Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors

At last, Lord Qin had made use of this particular layer of relationships.

But Tulikhan could only remain silent, what could he say in such an awkward situation?

Whether to fight or retreat, it was for Jie Li Khan to decide. Though he was reluctant, he had no other choice.

The situation once again reached a deadlock, but Li Hongyun could clearly feel that the circumstances were gradually tilting in his favor.

It must be said, the consecutive questions posed by Lord Qin, seemingly ordinary, actually targeted the vital points of the Turkic people.

This was also a key reason why Lord Qin could later become the Heavenly Khan and truly rule the Desert North Grassland.

Was Lord Qin relying on his reputation and bravery to stage this empty fort strategy?

Not entirely.

Every word he spoke had been thoroughly considered.

The lifestyle and customs of the grassland people were completely different from those of the Central Plains people.

This was why most dynasties from the Central Plains were unable to establish stable rule over the grasslands, only managing to intermittently support one faction and suppress another, and whenever the power of the Central Plains dynasty declined, the grassland people would recuperate, reunify, and return with renewed force.

Because the people of the Central Plains could neither adapt to the survival methods of the grassland people nor understand their way of thinking.

On the grassland, when two Khans and their men confronted each other, it was entirely legitimate for one Khan to challenge another to single combat.

As strength was revered among the grassland people, being able to fight was essential for a leader.

In the Central Plains dynasties, one might talk about one's background, hierarchy, etiquette, or Confucian thought... but none of these carried weight on the grasslands.

What truly mattered was combat power, your fist ruled if it was the mightiest.

Thus, the personal combat power of a leader was also of immense importance.

And if a leader challenged another to single combat and the latter refused... in the eyes of many grassland people, this was already seen as an admission of defeat.

Of course, a leader with weaker personal combat power could still forcefully eliminate the opponent with superior numbers, but that wouldn't genuinely command respect.

When you showed weakness, the seeds of disunity and disloyalty were already sown among the many tribes of the grasslands.

Therefore, the words of Lord Qin in response to Jie Li Khan pointed out two core issues: first, Jie Li Khan had broken the covenant, and second, you dare not fight me one-on-one, you are unfit to be a leader of the Turkic people.

Breaking the covenant might seem severe or might not seem severe.

For the grassland people, breaking covenants was commonplace, if heading south could bring great benefits, then why adhere to the covenant?

The barbarians respect power, not virtues; this is what it meant.

But this did not mean that the covenant had no binding power at all, and if the grassland people broke a covenant without gaining any advantages, they too would feel uncomfortable.

So, Lord Qin's words were like those of one Khan speaking to another, completely using the thought process of the grassland people to resolve issues.

At that moment, his actions, if replaced by any Khan from the grasslands, would not have felt out of place.

As for what he said to Tulikhan, it clearly showed differential treatment.

When speaking to Jie Li Khan, Li Hongyun intentionally exuded righteousness, standing firmly on the national stance of the Liang Dynasty, his speech more akin to diplomatic language; but in speaking to Tulikhan, he focused on their sworn brotherhood, creating a much closer relationship.

Seeing the Turkic people becoming somewhat disorganized, Li Hongyun knew that it was time to settle the matter with one decisive strike.

He immediately led a hundred cavalry forward, even having the hooves touch the ditch water, making a gesture as if to cross the water!

Prince Qi, watching from behind, was scared pale.

What was this for?

This hundred cavalry was nothing against the more than ten thousand Turkic cavalry; although Lord Qin had previously charged into enemy lines with just a hundred cavalry, those were during chaotic fights targeting the enemy's weak points, completely different from charging head-on as soon as the battle started.

Moreover, the two sides were separated by ditch water, and the Turkic cavalry was situated on higher ground.

What if they attacked while half-crossing?

As for the hundred cavalry behind Lord Qin, they naturally had no reason but to resolutely follow.

This was the understanding cultivated from battling alongside Lord Qin in countless campaigns.

They did not need to understand the actions of Lord Qin, only to execute orders.

However, just then, an unexpected situation occurred that no one had anticipated.

The usually silent Jie Li Khan suddenly spoke, and his words seemed rather unconfident.

"No need to cross!

"I have no other intentions, I merely wish to reaffirm the covenant with you, Lord Qin!"

Li Hongyun responded coldly, "If it is to reaffirm the covenant, why then do you deploy troops at Ban Yuan, eyeing my Binzhou State?"

Jie Li Khan remained silent for a long time before finally instructing his subordinates, "Retreat!"