The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 261 Subduing Power
After Zhao Yun's successful surprise attack on Huaili in one night, the Han army launched a full-scale offensive.

Meanwhile, a large-scale cleanup operation was launched on both banks of the Wei River.

By the end of December, Fufeng County, apart from Duyang City hidden deep in the mountains, included the county seat Huaili.

They have all been replaced with Han army flags.

Some surrendered voluntarily, while others were captured by the Han infantry that followed.

But more often than not, it was a choice made out of desperation after seeing the main force of the Wei army flee far away.

This undoubtedly greatly boosted the morale of the Han army and dealt a heavy blow to the fighting spirit of the Wei army and the Xianbei people.

For a time, from Huaili eastward all the way to Chang'an, there was a pervasive atmosphere of fear and unease.

It seemed as if the flags would change hands overnight.

It is said that Zheng Gan, the bandit from Fengyi Mountain who had suffered many defeats and had been silent for a long time, has resurfaced, seemingly wanting to rejoin the Han army.

However, none of this mattered to Kebineng and Suli, who were essentially just mercenaries.

Because just as Budugen was being chased out of Fufeng by Zhao Yun, news suddenly came from the rear that Budugen was disobeying the Wei army's orders and was still staying north of Taiyuan.

That's fine.

The key rumor is that the reason Budugen didn't come was because he wanted to take the opportunity to plunder Kebineng's tribe!

In the freezing cold, Kebineng was so angry that he was sweating profusely.

He then completely ignored orders from Chang'an and led his knights in a frantic eastward escape.

During this period, he also fought several battles with Cao Zhen's subordinates who attempted to intercept him.

Fortunately, Cao Zhen promptly sent an envoy from Chang'an to appease the situation, thus preventing a greater disaster from occurring.

But Kebineng's desire to return was already unstoppable.

In fact, it's not just Ke Bi Neng.

All the other tribal chiefs, including Suli, fled eastward in disarray.

After all, Budugen's hatred for Kebineng was even deeper.

But who can guarantee that he won't take the opportunity to seize other people's territory?
They were all "barbarians" who had lived by plundering in the borderlands for generations. Who didn't know who?
However, just as the Xianbei people scattered like birds and beasts and rushed all the way to Linjin City, where the Fengyi County seat was located, the Xianbei people were about to flee.

Looking at the shallow and gentle waters of the Pubanjin ferry crossing not far away, everyone suddenly stopped.

This is not just because Zhang He's huge general's flag is hanging on the city wall.

It wasn't just because the area from Pubanjin to Linjin was a gathering place for tens of thousands of Wei troops from Guanzhong.

The main thing is.

A head pickled in lime.

He was brought before the tribal chiefs by the Wei army envoy.

Budugen's head.

"Who is this general in person?"

When Kebineng and his men arrived at the city of Linjin, they were not greeted by General Zhang He.

Instead, it was a young general named Hu Zun.

The banner he was flying did not belong to Zhang He.

Instead, it was a somewhat unfamiliar banner bearing the name "Sima".

Then Hu Zun bowed to the east and said:
"The one who killed Budugen was Sima Zhongda, who held the titles of Acting General, Military Governor, Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Grand Secretary!"

This long list of titles left the leaders completely bewildered.

However, at least they knew the significance of the "false imperial edict" and that the other party was representing the Emperor of Great Wei.

Their posture immediately became more respectful.

However, Hu Zun did not finish speaking:
"However, I am not here today on the orders of Lord Sima to meet with you chieftains."

"I am acting on the Emperor's decree!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at each other in shock.

Whether it was Hu Zun, Zhang He, or that Sima Fujun, it didn't matter.

You are all subjects of the Emperor of Wei. Aren't you all the same to us Xianbei people?

Why emphasize this?

Hu Zun, of course, guessed what the others were thinking, but he simply put it more plainly:
"The Emperor has already left Luoyang and is heading towards the interior of the pass!"

This time, the crowd was finally moved, each showing a different expression.

no way.

The emperors of the Central Plains, especially those from Luoyang, regardless of whether their surname was Liu or Cao.

For the Xianbei people, they still held unquestionable authority.

This is also a key reason why they were willing to hear the transfer order and head south earlier.

However, Kebineng was a warlord from beyond the Great Wall and the main victim of the Budugen Rebellion, so he naturally wouldn't believe it easily: "I've heard that the Han army has already reached the walls of Xuchang, and is only two or three days' journey from Luoyang. Does the Emperor really dare to risk coming west?"

Hu Zun frowned when he heard the other party refer to them as "Han Army".

Hearing the other party try to apply their experience of riding horses beyond the Great Wall to the Central Plains, he felt even more that the other party was ignorant.

But precisely because the other party is ignorant, it is difficult to explain in detail.

He then said coldly:

“If Kebineng, the chieftain, does not believe it, he may turn back to Hedong from Pubanjin.”

"Just to be frank with the unpleasant truth upfront."

"Before crossing the river, all of you chieftains were loyal subjects of the Great Wei."

"After crossing the river, those will be the bandits who invade the border."

"With the Emperor before us, all 100,000 soldiers of our country are eager to kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions."

"By then, it will probably be too late for Kebineng to beg for mercy."

Upon hearing such murderous words, Kebineng's expression changed several times.

The other tribal chiefs also fell silent in fear.

In any case, the main force of the Wei army was indeed blocking the way to Pubanjin.

Whether there are truly 100,000 is still debatable.

But it would be enough to wipe them out.

Unless they switch sides.

The question is, can the Han army on the other side also promise the fertile land of Guanzhong as a reward?
I can't guarantee that.

At this moment, Hu Zun, seeing that he had finally gained the upper hand over the Hus, softened his tone:
"To be honest, the Emperor's carriage has now arrived in Hongnong."

"Hongnong was the location of Hangu Pass during the Qin Dynasty."

"The area is surrounded by mountains and rivers. Unless Guan Yu, Mi Wei and others have wings, even with a million troops, they cannot touch the emperor."

"It only took the emperor a few days to travel from Hongnong to Tongguan."

"The reason I didn't come in person is that I didn't want to see you all fleeing in such a sorry state."

"According to military law, desertion in the face of battle is punishable by death."

"If they don't execute, military discipline will be lax."

“If we kill each other, our relationship will become distant again.”

"Therefore, the Emperor appointed me as his envoy to come and persuade you all."

"If one realizes their mistake and returns to the right path, then all previous promises will remain unchanged."

"If he remains obstinate and refuses to see the truth, then this person..."

Hu Zun pointed to the head of Budugen that had just been passed to a certain chieftain.

"This serves as a warning to all of you!"

pat.

The man tossed aside the severed head and looked around in dismay.

However, after only a few breaths, led by Kebineng and Suli, they all pointed to the sky and swore that they would repent and fight bravely against the enemy.

"The Xianbei people are not to be trusted."

On the city wall of Linjin, Sima Yi, who had already risen to the ranks of top generals, pointed at the chaotic Xianbei tribes below the city and sneered coldly.

Beside him, veteran Zhang He remained as silent as a thousand-year-old iceberg.

Neither agreeing nor refuting.

Only after the Xianbei people outside the city, under the supervision of the Wei army, gradually turned back westward did he finally speak in a deep voice:
"I received a letter from Zhang Fei yesterday urging me to surrender."

Sima Yi turned around:
What threatening words did Zhang Fei utter? What high-ranking official positions and generous rewards did he promise?

“There was no incentive.” Zhang He shook his head slightly.

"The threat was only one sentence."

"When the Han emperor returns to the old capital, if he hears that the barbarians have defiled the tomb of the late emperor, he will surely exterminate my three clans. I hope you will behave yourself."

Sima Yi's brow twitched, and he suddenly asked:

How did the general obtain this letter?

Zhang He, not understanding his meaning, replied directly:

"It was sent by Zhang Fei's messenger."

Sima Yi suddenly turned around and said urgently:

"Where is that envoy now? Can we still intercept him?"

(End of this chapter)