"… Khan, if the barbarian gets wind of this news, will he fly into a rage out of humiliation and lead his troops to attack us?"
In Tuli's tent, Ni Shituo asked Tuli worriedly after Domozhi had left for a long time.
He naturally knew that what Tuli had said to Domozhi about He Luohe getting cold and fever was a lie. When he saw He Luohe yesterday, he was still alive and kicking. How could he suddenly get cold and fever?
Clearly, Tuli didn't want to hand his son over to Xue Yantuo's tribe!
From a personal point of view, Ni Shituo naturally didn't want to hand over He Luohe either. Even if the Tiele tribes withdrew, he would feel ashamed.
However, compared to the lives of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command, Ni Shituo felt that there was nothing wrong with leaving him behind.
However, these were only his personal thoughts. Now that Tuli had made a decision, he would support him unconditionally. However, he still couldn't help but worry that the barbarian man would retaliate after he got wind of this news.
"The situation in the grasslands is delicate now. Since the Tiele tribes dared to unite to resist Xieli, it means that more and more tribes on the grasslands are dissatisfied with Xieli and are willing to stand up. At this time, even if the barbarian man is unwilling, he won't dare to waste his troops here. Otherwise, how can he resist Xieli?"
Although he wasn't sure, Tuli still replied with certainty.
He had to give his subordinates confidence.
"… Khan is wise!"
Ni Shituo frowned and thought for a while. He felt that the barbarian man's words were reasonable, so he leaned over and flattered him.
Tuli's expression didn't change. He pondered for a moment and ordered, "General Ni Shituo, immediately pass down the order. Tell all the generals to count their men and horses, pack up, and be ready to set out at any time. In addition, send a group of people out to pay attention to the movements of the troops around Yating. Once the troops in one direction retreat, we will immediately break out from that direction and leave the grasslands!"
Ni Shituo was shocked when he heard this. They had been trapped here for nearly half a month. They had experienced life and death situations, and even ran out of food and water. Now that they were about to break out, Ni Shituo couldn't help but feel somewhat enlightened. All these changes … were brought about by that Tang!
"… This subordinate obeys!"
Ni Shituo immediately cupped his fists and accepted the order. He then turned and walked out of the tent.
…
"… Duke, forgive me for speaking out of turn. We are about to complete our mission and leave the grassland to return to Chang 'an. Why do you still want to create more problems? That barbarian man is not a good person. If Tuli refuses him like this, what if he changes his mind and joins the other Tiele tribes to encircle and annihilate us? I'm afraid we won't be able to go back for the rest of our lives! "
On the other side, in Tang Jian's tent, Yue Minghu's face turned bitter when he heard about the discussion between Tang Jian and Tuli. If it weren't for the fact that Tang Jian's status was higher than his, Yue Minghu would have smashed his fist on Tang Jian's face already.
Who asked you to meddle in other people's business? Who asked you to meddle in other people's business? It's obvious that Tiele's troops are planning to withdraw, it's obvious that our mission in the prairie is about to be completed, yet you insist on 'instigating' Tuli to 'play' with that barbarian man. Is that barbarian man someone to be trifled with? What if the other party changed his mind in a fit of anger and joined forces with the rest of the Tiele tribe to attack Tuli's tribe? Wouldn't they all be finished?
"Minghu, calm down! Don't be impatient! "
Seeing that Yue Minghu was really anxious, Tang Jian quickly put away his smile and said with a serious face,
"After this incident, we can see that this barbarian man is indeed someone. But you don't have to worry. Since the Tiele tribes have decided to join forces to resist Xieli, the barbarian man won't choose to waste his troops to encircle and annihilate Tuli at this time. Besides, as far as this old man knows, the most powerful tribe among the Tiele tribes should be the Qiyan tribe. Even if the barbarian man loses his head in a fit of anger and wants to do something foolish, the chief of the Qiyan tribe won't let him do as he pleases!"
"But what if? What if the barbarian man doesn't play by the rules and attacks Tuli with all his might in a fit of anger? "
Yue Minghu didn't buy it at all. Mainly, he felt that Tang Jian's action was completely superfluous. Since the barbarian man wanted Tuli to hand over He Luoye as a hostage, why not just let Tuli hand him over? What did it have to do with them? As long as the barbarian man kept his word and promised to withdraw the troops, this deal was very worthwhile. Tang Jian didn't need to interfere and 'instigate' Tuli to reject the barbarian man. Wasn't this adding more variables to their escape from the grasslands?
At this time, Yue Minghu's emotions were somewhat out of control. With reddened eyes, he said, "I still have a 60-year-old father and mother at home. I was thinking that after this mission is completed, I can earn some military merits. I was planning to return to Chang 'an and marry a wife to make them happy. If we can have a boy or a girl, our Yue family will have descendants and they won't have to worry about me all the time. But you … you did this. If the Tiele tribes really change their minds because of this, none of us can go back!"
Not everyone had a heart as big as Tang Jian's. For example, Yue Minghu and the other Imperial Guards who escorted Tang Jian to the grasslands, although they were all elites in the army, they were isolated and helpless after coming to the vast grasslands with Tang Jian. Every day, they went through life and death trials and were constantly on tenterhooks. If they were not mentally strong, they would have already broken down long ago!
They were able to hold on until now because of the belief in their hearts, the belief to go home!
And now, Tang Jian's seemingly superfluous decision might very well ruin their hard-won opportunity to go home. How could Yue Minghu not feel heartache ~?
Seeing Yue Minghu reveal his true feelings, Tang Jian couldn't help but fall silent.
Yue Minghu was born in the imperial guards. Before this, they actually didn't have any interactions. However, along the way, they had crossed mountains and rivers, experienced all kinds of difficulties and dangers, and even faced death several times. The relationship between Tang Jian and Yue Minghu and the others had gradually lost the boundary of superiority and inferiority. They were more like friends!
However, before this, Yue Minghu had always obeyed Tang Jian's orders and never raised any objections. Now, his abnormal behavior was really because Tang Jian 'instigated' Tuli to reject the barbarian man. This move was too risky. Moreover, it was risking everyone's lives!
If Tang Jian had taken such a risk when they first came to the grassland, Yue Minghu wouldn't have said anything. Because at that time, their situation was very bad and they could only fight to survive. But now, they were clearly about to welcome the dawn of victory, but Tang Jian still wanted to create new problems. Yue Minghu couldn't understand this!
"Minghu, this old man's move is indeed a little risky, and I have neglected your feelings. This old man deeply apologizes!"
After a long silence, Tang Jian patted Yue Minghu's shoulder heavily and sighed. But then, he changed the topic and said, "But even if I had to do it again, this old man would still make the same choice! It's not that this old man is superfluous and creating new problems. This barbarian man is very ambitious. If he really leaves Tuli's son in Xue Yantuo's tribe and suddenly submits to the imperial court, wouldn't it be equivalent to the barbarian man inserting a chess piece in our Tang Empire?
I believe that His Majesty also doesn't want to see this situation! It's true that our Tang Empire wants to attack the grassland, but when and how to attack, only the Tang Empire has the final say. The Tang Empire can't become the barbarian man's knife to eliminate Xieli. Otherwise, even if Xieli falls, the barbarian man will become the next Xieli! For our Tang Empire, there will be no end of trouble! "
Tang Jian was truly far-sighted. Not only was he Li Er's subject, but he was also Li Er's close friend. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken on this dangerous mission. As a close friend, he naturally had to clear all obstacles and hidden dangers for Li Er, so he couldn't let the barbarian man take He Luohe hostage to threaten Tuli!
This was because Tuli would soon become a citizen of the Tang Empire. If the barbarian man used He Luohe to threaten Tuli, it would be the same as threatening the Tang Empire! This was a situation that Tang Jian absolutely didn't want to see!
If not for Yue Minghu's loss of composure, Tang Jian definitely wouldn't have said these words out loud!
Yue Minghu couldn't help but tremble when he heard this. Although he didn't completely understand what Tang Jian said, he still roughly understood the meaning. He knew that he had misunderstood Tang Jian. Tang Jian's previous actions weren't superfluous and creating new problems, but had a deeper meaning!
"Duke, you have great foresight. This subordinate was short-sighted and lost composure for a moment. Please punish me, Duke!"
Yue Minghu knelt on one knee and cupped his fist to Tang Jian in shame.
He was a soldier, and a soldier's mission was to protect the country. As long as Tang Jian's previous actions weren't aimless and were beneficial to the Tang Empire, even if it put them in danger, Yue Minghu wouldn't have any complaints because this was their mission!
His previous loss of composure was mainly because he didn't understand the deeper meaning behind Tang Jian's actions. Now that he knew, he naturally wouldn't have any complaints in his heart!
"Get up! This isn't your fault! "
Tang Jian bent over and helped Yue Minghu up, then said, "This old man is to blame for not considering your feelings beforehand! However, if this old man isn't wrong, even if the barbarian man knows that his plan didn't succeed, the Tiele troops near Tuli will withdraw very soon! Pass down the order and let our men prepare. Before the sky turns dark today, we should be able to leave the grassland! "
Seeing Tang Jian so confident, Yue Minghu couldn't help but feel relieved. He cupped his fist and said, "Yes! Duke! This subordinate will pass down the order now! Those bastards have been in the grassland for so long and have been waiting for this day for a long time! "
After saying that, Yue Minghu turned around and left the tent.
… … …
In fact, the changes in the situation were much faster than Tang Jian had expected.
Not long after Domoji left Tuli, about a quarter of an hour, a small group of cavalry came from the north. The leader was a man with a strong back and a bearded face. It was Qigi Heli's younger brother, Qigi Shaman!
This small group of cavalry came down from the west side of Tuli and quickly arrived at a garrison camp in the south.
"Second leader!"
"Second leader is here!"
Although Qigi Shaman wasn't very well liked by Qigi Heli, at least not as well as Guzang Jiming, but among the soldiers of Qigi Tribe, Qigi Shaman's prestige was still very high. This guy was straightforward and didn't put on airs. Moreover, he was often at the forefront of battles. Such a general would naturally be supported by the soldiers. Therefore, when Qigi Shaman arrived, the soldiers in the camp who had nothing to do all gathered around and greeted him warmly.
"Neigh ~!"
Qigi Shaman reined in his horse and skillfully dismounted. He first looked around and then asked a soldier in front of him, "Where is your General Goer?"
Qigi Goer was the general of Qigi Tribe and one of the most capable generals under Qigi Heli.
"Second leader, General Goer went to patrol the frontlines. According to the time, he should be back soon! Do you want to rest in the tent for a while? "
Hearing Qigi Shaman's question, the soldier quickly replied.
"No need! Bring me to him ~! "
Qigi Shaman shook his head and prepared to get back on his horse.
At this moment, the sound of horse hooves came from the north of the camp. Then, a soldier in the camp shouted, "General Goer is back!"
Qigi Shaman was stunned when he heard this. Then, he grinned and laughed, "Heh! Looks like I came at the right time ~! "
Then, he strode towards the group of people.
"Second leader, why are you here ~?"
Qibi Ge Er was a tall and skinny middle-aged man with a thick beard. When he saw Qibi Sha Men approaching, he hurriedly went forward and bowed respectfully.
"Heh! Goer! We brothers don't need to be so polite! "
Qigi Shaman laughed and put a hand on Qigi Goer's shoulder. Then, he said, "Goer, I'm here to pass on my big brother's orders."
Qigi Goer was stunned. He motioned for the soldiers on his left and right to withdraw. Then, he quickly asked, "What orders does the chief have?"
Qigi Shaman said, "My big brother orders you to immediately gather all the men here and withdraw to the tribe. No delay!"
"What? Withdraw all the men? But if the Great Khan knows … "
Hearing this, Qita Ge 'er was greatly shocked. He knew that a few days ago, Xieli had given the tribal chiefs of Tiele a death order. If they withdrew their troops, how could Xieli spare Qita Ge' er tribe?
Qigi Shaman smiled mysteriously and whispered to Qigi Goer, "Big brother wants you to withdraw the men to get rid of Xieli! Don't worry, the other tribes have already agreed that they will withdraw their troops today! While Xieli hasn't reacted yet, we have to withdraw all the men! "
"What ~?"
Qigi Goer's eyes widened when he heard this. His heart could not help but tremble violently. At this moment, he only had one thought in his mind — the sky has changed, the sky of the grassland is about to change!
"… Alright! This subordinate will gather the soldiers and withdraw to the tribe ~! "
After being shocked for a while, Qigi Goer finally came back to his senses. He took a deep breath and cupped his fists at Qigi Shaman.
Fighting against the powerful Xieli, although the outcome was hard to predict, but since this was Qigi Heli's decision, he could only support it. Moreover, all the herders and soldiers of the Tiele tribes did not have a good impression of Xieli. Now that he could fight Xieli openly, not only did Qigi Goer not have the slightest fear, he even had a trace of excitement!
… … …
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