Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 298 Slaying the Wolf King

The 23rd day of the fourth month of the fifth year of the Qiming era. The royal court.

The sun rose again, illuminating the land that had been a battlefield just yesterday. The corpses had been collected, blood still seeped into the grass, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and the smell of burning flesh. But inside and outside the royal court, order was beginning to be restored—order within the Star Army.

In front of the golden-topped tent, a three-zhang-high wooden pole was erected.

Beneath the wooden pole, Snow Wolf Khan Ashina Gudu knelt on the ground, his hands bound behind his back, covered in blood and grime. His hair was disheveled, his wolf helmet long gone, and the upturned scar on his face was now covered in mud, making him look less like a wolf and more like a wild dog that had been dragged ashore after falling into the water.

But he still held his head high.

Chen Xing sat on a couch in front of the tent, a bowl of mare's milk wine in front of him. He didn't drink it, but just quietly watched the young man kneeling on the ground.

The surrounding area was filled with people.

On the left were Zhou Hu and other Xingqi generals, all clad in gleaming armor, their hands resting on their sword hilts. On the right were the leaders of the northern tribes, including the Uliangha and Hongjila, their expressions varied—some excited, some apprehensive, some gloating. Further away lay a dark mass of prisoners, and the Tiele tribesmen who had been captured and released—they knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.

The wind blew from the north, fluttering Chen Xing's clothes.

"Ashina Gudu," he began, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "do you know why I want to kill you?"

Snow Wolf Khan raised his head, stared at him, and said nothing.

Chen Xing continued:

"You murdered your father and seized the throne, that is your first crime; you broke the alliance, that is your second crime; you went south to plunder and kill my border people, that is your third crime; you besieged my city and cut off my supply lines, that is your fourth crime; you slaughtered disobedient tribes, sparing neither the old, the weak, women and children, that is your fifth crime."

He enumerated five charges, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Each of these statements caused a slight change in the expressions of the surrounding tribal leaders. Those who had once been oppressed by the Snow Wolf Khan gradually ignited flames in their eyes.

Snow Wolf Khan suddenly laughed.

The laughter was hoarse and manic, carrying a ruthless, reckless abandon.

"Central Plains people! What's the use of counting all this? On the grasslands, might makes right! I killed my father because he was weak! He was afraid of you! He actually sent my brother to Chang'an as a hostage! That was a disgrace!"

He struggled to stand up, but the soldiers behind him held him down firmly.

"I raid southwards because you people of the Central Plains are rich! You have grain, iron, and silk! Why should you live comfortably in the cities while we have to starve and freeze on the grasslands?!"

He was breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot.

"As for slaughtering those who disobey me—they deserve to die! On the grasslands, disobedience means enemy! My father was too merciful, which emboldened those tribes! What's wrong with me doing the dirty work for him?!"

There was silence all around.

Chen Xing looked at him, his gaze calm as still water.

After a long while, he slowly stood up, walked to the Snow Wolf Khan, and looked down at him.

"Are you finished speaking?"

Snow Wolf Khan was panting heavily, staring intently at him.

Chen Xing sighed softly.

"Ashina Gudu, you've said so much, but there's one thing I still don't understand."

"What?"

Chen Xing pointed to the tribal leaders around him:

"Ask them why they hate you."

Snow Wolf Khan paused, his gaze sweeping over the group. The Uriyangkhai chief met his gaze without flinching; the elder of the Hongjila tribe had hatred filling his cloudy eyes; and among the Tiele tribesmen kneeling on the ground, some secretly raised their heads, a hint of pleasure in their eyes.

Chen Xing's voice slowly rang out:

"Your father, Ashina Duobi, was also my enemy. But he understood one thing—wolves on the grasslands can be fierce, but not mad. Fierceness is for the survival of the pack; madness will only lead to their death."

He paused:

"Your father sent his son to Chang'an not to show weakness, but to leave him a way out. Your father did business with me not because he was afraid of me, but to ensure the survival of his tribe. Your father was called 'the clever wolf' by the grassland people, not because he was good at fighting, but because he knew when to fight and when to stop."

Snow Wolf Khan's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a word.

Chen Xing continued:

"And you? You killed everyone you could, stole everything you could, and offended everyone you could. You thought you were a wolf, but you're just a mad dog. Do you know what happens to a mad dog?"

Snow Wolf Khan's body began to tremble.

It wasn't fear, it was anger, it was despair, it was a breakdown after being completely seen through.

Chen Xing turned around, walked back to the folding chair, and sat down again.

"Someone come here."

Zhou Hu stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here."

Chen Xing pointed to the three-zhang-tall wooden pole:

"Hang him up."

Snow Wolf Khan struggled violently: "You dare! I am Khan! The Khan of the grasslands! You cannot—"

Zhou Hu kicked him to the ground, and several soldiers rushed forward and dragged him toward the wooden pole.

A rope was looped around his neck, the other end tossed over the top of the wooden pole, and a dozen men pulled together. Snow Wolf Khan's body was slowly hoisted up, higher and higher, swaying violently in the wind.

His legs thrashed wildly, his hands desperately trying to grab the rope around his neck, but his bound hands couldn't reach it. His face turned from red to purple, from purple to black, his eyes bulged, and his tongue lolled out—

Fifteen minutes later, he stopped moving.

The corpse swayed slightly in the wind, casting a long shadow that fell on the kneeling prisoners.

The surroundings were deathly silent.

Chen Xing stood up, walked to the body, looked up, and stared at it quietly for a while.

Then he turned around and faced the tribal leaders.

"Hang him here for three days. After three days, send his head to the tribes that are still resisting. Tell them—"

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"Those who obey will live, those who defy will die. From this day forward, there will only be one Heavenly Khan on the grasslands."

The Snow Wolf Khan's corpse hung on the wooden pole for three whole days.

By day, the sun beats down; by night, the wind howls. Crows and vultures circle overhead, yet dare not land—soldiers guard the wooden poles day and night.

Many things happened inside and outside the royal court during these three days.

First, the northern tribes who were still observing sent envoys to express their willingness to submit. Two tribes that had previously hesitated even personally brought gifts to the royal court, kneeling before the wooden pole to beg for forgiveness. Chen Xing did not see them, but instead had Zhou Hu deliver a message:

"Go back and tell your leader that this time we'll let it go. Next time, your heads will be hanging on this pole."

The two messengers were so frightened that they kowtowed dozens of times before daring to leave.

Secondly, the Tiele tribe began to split. Those who had followed Xuelang Khan in committing evil deeds were dragged out one by one and executed on the spot; those ordinary tribesmen who were forced into the army but had not committed any major crimes were assigned to labor camps to clean up the battlefield and bury the corpses; while those who had been oppressed by Xuelang Khan and even lost their families were released and given cattle, sheep and tents.

Batur, along with his mother, was among the released people. Before leaving, he knelt before Chen Xing, kowtowed three times, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Chen Xing watched his retreating figure and suddenly said to Zhou Hu:

"That child will amount to something in the future."

Zhou Hu scratched his head: "How did Your Majesty figure that out?"

Chen Xing shook his head and did not answer.

The third thing was that Norio woke up.

The knife slashed his back, so deep that bone was visible. If it weren't for the wound medicine that Lan Fenghuang had given Chen Xing before she left, he would have lost his life in the northern desert.

When Chen Xing went to see him, he was lying in the tent, his back wrapped in white cloth, his face as pale as paper, but he was still grinning.

"Your Majesty... I haven't let you down, have I?"

Chen Xing sat down next to him and looked at him.

No. You did a great job.

Dianxiong chuckled twice, which aggravated his wound, causing him to wince in pain.

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Dianxiong, do you hate me?"

Dianxiong was stunned.

"Your Majesty... what did you say?"

Chen Xing looked into his eyes and said, word by word:

"I sent you to cut off their retreat, to lead 20,000 men deep into the northern desert, to send you to your death. You almost died there. Do you hate me?"

Dianxiong was stunned for a long time.

Then, he suddenly laughed.

That smile contained blood, tears, the relief of surviving a catastrophe, and something else... Chen Xing couldn't understand.

"Your Majesty," he said, "I am a rough man and not good with fancy words. But I know one thing—you sent me to cut off the enemy's escape route not because I deserve to die, but because you believe in my ability."

He paused, his voice slightly choked:

"You entrusted me with the most difficult task, which shows you think highly of me. Even if I die there, it will be for Your Majesty, and that will be worthwhile."

Chen Xing looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he reached out and gently patted Norio's shoulder.

"Take good care of your injuries. After we return to Chang'an, I will treat you to a drink."

On April 26th, the body of Snow Wolf Khan was laid down.

The head was cut off, preserved with lime, placed in a wooden box, and prepared to be taken back to Chang'an for public display. The torso was thrown onto the grassland, left to be torn apart by wolves and crows—this was the rule of the grasslands, and this was the fate of the losers.

That afternoon, Chen Xing summoned all the tribal leaders for a swearing-in ceremony.

At the meeting, he announced several things:

First, the Tiele tribe will be succeeded by Ashina Mo. Prince Mo will soon return from Chang'an and formally assume the position of Tiele Khan. From then on, the Tiele tribe will be a vassal state of Xingqi, paying tribute annually and coming to court every year.

Second, tribes are forbidden from attacking each other. Those with disputes may appeal to Chang'an for a ruling from the imperial court. Private armed conflicts are considered treason.

Third, open trade markets. Trade markets were established in places like Yunzhong and Shoujiang City, allowing tribes to exchange horses, cattle, sheep, and furs for grain, cloth, ironware, and tea from the Central Plains. Prices were set by the imperial court, and private price gouging was prohibited.

Fourth, every year the imperial court would send officials to inspect the northern deserts and assess the tribal leaders. Those with outstanding achievements would be rewarded; those who oppressed their people would be punished; and those who plotted rebellion would be executed.

As the rules were announced one by one, the tribal chiefs reacted with varying expressions. Some were delighted, some were apprehensive, and some were indignant, but none dared to voice their opposition.

Because there were still bloodstains on the wooden pole.

Because the wooden box containing the head was right next to Chen Xing's feet.

After the oath was sworn, Chen Xing picked up a bowl of mare's milk wine and faced the crowd:

"Gentlemen, from this day forward, the northern deserts and the central plains are one family. My empire includes your pastures; your cattle and sheep will find their market in mine. Live your lives peacefully and avoid war."

He drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone quickly drank it all.

The bowl is placed down, the ceremony is complete.

On April 27th, the army set off south.

Of the three thousand elite cavalry who set out, only two thousand three hundred remain. Adding the remnants brought back by Dian Xiong, as well as the tribal cavalry who were willing to surrender, the force now numbers a whopping eight thousand.

Chen Xing rode his horse through the central army, behind him were the procession escorting prisoners, the convoy loaded with spoils of war, and the wooden box containing the head.

Zhou Hu spurred his horse forward and rode alongside him.

"Your Majesty," he couldn't help but ask, "are you really comfortable letting Ashina Modang become Khan? He's only eighteen; can he keep those old foxes in check?"

Chen Xing gazed at the receding grasslands to the north and slowly said:

"We can't control it. That's why we need to let him control it."

Zhou Hu was stunned; he didn't understand.

Chen Xing didn't explain. He just stared ahead, where Cloud City was in sight.

Outside the city, Chen Wei's army was lined up to welcome them. Banners fluttered and cheers shook the heavens.

The beacon fire that burned day and night on the city wall has finally been extinguished.