Chapter 176: The Four-Party Alliance
Still in the Tongguan city wall, Gan Ning ate and drank his fill and left.

The desk was rearranged, with Black Bear sitting at the main seat, opposite Wang Xiu's desk, and Cui Yan and Sun Qian sitting on the left and right sides.

After the soldiers finished serving the dishes and left, Cui Yan glanced at the 'Tai Shi Wen Gong' standing behind Black Bear.

This man in golden armor and white robe has a tall and strong figure that fills the armor to the brim. He has a bronze mask and a scarf covering his face. He holds a Fang Tian Ji in his right hand and holds the hilt of the sword with his left hand.

Just standing there is so majestic that people dare not have any bad intentions.

After a glass of wine, Black Bear asked Cui Yan, "The matter of Yuan Sili was a joint agreement between all parties. If he is willing to cooperate, I will never make it difficult for him. I am just curious, why did Mr. Ji Gui suddenly come to visit? And he is dressed like this."

Cui Yan picked up a roll of cowhide map on the side of the table. Yuan Shu, wearing a mask, stepped forward to take it and handed it to Black Bear.

Cui Yan said, "This was a joint proposal by Qian Zijing and Yuan Sili. The scroll contains Qian Zijing's letter, and Yuan Sili wanted to give Liu Yuzhou a generous gift."

Black Bear spread out the cowhide map, and it turned out to be a topographic map of the area around Pingyang and Xihe.

There are various annotations on the edge of the map, explaining the garrison and wintering areas of each Hun tribe, and marking the approximate strength information.

It also includes a letter from Qian Zhao, in which Qian Zhao expressed his great concern about the continued assimilation of the Southern Xiongnu into the barbaric society. He hoped to seize the current opportunity and give them a ruthless blow before the Southern Xiongnu were completely assimilated into the barbaric society.

Seeing Black Bear put down the map and think, Wang Xiu also held up a scroll of silk book: "General, this is written by Yuan Sili."

Yuan Shu stepped forward again and handed over the silk book.

Black Bear opened the letter and saw that Yuan Tan stated in the letter that he had contacted Qian Zhao and hoped that Black Bear could cooperate with him to attack the Xiongnu volunteers accompanying Yuan Tan... Although they were called volunteers in a nice way, they were actually mercenaries jointly organized by various Xiongnu tribes.

During this period, Yuan Tan had been colluding with the Huns in Pingyang and Xihe, preparing to lead them together with the troops from Hedong and Hongnong counties, as well as Zhang Sheng's troops, to attack Luoyang.

This plan has been continuously promoted. Yuan Tan's plan is to lead this mercenary army into the vicinity of Anyi, and then have Black Bear launch an attack, behead and capture the leaders of various tribes, and disintegrate and imprison the Xiongnu army.

In order to gain Black Bear's trust, Yuan Tan's children were all handed over to Wang Xiu.

He didn't ask for much, he just wanted to take three thousand horses to Jingzhou.

As long as the attack is successful, we can get at least seven or eight thousand horses.

The nomadic Huns were not entirely cavalry troops, they also had servant infantry.

"Yuan Sili really thinks highly of me. He allowed me to lead 3,000 men to attack the Shanyu's 10,000-man camp."

Black Bear put down the scroll and turned to look at Cui Yan: "Sir, I have been friends with you for a long time, and we have a good understanding of each other through correspondence. The most difficult thing in today's world is to gain people's trust. If we can do this well, we can at least defend our own territory and be close to each other, even if we cannot conquer the world."

Cui Yan said solemnly: "I deeply agree with the general's concerns."

Black Bear was talking about the importance of mutual trust among allies, but Cui Yan only heard concerns and threats.

If not all of Yuan Tan’s children were on the ship, and if the plan to attack the Xiongnu mercenaries was false, then the so-called alliance to encircle the traitor would inevitably break!
Not only Black Bear will lose trust in Hebei, but also the two Lius of Jingzhou.

Therefore, Cui Yan said seriously: "Cao's thieves are now powerful. Liyang is the gateway to Hebei and is in danger of being lost at any time. If our Hebei's external alliances are broken, internal changes will inevitably occur, and how can we last long? If it were not for my children being away, I would also be willing to stay in Tongguan as a hostage."

Black Bear nodded, expressionless: "This is feasible, I just don't understand, how can Yuan Sili be sure that I can do this well?"

Cui Yan also had a blank expression on his face: "When the incident happened in the western suburbs of Yecheng, I was right behind Shen Zhengnan. I will never forget the general's heroic presence."

"I was just trying to get away, and meant no disrespect."

Black Bear explained, then picked up Qian Zhao's cowhide map and opened it to read: "Tell me, what is the Huization of the Southern Xiongnu?"

The Southern Xiongnu's transformation into a barbarian nation may sound like a joke, but it is not funny at all.

The development, growth and decline of the Huns is no secret.

After Dou Xian's conquest of Yanran, the Xiongnu was split into two. The Southern Xiongnu surrendered and finally lived a stable life of half farming and half herding.

The remaining Northern Xiongnu and Southern Xiongnu were engaged in internal strife, and in order to enhance the overall strength of the Southern Xiongnu, as well as the active sinicization of the Southern Xiongnu nobles, the Southern Xiongnu became more and more obedient.

Especially when the Xianbei rose to power and spread westwards, and the Eastern Qiang Alliance also encroached on the Hetao area, the Southern Xiongnu, who were sandwiched between the two parties, became even more obedient.

But there were nobles within the Xiongnu who tended to be assimilated to Han culture, and there were also nobles who were determined to make the Xiongnu great again.

Since the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, those nobles who aspired to make the Xiongnu great again have completely risen up; during the reign of Emperor Ling, this force once usurped the throne of a Chanyu.

Yufuluo, the legitimate successor of Shanyu, requested Emperor Ling to send him back to seize the throne. However, Emperor Ling died too suddenly, so Yufuluo led his armed tribe to wander around as a professional mercenary and part-time bandit.

After Yufuluo's death, his brother Huhuquan finally became the current Chanyu. The Chanyu royal court also moved south from Meizhi to Xihe County, and then crossed the Yellow River and moved east to Pingyang.

Now the former site of the Southern Xiongnu and Xihe County are occupied by Xiongnu nobles who are trying to make the Xiongnu great again. The Hanized forces followed Huo Qubing across the Yellow River and settled in Pingyang.

What Qian Zhao found difficult was the nomadic Xiongnu royal court in Pingyang. Because of the chaos in the Central Plains in recent years, they gradually began to think about making the Xiongnu great again.

The chaos in the Han area was one factor, and another was the growing strength of the Northern Xiongnu people, who fought back and forth with the separatist Xianbei, which made the Xiongnu royal court feel a sense of crisis.

If the Han area continues to be in turmoil, then when the Northern Xiongnu defeats the Xianbei in central and western China and gains a foothold, and when a new royal court is established within the Northern Xiongnu, the current royal court of the Southern Xiongnu will be in danger.

The current Northern Huns refer to those Huns who have broken away from the control of the royal court.

The struggle for supremacy on the grassland may seem chaotic at times, but if one can win with unstoppable force, a powerful leader can be born in a short period of time.

It is a pity that the climate in southern Mobei and Hetao is currently harsh, and the war between the Northern Xiongnu and the Xianbei in central and western China is more like a war for survival rather than a struggle for hegemony.

A war for survival will often be terminated halfway if the cost and price of winning is too high.

There are a large number of Xiongnu nobles who are well-read in the Central Plains classics in the Southern Xiongnu royal court. If these people give up naturalization and become completely assimilated, then with the support of the royal court, the scattered Northern Xiongnu tribes can be quickly integrated.

A tribal battle that can turn a battle of survival into a decisive battle of large armies.

Huization will free the spiritual shackles of the nobles in the royal court of Southern Xiongnu and thus unleash their fighting power.

Qian Zhao just wanted to ask Black Bear to lead his troops into Hedong to help him intimidate the Southern Xiongnu and carry out a small-scale purge of the royal court nobles.

As for Black Bear's battle plan in Guanzhong... Qian Zhao was not aware of it. For someone like Qian Zhao who was familiar with the situation in the border counties, Black Bear's battle plan was too crazy.

Since Xia Yu, an old subordinate of Duan Xing, was completely defeated in his three-way expedition against the Xianbei, only Gongsun Zan had fought with the Xianbei a few times in recent years.

Cui Yan was Qian Zhao's important assistant. Naturally, he was clear about Qian Zhao's battle plan and also knew Qian Zhao's deeper goals.

Attack the Xiongnu royal court and select a group of reliable Xiongnu servant troops from it.

Then, he would rely on this Xiongnu vassal army to consolidate the loyalty of the Wuhuan vassal army. After perfecting the vassal army system, he would either follow Yuan Shang and Cao Cao to launch the decisive battle of Liyang, or go to Youzhou to help Yuan Xi suppress Xianyu Fu.

Cui Yan detailed the information he had, saying that their only target was the Xiongnu Pingyang royal court.

It is not convenient for Black Bear to reveal his battle plan to Cui Yan for the time being. This is too crazy. Hebei’s focus now is on how to rescue the two cities of Liyang and win or withstand the offensive of Cao’s army.

If the other party heard about his battle plan, they would most likely object.

After all, it will be more beneficial to Hebei if it maintains its mobility.

As he thought about it, Black Bear felt a little troubled.

Then he looked at Wang Xiu and said, "Mr. Wang, Yuan Sili only wants 3,000 horses. Are the remaining horses and captives mine?"

"Yes, Yuan Sili only wants 3,000 horses, and doesn't ask for the rest."

Wang Xiu looked at Cui Yan again and said to Black Bear, "Without the cooperation of the Bingzhou Army, it will be difficult for the general to succeed in one fell swoop. The specific distribution still needs to be discussed between the general and Qianzi."

"No need, Yuan Sili will lure the Huns here, I can handle it myself."

As Black Bear said this, his thoughts turned and his expression was somewhat uncertain. He turned his head and said to Sun Qian, "Mr. Gongyou is also here. Let's sign the alliance. As for the Qianzi Sutra, I will discuss it with him face to face later. I have a plan that requires his cooperation."

Then he looked at Cui Yan on his right and said, "After Qian Zijing helps me achieve my goal, I will help to relieve the siege of Liyang. Mr. Gongyou is here too and can be a witness. You and I will sign the alliance."

Cui Yan thought about it and always felt that if Black Bear participated in the battle to relieve Liyang, it would be more important than the Xiongnu vassal army planned by Qian Zhao.

He immediately said: "If the general is willing to personally lead the troops to relieve Liyang, I can agree to this on behalf of the general."

"Okay, Mr. Gongyou, please write the letter of alliance."

"Yes."

Sun Qian stood up, walked to the desk covered with silk books, and took a pen to write the covenant.

There were three copies, and he signed and sealed them on behalf of the Left General and the Governor of Yuzhou. Hei Xiong and Cui Yan also signed and sealed them.

When the alliance letter was put away, Sun Qian drafted another alliance letter between Black Bear and Yuan Tan.

The writing of this alliance letter meant that Yuan Tan officially withdrew from Hebei. From now on, he would represent himself and be a separate force within the alliance.

As long as this anti-Cao Cao military alliance does not have a leader, Black Bear will be happy to continue maintaining it.

Sun Qian, Cui Yan and Wang Xiu were all ministers, so there was no need for them to swear an oath of blood.

As for ceremonies such as offering three animals to heaven and earth to swear an oath, they are not convenient to hold. If they are held, they can only be led by Black Bear, which is not beneficial to all parties in terms of publicity.

Black Bear himself doesn't care about these trivial details of taking advantage, and it is even less likely that Sun Qian and the other two would mention them on their own initiative.

After the alliance was signed, Wang Xiu led Yuan Tan's seven and a half children to see Black Bear. He saw a pregnant woman about fifteen or sixteen years old sitting on the cart, holding her waist and looking at him nervously.

Black Bear looked at Yuan Tan's children again. Wang Xiu said, "One of Yuan Sili's sons is held hostage in Yecheng, and the rest are all here."

Black Bear's eyes fell on the face of a short and strong boy in a black robe, about 11 or 12 years old, and he said to Wang Xiu: "Yuan Sili is also the leader of a region, how can he not have children? Take the eldest son back, and I will send the rest to Xinfeng for resettlement. When Yuan Sili passes by, take them away together."

Wang Xiu raised his hand to adjust his black gauze crown, shook his sleeves, took two steps back and bowed to Black Bear: "General, you are benevolent."

"It doesn't have to be like this, sir."

Black Bear then said to the leader of the children's guards, "The weather is cold, so hurry up and go to Xinfeng. If you have any difficulties, go to the northern camp of Mount Li to find Guo Tai, who will do his best to help you."

"Thank you, General."

The chief guard also bowed with his hands clasped, and the other guards, Yuan Tan's concubines and side wives also saluted. The four children over five or six years old also followed suit.

Black Bear just waved his hand, signaling these people to get back into the car.

He watched the convoy heading west along the road. Black Bear raised his hand, touched his temple with his index finger, and frowned in thought.

I always felt that my original plan had some risks, and this risk came from the Wuhuan vassal army under Qian Zhao's command.

The migration work after conquering the various Hu settlements was not as difficult as imagined.

Women and slaves can be converted quickly. Li Jing's surprise attack on the Turks with 3,000 cavalry was successful, so there is no reason why I would inevitably fail.

When the Hu tribes migrated, many of the hard labor jobs were done by slaves and women, who were also capable of driving away herds of beasts and shooting arrows.

Those who wanted to kill were only the stubborn ones who had become accustomed to the grassland and nomadic customs.

There is a real lack of manpower, otherwise this stubborn group could be identified and segmented.

In order to prevent these people from becoming a hidden danger during migration after being captured, they had to be eliminated completely.

The Bingzhou soldiers who were summoned by Qian Zhao would not rob their own migrating team, but it is hard to say about the Wuhuan people.

For these people, seeing the migrating group they organized is probably like seeing a group of ownerless cattle and sheep calling for their owners.

Being influenced by nomadic habits, it is really difficult to restrain oneself when encountering such a situation.

(End of this chapter)