C163. Big Victory!
Thousands of livestock, bustling and noisy, their various calls blending together in a spectacular scene. The people of Yexian County all rushed over to watch, picking up manure along the way.
The soldiers who brought the livestock beamed with joy, "Duke Wen, these are the spoils of war that General has ordered us to bring to you!"
Yuan Li felt delighted, his face beaming with a smile, "Has your General won?"
The soldier nodded and shook his head, then proceeded to tell Yuan Li about the events on the grassland.
Chu Hechao led his cavalry deep into the grasslands, hundreds of miles away, killing scattered Xiongnu remnants along the way, already annihilating ten thousand enemies and capturing a total of fifty thousand livestock. Chu Hechao sent these livestock to the rear, distributing them to Beijiang, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Jizhou.
"There are still more people bringing in livestock and Xiongnu captives," the soldier said, "The General must have already reached the Xiongnu royal court by now."
Yuan Li's expression softened. Even though Chu Hechao had not returned, this was still good news.
He inquired in detail about Chu Hechao's injuries, the conditions of the troops, and the availability of food and fodder. The soldier answered each question.
After the livestock had been delivered, Chu Hechao's soldiers were preparing to return. Before leaving, one of them hesitated and said, "Duke Wen, the General has requested something from you."
Yuan Li asked, "What is it?"
"Your personal clothing," the soldier blushed, "The general wishes for a piece of your clothing to ease his longing for you."
Yuan Li: "..."
Chu Hechao was definitely teasing him on purpose.
After a moment of poker face, Yuan Li suddenly smiled and instructed Lin Tian to fetch a package to give to the soldier.
The soldier hastily took it, thanked him, and hurried off.
Sure enough, for the next month, as the soldier had predicted, countless cattle, sheep, and horses were sent to Jizhou, totaling seventy to eighty thousand animals. Yuan Li entrusted the care of the sheep and horses to his subordinates for grazing, while he gave the cattle to willing settlers to farm.
As the rear was busy with spring planting, Chu Hechao had already engaged in battle with the Xiongnu royal court.
Huyan Hutu was caught off guard. His attention had been divided by the conflicts among various barbarian tribes on the grasslands, and he had not expected Chu Hechao to discover the location of the royal court and launch a deep incursion into the grasslands in early spring.
This was their weakest moment, with forces scattered and horses weakened. The hastily organized resistance of the Xiongnu against Chu Hechao was no match for his army, resulting in repeated defeats.
Seventy thousand residents of the Xiongnu royal court were all annihilated.
The Xiongnu's generals, chieftains, ministers, and princes were all captured. Without their warhorses, the Xiongnu seemed to have lost their ferocity suddenly, appearing dazed and disbelieving at their defeat.
They were so... weak?
Could the people of the Central Plains really be this strong?
When the Xiongnu had invaded the Central Plains, they had been brutal and inhumane, committing all sorts of atrocities. But they had never expected such a tragedy to befall them one day.
Fleeing on exhausted horses, they couldn't escape Chu Hechao's army.
With bloodied attire, Chu Hechao waved his big sword, blood dripping down the blade onto the grass below. His calm gaze swept over the bodies, broken tents, and fleeing Xiongnu, then he commanded, "Surround the rear of the Xiongnu, pursue them aggressively."
Yuan Congyun immediately complied.
Chu Hechao grinned, wiped the blood off his face, and said, "Let's settle the score with our enemies."
The blood stained the grass, mingling with the spring rain that converged into streams.
Huyan Hutu broke free from the encirclement under the protection of his soldiers and immediately sent orders to the Left and Right Prime Minister's departments to send reinforcements.
Riding on his fleeing horse, he bellowed, "Why didn't anyone inform me of Chu Hechao's whereabouts when he reached the royal court!"
His subordinates, in a state of panic, fearful like all the Central Plains people who had fled from the Xiongnu's invasion, stammered, "I don't know, I don't know... It's Chu Hechao! He must have killed all the Xiongnu he encountered along the way, that's why no living Xiongnu came to report the news!"
However, this possibility only served to make the Xiongnu people even more fearful.
At this moment, in their eyes, Chu Hechao was undoubtedly as terrifying as a death god.
The army from the rear continued to pursue relentlessly, taunting the Xiongnu Chanyu loudly, "Come and see, is this the day that even the Xiongnu Chanyu is forced to flee in fear by the people of the Central Plains?"
Huyan Hutu pretended not to hear and led his men towards the Youxian to escape.
Although the Zuoxian was also his son, he had a grandfather serving as the Right General. He never underestimated his siblings and children. He learned from his father Huyan Wuzhu that he should never have expectations for his siblings and children.
With the fall of the royal court imminent, if he were to seek out the Zuoxian, there was a possibility of being killed by his ambitious son to seize the position of Chanyu. However, the eldest son serving as the Youxian was honest and foolish, and he could control the troops of the Youxian's department.
But Huyan Hutu did not expect that when he arrived at the Youxian, he would find that they too had been attacked.
The attackers were none other than the Wuhuan people, who had long been secretly allied with the Xiongnu!
"The treacherous Wuhuan people!" Huyan Hutu fumed with anger, his eyes rolling with a terrifying mix of fury and calmness, "They have betrayed me..."
From last year to now, everything had slipped out of Huyan Hutu's control.
Even though he had the upper hand, suddenly the various barbarian tribes who had submitted to him were in conflict, and as he dealt with these tribes, the Wuhuan people betrayed him.
His subordinates anxiously asked, "Chieftain, what should we do?"
Huyan Huntu set aside his cruel thoughts and quickly regained his composure, "What else can we do? Run, escape north."
But before fleeing, he also needed to take along the troops and livestock of the Youxian's tribe.
After pondering for a moment, Huyan Hutu said, "Send someone to find the leader of the Wuhuan people and tell him that Huyan Huntu requests an audience."
As a ruthless and bold Xiongnu Chanyu who had conquered all the barbarian tribes on the grassland, Huyan Hutu knew that dignity and face could be abandoned.
As long as he was alive, he still had a chance to make a comeback.
When Puyan saw the man sent by Huyan Hutu to find him and learned that Huyan Hutu wanted to see him, Puyan hesitated for a long time before deciding to go.
Of course, he did not come alone. He brought his personal guards and had three thousand soldiers lying in ambush behind him, ready to capture Huyan Hutu and please Chu Hechao with one move.
However, what Puyan did not expect was that as soon as he saw Huyan Hutu, the latter humbly begged Puyan to spare his life.
In the past, when the Xiongnu defeated the Donghu, causing the Donghu tribes to disperse, one group became the Wuhuan people. When the Wuhuan people were still active on the grasslands, the Xiongnu Chanyu would demand cattle, sheep, and fur from them every year, and if they did not comply, they would take their wives and daughters as slaves.
The Wuhuan people valued their wives, causing dissatisfaction among them, resulting in multiple conflicts with the Xiongnu. The hatred between these two tribes had long existed, only temporarily united under common interests.
Seeing Huyan Hutu groveling so humbly, Puyan couldn't help but feel smug. He was willing to exchange a few words with Huyan Huntu, "It's not that I don't want to spare you, Huyan Hutu. But you should know, our former leader of the Wuhuan, Guli Chi, was killed because he did not obey Chu Hechao."
Guli Chi is dead?
Huyan Hutu suddenly realized and spoke even more submissively, "If you, Lord Puyan, are willing to spare me, I am willing to offer all the gold, silver, treasure, and leather tents from the Youxian to you."
Puyan laughed heartily, "As long as I capture you and take over the Youxian, I can still have those things."
Seeing the murderous intent in his eyes, Huyan Hutu suddenly said, "If the Xiongnu are truly annihilated, do you think the Wuhuan people can live in peace?"
Puyan looked at him distrustfully, "What do you mean?"
"You Wuhuan people have lived within the Great Wall for a long time, already ceasing to see yourselves as barbarians," Huyan Hutu said calmly, "Guli Chi had some caution, but you have been influenced by the people of the Central Plains."
Enraged, Puyan drew his sword to strike, "You--!"
Huyan Hutu shouted, "Puyan, listen to me!"
In the moment that Puyan halted at his scolding, Huyan Hutu immediately continued, "Even if the Wuhuan people have stayed within the Great Wall for so long, they are still Donghu people, just like us, all considered barbarians of the grasslands. After Chu Hechao kills us, do you think he will spare you to live peacefully in Youzhou?"
Puyan furrowed his brow and slowly lowered his sword, "Are you trying to provoke us?"
"I'm just telling you, if the Xiongnu are gone, the next target will be you Wuhuan people," Huyan Huntu's eyes flashed, speaking softly, "There is an idiom in the Central Plains called 'When lips are gone, teeth are cold.' After the sheep have eaten all the grass, they will still be slaughtered by the shepherd to be sold. If there are no more outlaws in this world, the officials will have no use. The reason the Wuhuan people were accepted by the Northern Zhou as vassals was to have you come and attack us Xiongnu, have you forgotten? If we Xiongnu are gone, do you think Northern Zhou, do you think Chu Hechao, will spare you?"
Puyan felt a cold sweat breaking out in an instant, shivering all over.
He knew that what Huyan Hutu was saying was true.
As long as there was still the threat of the Xiongnu externally, the Wuhuan people could enjoy all the luxuries within the Northern Zhou.
Huyan Hutu saw Puyan's wavering, took a step back, and knelt on the ground, tearfully begging Puyan to spare his life, "As long as you let me go, allow me to take the troops and some livestock from the Youxian, I will flee to the Lobo Mountains in the north, establish a new Xiongnu court in the north, and you, Puyan, will be our Xiongnu people's savior. I, Huyan Hutu, swear that once I recover some strength, I will be at your service, willing to follow your orders."
Huyan Hutu's followers behind him, eyes filled with bloodshot, also shamefully knelt down.
Puyan stood in place for a moment, but eventually stepped aside, giving Huyan Hutu a way out, "I will give you one night to leave with your troops and everything you can carry. But you must leave the other Xiongnu people behind for me; I have to give Chu Hechao an explanation. After Chu Hechao arrives, I will make a show of chasing you and whether you can escape will be up to your destiny."
Huyan Hutu's forehead was pressed against the grass, a faint smirk that no one saw appeared, "Thank you, Master Pu Yan."
That night, Pu Yan deceived Dadan's son and secretly allowed Huyan Hutu to enter the Youxian's army.
Chu Hechao chased after him relentlessly, and Huyan Hutu didn't dare to stay long. He quickly mobilized the Youxian's troops and took the livestock away. But even so, before dawn the next day, Chu Hechao arrived.
Huyan Hutu immediately abandoned what was left and ordered, "Go!"
His son, Prince Youxian, under the protection of his guards, mounted his horse, following Huyan Hutu in panic.
Pu Yan indeed acted as previously agreed, pretending to seek permission from Chu Hechao to chase the Xiongnu.
Chu Hechao looked at the distant Xiongnu army, then turned his eyes back to Pu Yan. His eyes narrowed, deep and ominous, "Why did Huyan Hutu take so many troops from the Youxian's army?"
Under his gaze, Pu Yan's heart raced, his limbs numb. He felt Chu Hechao's eyes were as intimidating as wild beasts, subconsciously lowering his eyes, "Huyan Hutu colluded with the Youxian's, our 20,000 cavalry were unable to stop them and fell into Huyan Hutu's trap."
Chu Hechao remained silent.
Moments felt like an eternity for Pu Yan. Cold sweat formed on his forehead as he glanced to the side, seeing Dadan's son pale with fear.
The air was tense, and no one dared to speak. Chu Hechao lightly tapped the reins with his gloved hands, then looked into the distance, finally speaking, "I allow you to pursue and capture Huyan Hutu, redeem yourselves."
Pu Yan and Dadan's son breathed a sigh of relief, thanking him before quickly leading their troops to pursue Huyan Hutu.
Chu Hechao patiently waited until the Wuhuan people began to move, then nudged his horse lightly, signaling the army to follow.
Pu Yan heard the approaching sound from behind and saw Chu Hechao leading his men towards them.
For a moment, his expression turned fierce, realizing he couldn't let Huyan Hutu escape easily.
With the Xiongnu's speedy horses, they might not catch up easily.
At least they needed to engage with Huyan Hutu, kill some Xiongnu, to appease Chu Hechao.
Pu Yan signaled to his men.
Chu Hechao slowed down.
Compared to the Xiongnu and Wuhuan soldiers ahead, he seemed leisurely, only joining the fight after they clashed.
Pu Yan brightened up and slowed down his attack, letting the Xiongnu leave in chaos.
Dadan's son, puzzled, scolded, "Master Pu Yan, what are you doing?"
Pu Yan coldly snorted, whispering, "If you don't want us to end up like the Xiongnu, then shut up and listen to me!"
He then quickly informed Dadan's son of the crucial information revealed by Huyan Hutu.
Dadan's son was startled but obeyed, slowing down the attack on the Xiongnu as instructed by Pu Yan.
Once Huyan Hutu had distanced himself, he looked back at Pu Yan, nodding in acknowledgment. Then he looked towards Chu Hechao behind the Wuhuan soldiers.
One day, he would come back for them…
But when he saw the movements of Chu He Chao's army clearly, Huyan Hutu's thoughts abruptly stopped. His pupils dilated, his breathing quickened, then he immediately turned around, shouting sternly, "Abandon the livestock, run, quickly!"
The Youxian Prince had never seen his father in such a panic, even when he was kicked out of the royal court, Huyan Hutu could still battle with wolves at night. What did he see that caused such a chilling side of him to surface?
The Youxian Prince was both scared and curious, so he took a glance towards the back.
At that moment, he was stunned.
Pu Yan and Dadan's son breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the Xiongnu flee. They turned to apologize to Chu Hechao, using this as an opportunity to delay the Xiongnu's escape. But as they approached Chu Hechao, the soldiers under his command suddenly stepped forward, skillfully extracting arrows from their bows.
A thousand arrows were drawn taut, the cold gleam of arrowheads aimed not at the Xiongnu but at the Wuhuan riders approaching.
Pu Yan and Dadan's son froze, eyes wide, almost holding their breath.
Chu Hechao sat on his horse behind the archers, calmly looking at Pu Yan and the others, waving his hand, "Fire."
The sharp sound of arrows piercing through the air, like exploding firecrackers, thousands of arrows released, surging towards the Wuhuan riders.
The dense barrage of arrows advanced like a dark cloud, drawing closer. The shadows of the arrows in Pu Yan's eyes grew nearer, the sound of their approach echoing in his ears.
He opened his mouth, wanting to question Chu Hechao with a "why", but before he could speak, the arrows struck him.
Pu Yan's vision blurry, a choked sound escaped his throat, unwilling and hopeless, he fell to the ground.
Chu Hechao...!
As Chu Hechao watched the chaos among the Wuhuan riders, he turned to Yuan Congyun, saying, "This is your chance to earn merit, go, bring me Huyan Hutu's body."
Yuan Congyun resolutely replied, "Yes!"
He immediately led his troops to pursue and kill Huyan Hutu.
After abandoning the livestock and excess supplies, the speed of Huyan Hutu's escape increased significantly. But even with their speed, they couldn't outrun horses fed with fine grains throughout winter. An hour later, they were overtaken by Yuan Congyun's forces.
Huyan Hutu ruthlessly sacrificed a portion of his troops to delay the chasing soldiers.
Throughout their escape and pursuit, the Xiongnu forces suffered losses of thirty thousand troops, covering a thousand miles. The surrounding grasslands were turning into bare yellow sand, the horses in Huyan Hutu's army were exhausted, collapsing one by one, foaming at the mouth.
When the horse beneath Huyan Hutu fell, he was too weary to react immediately. Fortunately, he rolled forward just in time, avoiding a tragic neck-breaking fall.
As the setting sun descended in the west, dusk enveloped the area. Huyan Hutu's face was covered in sand as he lay on the ground, gazing towards the horizon, experiencing the solemnity of a hero's end.
Throughout his life, Huyan Hutu had faced many enemies - fathers, brothers, subordinates, men, women... He endured hunger and hardship in the yellow sand, conquered various barbarian tribes on the vast grasslands under a sky full of stars, witnessed horses galloping, eagles soaring, and even livestock fleeing in the face of raging fires.
He was not willing to die here.
Huyan Hutu took a deep breath and, with the help of his attendants, rose to his feet and looked back at the soldiers fighting with Yuan Congyun.
He had faced the threat of life and death many times in his life, it wasn't the first time, but it shouldn't be the last.
Huyan Hutu spoke slowly, "Divide the remaining troops into three groups. When night falls, head east, north, and west, confuse the eyes of the Central Plains people, so they cannot discern where I am fleeing."
He then turned to his eldest son and, after a moment of silence, said, "You must separate from me in our escape. If, unfortunately, the Central Plains people catch up to me, you must find a way to escape to the Northern Desert, establish a new royal court, take care of the remaining soldiers, and wait a hundred years for your descendants to avenge me."
Tears in his eyes, whispered, "Father..."
Huyan Hutu raised his hand to stop him, "No time to waste, quickly follow my orders. Slaughter the horses that can't run, let the others rest briefly, do not leave a single horse for the Central Plains people!"
His subordinates affirmed, "Yes!"
The sky quickly darkened.
The troops defending against Yuan Congyun were also depleted.
Huyan Hutu's horses were not enough, many soldiers were left behind to delay Yuan Congyun, but the Xiongnu people without warhorses could not withstand the iron cavalry, and Yuan Congyun quickly caught up.
During the pursuit, Yuan Congyun saw the horses slain along the way, sighing with pity.
As he drew closer to Huyan Hutu, he saw the army divided into three groups, each fleeing in a different direction.
Shaking his head, Yuan Congyun muttered, "It's just a dying struggle."
He then ordered his troops to split into three groups and pursue in different directions.
*
Chu Hechao had slain twenty thousand Wuhuan cavalry, leaving no captives.
He spared the Xiongnu civilians under the Youxian command, rounding them up as captives and stationed in the Youxian's territory, awaiting news from Yuan Congyun.
Five days later, a weary Yuan Congyun returned, dusty from his journey. Despite the fatigue from the long trek, he appeared radiant and exhilarated, as if drunk on victory. Holding Huyan Hutu's head in one hand and pushing the tightly bound Youxian Prince before Chu Hechao, he knelt down and declared loudly, "General, your subordinate has fulfilled the mission!"
Chu Hechao took a glance at the head to confirm it was indeed Huyan Hutu, then burst into a broad smile, exclaiming, "Excellent! I commend you for your great achievement!"