Chapter Seventy Revenge

  Zhou Lin took a sip of water and smiled, "To think about it, I was the one who was confused. Earlier, I thought we were doing business with the Xū Bó clan, but it turns out it's actually the Lán clan."

  "You're usually clever, how could you overlook this?" Zhou Fei scolded: "If not for Taiyi's favor this time, the old Zhou family would have become extinct!"

  Zhang Shan and Bai Lang both nodded in agreement.

  "Hey," Zhou Lin sighed and shook his head helplessly, saying: "We did business in that tribe, transporting goods over there, all of which were taken over by the Susu people who sent someone to receive them. And the tribespeople in that tribe would take a detour when they saw us. Besides, we didn't think of this at first, did we?"

  "That's also true." Zhou Fei nodded slightly and continued: "It seems that the Su family has been plotting for a long time..."

  "How did you escape?" But White Wolf said beside him: "Zhang Shan and I were at a loss."

  "It's also a matter of luck." Zhou Lin took a deep breath and said, "Everyone knows that the Xiongnu people have become more and more rampant in recent years, secretly sending people to kidnap Han people countless times. In that tribe, there are also hundreds of Han people who were used as slaves by them!"

  Upon hearing this, several people's faces fell.

  The Han people are the noblest nation in this world, which is an idea that Li Zhong has always advocated. And since Emperor Wu broke the Xiongnu and dominated the four seas, the Han people themselves had a proud heart of looking down on the barbarians.

  Nowadays, when they hear that the Xiongnu have captured Han people and made them slaves, how can they not feel angry!

  "Damn it, we will eventually destroy those Xiongnu dogs!"

  Zhang Shan muttered a curse under his breath, but then asked, "Was it them who helped you escape?"

  Zhou Lin nodded and said, "This time I was able to escape safely, thanks to them. When I was detained, Xu Bowei would often send people to torture me, trying to make me surrender. But he didn't kill me, so instead he sent people to bring me food."

  "Are they the ones who brought us food?"

  Zhou Lin nodded and said, "As time went on, I became familiar with them, so I roughly told them about our grassland situation, our lord, our thoughts, our powerful army, and our grassland... Originally, I never thought of using their power to escape from that tribe. But a few nights ago, they somehow managed to distract the Xiongnu guards, changed my clothes, and took me out of the tribe."

  "So that's how it is!"

  The other three suddenly realized, and immediately, Zhou Fei frowned and said: "In that case, they will be in big trouble! The Xiongnu people will definitely not let them go!"

  Zhou Lin's face was also gloomy, saying: "I wanted them to follow me immediately, but they said that there were still their families in the tribe and they couldn't leave. They just made a request when we parted ways."

  "What request?!"

  A clear voice came from outside the hall, and Li Zhēng's figure appeared at the entrance of the great hall.

  "Your Excellency!"

  Four people in the hall hurried forward and made a bow.

  Li Zhēng first helped up Zhou Lin with a big smile and said: "You can return safely, I'm really happy, really happy!"

  "My lord is being held back, and I am ashamed that I don't dare to take the blame!" Zhou Lin's face showed a look of shame: "It's all because I myself didn't think things through..."

  "No wonder!"

  Saying that, Li Zhēng helped the rest of them up and sat down in the main seat. Only then did he say: "What exactly were their demands?"

  "They hoped that the lord would send troops to attack the Xiongnu, rescue all Han slaves, avenge the dead and restore the dignity of the Han people!"

  "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!" Li Jing's face was calm and serene as he said, "The Xiongnu people will eventually be exterminated by me, the dignity of the Han people must be washed clean with blood!"

  Everyone under the hall was filled with excitement and enthusiasm, their blood boiling with passion.

  "When I first received your letter, although I also let Dashan and Baimang rescue you, I did not respond to the Xiongnu people's request. Zhou Fei, Zhou Lin, can you blame me?"

  Li Zheng's expression was firm, and he slowly opened his mouth.

  Zhou Lin heard this and shook his head fiercely: "Your subordinate will never blame the superior! The Xiongnu people are wolf-like and have ulterior motives, wanting to take advantage of the grasslands is a pipe dream! Even if Zhou Lin dies and his soul disappears, he cannot satisfy the Xiongnu people's intentions! If the superior really wants to give in to the Xiongnu people and exchange for my return, I will also use death to make my stance clear!"

  "Well said!"

  Zhang Shan and others all clapped their hands in approval.

  Zhang Shan said: "Zhou Lin, you little devil! People from our Shenzhou Grassland only know how to die standing up, not live on their knees!"

  On Chou's chubby face, a relieved smile appeared: "In my old family, there isn't a single coward!"

  Li Zhong felt relieved and sighed: "Life is indeed precious, but dignity is even more valuable! Zhou Lin is indeed a man of our grassland!"

  "Your Excellency, please give the order. Let's go and conquer that Lan clan tribe. First, let's rescue our compatriots!" Zhang Shan suddenly stood up at this time: "I am willing to be the vanguard!"

  "Follow me!"

  The White Wolf also stood up and clasped his fists.

  They can't wait anymore.

  "Good!"

  Li Zhēn slapped the table and shouted: "To exterminate the Xiongnu people, it can't be done in a short time. But to repay Zhou Lin for saving his life, it's as easy as turning over one's hand!"

  "Zhang Shan, Bai Lang!"

  "The end is near!"

  "You two have been wandering on the grasslands for so many days, and you've also had a big battle with the Han clan. I think it shouldn't be difficult to destroy just one small tribe!"

  "We two are willing to take a military oath! If we don't destroy this Lan clan and rescue our people, we'll die rather than return!"

  "Good!" Li Zheng nodded solemnly and said, "This battle is not only to repay kindness and rescue people, but also to give the Xiongnu people a show of our strength! Immediately, in my name, summon one hundred elite cavalrymen and put them under your two commands. Once we leave the pass, push forward steadily, killing anyone who gets in our way, until we reach the Lan tribe!"

  Half a day later, the Green Armor Cavalry took their positions.

  Zhang Shan and Bai Lang, the two commanders, led 100 elite cavalrymen, 300 mountain wolf riders, and 800 light horsemen, each carrying half a month's worth of supplies, departed from Beiyuan Pass and charged towards the Lan clan's tribe.

  Li Zhong remained in Baishui River and did not personally take to the battlefield.

  This small-scale war was just for revenge and to give the Xiongnu people a show, it wasn't worth Li Jing taking action himself.

  Moreover, the generals under his command are not particularly talented, and in order to truly be of use, they still need to undergo rigorous training. This time is also a good opportunity for them.

  In Baishui River, Li Zhong walked through several barracks and made some inquiries. Finally, he settled in Beiyuanguan, ready to respond to Zhang Shan and others at any time and receive the rescued compatriots!

  December, Chang'an.

  Outside the city, a large camp of tens of thousands of soldiers stood tall, with banners and flags fluttering in the wind. The atmosphere was filled with the fierce energy of war, piercing through the sky. That surging bloodlust could not be suppressed even by the cold winter!

  In the tent, Huangfu Song sat in the main seat, with Dong Zhuo to his right. The other generals sat opposite each other according to their ranks and merits.

  "General Huangfu!"

  Dong Zhuo was robust and majestic in build, with a thick beard under his chin and an air of ferocity on his face. His eyes were large and spirited, and although his entire countenance may not have been considered elegant, it was absolutely rugged!

  He bowed his fist to the main seat, Huangfu Song, and said: "The rebel king Wang Kuo's 100,000-strong army is besieging Chen Cang. In my humble opinion, we should immediately send troops to rescue him. If not, it will be too late when Chen Cang is broken!"

  As soon as these words came out, many generals deeply felt the same way and nodded in unison.

  "Otherwise!"

  Huangfu Song was slender and lean, but his eyes were bright and spirited, and his tall figure had a refined and elegant air.

  Chen Cang is small, but the city is high and the walls are thick. The grain and grass inside are sufficient, and the defensive facilities are complete. Even if the Wang Kingdom has an army of 100,000, it will be impossible to break through Chen Cang. Now, the rebel's momentum is surging, and their military strength is flourishing. It's not a good time to send troops out. Why not wait until their offensive is frustrated, and their morale is low, then strike them with one blow!

  "Furthermore, if the rebels attack Chencang, I will rescue Chencang, that is being led by the nose by the rebels. It would be better to hold back our troops and break this momentum, turning from a passive to an active position, which is the King's way!"

  As soon as this was said, Dong Zhuo was speechless, and all the other generals suddenly came to their senses!

  Huangfu Song's strategic tactics have reached the level of momentum. Considering everything, it is not just a local gain or loss, but the overall offensive and defensive situation of the entire battlefield. This idea makes Dong Zhuo feel inferior!

  "Let's follow the general's words!"

  Dong Zhuo clasped his fists and bowed, his face expressionless.

  Huangfu Song nodded slightly.

  "General," said Dong Zhuo, "to wipe out the rebels in this battle, we still need one more person to assist us!"

  "Huh?" Huang Fu's face showed confusion.

  "Protector of the Qiang Li Zhen!" Dong Zhuo pondered for a moment, saying: "I suppose General should also have heard that this man last year with dozens of riders broke through the army of ten thousand, rescued the governor of Hanyang Fu Nanrong, and later defeated the enemy several times. In Bólù Valley, he set fire to and destroyed more than 10,000 pursuing soldiers, and was appointed as Protector of the Qiang. With this man's bravery and military strategy, I think we should have some help! We will be in front, he will be behind, and with a pincer movement, the rebels will surely be defeated!"

  "Hmm..." Huang Fu nodded slightly, but said: "However, the Protector of the Qiang has long been in name only, and this person has been in office for just over a year, with no support from the imperial court. It's likely that he doesn't have many soldiers under his command, so he can be of some help, but not someone to rely heavily on."

  Dong Zhuo nodded.

  His goal has been achieved, as long as this Protector of the Qiang is dragged into war, as for the rest, Dong Zhuo does not care.

  Two months passed quickly.

  Li Jing stayed in Baishui River for a month, during which his army clashed with the Xiongnu people on the eastern and northern borders.

  Zhang Shan and Bai Lang initially pushed forward with ease, but in just over a dozen days, they had swept away the Lan clan where Zhou Lin was located, rescuing their fellow tribesmen who had been captured and enslaved.

  Such outrageous behavior naturally made the Xiongnu gnash their teeth in anger.

  Then Lan's clan raised tens of thousands of troops to attack, but was defeated at the North Camp Pass and fled in disarray, pursued by Bai Lang's wolf cavalry for a hundred miles, leaving behind only a field of corpses.

  Han's forces also launched several attacks on Dongyingguan at this time, but none of them succeeded. On the contrary, facing the Qing army's cavalry, they lost a lot of soldiers and horses.

  A month later, Li Jing issued a notice to the two Xiongnu tribes, ordering them to release Han slaves, otherwise he would send troops to sweep at any time, which made the Xiongnu even more resentful of Li Jing.

  But who made the terrain of Baishui River change greatly and defend it tightly?

  Even if the two big surnames join forces, they still can't break through the two passes. Even with anger and hatred, there's nothing that can be done about it.

  In October, the Xiongnu tribes around Baishui River had already begun to migrate to distant places. Can't fight, not even allowed to run?