Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

The news also reached the Xiliang front at a faster speed.

Wudun, the arrogant Qiang leader who was leading his troops to plunder Longyou, was stunned at first when he heard that Qin Ming was coming in person with the black-armored cavalry, and then he burst into arrogant laughter.

"Qin Ming, you dared to come to my door? Great! This will save me the trouble of going to Chang'an to find him! Send the order to speed up the looting and gather the troops. This Khan will personally cut off the head of the Daqian Emperor on the Longyou Plain and use his skull as a wine bowl!"

However, the veteran generals under Wu Dun's command expressed concern: "Great Khan, Qin Ming is no small matter, and his Black Armored Cavalry are the most elite in the world. Our army has been scattered during the raids, so it is best to temporarily avoid the front line and retreat to Liang Province..."

"Bullshit!" Wu Dun kicked the old general away. "He's been on a long march and is exhausted! I'm well-rested and waiting for the enemy to tire out. 50,000 versus 30,000, the advantage is mine! This is a godsend opportunity, how can we retreat?!"

The Qiang army began to shrink, gave up some scattered looting, and gathered towards the predetermined decisive battle site - Longxi County, where the terrain was relatively open and conducive to the use of cavalry.

At the same time, the 30,000 Beiting black-armored cavalry led by Meng Zhi swept across the border like a whirlwind. They did not rush directly to the Longyou battlefield, but according to Qin Ming's secret order, relying on their powerful mobility, they quietly made a big circle and went straight to the strategic location between Liangzhou and the Qiang people's nest, cutting off Wudun's possible retreat!

A huge net woven by Emperor Daqian himself, intended to completely annihilate the main force of the Qiang people, is slowly unfolding in the wind and sand of Xiliang.

Qin Ming led his troops westward, marching day and night. The closer they got to the front lines, the more horrifying the sights became. Burned villages, barren fields, the desperate eyes of the fleeing civilians… all of this served as fuel for the cold rage within him.

His eyes were always looking towards the west, where the sky was filled with wind and sand, and murderous intentions were lurking everywhere.

He knew that Wudun was waiting for him there.

And he will also give the Qiang Khan an unforgettable "surprise".

The fate of the empire once again hinges on a decisive battle. This time, the emperor will personally wield the sword and bring this Xiliang conflict to a bloody end.

Qin Ming personally led the Black Armored Cavalry, like a storm of black steel, marching day and night, sweeping across the ancient Longshan Road and reaching the raging battlefront of Longyou. The army didn't rush into the devastated plains already ravaged by the Qiang cavalry. Instead, they took advantage of the terrain and set up a fortified camp at a strategic point in the foothills of the Longshan Mountains, known as "Broken Soul Slope." Nestled between the mountains and the water, the camp's towering walls, deep trenches, and numerous arrow towers resembled a crouching giant, gazing coldly at the dust-shrouded plains to the west.

Almost simultaneously with Qin Ming's encampment, the main force of the Qiang Khan, Wudun, had retreated to the outskirts of Longxi County. They set up camp for dozens of miles across a relatively open meadow ideal for cavalry galloping. Banners fluttered, men and horses roared, and their arrogance was extremely high. The two armies, one entrenched in a strategic position, prepared for battle; the other, brimming with pride and strength, eager to challenge. A grim atmosphere permeated the wilderness of Longyou, and a battle seemed imminent.

However, at this tense moment, a small cavalry with white flags and staffs slowly emerged from the Qiang camp and headed towards the Qian army camp.

"Report!" The scout galloped into the camp and knelt on one knee in front of the central army tent. "Your Majesty! The Qiang tribe has sent an envoy, and they are already one mile outside the camp gate, requesting an audience!"

Inside the large tent, Qin Ming was discussing the sand table with Meng Zhi, who had secretly arrived with the elite vanguard, and a group of generals. Upon hearing the news, everyone was stunned.

"Sending an envoy?" A fierce general scoffed. "When did that barbarian Wudun learn this kind of empty formality? Is he here to beg for mercy?"

Meng Zhi frowned and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Wudun is cruel and arrogant, and he is not someone who will easily bow down. Sending an envoy at this time may not be a good intention, but a conspiracy."

Qin Ming's gaze remained fixed on the area representing the Longxi Meadow on the sand table. His face expressionless, he said calmly, "When two armies are at war, envoys are not executed. Let him in. I want to see what tricks Wu Dun has in mind."

"Here!"

A moment later, the Qiang envoys were led to the main tent. There were three of them, the leader a tall man draped in a regal wolfskin cloak. His expression was haughty, his eyes brimming with the savagery and scrutiny characteristic of the steppe peoples, devoid of any fear. Behind him were two equally sturdy followers, their hands resting on the hilts of their scimitars at their waists.

The envoy stood still, not kneeling. He placed his right hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and spoke loudly in stiff Chinese: "I, Wugutu, the commander of ten thousand men under the command of the Great Khan of the Qiang people, am here to see the Emperor of Daqian by order of the Great Khan!"

Seeing how rude he was, the generals in the tent glared at him and put their hands on the hilts of their swords. The atmosphere in the tent instantly became tense.

Qin Ming raised his hand to calm his generals' restlessness. He slowly raised his head and looked at the envoy Wugutu calmly. However, the invisible pressure made Wugutu's arrogant expression stiffen slightly.

"Wudun sent you here, what do you have to say?" Qin Ming's voice was flat, and no emotion could be heard.

Wugutu took a deep breath, as if trying to muster up his courage, and shouted, "My Khan has said: The land of Longyou is rich in water and grass, and it is the place where my Qiang people gallop! You Han people, building cities and cultivating farmland, cutting off our livelihood, are truly banditry! Today, my Khan personally leads 50,000 cavalry to flatten Liangzhou. This is God's will! I know that your march is not easy. If you are willing to recognize the current situation and offer the land of Longxi, Anding and other five counties, and an annual tribute of 100,000 gold and silk, and 10,000 cattle and sheep, my Khan may show mercy and withdraw his troops from Liangzhou. Otherwise..." He paused, a sinister smile appeared on his face, "When my Khan's iron hooves crush your camp, I will slaughter you all and dye the Wei River with blood!"

"presumptuous!"

"Arrogant barbarian! Courting death!"

The generals in the tent were furious. They drew their swords, flashing cold light, and surrounded the three Qiang envoys! The two followers also drew their scimitars immediately, standing back to back and looking around vigilantly. Wugutu's face turned pale, but he held on and refused to retreat.

"Clang!"

The clear sound of a sword drowned out all the roars!

Qin Ming slowly drew out the giant black iron sword from his waist, with the tip of the sword pointing diagonally at the ground. The cold sword edge reflected his calm eyes.

He did not look at the angry generals, nor at the Qiang envoy who was trying to remain calm. His eyes seemed to penetrate the tent wall and look at the Qiang camp in the distance.

"Wudun wants the five counties?" Qin Ming's voice was still steady, but with a chilling chill, "Yes."

All the generals were stunned, even Wugutu was stunned, as they didn't expect the other party to be so "straightforward".

Qin Ming continued, speaking slowly and calmly, "Let him come and get it himself. Bring his fifty thousand cavalry to my camp. I will wait for him here. Let's see if the bones of this Qiang man are harder than my sword."

He paused, raised the tip of his sword slightly, and pointed it at Wugutu: "As for the annual tribute..."

The corner of Qin Ming's mouth curled up into an extremely cold arc.