Chapter 239: Xianbei Westward March

The Great King thought that although he had never exchanged blows with the Tufa Xianbei, he had still seen the Eastern Xianbei, and they certainly weren't three-headed.

Even if his father can't fight, aren't there still the Duke of Sukoku and the people of Jade Gate Pass? At most it's just an honorary battle.

Although he saw that this big army was dragging its feet, it was a bit embarrassing.

As time went on, the Great King gradually let it go.

His ten thousand troops from Liaodong were also in place, everything was developing in a good direction. The Great King also calmed down, no longer constantly staring at Branch Yan Mountain; he did what he needed to do. He attended court on time, went to school on time, and was reprimanded by the Grand Tutor for not turning in homework on time.

After a few carefree days, two swift riders charged into Youzhou City, breaking its leisurely winter.

Two members of the Eastern Xianbei intelligence team, blocked by the heavy snow, returned, bringing back a shocking piece of news for Youzhou City.

The Liaodong Xianbei mustered a force of fifty thousand, led by the Crown Prince and Qiu Mulong, heading southwest; it seemed their target was not Youzhou or Upper Valley Pass.

The intelligence team had merely been lying in wait inside the city; the heavy snow cut off communications, and by the time they found out, the army had already set out.

The court officials who loved to comment with just a couple of sentences were completely silent today.

The report said fifty thousand were marching straight southwest. The Great King held up a map and gestured, 'Those who turned back to report set out after the main force; since they met no one along the way, they must not have gone south. Southwest or west…… This isn't heading to the Western Xianbei——is it Tuoba Xianbei territory?'

Such an overreach must be a special circumstance; they weren't aiming for Youzhou or Upper Valley Pass, and surely they weren't crazy enough to fight themselves for territory in this difficult time.

The answer was on the verge of surfacing.

The Great King fell silent for a moment, then said, '……The various Xianbei tribes probably have reached an agreement.'

The other boot on the Great King's head finally dropped, in a way he hadn't anticipated.

'If they keep heading west, the Tuoba Xianbei won't be unaware; even the farthest Liaodong Xianbei have gone over, and ninety percent of the Tuoba Xianbei side have also joined. They wouldn't be waiting for the border troops of Wuyuan Pass and the Duke of Sukoku to go to Capital Wilderness, then join forces to attack Wuyuan Pass and enter the heartland of the Central Plains, would they? Do they no longer look down on Youzhou?'

The air in the great hall began to freeze; even the inexperienced Great King could guess it, and others thought of even more.

Xue Xiang stepped forward: 'There is another possibility: they know His Majesty is leading a personal campaign, and they are also heading for Capital Wilderness. Then they would coordinate with the Tufa Xianbei to launch a flank attack on His Majesty's allied army.'

The Great King could not sit still; the people he had left in Western Xianbei territory had not yet sent any news.

'Send someone to Upper Valley Pass to ask! Ask the East Capital Marquis whether the Eastern Xianbei have any movements, does he know?!'

Before the envoy sent to Upper Valley Pass could turn back, the Great King received a secret letter personally written by the East Capital Marquis.

The East-West Xianbei formed a force of one hundred thousand and marched westward; it seemed their destination was not Upper Valley Pass, but a place farther west.

Well, this is the worst news: they are heading for Wuyuan Pass or Capital Wilderness.

'They've linked up awfully fast! I've only known for a few days—could there be a traitor in the court?!' The Great King balled up that silk scroll and threw it straight into the incense burner; a foul smell spread through the hall, and everyone held their breath even more.

'Speak up, everyone—what do you all think? What should we do?!'

Xue Xiang stepped forward: 'I believe we should notify the entire army to enter battle readiness and strengthen the defenses of Youzhou.' The crowd below chimed in with agreement.

The Great King snorted, 'What army do you have? You talked big when recruiting, and now that you sense danger you're not pointing at Ancient Pass?'

The great hall fell silent.

Actually, the danger now is not Youzhou, but the entirety of Great Jin.

When starving, steppe wolves really will fight to the death!

The Great King became utterly anxious.

The East-West Xianbei number one hundred thousand—what about the Tufa Xianbei occupying Capital Wilderness? Are they just content to hold a poor city in the northwest border? Have they been idle all this time waiting for Great Jin to take it back? Or are they waiting for someone?

Or do they have other plans?!

If the Xianbei tribes unite their hearts, if the Battle of Capital Wilderness meets with mishap, what will Great Jin do? What will his unreliable father do?

The position of Capital Wilderness—no matter how the Great King looks at it, it's not good; it's too close to the Xiongnu.

When the Great King again recalled what Bai Ze and the Marquis of Wei Ting had said, his anxiety grew even stronger.

He felt he needed to do something.