He Muer is grateful. Learned that Ma Chao was going to attack Liu Bao's tribe overnight. He hurriedly persuaded: "The snowy night on the grassland is very cold. Even the horses can't stand it. If the general wants to attack them. Please do not march again tomorrow. Please think twice."
Ma Chao laughed. Awe-inspiring said: "What should I do if the sky is cold and the earth is cold. How terrible is my army."
He came to the grassland this time to prepare for meritorious service. And to make a great contribution. Liu Xin is indeed a wise lord. He will give full autonomy to these leaders who are outside. He also said something like "Will be out. Your fate has something to do with it". Ma Chao now wants to make full use of his power. Do a great job for yourself.
Here is very close to Liu Bao's tribe. If they hurry up overnight. Perhaps before the third shift, he would be able to reach Liu Bao's tribe. It must be a surprise for them. more importantly. Ma Chao has learned that Liu Bao is not in the tribe. There are more people in the tribe. There will also be dragons without a leader.
Although Liu Xin had made it very clear in the order. Let them try not to kill the Xiongnu people too much. But Liu Bao is different. When Liu Xin sent them this time. Especially emphasize that they must guard against Liu Bao. Now there is a great opportunity to destroy the Liu Bao tribe. Ma Chao is not willing to miss it anyway.
The military discipline of the Han soldiers is beyond doubt. Don't say let them march overnight to fight. Just let them collectively jump into the fire pit overnight. They will not frown. Just finished cleaning the battlefield with the herdsmen. Soldiers who are about to camp and rest. Hear Ma Chao's order. The assembly was completed in less than a cup of tea. Follow the directions pointed out by the Yehan tribe herdsmen. Set off towards Liu Bao's tribe. originally. Many herdsmen in the Yehan tribe were rescued by the Han army. All are willing to come out to serve as a guide for the Han army. But Ma Chao didn't have extra down jackets for them to wear. I don't want them to be free just now. He lost his life because he couldn't stand the severe cold. He politely rejected their kindness.
Liu Bao's tribe was once a large tribe with more than ten thousand young people. Although the young and strong herdsmen have lost most of their losses. But there are still many women and children. Just take time. It can still develop into a big tribe. even so. This tribe can also be regarded as a medium tribe. And there are more than 8,000 slaves in the tribe. Among these slaves were men and women. There are adults and children. There are Huns. There are Qiang people. There are Xianbei people. There are also Han people.
If it is in the nomadic season. So many people are scattered on the vast grassland. It's like a handful of sand spilled into the sea. No way to find. But now is not the nomadic season. So the whole tribe got together. A family is a tent. Thousands of families have thousands of tents. Such a campsite naturally needs a very large place. In this moonlight and starry winter night. Against the silver light of the snow. It has also become a very obvious target. Therefore, the outpost sent by Ma Chao found their camp without much effort.
The Han army equipped with skis. The speed of travel is too fast. When they surrounded this large camp from a distance. It is not yet the second shift. There are still many people walking around in the camp. Noisy and noisy voices came from time to time.
During the grazing season. These herder families are scattered throughout the grassland. Only when it comes to major gatherings will we get together. And this is also a good time for young men and women to talk about love. And in winter. When the whole tribe is gathered together. It is their happiest time.
At this moment. Through the clairvoyance in the hand. Ma Chao could clearly see many men and women singing and dancing around the campfire on the square in the middle of the camp. in fact. What Ma Chao can't see is. In some dark corners. There are also many couples who are gingerly in love.
Ma Chao knows these tribes on the grasslands. Regardless of men and women. Before being captured. All are brave fighters. If these people rise up to resist. It will inevitably cause relatively large casualties to his soldiers. There are 20,000 soldiers in Ma Chao's hand. Five thousand people were left near the Yehan tribe. Fifteen thousand people surrounded this camp. Even if a strong attack is launched. He also has the confidence to wipe out Liu Bao's tribe.
but. Ma Chao did not issue an offensive order. Because Liu Xin taught them many times. While fighting the enemy. To protect yourself as much as possible. Slogans like "Sweat more in peacetime. Bleed less in wartime" are also everywhere on the school grounds. These concepts have long been deeply carved into the minds of the soldiers of the Han army. and so. Ma Chao would never choose to do it at this time.
Lurking in the winter night is a difficult task. And in the cold prairie night. Lurking in the snow. If it is handed over to the general army. That is an impossible task. But these difficulties lie in front of the Han army armed to the teeth. It's not worth mentioning. Not only the perfect equipment allows them to overcome the severe cold. And their usual rigorous training. It also gave them enough will and physique to fight the cold. This is just a recruit who has been trained for less than a year. If according to Liu Xin's vision. After another two years. Such an army can definitely sweep the world.
It's the third watch. The crowd dancing by the campfire has gradually dispersed. The whole camp fell silent. And Ma Chao still did not issue an offensive order. He is still waiting. Waiting for the best time to attack.
More than an hour passed. The bright moon in the sky also gradually disappeared. The sky is getting darker. Ma Chao suddenly gestured to the soldier behind him. The soldiers lit a torch quickly. Lifted in the air and shook three times. Not much effort. There is also a bright spot in the other three directions. Shook three times in the air. then. Everything returned to tranquility. It's still pitch black. but. Under this dark and tranquil night sky. However, countless figures were touching the camp from all directions.
Ma Chao chose the right timing. This is when people sleep the deepest in a night. And for those guards who are on duty outside. It was when they were the sleepiest, coldest, and hungry. Ma Chao had clearly seen it from Qianli's eyes. The guards around the camp have gradually retracted into the tent. After all, in their eyes. It's going to dawn soon. This is Liu Bao's camp again. Could anyone dare to come and make a sneak attack.
Just when these guards snored one by one and went to sleep sometimes. The attacker really came. And rushed into their camp. Cut down their tent. The vast majority of herders have not yet understood what happened. Someone got out of the tent and looked around. The result was a hit. Except for a scream before dying. He didn't even figure out who the enemy was.
The battle went very smoothly. There was hardly any decent resistance. Ma Chao took control of the entire camp. The soldiers searched tent after tent. All the people in the tent were driven out. Concentrate on the outside of the camp to identify their identities.
During the rescue of the Yehan tribe last night. Ma Chao has heard about Liu Bao's "liberation" of tribal slaves. I think this is a good idea. Before launching the attack, he made up his mind to follow the law. In this matter. Ma Chao did more thoroughly than Liu Bao. He not only "liberated" those slaves. And ordered those adult male officials to immediately choose one of their original mistresses. Form a new family. Thus. Liu Bao's tribe also has a new look. Became a brand new tribe. As for all the male herders in the Liu Bao tribe who are above the wheel. Ma Chao didn't dare to kill them. Because these people are prisoners of war. The killing of prisoners of war is severely punished by military discipline. There were about four thousand prisoners of war. All will be taken to Xiliang. Served as hard labor.
at this time. Dongfang has just raised its first exposure. Liu Bao also walked out of the felt tent. Stretched hard. His men are busy dismantling the tent. The man on the grassland has a strong physique. Sleeping on the street is also commonplace. But if you sleep on the snowy field this winter night. It is tantamount to seeking a dead end. and so. Even a small team like Liu Bao with only a few dozen people. You must also bring a few tents with you.
Liu Bao drank a large skin of mare's milk in the tent in the morning. He ate half of the leg of lamb again. Now full of energy. Busy along the way. But his mind is not idle. Although it is true that Hu Chuquan and the others are going to be disadvantageous to Fro. But he was excited at the time. Rarely killed. Now there is no evidence.
Since returning from the defeat in Guanzhong. After losing one hundred thousand Xiongnuerlang. Liu Bao clearly felt that Yuvro was dissatisfied with him. He didn't stand on his side during that civil turmoil. and so. If Liu Bao just said nothing about Hu Chuquan's intentions against Fro without any proof. He was sure. Yuvro would not believe him. He must find a way as soon as possible to get Hufro to accept this fact. but. There are still three days away from the tribe of Yuvro. He still has enough time to think carefully.
Just when Liu Bao was on the way. The men, women and children in his tribe also set out under the escort of the Han army. This new tribe of liberated slaves and the original women and children will merge with Yehan's tribe. He Muer will become the leader of the tribe after the merger. As for the prisoners of war. For the time being, he will also be taken care of by He Muer. After things settle down on the grassland. Then escort to Xiliang. And Ma Chao still needs to continue to the tribe of Chiwule. This is the focus of his trip to the grassland.
It's evening. The Han army escorted this new tribe to the new camp of Yehan tribe. After some simple handover. Ma Chao led the 20,000 Han army to the tribe of Chiwule overnight. Because of this raid on the Liu Bao tribe. Too much time was delayed. If you don't march overnight. I am afraid it will be difficult to reach the tribe of Chiul within the agreed time.
Liu Bao was not in a hurry. The bad weather made the horse exhausted. He ordered the camp early. Take a sip of kumiss. Nibbled a piece of lamb leg. Liu Bao let out a sigh of relief. suddenly. I saw a subordinate hurriedly walked in. He saluted: "Report to the prince. The villain found a strange thing under the saddle. Please take a look at the prince."