mtl008 Chapter 394 The Various Forces of the Grasslands After the Great Battle
Chapter 394 The Various Forces of the Grasslands After the Great Battle
At his shouts, someone finally came and led him to the Loufan king's tent. The Loufan king hadn't seen Maodun for several days, and when he first saw him, he was taken aback. Maodun looked extremely disheveled, a complete change from his previous appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, clearly from lack of rest. His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were covered in dust.
However, the Loufan king had to admit that despite Modu's dire situation, he exuded a unique aura. This young Xiongnu prince, in such a desperate situation, was able to remain calm and composed, unfazed by praise or blame. His eyes revealed a confidence, as if he firmly believed that he would not die easily.
Loufan King was very curious about Maodun's behavior, so he asked, "Touman Chanyu's fate is now unknown. What value do you, who should be dead, still have?"
Maodun stared intently into the eyes of the Loufan king, his gaze piercing as if trying to penetrate his very soul. In that instant, time seemed to freeze; everything around them became eerily quiet, save for Maodun's voice echoing in the air.
"As long as you lend me troops," Maodun's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an irresistible determination, "I can reclaim the Xiongnu royal court and restore the Xiongnu's former glory!"
His words struck Loufan King like a thunderclap. Loufan King was startled and stared at Maodun, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes.
However, Modu did not give the Loufan king much time to think. He continued, "At that time, the Xiongnu will honor the Loufan as their king, and you will become the most respected person on this vast grassland!"
Modu's promise shocked the Loufan king, who never expected Modu to make such a condition. While the Loufan were a powerful tribe, they were still far inferior to the Xiongnu. Now, Modu was willing to honor the Loufan as king in order to reclaim the Xiongnu royal court—this was truly unexpected.
The Loufan king began to secretly calculate. If he truly helped Modu reclaim the Xiongnu royal court, he would not only become the king of both the Xiongnu and Loufan tribes, but also gain unprecedented glory and status. Such a temptation would be irresistible to any ambitious person.
However, the Loufan king also had to consider the risks involved. If this operation failed, he would not only lose a large number of troops, but he might also offend the Donghu. The Donghu were a powerful tribe, and the consequences of making enemies with them would be unimaginable.
"What makes you think you can reclaim the Xiongnu royal court?" King Loufan finally asked, his gaze fixed on Maodun, as if trying to glean some clues from his eyes.
Maodun smiled slightly, his voice steady and confident: "I have lived among the Xiongnu for many years and know the situation of each Xiongnu tribe like the back of my hand. As long as I have enough troops, I am absolutely confident that I can succeed. King Loufan, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't you want to become the most powerful king in the desert?"
Loufan King wavered upon hearing Maodun's words. Looking into Maodun's resolute eyes, he seemed to see a glimmer of hope. Finally, Loufan King gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll lend you troops, but you mustn't go back on your word."
And so, Modu, with the troops lent to him by the Loufan King, embarked on his journey to reclaim the Xiongnu royal court. He knew the road ahead was fraught with peril, but he had no way to retreat. In the desert winds and sands, Modu's army surged like a black torrent towards the Xiongnu royal court. What awaited them was an even more thrilling battle.
Modu led the troops lent to him by the Loufan king on a swift march, encountering a small scout force of Donghu along the way. Modu commanded decisively and swiftly annihilated the scouts, preventing their whereabouts from being revealed. However, as they approached the Xiongnu royal court, they discovered that the area surrounding the court was swarming with elite Donghu troops.
These soldiers were all well-trained and ready for battle. Modu raised his arm and shouted, revealing his identity. The Xiongnu soldiers, seeing that Modu was still alive, were greatly encouraged. Modu directed his army to adjust their tactics, flanking and encircling the Yuezhi army. The Yuezhi army, not expecting Modu's sudden appearance, was thrown into chaos. After a fierce battle, Modu's Loufan army finally broke through the defenses and stormed into the Xiongnu royal court. As Modu stood on the royal court, gazing at this familiar land, he secretly vowed to make the Xiongnu strong again.
On the vast, boundless grasslands where yellow sand and green grass intertwined, the news spread like wildfire. Modu, the Xiongnu prince once presumed dead, was actually alive. However, the situation on the grasslands had already undergone a dramatic transformation, as if swept away by a fierce storm.
The Xiongnu, a once powerful tribe that dominated the grasslands, suffered a devastating blow in this series of upheavals. The fierce battle with the Yuezhi inflicted heavy casualties on the Xiongnu, with countless valiant warriors shedding their blood on the battlefield. Taking advantage of the situation, the Donghu successfully invaded the Xiongnu royal court. Although Modu Chanyu eventually drove the Donghu out with his Loufan soldiers, the Xiongnu still lost vast tracts of fertile grassland, countless strong cattle and horses, and numerous slaves. Touman Chanyu fled in the chaos, his fate unknown. Leaderless, the Xiongnu tribe descended into unprecedented panic and chaos.
The Donghu, a tribe that had long coveted the Xiongnu's position, seemed to be infused with a powerful force the moment they stormed the Xiongnu royal court. Although they were ultimately repelled by Modu Chanyu, their soldiers were filled with fighting spirit and their morale was higher than ever before. This victory gave them hope of replacing the Xiongnu as the overlords of the steppe, and the entire tribe was immersed in a fervent atmosphere, actively preparing for their next expansion.
The Yuezhi were also victims of this tumultuous period. They had already suffered unjust accusations; their herdsmen were brutally murdered by the Xiongnu, and they were unjustly accused of killing Prince Maodun. Now, Maodun was alive, but the Yuezhi had suffered heavy casualties in the war against the Xiongnu. Their warriors had made enormous sacrifices to defend their homeland, their hearts filled with resentment and bitterness towards the Xiongnu. Seeing their once prosperous tribe now devastated, the Yuezhi king's eyes burned with the flames of revenge, and he secretly vowed to make the Xiongnu pay the price.
The Loufan, an originally insignificant tribe, underwent a dramatic change in fate due to a promise made by Modu. Modu, seeking to reclaim the Xiongnu court, borrowed troops from the Loufan king, promising that the Xiongnu would honor the Loufan as their king. In this power struggle, the Loufan suddenly became the largest tribe on the grasslands. However, the Loufan king was filled with worry and unease. He knew Modu's ambition and ability; now that Modu had successfully reclaimed the Xiongnu court, he was powerless to stop him if he reneged. The Loufan king began to regret readily agreeing to Modu's request, but it was too late. He could only hope that Modu would keep his promise, and his heart was constantly filled with this anxiety.