"Oh no, Miss Jin, it looks like the Tartar army is outside. We almost forgot about that. Zhang Hu used to have a good relationship with the Tartars, especially with their leader. They often got together to drink and eat meat."
"If the Tartars find out that Zhang Hu has lost his command, they will definitely attack us!"
With their current military strength, they have absolutely no chance of winning against the Tartars' burly horsemen!
Jin Shu got up and went outside. By this time, the weather outside had become quite dark, but she could still see the figure riding on horseback outside the camp gate, like a ferocious beast walking in the dark, exuding a surging sense of intimidation and oppression.
At this moment, the soldiers in the camp dared not move at all. Jin Shu also knew that there was only one way out for them: death. So she ordered everyone to hold their positions and went out alone.
Everyone tried to stop her, but Jin Shu had already pushed open the door and looked up at the man sitting on horseback at the head of the group.
The tall, strong horse in front of them was well-fed and powerful, its limbs firmly planted on the snow. The man sitting on its back wore a thick bearskin cloak, which made his already strong and tall body appear even more majestic and imposing.
Two lanterns hung on the gate of the camp.
Jin Shu stood under the lamp, looking at the other person with a calm and composed expression. Her porcelain-white face showed no sign of panic or fear, and her slender and frail body made the other person seem more like a giant beast invading from the darkness.
A cold wind suddenly rose, causing his clothes to flutter. The man on horseback squinted at the Central Plains woman before him. She was small and fragile, yet she had a pair of pure and clear eyes, resolute and serene like the moonlight overhead, radiating a holy light.
Just then, the Right Chancellor stepped forward and stood beside Jin Shu, respectfully addressing the high and mighty man before him.
"Please forgive me for not welcoming Chief Mu Han properly. It's getting snowy outside. If you don't mind, please come into the tent."
Leader of Muhan?
The man in front of him remained motionless for a long time. The Right Chancellor's back was tense and covered in cold sweat. Just when he thought a conflict was inevitable, the man on horseback suddenly dismounted and strode towards the two of them.
The heavy iron boots crunched on the snow, and as the man approached, the sounds of people dismounting could be heard behind him.
Under the light, the man's face was revealed.
He had the typical appearance of a grassland man, with handsome and resolute features, a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and lips that were a bright red.
Compared to the average Tartar, this man was more handsome, seemingly possessing Central Plains ancestry, but his incredibly strong physique was undeniably inherited from a fierce grassland general.
Beneath the bearskin cloak, two long legs strode forward, exuding a solemn and chilling aura that faintly carried the scent of blood.
The Right Chancellor first invited the man inside, poured him a bowl of warm wine, and before he could speak, the man said in a deep voice.
"I'm looking for Zhang Hu."
After saying that, his gaze lingered on Jin Shu, his eyes burning with desire, as if he were looking at prey.
"What do you want with Zhang Hu? He went to the capital to meet the emperor and isn't coming back."
"An audience with the Emperor? I haven't received any news."
"You left in a hurry. After all, anyone would be very excited to have the chance to go back. Why don't you just tell us your purpose and why you want to see Commander Zhang? If he could help before, we can too."
The man's deep gaze was fixed on Jin Shu.
"Who are you?"
"Camp leader, Jin Shu, I originally planned to pay you a visit later."
“Since you are the leader, then pay back the debt that Zhang Hu owes. He borrowed ten good horses from my tribe, saying he would return fifteen this year. Now the day to fulfill his promise has long passed, so I have brought people here in person to collect the debt.”
The Right Chancellor couldn't help but frown at the thought of the four horses left in the stable.
It turned out that ten horses had been borrowed! He wondered why the horses, which suffered every day and were used like oxen, were still unharmed. It turned out that six of them had already died!
Paying back debts is a matter of course.
Even if we hand Zhang Hu over now, it won't make a difference. These people clearly came prepared, and they won't go back until they achieve their goal.
"Chief Mu Han, your arrival today was so sudden that we were unprepared. For the sake of our past relationship, we beg you to grant us a few more months. The mare is currently pregnant and will be giving birth soon. We will definitely return her as agreed when she does!"
The Right Chancellor was used to such social situations; he had seen far more critical scenarios than this one, let alone this one.
Let's say a few nice words first, and get these aggressive barbarians away no matter what.
Having said all that, the man's gaze instantly turned cold and hard.
"Aren't the people of the Central Plains supposed to be the most trustworthy? What, are you still trying to cheat and deceive others? Today, either hand over the horse, or... give me this woman, and I might consider giving you a few more months."
"presumptuous!"
Even if the person on the right gets angry.
Jin Shu is their leader, their pillar of strength. How can she be traded away like a commodity!
The atmosphere instantly became tense and hostile.
The well-equipped and powerful army slowly approached from a distance, and an invisible sense of oppression swept over them.
Just as the people inside were preparing for a desperate battle, Jin Shu suddenly spoke.
"I'll go with you."
The Right Chancellor looked at her incredulously and shook his head repeatedly, trying to dissuade her.
"Girl! You mustn't! Once you go, you might never come back!"
These people are savage and uncivilized, devoid of any manners or laws. Apart from having human appearances, their behavior is no different from that of wild beasts.
No matter how intelligent Jin Shu is, she is powerless against a group of unreasonable beasts.
"No need to say anything more, I'll go with you. I'll trouble the Right Chancellor to keep a close watch on the camp while I'm gone. Everything should proceed as planned. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
"Miss Jin, please don't do anything foolish! We'll give them all the valuables in the camp, but we won't let you put yourself in danger!"
Jin Shu didn't say anything, gave another instruction, and then turned and walked towards the man.
As they drew closer, the oppressive feeling of the mountain became more pronounced. The man was nearly 1.9 meters tall, and the snow tracks he left on the ground were much deeper than Jin Shu's.
“I will go with you, and you must keep your promise.”
The man glanced at her, then approached Jin Shu without a word, reached out and pulled her into his arms as if she were a light, floating puppet. With a gentle lift, he sent Jin Shu onto the high back of the horse.
The next second, he nimbly mounted the horse, his chest pressed against Jin Shu's back, his tall figure completely enveloping her.
"Don't worry, we grassland people are the most trustworthy."
The other person's deep voice made Jin Shu's ears go numb.
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