February 10th, the seventh year of Jianning.

The western Xianbei royal court, Tanhan Mountain.

Since Tanshihuai integrated the western Xianbei, he built cities and settlements here according to the model of the Han Dynasty, and regarded it as the center of the Xianbei and even the entire grassland.

Furthermore, Tan Shihuai has always valued Han culture, and in his early years he captured many scholars from Han and treated them very well.

With the help of Han Sui and the scholars who surrendered, Tan Shihuai established corresponding laws, official systems, and various management systems within the Xianbei territory.

The Xianbei nobles, leaders, and soldiers lived in the city, while the other herdsmen divided up grasslands around Tanhan Mountain and set up gathering points, which were like villages, surrounding Tanhan Mountain.

After several years of construction, Tanhanshan now has the outline of a great Han Dynasty city.

Although it cannot compare to inland cities like Yecheng, Hongnong, and Nanyang, it is still unique on this vast grassland.

Fifty miles east of Tanhanshan City, Li Ru, who had volunteered to be an envoy to the Xianbei, gazed at the distant city with a glint in his eyes.

As early as the time of the Northern Wuhuan, Li Ru had been paying close attention to the movements of Tan Shihuai and had been sending spies from the Investigation Bureau to infiltrate Tanhan Mountain, but with little success.

Unlike the Han Dynasty, the grasslands did not have a fixed population, and the various tribes were clearly separated, making it difficult for strangers to approach each other and for intelligence to be transmitted.

Therefore, Li Ru had always wanted to come to Tanhan Mountain in person to get a proper understanding of the situation there.

The air on the grasslands in February still carried a hint of coolness. Li Ru rubbed his slightly sleepy cheeks, took a deep breath, and cleared his mind considerably.

"How are you, sir? Tired from the journey? Have a drink to refresh yourself."

The Xianbei envoy standing nearby also came forward with a smile and handed over the wine naan he was holding.

When they were in the Northern Wuhuan, the Xianbei envoy was thinking about how to control Li Ru, but unexpectedly, he took the initiative to come and be an envoy to the Xianbei.

This delighted the Xianbei envoy. Along the way, the Xianbei envoy deliberately tried to get closer to him, and the two had a very pleasant conversation.

Li Ru's profound knowledge of ancient and modern times, as well as his abundant talent, earned the sincere admiration of the Xianbei envoy.

Li Ru accepted the wine naan offered by the Xianbei envoy without ceremony, opened the cork, and gulped down two mouthfuls.

This wine is a homemade milk wine from the grasslands. Although it is not as strong as the liquor of the Han Dynasty, it has its own unique flavor. During his years of hiding in Wuhuan, Li Ru had long since gotten used to this taste.

"Haha~, sir, you are truly generous. If it weren't for your vast knowledge, I wouldn't have known you were a scholar!"

Upon seeing Li Ru's unrestrained drinking style, the Xianbei envoy couldn't help but burst into laughter, seemingly quite fond of Li Ru's refined yet bold personality.

"Alas, though I am full of knowledge, I have no place to use it, and can only keep company with this vast grassland!"

Li Ru sighed softly, and while lamenting, he grabbed the wine naan and took two large gulps, as if only in this way could he extinguish the sorrow in his heart.

Seeing this, the Xianbei envoy standing nearby couldn't help but say, "Sir, you are so talented, yet you have humbled yourself before the Northern Wuhuan. It is truly a pity."

My chieftain is ambitious and has always respected scholars like you. Why don't you submit to him?

Li Ru smiled and shook his head: "Back then, I was harmed by powerful families and officials of the Han Dynasty and almost died. Later, I was fortunate enough to be saved by the leader of the Shefu tribe, who also trusted me greatly."

Such a great kindness deserves my life in gratitude; how could I dare to betray it?

"Sir, you are indeed a loyal and devoted man. I admire you greatly!"

The Xianbei envoy looked at Li Ru with admiration, but in his heart, he became even more determined to keep him here.

"loyalty?"

Li Ru chuckled, shook his head, and said nothing more.

An hour later, the group finally arrived outside the city of the Danhanshan Royal Court.

Having received the news early on, Tan Shihuai led his men and several Han Chinese advisors out of the city to welcome them.

Before Li Ru could dismount, Tan Shihuai greeted him with a smile.

"Haha~, Mr. Wen, you've really kept me waiting!"

Long before Li Ru and his group arrived, the Xianbei envoy had sent someone to inform Tan Shihuai of Li Ru's situation.

Tan Shihuai, who always valued talent, naturally developed a great interest in Li Ru, and thus humbled himself and took the initiative to come out and greet him.

Seeing this, Li Ru also feigned surprise and quickly dismounted, bowing to Tan Shihuai.

"My name is Li Ru. Greetings, Great Chief. I am truly humbled by your long wait!"

"Oh, Mr. Wen, you're too kind. Someone of your talent deserves such praise!"

Seeing Li Ru's imposing presence and impeccable manners, Tan Shihuai's eyes lit up, and his smile became even warmer.

Li Ru smiled and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Great Chief!"

“Mr. Wen, you must be tired from your journey. It’s cold outside, let’s go into the city and talk!”

As he spoke, Tan Shihuai grabbed Li Ru's hand and walked together into the city, completely ignoring Li Ru's slightly twitching lips.

The Han Chinese strategists following behind, seeing Tan Shihuai's enthusiasm for Li Ru, looked somewhat unnatural, especially Han Sui, whose eyes were full of jealousy.

Although he was highly regarded by Tan Shihuai and relied on as his chief strategist, he had never been treated with such enthusiasm before.

Li Ru's arrival now made him feel a sense of threat. Based on his understanding of Tan Shihuai, he would definitely try to keep Li Ru here.

If Li Ru stays in Tanhan Mountain, then his position as the strategist will certainly be in jeopardy.

Thinking of this, Han Sui narrowed his eyes and began to secretly ponder a countermeasure. His gaze toward Li Ru became more sinister.

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