Isolated town in northern border region

Three days later, Tugh held his coronation ceremony at the royal court.

The tribal leaders gathered together, and cattle, sheep, and fine wine were piled up like mountains.

Halfway through the ceremony, dust billowed in the distance.

Xiao Xiong led his cavalry slowly in, and the black wolf banner appeared in a grand manner at the enthronement ceremony.

The warriors on the grassland drew their swords, but Tug raised his hand to stop them.

Xiao Xiong dismounted and had his men carry a wooden box to Tuge, where he bowed deeply.

"Xiao Xiong, commander of the Northern Frontier Cavalry of the Great Chu, has come to congratulate the Khan on his ascension to the throne on the orders of His Highness Prince Ning."

An uproar erupted inside the tent.

Xiao Lie's envoy has come to congratulate Tuge? What does this mean?

Tug stared at Xiao Xiong with a cold gaze.

"General Xiao, you have quite the nerve. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

Xiao Xiong smiled.

"The Khan would not. Because the Khan is a wise man."

He handed over the wooden box.

"This is a congratulatory gift from His Highness Prince Ning to the Khan. Please accept it with pleasure."

Tug walked to the wooden box and opened it.

Inside the box was a Northern Barbarian scimitar and a complete set of armor for horsemen and riders, with a letter lying beside it.

Tug's pupils suddenly contracted.

The scimitar was as bright as a mirror, reflecting a cold light in the sunlight. With just one glance, Tuge determined that it was a precious sword that could cut through iron like mud!

He stood up, drew his sword, and slashed at it twice.

clang--

With a crisp sound, Tug's sword broke in two.

The cut surface is as smooth as cut tofu.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone stared at the knife, at the severed blade, their eyes filled with horror.

Xiao Xiong stood in the tent, a smile on his face, without saying a word.

Tug held the knife, his hand trembling slightly.

"What kind of knife is this?"

"His Highness Prince Ning gave it a name, Taiping."

Xiao Xiong's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"It was forged by the people of the northern frontier using the prince's new method; it can ensure peace!"

He paused.

"If the Khan doesn't like the style of the scimitar, he can choose any one he likes."

"Draw your sword!"

At Xiao Xiong's command, his men drew their swords, all of which were gleaming steel blades.

The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Tug gripped the knife hilt, his knuckles turning white.

"Just what kind of monster is Xiao Lie?"

"How can a prince who has lived in the deep palace for so long know everything?"

Suppressing his anger, Tug picked up the armor from the box.

The armor was extremely heavy, and it was inlaid with steel plates of the same material as the treasured sword!

Xiao Xiong waved his hand, and the Canglang Riders sheathed their swords.

"By the way, His Highness said that if this armor doesn't fit you, he can send the elite troops to deliver a few sets to you personally, so you can take your time to choose."

Tug's Adam's apple bobbed, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Have the entire Vanguard unit switched to this kind of armor?"

Xiao Xiong smiled but did not answer. Instead, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Khan, I have delivered my message. Farewell."

He turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Tug spoke up.

Xiao Xiong stopped and turned to look at him.

Tuge knew very well the meaning behind Xiao Lie sending Xiao Xiong to deliver the gift; it was simply a warning to him not to have any inappropriate thoughts after becoming Khan.

If they really don't behave, the northern frontier has no shortage of fine swords and armor!

The reason why the Canglang Cavalry ran away when they saw him was because Xiao Lie deliberately gave him credit, wanting him to become the new Khan.

Tug remained silent for a long time.

"What does Xiao Lie want?"

Xiao Xiong smiled.

"The prince said he wants two things."

"First, the border trade was proposed by the Khan himself, and the commercial taxes will remain the same."

Xiao Xiong paused.

"Secondly, Your Highness is a little short of money lately and would like to borrow some funds and provisions from the Khan."

"Not much is needed, just 300,000 shi of grain, 100,000 taels of silver, and 5,000 cattle and sheep."

"The prince said this is a loan, and he will repay you with interest once the situation in the northern border region improves."

Tug's face turned ashen.

"Are you trying to extort me, Khan?"

Xiao Xiong shook his head.

"Khan, you've misunderstood! Your Highness is helping the Khan!"

"Khan, think about it. You have just ascended to the throne, and the hearts of the tribes are still unsettled."

"If the Khan were to unify the grasslands and wage war against the prince at this point, what does the Khan think the various tribes would think?"

"The Khan has seen your precious sword and armor; did you win?"

Tug remained silent.

"Khan, think about it some more."

Xiao Xiong pointed to the steel knife.

"If Your Highness were to give this knife to the tribal chiefs, one for each of them."

"If they bypass you and do business directly with various tribes, can you stop them?"

The tent was deathly silent. Tug gripped the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.

He knew that Xiao Lie wasn't threatening him; he was stating the facts.

The five prefectures of northern Xinjiang are now far stronger than any grassland tribe could ever hope to challenge.

This time it's called a loan, but if Tuge doesn't lend it, Xiao Lie can just steal it!

"I need time to consider."

Tug's voice was hoarse.

Xiao Xiong cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Khan, please take your time to consider. This humble general is not in a hurry."

"I will wait for the Khan at the border for ten days. If the Khan does not reply after ten days, I will return to report."

He turned and walked out of the tent.

After Xiao Xiong left, Tuge sat in the main tent all night.

The steel knife lay before him, and beside it was the letter Xiao Lie had written to him.

The letter was short, containing only a few lines:

"I can make you sit on the throne of Khan, and I can also make you utterly defeated!"

"If the Khan is willing to cooperate, I am also willing to do business with the Khan."

…………

"The Khan's money and provisions were returned in full, and the remaining amount was split 50/50 among the smaller tribes."

Tug stared at the letter, then at the knife, Xiao Xiong's last words echoing in his mind.

"If the Khan does not reply, I will return to report."

Go back and report, and then what?

What will Xiao Lie do?

Will he support other tribes so that they will compete with him for the Khanate?

He would have the elite troops equipped with steel swords and march north?

He will let the gray wolves ride on the grasslands to continue causing trouble, making the tribes never have a peaceful day.

Tug closed his eyes.

He knew he had no choice.

On the tenth day, Tuge's envoy arrived at the border of Cangzhou.

The messengers brought cartloads of grain, chests of gold and silver, and herds of cattle and sheep.

Three hundred thousand shi of grain, one hundred thousand taels of silver, and five thousand cattle and sheep, no less.

Xiao Xiong stood on the border, looking at the long convoy of trains, and grinned.

He had his men take inventory of the supplies, then took out a pre-written letter from his pocket and handed it to the messenger.

"This is the prince's reply to the Khan. Please forward it."

The messenger took the letter and rode away.

Xiao Xiong stood on the border, looking at the northern grasslands, with only one thought in his mind.

Your Highness, you are a fucking genius.

A few days later, Tuge received a reply from Xiao Lie.

The letter contained only one sentence.

"When trade is open, war ceases! The Khan keeps his word, and so do I."

"The northern frontier is always open to caravans from the steppes."

"At the beginning of next month, we will invite the Khan to attend the opening ceremony of the border trade market."

Tug placed the letter on the table and looked at the steel knife.

He suddenly realized that the knife was very heavy!

It was as heavy as the fate of the entire grassland, pressing down on it.

Tug stepped out of the tent, looked at the southern horizon, and muttered to himself.

"Xiao Lie... just what are you?"

No one could answer him.

But Tug knew that from this day forward, the fate of the grasslands was no longer in his own hands.

At the same time, Xiao Lie was standing on the city tower of the north gate of Youzhou, looking at the 150,000 new soldiers arrayed below the city.

Armored soldiers stood like a forest, and banners stretched like a sea, extending from the city gate all the way to the banks of the Cang River, a dark mass that seemed to stretch endlessly.

"Soldiers!"

Xiao Lie spoke, his voice echoing before the wide city gate.

"Among you, some are from Cangzhou, some are from Youzhou, and some have fled from Yunzhou, Shuozhou, and Daizhou."

"Do you know what it feels like to have a Northern barbarian's blade cut into your own family!"

"You know what it feels like to watch your home burn down!"

"Do you know what it feels like to be lying in the snow, holding a child's corpse, unable to make a sound!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the young faces.

"The northern barbarians retreated to the grasslands, but they are still here!"

"As long as they have horses, swords, and ambition, they will return!"

"So what we need to do is not celebrate, not rest, but prepare."

"Prepare for the next battle, prepare to ensure the northern barbarians never dare to advance another step south!"

"I assure you!"

"As long as you stand on this land, the northern border will always be your home."

I will not let you go hungry, I will not let you be cold, and I will not let your hard work be in vain.

"I will lead you to turn the Northern Frontier into an invincible iron fortress!"

150,000 people simultaneously raised their weapons, their roars shaking the heavens.

"Long live Prince Ning! Long live Great Chu! Long live the Northern Frontier! Long live Prince Ning! Long live Great Chu! Long live the Northern Frontier!"