Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Only when they reached the central army tent did Yang Song and his entourage rein in their horses and dismount. Yang Song's followers, usually pampered in Hanzhong City, were now in a state of disarray. Their steps were unsteady, their postures stiff and flustered, some nearly stumbling and falling, their usual graceful demeanor completely lost. This sight, caught by the officers of the Western Liang army, naturally drew a roar of laughter. The laughter was loud and unbridled, echoing throughout the central army tent.

Yang Song suddenly felt ashamed and extremely angry. He turned his head abruptly and scolded his followers harshly: "Look at you. You usually only indulge in sensual pleasures and neglect military training. Now you are so cowardly. What a disgrace!" After that, he cast his angry eyes on the Xiliang generals who were laughing, and snorted coldly: "What are you laughing at! You can laugh as much as you want. Wait a minute, and see who dares to be so rude to me!" As he spoke, Yang Song's face was full of pride. He did not take the Xiliang officers and soldiers seriously at all. He looked so arrogant as if he was the master of this place.

Seeing Yang Song's arrogant appearance, Cheliji thought he was just a funny clown and ignored him. He stepped aside and made way for the figure blocking the central army tent. He said in a muffled voice, "Envoy from Hanzhong, please come in with me. My commander has been waiting for you for a long time."

Yang Song maintained his unassuming, unassuming demeanor, and followed Cheliji into the tent with steady steps. His demeanor drew the unaware Cheliji and Pang De's silent admiration. This man, dressed like a scholar, could stroll leisurely before such a majestic military formation. It was clear that Hanzhong was a place not to be underestimated; it must be home to many extraordinary individuals.

Entering the tent, Yang Song proudly clasped his hands behind his back, tilted his head slightly, and half-closed his eyes. He ignored everyone in the tent and didn't even speak. Even Li Ru found his expression a bit ridiculous. Li Ru coughed lightly and said playfully, "Envoy from Hanzhong, I wonder what your official position is? You are so stubborn and arrogant in front of my commander. Aren't you afraid of death?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Song slowly bowed and raised his fists high behind him, and said loudly: "I am Yang Song, the deputy governor of Hanzhong under the command of my family's prefect. Today I meet you invading enemies. You are just a general in the army. Your rank is far lower than mine. Why should I salute you?" As soon as he said this, the officers and soldiers accompanying him from Xiliang glared at him, with displeasure on their faces. For a moment, the harsh sound of weapons rubbing against scabbards was heard in the tent.

At this moment, Li Ru calmly waved his hand and sneered, "Oh? So you're just a small-time Beijia. Who gave you such courage?"

Yang Song pulled up the tiger skin as a banner and said loudly, "Of course it's my master, the current emperor. You Xiliang are just a small army, what can you accomplish? Even if your master Ma Teng was here, I would only need to bow and greet him, let alone you, a mere general."

Cheliji already carried an aura of intimidation without even being angry, but upon hearing Yang Song's arrogant words, a flicker of anger flashed across his rock-hard face. Fury swirled in his deep eyes like volcanic lava about to erupt, and his previously calm expression trembled slightly, like a pebble dropped into a tranquil lake, sending ripples surging. But he was a seasoned warrior, well aware of the importance of not acting rashly in diplomatic settings. He suppressed his inner rage, clenching his fists tightly, his knuckles white with the force, and struggling through his teeth, he said, "You, the envoy, are simply courting death! How dare you, your tiny land of Hanzhong, compare yourself to the mighty Xiliang. Uncle Ma's reputation in this northwest region is unparalleled, like the blazing sun in the sky, surrounded by countless stars. He is the undisputed Lord of the Northwest. How dare you, a mere envoy, treat him with such impunity? Are you truly not afraid of the shadow of death looming over you?"

Yang Song, however, seemed to be standing aside, standing still and at ease. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and with a condescending attitude, he quietly watched Cheliji's gradually growing furious appearance.

Yang Song sneered, his eyes filled with contempt as he questioned Cheliji, "You don't look like a Han Chinese. Who are you to be shouting here?" Li Ru, seeing this, quickly replied, "This is the Qiang King Cheliji, who has come to support Xiliang." Yang Song snorted coldly, "Hmph! What Qiang King Cheliji? He's just a barbarian. How can he understand Han etiquette? How can he know the profound meaning of Han etiquette? You'd better leave immediately."

As soon as these words came out, Cheliji was furious, his face flushed red, like an enraged bull, his eyes wide as bells, and he rushed forward to grab Yang Song by the collar, looking like he was going to give him a good beating. Although Yang Song was a little scared in his heart, he still pretended to be fearless on his face and shouted, "If you really dare to hit me, then our peace talks will be over. There is no room for negotiation."

Li Ru observed Yang Song's expression, thinking to himself that this man, so arrogant, must have something powerful to rely on. So he spoke to him, "Cheliji, wait a minute." Then, Li Ru nudged Pang De, who sat bewildered in the main seat, with his toe. Pang De understood and said, "Fine, fine, envoy from Hanzhong, stop being so mysterious. State your purpose and what you're relying on directly. My Xiliang army is strong and powerful today. From here, we can capture your Wudu city in an instant. Then, marching on Hanzhong would be a matter of a moment. Stop your pretentious attitude."

Yang Song thought to himself that his pretense was almost over, and the so-called Hanzhong luminaries who had come in with him were already terrified. If he could respond with dignity and righteousness, his deeds would surely be widely praised upon his return to Hanzhong. So, he exerted a slight force to free himself from Cheliji's tight grip on his clothes. Cheliji looked at Li Ru, who gently waved his hand in resentment. Though filled with resentment, he could only reluctantly let go. His chest heaved violently, and he gasped, his eyes fixed on Yang Song, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Yang Song remained calm and composed, speaking unhurriedly, "I have come to negotiate for three purposes. Let me explain them in detail. First, you must withdraw your troops immediately and return all occupied Wudu County land to Hanzhong. Second, since you invaded Wudu without cause, you must compensate us for all losses we have suffered. Third, you must write a letter to the court, honestly stating your atrocities in this unprovoked invasion of Wudu, as a token of your repentance. Furthermore, considering that the border of Xiliang is a harsh and cold place and you may not have sufficient gold and silver, I will offer you 500 cattle and 8,000 sheep as compensation. With this, the matter can be dropped, and Hanzhong will not pursue the matter further."

Everyone who heard this found it absurd, as if they had just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. This request was nothing short of a fool's dream, a fantasy. The generals all looked at Yang Song as if he were a fool. Pang De laughed so hard that he nearly choked. After a long pause, he managed to speak: "Envoy from Hanzhong, have you lost your mind? What is the meaning of such nonsense? Have you come here specifically to seek death? I truly do not know what benefit you gain by provoking me like this. But if you do not give me a reasonable explanation, I will not care about the rule of not beheading envoys in a battle. I will behead you, this annoying villain, and show it to the public, so that you will not disgust us for no reason."

Upon hearing Pang De's threat, Yang Song immediately launched into his extravagant display. He suddenly threw his head back, facing the heavens, and let out a long, resounding laugh. "Hahahaha! Kill me? If you dare, try! As a loyal minister, I fear no life or death. To die heroically for my lord's cause is a worthy death. But if you truly kill me, I'm afraid you'll regret it later!" His voice echoed throughout the tent, his expression exaggerated, his movements dramatic.

Seeing his reaction, the generals in the hall were furious, their blood boiling, ready to fight. Some even nearly lost control of their impulses and wanted to attack on the spot. At this moment, Li Ru coughed twice, cleared his throat, and said loudly, "Alright, alright, stop the show. If you really have such extraordinary abilities, I have my doubts. After all, I don't seem to have heard of your prominent reputation in all these years."

Yang Song glanced at Li Ru with a hint of disdain and said arrogantly, "Who are you? Why are all of you so ignorant of etiquette? Are you all going to step in and speak for the commander?"

Li Ru responded calmly, "I'm just a small clerk in the army, and I really don't have much fame. But I'm really curious, what do you, the so-called famous minister, rely on? Since you asked us to act this way and make such a huge concession, what capital do you have to deserve us to do so? You don't need to be so pretentious and put on airs anymore. If you really make us angry, these soldiers in the hall will eat you alive in an instant before you can finish your words." After speaking, Li Ru's eyes revealed a sharp look, and he stared at Yang Song closely, trying to find a clue from his expression.

Yang Song puffed out his chest, raised his head high, and announced loudly in an extremely conceited manner: "Your young master Ma Chao has been captured by my lord, and is now under our control! And you guys are still so aggressive and aggressive in front of me, don't you care about your young master's life and property at all?" After speaking, Yang Song's eyes were full of pride, and he paced back and forth in front of everyone proudly, feeling certain that his words would be like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up thousands of waves of panic and making these Xiliang soldiers lose their composure in an instant.

Unexpectedly, as soon as his words faded from the tent, a deafening roar of laughter erupted like a surging tide. The battle-hardened generals, usually imposing awe and dignity, seemed to have been struck by a jolt of laughter, staggering with laughter. Some laughed so hard they lost their breath, clutching their stomachs tightly, curling up into a ball and occasionally uttering cries of "ouch, ouch!" Others laughed until their faces flushed red, tears streaming uncontrollably down their cheeks, gleaming in the sunlight. One general, laughing so wildly, his weapon clanged to the ground, the sound of metal clashing standing out against the clamor. Pang De, the commander, was also laughing uncontrollably. He clutched the armrests of his chair, his body shaking violently. His laughter echoed through the tent like thunder. His once stern and imposing features were now completely distorted by the unbridled laughter, as if he were a completely different person. The entire tent was engulfed in this sea of ​​joy, the laughter threatening to blow the tent roof off, and it lingered for a long time.