Jian Shuo led 700 Xiliang cavalrymen disguised as Juyan people to launch a surprise attack on this small tribe, catching them completely off guard.

Many of the Xiongnu who had just run out of their tents after hearing the commotion had no time to react before Jian Shuo and his men trampled their faces with their hooves.

Another surprise attack, another cavalry against infantry, the Xiliang cavalry charged into the tribe and slaughtered the Xiongnu who dared to resist as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

"Run!..."

Seeing how fierce these cavalrymen were, the few remaining Xiongnu people were terrified and scattered in all directions with a pitiful cry.

"Alright! Stop chasing...!"

Jian Shuo spoke up in time to stop the soldiers who wanted to give chase.

Jian Shuo then looked around and found that besides the Xiongnu people, there were also more than ten corpses of Xiliang cavalrymen at his feet. Jian Shuo's face turned extremely cold.

"Go, search thoroughly. Except for the young woman, kill everyone else..."

Hearing the sobs coming from the surrounding tents, Jian Shuo's voice was also filled with frost.

"promise!!"

The soldiers responded in unison, their eyes filled with resentment. They charged into the surrounding tents, brandishing their long swords. Apart from the young women, the elderly and children of the tribe were all mercilessly slaughtered.

Screams of agony, accompanied by the woman's wails, echoed throughout the surrounding area.

On the other side, listening to the screams and increasingly close footsteps outside, Chu Qian, standing in the tent, couldn't help but grip the staff in his hand tightly, staring nervously at the outside of the tent.

He didn't know who had suddenly attacked the tribe or what fate awaited him, but when he thought of his identity and mission, the fear in Chu Qian's heart vanished instantly, and his tense expression became calm.

Soon, under Chu Qian's gaze, three figures wielding long swords suddenly rushed in.

"Huh?"

The three Xiliang soldiers who rushed in saw Chu Qian standing in the tent, dressed in official robes and holding a staff. They couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, then stood still and looked at each other.

Although they did not know the rank represented by Chu Qian's official robes, their style was basically the same as that of the official robes worn by Han Dynasty officials they had seen before.

Who are you?

Therefore, the three did not act rashly. Then, a soldier put down his long sword, looked at Chu Qian, and couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm? And who are you people?"

Upon hearing the question, Chu Qian was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that these three people dressed in unfamiliar clothes could speak Mandarin. He then looked at the three people with a puzzled expression.

"I think I asked you first...?"

Upon hearing Chu Qian's question, the three Xiliang soldiers were now certain that the other party was indeed a Han Chinese. Therefore, they put away their long swords and then came to Chu Qian.

"My name is Chu Qian, and I am the Minister of the Taihang Mountains, personally appointed by the Emperor of the Han Dynasty to serve as an envoy! And who are you...?"

Chu Qian looked at the three approaching men with an arrogant expression, then picked up the staff that symbolized the majesty of the Han emperor and held it horizontally in front of him.

"So you are an envoy from my Han Dynasty! Please forgive my rudeness!"

After seeing clearly the staff in Chu Qian's hand, the three of them quickly bowed to Chu Qian.

"Huh? What's going on here...?"

Seeing the three people's respectful demeanor, Chu Qian looked at them with hesitation.

"Hehe~, there are some things that I cannot tell you, Your Excellency. Please come with us!"

A soldier smiled but did not answer Chu Qian's question. Instead, he pointed outside the tent.

"Alright! Let's go then!"

Chu Qian nodded, then stepped outside.

Three soldiers, one leading the way and the other two following behind Chu Qian, escorted him toward Jian Shuo's location.

The massacre was over, but the lingering smell of blood in the air continued to stimulate Chu Qian's mind.

As he walked, Chu Qian frowned at the sight of the corpses scattered all around him. In addition to the able-bodied Xiongnu men, there were also old people and children mixed in.

But when he thought of the forty soldiers from the prefecture who had been killed by them in order to protect him, Chu Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

Soon, led by several soldiers, Chu Qian saw Jian Shuo not far away, directing his soldiers to clean up the battlefield. The leading soldier also hurried over.

"Your Excellency Jian, I have just rescued a Han envoy who was abducted by the Xiongnu!"

"oh?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Shuo couldn't help but turn around and look over.

"Huh? It's him...? Quickly, invite him over!"

Upon seeing Chu Qian holding a staff not far away, Jian Shuo recognized him at a glance.

"promise!!"

Soon, Chu Qian was brought before Jian Shuo.

"You are...Jian Changshi...?"

Upon getting closer and seeing Jian Shuo's appearance clearly, Chu Qian couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. When the emperor summoned him in the Deyang Palace, Jian Shuo was with Liu Hong at the time, so he had a very deep impression of him.

“That’s right, it’s our family!” Jian Shuo nodded with a smile.

"It really is you...!"

Having been captured by the Xiongnu and almost in despair, Chu Qian was suddenly overjoyed to see a close minister of the emperor appear before him.

Jian Shuo glanced around and then said, "That's right! This isn't the place to talk, Taihang Minister. Let's go inside and discuss this further!"

"Oh. Okay, okay!"

Chu Qian nodded and followed Jian Shuo into a large tent that had already been cleared out.

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