Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 230 The Returnee
Wuyuan Commandery, the residence of Huang Zhong, the Protector-General of the Xiongnu.

Compared to its initial simplicity, this mansion, built on the ruins of the old city, is now quite large.

Huge log beams and pillars support the spacious hall, and a large map of Bingzhou and the northern frontier hangs on the wall, densely marked with various symbols.

The air was filled with the mixed scents of pine, leather, and ink.

Zhang Xian sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a black casual robe, toying with a warm and smooth jade tiger paperweight in his hand.

Below them sat Huang Zhong, Han Ji, and Zhang Liao, who had just returned from the front lines in Yunzhong, with Zhao Yun on either side, the atmosphere heavy and somber.

"My lord, General Zilong and I have been harassing Yunzhong for over a month, burning down seven pastures of the Yuwen tribe, intercepting three of their caravans, and seizing countless cattle, sheep, ironware, and salt."

Zhang Liao spoke first, his voice steady and more mature and composed than it had been two years ago.

"The Yuwen tribe suffered heavy losses, its people were in a state of panic, and its livestock lost a lot of weight. However, its main force has always avoided fighting us, seemingly intending to endure and retreat."

Zhao Yun continued, "The Tuoba tribe was also attacked, but their royal court was heavily guarded and reacted quickly."

Captain Liu's plan to sow discord worked, and the suspicion between the Yuwen and Tuoba tribes deepened day by day. More than ten small-scale conflicts have broken out in the struggle for the few remaining winter pastures.

As Commandant Liu had predicted, the Jiecao tribe remained neutral, and even secretly relayed some information about the Tuoba tribe's movements to us.

"Well done!"

Zhang Xian smiled approvingly and tapped the jade tiger paperweight gently in his palm.

"The strategy of using one tiger to devour another has been established! The Yuwen tribe does have a clever leader who doesn't dare to compete with me, but instead tries to steal the food from his Tuoba brothers! Let them fight like dogs, the fiercer they fight, the more advantageous it is for us!"

"Zilong, Wenyuan, you've done a great job! The harassment must continue, but the intensity can be reduced slightly. Target their weakest point at the border, and secretly help the Yuwen tribe!"

"promise!"

Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun responded in unison.

Zhang Liao hesitated for a moment, then continued, "My lord, there is one more thing I need to report."

Among the intercepted caravan's goods, we discovered a large quantity of iron ingots, a specialty of Yanmen Commandery, bearing the official stamp of the Yanmen government! Furthermore, according to the confessions of the captured Hu merchants, their goods originated from a Han merchant surnamed Wang in Yanmen Commandery, who had been smuggling them through a secret passage near Qiangyin Pass for a long time, with the Tuoba tribe as his contact. Such acts of aiding the enemy…”

"Yanmen County... a Han merchant surnamed Wang..."

Zhang Xian tapped lightly on the location of Yanmen County on the map, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Ding Jianyang."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong's thick eyebrows furrowed, and he angrily said, "That scoundrel Ding Yuan, as the governor of Bingzhou, not only sat idly by while the barbarians ran rampant, but he also condoned the unscrupulous merchants under his jurisdiction to aid the enemy? This is simply outrageous! My lord, should we issue a decree to reprimand him? Or should we send Wen Yuan, as a captain, to lead troops back to Yanmen, investigate and confiscate the unscrupulous merchants' property, and block the passage?"

Han Ji frowned as well: "My lord, the outflow of iron ingots from the Yanmen official workshop is no small matter! If they fall into the hands of the barbarians and are forged into weapons and armor, they will surely become a major threat to our army! We must investigate this thoroughly!"

Zhang Xian slowly shook his head, his gaze deep: "A reprimand? Ding Jianyang is quite shrewd. If I issue a reprimand, he may admit his mistake and appear fearful on the surface, but who knows what he might do behind the scenes."

"It's not the right time to force him to rebel. Wuyuan has just been recovered, and Yunzhong is about to be conquered. We don't have time to deal with him. It's just a little iron; with the forging technology of the Hu people, it doesn't pose a threat to us for the time being."

He stood up, walked to the huge map, and pointed to the location of Yanmen County.

"However, we can't let him run rampant like this."

He paused, then turned his gaze towards Qiang Yin, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Secret order to Zhi Cai!"

"Ah Shan".

"My subordinate is here!"

Ashan, a bodyguard, stepped forward.

"Immediately, at the fastest speed, secretly order Qiang Yinxi Zhicai to monitor all the major merchants surnamed Wang in Yanmen County, especially those who have dealings with the Hu barbarians! Find out their smuggling routes, handover methods, and their backers!"

Try to place our people near the smuggling route, but hold back for now to avoid alerting them. We'll await further instructions!

"promise!"

Ah Shan cupped his hands in greeting and turned to leave.

Huang Zhong clapped his hands and chuckled: "If the strategist Xi gets his hands on him, that old bastard Ding Jianyang is in for a rough time."

He had worked with Xi Zhong in Qiangyin for a year and knew Xi Zhong's methods and schemes better than anyone.

Zhang Xian nodded slightly: "Ding Yuan is nothing to fear. Let's keep this smuggling route in Yanmen for now; perhaps... it will be useful in the future."

The most urgent task right now is still Yunzhong!

His gaze fell once again on Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun.

"Continuing the harassment is adding fuel to the fire! We must recover Yunzhong and even the entire Bingzhou this year!"

"The last general takes command!"

Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun's eyes blazed with fighting spirit. They clasped their hands in agreement and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Zhang Xian stopped them: "Is there any news from Xuande's side? He has ventured deep into the enemy's lair to contact the remaining people; his safety is of paramount importance."

Zhao Yun replied, "My lord, three days ago I received a secret report from Colonel Liu, saying that he has contacted several Han villages and that the people there are of goodwill. They are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the royal army. Colonel Liu is trying to organize the able-bodied men among them to prepare for a phased retreat to the south. If all goes well, the first batch of survivors should already be on their way back south."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xian revealed a rare, gentle smile.

"Excellent! Send orders to all areas along the Taiyuan line to prepare for their arrival! All Han Chinese survivors who return must be properly resettled, given land and housing, and treated equally!"

"Leader!"
-
Spring in Yunzhong County has lost its vitality, and the air is filled with the smell of blood and burnt grass ash.

The Yuwen and Tuoba tribes, two large Xianbei tribes that could barely maintain a semblance of peace under the pressure of the Han army, have now completely broken off relations.

The trigger was the increasingly scarce grassland resources.

Boom!

A cavalry force of about three hundred men from the Yuwen tribe charged into a relatively lush river valley.

This place was originally a traditional spring pasture for a small vassal tribe of the Tuoba clan.

"Kill! Cowards of the Tuoba tribe! Seize their pastures and livestock!" The centurion of the Yuwen tribe brandished his scimitar and roared with bloodlust.

He had a fresh scar on his face, left by the Tuoba tribe's patrol a few days earlier when they were fighting for another pasture.

"The Yuwen tribe's jackals are here! Protect the grasslands! Protect the women and children!" The small tribe's leader, his eyes bloodshot, led the tribe's remaining hundred or so able-bodied men on horseback to meet the enemy.

The women and children screamed in terror and drove the cattle and sheep toward the tribal camp.

The two cavalry forces collided like two torrents! Their scimitars clashed, producing a metallic clang! Arrows flew through the air, and men screamed as they fell from their horses!

Blood stained the newly sprouting grass.

The Yuwen tribe had a numerical advantage and was aggressive, but the smaller tribes, eager to protect their homes, fought back desperately.

The battle became intense from the very beginning.

On a small hill not far away, dozens of scouts from the Youyi Army, dressed in gray-white robes, stood like rocks blending into the background, coldly watching the fierce battle below.

The leader of the team put down his monoculars, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"A fight has broken out. These Yuwen tribe bastards are ruthless. This small tribe won't last long. Note down their location and report to General Zhao and Commandant Zhang."

Also, send a few people to help this small tribe and drive their cattle and sheep towards the Tuoba royal court!

"promise!"

Several scouts received their orders and vanished like ghosts into the hills.

Soon, a group of frightened tribal cattle and sheep broke through the edge of the melee, bleating mournfully as they fled towards the direction of the Tuoba royal court.

The Tuoba royal court.

Under the massive wolf-headed king's banner, Tuoba Suoqi listened to the scout's report with a livid face.

"The Yuwen tribe has seized another pasture, and more than half of the original inhabitants have been killed or wounded. Most of their cattle and sheep have been taken away! The remaining women and children are fleeing to the royal court for help with the remaining cattle and sheep!"

"Yuwen Mowei! You've gone too far!" Tuoba Suoqi slammed his hand on the low table in front of him, scattering cups and plates all over the floor.

His white beard trembled with rage. "First they secretly colluded with the Han people, and now they openly seize my vassal grazing lands! Do they really think my Tuoba tribe is easy to bully?!"

"Great Chief!"

His most valiant son, Tuoba Xiwu, could not contain himself and suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with rage.

"The Yuwen tribe has repeatedly provoked us. If we don't retaliate, where will the dignity of our Tuoba tribe be? Which of our vassal tribes will be willing to fight to the death? I beg the Great Chieftain to give me three thousand warriors! I will surely raze the Yuwen tribe's vanguard camp to the ground to avenge our humiliation!"

"Xiwu! Don't act rashly!"

An elderly elder quickly tried to dissuade him.

"The Yuwen tribe is quite powerful, and they are currently locked in a stalemate with the Han army. If our two tribes were to fight amongst ourselves, wouldn't that play right into the hands of the Han people? That white-armored killing god of the Han army is still roaming nearby..."

"Elder, you are mistaken!"

Tuoba Xiwu angrily said, "It is precisely because the Han people have been constantly harassing us, burning our pastures, and cutting off our trade routes that the Yuwen tribe, those hungry wolves, have come to steal our food! How can we deal with the Han people with all our might if we don't deal with this major threat, the Yuwen tribe, first? Are we supposed to wait until the Yuwen tribe devours our vassals one by one before we deal with them?!"

The elder's words were cut off.

Tuoba Suoqi's eyes flickered, his mind in turmoil.

The suspicion brought about by Liu Bei's forged secret letter from the Yuwen tribe, the anger over the tribe's raid, and the tough attitude of his son Tuoba Xiwu.

All these factors combined finally made him make up his mind.

"Xiwu!" Tuoba Suoqi's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"I'm giving you three thousand warriors! Give them a good beating! Take back the stolen cattle and sheep! Let Yuwen Mowei know that the Tuoba tribe's tiger whiskers are not to be trifled with! But remember, strike once and retreat immediately, do not linger! Do not give the Han dogs any opportunity to take advantage!"

"Understood! Father, rest assured!"

Tuoba Xiwu was overjoyed and rushed out of the royal tent with a loud laugh.

Once a war begins, it is difficult to stop.

Tuoba Xiwu's retaliatory attack completely ignited Yunzhong County.

Yuwen Mowei was not one to swallow his anger. He immediately mobilized his main force and launched a larger-scale counterattack against the Tuoba tribe! The two sides engaged in a fierce tug-of-war over several strategic grasslands rich in water resources.

Small-scale conflicts quickly escalated into a full-scale war between tribes.

Raids, plundering, burning camps, massacring vassals... the bloodiest laws of the grasslands are vividly displayed.

Hatred snowballed, and both sides became bloodthirsty, resulting in a sharp increase in losses.

The elite forces originally intended to defend against the Han army were largely consumed in the bloodshed of internal strife.

The instigators of all this, the itinerant troops led by Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun, were like the most patient hunters, patrolling the periphery of the battlefield.

Sometimes they would transform into white-armored killing gods, suddenly appearing on the flanks of the battlefield when the Yuwen and Tuoba tribes were locked in fierce combat. They would use a dense and precise rain of arrows to help the weaker side, exacerbating their casualties and chaos, and then disappear into the distance, concealing their merits and fame.

Sometimes they transform into grassland scavengers, specifically targeting the two units whose logistical support teams and scattered herds have been exposed by the war and are now poorly protected, further weakening their war potential.

More often than not, they simply lurked quietly in the shadows, coldly observing the infighting among the barbarians, and continuously sending back the latest battle situation and intelligence on the weakening of both sides' strength to Wuyuan.

The sky above Yunzhong County was shrouded in blood and thick smoke.
-
To the west of Qiangyin, there is a secluded valley path.

The cold wind was still biting, but in the sheltered parts of the valley, a few wildflowers had stubbornly poked their heads out.

A group of about three hundred people was silently making their way southeast along the rugged mountain path.

The group consisted mostly of ragged, emaciated people, including men, women, and children. Their faces bore the weariness of a long journey, but their eyes inexplicably burned with a certain light.

They carried simple belongings and drove a few emaciated cattle and sheep.

Even now, they still don't understand why they abandoned their humble abode on the grassland and followed the three men on their journey after only listening to the words of their leader.

At the front of the procession, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led their horses.

Liu Bei was still wearing his worn-out fur coat, Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes and warily scanned his surroundings, while Zhang Fei seemed a little anxious, occasionally turning back to urge the elderly and children who had fallen behind.

"Quick! Everyone follow! Once we cross that mountain ridge, we'll enter the territory of the strong Yin! There, we'll find hot food and soup, and houses to shelter us from the wind and rain!"

Liu Bei's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a calming power.

"General Liu... is it really... really possible to get land?" A young man supporting his elderly mother asked breathlessly, his eyes filled with anticipation and a hint of trepidation.

"Don't worry, my grassroots brothers."

Liu Bei stopped and turned to look at the crowd, speaking with a resolute tone.

"General Zhang has given orders! All Han Chinese who have returned to their homeland will be granted twenty mu of land and exempted from taxes for three years! The government will provide oxen, seeds, farm tools, and houses, and children will be given the opportunity to learn to read and write!"
This is General Zhang's personal promise, and the token of the former general's mansion serves as proof! I, Liu Bei, guarantee with my life that every word is true!

His words resonated deeply, subtly drawing people's trust.

Looking at the imposing black tiger token and hearing Liu Bei's resounding promise, a suppressed sob and a low cheer rose from the ranks.

A century of wandering and humiliation as a slave has finally come to an end! The road home is just ahead!

"Damn it! We're finally almost there! This godforsaken place is freezing me to death!"

Zhang Fei grumbled, but looking at the faces behind him that shone with hope, a barely perceptible warmth flickered in the depths of his leopard eyes.

Just then, a small group of people suddenly appeared from around the bend in the valley ahead!

There were about twenty people, all dressed in standard leather armor, with gray robes over them for easy mountain travel. The leader was a tall, strong man.

"Who goes there? State your name!"

Chen Feng gripped his waist knife and demanded in a deep voice. The soldiers behind him quickly dispersed, drew their bows and arrows, and stood on high alert.

Liu Bei stepped forward and announced loudly, "I am Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, Colonel of the Wandering Army under the command of the former General! I have been ordered by the Marquis of Jinxiang to escort the remaining people of Yunzhong back south! This is the General's token!"

He held the Black Tiger Token high.

Chen Feng carefully examined the token and then glanced at the troops behind Liu Bei. His tense expression instantly relaxed.

He clasped his hands and bowed, his voice booming: "This humble general, Chen Feng, the garrison commander of Qiangyin County, is on patrol along the way on the orders of Military Advisor Xi."

We are here to receive Captain Liu and his fellow villagers returning home! Captain Liu, you have had a long and arduous journey! Fellow villagers, you have also had a long and arduous journey! Please follow me! There is a beacon tower not far away, where there is still hot water and food!

"Thank you for your help, Battalion Commander Chen!"

Liu Bei returned the greeting, feeling a great weight lifted from his heart.

Under the protection of Chen Feng and his men, the team finally crossed the last mountain ridge.

The sight before them made all the survivors from the clouds hold their breath!
Below the mountain ridge lies a wide river valley basin.

Although it was still early spring, large tracts of newly tilled land were already neatly arranged, the soil glistening with moisture in the sunlight.

The crisscrossing ditches act like veins, channeling melted snow water into the fields.

In the distance, rows of brand-new adobe houses are built against the mountain, their roofs thatched with golden yellow.

Further away, one can vaguely see villages with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys and markets teeming with people and countless cattle and sheep.

"We're here! We're home!"

"Look! Those houses! Will we be able to live in them?"

"There's still hot water! Hot porridge! Oh my god..."

The grievances, sorrows, and fears that had been suppressed for a century burst forth like a flood at this moment!

The returning survivors could no longer contain themselves. Many of them collapsed to the ground, grabbed a handful of the warm soil from their homeland, and wailed loudly!
There was sorrow in the cries, but even more so, there was a sense of relief and ecstatic joy at finally returning to one's roots! The women held their children, sobbing uncontrollably.

The elderly people, with tears streaming down their faces, bowed deeply to the south, to this land they had longed for.

"They're back...they're back...the land of Han...the sky of Han..."

An old woman stroked the ground beneath her feet, tears streaming down her face, muttering to herself.

(End of this chapter)