Inside the Xianbei tent, Tan Shihuai sat behind a table with a solemn expression, deep in thought.
After a long silence, Tan Shihuai finally spoke: "Wenyue, since the Han Dynasty's 30,000 cavalry are preparing to ambush us, then the Yuwen tribe's cavalry are here to act as bait?"
Han Sui pondered and said, "It's very possible that they are trying to hold our army back here so that we can buy time and wait for the Han army at the Great Wall to come to our aid."
After all, the eldest son has already made his way back, and the Han army at the Great Wall has also learned of our army's movements!
"Phew, time..."
Tan Shihuai let out a soft breath and murmured to himself that what he lacked most right now was time.
Although he sensed that the Han army might be lying in ambush, he still had to go in, because he couldn't afford to waste time.
Every day the battle is delayed, our rear will suffer another day of destruction. If news gets back, we'll be completely finished.
Thinking of this, Tan Shihuai stared at a simple map with a pained expression, his eyes constantly moving back and forth.
Where would they set up their ambush location?
Looking at the blurry map in front of him, Tan Shihuai's forehead furrowed into a deep frown.
Han Sui said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, we have too little information about the Yuwen tribe, and it is difficult to discern their situation in a short time."
Tan Shihuai: "Does Wen Yue have any way to find their ambush?"
Han Sui: "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, 'The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' Since they intend to ambush our army, we can use this opportunity to lure them out!"
Tan Shihuai raised an eyebrow: "Oh? How do we lure him?"
"Your Majesty, since these soldiers of the Yuwen tribe have been used as bait, they will surely feign defeat and then lure our army into pursuit."
Our army can turn the tables on them, sending a portion of soldiers to pursue while the main force follows. Once their ambush is launched, we can defeat them…!
"Using our soldiers as bait...?"
Upon hearing Han Sui's suggestion, Tan Shihuai hesitated for a moment.
He knew that since the purpose was to lure out the ambush troops, those baits would definitely have to be discarded.
Just like fishing, how can a fish take the bait if it doesn't eat it?
This plan reminded Tan Shihuai of Li Ru, who was following He Lian.
"If it were him, he would probably do the same!"
murmured something softly, then turned to look at Han Sui, "Wen Yue, how many troops do you think should be deployed as bait?"
Han Sui thought for a moment, then held up four fingers: "Forty thousand. Only when they see enough bait will their ambush appear!"
Tan Shihuai was slightly taken aback: "Forty thousand...?"
"Your Majesty, these 40,000 men are just ordinary able-bodied men. We can recruit more if you are gone. As long as Gao Liu's elite troops are still here, you will remain invincible on this grassland..."
Han Sui also offered his advice, explaining that he had come up with this plan after being inspired by Li Ru's previous attempt to lure the Southern Xiongnu. He simply couldn't think of any other way to deal with the situation.
In Han Sui's view, this expedition was an opportunity to be put to good use again, so he didn't mind learning from Li Ru's style of doing things.
Tan Shihuai turned his head and gave Han Sui a deep look, but finally closed his eyes and nodded.
"Alright, let Wen Yue handle this matter. The entire army will set out first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Han Sui respectfully agreed, then bowed and withdrew.
Only after Han Sui left the main tent did Tan Shihuai open his eyes and gaze quietly ahead.
Thinking about the series of events that had recently occurred, his breathing became heavier and his cheeks flushed.
Suddenly, Tan Shihuai's throat bobbed, and then with a "poof," he spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the table, and his face instantly turned ashen.
"Your Majesty..."
Upon hearing the commotion, one of the guards on duty outside the tent rushed into the tent.
"You... you've vomited blood again!"
Upon seeing the patch of crimson in front of Tan Shihuai, the guards rushed over with worried expressions.
"I am fine. Go and fetch the physician!"
Tan Shihuai shook his head, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and then waved to the guard.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The guard agreed and hurried outside. He had just reached the tent entrance when Tan Shihuai called him back.
"Also, this matter must not be known to anyone, including Mi Jia and Han Sui...!" Tan Shihuai's voice was unusually weak at this moment.
"Yes, I understand!"
The guard nodded heavily, then quickly ran outside.
Only after the guards left did Tan Shihuai stagger to the bedside and lie down.
Even before setting off, Tan Shihuai had vaguely felt unwell. His appetite and energy levels had both dropped significantly, and he had also vomited blood several times.
At first, he investigated carefully for a long time and had several different doctors examine him.
But all the doctors came to the same conclusion: Tan Shihuai had suffered too many injuries in his youth, fighting in various battles, which had damaged his health.
Now that I'm older, all my hidden injuries have come to a head at once.
At this point, while Tan Shihuai felt relieved, he also became worried.
Rest assured, no one is plotting against me.
What worries me is that my great cause is not yet complete, and my son and Lian do not have my high prestige.
If he were to suddenly die one day, He Lian would probably be unable to control those below him, and the foundation he had built would instantly crumble.
Tan Shihuai lay on the bed, his eyes closed, and began to think about the future.
He had a vague feeling that his days were numbered and that there were some things that needed to be arranged.
Before long, the army physician hurriedly arrived at the main tent.
When the doctor noticed some black streaks in the bloodstains on the table, a glint of light appeared in his eyes, which then vanished.
"Your Majesty..."
The doctor came to the bedside and gently called out to him.
"Ugh!"
Tan Shihuai slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the person who had come, and then stretched out his hand.
Upon seeing this, the physician immediately reached out and began to take Tan Shihuai's pulse.
A moment later, the doctor raised his hand, his expression unusually grave.
"Sir, has my condition worsened again?"
Seeing the doctor in this state, Tan Shihuai asked weakly.
The physician said solemnly, "Your Majesty, you have been too tired and exhausted lately, which has led to an imbalance of qi and blood. I suggest that you rest and recuperate for a while!"
"Alas, in this situation, how can I possibly rest and recuperate? Let's deal with the Yuwen tribe first!" Tan Shihua sighed, a bitter look on his face.
The physician said urgently, "But Your Majesty, if you continue like this, you might fall into a coma one day!"
Tan Shihuai raised his voice: "Then increase the dosage as before. I cannot fall before the war ends!"
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