Chapter 130: Imperial Star Saihan

Night fell; at this moment, inside a tent in the northwest of the great prairie, lights were bright.

Gold-colored sheer curtains swayed gently in the breeze; warm firelight shone on every face, creating a pattern of light and shadow.

The one who ought to have marched with invincible force to unite the whole prairie, the Grassland Imperial Star Saihan, sat on the central wool blanket, his gaze deep, his countenance tranquil as water.

He held a delicate porcelain cup filled with steaming milk tea, its fragrance filling the air, yet it seemed not to draw much of his attention.

Saihan held a bone bowl, gazed far at the starry sky, and slowly said: "Tiemuzhen, that name has been growing louder on the prairie lately."

"Oh? King Saihan, are you interested in Tiemuzhen?"

An officer beside him asked.

Saihan smiled slightly: "He is a hero, without a doubt."

"But a hero can only show his worth on the proper stage."

He looked at the name and information about Tiemuzhen in his hand, that new leader who had just emerged on the prairie.

A flash of appreciation crossed his eyes, but was soon overwhelmed by deep thought.

He knew that although Tiemuzhen possessed outstanding leadership ability, the Xiongnu's geographical position was too close to the northern border of the Central Plains.

Thus, the shadow of the Central Plains Dynasty constantly loomed over him, continually influencing Xiongnu decisions.

"The Central Plains Dynasty…"

Saihan whispered, as if talking to himself.

His attendants nearby immediately held their breath, waiting for his decision.

"The strength of the Central Plains Dynasty is indeed not to be underestimated."

Saihan finally spoke, his voice full of resolve: "But in targeting Tiemuzhen, they also exposed their own weakness."

"Tiemuzhen's speed in unifying the Xiongnu is too fast."

"Fast enough to make them feel a little afraid."

Saihan's voice gradually sank, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

It was unclear whether it was directed at the Central Plains or at Tiemuzhen.

Or perhaps both?

His subordinates stood in two rows, each pair of eyes filled with awe and loyalty.

"What does the Great Khan mean…?" an attendant ventured to ask.

"Their attention is all on Tiemuzhen, yet they overlook us."

A hint of cunning flashed in Saihan's eyes: "This is our opportunity."

He rose to his feet and walked to the map.

It was a huge map, marking the spheres of influence of the various tribes on the prairie, as well as the borders of the Central Plains Dynasty.

His finger roamed across the map, finally stopping between two locations.

"That hungry wolf of the Xiongnu has just unified the Xiongnu."

"Those people of the Central Plains can no longer hold back."

"Recently they have taken action against Tiemuzhen."

Saihan broke the silence, his voice low and powerful, as if each word had been weighed carefully: "They are trying to weaken his strength; this is a threat to us grassland tribes."

Inside the tent there was utter silence, save for the occasional crackle of firewood in the hearth.

The subordinates exchanged glances, each understanding the weight of this news.

Saihan's gaze swept over the crowd; seeing their unease and worry, he smiled faintly and raised his hand to signal them to be quiet.

"I know what you are worried about."

Saihan said slowly: "Are you worried that we will become the next target?"

"But for now, the target of the Central Plains Dynasty is Tiemuzhen; we are not yet that target."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the subordinates' faces, making sure everyone understood his meaning.

"We are not Tiemuzhen; our strength comes from the prairie, not from a single city or pool."

"Our allies are not the bureaucrats and nobles of the Central Plains, but the herdsmen and warriors of the prairie."

A murmur of agreement rose within the tent.

Saihan smiled and nodded, knowing his subordinates understood his intent.

He rose, walked to the other side of the tent, and lightly touched the prairie map hanging nearby.

"The Central Plains Dynasty is utterly corrupt."

Saihan's voice carried a hint of mockery: "They think they control everything, yet they overlook the power of the prairie."

"But that is their mistake, and our opportunity."

He turned to face the crowd.

"Now, because of Tiemuzhen, the Central Plains has reopened limited trade in weapons and armor with the prairie."

"This is one of our opportunities."

The tent filled with an uproar.

The subordinates chattered excitedly, obviously shocked by Saihan's idea.

But there's nothing we can do!

Who doesn't know?

Since ancient times, the prairie's weapon iron smelting and such have been the worst of the worst.

Compared to the Central Plains, it lags behind by several versions.

Every time on the battlefield, the prairie's foreign tribes suffer because of weapons and armor, etc.

The number of innocent youths who died unjustly is countless.

But because the northern steppe barbarians have constantly been invading southward without cease.

The various great dynasties of the Central Plains clearly stipulated that no weapons, armor, or similar goods may be sold to the steppe.

Some even directly blockaded trade with the steppe.

How could the steppe chieftains who have witnessed the prosperity of the Central Plains not be envious?

Now, with great difficulty, someone is willing to engage in trade, even bringing out weapons and armor.

Not cooperating would be a sorry waste of the opportunity given by Eternal Heaven.

As for cooperating with the Central Plains to target someone like Temujin, who is also a steppe barbarian...

Saihan felt no psychological burden whatsoever.

For someone like Saihan, an imperial star of great talent and ambition, they will seize any opportunity to strengthen themselves.

As long as it lets his forces grow, even allies of the same tribe will be sold without hesitation.

Moreover, let alone someone like Temujin, who to their tribe is no different from a Central Plains person.

Furthermore, Temujin is nothing but a hungry wolf with ravenous ambition.

There is basically no possibility of coexistence between the two.

Therefore, selling Temujin to exchange for a chance at cooperation.

Saihan feels nothing wrong with it at all.

"I know this idea is risky."

Saihan raised his hand to signal everyone to quiet down.

He calmly said, "Only in this way can we quickly strengthen our tribe's strength and seize more pastures on the steppe!"

"We need the Central Plains' silk, tea, weapons, and armor; they need our horses and wool."

"Moreover, although the Central Plains dynasties are strong, in recent years they also face internal and external troubles."

As Saihan's words slowly fell.

A strategist couldn't help but say, "Great Han, cooperation with the Central Plains dynasties is naturally acceptable."

"But doing so would likely provoke dissatisfaction and vigilance from other steppe tribes."

"I understand."

Saihan nodded, "But if we don't cooperate, we can only forever remain in the shadow of the Central Plains dynasties."

"To struggle and die on the steppe, unable to truly grow strong."

The air inside the tent seemed to freeze, and everyone fell into contemplation.

Cooperating with the Central Plains dynasties is indeed a path fraught with risk and opportunity.

"We can first send people to the Central Plains dynasties to probe their attitude."

"Another strategist proposed, 'If they are willing to cooperate, we will then consider further action.'"

Saihan smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "This proposal is not bad."

"I will consider sending envoys to the Central Plains dynasties."

The subordinates began heated discussion, various opinions and suggestions intertwining and colliding in the tent.

History once again ran along its original course.

The various great dynasties of the Central Plains vied in internal strife, while the northern hungry wolf seized every opportunity.

Frantically drawing various nourishment from within the Central Plains.

Ultimately becoming a colossal giant.

However, with the arrival of Su Ye.

Bringing to the steppe Temujin and Wanyan Aguda, among others.

Ultimately, where will the steppe's direction lead?

Nobody knows!

(End of chapter)