"Master, the journey to Luoyang is long, and we have only brought so few people. Aren't we a bit underprepared?" Liao Hua glanced back at the group, a little worried, as they had left Jicheng some days ago and were about to leave Youzhou.
Qin Longyang laughed, "Why bring so many people? We are going to Luoyang to accept an appointment, not to attack it. A large group would only attract unnecessary trouble, and moving with fewer people is swifter."
Liao Hua nodded and said no more. Qin Longyang, intrigued, looked at the silent Liao Hua and smiled.
"What's on your mind, Yuanjian?"
"Huh?" Liao Hua was startled. He nodded absentmindedly, then shook his head, "No... nothing."
"Come on, speak up. You don't hesitate on the battlefield, do you?" Qin Longyang pretended to be angry.
"Well... I do have a request for you, my lord," Liao Hua hesitated for a moment but finally spoke up.
Qin Longyang smiled triumphantly, "Go ahead!"
"I am planning to marry Lady Yun'er and hope that you could... officiate our wedding."
"Who? Yun'er?" Qin Longyang was initially stunned, then understood, "Zhao Yun'er? Miss Zhao?"
"Yes."
"No wonder you seemed reluctant when I transferred you from Gong County. You should have told me sooner!" Qin Longyang laughed heartily, "I was the one who unwittingly separated you two lovebirds."
"How dare I complain, my lord? It was my fault for not telling you sooner."
Qin Longyang patted Liao Hua's shoulder, "It's a small matter! Once we return to Youzhou, I'll gather the brothers and give you a grand celebration!"
"Thank you, my lord!" Liao Hua was deeply moved. If not for being on horseback, he might have knelt in gratitude right then.
Qin Longyang nodded with a smile, feeling a twinge of jealousy. His generals were getting married, yet he, the lord, was still single, somewhat reflecting his own shortcomings.
But then he thought, he was no longer the salaryman hunched over a computer desk but a warlord of the Eastern Han Dynasty with his own territory. An ordinary woman might not even catch his eye.
Thinking of this, Qin Longyang's mind was filled with visions of a future surrounded by beautiful concubines.
"Damn it!" Qin Longyang cursed himself inwardly. "A real man should accomplish great things. Indulging in pleasures is what a foolish ruler does!"
After a brief mental struggle, Qin Longyang refocused on his mission. The heavens had given him this rare opportunity, not for him to be lost in women, but to change the fractured Central Plains!
...
Meanwhile, Wei You, following Qin Longyang's orders, arrived at the northern border of Jicheng to meet with Yu Fuluo. Accompanied only by Sun Lang and a few dozen scouts, it was clear he had full confidence in his mission.
"Mister, the encampment of Yu Fuluo lies ahead!" Sun Lang pointed to the rows of tents in the distance.
"General Sun, stay with the brothers outside Yu Fuluo's tent. Do not act rashly without my signal," Wei You instructed.
Sun Lang replied, "Don't worry, sir."
Inside the Xiongnu's main tent, Yu Fuluo and his remaining generals were discussing important matters. A messenger rushed in, reporting, "General, a Han man has come alone, claiming to have urgent business with you!"
"A Han man?" Yu Fuluo frowned and then grew angry. He drew his dagger and stabbed it into the table. "I was humiliated at Jicheng, and now these Han people come to mock me? Too much! Today, I will carve him up!"
"Calm down, General," another Xiongnu general intervened. "Han people are cunning. If he dares to come alone, he must be well-prepared, or he's setting a trap. We should be cautious."
Yu Fuluo's eyes narrowed. He nodded, sheathing his dagger. "Bring him in. I want to see what trick this Han man has up his sleeve!"
Wei You stood calmly among the Xiongnu onlookers, their beast-like eyes fixed on him. He appeared unperturbed, even slightly disdainful of these barbarians.
Soon, the messenger returned with a few soldiers and gestured towards Wei You. "Mister, the General awaits in the main tent. Please, follow me."
The messenger spoke in broken Chinese, gesturing with a sly smile. Wei You wasn't fooled. He noticed the soldiers around him, all armed, with eyes full of hatred, ready to devour him.
Yet, Wei You simply smirked, flicked his sleeves, and walked into the main tent with his head held high. The Xiongnu guards followed closely behind.
"A lone Han man dares to enter the Xiongnu camp. I must admit, your courage impresses me," Yu Fuluo said, back turned, idly toying with a dagger on a wolf pelt.
"Wei You, a minor official under the Inspector of Youzhou, here on orders from my lord to discuss a mutually beneficial plan with the General," Wei You replied, pretending not to understand Yu Fuluo's meaning, formally introducing himself.
"Hahaha, mutually beneficial?" Yu Fuluo let out a sinister laugh, turning to glare coldly at Wei You. "You Han people are deceitful, eager to see us Xiongnu dead. What's this so-called mutual benefit?"
Yu Fuluo stabbed the dagger into the table, and the guards drew their swords. The atmosphere was tense, as if ready to explode.
Yu Fuluo expected this weak-looking Han man to be frightened. However, Wei You showed no fear; instead, he had a calm expression with a hint of mockery.
Yu Fuluo felt a chill. Though separated by a table, Wei You's imposing presence seemed to strike directly at his mental defenses.
"Back in the Spring and Autumn period, Zhao's Lian Po faced off against Qin's Zhao Xiang in Mianchi, bravely defending his king's honor," Wei You suddenly shouted, slamming the table and startling everyone. "As the saying goes, 'A commoner in anger can spill blood five steps away.' I, Wei You, have no intention of returning. General, do you wish for me to be the next Lian Po?"
His fierce words shook the tent. The guards took a step back in surprise, and Yu Fuluo gasped. Wei You seemed determined to risk everything.
"Heh, sir, you might not understand the situation," Yu Fuluo sneered, scanning the room. "You're surrounded by my Xiongnu warriors. It's doubtful you could even get close to me, let alone harm me."
"Hahaha," Wei You laughed fearlessly, pulling out a whistle from his sleeve. "It seems the General underestimates me!"
Wei You blew the whistle, and suddenly, arrows rained down, striking the guards. They groaned in pain, immobilized by poison, leaving only Wei You and Yu Fuluo standing.
"You!" Yu Fuluo realized the gravity of the situation. Wei You's display was a warning; he could easily kill him. Gripping his short sword, Yu Fuluo prepared to defend himself.
But Wei You smiled, gesturing for him to sit. "I understand the temper of the Xiongnu. But today's proposal, does the General not want to hear it?"
Yu Fuluo clenched his fists, reluctantly sitting down. "I know Liu Yan, the Inspector of Youzhou. A capable man, but I doubt he could raise a skilled speaker like you. Who do you truly serve?"
Wei You smiled, "Thank you for the compliment. I'm just a humble subordinate of General Qin Longyang, the new Inspector of Youzhou."
A humble subordinate—Wei You's words implied that even a formidable person like himself was just a small figure under Qin Longyang, hinting at the strength of Qin Longyang's men.
Unfortunately, Yu Fuluo had never met Qin Longyang. But after being defeated at Jicheng, he often imagined a demonic figure amidst a sea of corpses.
"If you're here to discuss important matters, then please, speak plainly," Yu Fuluo said, slightly softening his tone, indicating his willingness to listen.
"Hahaha, the General is indeed straightforward," Wei You chuckled, stroking his beard. "Do you still remember your tribe, the Xianbei?"
"Xianbei!" Yu Fuluo exclaimed. No one had mentioned that name for a long time. His eyes lit up, then dimmed. "You're jesting, sir. The Xianbei no longer exist. I, the former Xianbei king, am now merely a Xiongnu general."
"The law of the jungle has always been your people's rule. I won't argue with that. But as I understand, had it not been for Xiongnu's Chanyu Huchuquan enticing the Wuhuan, you wouldn't have faced enemies on two fronts. And he only integrated your Xianbei warriors to conquer the Wuhuan, unifying the steppe."
Wei You had done his homework, recounting the events vividly. Yu Fuluo gritted his teeth, fists clenched.
"But," Yu Fuluo sighed, "as you Han people say, 'All's fair in war.' Since we lost, we had to submit to Huchuquan."
"Even though the General led an army of seventy thousand to attack the Central Plains, he suffered a crushing defeat outside Ji City. Hu Chuquan's beloved youngest son also died in the chaos of battle."
" Forgive my bluntness, but if you advances, you will only die in Youzhou. If you retreats, you will be executed by Hu Chuquan. In such a dilemma, the General is stationed here, neither close to the northern desert nor the Central Plains. Am I correct?"
Yu Fuluo was somewhat shocked. The Han people were indeed calculating. Wei You appeared calm, and it seemed he had already considered all possible outcomes before leaving Ji City.
"Indeed, as you say... Sir, if you can provide guidance, Yu Fuluo would be deeply grateful!"
Wei You laughed heartily. "At this point, General, there's no need to feign ignorance. If my lord did not intend to recruit you, he would have already led tens of thousands of troops from the city to eliminate you. Today, he sent me here to offer you an irresistible proposition."
"Please speak, sir!"
"If the General leads the Xianbei tribe to break away from the Xiongnu, our army will provide all the support needed for the General to unify the grasslands. Afterward, the General will serve under my lord."
"Externally, you will be the king of the grasslands. Internally, you will be a general under my lord. Henceforth, the northern desert and the Central Plains will be like family, with free trade and no more wars. What does the General think?"
"This isn't just a proposition; it's a blessing for the Xianbei people!" Yu Fuluo wept with emotion. In his mind, Han people had always been wary of them. Being treated like family? That was a pipe dream! "Yu Fuluo thanks you, sir! Thanks to the Inspector!"
"So, the General agrees?" Wei You was also pleasantly surprised. It seemed things were progressing smoothly, and he had fulfilled his mission.
"I agree! From now on, Yu Fuluo will await the Inspector's orders. If I harbor any ill intentions, may heaven and earth strike me down!"
"Good!"
With the matter settled, Wei You and Yu Fuluo swore an oath. The threat from the Xiongnu was naturally resolved.