Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

The Xianbei fought for a long time but failed to win, and the news of the Yellow Turban Army's poor performance reached the Xiongnu.

Maodun Chanyu sat in his tent, his face gloomy as he listened to his subordinates' reports of the Xianbei's defeat in the battle with the Han. His eyes revealed disappointment and worry, and the wine glass in his hand trembled slightly.

"The Xianbei army was defeated?"

"Reporting to the Chanyu, the Han generals guarding the northern lands are no ordinary men. Furthermore, the Xianbei army lacked combat power when attacking the cities, while the Han army was well-rested, making those sturdy cities impregnable."

Inside the camp, the flames of the campfire flickered in the cold wind, as if mourning the news of their defeat. The wind blew across the grassland, bringing gusts of chill that made people shiver.

Maodun Chanyu's voice was deep and majestic:

"The Xianbei are so vulnerable! The strength of the Han people should not be underestimated."

A complex emotion surged in his heart. He was angry about the Xianbei's failure and wary of the Han Dynasty's strength.

He knew full well that the rise of the Han Dynasty posed a threat to his rule. Now, the Xianbei's defeat had only made him realize the severity of the situation. He secretly pondered a response strategy, determined to strengthen his own forces to meet future challenges.

"Why are the Han army's city walls so strong?"

"Reply to Chanyu, I heard they used something called cement, and the walls they built are indestructible!"

"Is this true?"

"Shan Yu, I dare not lie."

"Send more spies to find out the cement formula, and we can build our own fortress."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away!"

Maodun Chanyu's gaze gradually became firm. He put down his wine glass, stood up, and said to the people in the tent:

"We can't just sit there and wait for death. We must take action. Strengthen training, reorganize our military, and prepare to deal with the threat from the Han!"

From his words, everyone felt the Chanyu's determination and courage, and expressed their willingness to be loyal to him and fight for the future of the Xiongnu.

After the Xianbei were defeated, Tan Shihuai returned to the royal tent in Mobei.

"General Ke, this battle has cost us a lot of money and manpower. I don't know what to do next."

"Khan, I think we can retreat to the east of the desert."

"Oh, I wonder what General Ke has to say?"

"Khan, the Mobei grassland is flat and has no strategic locations to defend. It is not suitable as a base."

"We can concentrate our superior forces and people to develop Modong. Together with General Murong Chui, we can help defend Youzhou."

"Hmm! This is a very good plan. We can gradually move our people to the east of the desert."

"Report! The Xiongnu envoy requests an audience!"

"Oh? Please come quickly."

The Xiongnu general Liu Yuan, who was sent on this mission to the Xianbei, was tall and muscular, with deep features, a prominent nose, and a thick lip. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, revealing a resolute and decisive expression. His hair, thick as a wild horse's mane, flowed freely over his shoulders.

He was dressed in gorgeous traditional Xiongnu clothing, adorned with exquisite embroidery and gems, highlighting his noble status. He exuded a sense of majesty and dominance, as if he was a natural leader.

"I, General Liu Yuan, am here on the orders of my Chanyu Maodun to invite the Xianbei Khan to sign an alliance."

"This is a letter from the Xiongnu royal court."

Tan Shihuai Khan took the letter and read it carefully. In it, Maodun Chanyu expressed his respect for the Xianbei and proposed an alliance. Maodun Chanyu promised that if the Xianbei and the Xiongnu formed an alliance, the Xiongnu would provide military support to jointly fight against the Han Dynasty.

After reading the letter, Tan Shihuai Khan fell into deep thought. He was well aware of the pros and cons of an alliance with the Xiongnu, but the Xianbei's current situation was indeed not optimistic. After some thought, he decided to ally with the Xiongnu.

"General Liu Yuan, on behalf of the Xianbei, I accept your Chanyu's request for alliance." said Khan Tan Shihuai.

Liu Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this. His mission to the Xianbei was to facilitate an alliance between the two nations. He knew full well that an alliance between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu would pose a huge threat to the Han Dynasty.

"Thank you, Khan!" Liu Yuan said.

"My Chanyu will definitely keep his promise and fight together with the Xianbei against the Han Dynasty."

Tan Shihuai Khan nodded and said:

"I hope our two countries can cooperate happily and achieve our goals together."

Liu Yuan and Tan Shihuai Khan discussed the specific details of the alliance, including military cooperation and intelligence sharing. Both sides expressed their willingness to go all out to jointly deal with the threat posed by the Han Dynasty.

After the alliance ceremony, Liu Yuan returned to the Xiongnu. He reported his mission to the Xianbei to Chanyu Maodun and conveyed Tan Shihuai Khan's wishes. Chanyu Maodun was very satisfied.

"Liu Yuan, you have done a great job." Maodun Chanyu said,

"The alliance between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu will pose a huge threat to the Han Dynasty. We must seize this opportunity and defeat the Han Dynasty's attack in one fell swoop."

Liu Yuan said

"Chanyu, our alliance with the Xianbei will enhance our strength, but we cannot be complacent. The Han Dynasty is a powerful nation after all. We need to develop a detailed strategy to ensure victory."

Maodun Chanyu nodded and said:

"You're right. We need to develop a detailed strategy to ensure victory. What are your thoughts?"

Liu Yuan said:

"Chan Yu, I believe we can adopt a two-pronged strategy. One, led by the Xianbei, would attack the Han from the north; the other, led by the Xiongnu, would attack the Han from the northwest. This would distract the Han from their attention, preventing them from managing both ends."

After hearing this, Maodun Chanyu pondered for a moment and said:

"Tiring out the enemy is a good strategy. However, we need the right moment to launch the attack."

Liu Yuan said:

"Chanyu, I think we can wait for the conflict between the Xianbei and the Han to intensify before launching an attack. This will further strain the relationship between the Xianbei and the Han, and we can take advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters."

Maodun Chanyu nodded and said:

"Your idea makes sense. Let's wait for the right moment and then launch the attack."

In the days that followed, the relationship between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu became increasingly close, and the two sides carried out extensive cooperation in military, political, and economic aspects to jointly fight against the Han Dynasty.

The Han Dynasty also noticed the alliance between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu. Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, took this very seriously and immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.

"My dear ministers, the alliance between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu poses a huge threat to our Han Dynasty. We must take measures to meet this challenge," said Emperor Ling of Han.

The ministers expressed their opinions one after another.

General He Jin bowed and addressed His Majesty, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe we should seize the opportunity, take the initiative, and annihilate the capricious Xianbei and Xiongnu in one fell swoop."

Minister Cui Lie stroked his long beard and said slowly, "In my humble opinion, we should use diplomatic means to divide the relationship between the Xianbei and the Xiongnu, so that they will restrain each other and cannot form a joint force."

Upon hearing this, Minister of Works Zhang Ji immediately came out and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe we should strengthen our border defenses and build a solid line of defense to resist the invasion of the Xianbei and Xiongnu."

After listening to his ministers' advice, Emperor Ling of Han fell into deep thought. He knew that both the Xianbei and the Xiongnu were formidable adversaries and that an attack could not be launched lightly. Facing internal and external troubles, he first needed to resolve the Yellow Turban Rebellion. He decided to use diplomatic means to divide the Xianbei and Xiongnu.

"I have decided to send envoys to the Xianbei and the Xiongnu to persuade them to give up the alliance. At the same time, I will strengthen border defenses to prevent invasions by the Xianbei and the Xiongnu," said Liu Hong.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Emperor Ling of Han sent envoys to the Xianbei and Xiongnu to persuade them to abandon their alliance. The envoys conveyed Emperor Ling's will to the rulers of the Xianbei and Xiongnu, and expressed the Han Dynasty's willingness to coexist peacefully with them.

"Modun Chanyu, our Majesty is willing to make peace with the Xiongnu. We hope Chanyu can accept our goodwill!"

"The Han envoy has come a long way and must have worked hard."

"My alliance with the Xianbei Khan is simply to jointly resist possible invasion. The Han Dynasty is a nation of propriety. As long as you do not initiate a war of aggression, we, the Great Xiongnu, will be your loyal friends!"

"Chanyu, as long as you give up the alliance, the Han Dynasty is willing to open up mutual trade with your country."

"This trade is a good thing. We have cattle and sheep, and you have food. We can cooperate. Please tell the Emperor of Han that the Xiongnu are trustworthy friends, so don't worry!"

......

Han envoys visited the Xiongnu and Xianbei. Not only did they fail to achieve their objectives, but Tan Shihuai even executed the envoys. Maodun Chanyu ignored Emperor Ling's advice. They agreed that an alliance with the Han would be of no benefit to them. Both nations pledged to strengthen their cooperation to jointly resist the Han threat.