Chapter 769 - Yan Liuyuan’s decision (2/2)

Next to him, Hassan said respectfully, “The scouts have already been sent out, but it will take a day before they can return. I will report to you immediately if there’s any news.”

For this expedition to the South, Yan Liuyuan did not lead his troops to Stronghold 176, which was closest to the grasslands. Instead, he diverted to the Pyro Company’s territory.

The Qing Consortium’s envoy that came to the grasslands earlier had brought him a rather important piece of news that the Pyro Company was about to start a war with the Kong Consortium. Furthermore, the Pyro Company had mobilized their troops several months in advance. At the moment, the strongholds at the north of the Pyro Company’s territory were completely defenseless.

It was also because Yan Liuyuan did not want the other tribes to know about his plan that he chose to make this move at the last moment. Therefore, of the three large tribes, two of them went to Stronghold 176 while he headed to the Pyro Company’s territory.

The Qing Consortium’s envoy had even made an agreement with Yan Liuyuan that someone would open the city gate for him when he arrived at Stronghold 21.

However, when Yan Liuyuan arrived at the boundary of the grasslands with his army of more than 10,000 soldiers from the eight tribes, he chose to stop advancing at about a 100 kilometers away from Stronghold 21. “We’ll set up camp here and wait for the scouts to report back.”

Hassan did not quite understand what Yan Liuyuan was trying to do, but he did as he was told.

That same night, Yan Liuyuan’s worshippers started paying their respects in the direction of the royal tent. It was unknown where this ritual had originated, but it was said they would have to kowtow to the gods a 100 times in the morning and three times in the evening before eating their meals to prove they were sufficiently devout. The nomads’ faith in Yan Liuyuan was growing with each passing day. They even started holding ceremonies as a sign of respect.

These ceremonies referred to the usual spiritual rules and rituals, for example, the offering of a sacrifice when praying for rain, kowtowing before Buddha, or chanting scriptures daily.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Hassan led the tribe chiefs before the royal tent. At this moment, Tsetseg was combing Yan Liuyuan’s hair.

Yan Liuyuan looked at Hassan. “Speak up if there’s something to report.”

Hassan said respectfully, “Congratulations, Master. Some of our scouts have returned and said that the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes have arrived at Stronghold 176. However, it seems that Stronghold 176 was already aware that they were going there, so they set up an ambush. Right now, the two large tribes are unable to take on Stronghold 176 in a direct confrontation, and their rear escape routes have been cut off. It looks like they’re going to die outside of Stronghold 176.”

The chiefs of the other tribes also had a look of joy on their faces. After the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes were dead, they would have no more enemies in the grasslands.

Privately, everyone was even speculating their lord was probably a real god that had descended into the world to save them. They did not even have to lose a single soldier and someone would eliminate their enemies for them.

However, Yan Liuyuan thought for a long time. Then he looked at the delighted group of people in front of him and said, “Get ready to set off. We’ll be heading to Stronghold 176.”

Hassan was stunned. “Master, won’t it be dangerous to head to Stronghold 176 at this time? Why aren’t we continuing to march towards the Pyro Company? Didn’t they say that the strongholds there have been left completely defenseless?” Yan Liuyuan shook his head. “The population of the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes is greater than ours. If all of their young and strong men were to die at Stronghold 176, how many years would it take for the grasslands to recover? Hassan, what I want are the resources and subjects in the grasslands, not the empty grasslands themselves.”

Hassan and the others were all stunned. They did not expect their master facing them was actually thinking of going to save the Bulan and Kirghiz tribes. They could vaguely feel his courage and ambition, and this was probably the bearing the lord of the steppe should have!

Yan Liuyuan smiled and said, “Go and get ready. Stronghold 176 is actually not as strong as we think. A new dynasty is about to rise in the steppe, so why don’t we use their blood as a sacrifice to mark the occasion?”