Royal Court of Tanhan Mountain
Inside the grand tent, Kui Tou looked at the returning messenger with open disdain.
"You're saying both Nengchen Di and Ju Shu are afraid?"
"Yes," the envoy replied with equal contempt. "A mere youth who won once through a surprise attack against Qiuliju has terrified the entire Wuhuan. This generation of Wuhuan is finished."
He paused, then added, "My lord, since we're already heading south to raid, why not take the Wuhuan tribes along the way?"
Kui Tou's eyes lit up instantly.
Not impossible…
The Wuhuan of Shanggu numbered over fifty thousand. Now divided into two factions, they were vulnerable. They had no fortified cities—easy prey.
Even if total annexation failed, capturing tens of thousands would already be a great gain.
After all, the Xianbei and Wuhuan shared the same origin, both descended from the Donghu. Their languages and customs were similar—assimilation would not be difficult.
After some thought, Kui Tou ordered, "Summon the tribal leaders."
—
Two days later, over a dozen chieftains gathered.
"My lord, we were about to depart—why call us back?" they asked.
Kui Tou spoke calmly, "This year, we change our target. Not Bingzhou—Youzhou."
At once, objections arose.
"Back in the days of Tan Shihuai, we only received Dai and Shanggu from Youzhou. That was never enough!"
"If we go deeper, distance becomes an issue—and other tribes may be dissatisfied!"
"What if internal conflict breaks out?"
Kui Tou raised a hand. "This time, there will be enough."
He smiled faintly. "Since Nan Lou's death, the Shanggu Wuhuan have split. Zhang Xin—the Han-appointed Protector—has kept them under control like trained dogs."
The chieftains frowned. "What does that have to do with us?"
"I've heard he opened trade markets in Yuyang, giving them favorable terms," Kui Tou continued. "After all this time, their grain stores must be overflowing."
Realization dawned.
"You mean…?"
"I intend to annex the Shanggu Wuhuan."
He laid out the plan:
"Each tribe can field at most five or six thousand men now. We strike north first at Nengchen Di, then south at Ju Shu."
"Kill their men. Take their women. Seize their grain."
The tent erupted in excitement—yet one chieftain hesitated.
"What if Zhang Xin intervenes? If he joins forces with them, we could face over fifteen thousand troops."
Others nodded. Raiding was one thing—full war was another.
Kui Tou smiled.
"In past years, we raided in scattered groups. The Han are used to defending cities."
"But this time—we move together."
"They will never expect it."
He pointed at the map.
"Ning County is empty. We cross the pass, descend along the Chuqiu River, and reach Nengchen Di in half a day."
"If we crush them quickly, Zhang Xin won't matter."
"If he hides in the city, fine. If he comes out—we kill him."
That did it.
The chieftains began pledging troops.
"A thousand from me!"
"Twelve hundred!"
"Eight hundred!"
Soon, they gathered seventeen thousand men.
"I'll contribute three thousand more," Kui Tou said. "Twenty thousand in total. Prepare your forces—we march once assembled!"
"Agreed!"
—
After the others left, Kui Tou turned to a young man behind him.
"Fu Luohan. You will command this campaign."
"Brother, you're not going?" he asked, startled.
"I cannot leave the royal court now," Kui Tou said quietly.
Fu Luohan immediately understood.
The rightful heir, Qianman, had come of age. Factions were stirring. If Kui Tou left, rebellion might erupt.
"Then why not eliminate him?" Fu Luohan gestured.
Kui Tou shook his head. "Too many eyes are watching. If Qianman dies now, the old guard will revolt. Not yet."
"I understand." Fu Luohan bowed. "I will not fail you."
"Go. And inform Budugen—we may need him."
—
As the Xianbei mobilized, tension spread across Youzhou.
Suli and Gujin invaded Liaoxi, Xuantu, and Liaodong.
Budugen advanced toward Youbeiping and Yuyang.
Kui Tou's main force marched on Ning County.
—
Near the Qiu River
Budugen met a messenger from Fu Luohan.
"I understand," he said. "Tell my brother—with me here, Zhang Xin won't leave Yuyang."
With over ten thousand cavalry, Budugen advanced south.
Upon entering Yuyang territory, he slowed.
Ahead lay a narrow valley between Xixi and Guangping—perfect for ambush.
"Stop."
He sent scouts into the hills.
—
Hidden among the trees, Zhang Xin watched.
The scouts were getting dangerously close.
"No choice," he muttered. "Fire!"
Arrows rained down, killing over ten Xianbei.
His banner rose.
Budugen frowned. "Retreat."
Even as the Xianbei withdrew, two cavalry forces burst from the flanks—
Lü Bu on the left, Guan Yu on the right.
"Budugen! Don't run!"
But Budugen remained calm, leaving a rear guard and withdrawing in perfect order.
Zhang Xin watched, then sighed.
"Sound the retreat."
—
Back in camp, Lü Bu was dissatisfied.
"My lord, why withdraw? I barely got started!"
"The terrain favored us," Zhang Xin explained. "Now that they've exited the valley, your five hundred cavalry would be outmatched."
"With Yun Chang, we'd still win!" Lü Bu insisted.
Zhang Xin smiled. "I trust your bravery. I don't trust the survivability of your men."
"We've already killed over two hundred with no losses. That's enough."
Lü Bu fell silent—especially after noticing Dian Wei glaring at him like a guardian spirit.
—
Budugen, seeing the path blocked, detoured east toward the Ru River.
"Let's see how you stop me in open terrain," he sneered.
After two days, with only scouts trailing him, he relaxed.
"Advance!"
—
Zhang Xin's Command Tent
"Confirmed?" Zhang Xin asked.
"Over ten thousand troops heading south—likely at Lulong Pass by now," the scout reported.
"Excellent."
Zhang Xin stood.
"Niu Feng—assemble the generals!"
—
Soon, all were present.
Zhang Xin spoke:
"Budugen has moved. That means the Xianbei homeland is exposed."
He began issuing orders.
"Guan Yu, Zhang Liao!"
"Present!"
"You will lead 500 Han troops and 1,500 Wuhuan cavalry eastward—destroy the tribes of Suli and Gujin."
"Understood!"
"Zuo Bao, Yang Yi, Zhao Yun!"
"You will lead 500 Han troops and 1,000 Wuhuan cavalry—strike Budugen's base."
"Yes!"
"Lü Bu, Yan Rou, Wu Xue, Ju Shu—you come with me."
A pause.
"We strike Tanhan Mountain."
The tent went silent—then erupted.
"Understood!"
Zhang Xin's eyes burned.
"Tell the men—all spoils are theirs. I take nothing."
Cheers thundered.
Then his tone turned cold.
"Beyond the pass—kill all you see. Burn all grain. I want no prisoners—only heads."
"The Xianbei raid us every year."
"Fine."
"If they cross the border—so will I."
"If they burn, kill, and plunder—so will I."
"I'll teach them what pain means."
"Drink!"
"DRINK!"