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

"Just who exactly is Cao Pi?"

As Budugen pondered, he inadvertently glanced at the Han Chinese strategist beside him.

That Han Chinese strategist was none other than Ding Mi.

He was born into the Ding clan of the State of Wei, a prominent family that was considered one of the powerful maternal relatives in Wei.

Back then, when the Han Dynasty seized Hebei with overwhelming force, Ding Mi had no choice but to leave his home and flee to the northern frontier to escape the war.

When he was desperate, he resolutely sought refuge with Budugen, who was quite influential in the northern frontier at the time.

When Budugen first met Ding Mi, he was immediately attracted by his wisdom and resourcefulness.

In his interactions and time with Ding Mi, Budugen grew to appreciate his strategies more and more, considering him a rare talent.

Therefore, Budugen appointed Ding Mi as his chief strategist, consulting with him on everything and listening to his opinions and suggestions.

Under Ding Mi's planning, Budugen successfully unified the various Xianbei tribes.

This great achievement made Budugen trust Ding Mi even more, regarding him as his right-hand man and relying on his decisions in everything.

This time, Cheng Gongyi was sent as an envoy to the Xianbei, bringing news that Cao Pi intended to form an alliance with the Xianbei.

Upon learning of this, Budugen was caught in a dilemma.

He repeatedly weighed the pros and cons of accepting Cao Pi and couldn't make up his mind.

It was at this crucial moment that Ding Mi strongly advocated for an alliance with Cao Pi.

Under Ding Mi's firm insistence, Budugen was finally persuaded and decided to personally lead his cavalry to welcome Cao Pi into the north.

"The emperor is not as wise and powerful as the late emperor, nor can he be considered a wise ruler."

When faced with Budugen's questioning, Ding Mi gave an objective and calm evaluation.

He showed no favoritism or exaggeration, but simply stated his opinion of Cao Pi truthfully.

After hearing this, Budugen nodded slightly, a cold smile appearing on his lips:
“Very good. This kind of person is easier for me to control. If he were too shrewd and capable, he would probably be difficult to manage.”

Ding Mi remained silent, fully aware of the meaning behind Budugen's words.

Budugen looked at Ding Mi with a meaningful look in his eyes and slowly asked:

"I know you are a former official of the Wei Kingdom. You came to me because you were unwilling to surrender to the Han Kingdom. Now that Cao Pi is about to come to the north, will you still be loyal to me?"

Budugen's words carried a hint of suspicion and wariness; he worried that Ding Mi might switch his allegiance back to Wei because of Cao Pi's arrival.

Ding Mi was startled and immediately realized that Budugen was suspicious of her and feared that she would defect to Cao Pi.

Ding Mi took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and then solemnly said:

"The Great Khan has taken me in and placed immense trust in me; I will repay him with my life!"

"Even if Cao Pi were to come here, or even if the late Emperor of Wei himself were to come, my loyalty would not change. Since I have chosen to follow the Great Khan, I will remain steadfast and will never betray the Great Khan's trust."

Ding Mi's eyes revealed determination and loyalty.

Budugen stared quietly at Ding Mi, trying to glean some clues from his eyes and expression.

He saw no trace of guilt or hesitation in Ding Mi's honest and firm eyes.

He was certain that his mastermind had not deceived him, and a sense of relief washed over him.

"Alright, alright, that's enough!"

Budugen smiled with satisfaction:
"With a strategist like you to assist me, how can I not establish the Great Xianbei Empire!"

After saying that, Budugen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hahaha--"

Budugen's hearty laughter echoed across the northern frontier.

Just as he was laughing, a desolate and bleak scene appeared below the horizon.

The tattered flags fluttered weakly in the wind, and the dejected soldiers dragged their weary bodies forward slowly.

"Those are Wei army banners, it must be His Majesty's arrival?"

Ding Mi pointed to the familiar flag ahead, her eyes revealing a hint of anticipation and excitement.

Budugen was greatly encouraged and immediately ordered his men to form ranks and wait on the spot. At the same time, he sent Cheng Gongyi to scout out the situation.

About a mile ahead, Cao Pi was leading his remaining troops, struggling against the raging sandstorm.

The wind whipped up sand and dust, stinging the soldiers' faces, but they gritted their teeth and pressed on.

"Cavalry ahead!"

Suddenly, someone in the group screamed in terror.

This sudden shout shattered the already tense atmosphere, plunging the five thousand Wei soldiers into panic.

They thought the Han army had caught up with them, and they looked around in fear.

Cao Pi was also thrown into a panic. At this critical juncture of life and death, any slight disturbance could cause him to lose his mind.

"Your Majesty, do not panic. If the Han army is to pursue, they will come from behind, not from in front."

Just then, Cheng Gongying calmly pointed ahead and said:
“I suspect that the enemy ahead is the Xianbei army. Judging from their equipment, they are completely different from the Han army.”

Cheng Gongying quickly made a judgment.

Cao Pi looked closely and indeed saw that the iron cavalry legion was different from the Han army.

Just as they were speculating, several riders galloped closer like a whirlwind.

"It's Cheng Gongyi!"

Cheng Gongying recognized her son and exclaimed excitedly.

Clearly, he hadn't expected his son to appear here at this crucial moment.

Sure enough, a moment later, a scholar rode up and dismounted.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and greets my father."

It was indeed Cheng Gongyi.

Cao Pi was overjoyed and quickly dismounted to help Cheng Gongyi up and inquire:
"Cheng Gongyi, it's wonderful that you've arrived! Tell me quickly, what's the situation at the front?"

Cheng Gongyi claimed that Budugen personally led his troops to meet him.

He explained Budugen's intentions and arrangements to Cao Pi in detail, giving Cao Pi a clear understanding of the situation.

Upon hearing that the people ahead were Xianbei, the Wei soldiers around them breathed a sigh of relief, and Cao Pi also let out a soft sigh, his previously tense nerves finally relaxing a bit.

But suddenly, his heart was filled with complicated feelings.

On the one hand, Budugen's arrival to meet him meant that he was finally out of danger and no longer had to worry about the threat of the Han army's pursuers.

He could find temporary refuge in the northern lands.

On the other hand, the bitterness lies in the fact that he will soon be living under someone else's roof, bowing and scraping to Budugen.

This was undoubtedly a huge humiliation for him, who had once been the emperor of Wei.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, Budugen will certainly treat Your Majesty with the utmost respect."

Cheng Gongyi noticed Cao Pi's worry and quickly comforted him.

Cheng Gongying nodded in comfort:
“The fact that Budugen came to greet you personally shows how much he values ​​it. He will surely treat Your Majesty with courtesy. Judging from his actions, he still respects Your Majesty very much. Your Majesty need not be too anxious.”

Cao Pi had no choice but to lead his remaining troops forward and join forces with the Xianbei army.

A quarter of an hour later, the emperor of Wei met with the overlord of the northern frontier.

As Cheng Gongyi said, Budugen was extremely polite to Cao Pi.

He personally stepped forward to greet Cao Pi, his face beaming with a warm smile.

Budugen also promised on the spot to transfer 8,000 troops to Cao Pi's command and provide them with food and military supplies.

This move brought Cao Pi a sense of comfort.

Budugen's attitude relieved Cao Pi, and his previously anxious heart finally settled down. "I have long heard of the Great Khan's great talent and strategy, and indeed, his reputation is well-deserved."

Cao Pi quickly responded, praising:
"If the Great Khan is willing, I am willing to form an alliance with the Great Khan to jointly resist the Han Kingdom. We will join hands and fight against the Han Kingdom together."

Budugen nodded happily.

"Alright, let's become allies and fight against the Han Kingdom together."

After saying this, Budugen slaughtered cattle and sheep on the spot and held a blood oath ceremony.

Forty thousand Xianbei troops and five thousand Wei soldiers stood in a circle to watch the ceremony.

Unbeknownst to them, a cavalry force had quietly risen in the southeast.

This cavalry unit lay in wait like ghosts, silently lurking there, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

At this moment, a general was gazing intently at the Xianbei army that was standing ready in front of him.

After receiving Xiao He's meticulous arrangements, Zhuge Dan did not hesitate to lead 20,000 elite Han cavalry, rushing out of Wuyuan City like an arrow released from a bow.

Xiao He deduced that Cao Pi, having no other options, would most likely choose to flee from Zhangbei to the northern frontier to seek refuge with Budugen.

Moreover, Xiao He further speculated that, in order to show his sincerity, Budugen would personally lead a large army to welcome Cao Pi.

Based on this assessment, Xiao Hezhi must be extremely cautious in this operation and must not let the Xianbei people become aware of it, otherwise it is very likely that all his efforts will be in vain.

Therefore, he ordered Zhuge Dan to pay close attention to reconnaissance and conceal their whereabouts during the march.

After receiving the order, Zhuge Dan dared not slack off in the slightest.

During the march, he dispatched scouts extensively to carefully investigate every move around him.

Persistence pays off; just a few days ago, the scouts finally discovered the whereabouts of the Xianbei army.

Upon learning the news, Zhuge Dan made a decisive move, quickly changing the marching route to avoid the Xianbei people's sight and proceeding quietly.

Until now.

When Zhuge Dan led the Han army and appeared like a divine army descending from the sky, Budugen and his Xianbei army were completely unaware.

At this moment, Budugen and Cao Pi were in an open area, conducting a solemn blood oath ceremony.

The Xianbei army and Wei soldiers gathered around to watch this important moment.

They were completely unaware that a Han cavalry force, appearing silently like a ghost, was silently appearing behind them, like a ferocious beast about to open its bloody maw, poised to strike.

"If we don't attack now, when will we?"

Zhuge Dan, gazing at the unsuspecting enemy army before him, took a deep breath, and suddenly raised his long sword, pointing it directly at the enemy:
"Brave men of Han, your chance to make a name for yourselves has arrived!"

"All troops, listen to my command and follow me to wipe out the barbarians!"

This command, like a thunderclap, ignited the passion in the hearts of the Han soldiers.

"kill--"

With a deafening roar, Zhuge Dan charged ahead like an arrow released from a bow, rushing towards the enemy.

The 20,000 iron cavalry behind him surged forward like a raging tide, with overwhelming force.

A few hundred paces away, Cao Pi and Budugen had just finished their alliance ceremony.

The two men raised their wine flasks high, tilted their heads back, and drank the wine inside in one gulp.

Budugen burst into laughter.

"Your Majesty, now that we are allies, if we can join forces to destroy the Han Dynasty in the future, how should we divide the empire?"

Budugen's smile vanished, and he stared sharply at Cao Pi.

Cao Pi was immediately startled when he heard this question!
He knew in his heart that if he answered truthfully, the world would naturally belong to the Wei Kingdom.

However, if they did that, after destroying Liu Bei, they would inevitably clash with the Xianbei people, and it would be strange if Budugen didn't turn against them.

But if you don't tell the truth, are you going to say that the world belongs to the Xianbei and that you are willing to be a ruler who only has a partial peace?
Would Budugen believe such a thing?
I'm afraid Budugen will think he's just spouting empty words and has no sincerity, and will still turn his back on him.

Cao Pi was immediately caught in a dilemma.

Just then, Cheng Gongying stepped forward and said:
"If our two families join forces to destroy the Han, we will naturally divide the world in half."

Budugen nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

After a pause, he pressed on, still not entirely convinced:

"What happens after we part ways? Can we still be allies forever?"

Cheng Gongying pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"After the world is divided, we should each guard our own territory. It would be the best outcome if we could maintain friendly relations for generations to come. Otherwise, we should accept our fate."

Upon hearing this, Budugen burst into laughter again:

"Frankness, I like it!"

Cheng Gongying secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this hurdle was finally over for the time being.

With an appreciative look on his face, Budugen looked at Cheng Gongying and said:
"I have long admired your great name, Cheng Gongying. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved. Would you be willing to come and assist me, Khan?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was taken aback and turned their gazes toward Cheng Gongying.

Cao Pi clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger, and he cursed inwardly:

"Budugen, you scoundrel, you're trying to poach my men! You just formed an alliance and you're already trying to steal my men, what do you mean by that?"

Upon seeing this, Cheng Gongying quickly cupped his hands in a humble smile:

"I am deeply grateful for the Great Khan's high regard. However, as a subject of the Great Wei, I should be loyal to Your Majesty. Heaven and earth can bear witness to this, and I have no other intentions."

Cheng Gongying righteously and firmly refused Budugen's invitation.

Upon hearing this, Budugen was displeased, his brows furrowing slightly, and he wanted to offer further advice.

Suddenly, a soldier cried out in terror:

"Look! There seem to be cavalry to the east!"

Upon hearing the shout, Cao Pi and Cheng Gongying felt a chill run down their spines, as if enveloped by a cold blast of air.

The cavalry is approaching; could they be Han soldiers pursuing them?

A deep sense of worry welled up in both of them, and their gazes simultaneously turned to the east.

"If they are Han troops pursuing us, they should logically be coming from the west, towards Zhangbei. How could they suddenly appear in the east?"

After her initial panic, Cheng Gongying quickly regained her composure.

At this moment, Cao Pi was also extremely anxious, and his gaze turned urgently to Budugen.

Budugen stared intently at the approaching army, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

Budugen knew that he had carefully selected 40,000 elite troops to support Cao Pi.

At this moment, the 40,000-strong army was lined up in neat formation, ready for battle.

But why would a cavalry force of unknown origin suddenly appear in this southeast direction?
As the cavalry drew closer, their presence became increasingly clear.

Judging from the sheer number of troops, there were as many as 20,000, a vast and imposing force, like a dark cloud pressing down on the border.

Budugen couldn't help but mutter to himself:
Which tribe's troops dare to mobilize on such a large scale without authorization?

The cavalry drew closer, their banners fluttering in the wind, their designs gradually becoming clearer.

Budugen narrowed his eyes, wondering which disobedient tribe dared to cause trouble for him at this critical juncture.

"Han...Han army, it's the Han army cavalry!"

Just then, Ding Mi suddenly pointed at the approaching army and shouted at the top of his lungs.

At the same time, Cao Pi and Cheng Gongying's expressions changed drastically, as if they had been struck by a bolt from the blue.

Their eyes widened, and they exclaimed in disbelief:

"Han army, it is indeed Han cavalry!" (End of Chapter)