On March 7, 20,000 cavalrymen left Jiuyuan and headed north.
Just after passing Yunzhong and arriving at Yuanping County, the southernmost part of Yanmen County, Tian Yu, who was with the team, received an urgent message from his subordinate Feng Po, and his face became uncertain for a moment.
"What happened to Lord Tian? Is there any news in Yanmen County?" asked Guanqiu Jian, who had been staying with Tian Yu for the past few days.
In the first year of Taihe at Yanmen, Tian Yu did not take Guanqiu Jian, the young Yueqi captain, seriously at first. It was not until Guanqiu Jian led a hundred cavalrymen to charge into the battle and helped the Wei army win a great victory that he realized Guanqiu Jian's ability.
With the experience of fighting together and both of them being in the army, they already felt like close friends regardless of age difference. However, Guanqiu Jian's power and authority as the commander of the army was already much higher than Tian Yu's.
Being able to rise to the top as the emperor's confidant is something that ordinary people cannot envy, and Tian Yu also has this self-awareness.
Tian Yu held Feng Po's letter in his hand, frowned and sighed, and replied to Guanqiu Jian: "This matter will be known sooner or later, and I will not hide it from Zhonggong."
"The messenger I sent from Yanmen to Yunzhong has returned, bringing back He Qibu's three thousand cavalrymen. Ke Bineng himself did not respond to the call."
When Guanqiu Jian heard this, he subconsciously pulled the reins, causing the horse under him to neigh.
"You are such a brave villain!" Guanqiu Jian shouted, "How dare you stay in this hut, Kebineng? Are you really not afraid of death?"
Tian Yu glanced around, tapped the horse's belly, and moved closer to Guanqiu Jian: "This is what worries me."
"Zhong Gong also fought with Ke Bineng in the past. You know something about this man's character."
Guanqiu Jian placed his right hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist and snorted coldly, "Of course I know. Kebineng is very cunning. During the battle of Mayi that day, his headquarters was always outside the battle group and did not dare to advance to fight to the death from beginning to end."
"They don't dare to fight, they just want to preserve their strength. Whether it's Kebi Neng of Xianbei, or Suli, Budugen, and Xieguini of Wuhuan, they all act the same way!"
Tian Yu sighed, "That's it. If Ke Bineng doesn't come, how can I explain to His Majesty?"
Guanqiu Jian asked carefully: "Mr. Tian, can we first attack Kebineng's tribe? Disband them and then go to Liaodong?"
Tian Yu shook his head: "Zhong Gong thinks too simply. Before this, Kebi Neng still had a city in Pingcheng. In the first year of my reign, I destroyed his city in Pingcheng with my troops, and Kebi Neng's royal court was moved to the farther Yunzhong."
"Pingcheng is easy to deal with, but how are you going to fight Yunzhong? You go there for a month, fight for half a month, and come back for a month. How can you have the energy to go to Liaodong?"
"Besides, the grassland is so vast. If Kebi can escape westward again, can we continue to chase him?"
Guanqiu Jian seemed to have thought of something and asked again: "Who is the He Qibu that Tian Gong just mentioned? I only know that there was a general named He Qi in the Eastern Wu."
Tian Yu said: "Ke Bineng's son-in-law."
Guanqiu Jian was puzzled and asked, "Didn't Ke Bineng have only one son-in-law named Yu Zhugan? Didn't he die in our army in the past?"
Tian Yu rolled his eyes slightly: "Isn't it allowed for Ke Bi to find another son-in-law for his daughter?"
Guanqiu Jian shook his head helplessly.
Troubles will not disappear out of thin air, they will only be copied to another person.
Tian Yu went to Guanqiu Jian to talk about it, and now it was Guanqiu Jian's turn to be troubled: "This thief is really hateful! I can't beat him, what should I do?"
Tian Yu held the letter in his hand more tightly: "Zhong Gong is also familiar with the military affairs of Yanmen, and go with me to see His Majesty."
Guanqiu Jian nodded: "I believe your majesty will have a wise decision."
One good thing about being an official in the imperial court is that if you encounter something you can't handle, you can naturally report it to your superiors. Above the general is the Privy Council, and above the Privy Council is the Western Pavilion.
But the emperors above the Xige had to make a choice.
To the surprise of Tian Yu and Guanqiu Jian, Cao Rui did not seem to be bothered by this matter. He said calmly: "Ke Bi Neng did not come. This man is indeed ambitious."
Tian Yu bowed his hands with an apologetic look on his face and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I was negligent in protecting General Wuhuan. Please punish me."
Cao Rui glanced at Tian Yu and said, "General Tian has not been around me enough. Whether Kebi can come or not is not up to you alone. Why are you asking for forgiveness? Don't make these false promises."
Tian Yu bowed again.
Cao Rui said, "I vaguely remember that in the first year of Taihe, when you submitted a petition requesting to use military force against Kebi Neng, you said that Kebi Neng had killed one of your envoys?"
Tian Yu nodded, "That's right. The envoy was called Xia She, who had lived in the borderland since he was a child. He was selected by a humble servant and trained by his side for ten years. But he died unexpectedly at the hands of Ke Bineng."
"Does this person have any descendants?" Cao Rui asked again.
Tian Yu lowered his head slightly: "No, he died at the age of only 33."
"He died for his country as an envoy, which is what a loyal minister does. When we arrive in Yanmen County, Tian Qing will erect a larger stele for him. I will then ask Zhong Yu to write an inscription for him."
Zhong Yu? Tian Yu did not know this person and looked at Guanqiu Jian with a questioning look.
Guanqiu Jian whispered, "This man is the son of Master Zhong, and is a minister of the imperial guards. He is good at calligraphy and often writes imperial edicts."
Tian Yu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted. I thank you on behalf of Xia She!"
Cao Rui nodded and said: "In the past, Zhang Qian opened up the Western Regions and became the Marquis of Bowang. The imperial envoys must be both wise and brave to do this."
"Zhong Gong, call all my cavalrymen here. I want to choose one of them to go as an envoy to Kebineng."
"As ordered." Guanqiu Jian took the order and left. When he met the imperial guards, he did not say why, but just said that the emperor had an order. At this time, the marching team had stopped to rest. After the four imperial guards came to the front of the emperor and saluted, Cao Rui looked at them and said slowly:
"Have you four heard of Xiashe?"
Who is Xia She? Several people shook their heads to indicate that they didn't know.
Cao Rui raised his chin towards Tian Yu and said, "General Tian, please speak."
"Yes." Tian Yu bowed in response and introduced Xia She's life to the imperial guards in a few words.
Seeing that they were still confused, Cao Rui said softly, "I ordered General Tian to recruit troops from all tribes, but Ke Bineng refused to respond and only sent 3,000 cavalry."
"I want to send an envoy to Yunzhong to meet Kebineng. Who among you is willing to go as an envoy?"
The four imperial attendants, in order of the time they came to the emperor's side, are Zhong Yu, son of Zhong Yao, Du Shu, son of Du Ji, He Chu, son of He Qia, and Xiahou Hui, son of Xiahou Yuan.
They are all sons of officials, and their elegance and bearing are rare in border areas.
Cao Rui already had a plan in mind, and this was just a test for the four people. He mentioned Xia She just now just to scare them.
Jade cannot be made into a useful tool without being polished. Whether these young people can shoulder the heavy responsibility still needs to be tested one by one.
After hearing what the emperor said, Zhong Yu's heart began to beat wildly.
Among the four, Zhong Yu had the longest seniority, having entered the palace and served His Majesty as early as the seventh year of Huangchu. He was also the one who was most familiar with the causes and processes of the battle in Yanmen County.
The more familiar it is, the more difficult it becomes.
On the one hand, Kebi Neng is notorious for his evil deeds and is now the most disobedient foreign leader outside the northern border. In other words, Kebi Neng really dares to kill people.
On the other hand, Zhong Yu was unwilling to show his weakness. Before he set out, his father, Zhong Yao, the Grand Tutor, had repeatedly told him to act according to circumstances and not to neglect his duties.
Now that His Majesty has given the order, if I do not express my willingness to go, would it be a dereliction of duty? Would it incur His Majesty's punishment?
Zhong Yu's thoughts turned around in just two moments.
"I am willing to go!" Du Shu, the oldest of the four, who had accompanied Sima Zhi on a diplomatic mission to Wuchang in the past, took half a step forward and bowed in response.
Zhong Yu became anxious and was about to raise his hand to express his opinion when He Chuan and Xiahou Hui also reacted.
If we look at it from the perspective of Guanqiu Jian, Du Shuxian said that Zhong Yu, He Chuan and Xiahou Hui responded almost at the same time.
Jade cannot be made into a useful object without being carved. The more critical the moment, the more one can truly see his true thoughts and ambitions.
Cao Rui saw the actions of several people, as well as their expressions, some firm and some timid.
But Cao Rui did not say it clearly, but smiled and said: "Are you four willing to go? Yes, I would like it very much."
"Zhong Yu!"
Cao Rui raised his hand and pointed at Zhong Yu: "You have been with me the longest. Today, I will use you as my envoy to make this trip for me!"
Zhong Yu's eyes widened, and he could hear a buzzing sound in his ears. Out of a quarter of the choices, how come His Majesty chose him?
He secretly groaned in his heart, but did not dare to show any fear on his face.
Zhong Yu took a deep breath, mustered up his courage and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Ke Bineng as an envoy!"
"Your Majesty, what do you want to say to Ke Bi? I will certainly fulfill my mission."
Cao Rui nodded: "I will order the secretary to draft an imperial edict later. The four of you are all loyal and honest ministers, so go back now."
"Zhong Yu, I will send someone to look for you later."
"As you wish." The four of them took their leave.
After the four cavalrymen left, Cao Rui looked at Tian Yu and Guanqiu Jian with a smile: "Du Shu is older, and the remaining three are young men. It is really interesting to see their expressions."
Tian Yu is also an important general who has experienced many ups and downs in the officialdom for many years. How could he not see the subtle expressions of these people just now, as well as the little thoughts behind them?
Tian Yu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Sanqi are still young. Not all of them are like General Guanqiu."
Guanqiu Jian was silent for a few moments.
Cao Rui said, "I know. I haven't told you how to deal with Ke Bineng just now, right?"
Tian Yu and Guanqiu Jian nodded together.
Cao Rui said: "This matter is easy to handle."
"The reason Ke Bineng didn't come is simply because he was worried that General Tian would take the opportunity to attack him, or swallow up his troops and power. In other words, General Tian's face is not big enough."
Tian Yu laughed twice.
Cao Rui smiled and pointed at himself: "Isn't that enough for my face?"
"I will issue an edict to Kebineng, conferring him the title of Xianbei Chanyu, and have him come to Yanmen to receive the seal and official credentials. Since Tan Shihuai, no one in the Xianbei clan has had such a great title."
"The title of King Yi in his name was abolished by Wei a few years ago. Chanyu has a greater title, so why wouldn't he come?" (End of this chapter)
