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

Their surprise attack was far more successful than Xiao Ce had anticipated.

The weather really helped; the wind picked up in the middle of the night.

The wind blew all night, and the fire swept through their entire camp.

It even nearly spread to the Ashide tribe, which was not far from Ashina.

The Ashide tribe was fortunate to have detected something amiss in advance and cut down the forest, which prevented the fire from spreading to their camp.

The casualties on Ashina's side were not significant; most of the injuries were burns sustained while rescuing supplies.

However, the horses suffered the greatest losses.

Xiao Ce was incredibly lucky. He had chosen a campsite on the east side based on the wind direction, hoping the fire would spread throughout the entire camp with the help of the wind.

That camp happened to be a place where horses were stored.

So, by the time the fire had spread, the Turks discovered that all the horses they tried to rescue had been burned to a crisp.

Other supplies also suffered heavy losses, something they were unaware of.

Their remaining supplies and provisions were also looted.

...

The Helu tribe members were already quite resentful about being woken up in the middle of the night.

I heard that Ashina's camp was burned to the ground.

They were overjoyed.

They gathered together.

Hearing the news from the person who came to report, He Lu and his men were overjoyed.

"I never expected this. Kan Shanyue actually has some guts... I thought he was a coward, but he acted so quickly."

Batu Helu asked, "Father Khan, are you sure it was Kan Shanyue and his men who did it?"

He Lu laughed and said, "Didn't you hear their report? Those who burned down Ashina's camp were shouting before they ran away that blood debts must be repaid in blood. In these four prefectures of the northern desert, besides Kan Shanyue, who else would dare to do this when they're desperate? But it's a pity that not many Ashina died."

Batu Helu nodded and said, "Father Khan, but let's still promise that we know nothing. We mustn't even mention that Kan Shanyue came looking for us!"

“We really underestimated Kan Shanyue. Burning down their camp at this time clearly shows he came prepared to do this. With our support this time, he'll definitely come back again, this time to kill the Ashina people! The area over there is almost completely burned, and it won't do for our Helu clan to remain silent!”

He Lu stood up: "That's right, let's go visit Ashina now!"

The group nodded with smiles on their faces.

...

Ashina stood on a camp reduced to burnt ruins.

Let the soldiers rest again.

Ashid, Musa, and Tesa were the first to arrive and offer their condolences.

"Ashina, do you have any clues?" Ashide asked.

Ashina shook his head, his face ashen, and said, "I don't know. However, it's certain that it was done by the people of Xiao Kingdom!"

"A person from Xiao Kingdom? Is he from Lingxiao City?" Tesa asked.

Ashina shook his head and said, "Judging from this direction, they came from behind us! But you can't be sure!"

"Ashina, are you all alright? What happened? How did your camp turn into such a mess? What were your night patrol guards doing? How could they let someone set fire to the camp like this!"

Before anyone else could speak, He Lu rode his horse galloping over without dismounting and shouted loudly.

Ashina's expression was not good: "Helu, you guys were sleeping so soundly, only finding out now!"

If it were any other time, He Lu would have argued with Ashina if he heard him speaking so sarcastically.

However, Helu didn't dwell on it now, and said to Ashina, "Have you caught anyone? How many people did they have to set fire to you like this!"

Ashina's expression grew even uglier; they hadn't captured a single person.

Ashide, standing nearby, came to the rescue: "They didn't capture a single person, but it's certain they're from the Xiao Kingdom! They only sent archers to launch the attack, and there weren't many of them. It's just that a sudden strong wind came tonight, setting fire to the camp, which led to this situation!"

He Lu nodded: "It seems we still need to take Lingxiao City as soon as possible! These Xiao people are really too much trouble! Ashina, don't worry, after we break through the city, we'll slaughter those two-legged sheep of Xiao and avenge you!"

Ashina nodded without saying anything.

"Alright, you can all get ready! Apart from the horses and food, we haven't suffered any major losses. Fortunately, our supplies will arrive in two days at the latest, so the losses aren't serious!"

Ashide asked, "What about your horses? You must have lost quite a few this time! Do you need us to lend you some?"

"We'll send a message to the Turkic rear later. We have enough spare horses to replenish our forces!" Ashina said, then looked at Helu: "Don't worry, you can have whatever attack plan you want. Don't worry about us. Ashina won't hold you back!"

He Lu smiled and said, "You're overthinking it! Whether you can keep up or not depends on your own abilities! I won't change our attack plan just to accommodate anyone!"

He Lu said, "If you have no questions, come with me to discuss the next attack plan! If you're busy, you can have someone pass on the message later!"

“I told you it wouldn’t have any impact, everything will remain the same!” Ashina said with a slight frown.

He Lu smiled and said, "See you at my camp then!"

With that, he left!

Seeing Helu leave triumphantly, Ashide stepped in to smooth things over: "Ashina, he's actually toned it down today, don't take it to heart. We need to work towards a unified goal now! We need to unite!"

Ashina smiled and looked meaningfully in the direction Helu had left.

"Don't you all think he's acting strangely today?"

They all naturally realized that, given Helu's personality, Ashina would definitely ruthlessly crush him in such a situation!

Moreover, with such a large fire, He Lu would normally have been eagerly waiting to watch the show long ago, so why would he arrive so late like this!

However, He Lu's unusually magnanimous behavior today is suspicious!

Musa tried to smooth things over: "He's the president now, after all! He'll surely consider the bigger picture!"

Ashina gave a cold laugh: "Alright, you yourselves don't even believe these words! Don't worry. I will prioritize the bigger picture!"

Everyone nodded and echoed Ashina's words, saying that they could come to them if they needed any help!

Ashina politely declined, saying no need.

Little did he know that both the supplies and the horses in his stronghold were gone! Even his stronghold had been destroyed!

He's now at his wit's end!

Or perhaps, the entire Turkic people have reached their end!

……

It was already late at night when Cai Yong and Kan Shanyue returned.

Just as Cai Yong was about to return to his residence to rest, he found Liu Qi waiting at his door, leaning against the door and falling asleep!

"Liu Qi, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Liu Qi woke up to the noise and looked at Cai Yong, his voice trembling with tears: "Brother Cai Yong, you're finally back! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened! Those Turks are not human..."

Liu Qi's next words made Cai Yong and Kan Shanyue's expressions unpleasant.

Just as they were going to find the Turks, Liu Qi received a message from Ping'an County sent by a raven.

The news is exactly the same as what Kan Shanyue and his group have said!

All the prominent and powerful families in their Ping'an County were killed, without exception!

"Was it also done by Moses Ashina?"

Liu Qi looked at Kan Shanyue in surprise: "How did you know?"

Kan Shanyue recounted his story, including his visit to He Lu.

Liu Qi's face was grim: "What does Ashina want to do! I also don't think the Turks will help us!"

Cai Yong nodded: "Now that things have come to this, you must all remain calm. I will go and write a letter to Mr. Qianlong right away!"

Liu Qi nodded with a grim expression: "There's no other way now! Should I go talk to Tesa?"

Cai Yong nodded: "They can agree, but they won't go after Ashina for you!"

Liu Qi nodded: "Then let's wait together for Mr. Qianlong's reply!"

Cai Yong said, "I promise you, we will work for Mr. Qianlong, and Mr. Qianlong will not let our family members die in vain!"

The two nodded: "Then you and Lin Nan should be careful!"

Cai Yong said, "Lin Nan's Wushan County was originally Ashina's territory!"

Liu Qi slapped his forehead: "Look at my head! Not bad, but you'd better watch out!"

Cai Yong nodded: "I have already ordered the guards not to let the Turks in under any circumstances! I have a feeling that this matter is not so simple!"

……

Xiao Ce, the one who started all of this, was fast asleep at the moment.

Their ghost riders were also resting, and they were all sleeping soundly.

The next morning, a ray of sunlight shone on his face.

Xiao Ce stretched and yawned. He had gotten used to this kind of life after living in the open for so long, and had also developed the ability to sleep soundly no matter where he was!

Xiao Ce continued his morning training as usual, and practiced sparring with Da Lei!

Yan Jia came over and recounted their victory from yesterday.

Xiao Ce looked heartbroken!

Xiao Ce's expression puzzled Yan Jia: "Your Highness, why do you look so unhappy?"

Xiao Ce said with a bitter face, "Those horses that burned to death, as well as the money and grain, will be mine sooner or later! It would be much happier if those damned Turks had been burned to death!"

Yan Jia listened and nodded with a smile: "Your Highness, and the infighting you mentioned hasn't happened! Kan Shanyue and Liu Qi have both remained inactive. They're incredibly cowardly!"

"Even when Kan Shanyue went to see He Lu, He Lu didn't cause trouble for Ashina!"

Xiao Ce laughed: "This is just the beginning! The real show is just getting started! No rush, let's let the dust settle!"

Seeing Xiao Ce's confident demeanor, Yan Jia had no doubt whatsoever!

"Your Highness, shall we return now, or do we have further plans?"

Xiao Ce said sharply, "Wait a little longer. After adding fuel to the fire, I can return to Lingxiao City!"

Yan Jia looked surprised, thinking he had misheard: "Your Highness, are we going back to Yanbei City?"

Xiao Ce shook his head: "You go back to Yanbei City. You and Wei Wuji are more than capable of guarding the city! It's time for me to return to Lingxiao City!"

Yan Jia asked with some doubt, "Your Highness, a great battle is imminent, and the entire city is under martial law! The front lines are full of Turks, how will you get back?"

Xiao Ce smiled confidently and said, "There's no place I can't go, only places I don't want to go!"