Dapeng's Time Travel Life

As the border region gradually recovered from the war, the markets were bustling with people again, shops lined the streets, and shouts of vendors filled the air. Zhang Peng toured the city, and seeing the smiles returning to the faces of the people, he felt a little gratified. However, he knew that the threat from foreign forces was still like the sword of Damocles hanging high, ready to fall at any moment.

"General, an imperial envoy has arrived and is waiting in the camp," a soldier rushed in to report.

Zhang Peng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly returned to his tent. Upon seeing Zhang Peng, the envoy immediately read out the imperial edict, which was a commendation from the court for the border war and instructions on allocating funds for reconstruction. It also brought a new task—to renegotiate trade agreements with neighboring tribes and expand the scope of cooperation in order to consolidate peace and stability on the border.

"General, this is wonderful news! Once trade resumes, prosperity on the border will be just around the corner," Li Ming said excitedly from the side.

Zhang Peng did not respond immediately, knowing full well that the matter was not as simple as it seemed. Previous trade cooperation had been repeatedly disrupted by foreign forces, and its reopening would inevitably attract their attention again, and they might resort to any underhanded tactics.

“This matter requires further consideration,” Zhang Peng said after a moment of contemplation. “We should first communicate with the tribal leaders to understand their thoughts, and at the same time strengthen border defenses to prevent foreign forces from taking the opportunity to cause trouble.”

Over the next few days, Zhang Peng personally visited the chiefs of various surrounding tribes. In his conversations with them, he discovered that most chiefs held a positive attitude towards trade cooperation, but some chiefs had concerns, fearing retaliation from foreign forces.

“General Zhang, we also want to trade with the Central Plains, but those foreign forces are too rampant. Last time they threatened us that if we cooperate with you again, they will attack our tribe,” a tribal chief said worriedly.

Zhang Peng understood their concerns and patiently explained, "Leaders, rest assured, we have strengthened border defenses and will never allow foreign forces to succeed. Moreover, only through trade cooperation can we develop together, become stronger, and have sufficient strength to resist foreign enemies."

Thanks to Zhang Peng's persistent persuasion, most tribes finally agreed to renegotiate the trade agreement. However, an unexpected situation arose just before the agreement was to be signed.

A scout rushed into the tent in a panic: "General, something terrible has happened! Foreign forces have sent a group of assassins to infiltrate the border, and their target is likely the tribal chief attending the trade agreement signing ceremony!"

Zhang Peng's expression changed drastically; the appearance of the assassin had complicated the situation further. He immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

"General, we must immediately strengthen security measures and deploy heavy troops at the ceremony site to ensure the safety of the leaders," a general suggested.

“But this will inevitably cause panic among the leaders and affect the signing of trade agreements,” another general expressed his concern.

The discussion reached a stalemate as everyone chimed in. Zhang Peng pondered for a long time, then suddenly had a brilliant idea: "Why don't we turn the tables on them? On one hand, we can set up sentries at the ceremony site to secretly protect the leaders; on the other hand, we can deliberately spread the word that the ceremony location has been changed at the last minute, luring the assassins to the fake location, and then we can wipe them out in one fell swoop."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Zhang Peng then quickly arranged for numerous sentries to be stationed around the ceremony site, each equipped with elite soldiers, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances. At the same time, he sent men to spread false information, claiming that the trade agreement signing ceremony would be held in a valley outside the city.

Night fell, and the valley outside the city was silent. The assassins, as expected, fell into the trap, stealthily infiltrating the valley to launch their attack. Just as they thought they had succeeded, Zhang Peng gave the order, and his ambush troops sprang up, surrounding the assassins.

"Kill! Don't let a single one escape!" Zhang Peng's voice echoed through the valley.

The soldiers charged at the assassins like tigers, engaging in fierce combat. Although the assassins were agile, they gradually fell into a disadvantageous position under the heavy encirclement of the soldiers. After a fierce battle, all the assassins were annihilated.

With the assassin crisis resolved, the trade agreement signing ceremony proceeded smoothly. The tribal chiefs and Zhang Peng jointly signed the trade agreement, amidst cheers and jubilation. Zhang Peng looked at the crowd below, but his heart remained heavy. He knew this was only temporary peace; foreign forces would undoubtedly have new schemes, and he must remain vigilant to protect this land.