Shefu sat in his seat and fell silent.
Although he listened to Li Ru's advice, he was clearly still unwilling to accept this plan.
After pondering for a long time, Shefu said hesitantly, "But sir, can't we set up a camp here to defend against the Xianbei?"
"What kind of camp do you think could protect so many tribes? Besides, this is not the Han Dynasty, and there are no natural defenses here. All you can do is disrupt their rear and slow down the enemy's attack."
The Xianbei army had suffered heavy losses on its journey and could only replenish its supplies along the waterways. These camps were like thorns in their side, and they had to eliminate them one by one…
"this……"
Upon hearing this, Shefu fell silent again.
Li Ru continued, "Between two evils, choose the lesser. Even if there are more casualties, it's better to preserve what we have than to be wiped out by them!"
"What you say is true. As long as we can preserve the tribe, there is always a chance!"
Upon hearing Li Ru's words, She Fu no longer hesitated and immediately agreed to his plan.
The next morning, Shefu ordered the conscription of able-bodied men from all the surrounding tribes and sent out scouts to investigate the movements of the Xianbei.
Five days later, in addition to the original 50,000 cavalry under his command, Shefu also conscripted 50,000 able-bodied men from various tribes.
Two days later, the scouts returned and learned that the Murong tribe was indeed conscripting able-bodied men. Shefu immediately dispatched 5,000 light cavalry to take a detour and raid the Xianbei's rear. At the same time, he also sent 25,000 soldiers and 50,000 able-bodied men to begin building camps along the river.
The grasslands were sparsely wooded, and the camps were quite rudimentary, but that was enough to slow down the Xianbei cavalry.
While the Wuhuan people were busy preparing, the Murong tribe was also bustling with activity, with shouts and neighing of horses.
Most of the able-bodied men and livestock conscripted from various tribes have already gathered in Murong Tu's tribe.
As far as the eye can see, the mountains and plains are covered with cattle and sheep, and everywhere there are Xianbei cavalrymen on horseback with bows on their backs.
Inside the central command tent, Murong Tu and the noble leaders of his various tribes also gathered.
Murong Tu, seated at the head of the table, glanced at his subordinates and noticed an empty seat at the back. His expression darkened.
"What's going on? Why hasn't Mo Qing from the east arrived yet?"
Upon hearing Murong Tu's question, everyone in the tent shook their heads, indicating that they knew nothing about it.
"Uncle, do you think he might have defected to the Han Dynasty? After all, his place isn't far from the Han!"
The speaker was named Murong Cuo, a nephew of Murong Tu. His tribe was adjacent to Mo Qing's and they had a long history of conflict over water and pastures.
Because Mo Qing was a loyal follower of the Great Chief, Murong Cuo had never been able to gain any advantage. Now, he naturally wouldn't let go of this perfect opportunity to launch an attack.
Upon hearing this, Murong Tu glared fiercely at Murong Cuo, "This is a military camp. There is only the chief, not your uncle!"
"Yes, Great Chief!"
Murong Cuo shrank back in fright, not daring to say another word.
Murong Tu immediately turned to look outside the tent: "Someone come here!!"
"exist!"
Upon hearing Murong Tu's shout, the two guards standing outside the tent quickly entered.
Murong Tu said in a deep voice, "You will immediately take a group of men to investigate the Mo Qing tribe and find out why they have not yet assembled. Order them to lead the tribe's soldiers to pursue our army directly!"
"yes!!"
The two guards agreed and then quickly walked outside.
After the guards left, Murong Tu glanced at everyone and said loudly:
“Those hateful Wuhuan people not only betrayed us, but also occupied our Hulun Lake, and robbed us of so many women and cattle and sheep, causing us great harm. This is an irreconcilable enmity.”
Only by eradicating their roots and exterminating their clan can we quell the hatred in our hearts!
Our forces have now joined forces with the Yuwen tribe, and we have agreed to launch a joint attack in three days to annihilate the Wuhuan. All of you, go and prepare immediately: slaughter cattle and sheep, and stockpile military provisions!
"yes!!"
The people inside the tent responded loudly and dispersed.
Soon, the soldiers and herdsmen who had gathered there also began to move about. The soldiers of the noble leaders cut up the slaughtered beef and mutton and put them into their own cloth bags.
Now that the weather has turned cold, there's no need to worry about the meat spoiling.
As for the able-bodied herders, they could only get some leftover furs and internal organs.
Two days later, the scouts sent by Murong Tu arrived at a hillside. On both the north and south sides of the hillside were patches of grass as tall as a person.
"After we cross this hill, it's another fifty li to Moqing's tribe. Let's hurry!"
After giving an order, the leading Xianbei officer led his twenty cavalrymen onward.
Shortly after these people left, the grass on both sides of the earthen slope rustled, and fifty soldiers emerged from it.
All of these soldiers had a red ribbon wrapped around their left arm.
Watching the Xianbei soldiers' departing figures, one of the soldiers excitedly said, "Brother Keluntai, just as Mr. Chen Qing predicted, they sent people over shortly after we arrived. It's truly amazing!"
"Mr. Chen Qing is very knowledgeable. What's so surprising about him being able to guess these things?"
Keluntai glanced at his men and then said, "Alright, tell the brothers to quickly set up traps. These people will be back soon!"
"yes!!"
The soldiers responded loudly and immediately scattered to set up tripwires, horse traps, and so on.
It turns out that just yesterday, Tuolü, Chen Qing, Keluntai and others led three thousand Red Ribbon Army soldiers in a surprise attack on Mo Qing's tribe and killed them.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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