The Myriad-Mile Border City, also known as the Myriad-Mile Great Wall, served as the Dragon Han Empire's defensive line against the nomadic tribes of the northern steppes.
Before the Dragon Han, the Founding Emperor Zulong, who had unified the seven warring states after slaying the Demonic Sovereign, established the First Qin Dynasty. This event fundamentally altered the political landscape of the Central Domain and the Nine Realms.
Simultaneously, the Xiongnu, who claimed descent from the Yinglong, rose quietly on the steppes to become a dominant force, constantly threatening the security of the First Qin's borders.
Determined to provide his people with a stable environment, the First Emperor resolved to eliminate the Xiongnu threat once and for all, clearing the Central Domain of this external menace.
However, the Xiongnu's homeland was a complex terrain, making it difficult for the Qin army to locate their main forces for a decisive battle. Repeated campaigns ended in failure due to insufficient supplies and logistical support.
To address this persistent threat, the First Emperor invested vast resources and manpower in constructing the Myriad-Mile Great Wall. The wall served two purposes: monitoring Xiongnu movements and establishing fixed supply routes, allowing for the continuous transport of troops and resources to the border, in preparation for a final confrontation.
Despite these efforts, the First Emperor's grand project resulted in enormous losses of both life and resources, sparking widespread public resentment. After his ascension, revolts erupted across the Central Domain, and remnants of the six former states seized the opportunity to rebel.
In the end, Emperor Gaozu Songji emerged victorious, inheriting the First Qin's legacy and establishing the Dragon Han Empire on the war-torn lands of the Central Domain.
In the early days of the Dragon Han Empire, the Xiongnu Empire invaded with a force of 300,000. Emperor Gaozu Songji led 400,000 troops to meet them, but found himself trapped at Baideng. Only by sacrificing national dignity did he secure a brief respite.
After the Battle of Baideng, the role of the Myriad-Mile Border City was completely transformed. To prevent a recurrence of the disaster, Emperor Gaozu Ji repaired the Great Wall defenses built during the First Qin Dynasty.
From then on, the once-offensive strongholds were completely converted into defensive border fortifications.
Time passed, and under the constant pressure of the Xiongnu, the Dragon Han Empire faced both internal strife and external threats, its very survival compressed to the limit.
Beyond the Xiongnu threat, many powers within the Central Domain paid only lip service to the Dragon Han Empire while harboring deep hostility. Through repeated compromises, the empire's territory gradually dwindled to nothing.
This situation only began to reverse with the ascension of Empress Song Yanran.
With her iron will, Song Yanran conquered the Seventy-Two Kingdoms of the Central Domain, not only reclaiming lost lands but also expanding the empire's territory tenfold.
Simultaneously, she broke with the Dragon Han Empire's previous policy of appeasement toward the Xiongnu, tearing up all treaties and launching a protracted military campaign against them.
Finally, the battle between the Xiongnu and the Dragon Han Empire at the Great Wall border cemented the empire's formidable reputation.
The Northern Frontier now extended over three thousand li into the heart of the grasslands, claiming fertile lands rich in water and grass. This decisive victory completely severed the Xiongnu's threat to the Dragon Han Empire, allowing border citizens to live in peace.
Following this war, the Dragon Han Empire was officially renamed the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, becoming one of the three most powerful nations on the Immortal Martial Continent and attracting countless powerful figures.
Just as Shen Zhao had elevated the Yin Tian Dynasty to super-state status, Song Yanran pulled the teetering Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty from the brink of collapse, ushering in an era of unprecedented glory.
After Song Yanran personally led a campaign against the Xiongnu and inflicted a devastating defeat, they were forced to submit to the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty.
Now, two thousand seven hundred years later, Empress Song Yanran's brilliance remains undimmed, while the Xiongnu Empire faces a bleak future.
To change their fate, they must stake everything on a desperate gamble with their national destiny.
This has been the lifelong ambition of every Xiongnu King.
At least, until today, they all thought so.
Unfortunately, precisely today, a deadly, uninvited guest arrived in the Xiongnu camp.
"I've told you everything I know. Think it over carefully."
Shen Zhao crouched by the campfire, casually adding more firewood and hanging the mare's milk wine jug over the flames. His practiced movements even surprised Xuan Haoqiongchuan, a Xiongnu native.
Xuan Haoqiongchuan was the thirty-eighth son of Xuanhao Hongye. At only twenty-eight, he was the most promising heir to the Xiongnu throne.
Unlike his father's deep-seated hatred for the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, Xuan Haoqiongchuan had admired Central Domain culture since childhood and was a fervent admirer of Empress Song Yanran.
In historical terms, he was like Liu Yuan—a Han-loving patriot.
In modern internet terms...
He was a "Song Fan."
The Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty valued both military prowess and literary refinement. Xuan Haoqiongchuan, deeply influenced by this culture, was refined and elegant, his attire and mannerisms closely mirroring the Dragon Han style.
He believed that although the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty had once slaughtered the Xiongnu, the Xiongnu had also inflicted irreparable harm on the Dragon Han borderlands.
Now that the two nations had formally established ties through war, they shouldn't dwell on past grievances. History should be remembered, not used as a pretext for frenzied revenge.
Moreover, although Song Yanran occupied the most fertile lands of the Xiongnu, spanning three thousand li, she did not expel or systematically eliminate the Xiongnu civilians living there.
Instead, the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty proved remarkably inclusive, allowing Xiongnu subjects to settle even in the borderlands and interior. They established numerous shelters across the grasslands, saving countless herders from repeated disasters and raids.
All this led Xuan Haoqiongchuan to believe that his ancestors' obsession was misguided. How could the Xiongnu, a nomadic people, pose a threat to the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, with its well-established system?
The only path for the Xiongnu to secure their future was to steadfastly support the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty.
Thus, when Xuanhao Hongye planned his campaign against Empress Song Yanran, Xuan Haoqiongchuan remained silent but inwardly worried deeply for the Empress.
Now, seeing that the Empress had sent an envoy to negotiate, Xuan Haoqiongchuan felt a surge of excitement.
Shen Zhao had already clearly explained the current situation of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, forcing the Xiongnu to choose between severing ties completely or continuing their support for the Empress.
Instead of giving a direct answer, Xuan Haoqiongchuan countered, "Sir, tell me, what are the chances of success for my father, the Xiongnu King, in his current visit to the capital?"
Shen Zhao said indifferently, "Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Please, sir, speak plainly."
"The Xiongnu King will not return from this journey. The Crown Prince should make preparations as soon as possible."
Xuan Haoqiongchuan frowned slightly. "Sir, my father is a Great Emperor and the Xiongnu Kingdom's most exceptional genius in a century. How could this be...?"
"The Xiongnu King's peerless talent is confined to his own kingdom. In the Central Domain, the Empress reigns supreme. Do you think your father stands any chance of survival?"
"Alas..."
Xuan Haoqiongchuan sighed helplessly, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.
"The Empress's fall from power is temporary. Don't forget, the seventeen Quasi-Emperors of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty have yet to declare their stance, and the Heavenly Que Holy Dynasty, allied with the Dragon Han, has also remained silent.
They are all observing the situation, but none wish to see the Xiongnu King become the ruler of the Central Domain.
The Seventy-Two Kingdoms are mere weather vanes, unable to influence such a profound geopolitical struggle.
More critically, the Xiongnu King chose to ally with Nine Nether—a utterly unreliable fool."
"When he and Nine Nether were plotting their future, his failure was already inevitable.
Crown Prince, you should make plans early. For the future of the Xiongnu, you must make a decision soon."
Xuan Haoqiongchuan pondered for a long while before suddenly asking, "May I ask, sir, do you represent the Empress?"
Shen Zhao replied, "What terms does the Crown Prince intend to propose?"
"My terms are simple: the Xiongnu army will support the Empress, provided she abolishes the policy of population reduction every twenty years. In return, we ask her to help us establish several cities where our people can settle. The Xiongnu will then follow the Empress's footsteps forever."
Shen Zhao answered, "The Crown Prince's demands are not excessive. I can fully agree to them on behalf of the Empress."
"In that case," Xuan Haoqiongchuan declared, "the Xiongnu Kingdom will honor the Empress as its sovereign and swear eternal loyalty."
With that, he shouted outside the tent, "Guards! Summon the generals to the camp immediately. This Crown Prince has an important announcement to make."
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(End of Chapter)