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

Cai Yong saw that no one responded.

"Gentlemen, I have good news. The Turkic army will set off in two days to attack Lingxiao City. After you return, those people will have left. Once they capture Lingxiao City, they will advance swiftly into the heart of the Central Plains. At that time, even if you try to invite those Turkic generals, they will refuse to come!"

Upon hearing this, everyone asked, "Is this really true?"

Cai Yong nodded: "Absolutely true, you guys just can't hold your temper. These Turkic soldiers are just full of resentment after being beaten by those Northern Desert troops. Let them vent their anger. Then you'll still be powerful figures! Wouldn't that be wonderful? A moment of patience brings peace! If Xiao Ce were in power, you wouldn't have such carefree days. He would be like a leech, sucking your blood inch by inch."

"Disperse, disperse. If the Khans of the Turks find out, you'll all be in deep trouble."

Everyone nodded in agreement: "Patriarch Cai, you're right...we acted impulsively just now. You're right, patience brings peace."

Kan Shanyue said coldly, "One day, you will thank us. Especially those who just insulted me, you will definitely kowtow to thank me in the future!"

The young men from those prestigious families looked embarrassed and said nothing more.

...

The city gates of Lingxiao City were bustling with activity at this moment.

Every migrant entering the city has their identity strictly verified.

Han Da's army also returned to the outskirts of the city.

Inside the city lord's mansion, both Yin Pan'er and Nie Bing had lost a lot of weight.

After all, although there were only nine cities, the sheer number of people and the complexity of the tasks left the two of them somewhat exhausted.

Han Da reported on the situation of his troops from the side.

After listening, Yin Pan'er said, "General Han, you must be tired from your journey. Now I'm troubling you to stay here and defend the city. According to intelligence, all the prefectural governors of the four northern prefectures have surrendered! Their next step is to attack us. You've been stationed in Yanbei City before, and you're skilled in city defense. Do you think there's anything in Yanbei City that needs reinforcement or repair?"

Han Da bowed: "Your Highness! You have made Lingxiao City as solid as a rock! It is far more fortified than Yanbei City. Not only that, there are also some cement chevaux-de-frise poured into the ground, which can effectively stop their cavalry. As long as we hold our ground and do not come out, those Turks will be helpless against us."

Yin Pan'er nodded: "Alright, General Han, I hereby appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies, in charge of all defenses of the Nine Cities. Do you have any news of the Prince?"

Han Da nodded: "Although we haven't received the prince's letter, the prince has now occupied Yanbei City and formed an encirclement around us! As long as we don't have internal problems, Lingxiao City will never fall."

Nie Bing, who had been silent until now, changed her expression slightly: "General Han, have you heard some news?"

Han Da cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Nie, I haven't received any news. However, in these nine cities, all sorts of people are mixed in. There are bound to be spies. His Highness has always warned that most city falls are actually due to internal strife!"

Nie Bing said to Han Da, "General Han, the Prince instructed me before he left that the defense of Lingxiao City is now entirely in my hands. I will ensure that the city is safe!"

Han Da cupped his hands in greeting to Nie Bing and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Nie."

Then Han Da looked at Yin Pan'er and asked, "Your Highness, is there enough food?"

Yin Pan'er's expression was not good: "Although we have the food that Boss Zhang gave us before, and the food from various other places, we have too many disaster victims and refugees here. In addition, with the pressure from the capital, the goods from the Central Plains cannot enter the northern desert at all. The prince originally planned to replenish supplies through the Turkic rear, but now plans can't keep up with changes, and the Turks are standing in our middle! Our food supplies can only last for three months at most."

Han Da nodded: "Three months is enough! Then, Your Highness, Miss Nie, I will go to the garrison now."

Yin Pan'er asked, "Aren't you afraid that if the Turks can't conquer us after a long siege, they have four prefectures and thirty cities in the northern desert! They won't starve no matter what. If they drag this out with us, our nine cities will be trapped and starved to death. Why are you so confident?"

Han Da said with a smile, "Because we have the Prince! Princess, we just need to do what we're supposed to do. The Prince isn't one to be confined to Yanbei City for three months!"

Yin Pan'er smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

Han Da bowed in agreement and then withdrew.

...

After Han Da left, Yin Pan'er looked at Nie Bing, who was in a daze, and asked softly, "Sister Nie Bing, are you alright?"

Nie Bing still did not respond.

It wasn't until Yin Pan'er walked up to Nie Bing and gently nudged her that the situation changed.

Nie Bing finally came to her senses: "Pan'er, what's wrong? Where's Han Da?"

Yin Pan'er said with a hint of worry, "Sister Nie Bing, are you alright? You seem a bit absent-minded these past few days."

Nie Bing smiled and said, "I'm probably just too tired. After all, the sudden influx of these refugees has posed a huge challenge to public security."

Yin Pan'er nodded, looking worried: "Sister Bing, don't be too nervous. It's okay. You can relax a little."

Nie Bing gave an awkward smile and said to Yin Pan'er, "Pan'er, you're the same. We thought Xiao Ce trusted us, but it turns out he just washed his hands of the matter."

Yin Pan'er said with a smile, "Han Da and the others make it sound so easy, but it's not easy for Your Highness to take over the Turkic rear in such a short time and without anyone knowing."

Nie Bing asked with a hint of doubt, "Do you really believe that? Are those Turks really that stupid? Their own stronghold has been destroyed and they don't even know it?"

Yin Pan'er said, "If someone else had done this, I would definitely be skeptical. However, it's not surprising that the Prince did it. He has always been the one to create miracles."

Nie Bing smiled and nodded, "You're right. He always manages to create miracles."

After saying that, he glanced at the doorway and said to the ministers waiting there, "You go ahead with your work. I have to get back to work too."

Yin Pan'er smiled and nodded, then told Nie Bing to eat on time and let her leave.

After Nie Bing left.

He did not rush to call the ministers waiting at the door to come in.

Instead, he said to a maid beside him, "Have the ministers wait in the reception hall first, and then go and invite Mr. Night Owl over."

The maid bowed and left.

A short while later, Night Owl came over and bowed: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Yin Pan'er waved her hand: "Mr. Night Owl, there's no need for such formalities. Please go and talk to Sister Nie Bing yourself and tell me everything about her whereabouts."