Seeing He Lian's resolute attitude, Li Ru couldn't help but sigh slightly.

It seems that my desire to meet the emperor is truly impossible.

Although he was disappointed, Li Ru showed a very touched expression on his face.

Then Li Ru respectfully said, "Your Majesty, in that case, it would be best to send someone to the Han camp as soon as possible to discuss peace!"

"Very well, I will make the arrangements immediately!"

He Lian nodded, then personally wrote a letter seeking peace, and summoned one of his trusted confidants, ordering him to go to Juyan to negotiate.

...

Juyan, within the prefectural governor's residence.

Upon learning that Helian had sent an envoy, Liu Hong, unusually, donned the imperial robes and sat upright behind his desk.

Cao Song, Xun Shuang, Tao Qian, Huangfu Song, Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and other civil and military officials lined up on both sides of the hall.

After everyone had arrived, Liu Hong turned to look at Zhang Rang beside him.

Zhang Rang understood and immediately stepped forward, loudly announcing, "Summon the Xianbei envoy to an audience!"

Before long, a slightly thin Xianbei man, about forty years old, followed closely behind the guard.

Upon entering the hall, the Xianbei envoy performed a deep bow and proclaimed loudly:

"Your humble servant pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. May the Great Han Dynasty live ten thousand years, and may His Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"No need for formalities!"

Liu Hong's voice, to the Xianbei envoy's ears, carried a hint of ethereal majesty, making him unconsciously feel his own insignificance.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

After bowing in greeting, the Xianbei envoy kept his head down, looking at the ground, and dared not look directly at the Han emperor.

Liu Hong glanced at the Xianbei envoy: "Tell me, what is Helian's purpose in sending you here?"

The Xianbei envoy respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the King sent me here solely to sue for peace with the Han Dynasty. I earnestly hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"

"Sum?"

Liu Hong chuckled: "When you came here all so aggressively before, you weren't like this!"

What? Now you think you can't beat my mighty Han, and you're thinking of begging for peace?

"Your Majesty, we were ignorant of the might of the Han Dynasty and offended you. We beg Your Majesty to be magnanimous and forgive us!"

Despite Liu Hong's mockery, the Xianbei envoy remained very humble, his words filled with pleading.

"Forgive you all?"

Liu Hong smiled contemptuously, then said coldly, "Over the years, you Xianbei people have repeatedly invaded the borders of my Great Han, burning, killing, and looting, causing the deaths of countless Han people."

Now that they are about to be destroyed, they have become afraid and are begging for mercy.

If I were to so easily forgive you, how could I face the people who perished?

"Your Majesty, I feel deeply ashamed and uneasy about the harm my tribe has caused to the people of the Han Dynasty. My king has said that he is willing to give everything to compensate the people of the Han Dynasty."

"Your Majesty, please feel free to name any conditions you may have, and we will do our utmost to meet them!"

Faced with Liu Hong's questioning, the Xianbei envoy also looked ashamed and sincerely relayed He Lian's words.

"compensate?"

Liu Hong sneered: "Do you think a great man like me would lack your meager compensation?"

Conditions? I have countless fierce generals under my command, and my soldiers are even more invincible. What conditions could I possibly have to discuss?

The only condition from the Great Han is that you all disappear completely from this grassland..."

Hearing Liu Hong's cold words, the Xianbei envoy panicked and pleaded, "Your Majesty, are you really not willing to give my tribe a chance to repent?"

"Hmph, a chance to repent? Fine, then go and repent before the sabers and spears in the hands of my Han soldiers!"

Liu Hong snorted coldly, then stood up, flicked his sleeve, and walked towards the back hall.

Watching the departing figure of the Han emperor, the Xianbei envoy's expression turned anxious: "Your Majesty..."

"Step back!!"

As soon as the Xianbei envoy made a move, the generals Lü Bu, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and others in the hall shouted in unison.

Faced with the angry shouts of these fierce men, the Xianbei envoy trembled, his face filled with fear and dread.

Huangfu Song, seated at the head of the left-hand side, immediately stood up, looked at the Xianbei envoy, and said in a deep voice:

"Go back and tell He Lian that we'll give him five days to reorganize his troops before planning the final battle!"

Don't even think about running away! Your warhorses can't outrun the mighty Han cavalry!

After saying that, Huangfu Song got up and left.

Dian Wei stepped forward, looked down at the Xianbei envoy who only reached his chest, and grinned: "Please, esteemed envoy, don't force me to use force!!"

"Yes, I am... I'll be going now!"

Faced with the towering Dian Wei, the Xianbei envoy lowered his head and retreated.

Only after leaving the prefectural governor's residence did the Xianbei envoy straighten up.

Recalling the words spoken by the Han emperor, the Xianbei envoy sighed deeply before heading out of the city.

Inside the rear hall of the prefectural governor's residence.

Liu Hong changed into casual clothes and, along with generals such as Huangfu Song, Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Huang Zhong, gathered around a huge sand table to discuss their next move.

Huangfu Song held a baton in his hand and pointed to the center of the sand table, which was the sacred mountain of the Xiongnu people in the past - Langjuxu Mountain.

"Your Majesty, it has been reported that Xi Zhicai, Liu Bei, Sun Jian and others, leading the Wuhuan cavalry and the Red Ribbon Army, have swept through dozens of wild tribes on their way west. In three days, they will reach the Xianbei's Danhan Mountain royal court."

Gao Shun led his Bingzhou cavalry and infantry northwards, taking over dozens of Xianbei outlying tribes.

Generals Lu Zhi and Zhu Jun are also making good progress. In five days, the three armies will converge at Langjuxu Mountain. Once His Majesty arrives, they can head straight for the Han Sea!

"Okay!"

Liu Hong smiled and nodded, then instructed, "Tell Zhicai and Xuande that after taking Tanhan Mountain, all they need to do is drive out those Xianbei people!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Huangfu Song agreed and then continued, "Your Majesty, you rejected Helian's request for peace today, and he will surely be restless and unable to eat or sleep."

Your Majesty, I suggest we send the main force out of the city and set up camp opposite the Xianbei camp. This will serve as a constant deterrent and give us some leverage in the upcoming negotiations!

"Haha~, very good, Minister Huangfu's idea is excellent, let's do it this way!"

Liu Hong laughed loudly, then looked at Lü Bu and the others, and said in a deep voice: "Fengxian, Hansheng, Mengde, Bogui, all of you go and set up camp five miles away from Helian."

Wherever he retreats, you follow. Let him know that I can wipe them out at any time.

He must be kept in constant fear!

"Here you go!!"

The generals excitedly agreed and then quickly left.

...

Inside the central command tent of the Xianbei camp.

"What did you say? The Emperor of Han refused to sue for peace?"

Upon hearing the news brought back by his subordinates, He Lian's expression changed.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Emperor of Han doesn't care about our compensation, and he has no interest in making any demands!" the envoy said with a distressed expression.

"Sir, what should we do?"

Upon hearing this, He Lian also looked anxiously at Li Ru beside him.