Jia Xu nodded and said in a deep voice, "Although there are frictions between the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Xiongnu tribes, their covetousness and harassment of the northern border of our Han Dynasty have never stopped!"

Especially the Xianbei King Tanshihuai, a man of great talent and ambition, has unified the tribes of southern Mongolia, becoming a major threat to the northern border. If he succeeds, our Great Han will never have peace in the north. If Your Majesty wishes to revive the nation, you must first eliminate this thorn in your side!

"However, the grasslands are vast, the barbarians are fierce, and the tribes are scattered. A large-scale expedition would be extremely costly, and the outcome is uncertain. Moreover, the barbarians are cunning and will flee at the first sign of trouble. Defeating them is easy, but eradicating them is extremely difficult. To achieve a complete victory in one battle, a brilliant strategy is indispensable..."

Upon hearing this, Li Ru nodded in agreement: "What can I do?"

A hint of admiration flashed in Jia Xu's eyes as he replied, "The key to a brilliant strategy lies in knowing yourself and your enemy, and in... dismantling them from within."

Your Majesty and the Great Han need a pair of eyes to penetrate deep into the enemy's lair, to see clearly their strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, and vulnerabilities.

We need a sharp blade to pierce the enemy's heart at the most crucial moment!

Jia Xu's voice was like magic, every word striking Li Ru's heart: "These eyes cannot belong to an ordinary spy. He needs to have enough ability and wisdom to truly get close to the core of the barbarians!"

He needs extraordinary talent, the ability to understand the current situation, and the capacity for strategic planning! He also needs... an identity that the barbarians cannot refuse and that they cannot doubt!

"An identity of someone who has completely broken with the Han Dynasty, has a blood feud with them, has nowhere else to turn, and has no choice but to rely on them..."

Upon hearing this, Li Ru's breathing suddenly quickened, and he stared intently at Jia Xu.

Jia Xu met his gaze and said calmly, "And you, Li Wenyou, a promising disciple of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, were exiled for killing a powerful local tyrant. You were even intercepted and killed by the court's henchmen during your exile, but you managed to escape by chance!"

What kind of deep-seated hatred do you have for that incompetent Han Dynasty and that treacherous emperor?

Such a background, such talent, such a blood feud—for Tan Shihuai, who was eager to find talented individuals and understand the true nature of the Han territory, this was practically a divinely appointed imperial advisor!

chill!

A chill that rose from the depths of his soul instantly swept over Li Ru's entire body!

He understood!

Jia Xu saved him not so that he could live, but so that he would bear the eternal infamy of being a "traitor," die completely as "Li Ru," and then infiltrate the grasslands as "Li Wenyou," a mask full of resentment and hatred, becoming a nail driven into the heart of the barbarians.

This is not exile!

This is an exile a hundred times crueler than being banished to the bitter, cold land of Youzhou!

It is a mission to abandon all reputation, identity, and even soul, and to completely sacrifice oneself!

The campfire crackled, illuminating Li Ru's bloodless face.

His body trembled slightly, and his fingers dug deeply into the soil beneath him.

The image of a mother leaning against the door, longing for her son's return; the tattered scroll in their home in Liangzhou; the emperor's expectation of "My Xiao He" in the golden palace; the people of Heyang's unwavering trust in Li Qingtian (Li the Upright Official)...

Everything from the past flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern, finally settling on Jia Xu's unfathomable, abyss-like eyes.

Jia Xu did not urge him, but calmly looked at Li Ru. He knew that this choice was more difficult than death.

Time passed in deathly silence, the mountain wind howled, and the campfire flickered uncertainly.

Finally, Li Ru suddenly raised his head, the struggle in his eyes seemed to have been completely burned away in the raging flames, leaving behind a kind of madness that was almost like that of a martyr!

He recalled the young emperor's burning gaze and the expectation in his voice calling out "Xiao He" in the Golden Palace of Luoyang!

He recalled the Emperor's urgent edict from the Court of Justice, a life-saving decree, and the silent words of the Imperial Guard commander: "His Majesty is watching!"

Loyalty and righteousness are mutually exclusive!

From the moment he received the seal of the magistrate of Heyang County, Li Ru's path was set on only one thing—to burn himself out for His Majesty and for the Han Dynasty!

“Hoo…” Li Ru took a long, deep breath, then slowly stood up and walked to Jia Xu, standing straight like a pine tree that does not fall in the wind and snow.

His voice was hoarse, yet it carried a resolute determination to sever all ties with the past and burn one's bridges.

“Mr. Jia, this plan… though treacherous, is for His Majesty, for the eternal glory of the Han Dynasty… Li Ru… is willing to go!”

He met Jia Xu's gaze, and spoke each word with the force of tempered steel:

"I can give up this body and this name! I only ask... not to fail His Majesty's kindness in recognizing my talent, not to fail... the great Han in my heart!"

A subtle ripple finally crossed the depths of Jia Xu's usually calm eyes. He looked at the young man before him, whose face was still young but whose eyes were as deep and aged as an abyss, and slowly nodded.

"Okay." He said only one word, but it weighed a ton.

Jia Xu took out a sealed wax pill from his bosom and handed it to Li Ru: "This is the first step of the plan. The place you need to go is the 'Daredevil Camp' at the forefront of Youbeiping County in Youzhou."

"A suicide squad?" Li Ru frowned slightly.

"right."

Jia Xu's eyes flickered: "That place is the cruelest millstone for the border troops, a place where all sorts of people mingle and it is difficult to distinguish between Han and non-Han people. It is also a target for frequent raids and even infiltrations by the Wuhuan cavalry."

You need to be there, as 'Li Wenyou,' risk your life to survive until a suitable opportunity arises—an opportunity that allows you to legitimately defect to the Wuhuan people!

Remember, you only get one chance. It must be real, it must be brutal, and it must convince the Wuhuan people completely!

Li Ru gripped the cold wax pill tightly and nodded vigorously: "I understand."

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