Chapter 21

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, the Han army decisively defeated the Xiongnu, driving them out of the southern desert. The Wuhuan then submitted to the Han Dynasty and migrated south to the five commanderies of Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, Liaoxi, and Liaodong, where they grazed their livestock outside the Great Wall, defending the northern border for the Han. By the time of Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Wuhuan migrated further south from the five commanderies to the outskirts of Liaodong, Yuyang, and Shuofang, settling in ten commanderies within the Great Wall. The Wuhuan migrated south twice during the Han Dynasties, gradually growing in strength, but they remained under the jurisdiction of the Han-appointed Wuhuan Commandant, divided into several tribes, each governing independently, and never forming a unified tribal alliance.

In recent years, Quli Ju, a leader of the Wuhuan in Liaoxi, has emerged as a natural genius, becoming the most powerful among the Wuhuan tribes and gradually assuming the role of king. Quli Ju has a keen eye and has recognized the decline of the Eastern Han. As a result, he has abandoned the previous strategy of maintaining close ties with the Han, instead frequently raiding the Han borders, plundering Youzhou, and even leaving their mark in Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Central Plains.

It is now the autumn season, the time when the Wuhuan traditionally raid the Han for supplies. Spring is the mating season for livestock and horses, while summer to autumn is the time when the grass is lush and the horses and cattle grow fat. Winter is unsuitable for military campaigns. Only during late autumn, when the Wuhuan are most idle and their livestock and horses are at their fattest, do they launch raids into Han territory to plunder food for the winter. Every year at this time, regardless of the relationship between the Wuhuan and the Han, the Wuhuan king leads his cavalry to invade the Han, looting grain to prepare for the winter.

About sixty to seventy li outside of Jixian, two tall, foreign-looking men were riding at the front, followed by thirty thousand Wuhuan cavalry. These two men were the two generals sent by Wuhuan King Quli Ju, Subul and Wudan.

Subul was a towering figure, standing over two meters tall, wielding a mace. He was the heir to one of the largest Wuhuan tribes and was considered one of the top three warriors among the Wuhuan. Wudan was also tall and muscular, but he was a large, fat man. As the saying goes, "fat men are strong," and Wudan wielded two large iron hammers, each weighing forty kilograms. He was also a formidable warrior in the Wuhuan tribe.

"Brother Subul, beyond this hill lies the territory of Jixian. This time, we must thoroughly plunder Youzhou. Whether it's wealth, grain, or women, I will take everything. I will kill all the Han people and destroy their villages. Hahaha," Wudan laughed wildly. To him, the Han army was like an ant, easily crushed.

"Wudan, don't be too overconfident. I've heard that a new governor has arrived in Youzhou, and he is not an ordinary person. His forces are not to be underestimated," Subul said, frowning. For some reason, he felt a sense of foreboding and an ominous premonition.

"What's there to fear, Brother Subul? The Han people are weak and helpless. For years, our raids have always been easy. Even with a new governor, what can he do? I can crush him with one hammer," Wudan waved his iron hammers, his face full of disdain.

"I hope so," Subul said, still worried.

The army continued advancing towards Jixian. Suddenly, a scout galloped up, "Report to Lord Subul, there are several hundred Han soldiers escorting over twenty large carts about ten li ahead."

Subul frowned, "Do you know what's in the carts?"

"My lord, I didn't dare to get too close for fear of alerting them, but I saw some grain and fodder scattered where the Han soldiers passed," the scout replied.

"Hahaha, Brother Subul, those must be the Han army's supply carts. Give the order to attack and plunder them," Wudan urged impatiently.

Subul's frown deepened, "Wudan, don't you find it strange that the Han army is transporting grain at this time? They know we are here, yet they still transport grain. There must be a plot!"

"Brother Subul, what are you afraid of? Can the Han army be our match? Besides, we came here to plunder grain. The Wuhuan people are waiting for our supplies to survive the winter. How can we pass up such a good opportunity?" Wudan complained.

"Fine! You're right. Attack!" Subul hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and gave the order.

"Ha, that's the spirit," Wudan laughed wildly.

Thirty thousand cavalry charged, shaking the earth. The ten-li distance was covered in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Soon, the Han army's supply convoy came into view.

"Charge! Charge!" Wudan led the charge, swinging his iron hammers at the Han soldiers.

The cries echoed through the mountain pass. The Han soldiers, seeing the vast number of Wuhuan cavalry, were stunned and terrified.

"Ah, run! The Wuhuan are coming!" A voice from the Han army spread panic. Fear is contagious, and soon all the Han soldiers dropped their weapons and fled in all directions, forgetting about the grain.

The mountain pass made it difficult for the cavalry to maneuver, and most of the Han soldiers escaped into the forest. Only a few were killed, and some were taken captive by the Wuhuan.

"Hahaha, Brother Subul, so much grain! Even our thirty thousand troops can eat for ten days. Now we can plunder Youzhou for a longer time," Wudan laughed maniacally, staring at the grain.

Subul immediately sent a few Wuhuan soldiers who spoke Chinese to interrogate the captives. They learned that the governor had ordered the grain to be transported to Yuyang due to a shortage there.

"Hahaha, Brother Subul, this is it. The governor must have known we had a force in Yuyang and sent the grain there. We intercepted it," Wudan laughed.

"No, Wudan, I still find this strange," Subul's unease deepened.

Wudan glared at Subul, "Brother Subul, why don't you believe me? Look at how scared those Han soldiers were. How could they be lying?" In fact, Wudan didn't know that the Han soldiers were not lying. Liu Yao had ordered them to transport the grain to Yuyang and to flee if they encountered the Wuhuan.

Seeing Subul still frowning, Wudan walked to a cart and slashed open a sack of grain. A large amount of grain spilled out. "Look, it's grain. What else could it be? What plot could there be?" He stared at the grain with glowing eyes.

Subul checked every cart and found that they all contained grain. Despite his doubts, the grain was real, and his vigilance eased.

"Brother Subul, do you believe me now?" Wudan complained.

"Alright, I believe you. Gather the grain and continue towards Jixian," Subul nodded, then looked up at the sky. "The sun is setting. Let's camp on the other side of this hill."

"Great, I'm already hungry. This is the Han army's military grain, the best and freshest," Wudan rubbed his growling stomach.

By the time the Wuhuan crossed the hill, it was already dark. The campsite was less than thirty li from Jixian. The Wuhuan began setting up camp and cooking, and soon the smoke from their fires rose into the air.

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