Chapter 28: Blackmailing the Wuwan

“Absolutely not.” Ju Shou immediately objected.

“Why not?” Liu Yao’s tone carried a trace of displeasure.

“Lord, how does our current strength compare with the entire Wuhuan tribe?” Ju Shou asked calmly.

“So what if the Wuhuan have numbers? In my eyes they are nothing but a band of vermin,” Liu Yao replied, brimming with youthful vigor. His recent annihilation of the Wuhuan had swelled his confidence to the point of arrogance, believing he could easily destroy them again.

A flicker of anger crossed Ju Shou’s face. He said coldly, “My lord, do you not know the meaning of ‘arrogant troops are doomed to defeat’?”

Liu Yao shivered, his bravado evaporating. He bowed to Ju Shou. “I apologize, Gongyu. My pride got the better of me. Please instruct me.”

Ju Shou nodded, clearly pleased with Liu Yao. His lord was ambitious and astute, approachable despite his occasional missteps, and always willing to correct himself. Ju Shou was grateful fate had led him to such a master.

“My lord, we have some forty thousand men under our command. But truthfully, apart from your own personal guard and Gao Shun’s Assault Battalion, only these can truly be called elite. The rest of our troops are merely average. Our victory over the Wuhuan was due largely to cunning. If we were to face them head-on, defeat would be certain. Now that you have only just taken control of Youzhou, the region is still developing. Defending our territory is feasible, but mounting a campaign would stretch our strength. Even if we were to eradicate the Wuhuan, we’d only see the Xiongnu take their place. By then, Youzhou would be defenseless. It would be wiser to keep the Wuhuan as a buffer against the Xiongnu. With a few years of development, not only would Wuhuan pose no threat, but even Xianbei and Xiongnu together would not trouble us.”

“I have learned much. We will do as you suggest,” Liu Yao said. But then, as if remembering something, he smiled slyly. “However, since the Wuhuan have come to seek peace, it would be remiss not to make them pay a little for it.”

Ju Shou shuddered at that smile. In his experience, whenever Liu Yao wore that expression, someone would suffer. He could not help but pity the envoy. Ju Shou himself had been a victim of Liu Yao’s scheming when he joined, but he bore no resentment; rather, he considered it a stroke of fortune to serve such a master.

Two days later, the Wuhuan envoy arrived in Ji County. Liu Yao received him with the utmost courtesy, preparing a feast in his honor.

When the envoy was led into the hall, he saw Liu Yao seated in the place of honor, Shi A standing at his side, with Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou seated to either side.

The moment he entered, Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong unleashed their murderous auras, enveloping the envoy in suffocating menace. Being a civil official, he had never experienced such terror and nearly collapsed from fear.

Liu Yao smiled wryly. A little intimidation at the outset always benefited negotiations. He coughed lightly, and Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong withdrew their killing intent.

“You must be the Wuhuan envoy. Sit,” Liu Yao said.

The envoy felt as though he had just returned from the underworld. His legs weak, he barely managed to take his seat.

“What business has Chulijü sent you here for?” Liu Yao asked directly.

The envoy replied respectfully, “My lord, our king has sent me to request peace with the Han. We hope for mutual non-aggression. Also, I am to escort back several generals captured by your forces.”

Liu Yao snorted. “Your king drives a hard bargain. He wants peace with a few words, and expects his prisoners returned as well?”

“No, no, no!” the envoy protested hastily. “Our king is willing to offer eight thousand fine horses, each a war steed of the highest quality, twenty thousand head of cattle and sheep, three thousand pieces of gold, and countless rare furs and medicines as the price for peace.”

Liu Yao nodded. “Hmm? I’m quite satisfied with these terms. Let it be so.”

The envoy was elated. “Many thanks, my lord! Then may we have our generals returned now?”

He thought to himself, “How agreeable this man is! The terms I’ve offered are half of what King Chulijü set as my limit. I shall surely be rewarded handsomely for this.”

“Return your men? Did I say I would do that?” Liu Yao feigned ignorance.

“You…” the envoy stammered, furious. “You Han are known for your integrity—how can you go back on your word?”

“Scoundrel! Are you in a position to rebuke me?” Liu Yao slammed the table, startling the envoy. “The terms you listed were for peace. As for the four prisoners, buying them back is not impossible—pay the ransom and they’ll be released.” A sly smile curled on his lips.

The envoy, seeing a glimmer of hope, asked timidly, “What ransom does my lord require?”

“Not much. Four men, five thousand horses per man—all top-grade warhorses—ten thousand cattle and sheep, and two thousand pieces of gold each,” Liu Yao said, opening his lion’s mouth wide.

“What? This… this is robbery!” the envoy blanched, his words faltering with panic.

“Hmph. That’s the price. If you don’t want to pay, you may leave. As for those four, I’ll have them buried to save on rations,” Liu Yao said indifferently.

“Aren’t you afraid King Chulijü will lead our army to attack Youzhou himself?” the envoy threatened.

Liu Yao laughed coldly. “Good, good! You’re the first to threaten me. Yide, throw him out, call the troops, and tomorrow we march on Wuhuan Mountain!”

Zhang Fei leapt up, unable to contain his excitement. He’d been itching for an excuse to deal with this envoy.

“Wait! My lord, please wait! Surely we can discuss this further,” the envoy pleaded, terrified now that Liu Yao was unmoved by threats and seemed ready to attack. If such a disaster befell his people, he’d be the Wuhuan’s greatest sinner.

Liu Yao waved his hand, and Zhang Fei backed down.

“This is your last chance. Redeem them or not—it’s your choice.”

The envoy gritted his teeth, calculating how close he could get to King Chulijü’s bottom line. At last, he said, “My lord, the terms you ask are truly beyond our means. At most, we can offer three thousand fine horses, one top-grade war steed, five thousand cattle and sheep, and one thousand pieces of gold.”

“Very well, your terms are accepted,” Liu Yao agreed without hesitation. His initial demand had been exorbitant, and the ransom he’d secured was already far more than he’d expected.

The envoy breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if his life had been spared. “With that settled, may we have our four generals returned now?”

“So long as the ransom arrives, your men will be released,” Liu Yao replied. He had no intention of trusting the Wuhuan; it would be an exchange, silver for lives.

“Thank you, my lord. I will send word at once and ensure the ransom is delivered swiftly.” With that, he was escorted out by a Youzhou soldier.

When the envoy was gone, Zhang Fei burst out laughing. “Ha! My lord, that Wuhuan was too amusing—his face turned green, then black, then green again!”

Laughter rippled around the hall.

“My lord,” Ju Shou said, a touch of schadenfreude in his voice, “we’ve gained much from the Wuhuan this time. Horses alone number eighty thousand—never mind the rest. The Wuhuan will not recover from this blow for a long while.”