The next day, the leaders of various tribes summoned by Ma Yi gathered in a large hall.
Everyone learned of Ma Yi's purpose in summoning them, and the thought of going to war with the Han army filled them with fear.
Seeing the fear on the faces of the crowd, Ma Yi, who was sitting in the head seat, couldn't help but frown.
Ma Yi then stood up, glanced around at everyone, and said loudly:
"I'm sure you all know the purpose of my gathering here today. It's not that I, Ma Yi, want to be an enemy of the Han Dynasty, but they've gone too far. I've already handed over those slaves to them, but they still want us to pay them ten billion coins in compensation! They're pushing us to the brink! What do you think we should do?"
"What? The Han army is so greedy?"
"A billion dollars? Where would we get that much money?"
"The previous trade had already drained our resources, and now they're just coming to rob us?"
"......"
As Ma Yi finished speaking, the heads of various departments in the hall were shocked and began to discuss among themselves. Although some people doubted the truthfulness of Ma Yi's words, most people did not think much of it.
A mere billion was enough to make them lose their composure due to their greed. In an instant, their expressions changed from fear to resentment.
Seeing that everyone's anti-Han sentiments were stirred up by just one sentence, Ma Yi couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
"Please hear me out!"
With Ma Yi's loud shout, everyone in the hall quickly quieted down and looked up at him.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Ma Yi spoke loudly with a face full of resentment: "The Han army is so greedy and insatiable. They are squeezing our bones and sucking our marrow. They hate that we are not dead. Do you all think we can tolerate this?"
"cannot!"
"cannot!!"
Everyone shouted in unison that it was indeed impossible to squeeze money out of them.
Immediately, Ma Yi asked loudly, "According to reliable sources, the Han army has executed all the chieftains of the former Shaohe tribe along the way and distributed their wealth to those lowly people!"
"Next, they will turn their blades on us. What do you all think we should do?"
"They've rebelled!"
"They've rebelled!!"
The crowd shouted in unison once again.
"good!"
Then Ma Yi looked at everyone and said, “The Han army is greedy and oppressive. Today’s resistance is the last straw. You all must bravely take the lead and drive the Han army out. Only in this way can we protect our property and our wives and children! Anyone who retreats will be punished like this!”
Ma Yi then looked down at the table in front of him, drew the long sword from his waist, and swung it forcefully downwards at one corner of the table. With a "crack," the corner of the table was chopped off.
"We will certainly obey the orders of the great lord!"
When everyone saw Ma Yi's murderous expression, they were all taken aback and expressed their willingness to obey Ma Yi's orders. Meanwhile, they began to plan how to follow Ma Yi and reap the benefits.
"good!"
Ma Yi then sheathed his sword and looked at the crowd, asking, "Who among you is willing to be the vanguard and go to meet the Han army?"
"this....."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall couldn't help but shrink back. Those who had just been shouting that it was a rebellion were now all too afraid to step forward.
"Since no one is willing to be the striker, then my team will take on that role! You all just need to cover for me!"
"We will obey the orders of the great man."
Hearing that Ma Yi had volunteered to be the striker, everyone was relieved and then expressed their agreement.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Ma Yi felt a surge of disdain. However, Ma Yi was not foolish enough to actually take on the role of a forward; wouldn't that be courting death?
"I must say this upfront: if I defeat the Han army, then the Han army, as well as the unclaimed property of the Shaohe tribe that the Han army has occupied, will belong to me. I wonder if any of you have any objections?"
After speaking, Ma Yi looked calmly at everyone in the hall, his meaning very clear: you can refuse to contribute, but don't even think about the benefits.
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. The spoils of war from the Han army and the wealth burned by He were enormous. If they obtained those things, their tribes could grow strong in a short time. How could Ma Yi want to take them all for himself?
For a moment, everyone's face turned somewhat grim. Why did you summon me here if there's no benefit to it? Why don't you just go by yourself?
Suddenly, the people in the hall began to feel some dissatisfaction with Ma Yi.
"Report!!"
As everyone was lost in their own thoughts, they all turned to look and saw a soldier suddenly enter the hall.
Ma Yi looked at the soldier and asked in a deep voice, "Have you found out any information?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, according to my investigation, Zhang Qiao's Han army has begun sending people to collect food supplies. Since yesterday, there has been no smoke rising from the cooking fires, which clearly indicates that they are running out of food!"
Upon hearing this, Ma Yi burst into laughter: "Excellent! Haha~ The Han army is short of supplies, this is truly a godsend! Now is the time to defeat them!"
Then, Ma Yi looked at the soldier with a delighted expression and shouted, "Go immediately, gather the troops, and follow me to meet the Han army in battle!"
"promise!"
The soldier accepted the order and quickly left the hall. Soon after, the sound of horns rang out outside.
Hearing the bugle call outside the hall, which seemed genuine, the expressions of the people inside the hall changed. It seemed that the Han army was really running out of food.
Just as everyone was pondering, Qian Lai hurriedly came to Ma Yi's side from the back room.
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