Chapter 127 Trade
At this time, in front of the central army tent, Pei Yan was wiping an ancient long sword, and the two words "Ding Kun" on the scabbard were shining in the sun.
"Your Majesty, the person has been brought here." Mo Yuan strode over. His dark blue robe made his shoulders look broad and his waist narrow. He looked up at Pei Yan.
Pei Yan nodded, turned around, lifted the curtain and walked out. He saw Ashina tied up tightly on a special iron chair in the middle, with his wrists and ankles locked with fine iron shackles.
The second barbarian prince was younger than Pei Yan had imagined, only about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His curly brown hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to his forehead. His high nose bridge and deep eye sockets showed obvious alien features. Even though he became a prisoner, he still held his head high, with a defiant light flashing in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor of Wei," Ashina grinned, revealing two sharp fangs, "I didn't expect that our first meeting would be in this kind of occasion."
Pei Yan sat down behind the desk, and Mo Yuan stood beside him, his hand always on the hilt of the sword.
"Ashina Tuoba," Pei Yan said calmly, but with unquestionable majesty, "The second prince of the barbarian tribe sneaked into the capital by sneaking into the Western Regions caravan a month ago. Tell me, what happened?"
Ashina twisted his neck, and the iron chain rattled. "The capital is prosperous, why not let this prince come and see it?"
Mo Yuan snorted coldly: "Have you seen that you want to secretly inquire about the location of the armory? Have you seen that you want to contact the Western Region merchants and the northern nomadic tribes?"
Ashina's eyes flashed with surprise, but then he returned to his cynical expression: "The Marquis of Zhenbei is well-informed."
"I don't have time to deal with you." Pei Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "You sneaked into the capital and teamed up with the Queen Mother to assassinate me. In the past month, you have been active in the area where Hu merchants gather in the west of the city, and have had seven secret meetings with three Western merchants. Three days ago, when you were about to leave the capital, we captured you."
Ashina's smile gradually disappeared. It was obvious that he had not expected that his whereabouts were known so clearly.
"Those Western Region merchants have confessed," Mo Yuan added, "You purchased a large amount of ironware and medicinal materials from them, and also inquired about the situation of the garrisons in the three northern states."
There was silence in the tent for a moment.
Ashina suddenly laughed out loud: "Hahaha... If that's the case, then I don't have to hide it." He leaned forward, the chain straightened, "Yes, I'm here to contact my allies. Winter is approaching, and the tribes on the grassland need food to survive the winter, and the three states in the northern border of the Great Wei are the most lucrative prey."
Pei Yan and Mo Yuan exchanged glances. This was consistent with their previous speculation - the barbarians were preparing to launch an attack in winter.
"The current strength of the Barbarians alone is not enough to threaten the borders of Wei." Pei Yan calmly analyzed, "As far as I know, you just experienced civil strife last year and your vitality was greatly damaged."
Ashina's eyes flashed with admiration: "Your Majesty really understands the enemy situation. Yes, the Tuoba tribe alone is indeed not strong enough, but what if we unite with the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Rouran tribes?"
Mo Yuan's expression changed: "Impossible! Wuhuan and Xianbei are sworn enemies, and Rouran has always been neutral!"
"In the face of common interests, what does a feud mean?" Ashina sneered. "I spent half a year traveling between the tribes, promising them great benefits and explaining the pros and cons. Two months ago, the leaders of the three tribes swore a blood oath by the Black Water River to conspire against the Northern Border of the Great Wei!"
Pei Yan frowned slightly. If it was true as Ashina said, the three tribes united as barbarians would indeed pose a huge threat to the northern defense line, especially in winter when supplies in the north were difficult and the mobility of the army was greatly reduced.
"Why are you telling us this?" Pei Yan keenly sensed something was wrong. "Since the plan has been decided, you can just pretend to be compliant. Why tell us the truth?"
A complicated look flashed across Ashina's eyes: "Because... I changed my mind."
Both people in the tent were stunned.
Ashina took a deep breath, "I did come here to unite the tribes, but during this month in the capital, I saw that the people of Wei lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the market was prosperous... This was completely different from the scene of my tribe fighting for years and the people living in poverty." He smiled bitterly, "I began to doubt, even if we conquer the three states in the northern border, can our people really live a good life? Or will it only bring more wars and deaths?"
Mo Yuan sneered: "The barbarians are bloodthirsty and warlike. When have they ever cared about the lives of ordinary people?"
“Mo Yuan!” Ashina suddenly roared, his chains rattling. “What do you know? Have you ever seen children starving to death on the grassland? Have you ever seen the tragedy of an entire tribe being wiped out by a white disaster? We don’t fight to kill, we fight to survive!”
Pei Yan raised his hand to stop Mo Yuan's rebuttal and looked at Ashina thoughtfully: "So you are here to... seek peace?"
"Not entirely." Ashina calmed down. "I came to warn His Majesty and to give my people a chance. The three coalition forces have indeed gathered and plan to launch an attack around the winter solstice. But I hope... I hope there is another possibility."
"What's possible?" Pei Yan asked.
"Trade." Ashina's eyes sparkled with hope. "Open the border for trade, so that our people can exchange cattle, sheep and horses for food and cloth, instead of robbing with swords. My father is old and confused, and he only wants to fight, but I see another way."
Pei Yan fell into deep thought. How credible were Ashina's words? Is it a sincere request for peace, or just a delaying tactic? "But why did you betray your own people?"
Ashina smiled bitterly: "I am not betraying, I want to save. War will only cause more children of the grassland to die, and trade... trade may give us a way to survive."
The midday sun shone directly through the skylight on the top of the tent, shining on the ground between the three people, forming a bright spot of light. Outside the tent, the sounds of military training and horses neighing could be faintly heard.
Pei Yan stood up and walked to Ashina: "If I agree to open up the trade, can you guarantee that all the troops will withdraw?"
"I can't guarantee everything," Ashina said frankly, "but I can try to persuade them. At least... I can get the Tuoba tribe to withdraw from the alliance."
Mo Yuan couldn't help but interrupt: "Your Majesty, don't trust it! The barbarians are cunning and changeable. This may be a self-torture trick!"
Pei Yan raised his hand to signal him to be patient, his eyes fixed on Ashina's: "I need more sincerity."
Ashina took a deep breath and said, "I can provide the specific deployment and attack plan of the coalition forces. I also know a little-known path that can go around the rear of the coalition forces and directly attack their camp."
Mo Yuan's eyes flashed with surprise, and he said with a half-smile: "Do you know what you are talking about? This is equivalent to burying your warriors with your own hands!"
"It is precisely because I love my people that I don't want to see them die in vain!" Ashina said excitedly: "The border defense of the Great Wei is strong. Even if the four tribes unite, the chance of winning is less than 30%. Instead of letting millions of warriors bleed on the battlefield, it is better to... fight for a better future."
Pei Yan pondered for a long time, looked at Ashina and suddenly asked: "Aren't you afraid of being executed by your father if you do this?"
A trace of determination flashed in Ashina's eyes: "If it can bring peace between the two tribes, what does my life mean to me?"
The tent fell silent again. Pei Yan walked back to the desk, tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and thought about various possibilities.
"Your Majesty," Mo Yuan whispered, "This is too risky. Even if Ashina sincerely asks for peace, the other three tribes may not listen to him. We should immediately mobilize the northern garrison to strengthen the defense, and at the same time send elite troops to cut off their supply lines."
Pei Yan shook his head: "Passive defense will only lead to a war of attrition. If Ashina's intelligence is true, we should take the initiative to attack and divide and disintegrate this alliance."
He turned to Ashina and said, "I will give you a chance. You should write a letter to the tribal leader you trust and explain your intention to trade. At the same time, I will send envoys with gifts to each tribe to express my goodwill."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Ashina's eyes: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will definitely--"
Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion outside the tent, followed by the sound of weapons clashing.
"Protect His Majesty!" Mo Yuan instantly drew his sword and stood in front of Pei Yan.
The curtain was suddenly opened, and a guard stumbled in: "There's an assassin! Disguised as a water delivery boy, he has killed three guards!"
Immediately afterwards, three black shadows rushed into the tent like ghosts, with scimitars in their hands shining coldly, and went straight for Pei Yan!
Mo Yuan's sword flashed like lightning, instantly blocking two of the attacking scimitars, but the third was swung away by Ashina with an iron chain - even though his hands were tied, he still struggled to block the attack with the iron chain.
"They are not ours!" Ashina yelled, "Be careful, the knife is poisoned!"
Pei Yan had already drawn his sword. The moment the "Dingkun" sword was unsheathed, a cold light flashed, and an assassin's scimitar broke. Mo Yuan seized the opportunity and pierced the throat of another assassin with his sword.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the third assassin suddenly turned around and stabbed the bound Ashina with a knife!
At the critical moment, Pei Yan threw the teacup in his hand and hit the assassin's wrist accurately. The scimitar deviated a little and only scratched Ashina's shoulder.
Mo Yuan took the opportunity to kill the last assassin with a single sword strike.
The tent instantly returned to silence, with only the sound of a few people breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?" Pei Yan looked at Ashina.
Ashina shook his head, his face pale: "It's just a minor injury...but these are not the people I sent."
Mo Yuan examined the bodies of the assassins and took out a token from one of them: "It's the Wuhuan assassin!"
Pei Yan's face darkened.
Ashina smiled bitterly: "It must be the Wuhuan leader Helian Bobo. He has always advocated conquest by force and is opposed to cooperating with me."
Mo Yuan frowned: "Your Majesty, this matter is becoming more complicated. If Wuhuan has sent people to sneak into the military camp to assassinate, it means that they are determined to win this alliance."
Pei Yan pondered for a moment and suddenly made up his mind: "Pass the order, the whole army is on alert, and prepare two documents. One is sent to the military garrisons in the north, ordering them to strengthen their defenses; the other... invites the leaders of all tribes to meet at the border in my name to discuss trade matters."
He looked at Ashina and said, "You come with me. If you can persuade the tribes to withdraw their troops, I promise to open three border trades and reduce taxes for three years."
Ashina's eyes sparkled with hope: "Your Majesty is wise! I will do my best."
Mo Yuan hesitated for a second before finally accepting the order: "I will arrange it right away, but please allow me to send more guards and have someone check the meeting place in advance."
Pei Yan nodded in agreement, and then personally undid the shackles for Ashina: "From now on, you are my guest, not a prisoner. But remember," his eyes suddenly became sharp, "if there is any fraud, I guarantee that the Tuoba tribe will pay a heavy price."
Ashina solemnly performed the highest barbarian etiquette: "I swear by the Eternal Heaven that I, Ashina Tuoba, will never betray your majesty's trust."
After Ashina left, Mo Yuan spoke up, "Your Majesty, what Ashina said is basically consistent with what I found out."
Pei Yan nodded. Mo Yuan had come to the palace a few days ago to report to him about unusual movements on the border. Today, he took the initiative to let the assassin in. Otherwise, how could an assassin sneak into the Wei army camp so easily? If this were true, he, Pei Yan, would have died countless times.
Mo Yuan found a seat and sat down lazily, "I didn't expect that the old Barbarian King actually gave birth to a good son."
Pei Yan nodded in agreement, "Given time, this boy will achieve great things."
Long Liu walked in from outside the tent at this time. Pei Yan's heart tightened when he saw Long Liu. Before Long Liu could speak, he anxiously asked, "Why are you here? Didn't I ask you to protect An An?"
Long Liu knelt down hurriedly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. It was Eunuch De who sent me here."
Pei Yan knew he was making a fuss when he heard it, "What happened?"
Long Liu was thinking about how to start the conversation, mumbling something but not knowing what to say, with an indescribable expression on his face.
Mo Yuan was anxious at this time, "Just tell me!"
As soon as Long Liu heard this, he said directly: "Long Qi and the young master entered Qingfeng Pavilion."
Then Long Liu heard a broken voice, "What?" and a creepy voice: "What did you say?"
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