After a long while, Murong Tu finally woke up slowly, looking at the barren tribe with no life in his eyes.
Thinking about how he had worked his way up from being the leader of an unknown tribe and built up his fortune over many years, only to have it all vanish overnight, Murong Tu felt like dying.
Before long, the noble leaders of the other tribes also came to Murong Tu to report on the situation of their respective tribes.
"Who on earth could be so ruthless!"
Upon learning that all the tribes under his command were facing the same fate, Murong Tu roared with bloodshot eyes.
Initially, Murong Tu was somewhat gloating after learning that the Yuwen tribe had been attacked by the Wuhuan people.
As a result, I ended up in an even worse situation!
With their families, livestock, and herders all gone, how are they supposed to survive?
Soon, Murong Cuo also sent someone to relay the message back to Murong Tu.
Upon learning that Mo Qing was behind it all, Murong Tu instantly lost his temper.
"Warriors, follow me! We must kill all the traitors and reclaim our families and livestock!!"
After letting out a ferocious roar, Murong Tu immediately mounted his warhorse and led his remaining 20,000 soldiers in a galloping southeast.
On the other side, Yuwen Mohuai, upon returning to his tribe, was so enraged by the loss of 60,000 people that he nearly went mad.
"Murong Tu, Murong Tu, you've really killed me!"
While feeling heartbroken, Yuwen Mohuai shifted all the blame onto Murong Tu.
If Murong Tu hadn't instigated him to attack the Wuhuan people, he wouldn't have lost 20,000 elite soldiers. And how could the Wuhuan people have taken advantage of the situation to invade his tribe?
Now, having suffered these successive blows, the Yuwen tribe's power has been severely weakened, and it has completely lost the strength to challenge Tan Shihuai.
Yuwen Qi, the son of Yuwen Mohuai, also said with a worried expression, "Father, now that our tribe has suffered such losses, what should we do if Tan Shihuai takes the opportunity to attack?"
Yuwen Mohuai narrowed his eyes: "If Tan Shihuai really attacks our tribe, then we will be finished. Given his temperament, others may be alright, but my son and I will certainly not survive!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Qi felt a chill run down his spine, then hesitated before saying, "Father, in my opinion, we should seek refuge with the Han!"
"Seek refuge with the Han Dynasty?" Yuwen Mohuai's expression shifted. "Will the Han Dynasty accept us?"
“Father, think about it. The Han Dynasty cut off trade with all other tribes, but it still maintained trade with us. This shows that the Han Dynasty is trying to win us over!”
Furthermore, didn't they send envoys here before to bestow titles upon you? Since Tan Shihuai accepted the Han Dynasty's bestowal of titles, you can do the same.
"As long as we pledge allegiance to the Great Han, Tan Shihuai will not dare to send troops out of turn. We can also take this opportunity to gain benefits from the Great Han and recover our strength..."
"What you said makes sense, but..."
Yuwen Mohuai paused, then said hesitantly, "But before, it was because we were strong enough that the Han Dynasty tried to win us over, wanting to use us to restrain Tan Shihuai. Now that our strength has been reduced by more than half, will the Han Dynasty still offer those conditions?"
Yuwen Qi was also slightly taken aback, then gritted his teeth and said, "Father, now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to pay a price!"
"What price?" Yuwen Mohuai asked.
Yuwen Qi parted his lips slightly: "A marriage alliance, a marriage alliance with the Han Dynasty!"
Yuwen Mohuai was slightly taken aback: "A marriage alliance?"
“That’s right!” Yuwen Qi nodded: “Father, have you forgotten? Three years ago, the Han Dynasty sent people to ask us to offer up women to the Han Dynasty, but you refused on the grounds that my sister was too young.”
Now that my younger sister Yuwen Rong has turned fifteen after the New Year, she'll be ready to be sent to the Han Dynasty. If she can catch the eye of the Han Emperor, then our tribe's rise to power with the help of the Han will surely be just around the corner.”
"this……"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Mohuai frowned, feeling a pang of reluctance.
Yuwen Rong was his youngest daughter. She was graceful, well-behaved, and beautiful, and was known as the pearl of the grasslands.
In the past two years, countless tribal nobles and leaders have come to propose marriage. Even Tan Shihuai sent someone to act as matchmaker for Helian, but Yuwen Mohuai rejected them all.
This daughter is truly the apple of his eye, and he doesn't want to marry her off so soon.
“Father, I am very reluctant to let Rong’er marry into the Han Dynasty, but given the current situation, we have no choice but to do so.”
Besides, the Han Dynasty is rich, beautiful, and abundant in resources. Rong'er would be much better off living there than staying on the grasslands with her cattle and sheep!
Seeing his father's hesitant expression, Yuwen Qi hurriedly tried to persuade him.
"Sigh, you're right. Perhaps for Rong'er, going to the Han Dynasty would indeed be much better than going to the grasslands!"
Yuwen Mohuai sighed softly, and finally agreed to his son's opinion.
Soon, Yuwen Mohuai arranged for an envoy to be sent to the Han Dynasty, heading towards Yanmen County.
...
On the other side, Murong Tu led his army and, after several days of pursuit, covered more than 600 li and finally caught up with Tuolü and his men who were covering the migration of the tribe.
With 40,000 Red Ribbon Army soldiers at the rear, and nearly 60,000 herdsmen and countless carts, horses, cattle, and sheep in front, they formed a long procession heading east.
Upon discovering the pursuing Xianbei cavalry, Tuolü immediately ordered the Red Ribbon Army soldiers to form ranks and protect the rear of the herdsmen.
Tuolu approached Chen Qing with a grave expression and said in a deep voice, "Brother Chen Qing, these Xianbei soldiers must be elite troops under Murong Tu's command. If we charge head-on, our army will suffer heavy casualties."
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