Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Guan Yun and Ran Ming responded in unison, each selecting a capable personal guard, removing their long weapons and wearing only short blades, and riding out of the ranks.

At the same time, Li Shiming also instructed Zhang Wu to lead men to Chu Ning's camp to check on Yuchi Bo, and sent another trusted general to Chu Xuan's camp.

Chu Xuan also dispatched two trusted officers to the Tang and Chu army camps respectively.

The six messengers, in pairs, carefully guided their horses across the open space in the middle, keeping their eyes straight ahead as they passed each other, maintaining the highest level of vigilance.

They represent the bottom line of trust of their respective monarchs at this moment, and are also the guarantee to ensure that the transaction does not turn into a scam from the very beginning.

Guan Yun arrived at the front of the Tang army's formation and, accompanied by Zhang Wu, examined Han Xing up close.

He examined the face with extreme care, not only the features but also several old scars that only his old colleagues would recognize.

He even asked two questions in a low voice, the answers of which only Han Xing himself might know.

Although Han Xing was weak, his answers were clear, and their eyes met, revealing unspoken affection and anxiety.

Guan Yun nodded emphatically, gave Han Xing a reassuring look, then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Li Shiming's direction before leading his men back.

On the other side, Ran Ming arrived at the front of the Youzhou army and requested to see Su Tingmei.

Chu Xuan's personal guards lifted the carriage curtain.

Su Tingmei sat upright in the carriage. Although her face was thin and her clothes were slightly wrinkled, her expression was calm and her eyes were clear. When she saw Ran Ming, she even nodded slightly in greeting.

Ran Ming greeted her politely, and Su Tingmei responded calmly, her voice steady, showing no signs of being abused.

Ran Ming confirmed that Su Tingmei's identity was correct and that she was not seriously injured. He gave Su Tingmei a deep look, then bowed and withdrew.

Zhang Wu inspected Yuchi Bo, and Chu Xuan's envoy inspected Han Xing and Su Tingmei. The processes were similar, both rigorous and swift.

Before long, the six messengers returned to their respective camps and whispered the results of their investigation to their respective lords.

After hearing Guan Yun and Ran Ming's report, Chu Ning learned that although Han Xing was injured and bound, he was alive and conscious, and that Su Tingmei was also safe. His tense brows relaxed almost imperceptibly.

He looked up and gazed at the opposite side.

Li Shiming and Chu Xuan received confirmation almost simultaneously.

The gazes of the three leaders met once again in the air.

"The hostage is correct."

Chu Ning spoke first, her voice still icy, but she had already moved on to the next step:

"It can be exchanged according to the agreement."

His gaze swept over Han Xing, then over the green-canopied carriage, and finally returned to Li Shiming and Chu Xuan.

The anticipation of their response foreshadows the imminent arrival of the most crucial phase of this perilous and calculated exchange.

Under the sunlight, the air on Changting Slope seemed even more stagnant and colder than before.

The flags of the three parties hung low in the almost windless air, while the key figures representing the will of each party exchanged silent glances.

Seeing that his envoy had confirmed the hostages were correct, Chu Ning said no more.

He knew that delaying would be pointless; every moment that passed would increase the chances of things going wrong.

He slightly raised his silver spear, pointing it directly at Han Xing, who was shackled and chained in the Tang army formation opposite him. His clear and cold voice broke the brief silence after the confirmation:

"Now that it has been verified, I will proceed as previously agreed and exchange Han Xing and Yuchi Bo with the Tang Dynasty."

His choice was clear and direct: first complete the relatively "simple" Tang-Chu transaction, and then deal with the obviously more complex entanglement between him and Chu Xuan involving Su Tingmei.

Li Shiming sat upright on his chariot. Upon hearing this, his face showed no surprise; he merely nodded slightly, his tone calm:

"can."

He was also eager to bring back Yuchi Bo, a formidable general who was crucial to his regrouping and stabilizing morale.

Upon receiving the order, several soldiers from each side stepped forward.

On the Chu army's side, two burly soldiers led Yuchi Bo out of the ranks, untied the ropes from his wrists, and gestured for him to move forward.

Yuchi Bo flexed his wrists, glanced at Chu Ning with a complicated look, then looked in the direction of Li Shiming, took a deep breath, and strode towards the Tang army formation.

His steps were steady, and even as a prisoner, he did not lose the demeanor of a great general.

On the Tang army's side, Zhang Wu personally led his men to help Han Xing out, and they also removed his conspicuous shackles.

Han Xing had many wounds and walked with a limp, but he stood up straight and his eyes were fixed on Chu Ning.

The two slowly approached each other and passed each other in the open space between their respective formations, which was the focus of countless eyes.

At that moment, time seemed to stretch out.

Yuchi Bo and Han Xing's eyes met for a moment, a silent scrutiny between adversaries, and a complex mix of emotions as fellow military officers caught in the crossfire.

Immediately, the two passed each other, quickened their pace, and headed towards their respective camps.

When Yuchi Bo stepped into the Tang army's lines, he was immediately met and inspected by his personal guards and quickly sent to Li Shimin's chariot.

Li Shiming glanced down, confirmed it was correct, nodded slightly, and said nothing more.

On the other side, Han Xing almost stumbled and fell a few steps in front of Chu Ning's horse.

He broke free from the Chu soldiers who were supporting him, and with a "thud," his knees slammed heavily onto the hard, cold ground, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

He lowered his head deeply, his voice hoarse and choked with emotion, filled with guilt and agitation:

"Your Majesty! This humble general is incompetent! I failed to stop the enemy from entering, and instead forced Your Majesty to personally face danger, resulting in the loss of soldiers and the tarnishing of the commander's flag!"

"This humble general has failed Your Majesty's trust and deserves to die!"

As he finished speaking, his shoulders trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the immense pain and self-reproach of failing to achieve his goal and implicating the monarch.

Chu Ning had already dismounted and strode forward.

Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out and firmly supported Han Xing's arms before Han Xing could touch the ground with his head. The force was firm yet warm.

"General Han!"

Chu Ning's voice was firm and decisive, overpowering Han Xing's self-reproach: "Get up!"

"If it weren't for you leading the army to cover the rear and fighting to the death, how could I and these tens of thousands of soldiers have safely retreated into Jianghuai City? Not only are you innocent, but you have also rendered great service to the country!"

He forcefully helped Han Xing up, his gaze sweeping over the gruesome wounds and bloodstained armor on Han Xing's body.

A hint of regret flashed in his eyes, but more than that, there was an undeniable affirmation and comfort.

"You have done well enough, even better than I expected."

Chu Ning patted Han Xing's uninjured arm, her tone softening but carrying a heavy weight.

"It was I who underestimated Chu Xuan's wolfish ambition, causing the general and many loyal and brave men to suffer this ordeal. This is not your fault."

He turned to those behind him and ordered in a deep voice, "Men! Quickly escort General Han back to the city and summon the best physicians to treat and recuperate him properly! There must be no delay!"

"This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!" Han Xing, with tears in his eyes, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply once more.

He knew this was not the time for sentimental talk; His Majesty's arrival in this perilous place did not eliminate the danger.

With the careful support of two elite soldiers, he turned and walked towards Jianghuai City. Although his steps were still unsteady, his back straightened up again.