When the Xianbei queen told the women and children that the Han army was willing to let them leave, the people who had been fearful immediately became happy.
Although they had to leave their homes, the Han army was quite merciful to do so compared to losing their lives and suffering humiliation.
Soon, led by the Xianbei queen, the group of women and children walked in an orderly fashion toward the south of the city.
Xi Zhicai also sent people to deliver a batch of grain to the south of the city to provide for the needs of these women and children on their journey.
"From this moment forward, this Danhan Mountain shall officially become the territory of my Great Han!"
Watching the group of women and children leave, Xi Zhicai loudly announced the news that Tanhan Mountain would be incorporated into the Great Han Dynasty.
"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!!"
As Xi Zhicai finished speaking, the soldiers around him raised their weapons and cheered loudly.
Although these Red Ribbon Army soldiers and Wuhuan cavalrymen did not have Han blood flowing through their veins, they had long been granted Han citizenship and, deep down, always considered themselves people of the Han Dynasty.
Now, thanks to their efforts, the great feat of expanding the territory has been accomplished, and they naturally feel immense pride and honor.
Only after all the women and children had disappeared from sight did Xi Zhicai turn to look at Liu Bei and Sun Jian beside him.
"Xuande, Wentai, now that everything is settled, we need to prepare for a day and head to Langjuxu Mountain as soon as possible!"
"Brother Zhicai is right!"
When the name of Langjuxu Mountain was mentioned, a burning light appeared in the eyes of both Liu Bei and Sun Jian.
After a day of rest, Xi Zhicai left 5,000 soldiers to garrison Tanhan Mountain, and then led the remaining 25,000 troops toward Langjuxu Mountain.
Shortly after Xi Zhicai and his troops left, the guards sent by He Lian to Tanhan Mountain also encountered the Xianbei queen leading a group of women and children southward.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"
Looking at the weathered queen and the long procession behind her, Lian's personal guards couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"Alas, a Han cavalry force of 30,000 men captured the capital. Fortunately, the Han army was benevolent and did not make things difficult for us; they simply drove us out..."
The Xianbei queen sighed and then recounted her experiences in the capital to Helian's personal guards.
"What? The Han army has already captured the capital?"
Upon hearing that the capital had fallen, Helian's personal guards couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
"That's right!"
The Xianbei queen nodded, then asked, "What brings you back? How is the King doing over there?"
Upon hearing the Queen's question, Helian's personal guards snapped out of their daze and replied dejectedly:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, our army suffered a defeat in the decisive battle against the Han army outside Juyan City. More than 30,000 of our 100,000 troops were killed or wounded. Your Majesty is dead, and the eldest son has inherited the throne."
"What...you mean, the king is dead?"
Upon hearing the guard's words, the Xianbei queen's expression changed, her eyes filled with disbelief.
The guard nodded with a sorrowful expression: "Indeed, the investigation revealed that Han Sui, with his wolfish ambitions, secretly poisoned the King. The eldest son has already executed him!"
"Ah, it seems heaven is truly helping the great man!"
After confirming her husband's death, the Xianbei queen was very sad, but she did not show it too much.
Now, all the women and children in the royal city are watching him. He absolutely cannot fall before he joins the army.
After calming herself down, the Xianbei queen asked, "Now that the king is dead and I have been defeated, why doesn't Helian gather his troops and retreat? Does he intend to continue to die there?"
"Reporting to the Queen, the eldest son also wants to retreat, but the Han army is keeping a close watch on our army, and our army cannot retreat at all. Therefore, the eldest son is prepared to move his entire clan westward on the condition that the Han Dynasty will let us go."
"I have come here to inform the Queen that the women and children remaining in the capital should go and join the army, and then we will move westward!"
The Xianbei queen was slightly taken aback: "Migrate westward? Does this mean leaving this grassland forever?"
"Indeed, the Han emperor said that the only condition of the Great Han is that our tribe disappear from this grassland. Based on this, Mr. Li Ru concludes that the Great Han has no intention of killing, but only wants to drive our tribe out!"
"So that's how it is! The Emperor of Han is indeed a benevolent ruler. Our defeat was not unjust!"
Hearing the guard's words, the Xianbei queen finally understood why Xi Zhicai had let them leave, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Despite having an overwhelming advantage, the Han emperor, facing a long-standing enemy, only thought of driving them away.
In the eyes of the Xianbei queen, such actions truly made him an extremely benevolent person.
The Xianbei queen looked at Helian's personal guards and said in a deep voice, "Now that the Han army has allowed us to travel south, go and tell Helian to make preparations. Our entire clan will migrate west and get away from here!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
He Lian's personal guards agreed and then rode away at full speed.
Watching the departing figures of her personal guards, the Xianbei queen turned to a palace maid beside her and instructed, "Go and tell the people behind us to hurry up and join my army as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The palace maid agreed and then turned to leave.
Soon, the Xianbei queen's order was relayed to the entire group, and the group, which had been moving slowly, sped up its southward journey.
...
North of Juyan City was the Xianbei camp.
After four days of preparation, the Xianbei army in the camp had all gathered at the west gate of the camp.
The Xianbei soldiers hiding inside the camp ignored the Han scouts patrolling outside the camp and the Han cavalry training daily, much like ostriches burying their heads in the ground.
Inside the central command tent, seeing the envoy being stopped once again, He Lian looked at Li Ru beside him with a distressed expression.
"Sigh, sir, this is the fourth time we've been rejected. What are the Han army thinking?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. There is still one day left," Li Ru said calmly, looking at He Lian's distressed face.
"Alas, I am also anxious. I cannot leave, nor can I stay. This situation of waiting to die is truly unbearable!"
He Lian sighed, recalling the experiences of the past few days, and a hint of grievance appeared on his face.
"Report!!"
Just then, a loud shout came from outside the tent, and the personal guard sent by Lian rushed in.
"Well, have you seen Mother Consort?"
Upon seeing the guards enter, He Lian hurriedly stepped forward and asked.
"Your Majesty, I happened to encounter the Queen leading the women and children of the city towards our army on our way."
According to the Queen, 30,000 Han cavalrymen have captured the capital and are driving them south…!
The guard also told Helian what he had heard from the queen.
"What? Thirty thousand Han cavalry have captured the capital?"
Upon hearing the report from his subordinates, He Lian couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
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