If that was their intention, Chu Chen had to admit they had succeeded.
It was only in the final step, when they tried to kill him, that they miscalculated.
They also hadn't expected Chu Chen to get involved with the Old God of War, which was entirely unforeseen.
Chu Chen increasingly felt that this matter was not simple; he seemed to see an invisible hand pressing down on him.
The Xiongnu definitely had a conspiracy, but what they wanted to achieve, Chu Chen still didn't fully understand.
However, Chu Chen didn't dwell on it. Although Golden Wheel had escaped this time, his three subordinates were captured alive.
Even if Golden Wheel managed to evade the Old God of War's pursuit, he wouldn't dare to act rashly in a short period.
At least, he was safe for now.
Chu Chen didn't think further and changed the subject, chatting with the farmers about other things.
It took about half an hour for the farmers to bring Chu Chen and the three Xiongnu cultivators to the entrance of Prime Minister Chu's mansion.
Several guards immediately came out of the mansion.
The farmers became nervous, unsure of what to say. They had completely forgotten that they were there to help.
The guards approached Chu Chen and knelt down.
"Welcome, Prime Minister."
The farmers then looked at Chu Chen, astonished.
"You are Prime Minister Chu?"
Chu Chen nodded, a faint smile on his face.
"That's right. Thank you all very much for helping to bring these people here.
"These fellows are all Xiongnu experts. If they had escaped, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
The farmers quickly knelt before Chu Chen.
"Prime Minister Chu, it is our honor to be able to help you. We hope we have been of assistance."
Chu Chen nodded and said to the guards, "Go to the accounting office and give them a thousand taels of silver."
Upon hearing this, the soldier immediately agreed, turned, and entered Prime Minister Chu's mansion.
The farmers, however, had recovered their senses and quickly waved their hands.
"Prime Minister Chu, we helped you because you did good deeds for us, and we willingly assisted. We didn't help for rewards."
Hearing this, Chu Chen smiled and nodded.
"I know you did it willingly. This reward is my sincere gratitude.
"If you truly refuse, I will give this money to the beggars."
Hearing this, the farmers exchanged glances, looking conflicted.
"Why don't we just take it? Otherwise, it would be given to beggars for nothing."
"That's true. Thank you, Prime Minister Chu."
"This is what you deserve."
The soldier returned with a thousand taels of silver, accompanied by two servants, to the mansion's entrance.
Seeing a large pile of silver, the farmers were overjoyed.
"I never thought I'd see so much money in my lifetime. It's like my ancestors' graves are smoking with good fortune."
Chu Chen said to the soldier, "Take some men and escort them back.
"Also, warn their villagers that these men are under my protection. If anyone dares to lay claim to their silver, they will be crossing me."
The soldier immediately agreed, and the farmers were once again filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Prime Minister Chu, for considering everything so thoroughly for us."
"Yes, Prime Minister Chu. If you hadn't said that, we would probably have been harassed again when we returned."
"When we had no money, we wanted money. When we have money, we are bothered."
Chu Chen smiled and waved his hand, "Your business here is done. Go back quickly and share the good news with your families."
The farmers immediately agreed and, escorted by the guards, returned home with a large sum of silver.
Chu Chen ordered the Xiongnu cultivators to be taken away and was about to return to his room to cultivate when there was movement outside the mansion.
"Prime Minister Chu, I'm back."
Chu Chen recognized the Old God of War's voice and couldn't help but give a wry smile.
The Old God of War had been gone for so long, and finally, there was some news.
He went to the front of the mansion but did not see Golden Wheel.
Chu Chen was slightly disappointed.
"He still got away."
The Old God of War said with some regret, "Prime Minister Chu, I apologize for putting you in such a difficult position this time."
Chu Chen smiled and waved his hand, "It's nothing. It's fine that he escaped. At least we captured three people."
The Old God of War asked with some confusion, "Prime Minister Chu, how did you get them back? That place we went to was desolate."
Chu Chen smiled and explained the recent events to the Old God of War.
Finally, Chu Chen continued, "Old God of War, you will likely be staying at the mansion for a long time."
The Old God of War heard this and nodded with a wry smile, "Prime Minister Chu, I understand. Until Golden Wheel is captured, I will continue to protect you."
Chu Chen sighed, "Old God of War, I don't want to trouble you, but now the nation is in a time of crisis.
"If we make any wrong move, we could fall into eternal damnation."
Huo Qing smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Prime Minister Chu. I know all of this.
"Do you think I've just been wandering around aimlessly every day? If that were the case, I wouldn't have stayed near the imperial city."
Hearing the Old God of War's words, Chu Chen was relieved.
The next morning, Chu Chen, accompanied by the Old God of War, went to the imperial court to attend the morning assembly.
After everyone shouted "Long live the Empress," the Empress, holding an urgent dispatch, addressed the assembly.
"News from the border indicates friction between the Yan and Zhao states. It is said that a small-scale battle occurred, with casualties on both sides."
Upon hearing this, everyone present began to discuss.
"These two states have always been at odds with each other. However, because they both border the Xiongnu, they wouldn't make a move against each other.
"Yes, why did they suddenly fight this time? Something must have happened."
Said Sun Mo, the Minister of Personnel.
Meng Yuan, the Minister of Works, nodded.
"Could it be the Xiongnu instigating trouble, deliberately sowing discord to advance south?"
"It's very possible, but we can't guarantee that Qi and Wei haven't made a move either."
Xie An immediately retorted, "That's impossible, isn't it? Don't they know the relationship of 'lips and teeth'? The Yan and Zhao states are like a barrier for the central plains states.
"If it weren't for Yan and Zhao, the Xiongnu would have a difficult time advancing south, and they wouldn't fare well either."
Wang Zhe, the Minister of Justice, said, "The truth of the matter is still unknown. All of this is speculation on our part. We still need intelligence."
Everyone then looked at the Empress.
The Empress shook her head, "Currently, the standoff between Yan and Zhao is becoming increasingly tense. The initial cause is no longer important."