C148. Dangers and Opportunities.
Let it rain, let it rain.
- As long as it rains.
Yuan Li had never desired rain as much as he did now.
After talking with Jia Qing, he sat in a secluded place, anxiously and quietly waiting for the night to come.
Jia Qing did not know what he was waiting for or thinking about. But he had made a decision, if Yuan Li insisted on moving forward, he would take Yuan Li away even if he had to tie him up.
Even if he had to face imprisonment on their return, Jia Qing was willing to do so.
The sun gradually moved westward.
The closer it got to midnight, the more anxious Yuan Li became.
He kept looking up at the sky and started to bother the system. Unfortunately, the system was too aloof and paid no attention to Yuan Li's madness.
In fact, Yuan Li knew that the system was not divine, it couldn't decide the weather, it only played a predictive role, only the heavens could decide the weather.
Yuan Li pressed his dry lips, furrowing his brows tightly.
He understood how difficult it was to have the right timing, location, and people, but this opportunity was too rare. If he did not seize the chance to reach the Xiongnu court, it would be a huge loss.
For the sake of the Chieftain's rule, since the establishment of the Xiongnu country, there had slowly emerged the concept of land and kingdom. Compared to other scattered tribes, the Xiongnu court was more stable.
Furthermore, Huyan Hutu had clearly malicious intentions, the deterrent effect of Chu Hechao killing Huyan Wuzhu was gradually diminishing. If they did not gain an advantage, grasp a handle on Huyan Hutu, there would be only internal and external troubles in the coming years.
Currently, conflicts have been incited by Yuan Li between the various barbarian tribes and the Xiongnu, and the grasslands will only become more chaotic afterwards, making it even more dangerous to venture deeper into the grasslands.
Yuan Li deeply remembered the lessons from history, the tragedies and darkness of the Five Barbarians' ravaging and the Jingkang shame.
During the period of the Five Barbarians' ravaging, these barbarians almost wiped out the people of the Central Plains. Women were ravaged during the day, killed for food at night, and men's heads were hung on the city walls.
Yuan Li's animosity towards the Xiongnu and the barbarians had never diminished, he clearly understood that once the barbarians became powerful, it would only bring suffering to the people of the Central Plains.
They could not let any opportunity slip by, and absolutely could not show any mercy. Because the enemy would not show mercy, they had to retaliate with even more ruthless methods.
If they could seize this opportunity to know the location of the Xiongnu court, they could catch Huyanhun Tutu off guard in the future.
As long as it rained...
Yuan Li closed his eyes, trying to endure his impatience.
The night gradually grew darker.
Jia Qing waited for a long time and didn't see any response from Yuan Li, so he approached him and urged, "Lord, we should go."
Yuan Li clenched his fists and stared tightly at the weather forecast, saying, "Just wait a little longer."
Jia Qing furrowed his brows, "What are you waiting for?"
Yuan Li didn't speak, he just reached out to feel the night air, the breeze blowing extremely dry, without any hint of moisture.
Feeling disheartened, he said, "Wait another moment."
In this moment, Yuan Li's heart rate accelerated, fate was a mysterious thing, since ancient times there had been the phrase "as if assisted by a deity," he had a premonition that maybe a miracle would happen.
When the moment passed and nothing happened, Jia Qing immediately said, "Lord, let's go."
But he watched as Yuan Li's expression became blank and stunned.
As Jia Qing was about to ask what was happening, he felt a raindrop fall on his forehead.
He froze, looking up at the sky.
The night was deep, and he couldn't see anything.
More and more urgent raindrops fell on Jia Qing.
"It's raining," Jia Qing muttered in disbelief, "It's raining?!"
Yuan Li also did not expect that it would actually rain. He looked up at the sky, pleasantly surprised, and then immediately pulled Jia Qing aside and said solemnly, "It's raining now, Jia Qing, this is our opportunity."
Jia Qing instantly understood his words, "Are you trying to find the Xiongnu court in the rainy weather?"
Rain could obscure people's vision, hiding their tracks, which could be advantageous for their progress on the difficult-to-evade grasslands. However, rainy weather also posed challenges for combat and escape. Once spotted by Xiongnu cavalry, they would not be able to escape quickly.
As a capable commander, Jia Qing also understood what this opportunity represented. Though tempted, he cautiously advised, "The raindrops are too small now to conceal our tracks."
"Then let's wait until morning to see," Yuan Li assuredly said, "The rain tomorrow will surely become heavy."
After a brief silence, Jia Qing said, "If it does rain heavily tomorrow morning, please heed my advice, Lord."
Yuan Li asked, "What is it?"
Jia Qing proposed, "I will take a group of men to brave the rain and pinpoint the location of the Xiongnu court. Lord, you should lead the rest of the men to quickly leave the grassland. Your status is too important to risk, so please leave this task to me."
Yuan Li sighed, "I have means to ensure my own safety, Jia Qing. I can ensure my escape better than you."
He wasn't lying, Yuan Li still had 40 seconds of AR special effects. If used effectively, the AR special effect could serve as a lifesaving tool.
However, he had a means of ensuring his own safety, while Jia Qing did not.
Despite this, Jia Qing persisted, "A nobleman does not stand below a tottering wall. If anything were to happen to you, it would be a disaster for all of us. Please don't risk yourself, follow my advice, and lead the troops back. If I make it safely, I'll quickly catch up with you on the border. If anything unexpected happens to me, at least you'll be safe going back, and I'll have no regrets."
Jia Qing's determination was evident, and Yuan Li tried to persuade him, but it was futile. In the end, he fell silent, wiped his face, and finally said, "....Okay."
Relieved, Jia Qing respectfully bowed to Yuan Li.
They prepared all night for the next day's operation. Early the next morning, the sky was dark with clouds, the wind and rain raging, casting a dim veil over the land.
The light rain gradually hinted at intensifying.
In the valley, two groups of men were preparing to split to the north and south when suddenly, their plans were overshadowed by a group of patrolling Xiongnu cavalry approaching!
This sizable Xiongnu cavalry force had over a thousand men. They seemed to find the valley suspicious and were heading straight towards it.
Jia Qing held his breath, clenched his teeth, and said with suppressed anger, "The Xiongnu patrols are getting more frequent by the day!"
Yesterday they had narrowly escaped, but today luck seemed to have left them.
The Xiongnu cavalry drew closer, leaving no room for fury. Yuan Li furrowed his brow and said, "They are heading straight for the valley, and we can't hide anymore. The only plan now is for one group to charge out of the valley to divert their attention, while the other group seizes the opportunity to head further north and search for the Xiongnu court."
Just a day before, Jia Qing would have never agreed to Yuan Li's plan to find the Xiongnu court. But at this moment, diverting the attention of the cavalry was more dangerous than searching for the Xiongnu court.
With conflicting emotions, Jia Qing reluctantly lowered his head and said, "Lord, let me divert this cavalry. Please be extremely cautious, and if the search proves unsuccessful, turn back immediately. I will leave my deputy, Jiang Chai, for your use. He is brave, intelligent, loyal, and will ensure your safety, in my absence."
Jiang Chai stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Yuan Li.
Yuan Li nodded solemnly, "Alright."
Jia Qing took a deep breath and, threatening the native guide, said, "I will wait at your tribe for the Lord's return. If you dare to betray him and lead the wrong way, I will wipe out your tribe within two days."
The native guide, terrified, stammered, "I will, I will surely guide him to the Khan's court!"
Time was of the essence. Jia Qing released the guide, bid farewell to Yuan Li with a fist over his chest, and immediately mounted his horse, leading a group of men without hesitation out of the valley.
They swiftly rode away, and the Xiongnu cavalry in the distance witnessed their escape and immediately changed direction, turning their horses to pursue them.
Once they were far from the valley, Yuan Li decisively led another group of men to leave the area as well.
The rain grew heavier.
The thunder echoed overhead, the dark sky not resembling morning but rather an evening about to fall.
The heavy rain pounded down like beads, making the skin and mind ache.
Visibility became blurred, the rain-soaked grass slippery, and the horses skidded several times.
Yuan Li's breathing grew labored, and the air between his nostrils was insufficient, forcing him to draw in more air from the rain. As they rode on incessantly, their soaked clothes became heavier, and the horse's soaked fur added to the burden, making both the man and the horse look bedraggled.
"Keep an eye on the road!" Jiang Chai shouted at the native guide, "If you're unsure of the way, speak up, don't lead us astray out of stubbornness!"
The native guide nodded quickly.
As they ventured deeper, the surroundings seemed to change, yet everything looked the same. Yuan Li wiped the water off his face, bent over to shield himself from the rain, and managed to create a makeshift compass on the horse to check their direction; they were still heading north.
The howling wind and rain created a curtain, making it difficult to see, and visibility decreased.
According to the weather forecast, the heavy rain would continue into the evening, followed by light rain overnight and then heavy rain the next afternoon.
The abundant rainfall was the only thing that could bring a sense of relief to Yuan Li.
However, his mood was heavy.
The downsides brought by the heavy rain were affecting them - damaged weapons, difficulty in movement, and concerns about whether the physical resilience of the men and horses could withstand such a downpour.
Fortunately, the elite cavalrymen around Yuan Li had been meticulously trained, each physically robust and strong, with horses equally robust and courageous, unlikely to fall ill or catch a fever from a little rain.
Ever since recovering from chickenpox, Yuan Li had intensified his physical training, and he also felt alright, with his body holding up well, showing no signs of distress.
Perhaps due to the heavy rain, the patrols of the Xiongnu people had greatly decreased, and they had not encountered anyone along the way.
After an unknown duration of travel, just as Yuan Li felt they were nearing the Xiongnu court, everyone suddenly halted their footsteps.
In the distance within the rain curtain stood a dense formation of Xiongnu cavalry.
The heavy rain obscured their appearances, only vague outlines of men and horses visible. Yuan Li's heart almost skipped a beat in an instant, but he forced himself to remain calm.
However, his brain's alarm bells were ringing loudly...
Danger.
Urgent danger.
The two forces faced off, with Jiang Chai and the guards beside Yuan Li tense, silently gripping the hilt of their scimitars.
The leader of the Xiongnu cavalry advanced a few steps and shouted something loudly in the Xiongnu language.
Yuan Li immediately asked the guide, "What did he say?"
Trembling, the guide shivered and replied, "He asked who we are and why we are here."
Yuan Li tightened the reins, thoughts racing in his mind about how to respond.
His breath felt hot, mirroring the tense atmosphere, on the brink of crisis.
Even the warhorses seemed to sense that something was amiss, nervously pawing the ground.
Jiang Chai wiped the rain from his eyes, ready to fight to protect Yuanli's escape.
Compared to the danger they faced at Wu Shanshi's prison to rescue Jia Qing, he now realized that danger was dwarfed in comparison. He felt that they were most likely going to die here this time.
But even in death, he had to ensure that Governor Yuan had a chance to live.
No one from their side responded.
This brief silence raised suspicions among the Xiongnu cavalry. The leader took two more steps forward and said something in the Xiongnu language, his tone filled with doubt and hostility, which Yuanli could discern.
The guide said, "He...he's questioning why we aren't speaking."
Yuan Li's voice remained calmer than he had imagined, "Are you proficient in the Xiongnu language?"
The guide swallowed nervously, "I'm somewhat proficient."
"Then, tell him in Xiongnu that we are emissaries of the Youxian Prince," Yuan Li instructed, staring at the opposing force.