Yandang City.

As soon as Chagan Uli walked into the big tent, he felt a tense atmosphere in the air.

The tribal leaders no longer had the arrogance they had before, and all they had were expressions of endless fear and anxiety on their faces.

Seeing Chagan Wuli coming in, they all gathered around him, asking anxiously: "Now the rebels are coming aggressively, how should we respond?"

"Yes, our losses are already huge. Do we still have to continue defending the city?"

"We can take this opportunity to retreat back to the grassland. I don't think Lin Zhongyun would dare to rashly enter the grassland. You know, the grassland is the world of our Northern Barbarians."

"Yes, no matter how powerful the rebels are, they will never be our opponents on the grassland."

"..."

Everyone was talking at once, which made Chagan Wuli feel a headache.

He looked at the leaders in front of him who were only concerned about the interests of their own tribe, and his heart was filled with disappointment and anger.

At this critical moment of life and death, these people are still arguing about their own interests, and they seem to have no idea that the Northern Barbarians have reached a critical moment of life and death.

"Can't you just stand united?" He couldn't help but raise his voice, trying to suppress the anger in his heart.

"Now is not the time to argue! We are facing a crisis of life and death, and the attack of the rebels is imminent!"

However, the leaders still looked at each other, seemingly turning a deaf ear to Chagan Wuli's words. They were more concerned about whether their tribes could survive the war, and some even whispered about the possibility of retreating.

"What? Is it that my words are of no use?" Chagan Uli shouted helplessly. His voice echoed in the tent like thunder, and finally quieted the whole tent.

Everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere was so heavy that it seemed as if it could be cut apart.

"Great Khan, you are right, but..."

A tribal leader glanced at the angry Chagan Wuli and said tremblingly: "But we have to consider our tribe."

“Yes, Khan, if we continue to resist and fail, the entire tribe will pay a heavy price.” Another leader continued, revealing a hint of helplessness and anxiety in his tone.

"Now we are just retreating back to the grassland from the northern border. It means nothing to us Northern Barbarians. Why should the Khan be so obsessed with the Central Plains?" A young leader interrupted softly, fear of the future flashing in his eyes.

"Haha?" Chagan Uli felt bitter in his heart as he looked at the people in front of him who were still stubbornly obsessed.

His disappointment gradually turned into anger, and he couldn't help but shout, "Do you really think that if we retreat to the grassland, Lin Zhongyun will let us go?"

"Now we are still occupying the advantage of the city and keeping the rebels out of the grassland, but what if we retreat? What if the rebels march straight in?" Chagan Wuli was furious and felt that these people were really a waste of talent.

He knew very well that if the rebels were allowed to wreak havoc, all the tribes would be the victims in the end, not just one tribe.

Lin Zhongyun's ambition is more than just to dominate the Central Plains. If they withdraw their troops at this moment, it would be tantamount to opening the door to welcome Lin Zhongyun to attack the grassland.

Even though he understood all this in his heart, the people in front of him were still stubborn and refused to repent. What could he do?

If it were him in the past, he would definitely keep his word and these people would never dare to say a word of "no". However, now with repeated defeats, he is no longer the invincible Khan in the eyes of these people.

But even so, he still couldn't get angry with these people. If he did, the Northern Barbarians would definitely fall apart in an instant.

At that time, he would be the real sinner of the Northern Barbarians.

He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and secretly thought about how to stabilize the morale of the troops.

It would be a pipe dream to try to explain the truth to these people now. He had to think of other ways to stabilize the morale of the troops.

"I have some news to tell you." Chagan Wuli took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound firm and powerful. "Our military advisor has sent reinforcements, and they will arrive soon. We must hold out until they arrive!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a commotion in the tent. The originally anxious leaders seemed to be inspired by the news and gathered around, with hope flashing in their eyes.

"Khan, are you telling the truth?" a young leader asked impatiently, with unbelievable excitement in his voice.

"We will really have reinforcements coming?" The other leader's voice trembled, as if he was expecting this news to change their fate.

If that is really the case, they might really be able to turn the current situation around.

"Yes, could what the Khan said be false?" Chagan Uli nodded, but smiled bitterly in his heart.

He knew that the reinforcements he sent would never arrive, and that this was just a feint. He had to convince everyone that there was a hopeful future in order to stabilize the morale of the troops.

As for his real back-up plan, it was Huyan Leng who was thousands of miles away. He would destroy them and then rebuild them. As long as Huyan Leng won, they would be able to break through the current situation and completely turn the passive and active sides.

But for now, he still needed to calm the people in front of him, so he tried to make his voice sound more resolute, trying to hide his inner anxiety, and said: "Yes, the reinforcements are on the way, and they will arrive at the critical moment."

"In that case, how should we cooperate with them?" the tribal leaders asked excitedly, their eyes flashing with renewed fighting spirit.

"Yes, should we cooperate inside and outside or..." another person asked excitedly.

"As for how to support them, I have already made a plan in mind."

Chagan Wuli put his hands behind his back and said calmly, "But in order to keep the plan secret and prevent the rebels from noticing, I will not tell you until the reinforcements arrive."

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere gradually became more heated. Chagan Wuli looked at their reactions and felt a little relieved. Although he knew that this was only a temporary peace, at least the situation was now a little more stable.

"We can't hesitate any longer, we must act!" He slapped the table hard, his voice was sonorous and powerful, as if lighting a fire for them. "For our homeland, for our people, we must do our best!"

"Yes, Khan!" All the leaders answered in unison, their eyes flashing with rekindled fighting spirit.

Chagan Uli knew that although the road ahead was still difficult, as long as they united as one, they would be able to turn the tide in this life-and-death battle and usher in the dawn of victory.

...At the same time, the atmosphere in Juxu City was equally tense and solemn.

The middle-aged Confucian scholar who was in charge of all mobilizations at the center also learned about the rebel army's troop deployments.

He looked at the sand table in front of him and fell into deep thought. On the sand table, the distribution of various cities and military forces was depicted in great detail.

Now, everything is going according to his plan. The reinforcements sent to Yandang City have successfully attracted the attention of the rebels. Now, except for Yandang City, the rebels in other places are weak, and it is the perfect time for them to attack.

"This is what I was expecting." The middle-aged scholar whispered to himself, a smile on his face, feeling proud. However, he then realized that the change in the situation was like a double-edged sword, and the slightest mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.

At this moment, Hu Yanhuan walked in, his face solemn, his eyes flickering with the desire to fight. There was a fire burning in his heart, eager to prove his worth on the battlefield, eager to contribute to his tribe and alliance.

His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white, as if he could feel the pleasure of the sword dancing in his hands.

"Military Advisor, I request to go into battle!" He said bluntly, his tone full of firmness and determination, "The number of rebels outside is now almost half of what it was before. It's time for us to station our troops and attack."

The middle-aged scholar was slightly stunned, his eyes wandering over Hu Yanhuan. He saw the desire and determination in the young man's eyes, and felt gratified by his courage.

However, the voice of reason rang in his heart. After pondering for a moment, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, and then he shook his head and refused: "No, now is not the time for you to fight."

"But..." Hu Yanhuan was unwilling and wanted to argue, but was stopped by the gaze of the middle-aged Confucian scholar.

"Juxu City is the core of the entire alliance and the link to other major cities. Nothing can happen to it." The middle-aged Confucian scholar's voice was low and powerful, and every word was as hard as iron.

He knew very well that if something happened in Juxu City, the entire alliance's plan would collapse, and he could not afford to take the risk.

"But, Military Advisor, if we don't take this opportunity to attack, will the rebels take the opportunity to recover their forces? This is a good opportunity for us to counterattack!"

Hu Yanhuan's heart sank. Although he understood the middle-aged Confucian scholar's painstaking efforts, he still found it difficult to suppress the desire and anxiety in his heart.

"Of course, we will not miss such a good opportunity. It's just that the person who will execute the plan this time is not you, but someone else." The middle-aged scholar's voice was calm, but revealed a hint of firmness.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Hu Yanhuan's eyes, and the desire that had been burning in his heart seemed to be extinguished halfway. He took a deep breath and wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the middle-aged scholar: "I have already discussed with the Khan that the executor of this plan is General Hu Yan."

"What?" Hu Yanhuan was stunned, and his heart was shocked as if he was struck by lightning. He couldn't believe the news he heard, and complex emotions surged in his mind.

A strong sense of shock and uneasiness surged in his heart. He was sent to carry out such a difficult mission at this critical moment. If he failed, the consequences could be imagined.

"Military Advisor, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Hu Yanhuan's voice was low, with a hint of anxiety and confusion in his tone. His mood was surging like a tide, and he couldn't calm down.

The middle-aged scholar sighed slightly and stared at Hu Yanhuan, as if thinking about how to explain, "I also advised the old general, but the old general insisted on doing so, thinking that there is no more suitable candidate than him in the entire Northern Barbarians.

And he also asked us not to tell you the news before we take action, for fear that you would be distracted."

Hu Yanhuan's heart was struggling violently. He wanted to defend his father and question why his father had to take such a risk, but he could not deny that every word the middle-aged Confucian scholar said was true.

As a general, Hu Yanleng has a heavy responsibility, and every decision he makes may affect the future of the entire Northern Barbarians.

After a moment of silence, Hu Yanhuan gradually sorted out his thoughts. After a mental struggle, he finally murmured, "Perhaps this ending is the best destination for my father."

His voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions, including admiration for his father and helplessness about the future.

He understood that this was the kind of decision his father would make. As a general and a warrior, he carried not only his personal glory, but also the future of the entire tribe.

Just as he had prepared to die on the battlefield before following the army into the Central Plains this time, the only difference was that this time it was his dearest father who died.

If the Northern Barbarians needed him to sacrifice himself, he would also guard the rear for everyone like he did last time in Yinshan City.

The middle-aged scholar nodded slightly, with a hint of relief in his eyes, "Don't worry too much. This time, the Khan has sent the most elite falcon division of our Northern Barbarians. General Huyan will be safe."

He said this with an extremely firm tone.

This sentence was not only to encourage Hu Yanhuan, but also to encourage himself.

After all, if something unexpected happened to Hu Yanleng, it would certainly make the current situation of the Northern Barbarians even worse.

At that time, even if they had the advantage of occupying the city, they would not be able to hold on for long.

"I understand." Hu Yanhuan's voice became firmer. Although he still felt uneasy, he understood that his father's choice was for the greater good. As a son, he could not stop his father's decision and could only support it silently.

……

Huyan Leng’s camp.

At this moment, he had quietly left the city with the falconer who had been recuperating for a long time.

The atmosphere in the camp was tense and solemn. The soldiers were ready to go in the dim light of early morning. Their armors gleamed coldly in the sunlight, as if foreshadowing the upcoming bloody battle.

The Eagle Division, as the most elite force in the alliance, is composed of experienced warriors. They are as agile as eagles and their combat skills are perfect.

Every soldier has undergone rigorous training, possesses unique skills, and is proficient in various weapons. They are especially good at horseback archery and can accurately hit the target while riding a galloping warhorse.

"Brothers!" Hu Yan stood on a high ground, his eyes scanning the Eagle Master in front of him, a surge of pride in his heart. His voice was like a bell, loud and powerful, "Today, we will face a decisive battle! You are the pride of the alliance, and the most powerful warriors on this land!"

The soldiers puffed out their chests, their eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation. Every word Hu Yanleng said was like a flame that ignited the fighting spirit in their hearts.

"I have already investigated the rebel forces outside, and a large number of them have been sent to support Yandang City." Hu Yanleng continued, his tone revealing firmness and decisiveness, "The number of rebel forces left here is definitely no more than 130,000. With such a small force, if this is not a conspiracy, it will be easy for us to defeat them."

"Yes!" The soldiers answered in unison, their voices were like thunder and deafening. Their eyes were shining with desire and determination, as if they had foreseen the dawn of victory.

"Let's go!" Hu Yanleng gave the order, and the falcon division set out on the journey in unison. The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, soaring into the sky, like an eagle spreading its wings and flying high. (End of this chapter)