Wuxia: The Super Slave Master

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Fa Zheng knew he couldn't avoid it any longer and it seemed he had to make the trip. He had no choice but to come forward and say, "I am willing."

"How do you plan to negotiate?" Luo Chen asked.

“With Yuluofu in our presence, the Xiongnu troops have ceased their threat to the border towns of Shuofang. We will return Yuluofu to them and let them deal with him as they see fit.”

"That's fine, that's fine." Before Luo Chen could speak, Cao Cao praised him first. "Not only Shuofang, but also my Jiuyuan, Yunzhong and other counties, it's just a matter of a word. We are all from the Central Plains, we should take care of each other when dealing with the Xiongnu."

Luo Chen didn't answer, but simply smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yan Qing!" "Yes!" Yan Qing immediately stood up.

"Go with Mr. Fazheng and make sure he is safe."

3.3

"Then you..." Yan Qing hesitated.

"What danger could I possibly be in while I'm with the army? You obey orders!"

"Yes, sir." Yan Qing had no choice but to agree.

"Furthermore, we don't know if your main force at Tongguan has been transferred north. We should send a general to supervise this so that we can feel at ease," Guo Jia said.

Guo Jiayan's words greatly displeased the Luo Army generals: "What right do you have to supervise our army's movements? Are you trying to spy on our military intelligence?" Xu Da replied: "There has never been any talk of supervising the movement of our army."

Luo Chen pondered for a moment: "How about this? Since you want to supervise us, then my army will also supervise yours. Both sides should each station no more than 100,000 troops in the Tongguan-Luoyang area. Each side will send personnel to supervise and ensure this is implemented."

Chapter Sixty-Six: Facing the Iron Cavalry of Guanzhong

Wang Shuo felt a chill run down his spine looking at the dark mass of troops below the city. This Chang Yuchun, judging Shuofang to be in extreme danger, then left! The legendary Prime Minister Luo handed over an order, which shocked Chang Yuchun. Wang Shuo leaned closer to read it; it was an order for Chang Yuchun to take Yu Luofu with him to Tongguan immediately. Wang Shuo was stunned. The Xiongnu were about to launch a massive attack, and Shuofang's defenses were extremely weak. Now Chang Yuchun was leaving. Shuofang was bound to fall… all the construction he had painstakingly built would be destroyed. Moreover, if Chang Yuchun took Yu Luofu away, the Xiongnu wouldn't be able to find him and might do something drastic! The entire city would be doomed.

However, Chang Yuchun could not disobey Luo Chen's orders, so he had no choice but to lead Luo Fu day and night to Tongguan so that he could ask for reinforcements in person.

As expected, Zhongting's army arrived at the walls of Shuofang the next day. The Xiongnu brought over giant catapults. Wang Shuo saw the city gates being hit repeatedly, and it seemed that cracks were appearing. He felt that he and Shuofang were doomed.

These ten Zhongting men, with their small mustaches and long braided hair, brandished curved swords and exuded a murderous aura. One of them shouted, and someone nearby translated in broken Chinese. But Wang Shuo understood the Xiongnu language perfectly. This Zhongting was arrogantly demanding his surrender and the handover of Yuluofu. He also wanted to hand over the general and soldiers who had previously raided their camp, so they could kill them.

Wang Shuo had no choice but to say, "The generals you mentioned, including Luo Fu and the one who attacked your camp, have already returned to Tongguan! You can't find them!" Unexpectedly, this further enraged Zhong Ting, who took it as a sign of contempt. The Xiongnu army launched an even fiercer attack.

Although Chang Yuchun was absent, the soldiers on the city walls fought bravely. While many deserted, most persisted in resisting. The soldiers on the walls relentlessly fired arrows and threw stones. The Xiongnu soldiers charged several times but were repelled each time. Wang Shuo felt quite desperate; at this rate, the Xiongnu would breach the city within a day, before nightfall.

"Prefect!" a soldier shouted, pointing into the distance.

A large number of cavalrymen circled around the city from the side to the front and launched an attack on the Xiongnu army!

These soldiers seemed completely different from the soldiers inside Shuofang City. Shouting "Kill!", they charged directly at the ferocious-looking Xiongnu. They appeared oblivious to the Xiongnu's rapidly swinging scimitars and the rain of arrows. This was clearly the Xiongnu's first encounter with the Guanzhong cavalry, and this experience would be unforgettable for them!

The Xiongnu, accustomed to fighting the weak Han army, had never seen such ferocious Han cavalry. They charged in droves, howling, wielding special sabers. These sabers were exceptionally sharp, wielded with ease, their gleaming white light perfectly complementing the cavalry's attacks. These sabers were designed by Luo Chen himself, modeled after 19th and 20th-century cavalry sabers. Despite their numbers, the Xiongnu, faced with such a ferocious onslaught, began to rout. The Xiongnu cavalry were well-trained, their rearguard composed of experienced veterans who skillfully executed both archery and slashing. However, Luo Chen's forces were far too fierce and perfectly coordinated, showing them what true training was. Arrows rained down relentlessly, while the soldiers in front hacked and slashed with their sabers. Fear began to creep into the eyes of these seasoned veterans, who felt death so close for the first time. With each graceful arc of the saber, a Xiongnu soldier was almost certain to fall from his horse, either killed instantly or trampled to death by the thousands of horses behind, letting out a bloodcurdling scream.

The screams terrified the Xiongnu soldiers. The last time this happened was when Xiahou Dun led his elite cavalry in a surprise attack, leaving many Xiongnu with lingering fear. This time, the situation was far more brutal. Last time, they at least managed a calm retreat and could defend themselves with arrows; this time, the enemy was practically hacking and slashing them down!

This was the first time the Xiongnu had faced such a situation. Although they had a large number of men, they were slow to deploy and unable to organize quickly. However, the Luo army eventually retreated on its own initiative because, without a commander, they were unable to make tactical decisions. Seeing that Shuofang City was in imminent danger, the cavalrymen launched a fierce frontal attack. After the Xiongnu soldiers were chased and cut down for several miles, the Luo army cavalry, without a commander or guides, retreated back to Shuofang City under the guidance of their junior officers for safety.

Wang Shuo and his soldiers watched in stunned silence from the city walls. Such fierce cavalry, with their superior equipment, had never before dealt such a swift and decisive blow to the arrogant Xiongnu!

However, the Xiongnu didn't seem easily intimidated. There were many Xiongnu troops around Shuofang, numbering over a hundred thousand. The Luojun cavalry, on the other hand, numbered only tens of thousands. Wang Shuo judged that the Xiongnu would organize another attack. But seeing how fierce the Luojun troops were, Wang Shuo felt somewhat reassured. Unexpectedly, for several days, the Xiongnu only gathered, but did not attack. Reconnaissance revealed that they appeared to have strong defenses and were well-prepared, but they did not attack the city. Soon after, Chang Yuchun arrived in Shuofang. Accompanying him were 50,000 cavalry, and it was said that another 50,000 infantry were on their way.

Soon after, Wang Shuo received another appointment letter. Zhuge Liang appointed him as the Prefect of Shuofang again, and added: "To cooperate with General Chang Yuchun, who is in charge of the Northern Expedition." Wang Shuo had indeed made the acquaintance of a high-ranking general from the central government.

Why were the Xiongnu troops holding back? Wang Shuo was quite puzzled. Chang Yuchun scratched his head and said, "This fellow named Fa Zheng is indeed quite capable."

When Zhong Ping received Luo Chen's letter, he merely smiled contemptuously, showing no intention of instructing Zhong Ting to cease the attack. Unexpectedly, the battle report delivered that same day stated that the Xiongnu army had suffered a major defeat, the reason being an encounter with the powerful Han cavalry from the Central Plains. Enraged, Zhong Ping ordered the gathering of 200,000 troops on the right flank within two days, preparing to march south and raze Shuofang to the ground.

Just as the Xiongnu troops were rapidly preparing and awaiting Zhongping's order to attack, Fazheng finally arrived in the territory controlled by the Xiongnu Chanyu. Zhongping, a hundred li north of Jiuyuan Commandery, monitored the various Xiongnu tribes changing their flags, and also guided his younger brother in the attack on Shuofang and the pursuit of Yuluofu.

Zhong Ping decided to meet Fa Zheng, having heard that he was also a high-ranking official in the Central Plains and an important strategist for Luo Chen.

Chapter Sixty-Seven Arrival at the Royal Court

Zhong Ping had last seen a high-ranking official from the Central Plains several years ago. At that time, Qiang Qu was aggressively pushing him, and Zhong Ping stood by, knife in hand, exuding a cold and ruthless aura. That official was said to be of very high rank, one of Luo Chen's most important strategists, named Xu Shu. Zhong Ping's impression of Xu Shu was one of extreme composure; no matter how arrogant or threatening Qiang Qu was, he remained unmoved and remarkably calm. This showed that Xu Shu's demeanor was extraordinary, suggesting he was a man of profound wisdom and foresight.

Xu Shu finally signed a peace treaty with the Qiangqu Xiongnu. Following Cao Cao's precedent, border trade was opened, and a monthly and annual tribute was paid. This treaty was unfavorable to the Central Plains, but Xu Shu simply couldn't afford to attend to the north at the time. Cao Cao was in the same boat. Cao Cao's achievements were largely due to Xiahou Dun's defeat of the Xiongnu. After Xiahou Dun left, the Xiongnu again harassed the borders. Cao Cao was engaged in battle with Yuan Shao and unable to attend to them, so he agreed to open border trade and pay annual tribute.

Xu Shu did his utmost to secure benefits for the Central Plains.

As Xu Shu left, Qiang Qu was surprisingly courteous. Zhong Ping, standing close to Qiang Qu, watched as he quickly approached Xu Shu and bowed, saying, "Sir, I have come to the Chanyu's court to serve as your chief strategist." Zhong Ping saw disdain in Xu Shu's eyes. Although the Central Plains were currently in turmoil and the borders were weak, Xu Shu clearly did not believe this situation would continue. Xu Shu calmly replied, "How can a person from the Central Plains leave their homeland?" With that, he took his leave.

The situation now seemed similar; Luo Chen and Cao Cao were locked in a fierce battle, and Zhong Ping believed they were still unable to attend to the northern border. Given the urgency of the situation and the unprecedented opportunity, Zhong Ping did not hesitate. Taking advantage of Qiang Qu's western tour, he staged a mutiny and killed Qiang Qu. Everything went smoothly, and he quickly stabilized the situation with the Xiongnu. The Central Plains regimes to the south were also unable to cause any major disturbances.

The only thing that unsettled him was yesterday's battle report and Luo Fu's escape to the Central Plains. According to the report, Luo Chen's tens of thousands of cavalry possessed such ferocious fighting power, and their equipment and tactics were unlike anything the Xiongnu had ever seen. They must have come from the Central Plains, meaning that the Central Plains had dispatched tens of thousands of elite regular cavalry to the border. Where could Luo Chen possibly spare such troops? Wasn't he facing off against Cao Cao? Did Luo Chen really intend to use his main force to manage the Xiongnu in the north? That would be a rather troublesome situation.

The Xiongnu soldiers drew their swords and lined up in two rows outside the central command tent. Zhong Ping, inside the tent, said lazily, "Summon the envoy from the Central Plains."

Fa Zheng, accompanied by Yan Qing, walked over, and the Xiongnu soldiers on both sides jeered and threatened him. Some of them brandished their swords. Zhong Ping pretended not to hear them from inside the tent; he wanted to intimidate this envoy from the Central Plains.

Fa Zheng remained relatively calm, knowing that Zhong Ping was playing a dirty trick on him. Neither Fa Zheng nor Yan Qing were carrying weapons. Of course, Yan Qing secretly concealed his soft arrows on his person, ready to protect Fa Zheng in a moment of crisis. Fa Zheng ignored the soldiers and quickly entered Zhong Ping's tent.

"A small welcome, nothing more," Zhong Ping said lazily in the Xiongnu language. He didn't have a translator, clearly intending for Fa Zheng to speak to him in the Xiongnu. Fa Zheng was furious; this was the second time they had provoked him. He had ordered his soldiers to threaten him from outside, deliberately trying to force a meeting in the Xiongnu.

However, Fa Zheng cannot be ignored.

“Your army is approaching the borders of Shuofang and other parts of the Central Plains, and even launched a fierce attack on my city of Shuofang the day before yesterday. This is not good,” Fa Zheng said.

"What do you mean by taking in Yu Luofu without authorization? I have already killed Qiangqu according to the instructions of the Xiongnu god, and I will lead the Xiongnu. Why are you hiding his prince?"

Fa Zheng was unwilling to explain; his first priority was to fully state his side's position. "You have abducted many of my people from the Central Plains, including a woman named Cai Yan, which is very wrong. This woman is the daughter of Cai Yong, a great scholar from the Central Plains. I hope you will release her immediately."

Zhong Ping laughed heartily: "This is punishment for you Han people for breaking your promises and interfering with border trade."

"Lord Luo met with Lord Cao the day before yesterday. They decided to end the standoff, and both sides have withdrawn their troops," Fa Zheng said coldly.

Zhong Ping's heart skipped a beat. "How can I trust you? You Han people are the most cunning; you often deceive people."

Fa Zheng presented Zhong Ping with a joint statement from both Luo Chen and Cao Cao, bearing the seals of both the Prime Minister's Office and Cao Cao's government. But Zhong Ping wasn't buying it; he never really believed in such things. "My Xiongnu warriors will trample Shuofang! We'll show you what's what!" With that, Zhong Ping stared coldly at Fa Zheng, just as Qiang Qu had stared at Xu Shu years before. Zhong Ping knew Xu Shu held a higher rank than him and was now Luo Chen's right-hand man; he probably wouldn't be involved again. He wanted to intimidate this Han Chinese scholar-official.

He expected this person to be somewhat flustered, but at most, like Xu Shu, he would remain calm and composed.

But the situation is completely different now. Over the years, Luo Chen has grown so much stronger! Fa Zheng felt he no longer needed to endure, so he looked up and coldly met Luo Chen's gaze, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "...If you don't withdraw your troops, the Han court and Luo Fu will unite and ensure you die a horrible death!"

Zhong Ping was momentarily stunned; he even forgot to be angry. Where did this person get the audacity to insult him like that! Then, Zhong Ping flew into a rage and instantly drew his sword. Yan Qing immediately stepped in front of Fa Zheng, but Yan Qing did not draw his weapon.

At this moment, the soldier outside the door came in. "Report, military situation in Shuofang..." The soldier was shocked when he saw the situation in front of him. He stood there dumbfounded and didn't move.

"What's going on! Tell me quickly!" Zhong Ping said impatiently (to Zhao Hao).

"General Zhongting reported that the garrison in Shuofang has been reinforced by another 100,000 men, including 50,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry. The army commander is also known as Chang Yuchun, whom the Han people call the General Who Conquers the North."

Zhong Ping, surprisingly, forgot his anger and began to frown in deep thought. The regular army in Shuofang had now reached 150,000, led by a Han Chinese general. How could Luo Chen have mustered so many troops? Had he truly reconciled with Cao Cao?

"Your country should cease its attacks on our borders and release Cai Yan. We will hand over Luo Fu to you for disposal and promise not to send troops," Fa Zheng suggested, seizing the opportunity.

Zhong Ping frowned and began to calculate.

Fa Zheng knew what they were thinking. It was nothing more than how to gain an advantage. Fa Zheng even found it somewhat amusing; after the threat, these Xiongnu people began to engage in simple, practical thinking.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Talks with the Xiongnu

Fa Zheng felt that Zhong Ping's head was turning slowly.

Fa Zheng's demands were twofold: first, to release Cai Yan; and second, to cease attacks on the border. Fa Zheng offered two benefits in return: first, to hand over Yu Luofu to Zhong Ping; and second, that the Central Plains army would not intervene in the Xiongnu coup.

"Give me Yu Luofu first," Zhong Ping said coldly. "Then I will stop the attack. The main force of the Central Plains army in Shuofang City must all retreat, and then I will release Cai Yan."

“Okay,” Fa Zheng said casually. He knew Zhong Ping would make this suggestion, as it gave him the greatest room for maneuver. He could back out at will, and demand more bargaining chips without restraint. Stopping the attack was always just talk; they could stop today and start again tomorrow. However, he still casually said “okay” first. Even Zhong Ping was surprised: “I mean, Yu Luofu, give me…” He thought Fa Zheng hadn’t heard him clearly, so he repeated himself slowly and clearly. Fa Zheng listened silently to his reiteration, without reacting. Then he said again, “Okay.”

Zhong Ping's face showed an expression of ecstatic joy.

"I will return Yu Luofu to you immediately, but he is currently in Tongguan. I will write to Luo Gong right away and have him brought over. The main force of Shuofang 153 can also retreat to the Central Plains, and you can send people to monitor them."

Zhong Ping made no attempt to hide his elation, and it was clear that he thought Fa Zheng was a fool.

“But we are retreating while you are attacking. How can this be? You must at least stop attacking before we can retreat in peace.” Fa Zheng’s tone remained nonchalant.

Zhong Ping was momentarily speechless. Pushing all the good chips to one's side could indeed create such a contradictory situation. For example, being unwilling to stop the attack while simultaneously urging the enemy to retreat. "This…" Zhong Ping hesitated, greedily eyeing Fa Zheng, deep in thought.

“Anyway, you can attack again at any time,” Fa Zheng said.

Zhong Ping thought it made perfect sense... The army was in his hands, so why couldn't he fight whenever he wanted? "Alright," he agreed. "Someone! Order Zhong Ting to stop the attack on Shuofang City."

"Next, let's discuss who you'll send to monitor them," Fa Zheng suggested, seizing the opportunity to steer Zhong Ping's attention. Zhong Ping was indeed bewildered. He quite liked this topic because it revolved around the Xiongnu sending someone to monitor Luo Jun's retreat, so he felt comfortable discussing it. "Alright. How about I send my general, Erlu!" A soldier immediately called out, and soon a fierce-looking general entered.

"What's the situation outside?" Zhong Ping asked.

“Safe,” Erru said simply. “Nothing unusual in Jiuyuan County, and the number of Han Chinese garrison troops has not increased. There have been no major reports from the left flank either.”

"Very good." Zhong Ping was satisfied. "We're negotiating with the Han people, and their main force is going to withdraw from Shuofang. How about you go and monitor them?"

However, before Erlu could answer, Fazheng immediately denied it, saying, "No, no, this general is too fierce and will make the soldiers in the Central Plains uncomfortable, which will not be conducive to the normal retreat." Faced with such a tricky reason, Zhongping's temper was surprisingly good. He probably thought that sending someone to monitor was a must, and as for who to send, it didn't matter; he was willing to compromise.

“How about summoning my top strategist?” Zhong Ping said. “Quickly, invite Mr. Yesuo over.” Fa Zheng had assumed that the so-called strategists of the Xiongnu were like priests or similar figures. He imagined someone with disheveled hair, extremely unkempt, dressed in rough clothing, adorned with all sorts of strange ornaments, and appearing quite old. However, the man who arrived surprised him greatly. He was dressed as a Xiongnu warrior, only without the animal hide armor and weapons, appearing clean and efficient. What surprised Fa Zheng even more was that this man was very young, probably in his early twenties.

“We are having talks with the Han people, and the main force of the Han people is going to withdraw from Shuofang. How about you go and monitor this?” Zhongping said.

"Han envoys have arrived?" Yesuo seemed unaware of the notification. "The main force of the Han army has retreated from Shuofang..." He stared at Fazheng, his gaze calm and profound, which sent a chill down Fazheng's spine. He couldn't quite understand this opponent... Why was he so young and so calm?

“Great Chanyu, how can your chief strategist leave so easily? It would be better if he stayed by your side,” Fazheng said hastily. He felt that this person was not the best choice, as he was too difficult to deal with. Nayesuo merely glanced at him without raising any objections, as if he were completely following the Chanyu's arrangements.

Fa Zheng spent a day choosing an old priest. The old man had a blank expression, and Fa Zheng suspected he was just used to faking it. On that day, 150,000 cavalry from the Central Plains, personally commanded by Luo Chen and specifically led by Xu Da, swiftly marched north.

The next day, Fazheng suggested accompanying the old priest to Shuofang to monitor the withdrawal of the main force of the Central Plains army.

Zhong Ping hesitated again. Fa Zheng knew what he was thinking—he was afraid that he would run away. "I will leave this Mr. Yan Qing here," Fa Zheng said. When Yan Qing arrived, he had taken off his battle robes and changed into the attire of a scholar. This Yan Qing had delicate features, and he looked perfectly natural in the clothes of a strategist. With a square scarf on, he looked even more refined and elegant, like a very high-ranking strategist.

“This man is my assistant, Yan Qing, a councilor and general,” Fa Zheng said. “Because he used to lead troops and was Prime Minister Luo Chen’s right-hand man… he has come here specifically to assist me.”

After listening to the long introduction, Zhong Ping pondered for a moment. This Yan Qing seemed to be of high status, and Fa Zheng didn't seem to be giving him orders at will. He shouldn't be some nobody.

“Okay.” Zhong Ping agreed. “You go to my brother Zhong Ting’s place first, then go to Shuofang City to monitor the main force’s retreat. Yan Qing will stay here with me. However…” Zhong Ping’s expression turned threatening, “If you go back on your word and run away… or if the main force of Shuofang refuses to retreat, Yan Qing will not live, and we will immediately launch another attack on your border.”

"Understood, don't worry," Fa replied without changing his expression.

Fa Zheng and his men stayed overnight at Zhong Ping's place and set off for Shuofang the next day. Zhong Ping was quite amiable and personally saw them off. However, he was somewhat uneasy and kept sending out scouts to check on the situation in Shuofang.

"That's right! Someone come here!" Zhong Ping shouted. A soldier immediately entered. "Go check if Yan Qing is here. Be careful, don't let him escape! Send several men to monitor him, put him under house arrest." "Yes, sir." The soldier placed his hand on his chest, bowed, and retreated.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Steppe Wolf

Several months after Huhanye Chanyu returned to court, he withdrew his troops and allowed the people to return to their former territories. He then appointed his brother, Hutuwusi, who was still among the common people, as the Left Guli King. He sent someone to inform the Right Wise Nobleman, intending to have the Right Wise King killed. That winter, Dulongqi and the Right Wise King jointly installed Rizhu King Boxutang as Tuqi Chanyu and sent tens of thousands of troops eastward to attack Huhanye Chanyu. Huhanye Chanyu was defeated and fled. Tuqi Chanyu returned and appointed his eldest son, Dutuwuxi, as the Left Guli King and his younger son, Gumouloutou, as the Right Guli King, leaving them to reside in the Dangan Court.

—From the Book of Han, Biography of the Xiongnu

"Tell me, why don't we hunt these gazelles? Why do we have to drive them all here? Are we just going to let them live? They have such good meat!" The young Xiongnu soldier complained to the old patrol leader, letting out two "woof, woof" sounds. The small group of nimble gazelles hurriedly darted into the depths of the grassland.

"Don't rush, don't rush," the old patrol chief chuckled twice, "After a while, you won't have to lift a finger. We'll distribute mutton to you, but there will be less sheepskin, as a lot of it has been torn to shreds."

"Who shot them?" The patrolman was clearly hearing about this for the first time and was very curious. The old patrol leader just smiled and shook his head: "The higher-ups never said anything, just collect the meat." He then lowered his voice: "But an old hunter can tell at a glance that it was a wolf bite. Some were also shot with arrows."

Wolves? Arrows? The sun gradually sank in the west, its rays shining brightly and gently bathing the grassland in a golden light. But in just a moment, darkness fell, as if the sunlight had suddenly vanished. In the distance, the low howls of wild beasts seemed to echo. The young patrolman couldn't help but shiver.

The old patrol chief kindly draped his own blanket over him. "Patrol chief, let's build a fire," the soldier suggested.

"No." This time, the patrol leader answered decisively. "The sentries on the grasslands must be like wolves lurking in the dead of night, silent and stealthy."

The young soldier, recalling what the patrol leader had said that afternoon, couldn't contain his curiosity and asked in a low voice, "Why would a gazelle that's been killed by wolves end up in the hands of our Xiongnu people on the grasslands?"

"Have you heard of the Steppe Wolf Legion?" the old patrol chief asked.

The young soldier exclaimed in surprise, "The Steppe Wolf Legion, the guardians of the steppe! Our elders say that when the steppe faces invasion by foreign enemies, the Steppe Wolf Legion will protect us steppe people. But no one has ever seen them. Is it just a legend?"

The old patrol chief shook his head in confusion: "I don't know either. But legend has it that in the vast grasslands and deep deserts, there are packs of wolves. These gazelles are gifts they give to the grassland people. And..." His voice was so low it was almost inaudible: "I once saw a large wolf carrying a grassland cavalryman, disappearing into the horizon like the wind."

The young patrolmen were a little nervous. Was there really a Steppe Wolf Cavalry Regiment? The sky was pitch black, without a single star. From the depths of the steppe seemed to come a long, lonely bugle call.

Suddenly, the patrol leader sprang to his feet, instantly drawing his scimitar. The young patrol soldier was startled and hastily grabbed his bow and arrow. However, there seemed to be no movement around him. He listened carefully, and besides the pounding of his own heart, he could hear a rustling sound growing closer. Was it some wild beast? The most formidable beast on this grassland was undoubtedly the wolf. The grassland was barren, devoid of large wild animals, except for the wolf, which possessed exceptional survival skills and occupied a high position in the grassland's food chain.

"Warriors of the grasslands, may the Hun gods protect us!" A voice suddenly rang out from the pitch-black place. Not only the young patrolman, but even the patrol leader trembled. The young patrolman almost cried out, his hand poised to release the arrow, but the old patrol leader stopped him in time.

"The Xiongnu gods protect the grasslands," the patrol leader murmured. The young soldier understood; this was the code the patrol leader had given him. The approaching men were cavalry from the grasslands—they were on their side.

Two dark figures slowly approached in the darkness. Only when they were very close could the young patrolman make out their appearance. Two large horses, their hooves covered with thick sheepskin. The rider was likely a young cavalry officer.

"Patrolman...it's so nice to see you again. It's been so long. Where have you been?" The cavalry officer seemed to recognize the old patrolman.

“I’ve gone hunting with the young men,” the patrol leader said, his voice slightly excited. “Hunting season is the happiest time for the young men of the grasslands. You still remember me, don’t you?”

“Yes.” The young officer seemed to smile slightly. “Do you recognize me? Do you know my name? Old Patrol Chief.”

“Of course I know you,” the patrol leader said with an honored expression. “You are the most intelligent and brave young man on the grassland, General Yesuo, General Zhongping’s right-hand man!”

General Yesuo smiled and nodded. He took the reins and prepared to leave, but before leaving, he turned back and said with a half-smile, "Old patrol chief, not General Zhongping, but Chanyu Zhongping, understand? We must obey the instructions of the Xiongnu god."

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