Everyone who had been immersed in the joy of escaping the desert and seizing the camp was sobered by Lu Heng’s words.

They calmed down and began to think about their current situation.

Those stationed on the outer edges of the desert were definitely troops arranged by Si Qin.

The reason they happened to encounter this relatively small force when leaving the desert was because while in the desert, Qin Yining had been insisting they walk in this direction.

Some of them had already lost their sense of direction and were just following the crowd. Others who knew the direction felt that the farther they walked, the farther they got from the Great Zhou border, believing that Qin Yining’s command was mistaken.

But thinking about it now, Qin Yining must have anticipated long ago that Si Qin would definitely arrange troops outside to wait for them like hunters waiting for rabbits.

With their current strength after resting, if they encountered a large force of pursuers, they still wouldn’t have complete confidence in winning a battle, let alone when they had just left the desert exhausted.

It could be said that the direction Qin Yining chose was equivalent to saving everyone’s lives. Otherwise, they would have lost more than just those two hundred tribe members.

After recognizing the severity of their current situation, everyone finally came down from their elated state and planted their feet firmly on solid ground.

“Second Master Lu makes a good point. Uncle A’erhan, what do you think we should do?” Chagan Bala asked with a frown.

A’erhan thought for a moment and said: “The best approach now is to first send people to scout the way, figure out the situation outside, and determine the locations of other camps so we can avoid them.”

But Ha’er Bala said: “We’re not afraid of them. If we really encounter the Khan’s army, no Minuo warrior would retreat without fighting!”

Hearing this, Lu Heng smiled and nodded, saying unhurriedly: “You’re right. Minuo warriors don’t fear those things. However, in my humble opinion, unnecessary conflicts are of no benefit to us. Unless we encounter battles we must fight, such as when we encounter food or other things beneficial to our tribe members.”

Chagan Bala laughed: “Yes, if tribe members risk their lives to fight but gain nothing from it, fighting purely for the sake of fighting would be too reckless.”

Saying this, everyone in the tent laughed.

Although Qin Yining couldn’t understand what they were all saying, seeing the atmosphere change from heavy to relaxed again, she felt somewhat reassured.

Finally, Lu Heng and the others agreed to first arrange scouts to explore the surrounding situation, while the tribe members remaining in the camp would organize themselves and be ready to depart at any time.

After the message was passed down, the tribe members immediately got busy without any objection.

Compared to the harsh conditions of the desert, even though the weather was cold now with occasional heavy snow, everyone was full of hope for the future.

After Si Qin ascended to the Khan’s throne, he used a period of time to finally stabilize the entire Tatar court situation. What the ministers brought up was the issue of enriching the harem.

Court officials immediately proposed selecting beauties for Si Qin, with all Tatar tribes required to send beautiful women.

Because when A’na Ri was regent, almost all the original Tatar royal family members had died. Originally, everyone thought that the children born to A’na Ri would be the heirs.

Now that A’na Ri had been assassinated, and Si Qin didn’t have a single woman by his side, if something happened to Si Qin, wouldn’t the Tatar royal family be left without successors?

For the stability of the kingdom, the ministers spared no effort in persuasion, using every method to convince Si Qin to establish a Khatun and broadly accept beauties.

But Si Qin said seriously in court: “This Khan’s heart holds only one beloved – A’na Ri Khan. If I truly must establish a Khatun, I only wish that person could be A’na Ri. I will have descendants, but except for A’na Ri, no woman is qualified to sit on the Khatun’s throne. This Khan will accept beauties and produce heirs – that is for the inheritance and stability of the Tatar dynasty. As for the matter of a Khatun, you ministers need not persuade me further.”

Hearing this, an elderly minister was actually moved to tears on the spot. He placed his hand on his chest and bowed deeply: “The Khan’s deep affection and loyalty would surely move A’na Ri Khan’s spirit in heaven.”

All the ministers bowed and shouted: “The Khan’s deep affection and loyalty is the fortune of our Tatars!”

Whether Wutejin Khan wanted to establish a Khatun or not, as long as he didn’t become a monk and could frequently favor beauties and produce many heirs, there would be no worry about dynasty successors. The ministers were all shrewd people who wouldn’t oppose Si Qin on this matter.

Seeing that the ministers all agreed, Si Qin seriously brought up A’na Ri’s matter again.

“This Khan only grieves for the suffering A’na Ri endured. Unfortunately, the assassins were too cunning. Despite arranging so many people, this Khan still failed to catch those two assassins. Even with the protection of those Minuo tribe traitors, there shouldn’t be no news at all.”

Si Qin’s voice was loud, but his tone was very calm, with no excess emotion in his speech.

But the ministers bowed deeply again.

“It is our ministers’ incompetence.”

“Rise quickly. This Khan has no intention of blaming you.”

Si Qin stood up and clasped his hands behind his back: “Even the most formidable warriors may not be able to match the cunning of Zhou people.”

A minister who well understood Si Qin’s thoughts stepped forward to advise: “Khan, those two assassins must have been sent by the Great Zhou dog emperor! They were able to escape only because the Great Zhou emperor helped them from behind.”

“Yes, Khan.” Another of Si Qin’s staunch supporters also stepped forward and bowed: “The Great Zhou emperor has gone too far. Not only did he send people to assassinate A’na Ri Khan, but when the Khan sent a state letter condemning their actions, the Zhou dynasty emperor actually dared to make excuses – no apology, no compensation. He truly doesn’t take us Tatars seriously.”

This immediately sparked discussion and speculation among everyone.

Soon everyone was certain that the Great Zhou emperor must have ordered the assassination of A’na Ri Khan, and after the killing, refused to acknowledge it while trying every means to help the assassins escape punishment.

The discussion grew louder and emotions ran higher. In the midst of the condemnation, a voice rang out loudly: “Those cunning foxes of Great Zhou need us Tatar hunters to teach them a good lesson and let them know our power!”

Hearing this, the ministers were all stirred to fighting spirit and had their fighting spirit aroused. No Tatar warrior would admit to being a coward afraid to avenge A’na Ri Khan. Moreover, Wutejin Khan loved A’na Ri Khan so much – everyone wanted to help avenge A’na Ri, which would both make Wutejin Khan happy and curry favor with him.

Everyone came to this realization simultaneously and became excited. For a time, the court was filled with voices volunteering for battle.

Si Qin couldn’t help but let a slight smile curve at the corners of his mouth, but quickly suppressed it with restraint.

Si Qin said: “Thank you all, but we Tatars are not an unreasonable people. This Khan has decided to first negotiate conditions with Great Zhou, giving them an opportunity. If they still refuse to admit their mistakes, then they can’t blame us for demanding this blood debt!”

Hearing this, the ministers all unanimously agreed and bowed in approval.

After the court session, someone immediately drafted a proclamation. The elegant parallel prose was magnificently written, not only detailing the shameless behavior of Great Zhou people sending assassins to murder A’na Ri Khan and refusing to acknowledge it, but also very subtly praising Wutejin Khan’s wise and benevolent governance since ascending the throne.

This proclamation was not only sent to Great Zhou but also widely posted in major cities and towns throughout Tatar territory. It immediately caused heated discussion among the people, with voices praising Wutejin Khan’s wisdom resounding everywhere.

But the Great Zhou people were truly disgusted by all the shameless words in that proclamation.

Li Qitian angrily smashed his favorite tea set and immediately summoned Pang Xiao, Minister Lu, and Qin Huaiyuan to the palace for another round of scolding.

“Tell me, what should be done now! Not only did those Tatars issue a proclamation, but their language was disrespectful to me. That’s not all – they actually had the audacity to demand outrageous compensation! The Tatars have gone mad with poverty!”

Li Qitian was simply at his wit’s end.

Speaking of which, as an emperor who won the realm on horseback, he actually wasn’t afraid of war at all. But the biggest problem wasn’t lack of troops – it was that Great Zhou’s treasury really couldn’t squeeze out any more silver to wage a war.

His own days were stretched thin, and now the Tatars wanted to extort money from him – how could this not make Li Qitian angry?

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.” Qin Huaiyuan was the calmest of the three. Seeing that Pang Xiao and Minister Lu both remained silent, he naturally bowed and said: “In this minister’s opinion, Si Qin is using every means to extort money. If the extortion fails, he’ll have found an excuse to wage war.”

Upon hearing the word “war,” Li Qitian felt one head becoming two. War and people’s livelihood – which one didn’t require silver? But the dilapidated court remained as chaotic as before. It wasn’t as if the chronic ailments left by the Northern Ji Kingdom’s tyrannical rule would disappear just because they had established Great Zhou.

They had been working hard to stabilize the kingdom, hoping to rapidly strengthen Great Zhou.

But right in these troubled times, the court had no energy left to attend to other matters. Li Qitian was so worried that white hairs had grown at his temples.

“I know this is the situation! The problem is how to resolve this situation! I said from the beginning that after years of warfare with people’s livelihoods in ruins, if we could avoid letting common people suffer, I would be willing to endure anything myself. Whether our people actually assassinated A’na Ri this time is still unknown, but the problem is that the Qin family woman and Lu Heng were captured, and they’re insisting it was us! Now the Tatars are making outrageous demands – either give money or go to war. I pity the people of the realm!”

Li Qitian was truly heartbroken, almost ready to beat his chest and stamp his feet. Being emperor seemed glorious, but now he was mentally and physically exhausted, already feeling nearly drained.

Minister Lu and Pang Xiao both remained silent.

Anyway, they knew that Li Qitian had long stopped caring about Lu Heng and Qin Yining’s safety. If the Tatars now said they would drop the matter if these two people were handed over, Li Qitian would definitely agree readily, regardless of whether the other side was deceiving him.

Pang Xiao had already secretly contacted some Elite Tiger Guard members to infiltrate Tatar territory and search for Qin Yining’s whereabouts. Although Li Qitian watched him closely, with court affairs now in chaos, Li Qitian was overwhelmed and wouldn’t pay attention to such things in the short term. Even if Li Qitian truly blamed him later, he would accept it. After all, he had already disobeyed imperial orders – for Qin Yining’s sake, how could he care about anything else now?