Chapter 41: The Great Assembly of Lin (Three)

  (Thanks for the continuous rewards from "Zhao Wu Xu 2014" and "Hu Ye Bu Huo".)

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  In front of a huge white canopy with a top decorated with a flying yak tail, Ma Xian saw the central Xianbei lord, Ke Bineng. Ke Bineng, who had the bravery and heroism unique to the people of the grasslands engraved in his bones, did not mind his own noble status at all when he saw Ma Xian, and laughed loudly as he came forward to hug him.

  Ma Xian laughed more happily than Ke Bi Neng, and warmly opened his arms to hug him back. However, he only dared to use force with his left arm, while his right arm just lightly touched the back of Ke Bi Neng, pretending to be affectionate. This arm was too deadly, if not careful, it might turn into an assassination event.

  "With bare hands, he is a true hero!" Ke Bi was full of praise and admiration, and then warmly walked side by side with Ma Xun, continuously introducing him to the various tribal leaders who came out to welcome them.

  Ma Hu actually defeated the Huns with his bare hands, which is indeed praiseworthy. However, what truly earned him the respect and awe of these heroes of the grasslands was that he repelled the Xianbei at the riverbank in three battles; and crushed the Wuhuan under Mount Xiao Shi. But as these were matters of personal glory, it's not convenient to speak of them openly, so everyone only praises his heroic feat of defeating the Huns.

  Ma Huan in the spacious and magnificent main tent of Kibi Nai, with a thick white carpet laid out, and various golden decorations hanging on the walls, met many Xianbei and Wuhuan tribal leaders, including some familiar faces: Wuhuan Left Valley King Lou Ban; Xianbei Juti Departmental Lord Fu Luo Han, as well as his son Xie Gui Ni; Xianbei Kibi Nai's younger brother Liu Luo Hou; Liao Dong subordinate country Xianbei Jie Ji's son Sha Mo Han; Liao Xi Xianbei Su Li's younger brother Cheng Lv Gui; one of the three counties of Wuhuan, Liao Dong subordinate country, King Suo Bu Yan; Right North Ping Khan Lu Wang Wu Yan Departmental Lord You Xie Hou Neng Chen and others.

  The Xianbei and Wuhuan peoples, although both belonged to the Eastern Hu branch, were not of the same tribe. They often fought and plundered each other, which was a common occurrence on the grasslands. However, after fighting, they could sit down and drink together, with no eternal friends or unbreakable vendettas. When not at war, they remained friends, and during major ceremonies, they would send envoys to celebrate together.

  Ma Xun always had a smile on his face, even when meeting with former enemies like Xi Gui and Neng Chen, he showed no change in expression, greeting them as if nothing was wrong, displaying the demeanor of a former gang leader. Ma Xun was already handsome, and with his sunny smile, calm tone, everyone from the various tribes, except for Xi Gui and Neng Chen who still had psychological shadows due to his bravery, were delighted to chat and laugh with him.

  Tian Yu and Yan Shi brothers also received a warm welcome from the various chiefs, only in this gathering place of the chiefs did they discover that the Yan Shi brothers' status and prestige were quite extraordinary: many tribal leaders came to pay their respects and offer gifts; The Yan Shi brothers also returned the courtesy, laughing and chatting, appearing to be exceptionally familiar with everyone. Later, as the host, Ke Bi Neng, invited the two brothers to take the upper seat, which was opposite Xing Ju, the protector of Wuhuan, and next to the various chiefs. Ma Xun, on the other hand, sat at the lower end, almost near the entrance of the tent.

  It didn't matter where Ma Yun sat, he wasn't a noble guest of the Xianbei people anyway, and he didn't expect to be treated with much enthusiasm. But his position was directly opposite that of Chebi En, and he was sandwiched between the Xianbei and Wuhuan people on both sides of the seating arrangement, which made things a bit delicate.

  Tian Yu said in a low voice beside him, "The Xianbei people seem to have evil intentions."

  Ma Xun drank yogurt and bit into mutton, saying vaguely: "To put it bluntly, we're here to negotiate. It's already good if the Xianbei people can put on a good face. Do you still expect them to welcome us wholeheartedly?"

  Tian Yu looked at the seat of the Yan brothers with some dissatisfaction and said, "The Xianbei people are also too rude. They actually let Yan Ruoshui, Yan Zikun and Xiang Shijun sit opposite each other, while Yan Zikun is calm as if nothing had happened... It's really strange. With Yan Zikun's cleverness, how could he not see that Xiang Shijun's face was not looking well?"

  Ma Xun listened to Tian Yu's words, his eyes scanning the red faces of the Yan brothers, then glancing at Xing Ju's calm expression, and he couldn't help but hesitate slightly. However, the Xianbei people didn't give him a chance to think, and they began to interrogate him.

  The first to speak was the humiliated Fuluohun of the Khitan tribe: "General Ma, I'd like to know why you attacked my people without reason?"

  Although the designated speaker was Tian Yu, but someone came straight to him, and Fu Luo Han's identity was not ordinary, Ma Xun personally responded: "Fu Luo Han doesn't know that it wasn't me who took the initiative to attack, but rather your department's account fell first provoked."

  "What! You...!" Fu Luo Han was furious, thinking that he had no evidence of his death, and would rather bite back.

  Ma Xun made a slightly calming gesture and said calmly, "There are Han people who have escaped from slavery to the Han Ge Department, seeking refuge. How can I bear to refuse my own kind at the door and let them be brutally flogged and killed? Of course, I had to lend a helping hand, which led to conflict with your department. What needs to be reminded is that the place where the conflict occurred was on the territory of my Han Ge Department. Therefore, I have reason to believe that it was your department that first provoked the conflict."

  Ma Xian's words were reasonable and well-reasoned, leaving the Xianbei people stunned. Tian Yu secretly applauded, thinking that his commander's eloquence was not inferior to his own. If he wasn't worried about the conversation becoming awkward and difficult to conclude, it would be best for the commander to negotiate.

  Furuo Han's anger was uncontrollable: "I don't care who started it, I only know that my entire camp was destroyed by you, my people were taken captive, and our property was plundered. How do you plan to account for this?"

  Ma Xun couldn't help but use the leftover sheep bones to point at Fuluohan and burst out laughing: "Explain? Lord Fuluohan, you're not drunk, are you? On this vast grassland of Menghu, today it's survival of the fittest, where the strong eat the weak, and tomorrow it's the other way around. Who needs to explain to whom? Your Kuiyuan tribe became one of the strongest tribes on this grassland by swallowing up countless others, but have you ever explained yourself to anyone?"

  Yan brothers heard the eight characters "物竞天泽，弱肉强食", their hearts shook, and they all had a feeling, almost couldn't help but cheer. Xing Ju listened, also stroked his beard and nodded, smiling but not speaking. A group of Xianbei people and Wuhuan people also frequently nodded, making Fu Luo Han's face as red as pig liver, almost about to explode in anger.

  Kou Bei stepped forward as the host and naturally tried to mediate: "General Suluo, there's no need to get angry. This is just a misunderstanding. Now that General Mobei has been invited here, it's precisely to discuss how to properly resolve this matter, so that the grasslands will no longer have the sounds of clashing steel or wailing women and children. What does General Mobei think?"

  Ma Xian said bluntly and concisely: "I didn't come from afar just for this."

  Kuai Bi stroked his palm and laughed, saying: "Alright, today we have Xing Shi Jun here, as well as Yan Shi Zhong Kun who is known for his impartiality, and the various department heads. You two can present your own demands, please ask everyone to judge whether they are reasonable or not."

  Ma Xun and Fu Luo Han have no problem with each other.

  Fuluohang immediately said: "If you want me not to pursue this, you must return the people and property of the four tribes that were annexed by my department, and also compensate for the number of people killed in my department with cattle, sheep, grains, and millet. I won't cheat you, this is a consistent rule in the north of the desert. Also, if there are slaves who escape and come to your side again, the Hange Department cannot take them in at will, but must return them to my department."

  Wu Wan and Wu Yan's subordinate, Neng Chen, stepped forward and said: "This is a matter for our tribe to handle."

  What can't be obtained on the battlefield, you still want to get it at the negotiating table? Ma Xuan's heart sneered, and he gave Tian Yu a wink.

  Tian Yu nodded and also put forward the conditions of the Han Gou Department: "The conditions for our department, I had previously discussed with the Left Hou of the Wuyan Department, exchanging Han slaves for captives, one-to-one exchange, and no other considerations will be entertained."

  The conditions of both sides differ too much, where can they be discussed?

  "Furious, Fu Luo Han slammed his fist on the case and roared: 'In this northern grassland, you dare to not follow the rules of the grassland!'"

  Ma Xun also slammed his hand on the table, his voice even louder than Fu Luo Han's: "Don't think I don't understand the rules of the grasslands! Who is this rule aimed at? This is the rule of the victor over the vanquished! Have you won? Have I lost?"

  Fu Luo Han was so angry that he rolled his eyes, his son led three hundred elite cavalry to find him, the result was three defeats, three of the most famous brave warriors in the clan were killed, and the rest fled in disarray, how did he win?

  Seeing that both sides were about to quarrel, Yan Rou hastily stood up to mediate: "Everyone please calm down, listen to me for a moment. Why don't we take a step back and renegotiate the terms?"

  Xing Ju also mediated at the request of Ke Bi Neng: "Each take a step back, and don't hurt the harmony."

  Among the people present, only Xing Ju's identity was enough to suppress both sides of the dispute and urge them to retreat. As for other departmental chiefs, one is afraid of Ma Yuan's fierce reputation, two is embarrassed by Xing Ju's presence, not convenient to exert pressure, but without a doubt, they are absolutely on the side of the Xianbei people and the Wuhuan people.

  Ma Xun had come, of course, with a psychological preparation to retreat one step. What is called negotiation is mutual compromise. If neither party is willing to take a step back, then what's the point of negotiating? Just set up your formation and start fighting! The Xianbei people and the Wuhuan people were strong and fierce, but they also knew that this young man was not easy to mess with. He was exceptionally skilled in single combat and group battles. The Hu people didn't eat hard food, but they did eat soft food; they didn't obey force, but they did obey reason. With the protection of Wu Huan's school lieutenant and Yan Shi Zhong Kun arbitrating, they were willing to take a step back.

  After a round of debate and haggling, Yan Rou brought out a compromise plan: 1. The Han Gou department returns some prisoners (mostly young and strong), the property is considered spoils of war, and the central Xianbei and three counties Wuhuan agree to let the Han Gou department set up camp; 2. The Han Gou department sets up camp and grazes south of the Ruoshui River, without permission, they are not allowed to cross the river and land on the north bank, nor can they attack other departments at will; 3. The Han Gou department only accepts the command of the Protector of Wuhuan, if there is a conflict with other departments, it can be mediated by the Protector of Wuhuan and the envoy sent by the Xianbei elder Ke Pi Nai; 4. According to the grassland rules, new camps can receive congratulatory gifts from various departments. The Xianbei and Wuhuan departments will send congratulatory gifts such as Han slaves, etc., to show their sincerity.

  Ma Xian was fairly satisfied with the fourth item, which was actually a compromise on the exchange conditions he had previously proposed, but in the form of a gift to save face for the Xianbei and Wuhuan people. In addition to the above four major principles, there were many specific small clauses, such as the demarcation of pasture boundaries, migration ranges, transactions with various tribes, and dispute resolution with neighboring tribes, all of which were left to Tian Yu to discuss.

  The negotiations went smoothly, and Ma Xian, who had settled his mind, smiled all over his face as he clinked cups with the Xianbei and Wuhuan people, without showing any sign of almost drawing his sword just now.

  Ma Xian was used to this kind of sudden change, and his mental adjustment was very natural. However, some of the Xianbei people and Wuhuan people found it difficult to turn around immediately, especially Ma Xian's previous tough attitude, which made them very unhappy. If not for Ma Xian's terrifying military achievements, I'm afraid there would have been rows of Hu people warriors coming forward to challenge him. However, Ma Xian's prestige intimidated most people, but there were still a small number of unbelievers.

  Just as the negotiations were about to conclude and Ma Xian was preparing to stand up and leave, a short but exceptionally sturdy Xianbei man walked over with heavy footsteps and blocked Ma Xian's path. This person's unusual behavior immediately caught the attention of everyone in the tent.

  Xing Ju looked at Suluo Hou with displeasure and said, "Suluo Hou, what does this mean?"

  Xing Ju saw it clearly, this Xianbei strong Han was actually the personal bodyguard of Kou Beiren's younger brother, Zouluohou, hence the question.

  He nodded and said, "This is my brave warrior Luobang. He and Budo were sworn brothers, probably because he was angry about Budo's death, so he came to ask the horse department commander for advice."

  Xing Ju didn't know who Bu Tuo was, and only after asking those around him did he learn that he was the number one brave warrior of the Jian Ti tribe. He had been killed by Ma Han with a single blow to the heart on the banks of the wetlands. After his initial shock, Xing Ju also found it inconvenient to ask further questions. On the grasslands, this kind of vendetta was only a fair fight between two people, and no one else had the right to intervene.

  Tian Yu thought to block Ma Hong's path, but was gently pushed aside. Ma Hong made a reassuring gesture to this young deputy, sat upright and motionless, gazing at Luo Bang, saying: "What instructions does this brave warrior have?"

  Luobang's voice was as unpleasant to hear as his appearance, and he bellowed loudly: "Buddha is my brother, you killed him, and with such cruel means. If I, Luobang, do not avenge his death, his soul will not rest in peace - I challenge you!"

  The whole tent was quiet for a moment, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ma Xun, except for a few people, most of the eyes were filled with excitement.

  Ma Xun smiled: "To avenge his brother, it's quite righteous! However, are you sure you can avenge? Don't get yourself involved. If you lose, it won't be just a matter of having your heart dug out. According to the rules, everything you have will belong to me."

  Before the war, Ma Xian's words suddenly caused a stir among the Luobang people. There was an unwritten rule for challenges between warriors on the grasslands: the loser would have to hand over everything they had, including their family and property, to the winner. On that day, Ma Xian killed three Xianbei warriors in a row, and even in front of the two armies, he stripped the losers of their armor and weapons. At that time, the 300 Xianbei cavalrymen could only watch with their eyes wide open, not daring to stop him, because of this rule.

  Nowadays, if it's a one-on-one duel between two people, the loser will lose more than just their life and personal belongings.

  Luobang and Budo are indeed good brothers, but he can also become a close guard of the Hou Tie, not a brainless person. Budo's bravery is still above him, and the one who can kill Budo with one blow, isn't it a good match? If it weren't for Master Hou Tie's repeated secret orders, if it weren't for seeing Ma Xun's image being too different from his own imagined giant image, Luobang wouldn't dare to provoke. Even so, after all, Ma Xun's reputation is too great, and the price of losing is too high, Luobang still hesitated.

  Ma Xun also had the intention to give all the malicious people a warning in front of the Hu tribes, but didn't want it to be too bloody. He smiled at Luo Bang and stretched out his hand: "Not everyone has the qualifications to challenge me, first try your wrist strength."

  Lu Bang was overjoyed, he was confident in his own strength, and had been worried that Ma Hong's technique was good, quick and agile, but unexpectedly the opponent wanted to compare wrist strength. Haha! Look at his arm muscles, they were a full circle smaller than his own, even if he had flexibility, how could he be stronger?

  Luoban immediately stretched out his hand and shook hands with Ma Huan.

  Ma Huan used the standard handshake, naturally using his right hand. The two parties shook hands for a moment, and then grasped tightly. Ma Huan's face was as usual, but Luo Bang's face was wonderful: first it swelled red, then turned iron blue, then turned pale white, and finally, with a loud crackling sound of bones, it turned into a dead gray color...

  Ma Huan's mechanical hand had a grip of at least half a ton, and even if it was a piece of raw iron, it would be pinched into shape. The five fingers closed together, and Luo Bang's right hand was crushed into bone fragments. With a flick of his wrist, Ma Huan sent Luo Bang flying onto the short table in front of Xi Luo Hou, splashing cups, bowls, and milk all over Xi Luo Hou's face and body.

  The whole tent was shocked and speechless, Ma Xian bowed to Ji Bi, Xing Ju and other Hu leaders with ease, and left with Tian Yu.

  After a while, Ke Bi was able to let out a long breath, his eyes met with the Yan brothers, and he nodded slightly, as if making up his mind about something.