But if the Great Khan of the Golden Tent summons them back with the Golden Scroll, they will become close ministers, protected by the king, but they will lose their original fiefdom. The current king of the Xiongnu Tribe is the second king in three hundred years to be recognized by all the Great Khan Kings.
The previous Great Hero of the Xiongnu Tribe, after unifying the grasslands, built cities, intending to consolidate the power of the eight Great Khan Kings into his hands, truly unifying all tribes and establishing eternal achievements. However, he was assassinated, and the grasslands fell into two hundred years of unrest, leaving behind an unfinished great city.
After unifying all the tribes, the current king never mentioned reclaiming power again.
Thus, the Northern Frontier grasslands ushered in the most prosperous era in centuries.
In the golden tent, a man with some gray at his temples stretched out his hands to warm them over the furnace, where white mare's milk boiled, its aroma enticing. On the table beside him lay crispy baked naan, golden yellow, sprinkled with spices and roasted sesame seeds.
He didn't look like a monarch who had unified all the tribes, more like an ordinary herdsman.
His clothes were not particularly luxurious. He had broad shoulders, once intimidating muscles now slackened. At his waist hung a flat tin wine flask commonly used by Xiongnu herdsmen, fitting perfectly in his palm, identical to those used by the herdsmen outside.
But at his other side hung a Golden Curved Saber. Even through the scabbard, it emitted a sharp aura, intimidating those who saw it. The hilt was inlaid with gemstones, the edges of the blue jewels worn smooth by the skin of his palm.
He warmed his hands, broke apart the hardened naan, bit by bit, throwing it into the mare's milk, stirring it into a porridge-like meal. Sitting cross-legged on a mat, he used the Golden Curved Saber to slice roasted lamb leg, the skin roasted to a color between brown and golden. One part skin, three parts meat cut into thin slices, placed into the mare's milk porridge, small oil flowers would emerge along the edges.
The man ate slowly, consuming half of it when someone suddenly lifted the curtain.
It was a young man, wearing Xiongnu robes, robust like a yak, entering with the force of wind, kneeling before the man who looked like an ordinary herdsman, his features heroic and masculine, but at this moment, filled more with excitement —
"Your Majesty, an opportunity has come!"
The man chewed his food, drank a sip of porridge, and asked:
The newcomer, not properly dressed, exposed an arm of hardened muscle, kneeling on the ground, and excitedly said:
"This time, the Khan King of Dichi crossed the Western Regions to seek the Divine Weapon Zhan Lu Sword and reportedly failed. Even the Dichi Iron Cavalry suffered significant losses, and he himself was injured, currently heading to the Northern Frontier with his followers."
"Those from the Divine Martial Mansion seem not to have given up. After dealing with the bodies of their followers, they pursued the Khan King of Dichi all the way from the Western Regions, having now crossed two countries."
"Seizing such a moment, we can take over his grasslands, reclaim many places he divided among others and hold them in our hands. The lands of the Khan King of Dichi are vast, lush with vegetation, capable of grazing many cattle and sheep. We can divide them among others."
The Xiongnu King did not reply, only slowly drank the meat porridge, wiped his mouth, and asked:
"Who told you to say this?"
The young man's gaze flickered, meeting his gaze, and said: "No one told me to say this..."
The Xiongnu King smiled, re-sheathed the saber at his waist, without pursuing the matter further, instead asking:
"You said the lands of the Khan King of Dichi are vast and lush with vegetation?"
The young man's eyes brightened, raising his voice, saying: "Yes, with that land, we could graze more cattle and sheep. Cattle and sheep produce milk, meat, and skins, which could resist harsh winters and be exchanged for more steel and weapons, more fine horses, and more wealth and gold."
"This is an excellent opportunity."
The Xiongnu King asked:
"Then, why not reach out to the Khan King of Lanfu?"
"His lands are even more fertile, with lakes clear as the fallen sky."
The young Xiongnu couldn't answer; he knew it would involve great losses and wouldn't be worthwhile but didn't know how to express it.
The Xiongnu King reached out to stir the furnace, his smile gradually disappearing, a serene strength was there instead.
"If we want fertile lands, head south. There lies the Central Plains, the soil there more fertile than the most lush grasslands, but we cannot defeat them, right?"
The youth hesitantly opened his mouth, saying:
"Three hundred years ago, we were defeated."
The Xiongnu King nodded, saying:
"Yes, we were defeated then, but it doesn't mean we will be defeated this time."
"Send people to contact the sons of the Khan King of Dichi and his generals, help them protect the Khan King of Dichi in returning. What I need is not the grasslands, nor the cattle and horses. Grasslands and cattle, even gold, are not worth concerning over. Son, what I need is a complete, united Xiongnu Tribe."
"Benefits only bring benefits, but only sincerity can bring friendship."
"Therefore, the Khan King of Dichi must survive."
"Who is chasing him?"
The young man felt flames burning in his chest, stood up, and answered:
"According to the messenger, it is the current Mansion Master of the Divine Martial Mansion, named Wang Anfeng."
"Divine Martial Mansion..."
The Xiongnu King's movements paused, his eyes deep, reflecting the burning flames. Then, the man with a status as high as Emperor Qin tossed the wood into the furnace, watching the flames surge more fiercely, calmly commanded:
"This is the mission I give you, do not disappoint me." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
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