After Modu Chanyu unified the Xiongnu, their power reached its peak before Emperor Wu of Han launched a counterattack against the Xiongnu.
Its territory stretched from Xi'an Ridge in the east to the Great Wall in the south and the Gobi Desert in the north, and even the Hexi Corridor and the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions were under its control.
His territory spanned over 16,000 li from east to west and over 8,000 li from north to south, and he commanded over 500,000 cavalrymen.
Both the once mighty Han and the Xianbei trembled with fear under the iron hooves of the Xiongnu.
Unfortunately, the mighty Xiongnu Empire was shattered by the brilliant and ambitious Emperor Wu of Han and the two pillars of the Han Dynasty.
However, the past glory remains the pride of every Xiongnu person. Xie Zhiyu has always been proud to be a Xiongnu person and is determined to restore the glory of the Xiongnu.
Unfortunately, times have changed, and the Xiongnu have not only failed to rise again, but have also been defeated by the Xianbei.
The proud Xie Zhiyu would never surrender to the Han Dynasty that destroyed the glory of the Xiongnu, much less kneel before his former slaves.
The continuous heavy rain made Xie Zhiyu make up her mind.
This battle must continue until I die.
Even if it means shedding the last drop of blood of the Xiongnu, we will protect the glory and pride of the Xiongnu.
Just as Xie Zhiyu and Tan Shihuai were waiting for the rain to stop, Lü Bu, who had recently married, also bid farewell to the emperor and embarked on his journey to the border.
Accompanying Lü Bu were generals from Bing and Liang provinces, including Dong Zhuo, Gao Shun, Li Jue, and Guo Si, followed by Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu, and three thousand newly graduated Imperial Guard cadets.
Standing on the steps in front of Deyang Palace, Liu Hong gazed towards the northwest.
Originally, Liu Hong planned to send Lü Bu and others back to the border after the New Year, so that he could have time to spend with his wife.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Not long ago, Zhang Huan sent an urgent report to Luoyang about the decisive battle between Tan Shihuai and Xie Zhi.
He hadn't expected that Xie Zhiyu would be so easily defeated. Helpless, he had no choice but to send Lü Bu and others to Bing and Liang provinces in advance to prevent any unforeseen events.
What Liu Hong needs now is time. Although Tan Shihuai's strength has increased in the past two years, the Han Dynasty has increased even faster.
With Lü Bu and others guarding the area, the Hexi Corridor will remain safe.
If he has another three years, even if Tanshihuai can unify the Xianbei, he will no longer pose any threat to the Han Dynasty.
The heavy rain on the grassland lasted for three days. When the sun finally pierced through the clouds and shone on the grassland, Xie Zhiyu ordered his men to sound the horn.
In addition to the 30,000 able-bodied men under his command, he also selected 20,000 young women skilled in horseback riding to join the army.
The 50,000-strong Xiongnu army, lined up in a long procession, marched in a mighty procession toward Tanshihuai's encampment.
For Xie Zhiyu, this might be the last battle the Xiongnu fought on the grasslands.
Although he knew he was no match for them, he had no other choice, because that was the royal court of the Xiongnu, the last glory of the Xiongnu people.
Not long after Xie Zhiyu's army set out, the news reached Tan Shihuai's ears.
Within the Xianbei army's camp, a continuous horn call resounded as 40,000 Xianbei cavalrymen, fully armed, lined up and marched out of the camp.
Half a day later, the two armies faced off on a plain.
Tan Shihuai gazed at the Xiongnu ranks several hundred meters away, a hint of solemnity creeping across his face.
Looking at the female cavalry at the rear of the Xiongnu ranks, he suddenly felt a sense of respect for Xie Zhiyu.
As the bugle sounded, Xie Zhiyu led the Xiongnu cavalry, spurring their horses and brandishing their swords, and launched the first charge against the Xianbei.
Tan Shihuai also ordered his men to sound the horn and led the Xianbei cavalry to meet them.
On the waterlogged grass, the warhorses ran much slower than usual, and both sides lost their advantage in the charge.
Due to the heavy rain, the bowstrings in both hands became unusually loose and lost their original power.
Therefore, soldiers from both armies abandoned mounted archery and prepared for a real battle.
Soon, the front ranks of the two sides clashed and began to fight each other. Countless soldiers screamed and fell from their horses, their blood staining the muddy grass beneath their feet a dark red.
The Xianbei cavalry who followed Tan Shihuai on the expedition were all the strongest and most powerful warriors in their tribes. They were also mostly equipped with armor and weapons that had been phased out by the Han Dynasty.
On the other hand, the main force of the Xiongnu cavalry had been almost entirely wiped out. Those who could fight now were just ordinary young men, and they had no armor to protect themselves. The scimitars they carried were also of questionable quality.
Although the Xiongnu people fought with a death-defying spirit, they still could not overcome the huge gap in strength.
Before long, the Xiongnu cavalry gradually fell into a disadvantageous position, especially the female cavalry, some of whom were killed by Xianbei soldiers with a single blow before they could even raise their swords.
Looking down from the sky, the 50,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen were like a dilapidated dam, relentlessly being breached by the Xianbei soldiers, on the verge of collapse at any moment.
In the Xiongnu army formation, Xie Zhiyu, wielding a saber, relentlessly slashed at the approaching Xianbei soldiers. The blood of the Xianbei stained his face and armor, making him look like a mad lion.
After killing a Xianbei soldier in front of him, Xie Zhiyu looked at Tan Shihuai not far away, a murderous intent flashing in his turbid eyes.
Tan Shihuai also noticed Xie Zhiyu, gripped his saber tightly, and went to meet him.
In the past, Tan Shihuai would only personally go down to kill enemy generals to boost morale when he was at a disadvantage on the battlefield.
However, today, despite having an overwhelming advantage, Tan Shihuai still picked up his saber and chose to duel with Xie Zhiyu.
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