At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

On the city wall of Mozhou, the north wind howled, and snowflakes fluttered down, coating the city wall, flagpoles, and distant mountains with a layer of white.

However, the construction site of the city wall was a scene of bustling activity.

Hundreds of craftsmen were involved in various tasks, including moving stones, mixing mud, building walls, and erecting scaffolds.

Their hands were red from the cold, but their faces were wet with sweat and steaming.

The clanging of hammers striking stones and the shouts of craftsmen mingled together, echoing over this city on the northernmost frontier.

Su Mu walked slowly along the city wall, his body hunched over.

Gu Changfeng followed behind, occasionally lending a hand to the workers.

"General Su! What brings you here!"

An old craftsman who was laying bricks looked up, saw Su Mu, and quickly put down his trowel, clasped his hands in a salute.

His face was etched with wrinkles from years of hard work, his fingers were short and thick, and his fingernails were filled with dirt and grime. He looked like someone who had done manual labor all his life.

Su Mu walked over, his gaze falling on the city wall that was being raised.

The bricks and stones were stacked neatly, the mortar was applied evenly, and every stone fit together perfectly.

"You've worked hard."

The old craftsman grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and waved his hands repeatedly.

"General Su, what you're saying..."

"At your age, you still went to the battlefield to fight the Northern Barbarians and drove them out of the northern border. What is this little bit of work we're doing compared to that?"

Several young craftsmen nearby also gathered around, chattering amongst themselves.

"Yes, General Su! As long as we can build the city walls higher and set up the crossbows properly, preventing the Northern barbarians from invading again, it would be worth it even if we lost our lives!"

"We're all terrified of war."

"My father died on the city wall three years ago when the Northern Di people attacked."

"Back then, our city walls were low and couldn't stop their siege ladders. They climbed them in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn..."

"My wife was kidnapped by the Northern Di people, and we still haven't found her. It's so pitiful and hateful."

Su Mu listened to these words with a heavy heart.

He turned around, looked at the people coming and going on the streets of the city, and smiled broadly.

In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, the aroma of food mingling with the smell of firewood wafting through the cold air.

This is a scene of peace.

Ordinary, insignificant, yet a peace that brings a sense of security.

But this peace was hard-won; it was bought with the blood and flesh of countless people.

There are never any winners in war.

If we must talk about who won, then the winner is the imperial court, the emperor, and those officials who sit on the throne and issue orders.

The common people are always the ones who lose.

His son was going to war, his wife was left without a husband, and his child was left without a father.

After a war, countless families were torn apart, countless children never saw their fathers again, and countless elderly people outlived their children.

Su Mu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, there was a determination in them.

The path that Tuoba Lie mentioned might actually be feasible.

Ceding territory and paying reparations, never to repeat the mistake again.

If the Northern Barbarians are truly sincere, what's wrong with releasing Tuoba Han and Tuoba Lie?

Two lives were sacrificed for the peace and stability of the people of the North; it was worth it.

"Changfeng," Su Mu said, his voice hoarse.

"Your subordinate is here." Gu Changfeng stepped forward.

"Go to the prison and bring Tuoba Lie, Tuoba Han, and Sikong Yu to the government office. I want to talk to them again."

Gu Chang clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

He turned around and strode down the city wall.

Su Mu glanced again at the busy craftsmen, then at the peaceful people living their lives on the distant streets, before turning around and walking towards the government office.

……

The main hall of the Mozhou government office.

Su Mu sat in the main seat, his eyes sharp, quietly waiting for Tuoba Lie and the other two to arrive.

Before long, Gu Changfeng led Tuoba Lie, Tuoba Han, and Sikong Yu in.

The three were still in shackles, and although they looked somewhat haggard, they were in much better spirits than they had been a few days ago.

"General Su." Tuoba Lie cupped his hands in a respectful manner.

"Sit down." Su Mu pointed to the chair opposite him.

The three sat down and took a sip of tea.

The hot tea warmed my stomach as I swallowed it, and my tense nerves relaxed a bit.

Su Mu didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point.

"I have considered the conditions you proposed last time."

Tuoba Lie's eyes lit up slightly, and he leaned forward.

"General Su means..."

The ancient well in Sumu was calm and still.

"I can promise you that Sikong Yu will return to the Northern Di with your joint letter, urging the Northern Di king to cease hostilities, cede territory, and pay reparations."

Tuoba Han suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with hope.

"General Su, are you willing to release us...?"

Su Mu raised his hand, interrupting him.

"My condition is: if the King of the Northern Barbarians agrees to cede territory and pay reparations, and never commits the same offense again, I can release one of you two princes back to the Northern Barbarians. As for the other, he must remain in the Great Qian Dynasty as a hostage for three years."

Tuoba Han Tieqing.

Su Mu shook his head, a profound meaning flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"Regarding the specific details of ceding territory and paying reparations, I will report to the court for discussion by the current emperor and his ministers. But I can assure you that as long as the Northern Barbarians are sincere enough, the Great Qian will not make exorbitant demands."

"General Su," Tuoba Lie stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, "On behalf of the Northern Di, I thank you."

Su Mu waved his hand, a hint of helplessness flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"No need to thank me, I just don't want to see the people of Daqian suffer from war again."

He looked at Sikong Yu.

"Sikong Yu, after you return, convey my words to Tuoba Feng without missing a single one."

"Tell him that if he wants to get his two brothers back, he must agree to the terms of ceding territory and paying reparations, and never invade the Great Qian again."

"If you are unwilling, I will not hesitate to take drastic measures."

"If he wants to bring troops to rescue people, I am ready to accompany him at any time."

"But he needs to think this through: if another battle breaks out, how long can the Northern Barbarians hold out? How many of their soldiers will die?"

Sikong Yu's expression was solemn. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will certainly convey your message."

Su Mu nodded, gesturing for Gu Changfeng to fetch paper and pen and place them in front of Tuoba Lie.

"Write it down, a joint letter, and both of you brothers should sign your names."

Tuoba Lie picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote line after line of characters on the paper.

His handwriting is neat and powerful, and he writes each stroke very carefully.

Tuoba Han hesitated for a moment, then took the pen and signed his name on the letter.

After finishing writing, Tuoba Lie took out a small jade seal from his bosom, dipped it in ink, and stamped it on the letter.

Su Mu took the letter, glanced at it, folded it, put it in an envelope, sealed it with sealing wax, and handed it to Sikong Yu.

"Take this and go back to tell Tuoba Feng."

"I'll give him three months to consider."

"If the Northern Barbarians are willing to negotiate within three months, they should send envoys to Mozhou, and I will treat them with the utmost courtesy."

"If the Northern Barbarians make no move in three months, then don't blame me for being ruthless with my blade."

Sikong Yu took the letter, carefully put it away, then turned to Tuoba Han and Tuoba Lie, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, I will certainly deliver the letter."

Su Mu waved to Gu Changfeng.

"Changfeng, unlock his handcuffs and shackles, then prepare a fast horse to send him off."

Gu Changfeng clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around, and left.

Tuoba Lie clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

"I will always remember General Su's noble character."

……

North gate of Mozhou City.

The snow stopped, the sky was overcast and the clouds hung low.

Sikong Yu rode on a black horse, wrapped in a thick cotton robe, with a food bag and a water pouch hanging from his waist.

He still had the scars from his imprisonment on his face, but his eyes were incredibly determined.

Tuoba Lie walked up to Sikong Yu's horse and looked up at him.

"Mr. Sikong, this journey north is long and arduous, with wind and snow. Please be careful on the road."

Sikong Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice sincere.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will do my best to persuade the King to turn hostility into friendship. I do not wish to see war break out in the northern border again."

Tuoba Lie nodded and took a step back.

"Go."

Sikong Yu spurred his horse, and the black horse neighed loudly, its four hooves flying as it galloped northward.

The snowflakes kicked up by the horses' hooves danced in the air and quickly disappeared into the vast white wilderness.

Tuoba Han stood at the city gate, watching the departing figure, and murmured to himself.

"Strategist... I'm counting on you."

Su Mu turned around and slowly walked towards the city.

Following behind him, Gu Changfeng couldn't help but ask, "Elder Su, do you really believe that the Northern Barbarians will negotiate peace?"

Su Mu did not turn around, his voice hoarse.

"I have given them a chance. Whether it succeeds or not depends on the attitude of the Northern Di King."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"If they don't agree, we should be prepared to fight another war."

"Therefore, from this moment on, our soldiers in the northern border of the Great Qian Dynasty must train diligently and prepare for war!"

Gu Changfeng cupped his hands in greeting, his expression turning serious.

"Yes, sir! This subordinate will convey the message to the troops!"