The northern desert, the royal court.
"Your Majesty, the messenger has returned!"
Red Cloud Wolf put down the beast bone in its hand, a hint of anticipation flashing in its eyes.
This was a secret envoy he sent to the Yuezhi, and it took him a full month.
"explain!"
"Your Majesty," the messenger said, bowing, "the new Yuezhi king is very interested in our proposal. He said he has always kept in mind the blood feud of the Qin people killing his father. However, for the past three years, he has been preoccupied with vying for the throne with other tribes and has had no time for anything else."
Red Cloud Wolf's eyes lit up.
Three years ago, the Qin army killed the Xiongnu Khan and the Yuezhi King in a battle, plunging both tribes into internal strife.
He has now unified the Xiongnu, and the Yuezhi have finally found a new ruler.
"Go on."
The Yuezhi king said that he had witnessed the Qin people's methods firsthand. For the past three years, although the Western Regions states had submitted and paid tribute, they had actually lived in constant fear. Especially recently, the Qin army's construction of beacon towers along the border was a clear indication of their intention to further tighten control...
"Hmph!" Crimson Cloud Wolf sneered. "The Qin people have always been like this. Today they make you submit, tomorrow they'll take your life! These small kingdoms of the Western Regions will sooner or later become their victims."
The tent was completely silent.
Everyone understood the meaning behind his words—this was the best reason to win over the kingdoms of the Western Regions.
"Your Majesty," the strategist Jamutai stepped forward and said, "In my opinion, now is a golden opportunity. Although the Western Regions have submitted to us, they have long harbored resentment towards the Qin's methods. Why don't we send someone to secretly conspire and say that the Qin are cruel and that we will have to take action against them sooner or later..."
"That's right!" Red Cloud Wolf stood up and paced around the tent. "Think about it, how was the Battle of Panyu fought? The Qin people slaughtered them, leaving not a single noble alive. Can't these small kingdoms in the Western Regions see what their fate will be?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The Qin army's methods in the Baiyue region had already spread far and wide.
That bloody rule terrified all the vassal states.
"My suggestion is," Jamuttai continued, "that we start with Kucha. They have always maintained good relations with the Yuezhi; if we can persuade them, other smaller states will surely follow suit."
"Hmm." A glint of light flashed in Crimson Cloud Wolf's eyes. "Then let's do it this way! Send the order down, have the envoys split up and act. Remember, they must speak to the hearts of these small countries—the Qin people can demand your submission today, and take your life tomorrow!"
Soon, several delegations secretly set off for the Western Regions.
Meanwhile, at the Kucha Royal Palace.
"What? The Qin army wants to establish prefectures and counties in our country?" The king's expression changed drastically.
"Yes," the minister said in a trembling voice, "the Qin army says this is necessary for unified management. But I feel that this is clearly an attempt to further control us..."
The King of Kucha turned ashen-faced. He knew all too well what a prefecture-level city meant—it meant complete control by Qin, just like the Baiyue!
Just then, a guard rushed in: "Your Majesty, an envoy from the Xiongnu requests an audience!"
The king was taken aback, then said, "Let him in!"
A moment later, the Xiongnu envoy stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, our Chanyu has something to tell you. You should already be very clear about the Qin people's plans..."
A similar scene is playing out simultaneously in various countries of the Western Regions.
The Xiongnu envoys, under the guise of a secret visit, vividly described the various atrocities committed by the Qin army. The details of the war against the Baiyue, in particular, terrified these small states.
"Think about it," an envoy said to the King of Shule, "The fate of the Baiyue will be yours tomorrow! The Qin people are now talking about establishing prefectures and counties; their next step is to take your lives!"
"But..." the King of Shule hesitated, "we have already submitted to Qin..."
"Hmph!" the envoy sneered. "Have you forgotten the lesson of three years ago? Weren't the Yuezhi King and our Great Khan also vassals of Qin? And what was the result? They were all killed by them! This is the true face of the Qin people!"
The King of Shule remained silent. Indeed, they had witnessed the Qin army's methods firsthand. If Qin were to make a move, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
"So..." the envoy continued, "Our Chanyu's idea is that we should join forces. The Xiongnu will send troops, the Yuezhi will cooperate, and you only need to coordinate from within and without. As long as we repel the Qin army, the Western Regions will still be yours!"
And so, a vast net was quietly being cast across the Western Regions.
Every small country lived in fear, lest they become the next Baiyue. And the Xiongnu's words struck a chord with them.
The Yuezhi royal court.
"Your Majesty," a general said, clasping his hands in greeting, "News has arrived from the kingdoms of Kucha, Shule, and Yanqi; they are willing to respond to our call."
The newly appointed Yuezhi king revealed a cold smile: "Very well! It's time to avenge my father's blood feud!"
The bloody battle three years ago not only plunged the Yuezhi into internal strife but also greatly diminished their influence in the Western Regions. Now, with the Xiongnu as an ally, they can finally avenge their defeat.
The northern desert, the Xiongnu royal court.
"Your Majesty," Jamuttai said excitedly, "the kingdoms of the Western Regions have all responded. They say that as soon as we send troops, they will immediately respond. At that time..."
"No rush." Crimson Wolf gazed into the distance. "Now is not the time. We should wait until spring, when the Qin army is at its most relaxed, that will be our best opportunity to strike!"
He was acutely aware of the importance of this operation. It was not only about avenging the past, but also about freeing the entire Western Regions from Qin control.
This winter is destined to be an eventful one.
On the surface, all is calm, but beneath the surface, turbulent waves are surging. Once spring arrives, these accumulated forces will surely unleash astonishing power!
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