In front of a mansion in the inner city of Xijing City, Xu Haifeng led Jiang Kungming and others down from the carriage.
He gave Lin Changkong a wink, and the latter stepped forward and knocked on the two bronze doors of the mansion.
After a moment, the copper door slowly opened and a servant came out. He was about to scold them when he suddenly saw that this group of people were dressed in strange attire, seemingly not from this country. As such, he swallowed his discontent whole into his belly.
Lin Changkong handed over a visiting card to the man, who took a look and changed his expression. He immediately showed a smile on his face and said: "It turns out that several Han envoys have arrived, I will go back to report to my master, please wait for a moment."
Lin Changkong expressionlessly stared at him, his icy gaze making his heart skip a beat. He hastily left, inwardly cursing to himself that even if he were to meet a high-ranking Xiongnu official, he would still have to be polite and courteous, unlike this Han person who was so arrogant and overbearing.
However, when he saw the three big characters at the top of the famous post, he didn't dare to play any tricks or have the slightest bit of difficulty.
Because it was written "Xu Haifeng", for this Han Dynasty envoy who had recently been honored with the reputation of "the first master of the younger generation", even his master had to be cautious, let alone he himself would not be so foolish as to ask for trouble.
That's the power of reputation. If Xu Haifeng had just arrived in Xijing, he would have had to wait a long time before being able to see his target. But now that he has revealed his identity, the treatment he receives is immediately vastly different.
Before long, Gao's tall figure hastily arrived.
"Ah, a rare guest! Brother Xu has arrived, what an honor!"
Xu Haifeng also showed a sincere smile and welcomed him, they chatted warmly together, if someone who didn't know the situation saw them, they would really think they were as close as brothers.
Under the leadership of Kuai Bao Ying, Xu Haifeng and others entered the main hall and took their seats as host and guest.
"General Kua, I'm afraid I've come to visit you today without an appointment. There's something that's been weighing on my mind and I couldn't help but ask." Xǔ Hǎifēng said as soon as he sat down, looking eager.
Kua Baiying's actions were one of hesitation, and he certainly had his own thoughts. What was the purpose of Xu Haifeng's trip?
The princess was kidnapped, which concerns the face of Xiongnu. They covered it up and were afraid that it would not be enough, so they naturally wouldn't spread it everywhere.
The spies and informants of various countries in Xijing are not vegetarians, and such a big thing can't be hidden from people. The two great empires received accurate news on the same night.
Since Modun's marriage, Han envoys such as Xu Haifeng have not even seen Liu Ting's face once. Combined with the rumors, they would be suspicious if they didn't have any doubts.
With a forced smile, Huo Qubing said: "Brother Xu rarely comes to Xiongnu, why not let me be the host and invite Brother Xu to take a tour, to fulfill the courtesy of the host."
Xu Haifeng's smile gradually stiffened, and he declined, "Thank you, General Kuaipu, but this matter can't be resolved in a day. I'll be on tenterhooks every day, and I won't have any interest in traveling at all."
"Alas, okay, since Brother Xu insists on asking, then ask away." Kuai Ba Xiang knew that today he couldn't avoid it and could only prepare to lay his cards on the table.
Xu Haifeng put away his smile and said seriously, "Recently, rumors have been circulating in the city that the Khan of your country has newly taken a queen who has mysteriously disappeared. Is there any truth to this?"
According to the Han's customs, a married-out daughter is like spilled water. Since Princess Liu Ting has already married Modu Chanyu, from now on she is a Xiongnu person and has nothing to do with the Great Han anymore. Therefore, even if it were Xu Haifeng, he could only address her as Wangfei (princess consort).
Kua Baiying hesitated for a moment before finally saying: "That's right, the princess has indeed been missing for three days."
Xu Haifeng suddenly stood up from his chair, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and asked: "Who did this?"
Kua Baiying painfully shook his head. If he had known who was behind it, he would have directly dispatched a large army to rescue the princess long ago. Did they still need to rack their brains like this?
Xu Haifeng looked at him and asked suspiciously: "What does 'Kou Ba Jiangjun' mean? Is this person unspeakable?"
"Not...". Bao Xiang wanted to explain, but didn't know how to put it into words.
"Oh......" Xu Haifeng dragged out the tone, nodded thoughtfully and said in a low voice: "So that's how it is, thank you for telling me, Brother Bao. I know what to do now."
Kua Bu's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but ask: "Brother Xu, what have you found out?"
Xu Haifeng turned his head to look around, and at this time, there were only three people in the hall: Bao Ba Yue, Jiang Kongming, and him. He took two steps forward, covering his mouth with his hand, and said mysteriously: "It's normal for imperial concubines to fight for favor throughout history, but after all, Little Princess Wang is a princess of my Han Dynasty. Please ask General Bao to tell me which princess did the good deed. Xu has his own plan."
Seeing Bao Yue's astonished expression, he wanted to argue, but he waved his hand and said: "General, rest assured, although I am dull-witted, I will not betray my friends. You can be at ease, this matter will be borne by me, Xu Haifeng alone, and I absolutely will not mention that it was you."
Kou Batuo's face turned green with fear at this time. If Xu Haifeng really spread these words everywhere, making people think that Liu Ting's disappearance was the result of harem infighting and jealousy, and also brought up his own great name, then he would be finished for life.
He hastily got up and stopped him: "Brother Xu, don't talk nonsense, when did I say that Liu Ting's disappearance was related to those few princesses?"
Xu Haifeng feigned surprise and said, "If it weren't for this, General Kuabu, you are brave and extraordinary, why would you be so hesitant and secretive?"
Kou Batuo was furious, and at this moment he naturally understood Xu Haifeng's intention. If you don't tell him the truth, then he will spread this rhetoric everywhere and sign it with Kou Batuo's three characters. See how you deal with it.
Looking at Xu Haifeng's face with a skin-deep smile, he only felt a wave of powerlessness surge up in his heart, and could only let out a long sigh, saying: "Brother Xu doesn't need to pretend anymore, I'll tell you everything."
He then recounted the events of Liu Ting's sudden disappearance that night from start to finish.
Xu Haifeng glanced at Jiang Kongming, noticing the look of shock on his face. If he hadn't already known that this person was the mastermind behind the plot, he would have been deceived by him.
Cursing in his heart, the old fox pretended to be quite like it, but he didn't realize that the look of surprise on his face was absolutely not a fraction less than the other party.
After a moment, Xu Haifeng asked: "General Kuo Po, may I ask how many guards are there in your country's imperial palace?"
"This is a taboo topic, but at this time, the question was asked, and Bao Bu Tong didn't have any suspicions, instead he explained wholeheartedly: 'Not counting the outer guards, there are thousands of people in the inner palace guard alone.'"
"So, General, you're saying that someone can evade the eyes and ears of all these people and quietly make off with the princess? Your words... your words are also a bit too... too ridiculous, aren't they?" Xu Haifeng pretended to look incredulous, but in his heart he was delighted to the point of almost bursting into laughter, his facial expression extremely strange.
Luckily, Bao Ju's initial reaction to the news was not much better than his own, and if Liu Ting hadn't gone missing, he wouldn't have dared to believe it. Seeing Xu Haifeng's behavior, he didn't suspect anything, but felt even more embarrassed.
His face turned slightly red, and he said, "I also know that this matter is hard to believe, but the fact is indeed so."
Jiang Kongming suddenly spoke up and asked: "May I ask, General, is there anyone in the world who can achieve this?"
Kou Batu hesitated for a moment before saying, "If it's a master-level expert, perhaps they might be able to do it, but it's not necessarily certain."
"A master of the highest level?" Xǔ Hǎifēng's eyes lit up, and he blurted out: "Caesar... Auben Master."
Kua Baiying smiled wryly and shook his head.
"In the Western Capital, only the Caesars and our family have a deep grudge. It's definitely Auben who doesn't want to see our two families make amends, so he took action to abduct the princess."
Seeing the disbelieving look on Huo Qu Bing's face, he hastily said: "Please inform the General to tell the Chanyu that we must rescue the princess from the tiger's jaws. If there is a need for my assistance, I will not dare refuse even if it means certain death."
Things have developed to this point, and Bao Xueying had no choice but to tell the truth: "Brother Xu, please calm down. Originally, we also suspected that this was done by Abbot Hongyi. But someone has already vouched for him, proving that he is not involved in this matter."
Xu Haifeng exclaimed in surprise: "Guarantor? Can this kind of thing still have a guarantor? Who exactly has the qualifications to do so?"
Kua Baiying clasped his fists and bowed, saying: "It is thanks to Master Tuo Heti."
After bidding farewell to Kuai Baoyu, Xu Haifeng jumped onto the horse carriage and asked: "Military strategist, how is it?"
Jiang Kongming's expression was solemn, and he said: "When the Lord proposed to look for trouble with Caesar on his own initiative, I heard a cold laugh in his heart. He thought..."
Xu Haifeng waited for a moment, but still didn't see Jiang Kongming showing any intention of continuing, so he asked: "What is Bao Baoying thinking?"
Jiang Kongming sneered and said, "That featherless bird thinks that since we have already divided the world into three parts with the Caesars and the Chengs, how can we help you find trouble for them?"
No hair bird? Xu Haifeng was taken aback, thought for a moment, and then realized he was referring to the Bald Eagle.
If it were usual, he might have laughed out loud, but at this time, he was frightened by Jiang Kongming's words, his cheeks jumped involuntarily, and he muttered to himself: "Caesar and Cheng family? Three divisions of the world?"
"It's them." Jiang Gongming's face changed from its usual playful and irreverent look, turning gloomy: "It's the Cheng family again. The students' most hated traitors in this life. This time, we must give them a lesson they will never forget."
Xu Haifeng raised his hands in agreement and said: "The military advisor is right, such a traitor who betrays the ancestors and forgets the rules, it's not worth mourning his death."
Jiang Kongming was about to speak when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him, and he slapped his thigh, exclaiming "Ah yo!" in surprise.