Zhao Muyun returned to the backyard and fought with Bai Ruolan all night long, lingering until death.
The next morning, accompanied by Han Zhong and Shi Yong, Zhao Muyun inspected the Shuozhou army.
Although they had experienced many life-and-death battles and suffered heavy casualties, the morale was high and the defense was in good order after being supplemented by new recruits from Xiazhou and Yanzhou, as well as equipment from Yinzhou.
Although Han Zhong still looked ill, he was in good spirits and reported on military affairs in a clear and organized manner.
Afterwards, Zhao Muyun took only Li Si and other followers, and rode at full speed, braving the wind and snow, to rush to Yinzhou.
When Tian Qing, the captain of Yinzhou, saw Zhao Muyun, his excitement was beyond words.
He reported in detail: "Boss Zhao, Yinzhou's defense is solid, the city defenses have been reinforced, and there is sufficient food and grass."
"It's just that Timur outside the Great Wall often sends cavalry across the border to attack our beacon towers and plunder border villages. Although they haven't caused much damage, they are like a leech on the tarsal bone, and they are extremely annoying."
"My subordinates organized several raids, but they were very slippery and ran away after one strike."
"Can Zhaotou give me some advice on how to deal with this?"
Zhao Muyun immediately teased, "Timur is a quick learner. He's mastered our methods."
"Tian Qing, you are an old brother of Yanqingdun, and you are already a prefectural commander. You have to find a way to solve this problem yourself!"
"You are no worse than Lao Tang, Lao Han, Xiao Shitou, Xiao Wu, and Zhuzi."
Tian Qing was immediately inspired by Zhao Muyun's competitive spirit: "Don't worry, Boss Zhao, if I can't think of a solution, I'll gather my subordinates together. With so many people, there will definitely be a solution!"
"Haha! That's right! It wasn't like this before when we were in Yanqingdun!"
As the two chatted, they couldn't help but recall the days when Zhao Muyun was a squad leader in Yanqingdun and everyone ate mutton together.
"How's the situation with the Murong tribe? Is Murong Chunhua cooperating with you well?" Zhao Muyun asked again.
When the Murong tribe was mentioned, Tian Qing's expression suddenly became serious: "Boss Zhao, something seems to be wrong with the Murong tribe recently!"
"Their clan leader, Murong Hu, was originally in Shuozhou. After hearing the news of your accident and seeing the 100,000-strong Tartar army marching south, his mind wavered again."
"He frequently sent people to contact General Chunhua, and his words were full of hesitation."
"However, Murong Chunhua has been resolute and has repeatedly suppressed dissent within the tribe, but people's hearts are inevitably unsettled..."
Zhao Muyun's eyes suddenly turned cold: "Where is Murong Chunhua now?"
"We're stationed at the winter pasture thirty miles north of Yinzhou, guarding the tribe's cattle and sheep, while also monitoring Timur's movements."
Zhao Muyun immediately decided: "Take me to see him. Don't alarm anyone."
......
That night, the wind and snow subsided slightly.
Zhao Muyun and his group sneaked into the Murong tribe's camp silently like ghosts in the snow, and accurately reached the outside of the leader's tent.
Inside the tent, the sound of a fierce quarrel could be faintly heard.
The honeycomb coal burned red, and the smell of sulfur dioxide filled the air.
This grassland tribe burned coal without ventilation. Zhao Muyun frowned.
Murong Hu looked anxious and said to his son Murong Chunhua:
"Chunhua! How long are you going to be so stubborn? Lord Zhao is a hero and has done a great favor for our tribe. I don't deny that!"
"But after all... he's gone. Death is like the extinguishing of a light!"
"Although Sima Han repelled the attack of the Northern Di people, the army did not retreat. It still looms like a dark cloud and may attack at any time."
"We have thousands of people in the Murong tribe. We have to eat and survive!"
"Timur sent someone to tell us that if we are willing to... willing to obey, he will not only share part of the salt lake's profits, but also give us better pastures! This..."
"Father!"
Murong Chunhua interrupted abruptly, her voice trembling with anger, "Have you forgotten who took us in when we were oppressed by the Northern Di people and had nowhere else to go?"
"Who gave us pastures, food, and weapons so that we could stand up again?"
"It's Master Zhao! Betrayal and profit-seeking, is this the tradition of my Murong tribe?"
"Do you think it will end well if we cooperate with a jackal like Timur? He's just using us!"
"You! You bastard! I'm your father! I'm doing this for the entire tribe!"
Murong Hu's face turned red with anger.
Just as the father and son were arguing, the curtain was suddenly lifted and a cold air rushed in.
Zhao Muyun, covered in snow, strode in like a god, his cold eyes sweeping over the horrified Murong Hu and the trembling Murong Chunhua with excitement.
"Patriarch Murong, how are you? Don't you recognize me?"
Zhao Muyun's voice was calm, yet it carried a tremendous weight of pressure.
Murong Hu was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a plop and kowtowed like crazy:
"Master Zhao! You...you are still alive! God bless you!"
"I was confused! I was blinded by greed! I deserve to die! I have no second thoughts! It's just... I was confused for a moment. For the survival of the tribe..."
Murong Chunhua excitedly knelt on one knee, pounded his right hand on his left chest, and performed the most solemn tribal salute, his voice choked with sobs:
"Master Zhao! You are safe and sound! Heaven has a vision! Murong Chunhua and the warriors of the Murong tribe will follow your lead for the rest of our lives! We will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Zhao Muyun first helped Murong Chunhua up and patted his shoulder, saying everything.
Then he looked coldly at Murong Hu, who was kneeling on the ground and could not get up: "Murong Hu, get up. Considering this is your first offense, and for the survival of the tribe, I can pretend I didn't hear it this time."
His voice suddenly turned harsh, "But you have to remember! This is the first time, and the last time!"
"If I hear any more wavering words, don't blame me, Zhao Muyun, for being ruthless in military law. Don't say that Zhao doesn't remember our friendship then!"
Murong Hu crawled to his feet, his shirt soaked with cold sweat. He was so ashamed that he kept saying yes.
Zhao Muyun's sudden appearance was like a magic needle that stabilized the morale of the Murong tribe.
He summoned all the leaders of the Murong tribe that night. Although he did not say much, his appearance itself said it all, and the tribe's doubts and hesitations disappeared in an instant.
Later, in the warm tent, Zhao Muyun spread out the map to Murong Chunhua and Tian Qing:
"Timur has occupied the Salt Lake and repeatedly invaded the border. If this beast is not eliminated, there will be no peace in Yinzhou."
"In the past, you were just a small group of harassing troops, not a force to be reckoned with."
"Now, it's time to completely remove this poisonous thorn. Tian Qing, Chunhua, you must complete this task well!"
"After this heavy snow melts, I hope to hear that you are deep in the Shulechuan grasslands."
Murong Chunhua did not hesitate, with fighting spirit burning in his eyes:
"Don't worry, sir! The men of the Murong tribe have been preparing for a long time and are willing to lead the way for you and destroy Timur's camp!"
"When to act, it all depends on your command!"
Zhao Muyun smiled slightly: "You two should discuss this battle. If you need any support, just ask."
......
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