Chapter 761 - Bestowing calamity (1/2)

Chapter 761 Bestowing calamity

In the Northern Plains, Yan Liuyuan sat in the imperial court’s tent and listened as Hassan spoke. He listened quietly, thinking about something.

Hassan was kneeling on both knees. “During this period, the chiefs of the two tribes that we took over also submitted to us. They offered half of their livestock as tribute to the imperial court. Master, please bring them with you when you lead our people to plunder the South this time.”

Yan Liuyuan said with a smile, “How smart of these two chiefs. The Gorlos and Khoton tribes have been utterly defeated by the Bulan tribe and even lost their weapons and horses. How much livestock can they still have left?”

“A few dozen,” Hassan said in a low voice. Then he lowered his head further. “Master, the Gorlos and Khoton tribes had a rather good relationship with our Kharchin tribe in past years. In the past, they helped us out a lot whenever there were blizzards. I acted on my own this time and made the decision, so please punish me….”

“There’s no need for that.” Yan Liuyuan took out a map and took a look at it. He said, “You’re my Commander-in-Chief of the Right now, so you can still make the decision for such trivial matters. If they wish to come along and plunder the South, just bring them along. The imperial court has just been set up, and we’re still short of talent. Go and tell Gorlos Khong and Khoton Moyu that only warriors can serve in my imperial court. If they’re cowardly or afraid to fight when we travel to the South, they had better be content with herding livestock in the future.”

Hassan was overjoyed. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll be sure to let them know.”

Any normal person would have selfish motives. Since Hassan was on good terms with those two tribes, now that he had a powerful lord, he would naturally hope his friends could also gain the favor of his master.

Furthermore, eight tribes had already submitted to the imperial court by now. Although Hassan had been conferred the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Right, it did not necessarily mean his tribe was stronger than the others. Hassan also needed support to maintain his authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the Right.

Wherever there were people, there would be politics. Wherever there was power, there would also be politics. This was not Hassan’s expertise, but he could slowly learn to be good at it.

In the future, the entire steppe would become his master’s territory. The grasslands were so vast that even Hassan could not help but feel moved by it.

Yan Liuyuan looked at Hassan with a half-smile and said, “It’s fine if you want to look after your own people, but you have to tell me in advance next time. Also, don’t play word games with me in the future.”

The word games he was referring to was the tribute of “half their livestock.” In actual fact, those two tribes only had a few dozen livestock left.

Even ten nomads could not outwit a Southerner when it came to word games.

When Hassan heard Yan Liuyuan say that, he quickly prostrated. “Master, please believe me. I won’t dare to do it again.”

“Mhm, how’s the preparation for the expedition coming along? Are the other tribes ready yet?” Yan Liuyuan asked.

“Our Kharchin tribe has already made the necessary preparations. The other tribes are also getting eager to set off. But someone asked Hassan to ask if you would like us to prepare food for the wolves on this journey?” Hassan asked.

“There’s no need for that. They’re much more resourceful than y’all. If you have time to worry about them, you might as well worry about yourselves,” Yan Liuyuan answered. “But tell them that I’ll be watching how brave they are in battle this time. Don’t always rely on the wolves. If the men of the steppe become reliant on others, they’ll lose their last bit of courage. Go on, I’ve already chosen the route that we’ll travel on, but we’ll have to wait for the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes to set off first.”

The chaos in the steppe had calmed down.

Previously, due to the capture of the khan, many disputes arose on the steppe and everyone wanted to be the new ruler. As a result, the dozens of tribes that were originally under that khan’s rule were immediately divided.

But now, there were only Yan Liuyuan’s imperial court, the Bulan tribe, and the Kirghiz tribe forming a tripartite influence in the grasslands. Surrounding these three powers were vassals made up of dozens of smaller tribes. Everyone was still watching the developments.

This included the tribes Yan Liuyuan had united, as well as the smaller tribes the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes controlled.

Eventually, some of the nomads started talking in private about how the small tribes were content with having enough food to eat and clothes to wear and not be bullied by others. After the last blizzard, the small tribes had suffered heavy losses. Seeing that they might not be able to survive the next winter, they had to seek a change.