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

When Xiao Ce left Yin Pan'er the blueprints for the reconstruction of Lingxiao City's defenses.

Some very hidden passages were left on it.

This passage exists in the design, and Xiao Ce did not specify it.

I'm afraid even Yin Pan'er doesn't know.

Having said all that, Yan Jia did not ask any further questions.

He knew that Xiao Ce was a very principled person.

Having followed Xiao Ce for so long, she knows very well what can and cannot be said.

"Your Highness, how do you add fuel to the fire as you said?" Yan Jia asked.

Xiao Ce said, "Let's see if Kan Shanyue and Liu Qi make a move. If they don't, we can launch a surprise attack on their rear camp while they're attacking Lingxiao City, and give them a good thrashing!"

Yan Jia said to Xiao Ce, "What if Kan Shanyue and the others send troops?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Then let's all go home. But those cowards, if they had even a little bit of backbone, they wouldn't have knelt down so quickly!"

Yan Jia nodded: "Then shall we take a rest now?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "That's right. No matter what happens in Yanjia, no matter how urgent the matter is, there's no need to rush. If there's no best solution right now, let the dust settle. Maybe a better solution will emerge."

Although Yan Jia understood what Xiao Ce meant, he couldn't understand the meaning of some unfamiliar words that Xiao Ce occasionally used.

"Your Highness, do you not know what a bullet is?"

Xiao Ce then realized he had blurted out, "It's something like an arrowhead. You'll see later!"

Yan Jia nodded.

...

At this moment, in Lingxiao City.

Han Da was on the city wall; they had already set up many horse traps outside the city.

According to the drawings left by Xiao Ce, many iron spikes were pre-embedded at the eaves of the city walls. If they wanted to climb the city walls, they would inevitably be scratched by the iron spikes.

Furthermore, some recyclable fallen logs were hung on the city wall, secured by iron chains and pulley systems mounted on the wall.

After the fallen trees are knocked down, they can be retrieved in a timely manner.

Furthermore, they also poured concrete canopies on the city walls, which could effectively prevent attacks from catapults.

There are also various methods to prevent humans and machines from breaching the city.

If Yanbei City was considered impregnable, then Lingxiao City is now impregnable, and I am armed to the teeth.

After learning more, Han Da realized how formidable Xiao Ce was.

Within such city defenses, one feels an overwhelming sense of security.

At this moment, Han Da watched from the city wall as a scout team he had sent out returned.

They saw it early yesterday morning; a fire broke out at their Turkic garrison, but they still didn't know what had happened.

So they sent someone to check it out.

A short while later, the scout team returned to report.

When Han Da heard that an Ashina tribe camp had been burned to the ground and suffered heavy losses, he couldn't stop smiling.

"Have you found out who did it?"

The scout shook his head awkwardly and replied, "Reporting to the general, no. However, that fire seems to have hastened their decision to attack this area."

A hint of excitement flashed in Han Da's eyes.

"Alright, let them come. I can't wait any longer, I can't wait to kill them!"

"Let's all cheer up! The people behind the city are watching. We must make a strong showing in our first battle. Most of the people here have a bad impression of the Turks. We must let them know that the Turks are no match for us."

The deputy generals under his command, including Sun Qiang, nodded.

In an inn in the city, Mr. Qianlong received his latest letter.

Upon seeing the letter, Qianlong frowned slightly and stared blankly for a moment.

The young page asked, "Sir, is there a problem?"

This letter was delivered by Cai Yong via a raven.

Hearing the young pageboy's question, Qianlong showed the note to him.

After reading it, the young page said, "Sir, it's obvious someone is stirring things up. Ashina isn't that stupid."

Qianlong nodded: "Indeed, Ashina wouldn't be so foolish as to cause trouble at this critical juncture. Who do you think it is?"

The young page bowed to Qianlong and said, "Sir, whoever benefits the most from this matter is the one who did it! The one who most wanted the powerful clans, noble families, and nobles to die was none other than Xiao Ce. Moreover, it was also Xiao Ce who most wanted the guards of the four prefectures of Mobei to fight the Turks. Therefore, this matter must have been done by Xiao Ce!"

Qianlong nodded approvingly: "I haven't brought you into my life for nothing. Go and write back to them, tell them to exercise restraint. I will definitely avenge them, give them justice, and never let their people die in vain!"

"Also, tell Ashina to remain restrained. Last night's fire was probably caused by Xiao Ce!"

The young page nodded, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Sir, where exactly is this Xiao Ce? We've sent out so many spies, but we still can't find any trace of him."

Mr. Qianlong said, "If he likes to cower, let him cower. War is never about the front lines, but about supplies and endurance. No matter how many tricks King Xiao Ce of the Northern Desert has up his sleeve, he has no supplies. He's been blockaded by the Xiao Kingdom! As long as we destroy the grain he extorted, his city will fall without a fight."

"The Turks are different. They not only have the support of the four northern prefectures, but also supplies from the rear of their Turkic kingdom. Even if Xiao Ce has a thousand plans, what can he do? He can't hold out in a protracted war."

Mr. Qianlong asked the young page, "Nie Bing, has he shown up?"

The young page nodded: "Nie Bing has indeed been making moves around recently. He didn't go through Yin Pan'er, but through his father's old subordinates to inquire. He should have already gotten the news."

"Should we tell them to just drag it out?"

Qianlong shook his head and said, "No need. The Turks, including Ashina, don't think they are where they are today because of my help. They achieved it through their own abilities."

"Let them suffer a bit before they come back to us. Help given in times of need is truly invaluable."

The young page bowed: "Sir, what can we do if Nie Bing doesn't tell us the news?"

Mr. Qianlong's eyes were firm: "She will come to say so..."

Just then, there was a knock on the door of their inn.

"Mr. Qianlong".

Qianlong's eyes were sharp, and a triumphant smile appeared on his face.

"You've come to see..."

The young servant went to open the door, and sure enough, it was Wu Ma from the previous house.

When Wu Ma saw the young pageboy, she bowed respectfully.

"Young Master, Miss Bing came looking for Mr. Qianlong. Please inform Mr. Qianlong."

The young page bowed slightly, told Wu Ma to wait at the door, and went inside to speak with Mr. Qianlong.

Qianlong said to the young page, "Have her bring Nie Bing over."

The young page nodded.

I went outside and spoke to Aunt Wu, who bowed and nodded.

An hour later, Wu Ma brought Nie Bing over.

In just a few days, Nie Bing looked visibly haggard.

After entering the house, Qianlong said to Nie Bing, "You're very punctual! Since you're here, you must have already found out where the grain warehouses are."

Nie Bing nodded: "That's right, we've figured everything out. Now that I've told you, will you destroy those grains?"

Qianlong smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course! But don't worry. I burned the grain to save these people. Otherwise, the longer the siege and war of attrition lasts, the more people will die."

Qianlong then extended his hand: "Give it to me. Once everything is confirmed, I can let you join our organization and reunite you with your family."

After struggling for a moment, Nie Bing took out several maps.

"The locations of the granaries are marked on the label. I have verified this through various sources, and at least 90% of the grain is from granaries in Lingxiao City and nearby cities. If you can destroy these granaries, the people here will definitely be thrown into chaos! These nine cities are densely populated now."

Qianlong glanced at the map and said to Nie Bing, "Okay, I'll verify these places. Once it's confirmed, you can join our organization."

Nie Bing nodded: "Be careful. Although there are no soldiers openly guarding the area, there are many soldiers in plainclothes, and the guard is very tight."

Qianlong nodded and said, "You don't need to worry about that. You've done a good job."

Nie Bing looked at Qianlong and said, "Then I need you to keep this a secret!"

"That's for sure. These people will never know until they die that you betrayed them."

Upon hearing the word "betrayal," Nie Bing's face turned extremely grim.

"I have one more request."

Qianlong said calmly, "You have no right to make demands of me."

"If you don't agree, I'll go and talk to Yin Pan'er right now!"

Upon seeing this, Qianlong's voice turned colder: "I hate it when people threaten me."

Nie Bing ignored him and said to himself, "On the day the city falls, I hope you can make sure the Turks don't harm the people here."

Qianlong gave a cold laugh: "I can't do it."

Nie Bing gritted her teeth: "You can't hurt Yin Pan'er. You have to guarantee my and her safety. That's my bottom line."

Qianlong remained silent for a moment.

"Okay, deal! But I hope this is the first and last time! I hate being threatened."

Nie Bing nodded.

Qianlong waved his hand, indicating that Nie Bing could leave.

After Nie Bing left.

Mr. Qianlong said to the young page, "Pack up, we can get ready to go."

The young pageboy bowed and agreed with a simple gesture.

The two left, one after the other.

After they had all left, a person emerged from the roof of the house where Qianlong had been.

This person was covered with a thin layer of dust.

He dusted himself off and stretched, his joints cracking.

This person was indeed a night owl; he had been lying in wait here for two whole days and two nights without eating, drinking, or moving.

However, he did manage to glean some important information.