Chapter 37: Reactions of the Races, the Princess Captured

Chapter 37: Reactions of the Tribes and the Capture of the Princess

The war between the Xiongnu and the Great Qin Empire drew to a close with the total annihilation of the Xiongnu people. Soldiers from various tribes that had come to provide reinforcements fled the battlefield, carrying news of the defeat back to their respective homelands.

Upon learning the outcome, the major tribes were seized by unease, fearing that the Great Qin would use this victory as a pretext to retaliate and annex their territories. Panic spread through the ranks; the timid began to migrate elsewhere, while the larger tribes, unwilling to abandon their pastures, sharpened their weapons and prepared to meet the might of the Qin army.

After a month of waiting in terror, no Qin forces appeared. Instead, they received a formal diplomatic letter from the Great Qin Empire, which allowed their suspended hearts to finally settle.

The tribes that had provided support divided into two factions to discuss their strategy. In the east, the leaders of the Dingling, Qushe, Xinli, and other minor tribes gathered at the Donghu tribe. In the west, the Loufan, Hujie, Loulan, various Western Regions states, and the Wusun gathered in the Yuezhi territory.

The Donghu tribe was located on the northern border of the Great Qin Empire, deep in the northern grasslands. They resided along the Laoha and Xilamulun rivers, the upper reaches of the West Liao River, and their influence extended as far east as the Heilongjiang River. They were the most powerful tribe in the northeast. Later, after being defeated by Chanyu Modu, the branch that retreated to the Wuhuan Mountain became the Wuhuan people, while the branch that retreated to the Xianbei Mountain became the Xianbei people.

Historians suggest that the Donghu belonged to the Tungusic language family and eventually diverged into various ethnic groups relevant to the modern era, including the Mongols, Evenks, Daur, and Manchus. In subsequent dynasties, the Donghu split into many groups, such as the Murong, Yuwen, Tuoba, and Tuyuhun clans derived from the Xianbei, as well as the Rouran, Khitan, Shiwei, and Mongol peoples.

With over one hundred thousand mounted archers and a population of around one million, the Donghu were significantly stronger than the Xiongnu had been. If they were truly desperate and disregarded the long-term development of their tribe, they could muster as many as three hundred thousand cavalrymen.

Inside the largest felt tent of the Donghu, King Udir of the Donghu sat upon a bear-skin rug. His face was covered in a thick, bushy beard, and he was aggressively fondling a woman in his arms.

"King of Donghu, you must think of a way out of this!" the leader of the Dingling tribe asked anxiously.

"Indeed, King of Donghu! We small tribes only wanted to share in the spoils under your leadership, but we gained nothing and have now earned the hatred of the Great Qin," added another minor tribal leader.

"Share in the spoils? I lost fifty thousand of my own sons! And the Great Qin wants me to offer a formal apology? It is utter nonsense! I have marked this grudge down!"

The mention of the war only fueled Udir’s rage. The beauty in his arms no longer brought him pleasure, and he waved her away. He stood up, baring his chest and abdomen, and glared at the gathered men.

"Then what shall we do? Should we assemble all the tribes' warriors and fight the Great Qin?" someone suggested.

"You fool! We couldn't defeat the Great Qin even with three hundred thousand cavalry last time, and look at the Xiongnu—they were wiped out! You want to attack the Great Qin? Putting aside the fact that they just acquired hundreds of thousands of new warhorses, who among you is going to attack their fortified cities and passes? Our grassland tribes are skilled in mounted warfare, not sieges. If we cannot even beat them on horseback, you want to attack their cities? Only a fool would do that!" Manduhar, a high-ranking official, held his forehead in frustration, wondering what kind of idiots he was surrounded by.

"Then what do you propose?" the leader of the Qushe asked, stepping forward.

"This! Let me think on it!" Udir replied, attempting to sound profound. He returned to his seat and pretended to deliberate. Despite his earlier bravado, he was entirely out of his depth.

"After deep reflection, I believe we should feign submission to the Great Qin to lower their guard. Once we have built up our strength, we shall descend upon the Central Plains in force and plunder them."

Udir offered this "excellent" suggestion. The other leaders exchanged looks of disdain, knowing it was common knowledge, but they played along and offered their praise.

"But our tribes have suffered great losses. Who knows how long it will take to recover?" the Dingling leader countered.

"True, but I have a better idea!" Udir suddenly rose to his feet.

"What idea?" someone immediately asked.

"That is... this!" With a sharp sound, a silver cup hit the floor, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

*Swish! Swish!* The sound of weapons slicing through the air rang out in unison. Before anyone could draw their own blades, several curved scimitars were already pressed against their throats.

Looking around the tent, the visiting tribal leaders found themselves surrounded by Donghu soldiers. Any sign of resistance would result in instant decapitation.

"Udir, what is the meaning of this?" someone asked, unwilling to accept his fate.

"It means nothing more than this is my 'good idea.' As long as I absorb your tribes, the loss of those fifty thousand men is a small price to pay. I should actually thank the Great Qin; otherwise, how would I have had the opportunity to capture all of you? Hahahaha!" Udir shed his previous facade, his eagle-like eyes filled with ambition.

"Despicable!"

*Swish!* A flash of steel followed, and a head flew into the air, chilling the others to the bone. They had not realized he was so ruthless.

"What say you now?" King Udir asked calmly, licking the blood from his curved blade.

"We are willing to obey your command, Great King!" the men knelt and bowed.

"Haha! Haha! Hahahahaha!"

***

Yuezhi, Crescent City.

At this time, the Yuezhi had not yet been defeated by the Han Dynasty and were divided into the Greater and Lesser Yuezhi. The Yuezhi were still active in the Hexi Corridor, from Zhangye to Dunhuang, and their power exceeded that of the Xiongnu. Currently, the King of the Yuezhi was coveting the "Sweat-Blood" horses of the Dayuan Kingdom and planning an invasion.

Many surrounding tribal states had gathered at Crescent City to discuss countermeasures. Unexpectedly, an envoy from the Parthian Empire was also present.

In the grand palace of Crescent City, people of various ethnicities and in diverse attire gathered together. It looked more like a costume shop than a royal court.

King Sadik of the Yuezhi, a man in his forties with a bloated frame, wore a crown encrusted with jewels as he slowly ascended the throne, served by his attendants.

"Greetings to the King of the Yuezhi!" the crowd saluted using the customs of their respective tribes.

"Hmm," the King replied dismissively.

"May I ask, what brings you all to my Yuezhi?" the King asked, feigning ignorance.

"May I ask, Great King, have you received the diplomatic letter from the Great Qin?" the envoy from Wusun asked.

"What letter? I have never seen one," the King continued to play dumb, specifically questioning the Wusun envoy.

"It is a letter sent by the Emperor of the Great Qin to all the tribes of the grasslands. We all participated in the battle against the Xiongnu, and the Great Qin captured many of our warriors. They are asking if we intend to ransom them back," the Loulan envoy explained from the side.

"What does that have to do with me?" Sadik said indifferently.

"As far as I am aware, the Great Qin captured quite a few soldiers from the Yuezhi kingdom. Does the King intend to abandon them? Furthermore, among the captives is the Princess of the Parthian Empire. Am I correct, King of the Yuezhi?" the Wusun envoy suddenly blurted out.

"What! The Princess has been captured? King of the Yuezhi, you owe me an explanation!"

The Parthian envoy, who had been standing to the side intending to watch the spectacle, suddenly found the trouble knocking at his own door.