OBS Chapter 1061 Murong's Ambition
Chapter 1061 Murong's Ambition
The atmosphere in the tent had just become slightly warmer due to the certainty of the reunion. Ma Chao, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang and others were leaning over to carefully examine the map, discussing the next strategy for attacking Ordos City, when suddenly a report came from outside the tent: Agula, an envoy under Murong Xuepo, asked to see him again.
Ma Chao raised his hand to stop everyone from talking and said in a deep voice, "Let him in."
A moment later, Agula hunched over and entered the tent. The elderly envoy, his face weathered, bowed respectfully to Ma Chao, prostrating himself on the ground, his forehead almost touching the felt. He said respectfully, "Wise and mighty General Tian, we meet again. This time, my king has specially sent me to pay my respects to you."
Ma Chao regarded him calmly, his eyes scrutinizing and cautious. "Oh? Envoy Agula, if you have anything to say, please speak frankly. What are Chief Murong's instructions?" He deliberately used the word "chief" instead of "king." Agula seemed unfazed. He slowly stood up, bowed his head, and replied, "My king asked me to tell General Tian that Kobineng is now trapped in Ordo City and is at the end of his rope. I hope you can capture the city in one fell swoop and completely crush this stubborn resistance."
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao curled up the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, but did not respond.
Xu Shu stepped forward, his gaze sharp at Agula. "Capturing Ordo City is a fixed goal for our army. I just wonder how your Murong Xianbei are prepared to offer their full support."
Agula said hurriedly: "Of course we will go all out to help General Tian!"
"Hmph," Lu Su snorted coldly, his tone tinged with undisguised sarcasm. "How can we help you? Is it still the same as before—our army fights bloody battles in the front, while yours secretly accepts the scattered tribes and recruits their people and livestock? Once our army reaches the city, you'll raise your battle flags and offer a few cattle and sheep, and then expect us to clear the way for you?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the generals in the tent, and spoke emphatically, "Right now, Ordo City is filled with elite Golden Horde warriors. Our army has been battling for days, and our forces have been severely depleted. As for assistance, the most important thing for you, the Murong tribe, to do right now is to lead the charge and show us your sincerity!"
Agula's face changed slightly, and he hesitated, "My king...my king's men also need to guard the flanks, so it's difficult...it's difficult to charge directly. But please rest assured, General Tian, we are willing to provide food and supplies, and we can also send 5,000 cavalry to harass the enemy's rear and cut off their water supply..."
"That's not necessary," Ma Chao suddenly said, his voice low but commanding. "We have no shortage of food and fodder, but we can cut off our own retreat. If Murong Xuepo is truly sincere, have him lead his elite troops to meet us at the foot of Ordo within three days. I'll then arrange a position for him."
Agula's forehead was sweating and he nodded repeatedly: "I, I will go back and report to my king!" After that, he bowed deeply again and hurriedly left the tent.
Silence returned to the tent. Zhang Liao frowned and asked, "My lord, Murong Xuepo has always been indecisive. Will he really send troops?"
Ma Chao walked over to the map and pointed at the location of Ordo City. "It's not up to him whether he comes or not. Kobe Neng is already trapped. If he doesn't come and share in the spoils, once we capture the city, it won't be that easy for him to meddle in Xianbei affairs again."
Xu Shu interjected, "My lord, you are absolutely right. Let's proceed with our original plan to attack the city. If the Murong tribe arrives, we'll let them lead the charge. If they don't, we'll have a good opportunity to see their true intentions and make plans later."
Xu Huang was a man of unwavering integrity. Overhearing the discussion within the tent, he couldn't help but grumble, "Lord! In my opinion, you're being far too tolerant of Murong Xuepo! Why should we let him take advantage of us? He's not truly cooperating; he clearly has ulterior motives!"
He clenched his fist and slammed it on the table, shaking the wine cup. "Our army has followed Kobe Bianeng everywhere, fighting hundreds of battles, both large and small. Not only have we lost over ten thousand soldiers, but we've also lost powerful generals like Wang Fang and Morisco! But he's taking advantage of us keeping Kobe Bianeng at bay to quietly absorb his scattered forces. Now his power is growing even stronger!"
Xu Huang grew increasingly angry as he spoke. "He was originally Kobe's subordinate, but he took advantage of the chaos to declare himself king. He watched helplessly as the Xianbei tribe was crippled by us, and then he just sat back and reaped the benefits. How could such a person be considered a good person?"
Ma Chao laughed heartily upon hearing this, his laughter tinged with a hint of coldness. "How could I not know what Gongming said? If Murong Xuepo were truly a kind person, he wouldn't be in his current position. Once we eliminate Kobe Neng, he'll become our next enemy in no time, and even turn against us. It's all reasonable."
Lu Su frowned slightly and continued, "Since Your Majesty knows this, why does he allow him to grow stronger?"
Zhang Liao looked at the loyal generals in the tent who had fought alongside him through thick and thin, his face filled with sorrow. "Although the Xianbei are at the end of their strength, they still live up to the saying 'even a centipede dies but remains frozen.' If Kobe and Murong Xuepo had not fallen out and united their forces, even with the combined might of our three armies, we would have suffered heavy casualties here."
He pointed outside the tent and said in a low voice, "Our two tribes combined initially numbered a hundred and twenty thousand men. After more than a year of fighting, we're now down to just over sixty thousand. Wang Fang, Molixige, and the Eastern Qiang's Shao Ge and Ehe Shaodang have all lost their lives on this grassland... If it weren't for the internal strife among the Xianbei, how could we have reached Ordo City? We'd have been worn down long ago."
The tent fell silent again, their expressions growing solemn as they recalled their fallen comrades. Ma Chao tapped his fingers on the map and said gravely, "Allowing him to grow stronger is merely a temporary solution. Kobe Neng is a serious threat now. We must eliminate him first, then free up our hands to deal with Murong Xuepo—dealing with such a person requires a step-by-step approach."
Xu Shu nodded and said, "My lord, you are right. The most important thing right now is to capture Ordo City and deal with Kobineng. As for Murong Xuepo, let him be proud for a few more days. Once we have a firm foothold, we will have ways to deal with him."
Everyone nodded in agreement, but when they thought of Murong Xuepo's look of taking advantage of others' success, they felt a little angry.
A sharp light flashed in Ma Chao's eyes, and he said with a decisive momentum: "That Kobe can be called the lord of the grassland. I am going to chop him to death first!" The fierceness in his voice made everyone in the tent excited, as if they had seen the scene of the grassland shaking when the battle flag was waved.
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the generals in the tent, and continued, "As for Murong Xuepo, think about it, everyone. When the Xianbei tribes were our enemies, he chose to cooperate with us and watched the Xianbei King die. This kind of person, seemingly judging the situation, is actually cold and heartless. How many people can truly trust him?"
A low murmur of agreement echoed from within the tent. Xu Shu stroked his beard and nodded, "General, you are absolutely right. Murong Xuepo's cooperation is merely a temporary measure and should never be taken as genuine."
"Exactly!" Ma Chao slammed his hand on the table, his voice echoing throughout the tent. "He's just become independent, and his foundation isn't stable yet. Most of the tribesmen under his command are opportunists, so how many of them are willing to fight for him? Once we capture Kobe, we'll have more time and resources. A major battle will shatter his seemingly solid regime! By then, his mere bluffing won't be enough!"
Everyone's blood boiled upon hearing this, and they all clasped their fists and asked for battle: "We are willing to follow the general to defeat Kobe Neng, destroy Murong Xuepo, and enhance the prestige of our army!"
Outside the tent, the wind whipped dust past the commander's banner, rustling it and rustling, as if echoing the impending storm on the grassland. Ma Chao looked at the passionate soldiers before him, a confident smile playing on his lips. Kobe Neng and Murong Xuepo were merely stepping stones on his path to flattening the grassland. Once the path ahead was cleared, this vast grassland would no longer be a threat.
In reality, Murong Xuepo had already led his army to camp east of Langjuxu Mountain, just two days' journey from Ordo City. Agula didn't stay long in Ma Chao's tent. After receiving Ma Chao's instructions, he immediately set out to return, galloping back to Murong Xuepo's camp to report back.
Inside the tent, Murong Xuepo was perched on a table, poring over a map, his fingertips gently tracing the location of Ordo City. He wore a Xianbei brocade robe embroidered with silver thread, his face stern, a calculating expression between his brows. Outside, the clink of armor could be heard. Agula, dusty and dusty, entered, kneeling to report, "Your Majesty, Ma Chao has replied."
"Oh? What did he say?" Murong Xuepo raised his eyes, his gaze as sharp as an eagle.
Agula recounted what had happened in Ma Chao's tent, emphasizing Ma Chao's statement, "Within three days, I will personally lead my elite troops to join us at the foot of Ordos City." Finally, he added, "Ma Chao's words were forceful, as if he had seen through our previous intentions. Lu Su even bluntly stated that we should lead the vanguard."
Murong Xuepo listened, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. After a moment's silence, he suddenly sneered, "Ma Chao is more anxious than I thought. He's suffered heavy losses in his troops, and he wants to drag us into this mess."
The leader of the personal guards, Ulan Toti, asked, "Your Majesty, should we go? Kobinen's Golden Horde warriors are formidable. Ordo City is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we really go as a vanguard, I'm afraid we'll lose a lot of men."
"Go, why not?" Murong Xuepo's eyes flashed with cunning. "If Kobe is destroyed, no one on this grassland can compete with me. Ma Chao wants to use us, so why can't I use him to clear the obstacles?"
He stood up and walked outside the tent. Looking at the mountains in the distance, he said loudly, "Pass the order. Disband the camp and march towards Ordos tomorrow morning. Tell the brothers that after we capture the city, we will give them 30% of Kobinen's cattle, sheep, and other valuables!"
Upon hearing this, the Xianbei cavalry outside the tent erupted in cheers. Looking at his king's back, Agula suddenly understood—this newly emerged Xianbei leader was no one to sit still and wait for death. He had always sought control of the entire grassland, and now was the perfect opportunity.
The wind swept across the ridges of Langjuxu Mountain, carrying the chilling air of the grasslands, as if foreshadowing a bloody battle to come. Like a long, silver dragon, Murong Xuepo's army slowly moved toward Ordo City. This isolated, besieged city was about to face the final battle that would determine the fate of the grasslands.
Murong Xuepo stood outside the tent, gazing at the undulating contours of Langjuxu Mountain, a cold arc curling up at the corner of her mouth. She sneered inwardly: This Han general is eager to destroy Kobe Neng, so why isn't he the same?
As long as Kobe survived, tribes across the grasslands would yearn for the old royal court and feign obedience to the "self-proclaimed king" of the Murong clan. Only if Kobe's head and body were severed could these wavering tribes finally sever their ties of hope, and only then could he, the king of the Murong Xianbei, truly secure his position and command the grasslands with unwavering obedience.