Chapter 119

After the Dobbahu tribe joined, the alliance with the ethnic groups gained momentum. It wasn’t just Dobbahu. Dobbapilgo had come as a representative after discussing with the surrounding minor tribes in advance.

The tribes that had talked with Dobbapilgo beforehand, though they had been lying low, also began to approach us, harboring resentment against the Wei Army and the Southern Xiongnu.

Most, like Dobbapilgo, sent only representatives to meet with me.

However, some impatient tribes brought their troops, as if considering the alliance a done deal. Surely, they weren’t planning to intimidate us with a few hundred or thousand soldiers.

Dealing with them made me realize how bold Dobbapilgo had been.

Unlike Dobbapilgo, who saw us as comrades to fight against the Wei Army, they came to negotiate, weighing this and that.

They asked to open markets, or what we would do for them if they sided with us. The Xianbei tribe Geolbokbu, located near Xiliang rather than Ordos, was one such group.

The immediate conflict in Ordos wasn’t a big issue, but they probably came for some crumbs. Being near Longxi, they were more familiar with our situation than other northern ethnic groups.

Still, Geolbokbu was decent. Some even foolishly accused us of planning to attack them after defeating the Wei Army.

“If you act like that, even I might start thinking about it.”

I couldn’t tell if they came to join forces or to pick a fight before the real battle.

Nevertheless, the allied ethnic groups steadily increased.

We couldn’t let them inside Xiao Pass, so the area outside the gate bustled with ethnic groups.

“Wen Wei, how many have gathered so far?”

“About five thousand.”

“The most important group hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Is the Takbalbu that important? From what I heard from Guopingbei, they’re just a minor tribe under the protection of Molokhuibu.”

As Bi Yi said, Takbalbu wasn’t a particularly strong tribe at the moment.

Still, I kept an eye on Takbalbu because they would later establish the Northern Wei, which would quell the chaos of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms.

“Dobbapilgo is no pushover. If he chose his second son as successor over his eldest, there must be a reason.”

“That may be so, but…”

After days of scouting, espionage, and gathering information to observe Zhao Chang’s movements, some welcome visitors arrived.

“General Bang! Did you come personally?”

“Hahaha, even though I’m late, you welcome me so warmly. But please, lower your speech. It’s been a while since you rose above me, hasn’t it?”

“Hmm, has it?”

“You’re the commander-in-chief. Hierarchy must be clear. That’s why General Ma Chao sent me.”

Though I received the commander-in-chief position from Liu Bei, in terms of rank, General Ma Chao was higher.

Ma Chao stayed in Xiliang to avoid command disputes, sending Bang Deok with reinforcements.

Bang Deok even brought Qiang tribesmen. If Ma Chao had come personally, it would have caused unnecessary noise.

“General Ma Chao asked me to apologize for not coming himself.”

“Apologize? I feel more like I’ve burdened him.”

“Haha, you’re being polite again.”

“Oh, it’s become a habit…”

I compromised by using a semi-formal tone. Bang Deok didn’t comment further and handed me a letter from Ma Chao.

The letter expressed Ma Chao’s burning desire to join me in defeating Cao Cao’s forces but sent Bang Deok instead to avoid confusion.

The content was similar to what Bang Deok had said, but the ending was different.

[As a small token of apology, I’ve sent a little gift. I hope you like it.]

“A gift?”

“Ah, you saw it?”

“What kind of gift? A small one, you said. Ah, no, what is it?”

“Shall we see it now?”

It seemed odd to say “see” for a small gift, but I nodded. Bang Deok led me somewhere.

The place we arrived at was none other than the stables.

“Bring it out.”

Being at the stables, the gift was undoubtedly a horse.

Knowing the gift’s identity, my excitement waned, and the impact of receiving it was naturally less.

But the moment I saw the horse Ma Chao sent as a gift, I gasped silently, mouth agape.

How should I describe it?

Big? Slender? Majestic?

No. More accurately, it was beautiful.

If Biaoyuewu had a wild, untamed look, and Zhaohuangbizhan exuded imperial solemnity, this horse had a noble grace.

Its sleek body showcased elegant curves, and its platinum fur shimmered brilliantly.

Despite its larger size, filled with tough muscles, it still appeared agile and swift.

A heavenly steed. A legendary horse that could travel a thousand li in a day, a purebred horse, evident at a glance.

“You seem to like it.”

“It’s a purebred horse, isn’t it?”

“Correct. It’s not inferior to General Ma Chao’s beloved horse. It’s incredibly intelligent, understanding and following human commands perfectly, and won’t let anyone but its master ride it.”

If it’s that intelligent, does it know I’m its master now? I reached out to touch its nose, and it snorted softly, pressing its head against my hand.

Its behavior, as if asking for more petting, made me smile.

“See?”

“Does it have a name?”

“No. You should name it.”

I looked into the horse’s eyes. Transparently clear yet deep amber, my reflection visible in them.

Horses are naturally timid creatures, but its eyes were filled with curiosity, not fear. As if observing what kind of person its master would be.

“Let’s call it Gold-Spirit Phoenix.”

“A wise golden phoenix, a good name to match its master.”

Perhaps pleased with its new name, the horse, now named Gold-Spirit Phoenix, pranced energetically.

“I should ride it.”

“Shall I bring a saddle?”

I shook my head at Bang Deok’s question. I wanted to do it myself. As I brought the saddle and placed it on Gold-Spirit Phoenix’s back, it bent down and waited patiently.

“I knew it was smart, but it’s also gentle?”

*Snort. Snort.*

“You want to run too? Alright, alright.”

Petting Gold-Spirit Phoenix’s neck like soothing a child, I leaped onto its back.

The horse, which had been crouching, stood up straight as soon as I mounted it. It was impressive that it remained calm with me on its back, despite not letting anyone else ride it.

I thought of taking a quick lap around Xiao Pass when I saw Kang Yu rushing towards me.

“General! The Molokhuibu’s leader Du Bin and Takbalbu’s chief Takbal Yeokmi have come to see you!!”

Finally, the big fish has arrived.

Though the distance was great, who wouldn’t know the calculations behind watching the situation and moving the abacus beads?

‘Come to think of it, should I make an abacus? The original existed since before the Common Era.’

I’ll think about that later. Anyway, since they had already clashed with the Xianbei tribe’s western leader under Cao Cao’s command, they must have come here.

Still, their delay was to naturally increase their value and secure a more advantageous position while Zhao Chang absorbed surrounding ethnic groups to grow stronger.

‘They must have wanted to seize the initiative. Then I’ll treat them the same.’

It’s not about hostility. They are precious comrades to fight against the Wei Army, and I can’t afford to lose them over petty grievances.

What I’m doing is merely establishing hierarchy. To show these ethnic groups eyeing our top position who’s in charge.

With a mischievous smile I often wore during sudden actions, I tightly gripped Gold-Spirit Phoenix’s reins.

“Go ahead. Everyone, follow me!”

And with that, I spurred Gold-Spirit Phoenix forward.

“Let’s go!”

The direction I raced towards was the gate of Xiao Pass, where the northern ethnic groups were gathered.

The wind swept through my hair. A sense of speed like a gust of wind. It was more intense than when I rode Biaoyuewu.

“Open the gate!!”

At the sudden appearance and command to open the gate, the soldiers, though startled, diligently followed orders.

Before the gate fully opened, I passed through and shouted across the ethnic groups’ camps.

“Listen! Those who still doubt the Han Dynasty’s sincerity and hold suspicions about me!”

Those wandering around stopped and looked at me, while those inside tents came out at my loud cry.

Having drawn everyone’s attention, I circled the center and delivered a speech.

“Some asked me. After defeating the Wei Army, will we turn on them next? I never dreamed of hearing Han Xin’s tale of betrayal here!”

Laughter erupted from various places.

“How foolish. Our main battlefield isn’t here in Hatu, but far away in the Central Plains! If we lack the strength to invest in Hatu, it would be a lie. But one thing is clear: fighting that despicable Wei Army is more urgent than driving you out and seizing Hatu!”

If the ethnic groups acted hostile, we had the strength to subdue them. But it’s not worth the loss to conquer them at the cost of a decisive battle.

As those who understood Chinese translated my words, some began to shout “Well said!” in broken Chinese.

They too wanted to avoid hostility with us while the Wei Army still held power.

Yet, many still didn’t respond.

If mere words aren’t enough, I’ll gladly prove it with action.

“From this moment until sunset! Anyone, I accept your challenge.”

I thrust the flag I had grabbed on the way into the ground.

The tip of the flagpole, called Changjun, dug deep into the earth. The force was so strong that the embedded pole trembled.

“If anyone defeats me, regardless of their status, I will honor them as commander and yield command. But if you cannot, you must submit to me.”

Unlike dogs that chose submission to humans, I faced those with untamed, fierce eyes.

And my gaze finally landed on the Xianbei tribe’s chief, Takbal Yeokmi, who had arrived last.

“If you have grievances, prove them not with a three-inch tongue, but with a three-foot blade.”

The strong are respected.

The law of the steppe, ruled by strength.