Light cavalry units, one after another, converged upon the Wushen Tribe.Light cavalry units, one after another, converged upon the Wushen Tribe.
The decisive battle was imminent!
The Wushen Tribe's most loyal—or rather, the tribes they had most thoroughly subdued—sent their cavalry. The Otok, Bosut, Dala, and Hanjin cavalry had already arrived at the Wushen Tribe, completing their initial assembly.
Tribes from further afield were still on their way, leading their forces.
The Otok tribal leader stood before the Wushen tribal leader.
"My dear elder brother," he began, "though many warriors have gathered, our total strength is still five thousand less than Bo'erzhijin Elinchen's. We will be at a disadvantage in a direct fight."
The Wushen tribal leader chuckled.
"Don't worry, the Han cavalry will arrive."
The Otok tribal leader replied,
"It would certainly be best if the Han cavalry came. However, even with their help, we still face a shortage of provisions. Warriors can't fight with strength if their bellies aren't full."
The Wushen tribal leader continued to chuckle.
"Relax, the supplies will be here soon."
As they spoke, a massive caravan appeared on the southern plains.
The Wushen tribal leader exclaimed with delight,
"They're here! My son's caravan has arrived!"
Countless carts rolled in from the south, laden entirely with food.
Even the Otok tribal leader was startled.
"So much?" he gasped.
The Wushen tribal leader burst into hearty laughter.
"This is what we got back from the wool we sent last time, after it was processed at my son's factory!"
With such an abundance of grain, the Wushen tribal leader's demeanor grew expansive and confident. He waved a hand decisively.
"Distribute the food among all the tribes! Let every warrior eat their fill, and then we will make Bo'erzhijin Elinchen kneel!"
The leaders of the other tribes, witnessing the Wushen Tribe's immense supply of provisions, couldn't help but be utterly convinced and filled with admiration.
With food, winter would be much easier to bear!
A soldier reported,
"Chieftain, two carts are carrying a large amount of coal. We're unsure of their purpose."
The Wushen tribal leader looked greatly puzzled.
"Coal? Are the Han people planning to send us coal for warmth?"
"No, no, no," the cart driver hauling the coal chuckled.
"This is for Experimental Car No. 4. Otherwise, Experimental Car No. 4 won't be able to get home."
The chieftain stared blankly.
As they chatted, the Han reinforcements arrived—two thousand cavalry, not a large number.
However, any tribal leader who had faced these Han cavalry forces knew their terrifying power. Their fearsome flintlock rifles were far more potent than bows and arrows. From a great distance, they could strike down enemies, man and horse alike, and even heavily armored cavalry couldn't withstand their bullets…
The Wushen tribal leader hastily went to greet them, bowing from afar to Zao Ying.
"We will once again rely on your assistance," he stated.
Zao Ying returned the bow, but offered no superfluous pleasantries.
There was no point in exchanging polite words with the Mongols; they respected only strength, not courtesy.
The Wushen tribal leader immediately noticed that within Zao Ying's forces, beyond the cavalry, there was a peculiar large vehicle.
The vehicle sported a chimney belching black smoke, and as the Wushen tribal leader's gaze swept over it, he saw the driver shoveling coal into its boiler.
He was utterly bewildered.
"This… so the coal is for this thing," he murmured.
"And behind it, it's dragging a cannon?"
"Yes, it is," Zao Ying confirmed.
"It's an artillery vehicle."
The Wushen tribal leader remained somewhat dumbfounded.
He had certainly seen Han people using oxen and horses to pull large cannons, but the speed of such artillery carts was incredibly slow, utterly incapable of keeping pace with cavalry. Such things were entirely useless on the vast grasslands.
Zao Ying offered no further explanation.
"This vehicle is merely for experimentation, not the main event. Just focus on your own tasks."
"Ah? Very well!"
The Wushen tribal leader quickly turned to greet the other tribes. Each tribal leader received supplies, ensuring their cavalry could enjoy a good meal and have their grain pouches filled.
Although they were about to go to war, smiles bloomed on the faces of these men.
Mongols did not fear battle; they feared only the biting cold.
Everyone waited a while longer, and then several more distant tribes arrived. The moment they appeared, they immediately received food from the Wushen tribal leader, each face beaming with joy, roaring,
"We will forever be the Wushen Tribe's most loyal allies!"
The Wushen tribal leader couldn't help but swell with pride.
Witnessing this, Zheng Daniu couldn't help but whisper,
"Yingzi, if this continues, won't the Wushen become… well… what was that phrase again?"
"It's called the tail wagging the dog," Zao Ying whispered with a soft laugh.
"Don't worry! These Mongols might claim to be the Wushen Tribe's most loyal friends forever, but should the Wushen's strength falter even slightly one day, they would immediately betray them, perhaps even tearing the Wushen apart to devour them."
Zheng Daniu gasped.
"Ah? They're that ruthless?"
Zao Ying explained,
"Such is the law of the grasslands. So, whether the Wushen become too powerful for their own good hinges entirely on how much support we provide. The Wushen's own warriors suffered heavy losses in our initial battles. Their core strength isn't actually robust; it's our backing that makes other tribes their 'most loyal allies.' The moment we withdraw our assistance, the Wushen Tribe will instantly become a drowning dog, hounded by everyone."
Zheng Daniu understood.
"So, the Wushen will always have to obediently follow our commands. No tail wagging the dog then?"
Zao Ying murmured,
"And we, too, must always remain strong. Otherwise, we risk the Wushen's backlash… that's just the cruel reality of this world, a law no one can escape."
Zheng Daniu flinched.
"Oh, my! I really don't like such a harsh place. Wouldn't it be better if everyone just got along and ate delicious food?"
Zao Ying gazed fondly at Zheng Daniu's perpetually innocent face, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Don't worry. Dao Xuan Tianzun said that culture can help two different peoples find a common sense of belonging. As long as we continuously spread Han culture, allowing the Mongols to learn the same knowledge and understand the same principles as us, one day they will abandon their current way of life and live happily alongside us."
Zheng Daniu beamed.
"Oh! That would be truly wonderful!"
In the distance, a lone rider galloped furiously toward them…
The rider, still astride his horse, was shouting something in Mongolian, his voice hoarse with exertion.
The Wushen tribal leader sprang to his feet, crying out,
"Bo'erzhijin Elinchen's forces are here! Prepare for battle! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
"Prepare for battle!"
All the Mongol cavalry stirred with excitement. Large detachments of soldiers wheeled and moved, forming a vast battle array.
Zao Ying also waved a hand.
"We will advance alongside the Wushen Tribe! Experimental Car No. 4, what are your intentions?"
Experimental Car No. 4 was not under Zao Ying's direct command; its driver had arrived with a testing mission and possessed independent decision-making authority.
The driver snapped a crisp salute to Zao Ying. He was a soldier from the artillery battalion, and he declared loudly,
"Reporting, Instructor Zao! Experimental Car No. 4 will provide you with artillery support!"