Fu Luohan looked at Zhang Xin with a bitter expression, and in an instant, all the flaws in his plan came flooding back to him.
Why were all the corpses on the battlefield Xianbei, and not a single Han soldier among them? Even if the scout earlier hadn't recognized him, surely he would have recognized the officials from the other tribes.
He had been in too much of a hurry to think it through.
Now that he reflected on it, it was obvious—Kui Tou had likely already been defeated, and the Han army had taken control of this place. Their numbers were too small to confront him directly, so they had used Wuhuan troops disguised as Xianbei to lure him back.
Damn it… I was careless.
Seeing that Fu Luohan had fallen for the trap, Zhang Xin finally relaxed. Time had been too tight—he hadn't been able to plan thoroughly and could only gamble.
Fortunately, the enemy had been just as rushed.
And he had won the bet.
"Who are you?" Zhang Xin asked coldly.
"You Han people are cunning and deceitful—not worthy of being called heroes!" Fu Luohan snorted and turned his head away.
He still held onto a sliver of hope.
There were still nine thousand troops outside the royal court. If he could stall for time, those warriors—eager to return—would eventually charge in. The Han forces must be small if they resorted to such tricks. Once the army returned, they could wipe them out.
Fu Luohan was prepared to sacrifice himself.
After all, Kui Tou had led six thousand men. There was no way he could have been easily defeated. As long as his brother still lived and could regroup with the army, there was still hope for the Xianbei.
Seeing his silence, Zhang Xin turned to Ju Shu.
"Do you know who he is?"
Ju Shu, who had earlier disguised himself as a scout, replied, "He calls himself Fu Luohan—Kui Tou's younger brother."
"No wonder," Zhang Xin nodded. "Bring Kui Tou and Qianman here. Let them confirm it."
"My brother… and Qianman… both captured?" Fu Luohan's eyes widened in shock.
Zhang Xin chuckled. "You'll see soon enough."
Moments later, Kui Tou and Qianman were brought in. The moment Fu Luohan saw them, all strength drained from his body. He collapsed to the ground like a deflated balloon.
So that's it… all of us brothers have fallen into Han hands. What's the point of resisting anymore?
"Fu Luohan! How did you end up captured too?" Kui Tou cried out in disbelief.
After his own capture, Fu Luohan had been his last hope. The Western Xianbei forces had not gone far—if Fu Luohan had reacted quickly, he could have returned in time.
And he had returned.
But as a prisoner.
"I was deceived by the Han," Fu Luohan said bitterly, recounting what had happened.
"If I had known you were coming, why would I have sent a stranger?" Kui Tou raged, stamping his foot. "Foolish brother!"
"Silence." Zhang Xin waved his hand. "Give them each two slaps."
Niu Feng stepped forward. Two sharp smacks rang out, and the tent fell quiet.
Zhang Xin looked back at Fu Luohan.
"I'll ask, you answer. Tell the truth, and I guarantee your lives."
"Really?" Fu Luohan looked up.
"A man must stand by his word," Zhang Xin said calmly.
Fu Luohan hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Ask."
There was no point resisting now. If they angered Zhang Xin, he might kill them all, leaving others to benefit.
"Why do you have ten thousand troops?" Zhang Xin asked. "The Western Xianbei usually split their forces between Youzhou and Bingzhou. You shouldn't be able to gather so many so quickly."
"We didn't go to Bingzhou this year," Fu Luohan replied. "We all came to Youzhou. My brother intended to take advantage of the Wuhuan division in Shanggu and annex them."
Ju Shu and Wu Xue's expressions immediately changed.
"The army outside isn't ten thousand—just over nine thousand," Fu Luohan continued. "Six thousand from the three tribal leaders and royal court… and three thousand Wuhuan from Nengchen Di's tribe."
Zhang Xin's face darkened. "Nengchen Di surrendered to you?"
"Yes."
Ju Shu couldn't help but ask, "What about my people?"
Fu Luohan looked confused.
"He's a geomancer," Zhang Xin said casually.
"The Ju Shu tribe fled into the Taihang Mountains," Fu Luohan answered.
Ju Shu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Xin thought for a moment, then turned to him. "Find someone clever—someone Nengchen Di doesn't know. Send him to summon Nengchen Di to the royal tent. Say Kui Tou wants to see him—alone."
"If he refuses, threaten him."
"As for the other three leaders—if they object, have him tell them to come and speak to Kui Tou themselves."
At night, visibility was poor. Fu Luohan had already been tricked once—this would work again.
But Nengchen Di knew Ju Shu, so he couldn't be used.
"Yes," Ju Shu replied, bowing before leaving.
Kui Tou closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
The Western Xianbei… were finished.
Soon, a Wuhuan messenger rode to the Xianbei camp.
"Where is Nengchen Di?" he shouted.
"I am here," Nengchen Di replied, stepping forward.
"Lord Kui Tou summons you. Come with me."
"Alone?" Nengchen Di hesitated, suspicion rising.
Was Kui Tou planning to eliminate him?
"Do you dare refuse?" the messenger snapped. "Lord Kui Tou said—if you don't come, you are disloyal. The three leaders will destroy you immediately!"
"We are here!" the three leaders responded at once.
The messenger's authority was unquestioned.
"Wait!" Nengchen Di quickly rode forward, forcing a smile. "I'll go. I'll go."
"Then follow me."
Just as they were about to leave, one of the leaders spoke up.
"Did Lord Kui Tou say how we are to proceed? The men are cold and waiting."
"Yes, yes," the others echoed.
The messenger shook his head. "The lord gave no such order. If you have concerns, come and speak to him directly."
"Fine."
"Let's go together."
"Together, then."
And so, all four followed him into the royal court… and into the royal tent.
"Welcome."
Zhang Xin's voice rang out.
In the next instant—
Cold blades pressed against their throats.
"General… General Ming?!" Nengchen Di's legs gave out as he collapsed to his knees.
"Spare me, General! Spare me!"