In Shangdang City, after the army set off, Wang Han specially set up a pharmacy to study medicines, and he would often come here to learn and discuss medical techniques.

After three months of continuous research and experimentation, and with the tireless efforts of Hua Tuo and many other famous doctors, they finally developed the drug that Wang Han requested, addiction, based only on some hints and requests from Wang Han.

In the pharmacy, Hua Tuo carefully held a bottle of medicine in his hand and said with some concern to Wang Han, who was performing surgery on a rabbit that had been anesthetized by Mafeisan, "My lord, I have successfully prepared the drug according to your instructions. However, I do not know whether preparing this drug is right or wrong. This drug can no longer be called a medicine; it is more like a poison that can make people abandon everything. There is no cure; one can only save oneself. Only those with great willpower can succeed."

"Hua Tuo, you've done well. You truly deserve to be the top pharmacist in Shangdang City." Upon hearing this, Wang Han stopped wielding his thin knife and smiled at Hua Tuo, saying, "To people, this is poison, not medicine; to matters, this is not poison, but medicine. To save lives, this is poison, beyond cure, but against the enemy, it is a good medicine that can save many more warriors."

"My lord, it is best to use this substance sparingly, as it is truly against the natural order." Hua Tuo, upon hearing this, knew he couldn't stop Wang Han from using his addiction in the war, but he still advised him.

"I know what I'm doing," Wang Han said. "The formula for this medicine will be managed by the pharmacy and must not be leaked. No one else is allowed to know it either. Anyone who disobeys will be arrested by the pharmacy."

"Yes." Hua Tuo could only reluctantly accept the order.

Wang Han took the bait and continued, "In addition, I have another drug that I need you to study."

"My lord, please give your orders," Hua Tuo said hastily, though he was worried that Wang Han might say something similar to addiction.

"I want you to develop a better drug that can keep people excited while also reducing their pain," Wang Han said. "It should not only reduce pain and sensation more than anesthetic, but even make them feel no pain at all. This will make it easier for doctors to treat them. Our soldiers are fighting with their lives, so we must provide them with better medical support."

"Yes, my lord." Hearing this, Hua Tuo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "Your subordinate will definitely figure it out as soon as possible."

"You can go down now," Wang Han said, then continued his work, the thin knife gently slicing open the rabbit's internal organs in front of him.

………………………………………………

"Kill..." On the grassland, two cavalry units of 30,000 men each attacked a 50,000-man Xiongnu cavalry unit from both sides simultaneously.

Blindfolded horses charged desperately into the Xiongnu formation, disrupting their formation and ramming their horses. The Xianbei and Wuhuan cavalry on the horses shouted and swung their swords, hacking at the Xiongnu cavalry.

The Xiongnu used strips of cloth to bind their nicked swords tightly to their hands, so that their aching hands would not be able to hold the swords after a long battle. They fought to the death with the Xianbei and Wuhuan cavalry, ready to die for their cause.

This war was far more brutal than the Xiongnu had imagined. It was no longer just a struggle for resources or a fight for territory; it was a battle for the survival of the entire nation. Their enemies wanted not only their land and livestock, but also the extermination of their people, to erase their name from the grasslands and make them a thing of the past.

For the past three months, since the Marquis of Dingshan's army arrived on the grasslands, they have launched a series of major battles. Other grassland tribes have also taken the opportunity to attack them with all their might. The wars that they had been barely holding on with other grassland tribes suddenly turned into a series of defeats. Moreover, with the addition of the Marquis of Dingshan's army, they suffered crushing defeats and did not achieve any victories. When fighting against the Marquis of Dingshan's army alone, they even lost several thousand men in a single battle.

They kept retreating, sending envoys to sue for peace, even offering to give up the grasslands and all their cattle and sheep in exchange for a way to survive and migrate away from the grasslands. The conditions for peace kept increasing, but the peace talks kept failing, and none of the envoys returned alive. All that returned were heads thrown out at the start of the next battle.

Now they are almost at their wits' end. In three months of fierce fighting, almost half of the warriors from each tribe have died, and those who remain are fighting with wounds.

Although their swords were nicked and worn, and after three months of brutal fighting and fleeing, everyone was exhausted, their eyes still held fighting spirit, or rather, a death wish. Behind them lay their Xiongnu capital, where the elderly and children of their tribe remained. They were practically the last remaining warriors of the Xiongnu. Now, facing 60,000 cavalrymen from the combined forces of the Xianbei and Wuhuan, and the menacing Han army of the Marquis of Dingshan in the distance, not one of them fled. They were all prepared to die in this battle, to buy time.

Blood splattered everywhere, and dead soldiers fell from their horses one after another, trampled by the blindfolded horses behind them.

……………………………………

On a high hillside, Zhao Liu looked at the cavalry battle taking place in the distance and said to Cao Cao, "Marshal, the Xianbei and Wuhuan cavalry have begun fighting the Xiongnu. Should we open fire now?"

"Wait a little longer." Upon hearing this, Cao Cao shook his head and said, "We should watch them fight like dogs first, and then wipe them all out in one fell swoop after they are all exhausted."

Cao Cao understood Wang Han's intentions; Wang Han wanted these foreign tribes to weaken each other. Cao Cao himself was a ruthless man.

"Marshal Cao." A Xianbei cavalryman quickly rode up the hillside, dismounted, and knelt down to Cao Cao, saying, "Marshal Cao, the Xiongnu are resisting too fiercely, and our side has suffered heavy losses. General Hutu requests that you immediately send troops to join the battle."

"Tell your General Hutu that our army is currently making preparations. Tell him to hold out for another half an hour. Once the preparations are complete, we will send out our troops," Cao Cao said upon hearing this.

"This..." Upon hearing this, the Xianbei cavalryman was extremely anxious, but there was nothing he could do but spur his horse back to report.