Lu Bu, standing at the front of the battle, also carefully examined the sandalwood tree that Zhang Huan had mentioned many times.
Their eyes met, and a strange light shone in each of their eyes.
Both Lü Bu and Tan Shihuai felt a tremendous threat from each other.
For a moment, both of them felt the urge to kill the other in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, the Han Dynasty and the Xianbei were currently allied, and a conflict at this time would do more harm than good.
Immediately, a smile appeared on Tan Shihuai's face. He then rode up to Lü Bu, cupped his hands in a salute, and said with a laugh:
"So you are Lü Bu! Meeting you today, I can see that you truly live up to your reputation. You are a rare young hero with a bright future ahead of you!"
Tan Shihuai looked at Lü Bu with admiration, his words full of flattery and praise.
Lu Bu cupped his hands in greeting and said politely, "The Marquis of Mobei's reputation resounds throughout the grasslands, and I have often heard of it. Seeing you today, I can confirm that you truly live up to the title of the Eagle of the Grasslands!"
"Haha~, General Lü, you flatter me. It's just an empty reputation. I only hope it hasn't offended your ears..."
Tan Shihuai couldn't help but burst into laughter, seemingly unconcerned that Lü Bu addressed him as the Marquis of Mobei instead of the Great Chanyu.
After a round of mutual flattery, looking at the tired-looking Xianbei cavalry, Lü Bu revealed a mysterious smile, then looked at Tan Shihuai with a meaningful gaze.
"The Marquis of Mobei has come here in such a hurry, could it be that he has already defeated the Jie people in the north?"
"Indeed, it's all my fault for not keeping the army secret, which allowed the Jie people to find out. That's why I had no choice but to launch the attack ahead of schedule. I was also worried that the Jie people in the west would escape, so I rushed here. I didn't expect that General Lü had already wiped them out beforehand, so I can rest assured..."
Tan Shihuai seemed oblivious to the veiled sarcasm in Lü Bu's words, and proceeded to repeat Han Sui's own explanation.
Lu Bu said solemnly, “It is truly commendable that Marquis of Mobei is so mindful of the overall situation. I will certainly convey your good intentions to General Zhang…!”
Tan Shihuai laughed and said, "In that case, thank you very much, General Lü, for your kind words..."
Seeing how shameless Tan Shihuai was, Lü Bu couldn't help but twitch his lips, and he became even more wary of Tan Shihuai.
"Now that this matter is settled, Marquis of Mobei should return first. After these Jie prisoners are sold and sent away, we will then advance our troops towards the Left Wise King!"
Lu Bu didn't waste any more words and directly ordered Tan Shihuai to leave.
Tan Shihuai hurriedly said, "General Lü, please don't be in a hurry. I have another matter to discuss with you."
Lu Bu was slightly taken aback: "Oh? What does the Marquis of Mobei wish to discuss?"
"General Lü, are you aware of the actions of these Jie people...?"
Then Tan Shihuai looked at the Jie prisoners behind the Xiongnu troops, a hint of hatred on his face.
Lu Bu shook his head: "I only know that they attacked a tribe belonging to Qiangqu last year, and I don't know much else!"
"They eat people..."
Tan Shihuai looked at the Jie people, making no attempt to hide his murderous intent, and then told Lü Bu about what he had witnessed.
"What... are they really that despicable?"
Upon hearing this, Lü Bu's expression changed, and he immediately recalled the Xiongnu corpses that the Jie people had collected last year.
He had only guessed that way at the time, which was why he built the Jingguan (a mound of corpses) for the Jie people. He never expected that it would actually be true.
Thinking of this, Lü Bu suddenly flew into a rage, and then looked coldly at the Jie people.
"Wang Chen!"
"Your subordinate is here!!"
Upon hearing Lü Bu's angry voice, Wang Chen's expression hardened, and he quickly stepped forward respectfully.
Lu Bu narrowed his eyes slightly: "Pass on my order: bury all the living Jie people alive...! And build a mound of corpses for the dead!!"
"promise!!"
Wang Chen nodded heavily, then led his men toward the Jie prisoners.
The Southern Xiongnu soldiers were shocked by Lü Bu's order, but they didn't think much of it.
Soon, under the terrified gazes of the Jie prisoners, half of the Southern Xiongnu soldiers dug pits, while the other half were responsible for cutting off the heads of the Jie corpses.
Lu Bu turned his head and looked at Tan Shihuai with a cold expression, asking in a deep voice, "I wonder how the Marquis of Mobei dealt with those Jie people from the north?"
"General Lü, please don't worry. Although I didn't kill them, I can still make them suffer a fate worse than death and completely exterminate them..."
Tan Shihuai smiled and then told Lü Bu about how he had fed the Jie people the sterilization herbs.
Lu Bu glanced at Tan Shihuai from head to toe, then nodded: "That's good... I only hope that the Marquis of Mobei won't deceive me!"
"I never speak falsely. Besides, those Jie people are cruel and despicable. Surely the Han Dynasty wouldn't allow them to grow stronger and more powerful...?"
Tan Shihuai smiled and looked at Lü Bu with a meaningful gaze.
"Hmph, of course!!"
Lu Bu snorted coldly and instantly realized that he had probably been tricked by Tan Shihuai.
Now, in a fit of rage, he ordered his men to massacre these Jie prisoners. In that case, the Southern Xiongnu soldiers who had been on a raid for several days would have gained nothing, making their trip a complete waste.
At that time, it would inevitably provoke dissatisfaction from the Southern Xiongnu soldiers and the Qiang tribes.
However, since Lü Bu had already given the order, he would never take it back. Changing orders frequently was a major taboo in the army.
Seeing this, Tan Shihuai bid farewell to Lü Bu and then led the Xianbei cavalry who had come all the way back, dejectedly.
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