With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

The official said, waving his hand impatiently.

He turned and left, leaving the barbarian envoys looking at each other in confusion.

They waited for three days.

The long wait was simply torture, and the messengers were as anxious as birds trapped in a cage.

The walls of the inn were made of rough logs and exuded an unpleasant musty smell.

A few faint rays of light filtered through the cracks in the roof, illuminating the simple furnishings inside the house.

Several worn wooden tables and stools were scattered around the room, covered in dust.

For three days, they could only stay in the post station and kill time in boredom.

They tried to talk to the Hun soldiers.

But the language barrier was like an insurmountable gap, preventing them from communicating.

The food on the grassland tastes completely different from that in their hometown.

The fishy kumis made them nauseous, and the greasy roasted lamb was difficult for them to swallow.

They miss the sweet spring water in their hometown, the fragrant fruits in their hometown, and even more, they miss the warm sunshine in their hometown.

They tried to fill their stomachs with the dry food they brought, but it was soon used up.

They tried to accept the Huns' food, but the strong smell was unbearable for them.

They were so hungry that they could no longer bear it and had to force themselves to swallow a few pieces of roasted lamb.

But my stomach was churning and I felt extremely uncomfortable.

During the long night, they lay on the hard wooden bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

They were worried that Emperor Touman would not receive them.

They were worried that the mission could not be completed, and even more worried that they would never be able to return home.

Finally, in the evening of the third day.

A Xiongnu official, wearing leather armor and a scimitar at his waist, walked hurriedly into the post station.

With a serious expression and sharp eyes, he glanced at the barbarian envoys gathered in the post station.

Announce in a low and majestic voice:

"Emperor Touman summons you!"

The barbarian envoys followed closely behind the Xiongnu officials and passed through one strict checkpoint after another.

The heavily guarded soldiers stood like an iron tower, casting cold gazes.

They walked through the winding corridors, each step taking them on the edge of fear.

Finally, they arrived in front of the majestic Xiongnu Imperial Palace.

Looking up, the towering palace seems to reach the sky, majestic and awe-inspiring.

However, a closer look reveals that this magnificent palace is still unfinished.

There were scaffoldings everywhere and construction materials scattered everywhere, creating a chaotic scene.

Millions of ragged prisoners of war toiled under the scorching sun.

They were skinny and haggard, carrying huge stone pillars and stones like zombies.

Sweat soaked their tattered clothes, shining brightly in the sunlight.

The heavy stones bent their backs, and every step seemed extremely difficult.

The Hun soldiers held whips and beat the poor prisoners mercilessly like driving livestock.

A barbarian envoy couldn't bear to look at this hellish scene on earth and asked in a low voice:

"Where did you catch these?"

His companion beside him quickly covered his mouth and whispered:

"Be careful with your words! Be careful what you say!"

Everyone was trembling with fear, not daring to breathe, for fear of getting into trouble.

The interior of the palace was magnificent and golden, forming a sharp contrast with the miserable scene outside.

The ground was paved with golden bricks, and twelve huge golden pillars supported the palace.

The golden light was so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes.

In the Golden Palace, Emperor Touman sat on the golden dragon throne.

He was tall, with a stern face, thick eyebrows like swords, and eyes like torches, which made people dare not look directly at him.

The barbarian envoys prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing prostrate themselves before the ground, and said in unison:

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of the Xiongnu!"

Emperor Touman uttered a single word calmly: "Rise."

Only then did everyone dare to stand up, but they still kept their heads down, not daring to look directly at Touman.

"Are you a branch that split off two hundred years ago?"

Emperor Touman's voice was deep and powerful, with a sense of majesty.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is our family tree!"

A messenger presented the family tree with both hands.

This family tree has gone through two hundred years of wind and rain and is already a bit worn.

But the text on it is still clearly visible.

Emperor Touman took the family tree, and he was too lazy to tell whether it was real or fake.

He just flipped through it symbolically and threw it aside.

In fact, he already knew what these barbarians came for. They were simply asking for help.

Two hundred years ago, the barbarians were originally a branch of the Xiongnu. Due to civil strife, they chose to migrate westward.

Now that their territory has been invaded and they are on the verge of extinction, they only then remember their ancestors.

However, when the barbarians left, they took away one-third of the Huns' population and livestock.

This greatly weakened the Xiongnu's strength, which gave other tribes an opportunity to take advantage.

They were almost wiped out by other tribes.

The Huns hated the barbarians to the core.

But two hundred years is enough time for many things to change beyond recognition.

He was more interested in why these barbarians came.

"Tell me, what brings you here?"

There was impatience in Emperor Touman's tone.

The messengers looked at each other in confusion. Finally, an older messenger mustered up the courage to speak:

"Your Majesty, we...we would like to ask for your asylum!"

"shelter?"

Emperor Touman sneered.

"You barbarians occupy a rich land, why do you need my protection?"

"Your Majesty, the people of Lu Yan in the heart of the Central Plains are now rising strongly, and their iron hooves have already set foot on our land!"

"We...we are powerless to resist, so we can only ask you for help!"

The messenger's voice was trembling, with a hint of crying.

Emperor Touman was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then he slowly said:

"Do you know that my Xiongnu cavalry has never set foot in the south?"

After a cold laugh, he continued:

"You really know how to choose a place. The Central Plains is not only far away, but also easy to defend but difficult to attack. Why should I lose my troops for you?"

"Your Majesty, we, the barbarians, are willing to submit to the Xiongnu forever, paying tribute and paying homage year after year!"

The old man said hurriedly.

"Eternal submission? Annual tribute?"

Touman burst into laughter.

"Your tribe is struggling to protect itself now, so what qualifications do you have to negotiate terms with me?"

"Your Majesty, although my barbarian tribe is no match for Na Luyan, we have lived there for generations and know it very well."

"We can lead the way for your majesty's army, and we can also provide you with food and supplies!"

The old man continued.

Touman was silent. He was thinking and weighing the pros and cons.

Although the barbarians took away one-third of the Xiongnu's population and livestock.

But they have lived in the Central Plains for generations and are very familiar with the area.

If they were really willing to lead the Hun army and provide food and supplies.

Then the Huns' chances of victory will be greatly increased.

Moreover, the Central Plains is rich in resources, if it can be conquered.

It is also a good thing for the Huns.

"Are you sincere?" Touman asked.

"My barbarian tribe, young and old, women and children, totaling three hundred thousand people, are all willing to return to their roots and serve Your Majesty, even if it means sacrificing our lives!"