The Xianbei people came from the vast, untamed grasslands, following the road they had once taken west, passing through range upon range of towering, verdant mountains, and setting foot once more on the boundless plains of Liaodong.
The several hundred Xianbei at the front wore half suits of iron armor, some mottled with rust, with gleaming curved sabers at their waists and bows and quivers on their backs. Their leader was a noble of the Murong Tribe. Seeing the tribal chief before him, he strode over and gave him a great embrace. "Honored chief of the Dugu Tribe, the Great Chanyu sends his blessings. May the deities of Changbai Mountain shelter you forever."
Murong Xiang sat squarely and boldly inside the felt tent. After drinking a cup of tea wine, he said directly, "Honored chief of the Dugu Tribe, the Chanyu sent me to speak to you. Under Heaven's protection, the Chanyu of all the Xianbei solemnly and respectfully requests that you lead all your people beneath the Xianbei banner and submit to the rule of Great Xia. The Chanyu will follow Heaven's will and grant you an even more honored position, better than the bitter cold and hardship of Liaodong. Rich pastures, herds of cattle and sheep, slaves beyond counting-all these the Chanyu will bestow upon you. These are the gifts he asked me to bring you when I set out."
As he spoke, he had his men present glittering gold, then seemingly casually stroked his own precious ornaments and implements of gold, pearls, and jade. Dugu Ji's eyes burned at the sight. These people of the Murong Tribe truly had prospered after going west, while the Dugu Tribe still lived harsh lives in Liaodong, braving the bitter winter cold, fishing in rivers and hunting in the mountains to