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Although Yu Fuluo had verbally agreed to Fei Qian's request, he insisted that Fei Qian write out a parchment document. It had to specify the three-day deadline, stating that if it were exceeded, the Xiongnu would join the battle and Fei Qian could voice no complaint. Furthermore, it had to clearly state that regardless of the outcome concerning the White Wave Bandits, Fei Qian was obligated, per their previous agreement, to support Yu Fuluo in reclaiming the royal court.
According to Yu Fuluo, the Han people were far too cunning. If it weren't written down, Fei Qian might later renege, and Yu Fuluo would end up with nothing...
Fei Qian was momentarily speechless. However, reclaiming Shangjun and helping Yu Fuluo return to the royal court actually overlapped significantly in terms of shared objectives, as one had to pass through Shangjun to reach the Hetao region beneath the Yin Mountains—the location Yu Fuluo referred to as the royal court.
Moreover, solidifying such an agreement in writing could also safeguard Fei Qian's own interests...
Even so, the wording details still required careful scrutiny.
Thus, the two men haggled back and forth on the hilltop for a long time before slowly finalizing the agreement, transcribing it onto two scrolls of parchment. Fei Qian and Yu Fuluo each took one copy, signed them, affixed their seals, and formally exchanged the documents.
Having reached this point, Yu Fuluo and Fei Qian could, in a sense, be considered allies. The atmosphere relaxed slightly. Finally, Yu Fuluo picked up a wine cup, shared a few drinks with Fei Qian, and then took his leave, descending the hill.
Upon reaching the foot of the hill, Yu Fuluo glanced back at Fei Qian on the hillside, gave a nod, performed a salute, and then led his troops, a noisy contingent, back south.
When Yu Fuluo returned to his camp, he summoned Huchuquan, who had been left in charge of the main camp, and said, "From today onward, announce publicly that I have fallen ill. As for the troops... they are to remain within the main camp and are not to venture out without permission..."
Huchuquan instinctively asked, "Ah?! Why?"
Yu Fuluo instinctively wanted to retort, telling Huchuquan to use his own brain and think it through. But in the next instant, he changed his mind. He smiled and explained, "There are currently two Han factions. We cannot immediately determine which will win. In any case, waiting a few days costs us nothing. Let the Han people themselves determine a victor first. If the Han faction to the south wins, we will attack Beiqu and seize the supplies and livestock there. If the northern Han faction wins, we will attack Linfen, where we will equally not lack for supplies and wealth..."
Huchuquan's expression cleared with understanding. After praising Yu Fuluo repeatedly, he withdrew.
Yu Fuluo slowly allowed his smile to fade. He stared at Huchuquan's retreating figure, his eyes shifting thoughtfully a couple of times. He touched the parchment scroll hidden within his robes, then without a word, turned and walked back to his tent. Seating himself behind the low table, he gazed at Lü Bu's battle blade placed upon it and remained silent for a long while.
Yu Fuluo thought of his father, Qiangqu, of the white hairs on his father's head, of the great elders back in the royal court. The more he pondered, the more he felt there was some truth to what Fei Qian had said. Moreover, based on these recent encounters with Fei Qian, he increasingly sensed that this fellow had considerable substance within him. The succession issue Fei Qian mentioned was likely merely lifting a corner of the tent—there were surely other problems lurking beneath...
However, regardless of which aspect one attempted to reform, it would inevitably provoke massive shockwaves and resistance. This would require powerful military strength...
Unfortunately, in Yu Fuluo's heart, he still somewhat doubted that Fei Qian possessed any force capable of turning the tables. Three days... fine. He would wait three days. If Fei Qian proved incompetent, he would simply take over that camp at Beiqu as stipulated in the agreement. The supplies there were considerable and wouldn't represent a loss for Yu Fuluo. Besides, having this documented proof meant that if Lü Bu ever came knocking because of this, he would have something to say.
Hmph!
Yu Fuluo ordered his men to bring several braziers and began preparing to feign illness.
×××××××××××××××
On the hilltop, Huang Cheng and Ma Yue both approached Fei Qian.
Since Fei Qian was not an imperial commissioner sent to negotiate with Yu Fuluo—a point Yu Fuluo was well aware of—the two men, while hammering out the details of the agreement, had dismissed their guards to a distance and communicated and negotiated in private.
Now that the talks were concluded, Huang Cheng and Ma Yue only knew that Fei Qian and Yu Fuluo had signed some kind of document, but were unaware of the specific contents.
Huang Cheng habitually took up a position behind Fei Qian, but then suddenly noticed that the back of Fei Qian's robe was mostly soaked with sweat, the dampness forming a clear, dark patch. He quickly called for someone to fetch a cloak and helped drape it over Fei Qian's shoulders to prevent him from catching a chill from the cold mountain wind.
Who could have known? On the surface, Fei Qian appeared calm and composed, but in reality, he had been terrified to the core, as nervous as he was on his first day in the workforce, introducing himself to the entire company.
Fortunately, when Fei Qian was nervous, he sweated on his back, not his forehead. Had Yu Fuluo across the table detected Fei Qian's inner weakness during the negotiations, he certainly wouldn't have agreed to Fei Qian's terms so readily.
Even if they were to sign a treaty, Yu Fuluo would have undoubtedly raised many more demands. It wouldn't have been as it was now, relatively equitable. Essentially, Fei Qian wagered the Beiqu camp as his stake, betting on Yu Fuluo's promise not to intervene for three days. Similarly, Yu Fuluo wagered three days of time, betting on Fei Qian's future assistance in reclaiming the royal court, along with specified timing and material support...
Yu Fuluo's agreement to delay for three days gave Fei Qian significantly more room to maneuver.
It might have seemed during the negotiations that Yu Fuluo was repeatedly constrained, led along by Fei Qian. But in truth, Yu Fuluo didn't lose much—just three days. For Yu Fuluo, it wasn't a huge sacrifice. For Fei Qian, however, it was crucial. Moreover, Yu Fuluo's military force remained a significant bargaining chip. In the face of power, words always seemed somewhat feeble. Therefore, Fei Qian was reasonably satisfied with the outcome he had managed to secure.
"Zidu!" Fei Qian called out.
Ma Yue hurried forward a few steps and bowed, awaiting orders.
"Take the troops and remain here. Once the ground dries and the White Wave Army resumes its attack on Pingyang, lead the cavalry—ignore the Xiongnu—and launch a direct assault on the White Wave rear camp!" Fei Qian instructed in detail. "Don't be greedy for achievements. The Xiongnu might emerge from their camp to give chase, or they might not. But if the Xiongnu pursue, lead your men and run. They won't pursue relentlessly, nor will they initiate an attack on their own. Once the Xiongnu turn back, find another opportunity to raid the White Wave forces... In short, you absolutely must not allow the White Wave Army to attack Pingyang City with full force!"
Fei Qian thought for a moment and added, "I'm leaving you with seasoned Bingzhou veterans. Commanding them shouldn't be a problem. Of course, Yu Fuluo and I only have this verbal agreement. Things could still change if he reneges. Zidu, you must be cautious and vigilant, always ready to adapt to the situation... I leave everything here in your hands!"
Fei Qian spoke very seriously. Ma Yue understood the weight of the responsibility. He knelt on one knee, performed a formal military kneeling salute, then accepted his orders and departed.