Upon hearing Zhang San's words, Dashi Bian was utterly confused, unable to understand at all.

Clearly, I had beaten Sharlobi down repeatedly, not only occupying many of Sharlobi's pastures but also gathering several tribes and subjects from his side.

How come it looks like I've profited, but Zhang San keeps thinking I've lost out?

While Dashi Bian was filled with misunderstanding, Zhang San began to explain to him.

"Last year, I heard that many mice came to your steppe, causing a shortage of grain, and even many people starved to death. So let me ask you, Brother Dashi Bian, so many people have come to your side, can you support them?"

Hearing these words, Dashi Bian's previously smug expression quickly turned as woeful as if his father had just died.

"Brother Zhang San, honestly, I've been worried about this matter too. Many of the tribes under my command have lost quite a few slaves to starvation this winter. Even some tribes have seen over a thousand war horses frozen to death! On my side, it's really..."

Halfway through his words, Dashi Bian widened his eyes, suddenly realizing what was going on.

"Brother Zhang San, wait a moment, I think I may have figured it out!"

Dashi Bian raised his hand, signaling Zhang San to stop talking while he puzzled over what was going on.

Zhang San never imagined that after not seeing Dashi Bian for so long, he would even manage to answer by himself.

"Actually, Sharlobi may not genuinely have been defeated by me, because back then, he still had many troops under his command. So he deliberately lost to me. As a result, those lands became mine. Similarly, the population on those lands also became mine."

"Last winter, many people starved to death on my side. Ultimately, it's because last year we didn't store much grain, yet there were many people on my side."

"It fits! Everything fits! It's Sharlobi, deliberately losing, dumping population onto me, making them eat my grain, which caused so many people to starve to death on my side! Isn't that right?"

Though Dashi Bian's grasp of the situation wasn't perfect, he was pretty much on the mark.

Zhang San promptly added, "That's correct, but Sharlobi's schemes are far deeper than you can imagine."

Upon hearing this, Dashi Bian frowned and asked softly, "Does he have other tricks?"

Zhang San asked, "Sharlobi left all these people to you, and then they starved to death. So is this his fault, or yours?"

"Of course, it's his fault!"

Dashi Bian blurted out.

Zhang San laughed coldly and asked, "Think again?"

Dashi Bian asked innocently, "Could someone think it's my fault?"

Zhang San told Dashi Bian, "If all these people were under Sharlobi, then their starving would naturally be Sharlobi's fault. But now, these people are under your command; they are your subjects. So when they starve to death, whose responsibility do you think it is?"

At that moment, Dashi Bian muttered to himself, "Sure enough, he's scheming against me!"

Seeing that Dashi Bian had already believed him, Zhang San continued with more embellishments.

"Brother Dashi Bian, let me ask you something else. This winter, many people have starved to death on your side, but did many starve on Sharlobi's side?"

Dashi Bian shook his head and whispered, "I don't know about that either!"

Zhang San laughed and said, "So, what do you think? Is it possible that Sharlobi originally intended it this way, intentionally knowing last year that there wouldn't be much surplus grain, and found ways to transfer his population over to your side."

"Even though you were designated by Khan Muzhen as the future heir to the entire steppe, which rightfully belongs to you, and you are the person everyone counts on, you must also know that with many people following you and then starving to death, Sharlobi will spread the word everywhere, saying you are an incompetent Khan. Otherwise, how could you let so many of your subjects starve?"

"Moreover, after a whole winter of recuperation, how recovered do you think Sharlobi's strength is?"

Upon hearing this, although Dashi Bian didn't know the exact situation on Sharlobi's side, his expression seemed more panic-stricken.

Zhang San continued, "The most important point: many people have starved on your side, but Sharlobi has been resting and recuperating all winter. Now, do you think he will stir up all the tribes on the steppe to oppose you?"

Upon hearing this, Dashi Bian was utterly panicked.

Even now, he felt that the commotion he heard from the tribal leaders inside the grand tent was pleasant to his ears.

After all, they were merely asking him for grain.

But Sharlobi was after his life.

At this moment, seeing the complex expression in Dashi Bian's eyes, Zhang San felt much more reassured.

He had finally succeeded in bluffing.

After all, knowing Khan Muzhen's three sons as Zhang San did.

Sharlobi couldn't possibly have the intelligence to come up with such a scheme.

And Xing Luohou did have such a wise mind, but Xing Luohou was innately benevolent.

He would never stand by idly watching so many innocent people starve on the steppe.

But this speech indeed made Dashi Bian believe Sharlobi was out to get him.

Moments later, after finally realizing everything, Dashi Bian increasingly felt Zhang San was right, increasingly felt he was encountering a massive crisis.

Thankfully, Zhang San came, or else he'd still be kept in the dark.

"Brother Zhang San, what should I do next?"

Perfect!

Now it's not the Great Sui preparing to send troops against the Tujue, but the urgently needing protection and aid Khan Dashi Bian desperately needing the divine Great Sui Dynasty's support.

"Don't worry, brother, I'm here to help you this time. Not only have I brought some troops, but also some grain. I know you're short on grain here, so I've transported some initially, and more will be continuously transported over."

"Then, you can start gathering troops. You must tell the tribes under your command that the more troops they deploy against Sharlobi, the more grain you'll give them. So, when they take your grain, they'll naturally work harder to help you fight Sharlobi, don't you think?"

Dashi Bian nodded repeatedly; this idea was good.

I was worried before that distributing grain might cause issues on my side.

But now, as long as the grain's quantity is tied to troop deployment, they'll have to send more troopers to support me for the grain.

"You have enough grain to eat, not only allowing your own tribes to deploy troops, but also encouraging the tribes under Sharlobi to join your side. By then, even before the war starts, Sharlobi would already be alienated everywhere. Wouldn't victory be assured?"

Although Zhang San wanted to solve the issues on the Tujue side first, he knew there was also a massive crisis of the Outer God invasion after this world.

So to preserve as much power, is further power.

And at this moment, tears filled Dashi Bian's eyes.

"Zhang San, you truly are my dear brother!"

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