Liu Tan had long guessed that Lu Xuan would use Wu Shilu's death to put more pressure on the Xiongnu, but he didn't expect him to be so bold.

The Xiongnu River is very close to the Xiongnu royal court, Longcheng, so it would be strange if Xuli Lake was not worried.

In other words, the Huns are basically in a period of internal and external troubles, but even so, the Huns have no intention of uniting to solve the external troubles first.

Liu Tan was so excited at this that he asked, "What are they saying? Is the King of Wusun confident he can capture Longcheng?"

Yan Xingsheng shook his head and said, "I don't know yet. There is no further news."

Liu Tan slammed his hands on the table and said, "A Xuan is so bold! He didn't even tell me such an important thing."

Don't even think about setting foot in the palace when he comes back!

Of course, he swallowed the words and didn't say them. He just looked up at Yu Qiang and said, "Remember to pass on those news to Chang'an. Don't forget your identity."

Yu Qiang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will remember it."

After Yubi finished speaking, he bowed and took his leave. As he walked, he thought that this information was enough to increase his merits and maybe he could get a promotion before the New Year.

The predecessors were right, being an embroidered robe envoy in the Northern Border Kingdom is the most comfortable thing.

After Yuyang left, Liu Tan wanted to write a letter to Lu Xuan immediately, but before his letter was sent out, Lu Xuan's letter arrived first.

Along with the letter came a wolf's fang.

The messenger was a close follower of Lu Xuan, who spoke in broken Chinese, "This wolf fang was hunted by Kunmi himself. Kunmi said he would make it into a pendant for you when he returns."

The wolf fang must have been processed, and the surface looked very smooth. However, Liu Tan had only one thought - this guy actually still had the mood to go hunting, it seemed that the pressure was not great enough.

The pressure was indeed not great enough. After all, Wu Shilu was stabbed to death, and the Huns had no intention of fighting anymore.

Liu Tan asked again, "Did the King of Wusun explain why he changed his route?"

The man grinned foolishly and said, "Kunmi said that all your questions are in the letter."

Liu Tan raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work. Go down and rest."

Only after his personal attendant left did Liu Tan open the letter.

No one knew what Lu Xuan had written to him. When Liu Tan touched the letter, he felt it was a thick stack, thicker than any other letter Lu Xuan had written to him before. He wondered if it was just a few pages of apology.

In fact, Lu Xuan didn't really write a few pages of apology. He just explained that he hadn't written a letter for such a long time because he was dealing with those disobedient people. After the apology, he also wrote: If Ah Tan is still angry, I will apologize to you when I return.

Liu Tan wrinkled his nose: "Not sincere."

However, Lu Xuan's sincerity was probably revealed in the content of the following letter.

After apologizing, Lu Xuan did not talk about military and national affairs as before, but instead began to describe what it was like when he went to war, what the journey was like, and even said that he had already chosen the location of the palace.

This letter seemed to bring Liu Tan directly to a place he had never been to, as if he was really following Lu Xuan in the Gobi Desert to determine the direction with a compass, following him to find water sources for the army, and following him to see the snow on the top of Yanran Mountain that never melts all year round.

Looking at them, Liu Tan couldn't help but laugh and curse: "Are you going to fight or travel?"

But even if Lu Xuan didn't write anything, he knew that this journey must be very dangerous. He was probably in a state of internal and external troubles before, otherwise he wouldn't have had no time to write to him because of the friendly forces.

As for why he changed his direction, Lu Xuan said that this expedition went very smoothly.

Or it was so smooth that he himself could not have imagined it, so he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to directly pose the greatest threat to the Huns, and also to relieve some pressure on Liu Tan.

Lu Xuan also explained: It is impossible to capture Longcheng this time, and he has never thought of attacking Longcheng. The current level is just right. If they move forward, no matter how fierce the Xiongnu is, they must be repelled first.

His team this time was a mixed bag, and many people had a natural fear of the Huns. Now he was suppressing them, otherwise these people would have run away long ago.

After reading it, Liu Tan felt sorry, but he also understood that it was impossible to really take down Longcheng. Otherwise, wouldn’t the Han Dynasty’s entanglement with the Huns for so many years become a joke?

He put Lu Xuan's letter aside, thought for a moment, and then picked up his pen to tell Lu Xuan about his plan.

He did not discuss this matter with Huo Guang. It was not a big deal and he could make the decision on his own. After all, it was still in the planning stage. Even if Huo Guang came, he might not be able to make the plan successful.

Xulihu is not a fool.

The reason for telling Lu Xuan all this was to let him figure it out on his own. The main reason was that Lu Xuan had been operating in the Xiongnu for a longer time, and the Wusun people were naturally more suitable for infiltrating the Xiongnu than the Han people.

By the time the letter to Lu Xuan reached him, Liu Zhen, Zhang He, and Zhang Anshi had also arrived.

Liu Tan temporarily put the matter of the Huns aside and prepared to summon these three people.

The one who came out to receive them was Xiao Cheng. If everything went well for the three of them, the highest official position he would hold would be a county governor. It would be impossible for the prime minister to come and greet them, let alone His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory.

After Xiao Cheng brought them to the posthouse, he said, "His Highness, upon hearing of your arrival today, has instructed you to rest for a day. The Zhang brothers will come to see him tomorrow."

Liu Zhen and the other two were a little surprised. They were going to meet separately?

Zhang He couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, do you want to see my brother too?"

Xiao Cheng nodded: "That's right, everyone, have a good rest. If you need anything, just tell the postmaster."

After he finished speaking, he walked away in a leisurely manner. Liu Zhen and the Zhang brothers looked at each other and said with a smile, "I'm tired from the journey. I'm going to rest first."

Zhang He forced a smile. After Liu Zhen left, he pulled Zhang Anshi into the room and said with some concern, "Why...why did His Highness want to meet separately? And meet us first?"

Zhang Anshi was more indifferent. He sat down and poured a glass of water for his brother before saying, "Your Highness made this arrangement because he obviously has something to tell us."

Zhang He was a little worried: "Could it be...that things have changed?"

He had received news in advance that they were originally going to be county magistrates, but the appointment had not been made yet, which made them anxious all the way.

Zhang Anshi shook his head and said, "No, if there really were changes, His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory would have reappointed him long ago. Why would he have waited until now?"

Zhang He seemed to have found his backbone at this moment and asked, "Then what is it for?"

Zhang Anshi thought for a while and said, "Perhaps His Highness's actions have nothing to do with us. His Highness mainly wants to talk more with Liu Zhen, right? He will meet with us first, and the rest of the time will be reserved for Liu Zhen."

Zhang He seemed to be relieved, but also a little disappointed: "Is that so? That's true."

Zhang Anshi looked at his brother helplessly and said, "You should use your brain more in the future. How can you be a good county governor like this?"

Zhang He said with a smile: "Aren't you here?"

Zhang Anshi immediately said, "His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory is not someone who can be easily fooled. If he finds out that you don't have the ability to be a county governor, I'm afraid he will really have to replace you."

Zhang He took a deep breath. "Brother, I understand. Speaking of which, I originally thought that Shuofang City's grandeur was second only to Chang'an was just an exaggeration, but now I see it's indeed true. So... why don't you stay in Shuofang City?"

Zhang Anshi looked at Zhang He speechlessly and said, "Where I go depends on the court's arrangements. How can we have the final say?"

Zhang He nodded quickly. "That makes sense, but... what do you think His Highness will arrange for me to do?"

Zhang Anshi said, "Prefect of Yanmen County."

Zhang He gasped: "This... Yanmen County?"

Zhang Anshi nodded and said, "Indeed, the situation in Yiwulu County is complicated. Brother, you... you can't handle it. Although Yanmen County is located on the border, the Xiongnu would rather go to the more distant Shanggu County to plunder Yanmen County. This is enough to show that the strength of the Northern Border Kingdom has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The Xiongnu dare not easily invade, so I think it is very safe."

After hearing this, Zhang He thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case.

When they went to the court for an audience the next day, Zhang Anshi had been following behind Zhang He obediently, thinking that His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory only wanted to see them because they had come from afar. Who knew that the person Liu Tan really wanted to see was Zhang Anshi.

Zhang Anshi was also an amazing person. Not only was he amazing, but his descendants were also amazing. Since he was granted the title of marquis during the reign of Emperor Xuan, none of his eight generations of high-ranking officials ever lost their marquisate.

No one can explain why this is happening. If Liu Tan were to say, it might be because of family education.

After meeting the two people, Liu Tan observed them while greeting them. Zhang He looked honest and sincere. If he said yes, he meant yes, and if he said no, he meant no. He was quite straightforward and kind.

Zhang Anshi was more composed, even though he was standing behind Zhang He the whole time. Apart from bowing and introducing himself, he didn't say much. He just looked more calm and confident.

Liu Tan and Zhang He talked reluctantly for a few words. To be honest, everyone said that they liked to make friends with honest people because honest people were sincere, but it was too painful to chat with an honest person in certain occasions because he would speak from the heart anytime and anywhere, but this was not an occasion where one could be so open-hearted!

Liu Tan decisively shifted the topic to Zhang Anshi.

He turned to look at Zhang Anshi and said, "Young Master, you are still quite old now, right?"

Zhang He was slightly stunned and didn't react for a moment why the topic turned to Zhang Anshi.

Zhang Anshi, however, carefully looked up at Liu Tan and replied, "I am fifteen years old."

This was the first time Zhang Anshi saw Liu Tan's face after he came in. He just glanced at him and then looked away. At the same time, he felt a little confused: His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory is different from the rumors. He is handsome and amiable. How can he be fierce?

While he was thinking about this, he suddenly heard Liu Tan ask, "Becoming an official at this age is a bit premature. Do you want to continue studying?"