Chapter 1 The Thoughts of Jiang Zuo Wang

As Jiang Zuo Wang hurried back to Shimen Pass with the grain and fodder, he couldn't stop thinking about the words that the Prince of Zhenbei had spoken to him.

The moment he returned to Shimen Pass, the soldiers of the Forbidden Army within the city couldn't help but reveal a dangerous glint in their eyes as they looked at the grain and fodder behind him. After all, the only places to get grain and fodder were either from the Xiongnu or from Jiang Chen. Clearly, Jiang Zuo Wang had never gone to Jiang Chen’s side. That meant Jiang Zuo Wang had likely sold out even more interests.

If it weren't for Jiang Chen's orders, they would have already attacked Jiang Zuo Wang.

"I know that you brothers have been quite resentful towards me. I have used almost all of my efforts to exchange for this batch of grain and fodder for everyone. The Xiongnu will launch another attack in a few days, and I can't bear to let you all be dragged into this war with me. After this meal, let's part ways peacefully."

As Jiang Zuo Wang spoke, he even managed to squeeze out a few drops of tears. Seeing Jiang Zuo Wang's worried look, many people were confused.

Putting aside everything else, Jiang Zuo Wang had been relatively good to them these days. Although they all understood that this was just Jiang Zuo Wang's way of trying to win people's hearts, at this moment, some people began to waver. Just as someone was about to stand up and voluntarily stay with Jiang Zuo Wang, they noticed the glances from their companions.

Understanding that following Jiang Zuo Wang would mean forever walking a path of self-interest, everyone sighed helplessly and chose to leave.

Watching one person after another leave him, Jiang Zuo Wang felt a mix of emotions. He had exhausted almost all of his means to gather the hearts of these people, but in the end, it came to nothing.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zuo Wang sighed helplessly and stopped speaking, becoming taciturn.

Those who left bid farewell to Jiang Zuo Wang and all rushed towards Jiang Chen's camp. This scene attracted Jiang Chen's attention. He knew these people still had a higher purpose, but now they had all scattered back, which would disrupt Jiang Chen's next plan. Just as Jiang Chen was about to open his mouth to reprimand them, someone whispered a few words in his ear.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Zuo Wang asked us to leave. If we stayed there, we would likely arouse Jiang Zuo Wang's suspicion. There are still brothers staying in that place, and they will try their best to protect those supplies."

"Looking at Jiang Zuo Wang's current state, I believe he must have wavered in his heart. Why don't we take this opportunity to persuade him? After all, the Xiongnu now trust him. If we could use him to lure all the Xiongnu in and then encircle and annihilate them..."

Listening to the general's suggestion, Jiang Chen shook his head.

Although Jiang Zuo Wang was ultimately walking down a path of no return, Jiang Chen still intended to let Jiang Zuo Wang leave with some dignity. If he were to really play such a two-faced role, even if he cleared himself of his previous crimes, his days would not be good in the future.

"Let him handle it himself. Since he has made such a decision, he must have his own ideas."

After speaking, Jiang Chen's gaze turned to Shimen Pass. Now, almost all of the Mafeisan (anesthesia) had been smuggled into the city and buried under the ruins.

When the Xiongnu army crossed Shimen Pass, these agents would have an unimaginable effect, directly knocking them all out.

Just as Jiang Chen was still thinking about how to lure the enemy in, the Xiongnu army finally set out again. The vanguard of Prince Zhennan's team was obviously very reluctant to participate in this operation, but orders were orders, and they had no choice but to follow along step by step.

After discovering that there was another completely different army behind the Xiongnu, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. Previously, Jiang Chen's plan was to annihilate Prince Zhennan's army in order to shock the entire Xiongnu, but now it seemed that the Xiongnu's power was far stronger than he had imagined.

"After we return, thoroughly investigate who else is involved in trade with the Xiongnu. I will find them one by one and eliminate them."

Thinking that many armors were sold to the Xiongnu through the hands of these ministers, Jiang Chen was immediately furious.

With armor, the Xiongnu had the possibility of building heavy cavalry. If it hadn't been for the quick-witted use of Mafeisan to stop Prince Zhennan's heavy cavalry, they would have been in a chaotic rout by now.

As the Xiongnu's formation gradually unfolded, Jiang Chen had another idea.

"Go and call everyone over. Dress up those Xiongnu prisoners properly, the more miserable they look, the better. Then, bring them all to the front of the battle line."

Hearing Jiang Chen's order, although they didn't quite understand what Jiang Chen wanted to do, the generals still acted. When these Xiongnu, who were gathered together eating and drinking, were suddenly arrested, they had no idea what was happening.

"Didn't you say you would treat prisoners well? What are you doing?"

Just as they were still confused, several prepared guys rushed up and dressed them up miserably before escorting them step by step to the front of the battle line.

Seeing their former colleagues in such a miserable state, and recalling the white smoke from before, Prince Zhennan's army, which had just regained its morale, instantly fell apart, unable to muster any fighting spirit.

Seeing the commotion in Prince Zhennan's team, Prince Zhenbei remained unmoved, merely staring indifferently ahead.

"It seems that only the bitter cold land can temper people's minds. Your men are already in such disarray just from seeing a few prisoners captured by the enemy. How can Kehan trust you?"

Such sarcasm was like a needle piercing Prince Zhennan's heart, but he was completely unable to refute it. After all, they were indeed at a disadvantage now.

"Once you've experienced their demonic methods, you'll naturally understand why such a thing is happening now. It's a bit premature to draw conclusions before you've experienced it yourself."

After Prince Zhennan finished speaking, he began to rally his own troops, while Prince Zhenbei waved his flag, and the cavalry behind him launched an attack.

Unlike Prince Zhennan's heavy cavalry clad in heavy armor, his army was covered in animal skins, like savages emerging from the forest.