Boom!
The rain curtain fell, the sound was immense.
Outside, a torrential rain poured down, and a bonfire was lit.
On the bonfire, an iron pot was set up, boiling lamb meat and milky white lamb soup. A young man dressed in black used a small knife to cut off ribs, dipping them in sauce as he ate. He sat cross-legged on the grassland, looking relaxed, but the man in front of him, adorned with ornaments on his forehead, wore an unhappy expression.
The Seven King of the Turks played with a curved saber in his hand, a trophy from the Tuyuhun, a golden curved saber inlaid with seven gemstones the size of pigeon eggs, as luxurious as a work of art, yet the blade was light, as if it could cut through the northern winds.
The Seven King said, "The strategy of the gentleman is remarkable; we have occupied the vast lands of the Western Regions."
"But my elder brother has suffered a great loss."
The Seven King struggled to suppress the urge to curse the foolish pig.
When they discovered that Yu Wenlie was launching a surprise attack, the Turkic Fifth King, who had been confronting Yu Wenlie, could no longer resist the opportunity to achieve merit. He attacked the Guan City that Yu Wenlie had originally defended, where the citizens had retreated. They defeated the original defending army and entered the city.
However, they did not expect that Yu Wenlie, this fierce general, was also adept at long-distance raids.
When they were drunk, Yu Wenlie returned and burned the originally defended Ying Kingdom Guan City, conveniently stewing the Turkic cavalry, turning tens of thousands of armored elites into minced meat. For the Turkic Fifth King, this was equivalent to losing more than half of his martial prowess.
This time, Yu Wenlie nearly wiped out the Fifth King's accumulated power.
The Fifth King escaped with his life, knowing of the Seven King's gains, and was furious, claiming that the Seven King's attack on the Western Regions had exposed the Fifth King's defenses, thus allowing Yu Wenlie to seize the lands he occupied. Even the Fifth King's father, the lord of the grasslands beneath the golden tent, demanded that the Seven King help settle the Fifth King's tribe.
The Seven King's expression darkened.
The land he had fought for was being used by his father to compensate his foolish brother.
But he could not defy the Khan.
At this moment, anger was futile, and Po Jun smiled slightly, saying, "I have a plan that can help you."
The Seven King sat up straight, saying, "I await your guidance."
Po Jun looked outside and said, "It’s raining heavily."
The Seven King was puzzled but nodded, saying, "Yes, it is already the end of spring. The grassland will gradually enter the rainy season, and the ice and snow on the snow-capped mountains will melt, mixing into the rivers. The rivers will spread from the west across the entire grassland, and the grassland will enter its most beautiful time of the year."
Po Jun said, "Indeed, the terrain of the Western Regions is high, and the Turkic tribes live by the water, having no habit of digging wells."
The Seven King widened his eyes, looking at the young man before him, saying, "Why not poison the upstream? By the time the Fifth King arrives here, it should be of little concern, right? The people grazing horses on the grassland are very superstitious. At that time, we can spread rumors that the heavens are angry with the Fifth King for seizing your foundation."
"Life and death, combined with rumors, will terrify their hearts. In that case, they will surely retreat."
"The dead horses, cattle, sheep, and people will make this grassland flourish."
The Seven King was furious, drawing his sword and slamming it on the table, shouting:
"You want me to poison my own tribesmen?!"
"Do you know how many people will die?!!"
Po Jun ignored the blade's edge and simply said:
"It is better for the Fifth King's tribe to die than for yours, isn't it?"
The Seven King replied, "But I would rather compete with swords."
The strategist from the Central Plains laughed heartily. He stood up, pressed his hand on the curved saber, and spoke forcefully, "Then, what is the difference between killing with swords and killing with poison? You are already going to kill; do you still care about reputation?"
"Do you also cling to titles? But, Seven King, have you ever thought?"
Po Jun gazed at the Seven King, his eyes burning with fire, saying:
"Even if you give this land to him."
"They will not appreciate your kindness!"
"He will think you are a child who has not grown up, afraid of your father, a fool. He will ride and plunder your land, take your beauties back to his tent, and whip your warriors, all because of your mercy at this moment."
This statement struck a chord in the Seven King's heart, and the strength in his blade weakened.
Looking at Po Jun, he seemed defeated, leaning back as he took a drink from a wine pouch, his face showing signs of drunkenness. He sighed, saying, "You are truly ruthless, sir. I fear I will be ruined by your strategy."
Po Jun said, "If you must attribute this infamy to me, believing yourself innocent to make this decision, I do not mind."
The Seven King looked at the strategist who had voiced his thoughts, saying nothing.
The atmosphere here quieted down, filled with killing intent, while Po Jun ate meat heartily. Suddenly, the Seven King said, "I remember you said you wanted to return to the Central Plains. Is the grassland not good? Have I not been generous enough to you?"
Po Jun replied, "You have treated me well; I like the scenery and beauties of the grassland."
The Seven King asked, "Then why do you want to leave?"
"Is it that I am not sincere enough?"
The Seven King took a step forward, the cloak of the grassland king fluttering slightly. He half-knelt, striking his palm against his chest:
"I have not yet completed my great undertaking. Please continue to stay here. Under my royal tent, there will always be a share of your foundation. One day, when my battle flag shines over the grassland, you will be by my side. At that time, the people of the grassland will cheer your title, calling you the Great Khan."
"Please stay."
He looked at the handsome young man before him, his eyes filled with sincerity, but his hand was also resting on the hilt at his waist. Such talent and strategy, if not retained here, could only lead to death and burial.
Any ambitious ruler would yearn to keep extraordinary talents.
Whether it be a person.
Or a life.
The old guide's concerns ultimately came true. The Turkic Seven King, above the third realm, could explode with power over such a short distance, enough to sever Po Jun's throat in an instant. Yet, Po Jun calmly said, "It is precisely for your grand plan that I must go to the Central Plains."
"Have you not realized?"
The Seven King paused, and Po Jun supported him, pointing at the geomantic map, saying, "Now the Turks and the Ying Kingdom have fought a great battle. You have gained land in the Western Regions, but the Fifth King has nearly suffered a complete loss. Do you think you are a match for that great general Yu Wenlie now?"
The Seven King fell silent. The Iron Floating Tower was powerful, but the Ying Kingdom's Tiger Barbarian Heavy Cavalry was only slightly weaker.
Moreover, there was a peerless general and commander like Yu Wenlie.
The Seven King shook his head, "Not his opponent."
Po Jun said, "So, if Yu Wenlie seizes this opportunity, wielding his blade and charging onto the grassland, how will you resist? The heads and armor of the Fifth King's generals have been cut off and piled up outside the Guan, creating a spectacle. The people of the grassland are terrified."
"Do you think the commanders of the eighteen divisions are willing to fight this famous general?"
The Seven King shook his head again.
Po Jun smiled, saying, "Thus, the grassland is no longer united. This is your opportunity."
"The grassland is now divided into two factions: one for death and one for peace; your father only has the option of death, but you are different. You are still young, with remarkable military achievements. At this moment, if you go to the Ying Kingdom, choose to ally with them, and marry a princess of the Ying Kingdom, what do you think?"
The Seven King looked at Po Jun, saying:
"In this way, I will become a blade to balance the Ying Kingdom against the grassland."
Po Jun met his gaze, smiling, "Yes."
"But the other tribes, those who do not wish to fight to the death with the Ying Kingdom, will come to you. They have thousands of cattle and sheep, over a hundred thousand serfs. They already have the best lives and have no need to fight against the fierce generals of the Central Plains. At that time, those tribes will gather here."
"They will converge under your tent, and when you go out, many kings will accompany you."
"At that time, your name and commands will hold supreme authority, just like your father's!"
The Seven King quietly looked at the handsome man from the Central Plains.
The king of the grassland smiled.
He pressed his hand on the hilt, straightened his back, and stood with the majesty of an eagle, saying, "Sir, are you planning to split the grassland, dividing my Turkic tribes into eastern and western factions, thus diminishing the authority of the grassland king into two tents?"
It was a bold ambition, clearly visible.
Po Jun looked at him, saying, "Yes, but you still do not see enough."
"Let me point out the world for you, Seven King."
Po Jun lifted the tent flap, extending his finger toward the sky. The rain curtain fell, and the strategist and the king exchanged glances. Po Jun said:
"The Western Regions have been destroyed; it will be the most chaotic time in the world. The first target of the Ying Kingdom will not be the grassland; they will provide you with substantial money and support for the stability of the grassland, then turn their hands to recover Jiangnan and the Southwest, completing the Central Plains' long-standing goal of unifying the world."
"After all this, they will turn their attention to the grassland."
"This time will be your opportunity; the first step is to have your own territory, the second step is to use the Ying Kingdom to stand against your father, ultimately unifying the grassland completely. At that time, you will be a hero not inferior to the grassland kings of five hundred years ago."
"At that time, you should also want to wield your blade southward, right?"
"Do you not wish to accomplish what no one has achieved in thousands of years, becoming the greatest hero in the epic?"
The Seven King sat quietly, the flames in his chest ignited by the words, his heart pounding. He instinctively gripped his weapon. Po Jun's eyes narrowed, smiling as he muttered to himself:
"Did the Central Plains first subdue Jiangnan, or did your tent surpass your father's?"
"The northern grassland and the vast Central Plains stand opposed, and the side that first unifies its own region will gain the advantage."
"The strategy of dividing the world lies here."
"Who among the grassland's eagles and the Central Plains' rulers is the greatest hero of this era?"
Po Jun's black hair was soaked by the rain. He struck his chest with his palm, his clothes fluttering as he performed a gesture of respect from the grassland. His eyes shone with the light of bewitching all things and the flames of destruction, smiling slightly, saying, "So, do you have the ambition to stride toward the entire world?"
What Po Jun spoke was the truth, a bold strategy, and a temptation that no ambitious ruler could resist. What could most touch a man's heart was not beauty, not wealth, but the grandeur of the world.
The Seven King's breathing quickened. He said, "………And the only one capable of achieving this step, the only one who can persuade the Ying Kingdom to agree to ally with me, is you."
Po Jun said, "So, I must go to the Central Plains."
After a long time, the Seven King gripped his weapon, tightening and then loosening his hold, sighing:
"I really should kill you, Mr. Po Jun."
"But I cannot. You have painted the grand situation of dividing the world for me. Even though I know this is your strategy to split the Turks into Eastern and Western factions, and you wish to use this opportunity to return to the Central Plains, I still cannot bring myself to kill you."
Po Jun said, "This is ambition, surpassing life and death."
In the end, the Seven King swung the golden curved saber, cutting off a lock of Po Jun's hair. He returned the saber, saying, "Consider it as if I have already killed you, sir."
"I hope we do not meet on the battlefield too soon."
"Forty days later, there will be a grand ceremony in the Chen Kingdom. You will accompany the envoy to the Chen Kingdom in the Central Plains."
Po Jun held the lock of hair, smiling, saying, "Alright, but will you not give me a reward?"
The Seven King laughed heartily, "What do you want?"
"Gold, cattle and sheep, or beauties?!"
Po Jun shook his head. In the end, he slightly crossed his hands in a bow, saying, "Please give me a set of armor."
The Seven King replied, "In the armory, there are plenty of armors; sir, go choose."
Po Jun looked at the Seven King, smiling slightly:
"I want the general-level Iron Floating Tower armor."
The Seven King's smile froze.
He stared intently at the strategist before him, whose ambitions ignited the flames of chaos in his heart, and he could not help but think of that heavy battle spear. What kind of monster would the world's heaviest armor, the Iron Floating Tower, paired with a battle spear, create?
Having already agreed to the previous request, the Seven King quickly relented this time.
He said:
"……Alright."
………………
Meanwhile, in Jiangnan, upon seeing that seal, Si Ming completely disregarded his own dignity.
After a moment of stillness.
Once the Qi Observation Technique was activated, the residual royal aura surged into his eyes.
With a loud bang!
Si Ming's vision darkened, and he fell over but suddenly sat up. Li Guanyi was caught off guard as the old man appeared beside him, grabbing Li Guanyi's hand tightly, staring intently at the seal, exclaiming, "Golden seal, tiger clasp, I see, behind it are Tuyuhun's characters..."
"【Conquer the Western Regions】!"
"This is the royal seal of Tuyuhun! It was created by the one who swept through the thirty-six tribes of the Western Regions, establishing Tuyuhun's dominance, forging the royal seal of the thirty-six tribes. When this seal was cast, the other thirty-five tribal kings were slain, and their blood was used to fuel the furnace."
"The fire that day burned blood-red."
"You, you……!!"
"This is what you call a little bit?!"
The old man looked at him, and Li Guanyi grinned, saying, "I don't know how to explain this to you."
"Actually, it wasn't me."
Li Guanyi tried to explain that this was not his achievement.
Then the old man did not believe him, his eyes wide as he looked at the note in Li Guanyi's hand.
【The plan of Brother Lai, my courage】
【Kill the king and seize the throne, this seal is a gift】
The old man pointed at the note, his face full of 'do you think I will believe you?' expression.
"Killing the king and seizing the throne, huh?"
"It has nothing to do with you; giving you the seal, right?"
Li Guanyi also looked at the remaining part of the note, which said that the young man thousands of miles away led elite cavalry to the royal city, seeing the royal city illuminated by torches, the palace drinking through the night. The second young master felt that a direct assault was inappropriate, so he used disguise again.
He pretended that a large army was attacking, stirring up the momentum. Because of the changes in the world, the stars were obscured, and Tuyuhun's national fortune was indeed declining. Thus, the drunken Tuyuhun king was alarmed, fleeing from the royal city.
At this moment, he even brought a charming beauty with him.
The young man rode a steed with Qilin blood, shooting the Tuyuhun king off his horse with a war bow.
Then, 【Plunder all craftsmen, scholars, armor, grain, and geomantic maps】
【What cannot be taken must be burned】
【This item is of no great use to me, only to be sent to my brother for play】
The old man looked at the contents of the note, piecing together the complete story.
The young man before him devised the strategy, while another young man rode away.
How was a nation’s fate extinguished?
If viewed from a secular perspective, it was the destruction of cities, but from a heritage perspective, it was the killing of kings and nobles, seizing the royal seal, making it impossible for this nation to rise again.
Thus, Si Ming suddenly realized an almost absurd truth.
The one who extinguished Tuyuhun was, on the surface, that top general Yu Wenlie.
In reality, it was these two young men who together did not exceed thirty years of age.
Li Guanyi looked at the seal, raising his head, seemingly able to feel the flow of the White Tiger Seven Stars more intuitively. He looked at the old man beside him, wanting to ask many questions, but in the end, he simply extended his hand, palm open, holding the small seal in his palm.
"This thing."
"Is it enough?"
Si Ming: "…………"
(End of Chapter)