https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-759-A-Series-of-Fortunate-Events/13042234/
Chapter 758: Astonishing Harvest
Chapter 758: Astonishing Harvest
September 25, 2017
After Lu Hai Kong returned to Beifeng, the troops under his command ceased their slaughter of the Uxian tribes on the Foreign Grasslands, allowing Hu Yinwen to continue his actions.
Following his encounter with Lu Hai Kong, Hu Yinwen spent half a month gathering around twenty to thirty tribes of the scattered Uxian clans, totaling around four to fifty thousand people.
While Hu Yinwen's abilities in gathering such a large number in half a month were indeed impressive, Lu Hai Kong's contribution to this feat could not be overlooked.
If it weren't for Lu Hai Kong thoroughly defeating the Uxian tribes, Hu Yinwen would not have been able to rally so many people under his banner in such a short time.
Of course, while Hu Yinwen was busy gathering the scattered Uxian tribes, he did not forget the task assigned to him by Lu Hai Kong.
Within half a month, Hu Yinwen managed to collect a substantial amount of wealth from these tribes and the resources left behind by the larger tribes that didn't have time to take with them.
Although Lu Hai Kong considered the Uxian tribes on the grasslands to be weak, in reality, before his rise, they had been like hungry wolves at the borders of Bingzhou, frequently invading and plundering people, food, and gold.
The wealth Lu Hai Kong obtained from defeating them was accumulated over decades, if not centuries, by numerous tribes. Even if it was just a small portion, it was still a staggering amount, so much so that even Hu Yinwen himself found it hard to believe.
In just half a month, he had amassed over 100 million gold coins, not to mention other miscellaneous items, totaling nearly 300 million gold coins. This was almost equivalent to one-fifth of Lu Hai Kong's annual income from Bingzhou.
This was indeed a massive fortune, but it was certainly not the entirety of the wealth held by the various tribes on the grasslands, and it might not even amount to one-fifth of their total assets.
However, from the perspective of the Uxian tribes, this sacrifice was already more than enough, and it should have satisfied Lu Hai Kong's appetite.
Many Uxian tribesmen believed that, like the conquerors of the grasslands throughout history, Lu Hai Kong would leave after his victory, and they only needed to offer some of their wealth to satisfy his appetite before sending him on his way.
This idea was pleasant and sweet, but it was destined to remain unfulfilled!
In the temporary military camp on the Foreign Grasslands, Hu Yinwen brought with him the war reparations, or rather, the war reparations of the Uxian tribes.
Hu Yinwen had originally thought he would meet Lu Hai Kong again, but this time, he was greeted by a handsome young man.
As the weather turned colder in the approaching twelfth lunar month, the young man was dressed in a slightly bulky cotton coat, wrapped up tightly from head to toe, without any apparent elegance.
However, despite his appearance, Hu Yinwen did not dare to underestimate the man before him. After just a few words, the man had unknowingly taken control of the situation.
Moreover, facing this man, Hu Yinwen felt exposed, as if any pretense or lie would be seen through.
With this feeling, Hu Yinwen couldn't help but feel a bit anxious as he handed over the list of gifts to Xun You.
Xun You took the list from Hu Yinwen and began reading it from the top.
Perhaps due to his innate abilities or personality, Xun You was always meticulous when analyzing data. He carefully read through the list Hu Yinwen had given him, line by line. Xun You's talents and abilities allowed him to deduce the true extent of the Uxian tribes' wealth from this list.
Indeed, the 'war reparations' Hu Yinwen presented were substantial, but this 'mere' 300 million was far from satisfying Lu Hai Kong's appetite.
During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Lu Hai Kong had refrained from plundering due to being on the land of the Han Dynasty and wearing the official's robe. In the end, he only brought back the spoils obtained by the Gold-Seeking Cavalry. As a result, the total spoils from that battle were limited to 100 million.
This time was different. He had descended upon the grasslands, the land of foreigners, and collecting war spoils from them was a rightful act for the victor, Lu Hai Kong. Furthermore, with Bingzhou facing financial difficulties, shortly after returning, Lu Hai Kong instructed Xun You to recover all the wealth taken by the Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes from Bingzhou over the past few decades!
Xun You studied the list in his hand with extra care, spending one or two hours scrutinizing it.
For nearly two hours, Xun You's eyes remained fixed on the lengthy list before him, his silence unbroken. Hu Yinyin, standing by, knew better than to disturb him at this critical moment.
Although Hu Yinyin was of Xianbei descent, his small stature had led him to abandon martial pursuits in favor of studying the Han culture from a young age. After two decades of immersion, he was now indistinguishable from a Han scholar.
What Hu Yinyin took the most pride in was his mastery of energy cultivation. While he might not remain unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, he had learned to keep his emotions in check when facing life-or-death situations.
However, in the presence of Xun You, within the span of these two hours, Hu Yinyin felt his composure crumbling. He had never realized how terrifying silence could be, and the hours seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Xun You closed the long list. As the list was folded, Hu Yinyin felt the breath he had been holding in his chest slowly release.
"Mr. Xun, I..." Hu Yinyin, slightly flustered after holding back for so long, was about to say something to ease the tension when Xun You waved him off.
"Mr. Hu, I have a matter I'd like to seek your advice on."
"Mr. Xun, you're joking," Hu Yinyin said, his heart racing as the breath he had just released rushed back into his chest.
Xun You's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Should I address you as Chief Hu or Mr. Hu?"
Hearing this, Hu Yinyin froze, initially unsure of Xun You's intent. But being an exceptionally intelligent man, he quickly grasped the meaning behind Xun You's words.
Hu Yinyin stood up straight. "Hu Yinyin is willing to go through fire and water for Mr. Lu."
As he spoke, Xun You noticed a bead of sweat forming on Hu Yinyin's forehead, understanding that Hu Yinyin had comprehended the implication of his words.
"In that case, I hope Mr. Hu will exert himself further," Xun You said, pushing the list back towards Hu Yinyin.
In the year 1619, a book was published without any errors.
Hu Yinyin seemed prepared for this, and as Xun You pushed the list towards him, he immediately took it.
Xun You, seeing Hu Yinyin take the list, remained calm and served tea to his guest.
However, Hu Yinyin did not leave immediately. Instead, he stood in the tent for a moment.
"What is it, Mr. Hu? Do you have something else to discuss?" Xun You asked.
Hu Yinyin hesitated for a moment. "I'd like to borrow some men."
As soon as Hu Yinyin made this request, a smile crept onto Xun You's lips.
Three hours later, after Hu Yinyin had delivered hundreds of carts filled with treasures and left with his own men and a thousand bloodstained cavalry, Xun You knew he had made the right choice.
Hu Yinyin was a clever man, and when Xun You had asked that question, he knew exactly what it meant.
Xun You wanted him to understand his position and was also giving him a chance, clearly telling him, 'What you've brought is not enough.'
But Xun You's intentions went beyond acquiring more spoils of war. Hu Yinyin had promised Lu Hai Kong that he would manage the grasslands, and this was no easy task.
Hu Yinyin's position had grown, and in common terms, he was now a 'secret agent'. Lu Hai Kong would not allow him to gain any reputation or support from the Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes, so if Hu Yinyin was to help Lu Hai Kong, he had to fully commit and become Lu Hai Kong's right-hand man, taking on the dirty and tiring tasks.
If Hu Yinyin could not become a person despised and spat upon by both tribes, if he did not evoke hatred and disgust when he ventured out, how could Lu Hai Kong trust him?
Hu Yinyin also understood this, and during those two hours of waiting, he had adjusted his mindset. That was why he had brought Zhao Er and a thousand bloodstained cavalry back with him.
Upon returning to the tribe, Hu Yinyin had only one task: to gather the wealth of the grasslands for Lu Hai Kong, no matter the cost.
In contrast to his previous gentle nature, he now embarked on this mission with the utmost brutality.
Half a month later, when Hu Yinyin returned to the military camp, he brought four times the amount of resources!
However, Hu Yinyin did not bring back news of Wang Ti's army, nor the thousands of Roulun's heads, leaving only the hatred of the Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes embedded in his heart.
From this moment on, Hu Yinyin knew he was fully committed to Lu Hai Kong. Once he stepped off this boat, or if Lu Hai Kong cast him aside, he would have nowhere to turn.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
