Chapter 352: Cutting leeks on the grassland mode starts
October of the seventh year in Jian'an.

Youzhou border market.

A group of herdsmen drove dozens of cattle and sheep and wandered outside, but did not enter the border market to trade.

Among them, there was a tall and strong man who stood out from the crowd. He was the Xianbei leader Kebineng.

In the past two years, Zhao Yun led 20,000 cavalry together with Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, a total of 40,000 cavalry, and has been harassing the central Xianbei.

In addition, with the help of Li Ru, Budugen grew rapidly.

Ke Bineng's life became more and more difficult.

It was the annual time for hunting grass and grains again. No matter how reluctant he was, Kebineng had to find a way to make some extra money in the border town of Youzhou, otherwise his men would really defect and follow Budugen.

By then, no matter how powerful Ke Bineng is, he will be powerless to save the situation.

However, the border market here in Youzhou is not such an easy place to rob.

Zhao Yun personally led five thousand elite cavalry and stationed here. Within a thousand miles radius, at the slightest sign of trouble, a cavalry team of a thousand men would immediately attack.

If a thousand elite cavalrymen are no match, Wen Pin of Dai County will lead ten thousand cavalrymen to cut off the enemy's retreat to the west. In the east, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao of Liaodong County and Liaoxi County will each lead ten thousand cavalrymen to cut off the eastern line, forming a siege.

Last year, Kebineng was almost surrounded and killed. Fortunately, the Han army was short of food and could not complete the final reunion. Otherwise, Kebineng would not have the chance to come and observe closely.

"Sir, the Han army has discovered us!"

Ke Bineng looked at his panicked number one henchman and couldn't help but sigh deeply. He had wanted to take advantage of the internal chaos of the Han army to make a fortune, but he didn't expect the Han people to unify so quickly. Jin Mao's reputation naturally spread to the grassland, and everyone said that he was the god of mountains and rivers, in charge of harvests and disasters.

Although Kebi Neng disdained to believe this, he also knew that there was no chance for him to negotiate with the Han army anymore.

If we surrender, we might even be worse than the Wuhuan.

"Why are you panicking?" Ke Bineng shouted, "We are herdsmen! Han people don't kill herdsmen!"

Kebi Neng had already found out that the new Han policy was very friendly to the herders. It not only provided trading venues but also offered help to herders in need.

The purpose of his coming here this time was to find out whether it was true.

But how could he see clearly if he stayed outside? Ke Bineng didn't dare to go in. As far as he knew, his portraits were everywhere in the border town. Going in would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.

"Go back." Ke Bineng shook his head regretfully. He was not a complete independentist. It would be better if the Han people's dominance remained the same as before.

Unfortunately, Jinmao is a thorough nationalist and is willing to spend decades governing the border.

"Sir, you won't wait any longer?"

"No more waiting." Kebineng shook his head and said, "Maybe this is a plot of the Han people. Let's go back and persuade Budugen. We are all Great Xianbei, there is nothing that cannot be discussed."

"Sir, why doesn't Lord Budugen believe that you didn't kill him?"

Ke Bineng sneered: "Because stupid people only believe the facts they see with their eyes, but not the truth behind them."

Ke Bineng's men asked in bewilderment, "Isn't that so?"

Ke Bineng glanced at him sideways and didn't want to explain any more to this idiot.

...

Bingzhou, Yanmen County.

Budugen was followed by two slaves, each carefully carrying a table with a steaming roasted lamb on it.

"Respected Zuo Xian Wang, look what I brought?" The voice arrived before Budugen's men.

In the county governor's mansion, Li Ru quickly dismissed the Han followers and stood up to greet him with a smile: "Lord Budugen, you can just call me Wenyou."

Budugen walked into the house, without even looking at the Han people who had not yet left, and waved his hand and said, "That is the custom of you Han people. I still like to call you Zuo Xian Wang. I hope you can assist me like Zuo Xian Wang did."

Budugen is the grandson of the legendary Xianbei figure Tan Shihuai, and deep down he wants to restore the glory of his ancestors.

Li Ru smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you, sir. I will do my best."

Budugen strode towards the table, on which was placed a golden, fragrant roasted whole lamb. The skin was crispy and the meat was tender, with fat gleaming slightly in the firelight, which was extremely tempting.

He smiled in surprise and said, "Zuo Xian Wang is also roasting lamb. Mm, what a delicious smell! His cooking skills are truly amazing. They are not inferior to the lamb roasted over the bonfire on our grasslands."

"Come, come, come." Budugen waved his hand and said, "Try our Xianbei roasted lamb."

Li Ru shook his head modestly and said, "No, no, I just made some arrangements to please you. If you like it, then it's the best. However, although this roasted lamb is good, it is only a delicacy at the banquet. For the real big thing, we still need to work together to make a plan."

Budugen's expression turned serious when he heard this. He walked to Li Ru and said in a low voice, "What the Zuo Xian Wang said is true. I came here not only to taste the food, but also to discuss how to further consolidate our power in the north, and even go south to the Central Plains to complete the unfinished work of our ancestors."

Li Ru's eyes flickered as he slowly said, "Your Excellency has great ambitions, and I admire them. However, the situation in the Central Plains is complex and changeable, and it cannot be achieved overnight. We need to proceed step by step, first stabilize the border, and then plan for the Central Plains. Now that trade between us and the Han people is becoming more and more frequent, why not take this opportunity to strengthen economic ties, while secretly accumulating strength and waiting for the right opportunity."

Budugen nodded in agreement, with a gleam in his eyes: "Zuo Xian Wang said it well. We should not only use trade to obtain the materials we need, but also cultivate confidants, plant spies, and gradually infiltrate the Han area. When the time is right, it will be time for us to march south and unify the world."

Li Ru lowered his head slightly, a flash of disdain flashed across his lips, and when he raised his head again, he smiled and said, "If you want to go south to raid the valley, you must first deal with your worries!"

Budugen hesitated and asked, "Kebi Neng?"

"He doesn't have as many men as I do right now, so what is there to worry about?"

Li Ru reminded him: "Sir, don't forget that Kebi Neng could have killed your brother Fuluo Han!"

"How could I forget!" Budugen excitedly cut off a piece of mutton with a knife and said viciously: "I will definitely take revenge!"

Li Ru had heard this sentence hundreds of times. Budugen was not as honest as he seemed. He had the opportunity to kill Kebineng, but he chose not to do it.

Maybe Budugen has noticed something.

If this is the case, we can’t delay it any longer!

Li Ru's eyes flashed, and he said, "I heard that Kebi Neng left the tribe with several followers. Sir, this is the best opportunity!"

"As long as you get rid of Kebineng now, his tribe will belong to you. By then, restoring the glory of your grandfather will be just around the corner!"

Hearing this, Budugen no longer seemed to care about the mutton in his hand. He slowly put down his knife, his eyes becoming deep and determined. The night shone through the cracks in the tent, adding a bit of unquestionable majesty to his face. "You are right, Li Ru, opportunities are always fleeting. I can no longer let my personal emotions control the overall situation. For the future of the tribe and for the glory of my Xianbei people, I must take action."

He stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the tent, his voice low but full of power: "Gather our most loyal warriors, tonight, we will set out on the journey. Kebi Neng thought he could get away with it, but he didn't know that I, Budugen, had already laid a net. This time, I will let him know the price of betrayal and provocation."

Li Ru was relieved when he saw this, but he remained calm and said, "Your Excellency is wise. I will arrange it right away. At the same time, I will send someone to closely monitor Ke Bineng's movements to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Budugen nodded, a fierce look flashed in his eyes: "Be sure to act carefully, I don't want any accidents to happen. Remember, we must not only get rid of Kebi Neng, but also let other tribes see that betrayers will eventually suffer the consequences, and I, Budugen, am the leader who will lead the Xianbei to glory." With the departure of Li Ru, the tent returned to peace again, but Budugen's heart was in turmoil, and he couldn't help but recall what Kebi Neng had said when they met in secret.

"You and I are both Xianbei, brothers with different surnames. Do you want to trust a Han Chinese instead of your own brothers?"

"How about this, I will travel secretly next month with only a few followers. I am sure that Han Chinese will keep a close eye on me and then instigate you to kill me!"

"If I really die, I hope you can lead your people to escape from Han territory and flee westwards!"

"There are fertile pastures and stupid two-legged sheep there, which are enough for the Xianbei people to prosper again!"

Now, this saying has become a proverb.

But Li Ru did help Budugen overcome one difficulty after another. If it weren't for Li Ru, Budugen might have died in the encirclement long ago.

Budugen is a grateful person. Even if Li Ru has done many wrong things, he will choose to forgive him and regard it as repaying his life!

Yanmen County, north of Juyang County.

Beyond the Great Wall is the sphere of influence of the Tuoba Xianbei tribe. Li Ru led a dozen of his soldiers to ambush on the road.

Li Ru has already sent someone to inform the Han cavalry in Dai County, but whether he can wait depends on God's will.

This time, Li Ru decided to take a risk.

Budugen thought that his meeting with Budugen was secretive enough, but in fact, in Li Ru's eyes, he was as transparent as a cloak. Budugen was not very cunning or scheming, so how could he compare with an old fox like Li Ru, who could be wiped out with just a few words.

"Boom."

The sound of horse hooves rumbled, and Li Ru's face changed instantly. This was not a noise that could be caused by just a dozen riders. There must be at least a thousand of them.

Looking in the direction of the voice, Li Ru's heart skipped a beat; indeed, the news was wrong.

"Fuck your mother!" Li Ru couldn't help but curse out loud. The snow in Yanmen County was several feet deep in November. He and his men waited for several hours, but Ke Bineng was so cunning that he brought a thousand cavalry.

Just as Li Ru was about to return home, one of his men suddenly stood up and bowed to Li Ru, saying, "Sir, it's time to serve His Majesty the King of Wu!"

"I would like to go alone and wait for an opportunity to assassinate Kebineng!"

"Count me in!"

“Me!” “Me!”…

Li Ru watched all this in amazement, then felt relieved. These fifteen people were like-minded people he recruited on his way north. He thought he had convinced them with his ability to train death squads under Dong Zhuo.

I never expected that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu had a far-reaching plan and had already arranged people to follow me.

No wonder there are so many coincidences, no wonder these people seem so loyal without having to say anything.

It turned out that the object of their loyalty had never changed, but Li Ru only found out about it today.

"My fellow warriors!"

Li Ru stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "Ru Ding will write a biography of your deeds and send it to His Royal Highness the King of Wu!"

The fifteen warriors happily returned the greeting to Li Ru, saying, "Thank you very much, sir! We will repay you in the next life!"

"Go!"

After a while, the fifteen people disappeared in the vast snow.

Li Ru was still worried, so he brought Budugen's troops here as soon as he returned.

It was already the second day. The messy horse hoof prints, bloodstains and corpses on the snow indicated that a battle had taken place here, but it was not clear whether Kebineng was dead or not.

In order to confirm the news of Kebi Neng's death, Li Ru risked his life to return to Budugen and persuade him to annex Kebi Neng's tribe.

"My lord, Kebi Neng is dead!"

Li Ru said with a heavy face: "I have received accurate information. This is all done by the Han people. They want to exterminate all of our Xianbei people."

"If Your Excellency remains indifferent, the Xianbei people will never be able to regain their former glory!"

Facing Li Ru's instigation, Budugen looked at him with a complicated expression and asked, "Did you kill Ke Bineng?"

Li Ru shook his head. Budugen was visibly happy, but the words he said made Budugen fall into an icy cave.

"Why do you have to worry about such a small matter, sir?"

“Those who achieve great things don’t stick to trivial matters!”

"Have you forgotten the glory of your ancestors?"

Budugen shook his head and said in panic, "What are you talking about? Kebi Neng is my half-brother, and you are also my brother. Why can you say such a thing?"

"Is this how you Han people kill each other?"

Li Ru's face was full of disdain, and he spoke as if the Xianbei people were so noble. If it weren't for the urgent matter, he would have scolded Budugen to pieces.

"I have misjudged you, sir." Li Ru shook his head and said, "Since you no longer believe in me, I will take my leave now."

Budugen was dumbfounded. He knew very well that everything now was caused by Li Ru. If it weren't for Li Ru, he would have been killed by Budugen.

"Zuo Xian Wang, don't leave!" Budugen held Li Ru and said, "Is it not enough for me to listen to you?"

Li Ru turned around, immediately put on a smiling face and said, "Sir, I knew you were not a waste!"

Budugen always felt that this sentence was an insult to him, but he couldn't find any insult in it.

He could only smile awkwardly, secretly complaining in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it. After all, Li Ru in front of him was his only support at the moment, and the key to his survival in this chaotic world.

"Sir, let's get back to the point." Li Ru restrained his smile and said seriously, "Next, we will boldly return to the Xianbei ancestral land, recruit Kebineng's troops, and sell all the useless ones as slaves in the border market..."

It was not until Budugen completely incorporated Kebi Neng's troops that Li Ru was sure that Kebi Neng was really dead.

Unexpectedly, the new generation of heroes on the grassland died in such humiliating way at the hands of an assassin.

Although these assassins were brave warriors, their methods were not very sophisticated after all.

Li Ru also understood why His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu was so concerned about his life.

(End of this chapter)