"Heh, who did they send?"

In Zhao Hao's arms was Liu Tong, whose eyes were red from crying.

News of Liu Hong's death quickly reached the general's mansion in Jinyang.

In the past few months, the entire Bingzhou was in dire need of reconstruction, and Zhao Hao's residence had been completed long ago. Liu Tong had thought he was about to live a good life, but then this happened, and it was hard not to be heartbroken.

"Sweetie, I'm going to take care of something. I'll be back soon."

"Um."

After comforting the woman in his arms, Zhao Hao and Wang Meng walked in the direction the people had come from.

"Young master, the attitude of those who came this time is off. In my opinion..."

"Hmm, they want to take advantage of the new emperor's ascension to deny the previous compensation, right?"

Previously, the Xianbei wanted to pay war reparations in four installments, each lasting three months.

Han Ting readily agreed to the Xianbei people's compensation plan, but Zhao Hao was not so easily swayed.

After consulting with the Xianbei people based on Zhao Hao's opinion, Zhao Hao's advisors decided to release only half of the prisoners, but on the condition that half of the supplies the Xianbei promised to the court must first be placed with Zhao Hao.

Otherwise, Zhao Hao would never agree to let those nobles and prisoners go.

The Xianbei people feared the powerful Zhao Hao, but not the weak Han court. Therefore, they outwardly complied but inwardly defied him, sending only 40% of the supplies to Bingzhou, while the rest were delivered to Luoyang.

Now, Liu Hong has passed away, and the Han Dynasty is in turmoil.

The Xianbei people weren't stupid; they naturally felt they had a chance to bargain with Zhao Hao.

If it weren't for the fact that several important leaders, such as Kui Tou, were still in Zhao Hao's hands, these ruthless and cunning individuals probably wouldn't have even sent an envoy.

"Haha, isn't this my dear General Zhao!"

When Zhao Hao and Wang Meng arrived at the inn, they discovered that the visitor was none other than their old acquaintance, Mo Huba.

"Hehe, Mo Huba, it seems you haven't delivered all the things we agreed on before?"

I think we should shut down our trade as soon as possible!

Zhao Hao's unexpected show of force was something Mo Huba had not anticipated.

It's not that the Han Dynasty is in turmoil. As the son-in-law of the Han emperor and a powerful regional official, shouldn't he be ready to send troops to stabilize the court at any time?

How come it seems like they still have the energy to fight the Xianbei?

"Um... well, that's debatable, debatable!"

During this period, the Mohuba tribe purchased many necessities for survival through the trade market, and his own tribe also continued to grow stronger through the trade market.

Therefore, regardless of whether the people in the Xianbei royal court wanted to fight Zhao Hao, Mohuba was unwilling to give up this opportunity to continuously strengthen himself.

"Hmph, the deadline has passed, and all we see are you and no supplies. Mo Huba, what is the price of betrayal? Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Mo Huba's lips twitched. "Haha, General Zhao, my troops have prepared thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses for you, and they are currently at Yanmen Pass. How could I dare betray the oath we made over a cup of wine? Don't you agree..."

Zhao Hao ignored Mo Huba's feigned politeness. He had indeed delivered something good, but Zhao Hao wanted more than just that.

"Tell me the truth, is it that Budugen and those old men are trying to bargain and break their promise?"

Mohuba swallowed hard, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke to Zhao Hao, who remained expressionless.

"Um... General Zhao already knows?"

What do you think?

"General Zhao, this was all their plan. It has nothing to do with me, Mo Huba. I am loyal to you!"

Mohuba knelt down with a thud. How could he dare to challenge Zhao Hao? Putting aside the interests of his own tribe, the pressure emanating from Zhao Hao and Yuwen Chengdu and Zhang Hao behind Wang Meng was enough to frighten him.

"Ha, loyalty? The Xianbei dare to call themselves loyal? I've seen something new."

Wang Meng snorted, and with Zhao Hao's approval, he said sternly.

"If we're talking about loyalty, then all of your nearly 100,000 men under Mohuba must obey your orders, young master. You must not complain if they are to be killed or beheaded!"

If you can't even do these things, what's the point of talking about loyalty?

Although Mohuba had a good understanding of Han culture, that understanding was limited to the Xianbei people of that era.

Loyalty is never something that can be taken for granted.

"Then...what does the general desire? As your most loyal servant, Mohuba will absolutely obey all your orders!"

Zhao Hao smiled and said, "Then kill yourself now, and I promise I won't harm your people."

Mo Huba trembled upon hearing this. This Zhao Hao truly lived up to his reputation as the one who had killed hundreds of thousands of people.

He had simply failed to report the decision made by the royal court, yet they... actually wanted him to commit suicide on the spot?

Mohuba trembled as he drew the short knife from his waist.

He wasn't someone who hadn't seen blood before, but when the moment actually presented with the opportunity to swing a knife at himself, he truly couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Hmph, next time, don't even think about fooling me. Otherwise, even if you kill yourself, you won't be able to atone for your sins!"

Thump!

At Zhao Hao's signal, Yuwen Chengdu lightly kicked away the dagger in Mo Huba's hand, sending it straight into a pillar with a dull thud.

"Now, go back and tell those people in the Xianbei royal court that if they don't pay the remaining balance, starting in July, I will mobilize the entire army of Bingzhou to punish you disobedient barbarians!"

"If you know what's good for you and don't want your entire clan slaughtered, you know what you should do. I don't need to remind you, do I?"

Mo Huba swallowed hard. He remembered perfectly how Zhao Hao had interpreted the saying, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening."

Although he wasn't there that time, ever since he learned about it, Mohuba regretted moving his stronghold so close to the two states of You and Bing.

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