novelraw Chapter 827: Side Story: The National Letter (Part 3)
Chapter 827: Side Story: The National Letter (Part 3)
The worst scenario did not occur.
The Tatar and Gaoche tribes often clash with the Rouran, occasionally going to war. Now that the Rouran Khan is in the hands of the Da Liang court as a hostage, they are eager to watch the drama unfold, with no intention of sending troops at all.
The Rouran tribe, however, put up a fierce resistance. As the army penetrated deep into the grassland, they encountered continuous attacks from the tribes. All were easily exterminated by the troops led by the Left General.
The march was accompanied by slaughter, eliminating at least a dozen tribal cavalry.
The blood of the Rouran Barbarians soaked the grassland. The vast grassland was finally quelled by this iron-fisted approach and fell completely silent.
The grassland is so vast that if the Rouran tribe intentionally hides, the Da Liang Army would find it nearly impossible to track them. This is the first deep incursion into the grassland by Da Liang in its two-hundred-year history.
Fortunately, with the Rouran Khan, Fu Mingdun, held as a hostage, the Rouran Barbarians cannot ignore the Khan’s life. Fu Mingdun’s several sons also dare not leave their father unrescued.
A month after entering the grassland, Fu Mingdun’s descendants finally showed themselves.
Leading the group was Fu Mingdun’s youngest son, Shi Luohou.
The inheritance rules of the Grassland Tribes differ from those of the Da Liang Dynasty. Da Liang adheres to the principle of legitimate succession, overriding length of rule only when no legitimate heir is present. Jiang Shaohua succeeded the throne as the Commandery Princess because the Emperor perished, the Princess was harmed, and Prince Ping, being an ignorant child, was unable to undertake the responsibility. Hence, the courtiers reluctantly supported and crowned Jiang Shaohua as Emperor.
In the Grassland Tribes, the eldest son splits the inheritance, while the youngest stays by the hearth. Shi Luohou, aged twenty-six, is Fu Mingdun’s most cherished youngest son, with the most elite soldiers under his command. If Fu Mingdun perishes in Da Liang, Shi Luohou would succeed as the Rouran Khan, consolidate power over a few years, and then lead an army against Da Liang to avenge his father.
Now, his father has become a hostage, necessitating the exchange for all the slaves. This is an immense humiliation for the Rouran tribe.
Shi Luohou’s brothers have mixed reactions; some agree while others oppose. One ambitious sibling even proposed using Da Liang’s army’s isolation to annihilate them.
Shi Luohou mercilessly expelled the crude brother, commanding everyone to surrender their slaves. Then he personally led the slaves to meet the army and retrieve his father.
To demonstrate sincerity, Shi Luohou brought only ten thousand cavalry. However, the number of citizens brought from Da Liang was as countless as the grass on the plains.
As these ragged and weak slaves, devoid of light in their eyes, appeared before the army, even the left general, with a heart of stone, felt as if a sharp blade pierced his chest, making his eyes burn with pain.
How many people are there?
It was impossible to count.
Everywhere, as far as the eye could see, were citizens of Da Liang captured as slaves.
The Left General took a deep breath and dismounted from his war horse.
Liu Hengchang approached the prison cart and opened the door. Fu Mingdun’s leg ropes were cut, but the chains on his wrists continued to jingle.
Liu Hengchang unsheathed a long knife, pressing it against Fu Mingdun’s back. Should Fu Mingdun move or the Rouran Barbarians across show any abnormal actions, this long knife would unhesitatingly pierce Fu Mingdun’s heart.
Shi Luohou raised his hand, signaling everyone behind him not to act recklessly. Then, Shi Luohou dismounted his horse alone.
Between the two armies stood a military tent.
The Left General entered the tent first, Liu Hengchang escorting Fu Mingdun followed inside. Shi Luohou also, under the watchful eyes of all, entered the tent.
"Father Khan!"
Upon seeing Fu Mingdun’s plight, Shi Luohou’s eyes reddened immediately: "Your son is incompetent, allowing Father Khan to suffer such a disgrace. In the future, your son will surely avenge this humiliation for Father Khan."
Inside the tent were only four people. In front of the two Da Liang military generals, Shi Luohou knelt down with bloodshot eyes, tears streaming down like rain, shouting hoarsely.
Fu Mingdun, with a rag stuffed in his mouth, failed to say a word, merely groaning a couple of times.
The Left General, having been in the border army for many years, was proficient in the Rouran language. Listening, he sneered: "Your Father Khan has slain countless Da Liang soldiers and citizens. Between Da Liang and the Rouran, there is a deep-seated animosity."
"The Emperor of Da Liang cherishes his people and sent us to deliver a national letter." Liu Hengchang, surprisingly fluent in Rouran, continued: "The Khan has been delivered, and you are here to receive the Emperor’s national letter."
"Upon receiving the letter, Da Liang and the Rouran will refrain from invading each other for five years."
The Left General glanced at Liu Hengchang. This Liu Hengchang even spoke the Rouran language fluently, a testament to his behind-the-scenes efforts.
With his father still under the enemy’s knife, Shi Luohou had no choice but to bow his head and receive the national letter.
The Left General sternly stated: "You and your father shall wait in the tent for half a day. Our general will lead the citizens of Da Liang away. At nightfall, only then can you depart."
Having said this, he turned to Liu Hengchang: "General Liu, you stay in the tent. Once the army and citizens have withdrawn, follow us with your troops."
This had been pre-arranged.
Liu Hengchang readily nodded.
The number of Da Liang citizens brought by the Rouran is immense, impossible to calculate. A rough estimate suggests at least several hundred thousand.
This too is part of Shi Luohou’s open scheme.
Firstly, it demonstrates his filial devotion to his father.
Secondly, Da Liang wants its people back, and he has given them all. Yet, carrying such a multitude, can they indeed leave the grassland?
...
The Left General was prepared for this.
A force of seventy thousand troops, leaving ten thousand elite for Liu Hengchang. The remaining sixty thousand troops, fifty thousand remain stationary, while another ten thousand dispersed among the citizens. Each soldier responsible for managing over ten citizens, wielding weapons and exuding killing intent for efficient marching.
The citizens, held captive as slaves for years or decades, fell silent before the gleaming weapons, their cries and wails reduced to whispers.
The army paved the way, cavalry surrounding front, back, left, and right. The citizens, numb and bewildered, were driven forward.
Seen from above, it resembled a pack of hunting dogs chasing a flock of sheep, moving very slowly.
Nonetheless, they were moving.
The Left General rode ahead, with trusted military generals whispering nervously: "General, we’re leaving Liu behind to cover us. If anything happens to General Liu, we can’t explain it to the Emperor."
The Left General calmly replied: "General Liu volunteered to cover us. Besides, other than him, no one can hold the line."
To become a renowned general requires courage and boldness.
On the off chance that Liu Hengchang encounters trouble, leading such a large group of citizens, escape is impossible, and a fierce battle is inevitable.
The grassland is a battlefield in all directions; until the last moment, no one can guarantee they can retreat safely.
By nightfall, the army had covered only a dozen miles.
For the cavalry, they could chase and catch up in an hour.
The sound of hooves echoed, the ground quivered incessantly.
Personal soldiers came hastily to report: "Informing the Great General, cavalry is rapidly approaching. Whether it is General Liu’s or not is still unclear."
Whether the Left General was worried or not was unknown. At any rate, his expression remained composed: "Send scouts to investigate; report back immediately with any news."