Wuzhu took his seat and glanced at the princes in the tent.
Uriyangkhad remained silent, but the eyes of the King of Xiutu, the King of Loufan, and others flickered, clearly indicating that they had sided with Uriyangkhad.
"To attack Hedong, we must first take Daqingshan and reclaim Yunzhou before we can make any further plans."
He looked at Wuhan: "Zhao Muyun must have a large army in Yunzhou now. Moreover, the King of Loufan and Wuliangha have already suffered in Shuozhou, Hedong. Haven't they learned their lesson?"
Both Wuliangha and Loufan Wang looked somewhat uneasy.
The Uriyangkhai army of 100,000 failed to capture Shuozhou; and the King of Loufan suffered heavy losses, with his stepfather Han Yanshou dying in Youzhou.
Wuhan: "Brother, this time we will not break through from Yunzhong, but after we plunder Longxi, we will head east and attack Xijing to avenge our previous humiliation!"
"As for Hedong, I'll naturally ask you, brother, to keep it in check!"
"So it was a feint! Even if you manage to take Longyou, don't forget that Zhao Muyun has firearms!"
Wuzhu coldly replied, "Those giant cannons that can shatter city walls, those exploding shells that explode upon landing—do you think they're child's play?"
"No matter how powerful a firearm is, it still needs to be operated by a person."
Wuhan scoffed, “I have already investigated and found that Zhao Muyun’s firearms battalion requires a large number of artisans and auxiliary soldiers, making its movements slow. I will use light cavalry to outflank and attack, burn its supply lines, and besiege its city. Within three months, Xijing will surely surrender.”
The kings in the tent all nodded in agreement.
Wutugu pondered: "What Wuhan said is not without reason. But Wushu's concerns should also be taken seriously."
He looked at his son and said, “In this way, we will first plunder Longxi to test Zhao Muyun’s strength. If his western front is indeed weak, Wuzhu, you will feign an attack on Hedong, and Wuhan will take the opportunity to attack Xijing.”
Ugh was overjoyed: "Father Khan is wise!"
Wuzhu's heart sank.
Father Khan is favoring Ughan.
The so-called "testing the waters first" was actually giving Wuhan an opportunity to make a name for himself.
If Wuhan truly achieves some success in Longxi, his prestige will increase even further, and his position as heir apparent will be secure.
No, we must inflict a crushing defeat on Ughhan.
After the meeting concluded, the princes withdrew.
Wuhan was escorted away, his laughter echoing.
Wuzhu lagged behind, and Ashina Zhen caught up, whispering, "Your Majesty, the Chanyu asks you to stay."
Back in the golden tent, only the father and son remained.
Wutugu dismissed those around him and stared at Wuzhu: "You didn't tell the whole truth just now."
Wuzhu's heart skipped a beat.
“You know Zhao Muyun, you know he’s not someone to be trifled with,” Wutugu said slowly. “You deliberately didn’t mention that he might have set up an ambush in Longxi, so that Wuhan would run into a brick wall, right?”
Wuzhu knelt down: "Your subject dares not."
“Get up,” Wutugu sighed. “How could I not know that you brothers are fighting? But Wushu, you must remember—no matter how fierce the internal strife is, you are still my people of the Northern Di. If Wuhan really loses 60,000 elite troops, it will be the Northern Di’s vitality that is damaged.”
Wuzhu bowed his head: "Your subject understands."
“You don’t understand.” Wutugu walked up to him. “What I want is for you brothers to work together. What do we have to fear from Zhao Muyun? But you always think about overpowering him, and he always thinks about crushing you.”
A hint of weariness flashed in the old man's eyes: "I'm old, and this position of Chanyu must eventually be passed down. If you only want internal strife, how dare I pass it on to you?"
Wuzhu shuddered.
"Go," Wutugu waved his hand. "Think it over carefully."
As we left the golden tent, a hot breeze swept across the grassland.
Wuzhu gazed at the rolling dark clouds in the sky, his heart filled with inner turmoil.
He heeded his father's words.
But can years of grudges be resolved with just a few words?
Moreover, would Ughhan join forces with him?
That arrogant younger brother probably wants to crush him to death even more.
"Your Highness," Bayesu appeared quietly, "everything has been arranged."
Wuzhu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "The arrangements for Broken Heart Valley... are suspended."
Ba Yesu was taken aback.
"But the false information from the Ukrainian side continues to be spread."
Wuzhu's one eye flashed with a complex expression. "I want to see... whether he can see through Zhao Muyun's trap. If he can, then he truly has the ability; if he can't..."
He turned and left before he finished speaking.
Deep in the grassland, the sound of thunder could be faintly heard.
A storm is brewing.
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