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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 193: Yulin Alliance
As the chase continued relentlessly, both sides were exhausted. Khan's guards escorted Shibi Khan into the city of Yulin, while Zhang Hutan was intercepted outside the city.
Fortunately, Qin Shubao noticed that Liu Wuzhou and his men showed no signs of retreating, so he rushed to provide support. The two surrounded the city, waiting for reinforcements. After a brief rest, Khan's guards attempted to break out back to the grasslands but were fiercely intercepted by Qin Shubao.
Li Jian Cheng and Li Jing led their troops to join the fray. Shibi Khan found himself trapped in the city, much like Yang Guang of old.
Li Jing immediately ordered Dan Xiongxin to continue north to reclaim Wuyuan County and monitor any Turks attempting to come to the rescue. He then began preparations for the siege of Shian, while Li Jian Cheng sent orders to the provincial troops from Diao Yin Ling Wu and other regions to reclaim all of Shuofang and gather their forces.
At this moment, Li Jian Cheng finally had time to speak with Li Jing: "On the battlefield, things truly change in an instant. Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu managed to escape with their troops."
Li Jing chuckled, "It was always a matter of convenience. Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu are fortunate enough to be rascals; they cannot withstand adversity together."
"My lord," he continued, "the pressing issue now is how to deal with Shibi Khan. It won't be difficult for our army to take Yulin; Shibi Khan did not bring many troops with him. The Turks in Yulin are fewer than the Han Chinese and are unlikely to fight fiercely for Shibi Khan."
Li Jian Cheng felt somewhat troubled. Killing Shibi Khan would bring fame but little else of substance; if they truly wanted him dead, they wouldn't have come to his rescue.
The Turkic desire to move south was not merely due to one Khan's ambition but rather the collective will of the Turkic people.
Just as a strong central court would seek ways to suppress the grasslands.
Shibi Khan had ambition and spirit but lacked ability and vision; he could not even manage internal Turkic affairs well, let alone lead a southern campaign.
Thus, compared to another unknown Prairie Khan with uncertain capabilities, Li Jian Cheng preferred that Shibi Khan continue leading the Turkic people—at least he wouldn't cause any major chaos.
"First, we will besiege the city, but do not kill Shibi Khan."
Li Jing received the order and immediately set off to make arrangements, while Li Jian Cheng established his camp. They needed to make Shibi Khan recognize the reality before continuing their discussions.
In the following days of offense and defense, news reached the Turkic side, prompting reinforcements to rush over. However, they were met with layers of ambushes laid by Li Jing. By the time they reached the city of Yulin, only a few hundred to a thousand cavalry remained, which were then easily harvested by the waiting Qin Shubao.
The city of Yulin could no longer hold out, and Shibi Khan finally sent envoys. This time, his attitude was much better. When discussing the relationship between the two, with Anar present, they were indeed related by marriage.
Li Jian Cheng clearly expressed that he would not kill Shibi Khan; he only hoped for a meeting outside the city before sending the Khan back to the grasslands.
Upon receiving this news, Shibi Khan disregarded the advice of those around him and led his troops out of the city. After all, they could not hold out for many more days, and he believed that Li Jian Cheng would not kill him.
Just as he had never intended to kill Li Jian Cheng during his southern expedition, their relationship had not reached such a point.
Li Jian Cheng arrived before Shibi Khan with his guards Qin Shubao and Zhang Hutan. He frowned and said, "Khan, you have lost quite a bit of weight; it seems your injuries have not yet healed. Why trouble yourself to come south?"
Shibi Khan sighed, "Opportunities are fleeting. Unfortunately, I hesitated at that time and did not bring enough of my own troops. Relying on Han Chinese forces is indeed unwise."
Li Jian Cheng did not engage in further conversation but remarked, "If your main forces were to emerge in full force, then problems would surely arise in your rear."
"Hmph, this is all thanks to you," Shibi Khan retorted.
Li Jian Cheng smiled and replied, "Not only does Khan have great ambitions, but Jian Cheng also does not wish to live an ordinary life."
"I have already told you that I will share the world with you."
"I want to be an emperor—a true emperor—under heaven there cannot be another Khan above me."
Shibi Khan exhaled deeply and asked, "Then what do you intend to do?"
"I don't care how it goes; I just hope Khan returns to the grasslands and doesn't head south. This world will soon be at peace, and Turkic won't have a chance."
"You are still so confident."
"Khan, I have only been in Turkic for two or three years, yet I can already stir up internal strife among you. Meanwhile, I have been plotting in the Central Plains for over a decade; it is only natural that I aim for supremacy."
Li Jian Cheng's tone was calm, but the confidence behind it shook Shibi Khan. Qin Shubao and the other attendants felt invigorated, looking at their lord's back with a sense of security.
"Khan, I wish to make an alliance with you in Yulin City, where neither side will attack the other and we can trade. I can supply grain and treasures in exchange for horses and sheepskins from the grasslands. We could even support each other..."
Li Jian Cheng spoke at length, but Shibi Khan hardly paid attention. His life was now in their hands; what conditions could he refuse? Besides, these terms were not unreasonable.
...
In Jiangdu, Sima Dekan summoned the leaders of the Valiant Fruit Army and directly informed them of their preparations for rebellion. The subordinates were surprised but did not shout; they merely exchanged glances.
Sima Dekan knew that great things were about to happen and began to explain their plans. When they heard that General Yuwen Huaji was involved, the officers felt reassured.
The news that the emperor had prepared poisoned wine to kill them had spread by now. Although they suspected it was mostly rumor, they were indeed disappointed by the emperor. They couldn't return home without killing him.
The last one from Guanzhong, a well-known rogue representing everyone, said, "We are willing to follow the general into action, but we still wish to return home afterward. We earnestly request the general's promise."
From behind the screen, Yuwen Zhiji stepped out and said, "Once our plan succeeds, gentlemen shall all become dukes. How could we abandon such an opportunity?"
However, only a few leaders reacted to this statement. The emperor had already fed them too many empty promises. The leader Gongsun Wuda insisted, "If we covet wealth and nobility, why should we follow the general into battle?"
Yuwen Zhiji's expression darkened immediately, but Gongsun Wuda and others showed no fear. They dared to kill the emperor; what was a mere Yuwen Er?
"You all know that Guanzhong already belongs to the Li Family."
Gongsun Wuda smiled and said, "We are all Qin's Clan Members; we know the Li Family well enough. There's no need to worry about the monitoring fees."
Yuwen Zhiji wanted to say something more but was stopped by Sima Dekan: "Alright, it's settled."
The generals bowed and replied, "We obey your command!"
After receiving their orders, everyone left but consciously gathered together. Someone whispered, "What kind of nature do these two from the Yuwen Family have? Don't we already know?
Brother, even if we help them usurp the throne, they probably won't let us go back."
Another person said, "Yuwen Huaji is greedy and cruel like a snake or a pig, while Yuwen Zhiji is depraved and vile in every way. Not to mention letting us return to Guanzhong; they will likely turn against us."
Seeing that Gongsun Wuda did not respond, everyone exchanged glances: "Brother, please take us back home. I heard you had dealings with Li Langjun in the past. Could we possibly serve in Chang'an? If that's not feasible, we could at least go to Taiyuan."
……………
(End of Chapter)
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