"You, do you want my whistling arrow?"

The voice of Ashina Shali echoed in the spacious tent. It was calm, with no fluctuation, but coupled with the whistling wind outside, this calmness conveyed a sense of indescribable oppression.

Prince Zhu Xie also replied calmly, "Yes."

After the ministers showed expressions of surprise, upon hearing these words, they immediately held their breath.

Lady Jiayuan’s brow furrowed into a knot.

Whistling arrow!

This is a type of bow and arrow used by the Turkic Royal Family. Later, due to the improvements made by ancestors, they equipped the arrows with iron pieces that made sharp whistling sounds when shot, attracting the attention of soldiers amidst thousands of troops, causing all archers to fire in unison, demonstrating stunning power.

This whistling arrow on the battlefield was like an invisible royal decree.

Therefore, after that, the Turkic Royal Family no longer used the whistling arrow casually, and only the Khan of the Turks could use it. The whistling arrow was equivalent to a symbol of the Khan’s status.

But now, Prince Zhu Xie turned to Shali Khan to request his whistling arrow?

Amidst the almost suffocating silence, Lady Jiayuan let out a soft laugh and said lightly, "The Crown Prince’s request is truly unique—ah."

Her words invisibly made the atmosphere inside the King’s Tent heavier.

Especially when she deliberately elongated the tone, as though omitting a few words. But even if omitted, everyone present was shrewd enough to fill in the blanks, though each person’s interpretation differed.

Some might interpret it as "important."

While others might interpret it as—"dangerous."

Sure enough, after hearing her words, Ashina Shali’s gaze gradually became dangerous, yet Ashina Zhuxie remained calm, his expression unchanging, and said, "I ask Father Khan for the whistling arrow because the Heavy Cavalry is extremely important to me."

Ashina Shali squinted slightly: "What do you mean."

Ashina Zhuxie said, "If I—leave nothing around me, Father Khan won’t be at ease."

"..."

"If what I leave is not important, Father Khan won’t be at ease either."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, a ray of light flashed in Ashina Shali’s eyes, even Lady Jiayuan, who was always on guard, was somewhat dazed.

Beside her, Lei Yu’s expression became serious, looking at him.

What Ashina Zhuxie implied with his request to Shali Khan seemed like a "fair trade," but those well-versed in power dynamics understood the deeper meaning of his words.

Throughout history, emperors have been highly suspicious.

And facing the emperor’s suspicion, every action of a subject is exceptionally dangerous; how to express one’s loyalty to the emperor is a profound skill.

For instance, when Emperor Shi attacked the Chu State, he used Li Xin because he distrusted the old general Wang Jian, but after Li Xin’s failure, he was forced to use Wang Jian again; Wang Jian, upon receiving command of nearly all the troops, delayed advancing, instead repeatedly asked Emperor Shi for wealth, land, beauties, and even official positions for his descendants.

Everyone thought his greed would displease the emperor and advised him not to be too greedy.

But to everyone’s surprise, the emperor trusted him even more.

Because asking for wealth, land, and beauties indicated this person was extremely greedy, had no grand ambition, and as his desires were things the emperor could grant, naturally, it assured the emperor.

What the emperor truly feared was a subject seeking things beyond his capacity to give.

Therefore, in certain situations, a subject’s "greed" is necessary.

Just like the situation at hand.

Ashina Zhuxie had buried these notions deeply within this seemingly fair trade, yet through this fairness, he exchanges for his own security and Ashina Shali’s trust.

Amidst everyone’s silence, some even looking at him in surprise, Ashina Zhuxie continued, "Hence, I ask Father Khan for the whistling arrow, because after losing the Heavy Cavalry, I also need something to accompany me in my southern and northern expeditions, and the whistling arrow fits perfectly."

"..."

"I hope Father Khan can grant my request."

"..."

Ashina Shali didn’t answer immediately; he simply looked at him deeply for a long while and said, "Are you really thinking this way?"

Ashina Zhuxie said, "Yes."

"..."

Eventually, Ashina Shali said, "Alright, I promise you!"

Behind, the sudden exclamation of Lady Jiayuan reflexively wanted to say something but stopped herself—the whistling arrow had always been used by the Khan, but in the past, it was something used by the Turkic Royal Family as well, handing it to Ashina Zhuxie wasn’t particularly extraordinary, whereas acquiring Heavy Cavalry would be a real advantage.

This trade is indeed "fair."

Thus, she swallowed back the words she didn’t speak and looked at Ashina Zhuxie with penetrating eyes, perhaps wanting to see if his intentions were truly only that.

As Ashina Zhuxie bowed deeply, he said, "Thank you, Father Khan!"

At this time, Ashina Shali also revealed a hint of a smile.

He said, "Alright, since it’s settled, let’s not change it. In a while, I’ll personally take Yiasu over to take charge of the troops and personally hand you the whistling arrow!"

Ashina Zhuxie and Ashina Yiasu said simultaneously, "Yes!"

Seeing this situation, everyone around seemed as if a heavy stone had been lifted from their hearts, several ministers including Shi Shu An Yi let out a long sigh of relief, while those who had previously accompanied Prince Zhu Xie looked displeased but couldn’t say much, only frowning in silence.

A major event was thus decided.

And the future of the Western Turks seemed to be destined!

But just at that moment, urgent and heavy footsteps suddenly sounded outside the King’s Tent, the tent entrance was pushed open, and the still-pleasant atmosphere inside was immediately scattered by the cold wind blowing in.

Ashina Shali frowned and looked up, as a soldier ran in: "Khan!"

"What is it?"

"Enemy troops were discovered approaching ten miles outside the Yatai!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Shali immediately stood up, together with both princes, the surrounding ministers all showed expressions of surprise, Ashina Zhuxie immediately said, "Which enemy troops, how many are there?"

The soldier said, "It’s the army of Sheng Country, from a rough view, at least several tens of thousands strong!"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Shali’s breath sank, his eyes suddenly flashed a sharp, cold glint, and he asked in a stern voice, "Who’s leading the troops?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The soldier said, "It’s—Yu Wenye!"