RWNEFE -Chapter 238 Didn’t Expect Xiao Fang, Big-Eyed and Bushy-Browed, to Care About Age Too!

The findings were exactly what Shen Lanxi had expected.

She opened the list and checked off the names of Yan Huai and Sun Qian.

“Except for these two missing individuals, everyone else either died unexpectedly or succumbed to illness.”

Wei Dongzhu and the others felt a chill in their hearts.

“There’s something very suspicious about the Wei Family Army case,” Shen Lanxi said.

Those directly connected to the case were the Shen family and Wei Dongzhu. The others silently shook their heads, knowing there was no way to confirm the deaths.

Even if it was suspicious, there was no one left alive to verify it!

Wei Dongzhu said, “I’ve already sent men to search the bottom of that cliff for their bodies. No news has returned yet.”

Shen Lanxi fell silent for a moment and said, “We don’t have enough manpower right now to divert troops to search for the two.”

Wei Dongzhu nodded vigorously. He had arrived early in the Northwest to scout and already had a good understanding of the situation.

“General, what should we do next?” Xiao Fang asked.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes darkened. “Wait for news!” Respond to the situation with calm in the face of change!

After a brief discussion, everyone returned to rest.

Two days later, the three Turkic tribes suddenly sent word—they wanted to negotiate!

Sun Zhong immediately reported the news to Shen Lanxi. He had expected that once Shen and Wei arrived, they would seize his authority at once. But surprisingly, they only requested the battle reports and then remained quiet.

He was baffled.

“This time, the envoy for negotiations is again the Turkic Abu Khan,” Sun Zhong reported, giving a summary of Abu Khan and the previous failed negotiations.

“Abu Khan is the Turkic Empress Dowager’s brother. In prior negotiations, his attitude was extremely harsh—demanding money, weapons, warhorses, and even the cities west of Xiling City to be ceded to the three Turkic tribes!”

Shen Lanxi remained expressionless, but the others could not help themselves.

“They really have grand ambitions!”

“Not a chance. Our Great Zhou territory, not an inch will be ceded!”

“Money might be negotiable, but weapons and horses are absolutely off-limits. If they acquire those, it’s like giving a tiger wings—they would invade our land even more recklessly!”

“The princess didn’t bring much wealth with her. If she goes for the marriage, we can’t just send her alone!”

It wasn’t that she brought little—it was almost nothing. Ordinary families had to provide a dowry when marrying off a daughter. How could this compare?

Historical records of royal marriages all had detailed files. If the marriage negotiations actually went through, the court might not even be able to provide supplies—they’d have to solve it themselves.

They wouldn’t have that capability, and it would be embarrassing!

Sun Zhong discreetly glanced at Shen Lanxi. Both sides were cursing and shouting, yet she showed no reaction.

“General Shen, what exactly is your plan?” Sun Zhong asked anxiously.

Shen Lanxi asked, “Where will the negotiation take place?”

Sun Zhong’s eyes flickered as he quickly replied, “Not yet decided—previously, it was ten li outside the city.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Then first finalize the negotiation location. Step by step.”

Sun Zhong’s urgency made his mouth almost froth; he hurriedly said, “General Shen, you may not know… each time negotiations fail, the three Turkic tribes organize hunts. These hunts treat our people as prey. Killing, burning, and looting is bad enough—but sometimes they massacre entire villages, leaving not even newborns alive!”

Sun Zhong clenched his fists in righteous anger just recalling it.

Shen Lanxi glanced at him. “The Northern Expedition Army has 300,000 troops, and the three Turkic tribes are roughly equal. I’m curious—when you were in the Southwest, you were unbeatable. Why are you ineffective in the Northwest?”

“Not only did we fail to retake lost cities, we were repeatedly defeated, and the three Turkic tribes grew even more arrogant!”

Sun Zhong was momentarily speechless.

Shen Lanxi added, “If General Sun is unwilling to explain, that’s fine.”

Sun Zhong seemed as though he bore a massive grievance. He took two deep breaths and said, “When we first arrived in the Northwest, the Turkic tribes, who had long laid ambushes, caught us completely off guard. Later, they even used the civilians to restrain us…” He stopped there.

There were other reasons he could not speak aloud.

Shen Lanxi noticed his hesitation, understood his concerns, and did not press further.

She said only, “Since I’ve just arrived and you haven’t been made to suffer because of me, I won’t ask why Zhou Ruyuan went from being a low-ranking supply officer to returning to the position of supreme commander.”

Sun Zhong froze, staring at Shen Lanxi in astonishment. His surprise was plain—he had never expected her to know these things. He probably thought she was a lightweight.

“Go finalize the negotiation location!”

Sun Zhong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and hurried off.

Cheng Zheng received the news and immediately presented it to Shen Lanxi.

It contained two pieces of information: first, Zhou Ruyuan had requested supplies from the court, and second, troops were to be rearranged.

After reviewing, Shen Lanxi passed the information down.

“Once the troop reassignment orders arrive, immediately petition the court for supplies. Then, citing insufficient troops, request a conscription order!”

Cheng Zheng recorded everything carefully.

Xiao Fang said, “Great! Old Liu and the others are coming!”

Shen Lanxi joked, “Your nephew will come too.”

Xiao Fang immediately protested, “I’m so young! There’s no way he’s my nephew—he’s just a little errand boy running messages for me!”

Fine, whatever. Who would have thought that big-eyed, bushy-browed Xiao Fang would care about age!

Sun Zhong quickly confirmed the negotiation location—it was still ten li outside the city.

The day before the negotiations, Sun Zhong hesitantly approached Shen Lanxi.

“General, maybe I should go with General Wei for the negotiations.” He didn’t say, “You shouldn’t go,” but it was implied.

Negotiations were a contest between men—she, a woman, should understand.

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow. “Previously, it was you who went with Zhou Ruyuan to negotiate with Abu Khan?”

Sun Zhong was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Two times were me. The other times, the Prince brought other generals.”

Shen Lanxi half-smiled, half-smirked. “Even you, the God of War, couldn’t reach an agreement. You think adding Wei Dongzhu will make a difference?”

Such a sharp tongue! It was already winter, and Sun Zhong’s palms were sweating just listening.

“General, you may not know—Abu Khan is extremely rude and fond of women,” Sun Zhong warned, head lowered.

He was only concerned for Shen Lanxi—her face was far too remarkable. During negotiations, Abu Khan had been shameless and arrogant, repeatedly attempting to provoke conflict.

They were men, and Abu Khan behaved this way. Who knew what he might do with a woman as striking as Shen Lanxi?

If the negotiations failed and the envoy was humiliated, it wouldn’t just be personal embarrassment—it would disgrace all of Great Zhou!

Shen Lanxi said, “Thank you for the warning, General Sun. I will remember this favor. Proceed as I’ve instructed.”

Sun Zhong, hearing her resolute tone, let out a long sigh. He felt powerless and a little disappointed.

Why did the court send no capable men? Why send a woman?

The Northwest’s fate was about to expire!