Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

Bai Su took a sip of wine to moisten her throat and said, "Of course."

Maodun asked with some curiosity, "Oh, what strategy?"

Bai Su said, "Instead of using swords to drag out and kill the youths of the tribe one by one, it would be better to swallow the wolf god of the grassland in one gulp and turn him into the flesh and blood of my Great Xia."

Maodun looked at Bai Su with great interest through his emerald green eyes and teased, "You want to annex my Xiongnu? Do you think you have the stomach to handle it?"

Bai Su's lips curled slightly, and a deep smile appeared in his eyes: "Of course we can eat it. If we rely solely on the grasslands and the one-sided governance thinking of the Central Plains, we certainly cannot solve this problem."

"But if we combine the strengths of many schools of thought, then it will be different."

"The fundamental problem of the grasslands is the scarcity of resources. They rely on herding for a living, depend on the weather, and are powerless to cope with natural disasters."

"Then all they need to do is rely on the Central Plains. They can make a living by herding livestock and supplement it with commerce. During the harvest season, they can deposit any surplus money in a money shop."

"This way, we won't have to worry about dying from drought or flood. We can buy cloth and grain from the Central Plains through caravans to prepare for any eventuality."

"After that, the Central Plains Association will settle and graze here. While stationing troops, they will promote the transformation of local customs and establish private schools so that the local herders can wear Han clothing, write Han characters, speak Chinese, and learn the technology of the Central Plains."

"For example, brewing wine, spinning wool, leather clothing, jade polishing, house construction, and so on..."

"Transform the grasslands, which originally relied solely on herding for a living, into a place like the Central Plains, where all industries flourish and strongholds are built. As long as trade is dependent on the Central Plains, the grasslands can prosper day by day in this vast market."

"Moreover, in addition to riding horses and shooting arrows, joining the army to become cavalrymen, local herders can also take exams and pursue a career in government."

"After passing the local Protectorate's examination and obtaining the title of top scholar in the prefecture or county, one can choose to serve as an official in the local area."

"Alternatively, one could choose to go to Xianyang, the capital of the Central Plains, and then join scholars from all over the country to continue participating in the imperial examinations. Those who pass can stay in the prosperous Xianyang to serve as officials."

"With this honor, one can freely travel to various protectorates to gain experience, achieve great things, and leave a significant mark on the history books of our Great Xia, so that future generations can admire it."

"In this way, in less than a hundred years, the wolf god will be gone from the grasslands... all that will remain is the Andong Protectorate of my Great Xia, and the fluttering banner of the Black Bird."

After hearing Bai Su's words, Maodun stared blankly at Bai Su with her beautiful eyes, her lips unconsciously parting wide.

An image involuntarily surfaced in her mind: a blue-green bird spread its wings, covering the entire grassland, while the former wolf god was swallowed whole like an insect.

It has to be said that when faced with Bai Su's gaze, a thin layer of cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Despite Bai Su's seemingly weak appearance, in terms of skill alone, she was no match for even a random guard at the gate.

However, in terms of sheer terror, he was a hundred times, even a thousand times, more terrifying than Meng Tian.

The reason is simple...

Although Meng Tian was known as the greatest warrior in China and had defeated her many times on the battlefield, those victories were ultimately only temporary.

Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare. If given another three or five years, she would still be confident in leading the Xiongnu to victory once again.

But Bai Su is different. Once you lose to him, there is almost no chance of recovery.

According to Bai Su's idea, the Xiongnu might really be about to disappear from the stage of history.

However, Maodun was not angry at all; instead, he looked at Bai Su with more appreciation in his eyes.

After all, the grasslands have always respected only the strong, and only such people are worthy of her high regard.

Only a man like him would be worthy of her condescending to marry him.

Maodun's emerald green eyes were fixed on Bai Su, and he found himself increasingly fond of his handsome face.

After pondering for a long time, she suddenly spoke up: "Didn't you want to rely on my reputation to gather your former subordinates and stabilize the situation in the area?"

Bai Su was taken aback, and asked in surprise, "You're willing to help me?"

Maodun nodded slightly: "I can help you, but I have one condition."

Bai Su couldn't help but smile: "Don't mention one condition, even ten conditions are fine, just name your conditions, Chanyu."

The six-nation coalition in the south was eager to make a move, but in the northern desert, no one could be found to stabilize the situation in a short time, which had long been a source of frustration for him.

Now that Maodun had taken the initiative to speak, they were naturally overjoyed.

Maodun placed his hands on the table, bowed, and said earnestly, "Come and be my man."

Chapter 335 The Wolf King's Tenderness, A Heart-Fluttering Moment

Bai Su was stunned for a long time before she slowly came back to her senses.

He gave Maodun a strange look and said, "Um... are you serious?"

Maodun's lips curled slightly, a smile appearing on his face: "Is it surprising?"

"This is quite unexpected."

Bai Su scratched her cheek with her finger, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over the Xiongnu Chanyu.

She was still wearing a tall, flowing skirt that accentuated her powerful figure. The skirt had a high slit, and her pair of tanned legs looked incredibly alluring in the candlelight.

Unlike the dignified and graceful appearance of women from the Central Plains, her exotic features give her a wild and fiery look.

In terms of looks and figure, she is indeed a stunning beauty.

However, Bai Su couldn't quite figure out what she was thinking.

He was clearly the culprit who caused her defeat, so it was one thing for her not to hate him, but for her to take the initiative to make amends. This really didn't make sense.

Maodun noticed Bai Su's gaze. She did not flinch at all, but instead met Bai Su's gaze. Instead, she crossed her legs, placing one beautiful leg on top of the other. The full buttocks under her skirt were outlined in a rounded curve by the tight fabric.

She watched as Bai Su coughed lightly, rubbed his nose, and looked away, and couldn't help but smile and say, "We children of the grasslands don't have as much benevolence and morality as you people from the Central Plains. On the grasslands, the strong are respected. Since you have defeated me, you are naturally qualified to be on par with me."

Bai Su couldn't help but ask, "But... just this point alone is only at the level of appreciation, far from the level at which you are interested in me, right?"

"You really are a smart person..."

Seeing that Bai Suming's eyes were clearly blinded by beauty, yet his mind remained so clear, Maodun couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect. He then said, "In terms of strength, you are indeed worthy of my admiration. However, what ultimately made me decide to form a marriage alliance with you was mainly your talent, or rather..."

“I see that with your abilities, your every move could influence the world’s future. So I’ve decided to put all my remaining chips on you to secure a reliable future for myself and for my tribe.”

Bai Su stroked her chin and said, "Haven't I already agreed to all of this? Why do you still want to marry me?"

After all, according to the terms just agreed upon by both sides, after signing the alliance agreement.

Building a protectorate in the area would bring her numerous benefits, including commerce, private schools, and trade. Why tie herself to it?

Maodun picked up a wine cup with her slender, jade-like hand and gently swirled it.

Her emerald eyes glanced at the clear wine, and she couldn't help but chuckle: "The reason the alliance is effective now is because I am the Xiongnu Chanyu. Once I gradually lose my military power and become a figurehead with no real power, I will have no value to the Great Xia. How binding will the alliance be then?"

"An alliance is only valid if both sides have the strength to back it up. Otherwise, no matter how good the alliance is, it is just a piece of waste paper. The final interpretation of the alliance will still be decided by your Great Xia."

Bai Su looked at her mocking gaze and couldn't help but think to herself.

As expected of a steppe overlord who fought her way through iron and blood, these little tricks couldn't fool her eyes at all.

Maodun rested her chin on her hand, glancing at Bai Su with her beautiful eyes: "Whether it's an alliance or an oath, the relationship between the two sides will change over time and with the balance of power."

"How many of the promises made today will be fulfilled in the future? Only a marriage that binds both parties together is the most reliable."

"And you, whether it's your talent, your looks, or your status, I like you very much. I've decided to bet on you."

"If you are willing to form a marriage alliance with me, I will help you stabilize the local populace and establish a protectorate. What do you say?"

Faced with the olive branch extended by Maodun, Bai Su did not rush to agree. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table and fell into thought for a moment.

It must be said that Maodun had a very clear understanding of things.

After Bai Su formulated these policies, it was only a matter of time before the grasslands were annexed by the Central Plains.

She no longer had the chance to compete with the Central Plains. Rather than engaging in meaningless resistance, she was like a puppet being dragged to Xianyang to perform a Hu skirt dance for the First Emperor.

It would be wiser to use our current resources to curry favor with a powerful patron and potentially gain the opportunity to become a regional commander or even a protector-general in the future.

Bai Su could also gain the support of the people in the northern deserts, as well as the talent to command, train, and cultivate a large-scale cavalry force.

It can be considered a win-win situation.

only……

As a man from the Central Plains, wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate for him to so easily enter into a marriage agreement with a woman from a different ethnic group?

Just as Bai Su was struggling with her thoughts, the guard suddenly lifted the curtain and strode in.

"My lord, something terrible has happened..."

Bai Su was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What happened? Why are you in such a panic?"

Meng Tian took out a secret letter from his pocket, delivered by express courier, and handed it over: "My lord, you should read it yourself."

Bai Su took the secret letter, lowered her eyes to read it, and immediately her brows furrowed.

The incident occurred in the Chu region.

It turns out that when he signed the alliance with Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu did not break his oath. He was only consolidating his rear and restoring the Chu state, and did not lead his troops north.

However, the other six allied forces, seeing that the main force of the Xia army was not there, took advantage of the situation to attack cities and seize territories, successively taking over Song territory, and showing a tendency to march on Qi territory.

The world is now divided into three parts, and the allied forces have already occupied one of them.

If this is not contained, a major upheaval may occur in the Central Plains. It is hoped that Bai Su will stabilize the situation in the northern desert as soon as possible, and quickly lead his troops back to the Central Plains to quell the rebellion.

Seeing Bai Su's furrowed brows, Maodun pondered for a moment and guessed that something might have happened in the Central Plains.

She gently swirled the wine in her cup, her emerald eyes fixed on Bai Su with interest, and asked, "Well, do you need my help?"

Bai Su scratched his head and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, it's not that I want to, but for the sake of Great Xia, I have no choice but to sacrifice myself for the country and do it through gritted teeth."

Having said that, he turned to look at Maodun in front of him: "Alright... I agree to the marriage alliance with you."

Seeing this, Maodun couldn't help but smile and said, "You're really funny. You clearly benefited, but you act like you suffered a great loss."

Ignoring her eye roll, Bai Su asked, "How do we enter into a marriage?"

Maodun smiled and said, "We, the people of the grasslands, don't have as many rules as you people from the Central Plains. We only need to break grass into a ring and put flowers on a crown to tie a marriage."

As she spoke, she came to the window of the royal courtyard, picked some red and white flowers, and handed them over.

Bai Su took the flower and, following the custom of the grasslands, broke it off and tied it into a wreath, while asking, "What kind of flower is this?"

Looking at Bai Su's clumsy appearance, Maodun couldn't help but find it amusing: "This is a Gesang flower, the most tenacious and common wildflower on our grassland. Just like me, it grows on the barren grassland, able to endure poverty and also enjoy wealth and glory."

Bai Su said, "It really has a special meaning. Then I am a foxtail grass."

Maodun was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What is that?"

Bai Su said with a smile, "Foxtail grass is a common plant in the Central Plains. It is not pretty and its flowers are not eye-catching, but no matter if it is trampled by horses or burned by wildfire, it will grow up again from the ground the following year, just like the indomitable spirit of the people of the Central Plains."