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

next day

The crimson sun slowly rose from the east.

The sun is exceptionally red today.

Blood-red sunlight shone upon the chaotic city of Zenda.

The streets were filled with women lying on the ground, disheveled and covered in wounds, sobbing helplessly.

There were also some men who had been killed.

The sunlight did not dispel evil and darkness; instead, it added a touch of bloodiness to the scene.

It was like a living hell.

Cai Yong woke up early in the morning and ordered his servants to prepare to serve these gentlemen.

Because yesterday, at his request, Ashina and his people granted amnesty to the powerful clans, nobles, and aristocratic families, allowing them to stay at home.

He also ordered the army not to disturb them.

This made him extremely grateful and even more thankful.

Just then, the raven messenger hurriedly brought over a letter.

Upon seeing the letter, Cai Yong was filled with uncontrollable excitement.

I rushed over there.

Ashina had already woken up and saw Cai Yong coming over.

"Cai Yong, so early?"

Cai Yong respectfully bowed to Ashina: "Khan, did you rest well?"

Ashina said to Cai Yong, "Not bad, your arrangements are all good. Do you hate us very much?"

Upon hearing Ashina's words, Cai Yong was taken aback, then shook his head, "No...no..."

Ashina smiled faintly: "That's good. You saw it yesterday too. After that defeat, morale is low. They need something to stimulate them... nothing more than fine wine and beautiful women. Besides, for your lowly women to receive the seed of our warriors is our favor to you!"

Cai Yong smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes...yes...yes...those lowly people are short-sighted; they'll understand in time. Your Majesty, you've done everything right! You've considered our needs; how could we possibly hold a grudge?"

Ashina looked at Cai Yong, nodded in satisfaction, and patted him on the shoulder.

"As expected of someone whom Mr. Qianlong has chosen, he certainly has vision. You must have other matters to discuss with me."

Cai Yong smiled and nodded: "That's right, Khan, there's good news... Mr. Qianlong has sent a letter."

Ashina's eyes brightened slightly upon hearing this: "Looking for me?"

Cai Yong smiled and nodded, then pulled Ashina back inside: "Let's talk inside."

They entered the house.

Cai Yong couldn't wait to say, "Your Majesty, Mr. Qianlong wrote to say that he knew about your failure this time, and that it was expected. He said that he had advised you before, but you didn't listen, and he didn't want to get involved."

"However, considering the relationship between you two, he still wants to help you out."

Ashina, who had been tense, relaxed upon hearing this: "Speak quickly. Don't hold your breath."

Cai Yong bowed and continued, "Mr. Qianlong has already ascertained the location of the granaries in all nine of their cities, and he will destroy their supplies soon. At that time, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in those nine cities will starve to death, and they will collapse without a fight!"

Ashina's eyes lit up: "Really? Let me see Mr. Qianlong's letter!"

Cai Yong respectfully handed the note to Ashina.

Ashina took the letter and read it carefully.

After confirming that the letter was indeed from Qianlong, Ashina's expression was one of extreme excitement.

"Haha, good! Good! Good! Heaven has not forsaken the Turks!"

“Cai Yong, you don’t need to be nervous. After I tell the others this news, they will all disperse to various prefectures. They won’t cause trouble in just one prefecture.”

"Besides, we're not used to your food. We'll contact the tribes behind us and have them transport supplies for us. It won't affect you."

Cai Yong bowed and thanked him.

...

On the other side, Xiao Ce, from the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion, slept in late for the first time ever.

This journey had left Xiao Ce utterly exhausted.

This sleep completely revived him.

After he got up, the seasonal maid who was waiting on the side came forward to serve him.

After opening the door, Xiao Jiu, who had changed into a new set of clothes, said with a smile, "Your Highness, quite a few people came this morning. First, the Princess Consort, then Uncle Lai, and then General Han Da, but I turned them all away. Which one would you like to see first?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand, brushing his teeth with a homemade toothbrush dipped in salt, and asked, "Did they say anything about it?"

Xiao Jiu shook her head: "Your Highness, they didn't say anything about it. They just said they'd come to see you later!"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "That means nothing's wrong!"

After rinsing his mouth, Xiao Ce said, "Don't call anyone, prepare my horse! I'm going out for a while."

Xiao Jiu nodded, just about to turn and leave.

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu, "By the way, have you found all the mares I asked you to find?"

Xiao Jiu nodded: "Reporting to Your Highness, I have already searched. I have selected eight in total... Your Highness, would you like to take a look at them yourself?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "I won't go see it... You take 'Tiedan' with you and let 'Tiedan' choose a mare every day."

Xiao Jiu was a little stunned: "Didn't you tell me to prepare the horses?"

Xiao Ce chuckled and said, "Tie Dan has been traveling with me all this way, it's had a tough time... I promised it that when we get back, I'd give it a harem of three thousand to enjoy. Let it have some fun for now, just get me a new horse..."

Xiao Jiu bowed and agreed.

As Xiao Ce spoke, he turned to look at the two girls representing the solar terms and couldn't help but chuckle.

Xiao Ce asked curiously, "What are you two laughing about?"

The two girls, who represent the solar terms, said with a smile, "Your Highness, you are truly a good master! You even think about finding a mate for your mount."

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Tiedan is my brother!"

As she spoke, she looked at the outfits that the two seasonal girls had prepared for her.

"Your outfits are too eye-catching. I'm going on a secret trip, so I'll get something more ordinary!"

The girls listened and nodded, helping Xiao Ce change his clothes.

Xiao Jiu is already ready.

"Your Highness, where are you headed?"

Xiao Ce said, "Go and see my headquarters, Dragon Tiger Stronghold. We owe them a lot this time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to drive those Turkic dogs away so quickly."

Xiao Jiu nodded: "Your Highness, then I will go and make preparations as well."

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "You don't need to come along. You've had a long and tiring time traveling around! You should get some rest!"

As he spoke, he looked at Da Lei at the door and said, "Da Lei, you and Axe Ox can just follow along."

The two men nodded.

They gathered some men and prepared to ride their horses out of the city.

As soon as they went outside, they encountered a man who looked like a general, who rushed over in a hurry.

Upon seeing Xiao Ce, he knelt down with a thud, kowtowed heavily, and his voice trembled with tears.

"Your Highness, please save my family!"