Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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The man, dressed in the black uniform, a sign of an Oriole agent, approached with a sense of urgency. ”My lord,” he said, bowing deeply, ”I bring news from the northwest. Master Zhuge Liang and Master Pang Tong brought both Yeon Gaesomun and Kang Saeng on their return to Xiapi. They are currently en route to Xiapi with the prisoners under heavy guard by the elite guards put as their escort.”

Meanwhile, far to the northwest, beyond the imposing expanse of the Great Wall, the windswept steppes of the Xiongnu territories buzzed with activity. The once fractured tribes, long divided by internal strife and rivalries, had undergone a dramatic transformation under the leadership of Batu and Zolgar, the dual Khans who had risen to power through a combination of cunning, ruthlessness, and strategic brilliance.

Over the past year, they had consolidated their rule, purging the chieftains who opposed them and dismantling the authority of the old chieftains’ council. In its place, they had established a new order, one where their own tribes, the Onggirat and the Qangli, stood as the royal houses of the Xiongnu.

The journey to this point had not been easy. The disastrous battle against the Han, which had left the Xiongnu weakened and vulnerable, had been a turning point. Batu and Zolgar had seized the opportunity to rise to power, using the chaos to their advantage.

They had secretly pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, a move that had bought them time and resources to rebuild their strength. Simultaneously, they had turned their attention to the Xianbei tribes to their east, who had long been a thorn in their side.

The Xianbei, emboldened by the Xiongnu’s weakened state, had launched attacks the previous year, further compounding the challenges Batu and Zolgar faced.

But the dual Khans were not ones to be easily deterred. Over the past year, they had worked tirelessly to restore the Xiongnu’s strength. Zolgar, with his keen military mind, had overseen the reorganization and training of their warriors, while Batu had focused on domestic affairs, ensuring that the tribes had enough food, weapons, and horses to sustain their growing power.

Through a combination of diplomacy and warfare, they had brought the remaining Xiongnu tribes under their rule, unifying the steppes under a single banner for the first time in generations.

Now, inside a majestic tent adorned with intricate patterns and symbols of power, Batu and Zolgar sat on their thrones, listening intently to the reports of their chieftains.

The tent, a symbol of their authority, was filled with the scent of burning incense and the low murmur of voices. The chieftains, now serving as advisors and warchiefs, stood before them, their faces a mix of respect and apprehension as they delivered their updates.

”The harvest has been bountiful this year,” one chieftain reported, his voice steady. ”Since we began to grow our own crops, our granaries are filled with grains, and our livestock numbers have increased significantly. The tribes will not go hungry this winter.”

Another chieftain stepped forward, his tone brimming with pride. ”The blacksmiths have been working day and night, producing weapons of excellent quality. Swords and spears, alongside leather armor, are being distributed to our warriors as we speak. The production of bows and arrows has also exceeded expectations. Our archers will be well equipped for the battles to come.”

A third chieftain, a grizzled veteran with scars that spoke of countless battles, added, ”The number of horses under our command has grown as well. Our herds are strong, and our horse archers will be unmatched once again. The warriors, both young and old, have completed their training. We now have 200,000 men ready to fight for the glory of the Khans.”

Batu and Zolgar exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of satisfaction and determination. The reports were a testament to their hard work and the resilience of the Xiongnu people. The once fractured tribes had been forged into a unified force, one that was ready to reclaim its place as a dominant power on the steppes.

Zolgar leaned forward, his piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled chieftains. ”You have done well,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. ”The Xiongnu are stronger than ever, and it is time to repay those who have wronged us. The Xianbei have grown bold, thinking they can attack us without consequence. It is time to remind them of the price of their arrogance.”

Batu nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. ”The Xianbei are not our only concern,” he added. ”The Han to the south remain a threat, and their influence grows by the day. But before we turn our attention to them, we must secure our eastern flank. The Xianbei must be dealt with decisively.”

The chieftains murmured their agreement, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The prospect of war, of reclaiming their honor and expanding their territory, was a powerful motivator. They had suffered enough humiliation at the hands of their enemies, and now was the time for vengeance.

Seeing this, Batu and Zolgar were relieved that they managed to turn the attention of their people to the Xianbei, because they would still like to have this win win relationship with the Han named Cao Cao, since the knowledge, techniques, and support they had received was numerous from him.

They knew they were pawns in Cao Cao’s game, but they felt that soon they would be so powerful and could match Cao Cao’s strength, relieving themselves from his rule and wreaking havoc on the Han’s land.

As the meeting continued, Batu and Zolgar outlined their plans for the upcoming campaign against the Xianbei. They discussed strategies, allocated resources, and assigned roles to their chieftains.

The atmosphere in the tent was charged with energy, a palpable sense of purpose that united everyone present, either through the promise of revenge or wealth they could gain by destroying the Xianbei.

Once the meeting concluded, the chieftains dispersed to carry out their orders, leaving Batu and Zolgar alone in the tent. The two Khans sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts.

”It has been a long road of waiting and patience,” Batu said finally, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement. ”But we are closer than ever to achieving our goals of a united steppe from west to the east. Our clansmen and the tribes are united, and our adversaries will soon learn the cost of inviting our wrath to them.”

Zolgar nodded, his expression grim. ”The Xianbei will be the first to feel our wrath,” he said. ”But we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. The Han is still a threat, and Cao Cao still held a large influence over us and it grew stronger by the day with the limited support he gave to us. We must tread carefully, so that we can break free of him and don’t have to be afraid of the knowledge of us working together with him got out, since the chieftains that followed us from the start wouldn’t dare to say a word of fear of their reputation as well.”

Batu’s lips curled into a sly smile. ”Cao Cao may think he has us under his thumb, but he underestimates us. Our allegiance to him is a means to an end, nothing more. Once we have dealt with the Xianbei, we will turn our attention to the Han after we absorbed the Xianbei into our tribes. The steppes will be ours, and the Xiongnu will rise again.”

Zolgar’s eyes gleamed with determination. ”The time for vengeance is near,” he said. ”The Xiongnu will not be denied their rightful place. The world will tremble before us.”

While the Xiongnu under Batu and Zolgar prepared for their impending campaign against the Xianbei, the Xianbei themselves were far from idle.

Under the leadership of Kuitou, a man whose ambition and vision rivaled that of his legendary uncle Tanshihuai, the Xianbei tribes were undergoing their own transformation.

Kuitou had united the Xianbei through a combination of diplomacy, charisma, and sheer force of will, aiming to recreate the great Xianbei Confederation that had once dominated the steppes, long before Batu and Zolgar announced their dual Khan’s rule.

His goal was not just to defend against the Xiongnu but to ensure that the Xianbei would never again fracture into squabbling tribes.

Kuitou’s leadership style was a blend of pragmatism and vision. He understood that the Xianbei, though fierce and proud, were outnumbered by the Xiongnu. To counter this disadvantage, he had begun implementing defensive strategies inspired by the Han, whose fortifications and disciplined armies had long been a thorn in the side of nomadic tribes.

However, the steppes were not the fertile plains of the Han. Resources like wood, essential for building fortifications, were scarce. This scarcity posed a significant challenge, one that Kuitou knew he had to address if the Xianbei were to stand a chance against the impending Xiongnu onslaught.

To tackle this issue, Kuitou convened a council of chieftains in his grand yurt, a structure adorned with symbols of Xianbei heritage and power.

The air inside was thick with the scent of burning incense and the murmurs of the chieftains, who had gathered from across the steppes under Xianbei’s rule to discuss the future of their people.

Kuitou sat at the head of the gathering, his presence commanding respect and attention. His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of the men who would play a crucial role in the Xianbei’s survival.

”Brothers,” Kuitou began, his voice calm but authoritative, ”we stand at a crossroads. The Xiongnu grow stronger by the day, and their eyes are fixed upon us. We must prepare, not just to defend ourselves but to ensure that the Xianbei rise stronger than ever. To do this, we need resources, wood for fortifications, tools for our craftsmen, and weapons for our warriors. The question before us is simple: how do we acquire these resources?”

The room fell silent as the chieftains considered the question. After a moment, one of the older chieftains, a man with a weathered face and a voice like gravel, spoke up. ”The Fuyu tribe to our east controls vast forests. They have the wood we need. If we trade with them, we can secure the resources without resorting to conflict.”

This suggestion was met with murmurs of approval. The Fuyu tribe, though not as powerful as the Xianbei or Xiongnu, had long been a reliable trading partner. Their lands were rich in timber, and their people were known for their craftsmanship. Trading with them seemed like a logical solution.

However, not everyone was convinced. A younger chieftain, his face marked by the scars of recent battles, stood up. ”Trading with the Fuyu is a good idea, but it will take time. The Xiongnu are already preparing for war. We need resources now, not months from now. Why not trade with the Han? Their lands are rich, and they have more wood than they know what to do with.”

This suggestion was met with mixed reactions. Some chieftains nodded in agreement, while others shook their heads in disapproval. The memory of the Han’s betrayal was still fresh in their minds.

The Cao Cao representative had promised support but had ultimately broken that promise, leaving the Xianbei to fend for themselves. Trading with the Han, especially with the one right in the south of their domain, was a risky proposition.

Kuitou listened carefully to the debate, his expression unreadable. He understood the merits and drawbacks of both options. Trading with the Fuyu was safer and more reliable, but it would take time, time they might not have. Trading with the Han, on the other hand, could yield immediate results, but it came with the risk of betrayal and the potential for political complications.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 33 (200 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0