Ke Bineng had already fallen into a gambler's frenzy; if he retreated, the money he had lost earlier would be impossible to recover.
Staying here and continuing to fight offered a chance to win back his capital, and even make a huge profit.
His gaze swept over everyone in the tent, quickly landing on Duan Bu Yu and Qifu Chong.
The two held significant weight in their tribes; the Duan Bu Tribe and Qifu Tribe were considered medium-sized tribes across the entire grassland.
As long as these two supported him, it might be possible to make the surrounding tribal leaders obey and stay here, finding a way to achieve a victory.
Duan Bu Yu and Qifu Chong saw that gaze directed at them and were startled, realizing that Ke Bineng wanted them to state their position.
Both were somewhat hesitant because the Han Army's strength was gradually increasing, and their troops were not much inferior to theirs.
Even if they stayed, it would likely be difficult to achieve victory, and there was even the risk of a disastrous defeat.
The Duan Bu Tribe and Qifu Tribe were considered medium-sized tribes on the grassland, but their strength was ultimately not great, making it difficult to endure a major defeat; losing a few thousand soldiers would be a crippling blow.
Returning to their tribes, they would be cursed by their people, and might even struggle to retain their leadership positions.
Ke Bineng saw the two stammering, apparently unwilling to support his decision to stay.
A cold, excited glint appeared in his eyes; he didn't want to waste words with these people.
If he didn't stay and take a gamble here, the position of the Xianbei Royal Court's ruler would ultimately elude him upon returning to the grassland.
His hand slowly moved towards the blade at his waist, clearly intending to continue using a show of force to intimidate these leaders, making them obediently follow his commands in the future.
Duan Bu Yu and Qifu Chong, seeing that movement, trembled inwardly, and a sense of panic arose within them.
They naturally knew that Ke Bineng intended to use a show of force, and even planned to make an example of them.
Without further thought, the two immediately stood up and, with respectful expressions, loudly declared!
"What are we afraid of?"
"Our Xianbei army of tens of thousands is stationed here, and we have the advantage of elite cavalry."
"Although the Han Army has increased its troops, it still has no advantage and can only cower within its camp, not daring to come out and fight us."
"So, everyone, do not panic; victory still belongs to us Xianbei."
Seeing this, Ke Bineng did not delay; he quickly stood up and, smiling, reassured everyone!
"Duan Bu Yu and Qifu Chong, the two leaders, are right. We have the advantage in strength. If we fear the Han Army and run away like cowards, wouldn't that tarnish the name of our Xianbei?"
"Moreover, all the tribes have suffered some losses coming here. If we don't gain some benefits before returning, how will our tribal people survive when winter comes?"
"Rather than freezing to death in winter, why not seize this opportunity now, unite our efforts, and find a way to defeat the Han Army, plundering all the resources here?"
"After returning to our tribes, we can have a prosperous winter, and even sustain ourselves for two or three years without worrying about provisions. Why not do it?"
Upon hearing this, the tribal leaders pondered silently, admitting there was some truth to it; fleeing in such a cowardly manner did seem somewhat unworthy.
Furthermore, Ke Bineng and several major tribal leaders hadn't spoken of retreating. If these smaller tribal leaders dared to suggest retreating, they would likely instantly become corpses.
Thus, many leaders could only nod, tacitly agreeing to remain here and confront the Han Army.
Seeing this, Ke Bineng slowly let out a sigh of relief.
As long as these leaders in front of him still obeyed his words and remained here, there was still a way to defeat the Han Army.
Because he still had three thousand cavalry and several thousand infantry, still maintaining a numerical advantage. As long as he didn't make any major mistakes, the Han Army would always be at a disadvantage, with no chance of victory.
Therefore, Ke Bineng had no intention of giving up such a good opportunity.
So, he began discussing with the many leaders how to annihilate this Han Army, but after discussing for a long time, no good methods emerged.
After all, the recent annihilation of two thousand cavalry was still a significant blow to them, and their minds hadn't fully recovered. So, he simply let everyone go down to rest well, and discussing it in two days would not be too late.
Soon, the tribal leaders left one after another, and only Ke Bineng and some trusted generals remained in the main tent.
Ke Bineng frowned, pondered for a moment, then a cold glint appeared in his eyes, and he instructed the people around him!
"Since Terunhe was defeated, losing two thousand cavalry, causing our Xianbei morale to drop, he is the culprit."
"Now that he is probably dead, the troops in his tribe have become leaderless. Since that is the case, send people to take control, and execute all those who resist."
Several generals around him immediately bowed in response and quickly went to handle the matter.
Yanmen Pass, on the city wall!
General Guan, clad in a long robe with a blade at his waist, stood on the city pass, surrounded by many personal guards, gazing at the Xianbei camp stationed outside the pass.
Since this army arrived outside the pass, there had been no further action; they neither attacked the city nor left, simply staying here to prevent him from deploying troops from this location.
News had also come from his elder brother, stating that the main Xianbei force was attacking Dingxiang Commandery, and both sides had formed a standoff.
General Guan's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and he fell into deep thought.
He had to find a way to break this army, resolve the danger at Yanmen Pass, and alleviate the pressure on his elder brother.
He could even bypass Dingxiang Commandery from here, launch a surprise attack on the Xianbei army from behind, and this battle could then be completely concluded.
Just then, Zhang Liao, who was standing beside him, stepped forward and bowed!
"General Guan, after my observation during this period, I have a plan that can definitely defeat these Xianbei soldiers outside the city."
General Guan was delighted to hear this, and his eyes turned to Zhang Liao beside him, eagerly asking!
"What strategy do you have, Wen Yuan?"
Zhang Liao cupped his hands, looked at the military camp outside the city, and spoke clearly!
"General, since this army outside the city arrived, they have been peaceful. Now, they appear very lax, no longer maintaining their former vigilance."
"I only need eight hundred cavalry, and we can launch a surprise attack at night to defeat this Xianbei army."
"I dare to guarantee an eighty percent chance of success in the night raid."
After Zhang Liao finished speaking, he stood respectfully to the side, still being somewhat conservative in his heart.
In fact, he had a hundred percent certainty of a successful night raid, but he didn't boast too much, so as not to incur General Guan's displeasure.
General Guan 'oh'ed' softly upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor refusing.
His eyes narrowed slightly, he pondered for a moment, then asked!
"Wen Yuan, why are you so confident? How are you so sure the Xianbei won't be vigilant at night?"
Zhang Liao cupped his fists and began to explain from the side!
"General, during this time, although I have been stationed on the city wall, I have observed the Xianbei soldiers outside the city very closely."