Seeing Lü Bu's puzzled expression, Zhang Huan couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

Lu Bu was a master at leading troops in battle, but he was far less adept at politics.

Fortunately, the current emperor is wise and the court is stable, which gives fierce generals like Lü Bu room to perform and grow.

Zhang Huan then explained: "In recent years, the Southern Xiongnu have obtained a large amount of resources from the Han Dynasty through trade and slave transactions."

Moreover, when they previously annihilated the Shi people, 8,000 of their soldiers and 30,000 herdsmen were incorporated into the Han Dynasty. Despite such losses, they were still able to recover in a short period of time, which shows that their strength is much greater than before.

"When Fengxian was acting alongside the Southern Xiongnu recently, he must have noticed it too, right?"

Lu Bu nodded: "That's true. Last time, when I went out to fight alongside Yufuluo, their soldiers' combat effectiveness was indeed much stronger than before. It's clear that they haven't stopped training their soldiers in recent years."

"Yes, since the Southern Xiongnu have already submitted to the Han Dynasty, they should be content to herd sheep and horses for the Han Dynasty. But instead, they keep strengthening their power. Why do you think that is?"

Zhang Huan looked at Lü Bu with a smile, seemingly asking a question, but actually giving him pointers.

Lu Bu pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "Could it be... that the Southern Xiongnu harbor ulterior motives and are always preparing to rebel against the Han Dynasty?"

Zhang Huan nodded: "That's right. Before Your Majesty ascended the throne, many Southern Xiongnu people surrendered and then rebelled again. It's just that because of the rise of the Western Qiang, Xiezhiyu and Xianbei, the Han Dynasty has always let it go."

Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, with the pacification of the Western Qiang and the gradual improvement of the Han Dynasty's national strength, the Southern Xiongnu have finally settled down.

"Now that Xie Zhiyu has fled west, the Murong tribe has disappeared, and the Yuwen tribe has also suffered heavy losses, only Tan Shihuai and the half-dead Northern Wuhuan remain on the vast grassland."

The Southern Xiongnu also knew that the Han Dynasty would eventually engage in a decisive battle with Tanshihuai.

Once the Han Dynasty defeated Tanshihuai, there would be no more rivals for the Southern Xiongnu on the grasslands.

Today, the Southern Xiongnu have a population of over 400,000, with more than 70,000 soldiers capable of fighting, so it's inevitable that they will have some ideas.

If left unchecked, the Southern Xiongnu will become yet another enemy of the Han Dynasty, following Xiezhiyu and Tanshihuai.

Upon hearing Zhang Huan's analysis, Lü Bu suddenly realized: "So, that's why Li Ru devised this plan, using the Xianbei to weaken the Southern Xiongnu?"

Zhang Huan nodded: "That's right, if Tanshihuai is to be destroyed, the Southern Xiongnu cannot be spared either."

"Then what should I do to help Li Ru complete this plan?" Lü Bu asked.

Zhang Huan said in a deep voice: "After the Xianbei herdsmen migrate south, the court will issue another order to purchase slaves. At that time, Fengxian only needs to follow the Southern Xiongnu and harass them together, leading them into the route arranged by Li Ru."

Those Southern Xiongnu people are extremely greedy; once they see a profit, they will definitely fall into the trap set by the Xianbei.

However, for his own safety, Fengxian was determined to withdraw as soon as possible before the Southern Xiongnu entered the trap.

Lu Bu frowned: "But General, this plan is ostensibly aimed at me and the Southern Xiongnu. If I don't go, won't it arouse Tan Shihuai's suspicion and thus endanger Mr. Li Ru's life?"

"There's no need to worry about that. With Li Ru's abilities, Tan Shihuai won't discover anything."

Zhang Huan smiled and waved his hand, his words conveying great confidence in Li Ru.

However, Lü Bu shook his head: "General, although I don't understand those intricacies, I do know that the officialdom is more dangerous than the battlefield. Any oversight can lead to disaster."

"If I fail to fall into the trap, even if Tan Shihuai believes Mr. Li Ru, there's no guarantee that others won't use this as an excuse to slander him for colluding with the Han."

Upon hearing Lü Bu's words, Zhang Huan couldn't help but frown.

Tan Shihuai knew that he had Han Chinese advisors around him, and with Li Ru's talent, it was inevitable that he would be envied. What Lü Bu said was very likely to happen.

Zhang Huan looked at Lü Bu with a solemn expression: "According to Fengxian, are you planning to fall into the Xianbei's trap together with the Southern Xiongnu?"

"good!"

Lu Bu nodded heavily: "Only in this way can Tan Shihuai truly trust Mr. Li Ru and entrust him with important responsibilities."

"No! Fengxian is a rare and fierce general of the Han Dynasty. If anything were to happen to him, it would be an unbearable loss."

As soon as Lü Bu finished speaking, Zhang Huan shook his head and refused without even thinking.

Li Ru's safety is important, but Lü Bu's safety is equally important.

"General, rest assured, I am merely accompanying the Southern Xiongnu. With my halberd and my Ferghana horse, I am confident that we can successfully evacuate before the Xianbei surround us."

Seeing that Zhang Huan rejected his suggestion, Lü Bu patted his chest and repeatedly assured him.

Seeing Lü Bu's appearance, Zhang Huan showed a hint of hesitation.

He knew Lü Bu's abilities better than anyone; if he was determined to escape, no one could stop him.

Zhang Huan thought for a moment, then looked at Lü Bu with a solemn expression: "If you want to go, Fengxian, it's not impossible, but remember not to linger in battle. Once the Xianbei show up, you must retreat immediately."

"Please rest assured, General, I will never repeat the mistakes I made before!" Lü Bu replied resolutely.

"That's good!"

Seeing Lü Bu's expression, Zhang Huan nodded in relief and reluctantly agreed to Lü Bu's suggestion.

Zhang Huan then said, "The weather on the grassland is still cold, and it will be some time before the Xianbei people migrate south. Fengxian can take advantage of this time to make good preparations and remember the situation marked on the map."

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