On the boundless grassland, a cavalry force of more than 170 men was galloping westward.

Torlu rode a black steed at the head of the procession, guiding its direction.

After leading his team on a run for more than two hours, Tuolu, who had been intently watching the road ahead, suddenly raised his spear, signaling to stop.

The people behind him also pulled on the reins, and Chen Qing immediately spurred his horse forward.

"Brother Tuolu, have you discovered anything?"

Tuolü nodded, then dismounted and squatted down in front of a pile of horse manure.

"Brother Chen Qing, look! This pile of horse manure is smooth and damp, clearly it wasn't there long ago. Our target should be just ahead!"

Chen Qing nodded, then asked, "Brother Tuo Lu, what are your plans next?"

Tuolü turned to look at the somewhat exhausted troops behind him and said in a deep voice:

"Those responsible for collecting cattle and sheep are the personal guards of the tribal leaders. Their fighting strength is extraordinary. If we chase after them like this, even if we win, we will suffer heavy losses. Moreover, there is no guarantee that some will escape and reveal our whereabouts!"

Chen Qing nodded: "That's right. Let's rest for a bit, send out scouts, and find out what's going on before making any plans!"

"good!"

Tuolü agreed and immediately ordered everyone to dismount and rest.

While the soldiers were busy watering and feeding their horses, Tuolü, Chen Qing, Keluntai, and Tali gathered together to discuss their next move.

Tuolu glanced at the group and said in a deep voice, "In this operation, we must kill every single enemy. Does anyone have any ideas?"

Tari thought for a moment, then said, “Brother Tuolü, a hundred miles to the west, there is a river flowing from southwest to northeast. That river is very turbulent, and neither men nor horses can cross it.”

Once they get there, they'll definitely change course and head southwest. There's a hillside to the southwest that can hide over a hundred people. Could we take a detour and ambush them there?

"Can!"

Tuolu nodded and then said, "Brother Tali, you are familiar with the terrain here, so I'll leave this matter to you. I'll lead the rest of the brothers to pursue and kill them!"

"Okay, I'll go right now!"

Tali agreed, then got up and began to greet the able-bodied men of his tribe.

Keluntai, who was standing to the side, said, "Brother Tuolü, there are more than thirty warriors from our tribe with them. Could you let me go and make contact with them first? That way, when the battle begins, we can persuade them to defect and catch the enemy off guard!"

"No, what if someone tells on you? How will you escape then? It's too dangerous!"

Tuolü shook his head, directly rejecting Keluntai's suggestion.

Keluntai quickly said, "Brother Tuolü, don't worry, the warriors of our tribe are all top-notch men, they won't betray me!"

“No, you can easily win them over on the front lines. There’s no need to take this risk!” Tuolu shook his head and refused.

Keluntai was still unwilling to give up: "But if the enemy sees me shouting in front of the battle lines, they will definitely preemptively attack our tribe's warriors. The losses will be too great then, and I don't want those warriors to die such a miserable death."

Besides, saving one more person increases our chances of winning, doesn't it?

"this......"

Upon hearing this, Tuo Lu hesitated for a moment and turned to look at Chen Qing beside him.

Chen Qing thought for a moment and said, "I think we can try Keluntai's method. Moreover, if the people of their tribe suddenly defect, it can also damage the enemy's morale!"

Hearing this, Tuolui turned to look at Keluntai, then nodded: "Alright then, but you must be careful and protect yourself."

Keluntai nodded heavily: "Please rest assured, Brother Tuolü!"

While they were talking, Tali gathered fifty soldiers from his tribe and broke away from the main force, heading southwest.

Not long after, the scouts who were on the lookout returned. Chen Qing went up to them, asked them a few questions, and then returned to Tuo Lu's side.

"According to the scouts, the enemy is resting about fifty miles to the west. Their total number is about one hundred and twenty, divided into two groups, guarding the cattle and sheep!"

Tuolü grunted and nodded: "If we exclude Keluntai's followers, they only have ninety men. It won't be difficult for us to win!"

"Brother Tuolu, if that's the case, then I'll head over now!"

Keluntai also stood up impatiently, about to walk towards his warhorse.

"slow!"

Seeing this, Chen Qing quickly called out to him, "Brother Keluntai, to avoid accidental injuries during the battle, your men need to be marked!"

"mark?"

Keluntai looked at Chen Qing with some doubt.

"That's right, a mark that belongs only to our team."

Chen Qing smiled, then took some red ribbons from the cloth bag on his horse and handed them to Keluntai.

"Take these and have your men wrap them around their left arms!"

"Yes, sir!"

Keluntai nodded and took the ribbons. Although he didn't understand their meaning, he liked the color.

After Keluntai left, Chen Qing took out a bright red, blank flag from his bag.

"Raise the flag!"

With a loud shout from Chen Qing, a soldier holding a flagpole stepped forward and raised the flag high.

A gentle breeze blew by the moment the flag was raised.

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