes poorly and Shengle's army attacks our rear?"

"The Khan is right!"

"Leave a contingent of troops to watch over the Han soldiers in Baidao City. Our army will march south and capture Shengle."

……

Beneath the mound, the armies arrayed themselves.

Yuwen Tai sat on a small stool, gazing into the distance, wiping his Dragon Sparrow Sword.

The crimson blade reflected on a resolute face. Yuwen Tai's movements were clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation.

With no smoke or dust in sight, Yuwen Hu walked to Yuwen Tai's side and asked:

"Uncle, what should we do if the Rouran don't come?"

"The Rouran people have always been bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong; we're not afraid they won't come."

When Yuwen Tai was young, he left Wuchuan with his father and brothers and went to Zhongshan.

However, dealing with the Rouran was a family tradition, and they hadn't forgotten it.

Yuwentai was well aware of the virtues of the Rouran people.

“I sent a letter to Anagui in the name of the Yuwen family, full of flattery, which Anagui will surely despise. Anagui has gained many Rouran slaves and must know the details of the three cities of Shuozhou. Shengle City is newly built and its defenses are not as good as those of Baidao and Yunzhong. The Rouran are greedy and have not gained much from Baidao, so they will definitely abandon Baidao and attack Shengle.”

"Even so, our army has already formed ranks. Will he still charge?"

"He will!"

Yuwentai was quite certain.

"Why?"

“He is the Rouran Khan, and I am merely the coward he just mocked. If he runs away at the sight of my banner, what will become of the Khan’s prestige?”

As soon as Yuwentai finished speaking, dust rose in the distance.

The Rouran cavalry have arrived!

Upon seeing this, Yuwen Tai stood up and raised the Dragon Sparrow Sword in his hand.

The large army, which had been positioned below the mound, now displayed its banners and beat its drums. They were determined to make sure the Rouran forces ahead wouldn't notice them.

The provocation was obvious to everyone!
Seeing that the enemy's formation was well-organized and they were displaying their flags and drums, the Rouran cavalry dared not advance for a time.

When Anagui arrived with the Khan's personal guards, the Rouran cavalry finally had a leader to rely on.

Whose flag is that ahead?

"Yuwen!"

"Yuwentai?"

Anagui was somewhat surprised, squinted his eyes, and thought to himself.

That kid knew I'd come!

The Prime Minister of Rouran, standing beside Anagui, said:

"Khan, Yuwen Tai anticipated our arrival and has arrayed his troops here; he is likely no pushover!"

Anagui remained silent, spurred his horse forward for a distance, carefully observed the enemy's formation, and drew his own conclusions.

"Order the attack!"

Just as the Rouran prime minister was about to offer advice, Anagui said:
"Look at Yuwen Tai's army formation. The central formation is the strongest, while the right flank is weak and their armor is inferior to that of the central formation. They must be tribal guerrillas. We should attack them and we can win!"

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister of Rouran found it reasonable and immediately obeyed the order!
Seeing that the Rouran troops, who had been locked in a stalemate for a long time, finally moved, Yuwen Tai also made a move.

He descended the mound, came to the center of the formation, and addressed his troops:
"The outcome of this battle is still uncertain. To achieve victory, we must rely on the courage and strength of all of you!"

Yuwen Tai drew his Dragon Sparrow Sword, and seeing the overwhelming momentum of the charging Rouran cavalry, he roared:
"Accept the challenge!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd's blood boiled, and they shouted:

"Kill all the worms!"

……

(End of this chapter)