The whole team seemed more cumbersome due to the large number of unexpected gifts, and the speed of progress naturally slowed down.

  Looking at the long queue of troops advancing in a winding manner, Xu Haifeng slightly furrowed his brow and asked: "Military strategist, you said why the Xiongnu people have not made any moves yet? If they still don't make a move, I'm afraid it will be too late."

  Jiang Kongming looked at him and said, "Master, why are you in such a hurry? In just a moment, we will reach the border, which is the most sensitive area between the Great Han and Xiongnu. Neither side dares to take large-scale action there, resulting in bandits running rampant. If I'm not mistaken, we should encounter Xiongnu people there."

  At this time, Xu Haifeng was very different from before. As soon as he heard it, he immediately understood the meaning and smiled: "Are you saying that the Xiongnu people will disguise themselves as horse thieves and attack the team of the Han Dynasty's envoy?"

  "That's right." Jiang Kongming's tone carried an air of certainty that left no room for doubt.

  "Bandits on horseback?" Xu Haifeng was both amused and annoyed: "If my Black Flag Army can be eliminated by a group of bandits, I'd rather strangle myself. Do you think Uncle Yi and the others would believe that?"

  Indeed, relying on the combat power of the Black Flag Army, anyone with a bit of brains would not believe that they could be exterminated by a group of bandits who only know how to loot and plunder. If you expect the officials of the Great Han Dynasty to believe this, it's as if they collectively became idiots overnight.

  "What's the use of not believing? If the Xiongnu people didn't leave any evidence or clues, do you think the Han court would go to war with them for our sake?" Jiang Gongming sneered.

  Xu Haifeng sighed, "Yes, for the entire country, we are just pawns. If the Emperor can sacrifice his own daughter, why can't we be sacrificed?"

  As he spoke, Xu Haifeng paused, gazing into the distance with his eyes slightly closed, as if sensing some mysterious aura in the air.

  After a moment, he smiled and said: "The military advisor's words are always right on target. I have already sensed that danger is coming from afar."

  Jiang Kongming looked at Xu Haifeng's eyes, which were filled with yearning and frenzy, making him shiver. He swallowed his saliva and Xu Haifeng forced out a smile, asking: "What brings the Military Advisor here?"

  "Your sixth sense is truly extraordinary, Master. If even you can cultivate it to such an extent, why do your students' martial arts training always end in failure? Alas... the heavens are indeed unfair." Jiang Gongming sighed and shook his head.

  What's the point of even I can cultivate successfully, is my talent really that bad? Xu Haifeng fiercely stared at him with a hidden glance, thinking that the prime minister's belly can hold a boat and didn't bother to argue with this madman.

  He rode forward on horseback and turned back to shout: "Military strategist, I will go and discuss with Su Shilang and the two gentlemen about the changing situation. The specific matters will be handled by you."

  Jiang Kungming bowed slightly and said: "The student obeys."

  Xu Haifeng drove his horse to the front of the team, and Su Chunwei and two others were indeed there. Seeing Xu Haifeng, Su Chunwei hastily said: "General Xu, look at how slowly the large team is moving, at this speed, when can we return to the capital?"

  Ever since he heard that the Xiongnu were going to join forces with Caesar to attack the Great Han, he was anxious and eager to reach the capital as soon as possible, report to His Majesty, and let the Great Han make all necessary preparations.

  Among the return gifts sent by the Xiongnu were many extremely valuable ancient ceramics, which were quite large in size and very fragile.

  What's more, these things are all tributes, even if Su Chunwei has the courage of a giant, he dare not easily damage one, let alone abandon them on the spot.

  It's not that he's stubborn, but rather because he was born into a noble family and has many more worries than ordinary people. Under this mindset of gains and losses, he lost the decisiveness he once had.

  In fact, he had also thought of sending a trusted family member back to the capital to report this matter to his father. But this matter was too big, and if even half of it leaked out, regardless of the truth, the lives of these people would be in great danger. So after hesitating again and again, he finally gave up on it.

  Xu Haifeng knew what was in his mind, and smiled: "Sir Su, since the Xiongnu people have given so many things, it's hard to hurry up."

  Liu Junshu, who was standing aside and overheard the conversation between the two, glanced around and saw that except for the slowly moving convoy, no one else was paying attention to them. He then spoke in a low voice: "General Xu, is the information you obtained incorrect? Since the Xiongnu people have sent such generous gifts, they may not necessarily invade our Great Han."

  Before Xu and Su could speak, Jin Guanghua retorted: "General, you don't know that the Xiongnu people do not engage in production, but rather live by herding and hunting. Every autumn, they lead their troops to raid the passes, plundering our Great Han territory before returning. With such wolfish ambitions, how could they not be infatuated with the flourishing world of China? I think the disappearance of the young princess is also a ghostly deed done by them in secret."

  Xu Haifeng took a look at him and thought that this rough man's imagination was quite rich.

  Su Chunwei's eyes lit up, saying: "Not bad, this official has long been suspicious. Is there really someone in the world who can take away the little princess under the heavy guard of the Golden Wolf Army? If it is true as General Xu said, the Xiongnu people have decided to unite with Caesar to divide our Great Han territory, then all this makes sense."

  Liu Junshu's face changed color, and he finally sighed: "Poor little princess, isn't this really a sheep entering the tiger's mouth? How hateful are the Xiongnu and Caesar. I will never stand with them."

  Xu Haifeng raised his head and silently asked the heavens...

  He was worried that after returning, whether anyone could see the mystery in it, but unexpectedly, before he returned, these three guys had already given him the best answer with their own cleverness.

  "General Xu, what do you think?" Su Chunwei asked.

  Xu Haifeng immediately became enraged, his face red with indignation, and loudly declared: "So that's how it is! These villains who deserve to be killed a thousand times, if Xu ever meets them on the battlefield again, he will surely take revenge."

  "Hush... silence." Su Chunwei was frightened and hastily whispered to stop him: "General Xu, this matter must not be spread at all costs."

  "Yes, I was reckless." Xuhai Feng bowed his head and humbly accepted the lesson.

  Su Chunwei and the other two looked around, realizing that the Black Flag Army soldiers were only rushing to get somewhere, but had never even glanced in their direction. They felt both joy and shock, joyful that their conversation hadn't attracted anyone's attention, shocked by the strict military discipline of the Black Flag Army.

  "Right, I'll come find a few of you who have something to discuss." Xǔ Hǎi Fēng and the three of them withdrew their gaze before slowly speaking up.

  "What's wrong?" Su Chunwei asked.

  "According to scouts' reports, a large group of people has been found nearby, and it seems that their target is our diplomatic mission." Xǔ Hǎifēng said with a smile.

  "What......?" Su Chunwei's heart, which had just fallen, rose again to his throat.

  "How many people are estimated? How is the combat power?" Jin Guanghua's expression was different from others, as soon as he heard that there would be a battle to fight, his eyes lit up and his tone became excited.

  In recent years, the northern border has been peaceful and uneventful. Every autumn, when the Xiongnu would invade Han territory, the northern garrisons were ordered to hold their positions and not engage in battle without permission. As a result, he had not seen action for quite some time, and his limbs were almost rusty from disuse.

  Xu Haifeng shook his head and said indifferently: "I don't know."

  "What's going on?" The three of them shouted out in unison, with Jin Guanghua's voice being the loudest.

  "Yes, it's said to be a few groups of border bandits wandering around, such a motley crew, no need to take them seriously." Xǔ Hǎifēng said casually, but his tone naturally revealed a strong sense of confidence.

  The three of them simultaneously felt a strange and wonderful feeling as if they had been swept up in a whirlwind.

  "This...this seems like it's still better to be careful." Su Chunwei said hesitantly.

  "Be careful, a ship that sails for ten thousand years. This principle will be understood later, but if the opponent is just a group of horse thieves, and we are so shocked, wouldn't it make people laugh at the incompetence of the Black Flag Army?" Xǔ Hǎifēng said proudly.

  When he said that, the three of them didn't dare to say anything more, otherwise wouldn't they be looking down on the Black Flag Army? In fact, although the Black Flag Army hadn't fought anyone in front of them before, based on their performance on this march alone, everyone knew that this army wasn't one to be underestimated. Moreover, there were still people like Qin Yong, a warrior without equal in the world.

  Only then did the three people's hearts settle down a bit, but they couldn't help but have some misgivings about Xu Haifeng being so presumptuous.

  Jin Guanghua hesitated for a moment before advising, "General Xu, I've also heard Commander Fang say that the Black Flag Army's military strength is unmatched in the world. However, those few groups of horse thieves on the border are different from the ones inland. They're extremely ferocious and ruthless. Our troops are spread out too far; we should gather them together. Only then can we respond quickly like an arm moving at will, minimizing unnecessary losses."

  Xu Haifeng smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, I have my own way."

  It's strange to say that when he saw Xu Haifeng's bright and cheerful smile, Jin Guanghua's heart inexplicably calmed down.

  He didn't know that Xu Haifeng had already used his spiritual power earlier, and the three of them were already within his spiritual domain, influenced by his spiritual power, which was why they believed him so easily.

  "Everyone here take a good rest, I'll come back to meet with you all after defeating the enemy." Xu Haifeng casually cupped his fists and bowed, then turned around and rode away.

  After a moment, several large vehicles arrived under the escort of 200 forbidden troops. A hundred people's leader reported: "General Liu, we have rushed to this place and are waiting for orders."

  Liu Junshu said with a strange tone, "What else do I have for you to do? When facing the enemy, the most feared thing is that the army has two masters. On this trip, everyone will listen to General Xu's orders, what are you looking for me for?"

  The general's face showed a look of surprise, and he muttered: "But it was General Xu who brought us here."

  Liu Junshu was about to speak when Jin Guanghua suddenly stretched out his hand to stop him, jumped off the horse, and fell to the ground, pressing his ear against the ground. After a moment, he raised his head and said, "It's coming..."