Liu Tan took a deep breath and said, "I understand the reasoning. Why is there Su Wu?"

Marquis of Bowang Zhang Qian had indeed been captured by the Huns twice, and Liu Tan estimated that this was the second time.

That’s fine, but what about Su Wu?

He knew that the timeline had been messed up since he came here, but he hadn't been here ten years ago, and he had only been here for three years!

Even Chen Ajiao shouldn't affect Su Wu.

Historically, Su Wu was sent as an envoy to the Xiongnu in 100 BC. He had originally completed his mission, but unexpectedly, when he was about to return, the Xiongnu high-level officials staged a coup, and then this unfortunate child was detained by the Xiongnu for 19 years.

It is now the third year of Taichu, two years before Su Wu's diplomatic mission. However, Su Wu has been detained by the Huns for ten years. This is... a mess.

However, no one present could answer his question. Huo Guang was also a little puzzled and asked, "Didn't the Xiongnu say that Su Wu was dead?"

Wei Buyi said, "I don't know either, but Wu Shilu did say so."

Huo Guang pondered for a moment, then turned to Liu Tan and said, "Your Highness, if what Wu Shilu said is true, then... I'm afraid we really have to let him go."

Liu Tan pursed his lips, somewhat unwillingly.

He knew that Zhang Qian had made great contributions to the country, and Su Wu... although he did not have any meritorious deeds, was a representative of loyalty and bravery. The Han Dynasty was now gradually cultivating the people's loyalty, loyalty to the monarch and loyalty to the country. This was a signboard that must be changed back.

It's not that he feels it's not worth it, but... he's just a little unbalanced.

A thousand ordinary people were abandoned by Huo Guang and his men without any struggle.

Zhang Qian and Su Wu released Wu Shilu without any hesitation.

Liu Tan knew very well that if Zhang Qian and Su Wu were not exchanged back, no one would dare to go on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions or to the Xiongnu in the future. After all, once captured, they would be waiting to die. Even if the other side's Chanyu proposed to exchange them, the Han Dynasty might not necessarily do so.

Who would be willing to risk their lives for their country? There may be people who would sacrifice their lives for their country, but such people are too rare.

But he couldn't help but turn to look at Huo Guang and ask, "Are Zhang Qian and Su Wu worth the lives of the people of Yan?"

Huo Guang said calmly, "Their value is not just measured by their lives. They are also nobles. Your Highness, you cannot alienate yourself from the nobility."

In other words, he couldn't let the nobles become alienated from him. If Chang'an created a rift with the Northern Border Kingdom because of this incident, it would not be good for them in the end.

Liu Tan turned to look at Wei Buyi and said, "Tell Wu Shilu that a thousand men are not enough. We need at least two thousand. If there are no Han people, we can exchange them with Xiongnu people. Also, Zhang Qian and Su Wu must return intact."

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and left the study.

Huo Guang slowly tidied up his desk. Bi Gao beside him said hurriedly, "Prime Minister Huo, just leave this matter to me, this old servant."

Huo Guang shook his head. Wei Buyi beside him sighed and said, "Your Highness will definitely not accept it."

Huo Guang said, "The Northern Kingdom has been doing well over the years. Whenever we encounter difficulties, there are always people to help us solve them. This won't be a good thing in the long run. I'd like to take this opportunity to make His Highness understand that there is no such thing as having the best of both worlds."

Wei Buyi didn't know what to say for a moment, and finally had to turn around and do what Liu Tan asked him to do.

At this time, Wu Shilu was sitting cross-legged in the prison. Compared with other people in the prison who were like zombies, he looked in good condition. He closed his eyes and no one knew what he was thinking, but there was a smile on his face.

Inside the prison, the sound of chaotic footsteps attracted the attention of many people. Only Wu Shilu was still sitting there with his eyes closed, but the smile on his face had widened a little.

The footsteps stopped in front of his cell, and Wu Shilu said, "Why did His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory let me return north?"

His tone was relaxed and contented, not at all like a prisoner, and he seemed very sure that Liu Tan would let him go.

Wei Buyi's cheek twitched, and at this moment he suddenly understood why his prince was so unwilling.

Wei Buyi gritted his teeth and said, "His Highness said that Marquis Bowang and the General of the Household must return intact, and that a thousand men are not enough; two thousand will do."

Wu Shilu chuckled after hearing this: "We won't keep so many people. After all, you Han people can't herd animals and can't fight."

Wei Buyi said coldly, "His Highness said that if there are not enough people, we can use the Huns!"

Wu Shilu's smile widened upon hearing this, and he finally opened his eyes. His brown eyes were filled with a smile as he said, "Yes, but you must let me see His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory."

Wei Buyi snorted, "You can't just see His Highness whenever you want."

Wu Shilu shook his right index finger and said, "Since you've decided to let me return north, I'm still the Xiongnu Chanyu. You'd better go ask that young prince first and then give me an answer."

Wei Buyi gritted his teeth and turned to leave, but just after taking two steps, he heard Wu Shilu say, "Wait, I'm no longer a prisoner. You should at least give me a place to stay so I can freshen up, right? Or are you going to ask your little prince to come to the prison to see me? I'm fine with it, but I'm afraid your little prince won't be used to it."

Wei Buyi stood there for a while, trying to gather his strength. He suppressed the urge to stab Wu Shilu to death and said through gritted teeth, "Take him to the posthouse!"

But when Liu Tan knew that Wu Shilu wanted to see him, he was already very calm. He said calmly: "Clean him up for me and bring him to me."

He had already endured it, so it wouldn't be a problem to endure it a little longer. He also wanted to see what Wu Shilu was up to.

Liu Tan was not wearing court robes when he met Wu Shilu. He felt that this was not a formal audience. Of course, he also wanted to intimidate Wu Shilu. Doing so was a bit unbecoming, but Liu Tan was willful for once, so Huo Guang and others said nothing.

Unexpectedly, when Wu Shilu saw Liu Tan, his eyes lit up and he said with a smile, "My young prince, how are you?"

Liu Tan raised his eyelids and said, "Sit down."

Wu Shilu sat down opposite him very naturally, not looking awkward at all, as if he was not captured but came here as a guest.

In front of Liu Tan was a chessboard with an unfinished game on it. Liu Tan casually placed a piece and asked, "Do you know how to play chess?"

Wu Shilu: "I understand a little bit, but Your Highness has made this move and has completely destroyed your future."

Liu Tan: ???

Even the Huns can play Go these days? Can he still show off?

Liu Tan's expression was remarkably calm. Without blushing or panting, he said, "The fact that you can say that just means your chess skills are just so-so." With a flick of his sleeve, he swept all the pieces off the board and said, "Let's play a game."

Wu Shilu smiled and actually played chess with Liu Tan. Wei Buyi stood beside them, looking at this and that, feeling a little confused for a moment.

By the way, what is the relationship between his prince and Wu Shilu?

Even Liu Tan might not be able to answer this question. Wu Shilu might be able to answer it, but his answer might not be what Wei Buzhi wants to hear.

Liu Tan placed his hand in the corner as he did last time, and successfully stunned Wu Shilu.

But he is different from Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong knows Go very well, so he can play even if Liu Tan messes up. But what Wu Shilu said about knowing a thing or two is really just knowing a thing or two.

He held the chess piece in his hand for a long time without daring to make a move. Liu Tan did not urge him, but picked up the water cup and took a sip.

Wu Shilu glanced at him, and finally his eyes fell on Liu Tan's red lips stained with honey, and he looked at her quietly for a long time.

Liu Tan tapped the chessboard and said, "If you can't do it, just resign and admit defeat. I won't blame the Chanyu."

Wu Shilu lowered his head and looked at the chessboard quietly. He was unwilling to admit defeat before making a move. After thinking about it, he followed Liu Tan's example and directly fell into the corner.

Liu Tan looked at him and sneered, then continued to make moves and used the same trick again.

When he said he won, Wu Shilu could no longer conceal the astonishment on his face. He looked down at the chessboard and felt a little dazed. His Go skills were not very good, but he also knew... to decide the winner, he had to play a full game.

Liu Tan weighed the chess pieces in his hand and said, "This is the new Gobang game from the Han Dynasty. It seems you don't know how to play it. Remember next time, don't just learn a few things and then use them casually. Otherwise, you will be embarrassed."

Wu Shilu looked at the chess piece in his hand and then at the chessboard, then immediately resigned and said with a smile, "A Tan is indeed a wonderful person."

Liu Tan looked up at him and said, "I don't know you well, don't yell, or I'll cut off your tongue!"

Wu Shilu leaned forward slightly and asked, "It's so heartbreaking to see Ah Tan being so heartless. Don't you have any feelings for me at all?"

Liu Tan lowered his eyes and looked at him: "Does wanting to strangle you count as friendship?"

Before Wu Shilu could say anything else, Liu Tan stood up and said, "Get out of here before I change my mind, or you'll end up with your tongue hanging over your neck."

After saying that, Liu Tan turned around and left. If Wu Shilu hadn't insisted on seeing him, he wouldn't have wasted so much time talking to the other party.

Wu Shilu looked at Liu Tan's back and smiled, then stood up and said, "We will meet again!"

Liu Tanli ignored him and left quickly.

But after leaving, he still went to find the Honglu Temple Secretary who was in charge at the time and asked, "Have you decided where to exchange it?"

The Minister of Rites said tremblingly, "It's just twenty miles south of Guanshi."

Liu Tan narrowed his eyes slightly, turned to Miao Rui and said, "Go pack your things. I'm going to Changshou Palace to relax for the next two days!"

Although Miao Rui was surprised, he also knew that their prince had been feeling very depressed these past two days, so he quickly packed up his things and prepared to follow Liu Tan to Changshou Palace to relax.

Huo Guang and the others naturally had no objection, but when they arrived at Changshou Palace and Miao Rui and Bigo asked Liu Tan to get off the carriage, they could not hear any sound from inside the carriage. They immediately felt something was wrong, and when they lifted the curtain to take a look, they found that there was no one inside!