"General, why are you so interested in a scholar?"
Duan Qizhen looked utterly baffled. Riding a fine horse, he looked at Wen Yang beside him and could not help asking.
Wen Yang glanced around and urged his horse a little farther ahead. Duan Qizhen followed.
Wen Yang said quietly, "Perhaps you've noticed that, although I'm brave and good at fighting, I'm still somewhat lacking in strategy."
Duan Qizhen pressed his lips together.
General, you're not merely lacking!
You have none at all!
When have you ever used anything like strategy? You simply charge in and kill!
Duan Qizhen had no idea how Wen Yang had come to such a mistaken understanding of himself, but considering his fighting prowess, Duan Qizhen still put on a surprised expression.
"If you lacked strategy, General, how could you have earned so many battle honors? You're too modest!"
Wen Yang burst out laughing. "You're only flattering me, but it sounds very nice."
He added, "Anyone who can make even the Governor worry must be very talented. If someone like that stays among the Xianbei, he'll certainly become a formidable enemy to us. Besides, I also want someone with strategic ability to assist me."
Wen Yang explained his thoughts.
Only then did Duan Qizhen understand.
I understand the reasoning, but have you forgotten that I'm Xianbei?
Wen Yang rode along with Duan Qizhen. There was an enormous gap between their ages.
Duan Qizhen had once accompanied his elder brother in serving under Sima Yi and fighting Goguryeo. Now in his sixties, he was easily old enough to be Wen Yang's grandfather.
Still, Duan Qizhen had looked after himself well. Fair and plump, he showed not the slightest sign of decrepitude.
The Hu people of this era seemed quite long-lived. Whether those few among the Xiongnu or