Who put the yellow robe on me?

A scout came galloping over on his horse, his horse's hooves treading on the dry ground, raising a cloud of dust. His face was covered in sweat and his breathing was rapid, obviously coming from a long distance.

"Report - General!" The scout dismounted and knelt on one knee. His voice was a little hoarse, but firm.

"How is it? Have you found out?" Zhong Xiaodan stepped forward quickly, helped the scout up, and a trace of concern flashed in his eyes.

"Yes, not many, around 500." The scout continued, "They look just like the people from the Western Regions, but unlike them, they don't seem to harbor any ill will towards us."

"No ill intentions?" Zhong Xiaodan chewed on these words, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He looked up into the distance. The wilderness under the setting sun seemed particularly mysterious.

"Who are these people? How strange." He muttered to himself, his mind quickly thinking of possible answers.

Zhong Dalu walked up and patted Zhong Xiaodan on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval: "Second brother, how about we ignore them and head straight for the Western Regions? Our main target is the Western Regions, and these small groups of troops are nothing to worry about."

Zhong Xiaodan turned around and looked at Zhong Dalu with a firm gaze: "Brother, that's wrong. I think if we don't deal with this group of people, what if they launch a sneak attack from behind us? Wouldn't all our efforts be wasted?"

Zhong Dalu was slightly startled, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "What you said makes sense. But we are pressed for time now. If we delay the military affairs, I am afraid it will be difficult to explain to His Highness."

The military tent fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling sound of the burning campfire echoing in the air.

Just when everyone was at a loss, Xianyu Linyuan stepped forward.

His gaze was firm and his voice was steady: "General Annan, how about I go and negotiate?"

Zhong Xiaodan's eyes lit up, and a look of joy appeared on his face. "General Xianyu, this place is in the Western Regions. It would be most appropriate for you to go and negotiate."

He stepped forward, shook Xianyu Linyuan's hand, and said sincerely, "Then I'll trouble you, General."

Xian Yulinyuan smiled slightly and nodded, "It is my honor to serve Daliang."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back looking particularly determined in the setting sun.

His heart was restless, and his mind was filled with thoughts: "Who are this mysterious group of troops? Could they be old acquaintances?"

As night fell, the stars began to twinkle in the sky. The campfire in the camp reflected the faces of the soldiers, exhaustion and anticipation intertwined in their eyes.

About an hour later, Xianyu Linyuan returned on horseback, his face gleaming with excitement and his eyes gleaming with an incredible light.

"General, is there any result?" Zhong Xiaodan stepped forward to ask, and the others also gathered around, their eyes full of anticipation.

Xianyu Linyuan dismounted, took a deep breath, and said solemnly: "They are not people from the Western Regions, but troops from the Former Yan."

"Former Yan?" Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. This name seemed to have suddenly been swept up from the dust of history, making people feel both unfamiliar and familiar.

Zhong Dalu frowned and asked doubtfully, "Wasn't the Former Yan Dynasty destroyed by the Western Regions two years ago? How come their troops are still there?"

Xianyu Linyuan nodded and explained, "Indeed, this place was once the territory of the Former Yan. After the Former Yan was destroyed by the Western Regions two years ago, their remaining troops have been wandering around. They have been looking for an opportunity to restore their country."

Zhong Xiaodan pondered, recalling every detail of the Former Yan Dynasty. He remembered that the Former Yan Dynasty was once a prosperous country with people living and working in peace and contentment, but it was destroyed overnight by the iron cavalry from the Western Regions.

"They have an irreconcilable feud with the Western Regions, and perhaps they can become our allies." Zhong Xiaodan raised his head, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

Zhong Dalu nodded in agreement: "If we can cooperate with them, it will be of great benefit to our attack on the Western Regions."

At this moment, a melodious sound of piano came from afar, as if coming from the sky, with a hint of desolation and tragedy.

The soldiers stopped what they were doing and listened quietly.

"This is... the ancient guqin piece "Homesickness" from the Former Yan Dynasty." Xian Yu Linyuan sighed, tears welling up in his eyes.

Zhong Xiaodan felt an indescribable emotion, as if he saw those soldiers wandering for their homeland, carrying a heavy past, but still holding on to the beliefs in their hearts.

"I want to meet their leader." Zhong Xiaodan said firmly.

Xian Yulinyuan nodded: "I can arrange it."

Zhong Dalu said, "Second brother, I know what you are thinking, but do we need to ask His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan?"

Zhong Xiaodan shook his head: "Brother! You know, the Sixteenth Prince is still in Liangzhou City. If I go back and ask him now, I'm afraid it will take too long!"

Xianyu Linyuan looked at the two men's expressions and said, "Generals, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan and I left Liangzhou City at the same time. I'm here to assist you, while he has gone to join the general."

"Oh? The sixteenth prince has gone to reunite with father?" Zhong Xiaodan's eyes flashed with excitement.

"Second brother, the emperor should be near Gaochang now. If we send a pigeon to send a letter now, we will receive instructions from His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan in less than a day!" Zhong Dalu also looked happy.

Zhou Liangwei then said, "Generals, how about I ask His Royal Highness the Sixteenth Prince for instructions? I believe my feet are faster than a carrier pigeon."

Zhong Xiaodan and Zhong Dalu exchanged a glance and said, "Very good. I'll have to trouble Brother Zhou then."

Zhong Xiaodan then took out a pen and ink and wrote down a brief account of the Former Yan on a piece of cloth. He then handed the cloth to Zhou Liangwei and said, "Brother Zhou, you must give this to the Sixteenth Prince. Remember this!"

Zhou Liangwei took the cloth and hurriedly said goodbye and left.

Zhong Xiaodan immediately gave the order: "Set up camp right here!"

……

The next afternoon, the sky was clear blue, with a few white clouds floating leisurely, as if covering the earth with a layer of soft gauze.

Suddenly, a cloud of dust rose from the official road in the distance, and several fast horses could be vaguely seen galloping towards the camp.

Zhong Xiaodan's eyes lit up and his heart beat faster because he saw Jiang Chen's shadow among the horses.

"Quick! Notify everyone that His Highness has arrived!" he said excitedly, his voice unable to conceal the joy.

Upon hearing the news, the soldiers in the camp straightened their armor and lined the road, awaiting His Highness's arrival. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement.

Soon, several horses came galloping over.

Leading the group was a young man in a white brocade robe, with delicate features and a firm gaze. He was none other than Jiang Chen, the King of Yan from Daliang.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Zhong Xiaodan took the lead, kneeling on one knee and saluting respectfully. The soldiers behind him also knelt and said in a loud voice: "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Jiang Chen dismounted and helped Zhong Xiaodan up with a smile: "Commendations, you have worked hard. Please stand up."

His voice was gentle yet powerful, like a spring breeze, warming one's face. Zhong Xiaodan stood up with a pleased smile on his face. "Your Highness, why did you come here in person?"