One day later, in Dingxiang County, Zhongling.

Liu Wei and his entourage arrived one after another.

Xue Rengui stationed his army around the city and guarded the main roads.

Xue Rengui had the three thousand Xianbei prisoners transport grain and fodder, and then imprisoned them in a valley outside Zhongling City, where he sent out a large number of troops to guard them.

There are three thousand people in Zhongling City, including both Hu and Han people.

When the people saw so many soldiers arriving, their reactions varied.

The Hu people stayed indoors and did not come out, while the Han people came up to watch.

It may have been many years since we last saw the arrival of Han troops.

The officials in charge of the city were appointed by Qiangqu, the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu.

But they were all terrified.

They dared not resist in the slightest, let alone go to good and report to Fuluo.

Because they simply cannot escape.

So they joined the gentry in the city to curry favor with Liu Wei and beg for his life.

It seems the rumors are true; the Han Chinese court is coming to reclaim the four prefectures of Yunzhong!

Otherwise, why would they send out such an elite army?

Seeing how sensible they were, Liu Wei decided not to do anything to them for the time being.

After all, they also offered a large amount of silver and cattle and sheep to reward the army.

The officials were deeply grateful and offered them delicious food and drinks.

Upon hearing that Liu Wei would be staying here for two days, they hurriedly offered to vacate the county government residence and invited Liu Wei to stay.

Liu Wei made no attempt to be polite and moved in with Diao Chan, Guo Luo, and the others.

Xue Rengui dispatched 500 sword and shield soldiers to take over the city and protect Liu Wei's safety.

After Liu Wei settled in, Xue Rengui took the initiative to come and discuss matters with him.

It turns out that after Xue Rengui learned of Liu Wei's intention to occupy the four counties of Yunzhong, he proposed his own strategy to eliminate the Hu people.

When Liu Wei went to Wuyuan City in Shuofang, he had 10,000 elite troops, and no one dared to challenge his might.

Why not take advantage of this march to do things that will be needed later?

The Hu people of the four prefectures of Yunzhong were scattered in various places, and the Southern Xiongnu occupied places such as Shanwu, Meiji, Yunzhong, and Jiuyuan.

To bring this place under our control, we must first subdue the Xiongnu.

Liu Wei's army was formidable, and once they were outmatched, they scattered and fled.

Or they could run to the grasslands north of Yinshan Mountain, where they could never be killed or wiped out.

Therefore, we must find a way to gather these Xiongnu people together and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

Now, Liu Wei has utterly defeated Budugen in the Hongtao Valley and captured him alive.

Even if the news is blocked, it will spread quickly beyond the Great Wall.

This will definitely make the Southern Xiongnu people nervous. Needless to say, Liu Wei's next move will definitely be to target them!

Yufuluo, in particular, knew the inside story of Budugen's ambush: he had listened to the words of the Han envoy and lured Budugen into ambushing Liu Wei.

Now that Budugen has been captured, he will surely implicate Yufro.

When the time comes, Liu Wei will come to settle accounts with him.

It was destined that Liu Wei and the Southern Xiongnu people could not coexist peacefully.

This fertile land at the foot of the Yinshan Mountains on the north bank of the Yellow River can only have one owner, and that owner is Liu Wei!

Yufuluo will also gather more Xiongnu troops and call on other Hu people in the four counties of Yunzhong to have a great battle with Liu Wei to decide who is the master of this place.

Therefore, Xue Rengui planned to launch a surprise attack on Shanwu before Yufuluo received the news and capture Yufuluo alive.

In this way, nothing good will be lost, and the capture of Yufuluo will inevitably cause a stir among the Qiangqu Chanyu.

Whether to surrender or fight, the initiative lies with Liu Wei.

At that time, we can use Yufuluo and the Xiongnu people captured by Shanwu as leverage to force Qiangqu to make a choice.

Liu Wei naturally accepted Xue Rengui's suggestion.

Xue Rengui was experienced in fighting the Hu people, so he could be given more authority to carry out his duties.

"My lord, I plan to lead a thousand cavalry in a surprise attack, with two thousand swordsmen and two thousand spearmen following behind, to take over Shanwu!"

"The rest of the troops will remain here to guard the three thousand prisoners and protect our lord's safety."

With Liu Wei's consent, Xue Rengui immediately made arrangements for the 10,000-strong Great Wall Army!

Leaving behind three thousand archers, one thousand swordsmen and shieldmen, and one thousand spearmen is enough to control Zhongling.

Once Budugen arrives with his promise, Liu Wei can then proceed to Shanwu to reunite.

Do you know how many Huns are in Shanwuyufuluo?

When Liu Wei heard that Xue Rengui had only taken a thousand cavalrymen to launch a surprise attack, he casually asked a question.

It wasn't that Liu Wei doubted his abilities.

"My lord, I have already inquired and found out that Shanwu has only gathered a mere 30,000 Xiongnu cavalry!"

"I will take a thousand cavalrymen, that will be enough!"

Xue Rengui looked arrogant.

Liu Wei was amazed, but remained expressionless.

Perhaps only Xue Rengui would dare to suggest sending a thousand iron cavalry to ambush thirty thousand Xiongnu cavalry!

After discussing for a while, Xue Rengui took his leave and led a thousand cavalrymen away in a cloud of dust.

Not long after, two thousand swordsmen and shieldmen and two thousand spearmen, carrying provisions and supplies, set off.

The people of Zhongling City were terrified as they watched the army roar in and then roll northward, and they all speculated about what was going on.

"Guard Guo, Xiao Gui, prepare dinner. You can get a good night's sleep tonight!"

After Xue Rengui left, Liu Wei felt incredibly relieved.

Now all we need to do is wait here for Budugen to bring the hostages, and for the good news that Xue Rengui has gone to Shanwu to launch a sneak attack.

Xiao Guizi immediately instructed all the servants to get busy.

These servants were also left behind by the Xiongnu officials of Zhongling for Liu Wei to use.

Xiao Guizi suddenly felt like he was in charge.

Before long, as dusk fell, Liu Wei and the others chatted for a while after their meal.

Diao Chan helped him back to his room to rest.

The room was dimly lit, casting a warm, ambiguous glow.

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