Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

Mos Ashina said, "Father Khan, perhaps we should just forget about the letter. If we tell them, they might just follow us and attack us... We should just pretend we don't know anything. When we get there, we can just kill them."

Ashina narrowed his eyes approvingly: "You're right, let's go back."

With that, the people quickly left.

Han Da, who was on the city wall, saw this scene and said with a smile, "Good, tell the whole army that we are preparing to retreat."

The soldiers beside Han Da looked puzzled: "General, didn't you say that if we stay here for a few more days, our people in the rear will be safer?"

Han Da laughed and said, "If I'm not mistaken, they all saw the stoves and granaries I had you build. They ran so fast because they must think we have a large army here."

"Then we all left, and when they saw that no one was here, they just came in right away."

Han Da turned his attention to the Turks who were already on the verge of death.

These Turks, who were originally on the verge of death, were able to recover after they obtained some food.

They all came back to life.

"These Turks really are as resilient as donkeys!"

With that, Handa walked up to the Turks.

"Is it tasty?"

These Turks were eating horse meat with gusto, while also having cornbread in their hands.

Upon seeing Han Da approach, they all knelt down, bowing respectfully: "Thank you, General Han Da, for saving our lives..."

Han Da said, "You don't need to thank me. I originally didn't want to save you, but rather to kill you. However, I never expected your Khan to be such a beast... And, you say you're willing to work for us?"

The group of Turks nodded repeatedly with dark faces: "That's right... We risked our lives for Ashina. If they hadn't been foolish enough to fall into your trap, how could we have been captured? Before, when there was an ambush, they charged like idiots. Now that there's no ambush, they're cowering and dare not move forward."

"How could these people possibly be a match for your Northern Desert King! General Han, just give us a way out! We'll follow you."

Han Da asked, "Do you really want to come with us?"

The group nodded and said, "We have no choice in this situation."

Han Da said, "Alright, then you'll just have to listen to what I say... I guarantee you'll be safe."

The group bowed and agreed.

"Our thousand garrison will be withdrawing soon. What I need you to do is change into our clothes and wander around the city wall every now and then."

"Then when it's time to cook, each of you will have a pot and go out into the city to cook. While you're cooking, you can make a few scarecrows dressed in our clothes, with only their heads sticking out!"

A group of Turkic prisoners, their faces filled with disbelief, said, "You think this can intimidate them?"

Han Da nodded: "That's right. If you just hold out for seven days, we've dug a secret chamber inside the city where you can hide... After they come in, leave the troops to guard it, and then you can blend in. At that time, the King of Mobei will come, and you just need to go and meet them in time."

The Turkic captive looked puzzled: "The King of the Northern Desert is here? Where did he come from?"

Han Da smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that."

"How can we gain the trust of the King of the Northern Desert? Will he simply kill us...?"

Han Da said, "I will give you tokens! The King of Mobei is a man who knows how to use people well and is fair in rewards and punishments. As long as you perform meritorious service, you will be richly rewarded!"

As Handa spoke, the Turks all expressed their agreement.

After giving a few instructions, Han Da led his army away.

...

He Lu also received the news.

It is said that Ashina became well-behaved after going to Yanbei City.

This confirmed to He Lu and his men that there was an ambush inside Yanbei City.

For the next few days, they observed the situation daily.

They saw that the number of people on the city wall was increasing, not decreasing, but increasing, unaware that they were all scarecrows.

Meanwhile, the Turkic scouts, observing the smoke rising from the chimneys inside Yanbei City, confirmed that there were at least 50,000 troops there.

Five days later.

They trained and strengthened their troops in the rear of the Turkic territory.

Xiao Ce received a letter from Han Da a few days ago, in which Han Da praised his Empty City Stratagem.

He felt a great sense of accomplishment, but he also thought those Turks were really brainless!

He summoned Yan Jia and Wei Wuji.

After the two met Xiao Ce.

Yan Jia cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, our Ghost Cavalry has expanded to three thousand men and is fully prepared! However, we are still lacking in equipment."

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "There's no rush for equipment; we'll have it once we reach Yanbei City. Before Han Da and the others left, they left all those compound crossbows and repeating crossbows there; that's more than enough to equip your Ghost Cavalry..."

Yan Jia, his face beaming with excitement, asked, "Your Highness, shall we set off?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "That's right, the fish is about to take the bait! Now we just have to wait for the fish to bite! The end is near for the Turks!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Wei Wuji to the side.

Wei Wuji cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I have already assembled 30,000 cavalry here, and their basic training is complete! However, we now need actual combat experience. We request permission to go into battle! There are still 20,000 cavalry remaining, and General Ma Yong is training them here!"

Xiao Ce looked at Wei Wuji and said, "Let General Ma Yong stay and continue training. You come with me!"

Wei Wuji excitedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, yes!"

Seeing that Xiao Jiu seemed to have something to say at the tent entrance, Xiao Ce asked her, "Xiao Jiu, is Zhang Yunqing here?"

Xiao Jiu cupped his hands and replied, "Your Highness, he has arrived!"

Xiao Ce then said to Yan Jia and Wei Wuji, "Alright, you two go and prepare. We'll set off this afternoon!"

The two men, their faces flushed with excitement, clasped their hands in greeting: "Yes, sir!"

The two left in a hurry.

After Zhang Yunqing entered, he greeted Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce asked Zhang Yunqing, "Do you know why I sent you here?"

Zhang Yunqing cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, are you about to leave?"

Xiao Ce smiled and stood up: "Good, I'm leaving! I'll leave this place to you."

Zhang Yunqing bowed and said, "Your Highness, I will certainly manage this place well for you. I will make it your pasture, and in the future, if Your Highness needs warhorses, cattle, or sheep, we will provide them in full."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright, for now, you will still refer to yourselves as the Turks. And you will be the new Turkic King from now on, and your name will be Yunqing Urgen."

Zhang Yunqing looked slightly puzzled, but still clasped his hands in agreement.

"As ordered."

Xiao Ce said, "You will know why I did this in the future. I have also made up a story for you. You are the son of Urgen, the god of death among the Turks. From now on, your tribe will be Urgen."

"I want you to become my secret trump card. In the story I've created for you, with the help of Urgen's Death Legion, you will lead the Turks to unification!"

Zhang Yunqing clasped his hands in agreement.

Looking at Zhang Yunqing's eyes and his hesitant expression, I could tell he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Xiao Ce said to Zhang Yunqing, "Just tell me what you want."

Zhang Yunqing looked at Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness... I know this is inappropriate... it's just... could you please let my child come over?"

Xiao Ce looked at Zhang Yunqing but didn't respond.

Zhang Yunqing was so frightened that he immediately knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, please... let my family stay in Lingxiao City. No... no need..."

Seeing Zhang Yunqing's terrified expression, Xiao Ce stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "What are you so afraid of? Do you really think I would threaten you with your family? Of course, no problem. After I unify the four prefectures of Mobei, I will send them to you!"

"Zhang Yunqing, as long as you remember this, never betray me, your good days are just beginning!"

Zhang Yunqing bowed deeply: "Your Highness, you are the greatest benefactor of my life. No matter what happens, I will always be your most loyal servant!"

Xiao Ce smiled as he looked at Zhang Yunqing, who was prostrate on the ground, and patted him on the shoulder: "I hope you remember what I said today!"

Zhang Yunqing bowed and agreed.

As he spoke, Xiao Ce helped Zhang Yunqing up and took out a thick stack of papers, which was a strategy for developing the Turkic Khaganate written by Xiao Ce for Zhang Yunqing.

Xiao Ce explained everything in detail, and Zhang Yunqing listened with deep emotion, kowtowing to Xiao Ce several times.

Xiao Ce smiled as he watched Xiao Jiu approach: "Alright, helping you is helping myself."

Then, turning to Xiao Jiu, he asked, "Are they all ready?"

Xiao Jiu nodded.

Xiao Ce helped Zhang Yunqing up and said, "Alright, I should go and close the net now."