My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Xiao He lowered his voice and slowly explained his plan to Lao Liu.

"My plan mainly relies on exploiting the greed of the Xiongnu people. What does Your Majesty think?"

Xiao He smiled as he looked at Liu Bei.

The doubt on Liu Bei's face vanished, and he laughed heartily:
"Very good, very good, Bowen, your ability to see into people's hearts is still unparalleled in the world."

"Since you have such a well-thought-out plan, then I can rest easy."

"Go then, I will be waiting in Yong'an for the good news."

Xiao smiled, cupped his hands in farewell.

Immediately, Xiao He, escorted by Deng Ai and three thousand elite cavalry, left Yong'an and headed south, traveling day and night straight to Baibo Valley.

...

Four days later, north of Baibo Valley.

A mighty infantry and cavalry corps, escorting thousands of grain carts, was heading north along the main road on the west bank of the Fen River.

Because the Fen River narrows and the current is rapid in the section passing through Baibo Valley, it is impossible to transport goods by boat, so the only way to go north is by land.

As dusk approached, this large grain convoy had sailed out of Baibo Valley and was heading to Baibo Ferry, ten miles to the north, to re-board its ships.

Zhao Yun spurred his horse, spear in hand, and rode at the forefront of the supply convoy, his eyes sharp as blades, constantly alert to any movement from any direction.

Sudden.

Zhao Yun's ears twitched slightly, as if he had heard something.

The ground beneath my feet was trembling slightly, and I could faintly hear the chaotic sound of horses' hooves.

The soldiers on either side remained calm and did not notice anything unusual.

Zhao Yun's powerful senses made him realize that danger was approaching.

Looking northwest, one can vaguely see dark smoke and dust rising from the horizon.

"The Xiongnu have arrived! Halt the entire army!"

Zhao Yun brandished his spear and shouted sharply.

The orders were relayed down the chain of command, and the nearly 20,000 infantry and cavalry protecting the grain stopped in their tracks, as did the thousands of grain carts.

"Father, why haven't I seen any Huns?"

The eldest son, Zhao Tong, standing beside him, looked around aimlessly.

His experience was clearly inferior to that of his own father.

The words have not yet fallen.

A scout galloped up and shouted:
"Reporting to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, a Xiongnu army of approximately 40,000 cavalry has been spotted approaching from ten miles to the northwest!"

Zhao Tong was taken aback, and looked at Zhao Yun with admiration.

Zhao Yun's face also showed admiration, and he sighed:

"Our Grand Marshal Xiao is truly as insightful as ever. Hu Chuquan, that barbarian chieftain, has indeed come with his entire army."

With a sigh, Zhao Yun's lips curled into a sarcastic sneer, and he shouted:

"Zhao Tong, quickly send someone ahead to report to the Grand Marshal."

"Order the entire army to immediately escort the grain convoy and turn back towards Baibo Valley. We will proceed according to the original plan!"

Zhao Tong hurriedly accepted the order.

The orders were passed down layer by layer.

The Han infantry and cavalry immediately turned around, and the massive supply train also turned back on the spot, retreating towards Baibo Valley along the route they had come from.

Zhao Yun personally covered the rear, ordering dozens of grain carts to be abandoned along the way, creating the illusion that the grain convoy was retreating in panic.

Twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, along with over a thousand supply wagons, hastily retreated into the White Wave Valley…

North of White Wave Valley.

The sky collapsed and the earth cracked, with dust billowing everywhere.

More than 40,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen swept towards the Han army like a tidal wave.

Hu Chuquan drew his sword, leaped onto his horse, and galloped ahead, his face burning with determination.

Several scouts who had gone out to scout returned at breakneck speed.

"Reporting to the Great Chanyu, a Han army supply convoy has been spotted five miles ahead. It consists of about 20,000 infantry and cavalry, with nearly 1,000 supply wagons. It should be the Han army supply convoy we intend to raid."

Huchuquan slowed his horse slightly and looked south. Sure enough, he could vaguely see a procession of carriages and horses that stretched as far as the eye could see. "Pass on my order, Chanyu, the army shall advance in formation. No unit shall engage the Han army without authorization, to guard against the Han army's repeating crossbows!"

Hu Chuquan did not forget Xiahou Dun and Guo Huai's reminders.

As orders were passed down, the Xiongnu cavalry, which had been advancing across the plains, began to gather and converge.

The cavalry continued their advance.

Soon, grain carts abandoned by the Han army appeared along the way.

The Xiongnu soldiers had to raise their own food and supplies, and since the Xiongnu did not engage in agriculture, their military resources mostly came from plundering Han territory.

As soon as the grain carts appeared, the Xiongnu people's eyes lit up, and they rushed forward to snatch them all.

Meanwhile, scouts reported that the Han army, which had originally marched north, was now retreating south.

"Great Chanyu, the Han army must have fled south in panic upon hearing that the Great Chanyu's entire army was coming, which is why they left behind so much grain and military supplies along the way."

Right Wise King Qu Bei exclaimed excitedly.

Hu Chuquan's excitement gradually outweighed his wariness, and he immediately ordered the army to continue the pursuit.

Forty thousand troops pursued southwards.

Along the way, Han army's abandoned grain carts could be seen from time to time, and the Xiongnu chased and looted them all the way.

Having seized the grain carts, the Xiongnu people's appetite grew, and they wanted to seize even more.

Those Xiongnu who failed to seize the supplies were itching to see more Han army supply wagons.

This stimulation whetted the appetites of the Xiongnu, who, as if injected with adrenaline, charged after them on horseback with reckless abandon.

Unbeknownst to them, 40,000 Xiongnu people were led to the northern entrance of Baibo Valley.

"Great Chanyu, Baibo Valley is just ahead. Should we continue the pursuit?"

Left Wise King Liu Bao, being somewhat shrewd, became wary and immediately offered a warning.

Huchuquan reined in his warhorse and ordered the entire army to halt its advance.

More than 40,000 Xiongnu people stopped their horses and crowded around the entrance to the valley.

Hu Chuquan looked at Baibo Valley ahead with a rather complicated expression.

Such terrain was obviously conducive to an ambush, and he naturally knew that.

If the goal is to play it safe, the wisest choice is to stop the pursuit.

However, if the pursuit is stopped, the Han army can easily cross the Baibo Valley and retreat south to the heart of Hedong.

These 100,000 bushels of grain and fodder, like a cooked duck, will they simply fly away from our mouths?
Hu Chuquan was unwilling to give up.

To pursue or not to pursue... This Xiongnu Chanyu was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, the Right Wise King, Qu Bei, rode up on horseback and excitedly shouted:

“Great Chanyu, our scouts have discovered over a thousand grain carts blocking the roads a few miles south of Baibo Valley.”

"My guess is that the Han army, in their panic, had no choice but to abandon the grain carts in the valley to stop our pursuit!"

Upon hearing this prescription, Hu Chuquan's eyes lit up.

Thousands of grain carts—that's 100,000 bushels of grain!

Did the Han army just abandon everything like that?
Doesn't this mean that they seized 100,000 bushels of grain and military supplies without lifting a finger?
This is like a windfall!

Hu Chuquan's eyes instantly became bloodshot, and he became highly excited.

"Great Chanyu, calm down. The Han army is an elite force. There's no reason for them to flee without a fight. Could this be a trap set by the Han army to lure us in?"

Liu Bao, however, remained much calmer and offered another reminder.

Hu Chuquan felt as if he had been doused with cold water, and instantly calmed down a bit, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Just then, news that there were 100,000 bushels of grain in Baibo Valley had spread throughout the entire Xiongnu army.

Forty thousand greedy Xiongnu people, tempted by such great profits, instantly lost their reason.

"Brothers, there are 100,000 bushels of grain in the valley! What are we waiting for? Let's seize it!"

It's unclear who shouted first, but the Xiongnu people immediately erupted in chaos.

Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people, ten thousand people...

In the blink of an eye, without the Chanyu's orders, 40,000 Xiongnu soldiers, like mad dogs, rushed towards Baibo Valley. (End of Chapter)