Gather! 2

As most of you probably guessed, what I asked Qu Bu to do was to spread rumors.

As mentioned earlier, it’s true that the Southern Xiongnu forces backed by Wei dominate Ordos. But there’s no place in the world without conflict, and why would the northern ethnic minorities who directly clash with Wei be afraid of the Southern Xiongnu?

Therefore, various ethnic groups distributed in Ordos had formed friendly and hostile relationships among themselves.

The pro-Wei ethnic minorities included the Southern Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Di, and Xianbei, but there were factions even within them.

The same was true for Tuoba Pigo who came to see me. Though he led the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei, they were an anti-Cao Wei faction of Xianbei hostile to Wei.

‘But it’s strange. I thought there was only the Tuoba clan in the materials I saw.’

Qu Bu, befitting his role as the person in charge of Xiao Pass, resolved my doubt by grasping the actual situation in Ordos.

“Tuoba Pigo is the eldest son of Tuoba Yilu, the previous leader of the Tuoba clan. But Tuoba Yilu made his second son, Tuoba Yiyi, his successor. He rebelled and became independent in opposition. It’s a recent event, so it’s understandable you didn’t know.”

“Did he change his surname too?”

“I heard he changed it for a different reason, but since he’s a half-brother to Tuoba Yiyi, wouldn’t that have played a part too?”

“I see.”

I understand why he came before any other tribe. Having just become independent and building up his forces, he’s naturally weaker compared to other tribes.

He must be trying to raise his stake by aligning with us, who have newly entered the power structure of Ordos. By coming first, he’ll at least make a proper impression if nothing else.

“He’s ambitious.”

The independence to break away from his original tribe. The decisiveness to boldly enter when he judged an opportunity had come. Befitting the ancestor of Tuoba Gui, who would later chill the spine of Jin.

Thinking that this Tuoba Gui was the very one who fell victim to Ma Long’s Eight Array Diagram, this too is an irony of history.

“Xiaoxing, open the gate. We should welcome our guest who has come all this way.”

As the gate of Xiao Pass opened, Tuoba Pigo entered fearlessly.

Even though both we and Tuoba Pigo are enemies of Cao Wei, we’re not yet definite allies. Isn’t life too precious to rely on the shallow logic that the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

‘He’s calculated that we can’t harm him. He must have realized we need them. Plus the confidence that they’ll be treated even better as the first to come. Cunning fellow.’

As I guessed, Tuoba Pigo’s attitude was quite bold. It felt almost shameless.

The generals frowned at Tuoba Pigo’s attitude, as if he had entered his own home.

Tuoba Pigo’s clothing was extremely flashy. There was a clear difference from the Han people who generally use plain-colored fabrics. Moreover, there was fur attached to the collar with a round neck. It was an appearance that strongly gave the sense of being a foreigner.

“I am Tuoba Pigo.”

His etiquette was completely different from that of the Han people. However, his Chinese was surprisingly fluent.

I thought he would be quite young since he failed to succeed his father and became independent, but he looked surprisingly old. Though not as old as Liu Bei, he seemed to be almost 50.

“I am Zhang Ran, General of the Guards of Han.”

When I introduced myself, a strange light flashed in Tuoba Pigo’s eyes.

“You’re young.”

By now I had turned 22 years old. An age recognized as an adult anywhere, but still ridiculously young to be the supreme commander of an army.

Does he doubt my qualifications? I could see suspicion sprouting in Tuoba Pigo’s gaze. Instead of hardening my expression, I spoke nonchalantly with composure.

“I’ve lived as long as Guo Jia did.”

“Confidence is good. But there are many things in the world that can’t be solved by youthful vigor alone.”

“I heard that you foreigners are straightforward and don’t beat around the bush, but I guess that was an exaggeration.”

“…The enemy is Cao Cao’s son.”

Cao Cao.

A giant’s name not yet faded from the world.

“The Xianbei have the great man Kebineng, and the Xiongnu have Chanyu Huchuquan. But the name of Wang Dun, the leader of the Wuhuan, is not well known. Do you know why?”

“Because the Wuhuan opposed Cao Cao.”

After defeating Yuan Shao, Cao Cao ruthlessly swept away the Wuhuan who ignorantly intervened to support Yuan Shao. Just as he carried out the massacre in Xuzhou, he mercilessly slaughtered until the Wuhuan surrendered.

That’s not to say the Wuhuan were weak. At one time, the Wuhuan were quite a strong people, so much that even the Xiongnu yielded to them. It’s just that Cao Cao was too strong.

“I remember that time clearly. The sight of being helplessly swept away before Cao Cao is vivid.”

“You seem to have forgotten, the enemy is not Cao Cao. It’s his son, Cao Zhang.”

“Cao Cao’s son is the spitting image of his father. Did you know? He has already annihilated a small tribe.”

Tuoba Pigo pretended to fear while equating Cao Cao and Cao Zhang, but undisguised hostility leaked out.

“They say he killed all the Jingnan. He distributed the women and children to the tribes that followed him. He’s one who knows how to deal with people like us. Fear for those who oppose him, rewards for those who follow him. A frightening man.”

“So. Did you come to surrender?”

That can’t be. Tuoba Pigo’s statements were to probe our fighting spirit.

‘Then shall I play along?’

But before that, it seemed necessary to remind them of their position.

“You only have two paths. Fight Cao Wei, or submit under them. But it’s questionable whether Cao Wei will leave alone those who have already shown hostility.”

“Isn’t that the same for you?”

“It’s different. We have the option of just defending key points without fighting. Did you forget? We build walls. Where you’re standing now is also like that.”

It was the difference between nomads and settled people.

Strictly speaking, they also have the option of fleeing to avoid battle, but the ethnic minorities in Ordos are ambiguous to call pure nomads.

They are nomads who want to settle in one place like settled people. Abandoning their established base and leaving was a great adventure for them too.

And even if they leave Ordos for another region, another fight would be waiting for them there.

The privilege of welcoming uninvited guests is given only to travelers, not something they can enjoy.

‘Of course, this is bluffing. They still don’t know how terrifying potential they have. It’s only been 15 years since Cao Cao crushed the Northern Di. Moreover, even Kebineng, who boasts the strongest force currently, hasn’t achieved any great victories.’

The reason Tuoba Pigo is overdoing it to gauge us is because the shadow of fear of Cao Cao still remains.

Only after about 50 years, nearly half a century, will they recover the foundation destroyed by Cao Cao and escape from fear.

And then they realize their strength and launch a large-scale offensive. By the hand of Tuoba Gui, Tuoba Pigo’s grandson.

‘Though that too ends in a crushing defeat by Ma Long and comes to nothing.’

Looking at that, it’s unbelievable that the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms period happened, as the Han people before the unification of the Three Kingdoms always defeated the ethnic minorities.

That series of victories caused complacency, leading to the disaster of letting them interfere in internal power struggles like with Dong Zhuo. Thus, Western Jin, which accomplished the great undertaking of unifying the world, opened an even more chaotic era of turmoil with its own hands.

‘Well, that’s a matter for the future and not something to worry about now.’

Anyway, even those who had been hostile to Cao Wei until now were shaken by the fact that Cao Zhang, son of the traumatic figure Cao Cao, was coming.

But Cao Zhang alone is not enough to make enemies kneel just by his name. Unlike Cao Cao.

“I’ve fought both Cao Cao and Cao Zhang.”

The Battle for Hanzhong.

There I faced both Cao Cao and Cao Zhang. And in Jingzhou I negotiated with Cao Cao, and in the Northern Expedition I lured Cao Zhang to achieve a strategic victory.

Even if I can’t be confident of victory, there’s no need to lose fighting spirit out of fear just from Cao Cao’s name.

“So I’m telling you. Cao Zhang is no match for me. Don’t believe me? Then I’ll prove my ability to you directly. If you want comrades to fight together, we are your best allies.”

I placed my hand on the hilt of Baibidao. I was ready to draw the sword at any time.

“What do you want?”

“…I want allies.”

Tuoba Pigo answered with the gongshuli, the Han etiquette, not the Xianbei ritual he used when we first met.

“I believe you. The rumor that you defeated Cao Zhang was not a lie.”

“You believe it?”

Even I wouldn’t believe it if a woman who looked like me said she was stronger than Cao Zhang.

To my question, Tuoba Pigo laughed heartily and said:

“Even if you can’t deceive yourself, you can’t deceive those around you.”

I thought he was looking directly at me, but was he including my surroundings in his view too? I knew nomads had good eyesight, but it was the first time I saw not just seeing far, but capturing a wide range.

“Then is the test over?”

“I’m sorry. But I too carry the fate of my clan on my shoulders. Isn’t it only right that I know what kind of person will decide the fate of my clan?”

“Alright. I’ll acknowledge it. But it’ll be troublesome if you do this again next time.”

“Heh, don’t worry about that. I, Tuoba Pigo, am second to none in the world when it comes to seeing the right time.”

Saying that, Tuoba Pigo lifted the leather pouch he wore at his waist.

“Good wine shouldn’t be missing on a good day. Let’s share a cup. A cup of alliance.”

“I accept.”

By emptying the cup filled with wine, I welcomed my first comrade.

§

“Is this mare’s milk wine?”

“Oh, that’s right. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Han person drink mare’s milk wine so well.”

A taste similar to makgeolli. Even the sharp sour taste seemed to stimulate bittersweet nostalgia.

“Give me some more.”

“…You haven’t finished it yet.”

“Next time, bring a lot more.”

How many cups have I had? It won’t even reach my liver.

‘Tsk, it just whetted my appetite.’