Late April of the eighth year of Jianning.

Just as the Han dynasty was making intensive preparations for the upcoming war, Tan Shihuai also gathered his men together.

Since the Southern Xiongnu were ambushed last year, Huangfu Song has issued a strict order to Lü Bu and others, forbidding anyone from entering the grasslands at will, and has adopted a posture of strict defense.

In Tan Shihuai's view, without the Southern Xiongnu as its henchmen, the Han Dynasty could no longer pose a threat to the grasslands.

In recent years, Tan Shihuai has also been sending spies to the Han Dynasty to gather intelligence.

Of course, the spies sent out by Tan Shihuai could not escape the surveillance of the Investigation Division.

What these spies were able to discover was exactly what the Han wanted them to see.

For example, the Han Dynasty focused on developing commerce, improving people's livelihoods, continuously building roads, and strengthening city defenses.

In military camps across the country, during drills, the most common sights were infantrymen wielding powerful crossbows and large shields.

Although these well-equipped infantrymen were intimidating, Tan Shihuai did not take them seriously.

No matter how skilled an infantryman is, can he catch up with a cavalryman?

Therefore, based on intelligence analysis, Tan Shihuai believes that although the Han Dynasty is now powerful, it still focuses on the defense of the Great Wall, just like in the past.

Although the Han Dynasty also developed cavalry, it could only serve a harassing purpose at most, and was not yet able to launch a large-scale attack on the grasslands.

It should be noted that even a powerful emperor like Emperor Wu of Han only had the resources to launch attacks on the grasslands after the accumulation of experience under Emperors Wen and Jing, and with the assistance of outstanding generals like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.

Tan Shihuai simply couldn't believe that the Han Dynasty, which had been entangled with the Western Qiang for a hundred years, could possess the strength to fight a decisive battle against the grasslands in just a few years.

Therefore, the Xianbei herders under Tan Shihuai's command also began to migrate south, occupying large areas of lush pastures.

After a year of recuperation, the Tanshihuai tribe now has herds of cattle and sheep and abundant resources.

Now that his worries have been eliminated, Tan Shihuai has decided to launch a war against the Yuwen tribe this year to complete the unification of the grasslands.

Tanhan Mountain, the royal court of the Xianbei.

"I have decided that, from this day forward, my tribe will abolish all treaties with the Han Dynasty, cease recognizing any investiture from the Han Dynasty, and restore the former status of the Xianbei people!!"

Tan Shihuai's voice was steady and powerful, echoing throughout the council hall.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!!"

As Tan Shihuai finished speaking, all the strategists and noble leaders in the hall stood up and bowed deeply to him.

Tan Shihuai: "Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The crowd shouted in unison, then returned to their respective positions.

Tan Shihuai sat on his throne, surveying the crowd in the hall with an air of self-importance, and then said in a loud voice:

"Our Xianbei tribe has lived under the humiliation and oppression of the Xiongnu for many years, and it is only through the continuous struggle of our ancestors that we have survived to this day."

Now that the Xiongnu have been driven out of the grasslands, it is a great opportunity for the Xianbei to grow stronger and surpass Modu. However, the Yuwen tribe disobeys orders and surrenders to the Han, intending to split the Xianbei and cut off our chance to grow stronger.

The actions of the Yuwen tribe clearly demonstrate their betrayal of the Xianbei people and their ancestors...!!

Tan Shihuai paused, then looked into the hall and asked loudly, "Tell me, what should we do with such a traitor?"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"

Inside the hall, a group of noble leaders shouted in unison.

The three words "kill" shook the hall, echoing far and wide.

The crowd roared loudly, but it wasn't out of anger; rather, it was out of excitement.

Now, only they and the Yuwen tribe remain on the entire grassland.

Once the Yuwen tribe is swallowed up, not only will their status and position be greatly enhanced, but the cattle, sheep, and wealth they can obtain will also be unimaginable.

Seeing the excited expressions of everyone in the hall, Tan Shihuai also showed a happy smile, and then turned his gaze to Han Sui.

"Wen Yue!"

"Your subject is here!!"

Han Sui, who was called first, answered loudly and stood up with a happy expression.

Since Li Ru joined his service, Tan Shihuai had become very close to him, consulting Li Ru on all matters, big and small. While he didn't neglect other Han Chinese advisors, he no longer valued them as much as before.

Therefore, Han Sui, as an early strategist, also saw his status decline sharply, far from his former glory.

Now that Tan Shihuai has just declared himself king, he immediately named Han Sui, which naturally made Han Sui think that he would be given important responsibilities again.

Tan Shihuai looked at Han Sui and said with a smile, "You must immediately draft a proclamation, declaring all the crimes of the Yuwen tribe and spreading it to all the tribes!!"

"Here you go!!"

Han Sui responded loudly, and then retreated.

Tan Shihuai then looked at his subordinates and raised his voice: "Everyone, listen to my command!!"

"exist!!"

The noble leaders under Tan Shihuai's command all agreed.

"From this day forward, immediately summon warriors from all tribes to gather at Tanhan Mountain within one month, and mobilize all the people of each tribe to slaughter sheep and cattle to prepare food and supplies for the army!!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

Everyone responded in unison and then dispersed.

Then Tan Shihuai looked at Li Ru beside him and asked, "Mr. Wenyue, do you have any good strategies for this campaign against the Yuwen tribe?"

Li Ru smiled and said, "Your Majesty now has a strong army and abundant resources, far surpassing the Yuwen tribe in strength. You only need to advance steadily with your army, and I believe the Yuwen tribe will be unable to resist."

"Mr. Wen is right. Now that we are strong and our enemy is weak, we only need to launch a direct attack. No amount of ingenious schemes will be of any use!"

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