"My lady, at the urging of the two prime ministers, the King of Wusun has decided to seek help from the Han Dynasty. Furthermore, the King of Wusun has publicly acknowledged his kinship with Liu Yu, the Protector-General of the Western Regions, as his uncle..."

"Ha~, what a bunch of spineless cowards. They've already started acting like great-grandchildren before the other person has even spoken?"

After hearing the visitor's account, A-Yue couldn't help but sneer, her words revealing her disdain for the King of Wusun and his nobles.

"You're right, Madam!"

The visitor awkwardly responded with a reply, then lowered his head and said nothing more.

A-Yue raised her eyelids and turned to look at the maid on her body: "Go and inform the Left Chancellor's new wife, and have her tell the Left Chancellor that Liu Yu's position as Protector-General of the Western Regions is just a nominal one, and the real power is still in Yuan Shao's hands."

If we want the Han Dynasty to send reinforcements, we'll have to work on Yuan Shao!

"Yes, Madam!"

The maid respectfully agreed, then bowed and withdrew.

After the maid left, A-Yue turned to look at the newcomer and said in a deep voice, "After you go back, have someone spread the news that the Xianbei people sent 40,000 elite troops from Gaoliu to defeat the Han army outside Gaochang City. They not only raided and seized the Han army's stockpiled grain and weapons, but also occupied Cheshi and other places."

"Now the Xianbei are preparing their troops for battle, ready to annihilate the Han army of Gaochang at any time..."

"Yes, Madam!" the visitor replied respectfully.

After the visitor left, a burly man walked in from outside and then bowed to A-Yue.

"Madam, I have already investigated and found out that the Dayuan Kingdom seems to be colluding with the Kushan Empire, and frequently sending troops to harass the western border of Wusun."

The reason the Wusun traded warhorses with the Xianbei was to counter the cavalry of Dayuan!

Upon hearing this, A-Yue couldn't help but smile and say, "This Wusun Kingdom is really a piece of fat meat now; everyone wants a bite!"

The burly man smiled. "The Wusun Kingdom is located on an important passage connecting the western regions to the west. It has a beautiful environment and abundant resources. Such a wonderful place naturally attracts people's covetousness!"

"This piece of fat meat belongs to the master; no one is allowed to touch it!"

A-Yue's expression hardened as she looked at the burly man: "Go and send someone to tell the master immediately that we can move in Wusun!"

"Yes, Madam!"

The burly man respectfully agreed, then bowed and retreated.

Just as the Wusun were making their preparations, the scouts sent by Chouchan brought back news of the Wusun's troop movements.

Upon hearing the news, Chou Chan smiled smugly. He then glanced at the Kucha troops ahead and ordered his men, "Go tell those Kucha people to stop advancing and set up camp!"

"yes!"

His subordinate agreed and then rode away.

Chou Chan then looked at his deputy general beside him: "Go to Kucha yourself now and tell the king that we can take action!"

"yes!"

The lieutenant nodded, then led several of his knights, turned their horses around, and headed straight for Kucha.

Soon, the Xiongnu and Kucha allied forces stopped, and Chou Chan divided the 30,000 Xiongnu cavalry into two groups and stationed them on the left and right flanks of the Kucha army.

The capital of Kucha.

A group of Kucha soldiers patrolled the city wall. The officer in charge turned his head to look at the Xiongnu camp not far outside the city and the thirty neatly arranged catapults. His face still showed a trace of fear.

The power of those catapults from a few days ago still left them feeling lingering fear.

However, the patrolling officer felt a slight sense of relief when he realized that he had already joined forces with the Xiongnu to send troops. He then withdrew his gaze and led his men to continue forward.

Inside the central command tent of the Xiongnu camp.

Xie Zhi leaned back in the wolfskin chair with his eyes slightly closed, soft snores escaping his nose.

In order to successfully capture Kucha, Xie Zhiyu did not eat his fill and rest like the young and strong soldiers of his vassal army. Instead, he led the Xiongnu herdsmen in the rear to continuously refine the stone projectiles needed for the catapults.

After several days of hard work, Xie Zhiyu led everyone to polish a total of 1,500 stone projectiles, enough to ensure that the capital of Kucha would be reduced to ruins.

Just as Xie Zhi was enjoying a rare rest, a guard outside the tent gently lifted the curtain and poked his head in. Behind him was the deputy general who had been sent back by Chou Chan to deliver a message.

Seeing that Xie Zhiyu was still sleeping peacefully, the guard lowered the tent flap and said softly to the deputy general, "Your Majesty is too tired today, why don't you wait a while before you talk to him!"

"Oh well!"

The lieutenant nodded and then stood aside to wait.

Who's outside the tent?

The deputy general had just stood still when Xie Zhiyu's voice came from inside the tent.

The guard quickly turned around and said into the tent, "Your Majesty, the Left Chancellor, Chou Chan, has sent a message from his deputy general!"

"Quickly, let him in!!"

The sounds from inside the tent were somewhat hurried.

Upon hearing this, the guards quickly led their deputy into the tent.

"Your Majesty, the Wusun have begun mobilizing their troops. Lord Chouchan has ordered me to report to Your Majesty that we may now attack the city!"

"Haha~, great!!"

Upon hearing the report from his deputy, Xie Zhiyu burst into laughter, then said in a deep voice, "Go back and tell Chou Chan to keep a close eye on those Kucha people. Once we capture the Kucha capital, we must immediately try to persuade them to surrender!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The lieutenant respectfully agreed and then quickly withdrew.

Watching his deputy general leave, Xie Zhiyu took off his outer garment and shouted loudly towards the outside of the tent: "Someone, put on my armor! I will personally supervise the battle and take the capital of Kucha!"

"yes!!"

Two guards outside the tent strode in and began to help Xie Zhiyu put on his armor.

This set of armor was selected from the best fish-scale armor among the armors provided by the Han Dynasty. Not only was it bright and gorgeous in appearance, but its protective power was also quite remarkable, making Xie Zhiyu, who was already tall, look even more robust and majestic.

In the end, Xie Zhiyu, still quite extravagant, had a white cloak made for her and hung it behind her shoulders.

"Order the entire army to prepare for attack!!"

Having said that, Xie Zhi tossed his cloak aside and strode out of the tent.

Soon, Xie Zhiyu mounted his warhorse and headed towards the capital of Kucha.

"Waaaaah~!"

The urgent sound of bugles echoed through the camps of the subordinate troops.

The soldiers who were resting in their armored tents immediately grabbed their weapons and ran outside upon hearing the bugle call.

Soon after Xie Zhi arrived at the city of Kucha, the soldiers responsible for the siege all gathered together and formed ranks.

"What...what are the Xiongnu planning to do?"

"Could it be that the Xiongnu have broken their promise and intend to attack the city?"

Seeing the commotion outside the city, the soldiers guarding the city walls couldn't help but discuss it with fear on their faces.