Compared to the methods used by the Han state, what angered Xie Zhiyu even more was the attitude of the Xianbei people.

In his view, no matter what, the two groups were both grassland peoples and enemies of the Han Dynasty. Now that they had both come to the Western Regions, they should support each other and work together for development.

"Report!!"

Just then, a messenger rushed over.

"Your Majesty, the 15,000 Xianbei soldiers and 25,000 Wusun soldiers who were confronting our army suddenly left their camp today and are advancing towards our camp."

Their bows and crossbows were very powerful, and our army suffered heavy losses, including several hundred of our bravest warriors..."

Damn it!

Upon hearing the messenger's report, Xie Zhiyu slammed his hand on the table in a fit of anger.

"Your Majesty, we should order a retreat, otherwise our warriors will dwindle in number!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, we should avoid conflict with the Xianbei people now!"

The Xiongnu nobles in the hall also offered their advice, hoping that Xiezhiyu would withdraw his troops.

Xie Zhiyu sat there silently. In just two conflicts, he had lost more than a thousand of his warriors. If this continued, he feared he would lose even the foundation to stand in the Western Regions.

However, he was also worried that the Xianbei people would not be satisfied and would take advantage of his retreat to attack Kucha.

The capital of Kucha has not yet been repaired, and with only his own men, he is no match for the Xianbei cavalry who have received support from the Han Dynasty.

If I were to lose Kucha as well, I would truly become a rootless duckweed, and at that point, I would have no choice but to wait for death.

"Gentlemen, do you think we could try to talk to the Xianbei?"

After much deliberation, Xie Zhi ultimately chose to pin his hopes on negotiation.

A nobleman hesitated and said, "Well... Your Majesty, the Xianbei people are now backed by the Han Dynasty, so I'm afraid they won't talk to us."

"They have the backing of the Han Dynasty, and we also have connections with the Han Dynasty. With this relationship, the Xianbei people should have some reservations!"

Thinking back to the cooperation agreement he had signed with Yuan Shao, Xie Zhi couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

Upon hearing Xie Zhiyu's words, the nobles exchanged glances and then nodded in unison.

Then Xie Zhiyu looked at his Right Chancellor and said, "Immediately order Chou Chan to lead his troops to retreat fifty li to the border with Wusun, and immediately send a messenger to Wusun to contact the Xianbei people."

"Oh, and also, send someone to Gaochang and say that our tribe has no intention of clashing with the Xianbei, and request Liu Yu to mediate and persuade the Xianbei not to attack us."

After all, the cooperation agreement stipulated that the Great Han Dynasty had given Kucha to us…

In the end, Xie Zhiyu had no choice but to bring out the agreement again and specifically request Liu Yu to come forward.

After all, the agreement he signed with Yuan Shao was not made public at the time, and it would be bad if Yuan Shao reneged on it.

"It is the King!"

The Xiongnu Right Chancellor agreed and then turned to walk away.

"Everyone, please return to your posts and recruit the people within the city to expedite the repair of the Kucha city walls, in case of any unforeseen circumstances!"

"yes!!"

Upon hearing Xie Zhiyu's instructions, the Xiongnu nobles all agreed and then walked outside.

Soon, the messengers arranged by Xie Zhiyu headed towards Wusun and Gaochang respectively.

Chou Chan, who was originally in charge of intimidating the Wusun, immediately led 30,000 Xiongnu cavalry and 20,000 surrendered soldiers from Kucha to retreat towards the border after receiving the order to retreat.

The Xianbei cavalry and Wusun surrendered soldiers who were confronting them also followed along and stopped at the border line, facing each other again from a distance.

November 15th, east of Wusun City.

Li Ru led a group of generals to the city gate to await the arrival of He Lian and the Xianbei people.

Not long after, a cavalry caravan, trailing a cloud of dust, was seen approaching from a distance.

He Lian's personal guard captain led two squads of cavalry to escort him in front, followed by He Lian himself, and then a dozen or so carriages carrying officials from the Han Dynasty.

Behind them was a long procession of Xianbei herdsmen and women from the Western Regions.

Upon reaching the gate, He Lian's personal guard captain and a group of guards were the first to dismount and stand on both sides of the road.

He Lian rode his horse to a point fifty paces from the city gate and stopped. He then dismounted and walked toward Li Ru with a smile on his face.

Seeing He Lian coming towards him, Li Ru greeted him with a smile.

"Ru greets Your Majesty!"

"Sir, please do not stand on ceremony!"

He Lian also rushed forward in two or three steps to help Li Ru up.

Then Helian looked at the Wusun capital city behind Li Ru and said with a joyful expression, "Thanks to your strategic planning, sir, we have secured a place of rest for our tribe. Helian thanks you!"

As he spoke, He Lian clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully to Li Ru with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I should do my best to serve you. I am truly unworthy of Your Majesty's courtesy!" Li Ru said, bowing back in return.

"Haha, let's not talk about that. Sir, please get to know the gentlemen of the Han Dynasty first!"

He Lian smiled as he led Li Ru to the Han officials who were accompanying him, and introduced them to Li Ru one by one.

"We greet you, sir!"

Although the Han officials were unaware of Li Ru's undercover identity, they had all received instructions from Yuan Shao before they arrived.

Therefore, they were exceptionally polite when they met.

After the introductions were finished, He Lian also said with a smile, "From now on, we will all work together in the Prince of the West's residence. I hope that you will all work together to govern this place well, so as not to fail the trust placed in you by the court!"

"We will obey Your Majesty's command!!"

Li Ru and a group of Han officials also bowed to He Lian.

Subsequently, under Li Ru's arrangement, the Xianbei herdsmen who had come with Helian and the women from the Western Regions entered the city one after another and moved into the rooms that Li Ru had prepared for them.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Mr. Wen, you are indeed a rare talent!"

"Indeed, the fact that so many people were settled without any chaos is something even the most capable ministers within the Han Dynasty cannot match!"

"If Mr. Wenyou could serve as an official in the Han Dynasty, he would surely write a book and become a famous minister of his time!"

The Han officials who accompanied him were full of comments and high praise as they watched Li Ru settle 60,000 Xianbei herdsmen and 30,000 Western Region women in a short period of time.

He Lian, standing to the side, listened to the Han officials' evaluation of Li Ru, and instead of feeling displeased, he even felt a little smug.

After all, such an outstanding talent working so hard for me also speaks volumes about my own charm, doesn't it?