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

Xiao Ce turned around and called Han Da over.

Han Da rushed over, his face full of excitement, and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

It's clear that Han Da really wants a fight.

Xiao Ce said to Han Da, "Go and bring out that elite cavalry force of three thousand men that you trained!"

Hearing Xiao Ce say this, Han Da asked excitedly and curiously, "Your Highness, are we going to take the initiative?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right!"

Han Damo, rubbing his hands together, asked, "Your Highness, when?"

Xiao Ce walked to the entrance of the palace and looked towards the direction where the Turks were stationed.

"That depends on when they start biting each other."

...

At this time, the people of the four new great clans, led by the Turks, arrived at Ashina's military tent.

As soon as they entered the military tent, they sensed that something was wrong.

The air pressure inside the tent felt unusually low.

After exchanging glances, the group decided to be more courteous.

They bowed respectfully.

The Turks exchanged glances, and finally gestured for Ashina to speak.

Seeing this, Ashina asked the crowd, "How is the situation in Zenda City?"

Cai Yong's face twitched involuntarily: "Reporting to the Khan, the plague inside is raging. In order to prevent the plague from spreading, we have decided to adopt the siege strategy that the Khans initially used."

"We have now completely surrounded the city of Zenda, and we assure you Khans that not a single person will escape! Within half a month at most, everyone inside will be dead!"

Cai Yong was very tactful in his speech, implying that he had followed their methods.

However, Ashina did not come to ask them about the city of Zenda.

This is just a starting point.

Ashina was anxious and stopped beating around the bush.

“Very well, but a small city like Zhenda doesn’t need so many troops. A few thousand people are enough to guard the plague-stricken people in that city. The rest of you are just using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”

Cai Yong heard Ashina's words and immediately understood the implied meaning, so he followed up on the conversation.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's what I think too. But since we're already here, we'll be on high alert to create a safe environment for all you Khans!"

Seeing Cai Yong say this, Ashina nodded: "I called you here today because I have some good news to tell you!"

A chill ran down their spines; they were still aware of their own limitations.

If something really good were to happen, how could it possibly be their turn?

However, the group still put on a great show, saying, "Good news? Your Majesty, just say the word, and we'll do whatever you say."

Ashina nodded: "According to our intelligence, the people in Lingxiao City are almost starving. The morale of the army is low, and the people are suffering terribly. Xiao Ce is barely holding on. Therefore, we want to give you the opportunity to breach this city!"

Upon hearing this, the group realized it was true; they wanted them to be used as cannon fodder.

However, these people had already made up their minds.

They didn't agree on the spot, after all, these people were shrewd, and if they agreed too readily...

These Turks would also be suspicious.

They all fell silent.

Ashina asked them, "What? You're unwilling?"

Cai Yong said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, we are naturally willing to obey your orders... However... however, we are just guards and have never been on the battlefield. We... we are afraid of holding you back... affecting your morale..."

Ashina continued to deceive them, saying, "What are you afraid of? The people inside have been starving for days, they probably can't even lift a weapon."

"You must think we're using you as cannon fodder. Actually, this isn't just my idea. It's also Mr. Qianlong's idea. We will inevitably take control of the Central Plains in the future, and at that time, this place will still be returned to you. However, we need your loyalty. Only when your hands are stained with the blood of your Xiao people will I believe that you will not betray us."

Ashina finished speaking, and Ashide, who was standing to the side, said, "That's right, this is also your pledge of loyalty... To be honest, the people in Lingxiao City are so weak right now, they would collapse with just a little attack... We are giving you this opportunity. Of course, if you don't want to... if you don't want to show your loyalty to us, then don't blame us for treating you as one of our own in the future."

Ashide finished speaking and got to this point.

Cai Yong spoke first: "We are willing...we are willing...Your Khans are giving us an opportunity...we will naturally cherish it..."

"We're willing...right?"

The other members of the powerful families chimed in upon hearing this.

Lin Nan asked one last question: "My lords, will you provide support for us?"

The khans, having found scapegoats, finally managed a smile...

"Don't worry. We'll help you oversee the battle. Firstly, to keep an eye on any fleeing troops, and secondly, if you encounter any great danger, we'll come to your aid as soon as possible," Batu Helu said calmly.

“Alright! May I ask, esteemed Khans, how many troops should we send?” Cai Yong asked.

The other members of the powerful families nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Ashina said, "Just leave a few thousand troops in Chanda City! The more effort you put in, the more we'll see... We won't let you suffer any losses!"

Cai Yong was the first to speak: "Since you, Khan, have said so, we will bring all the guards here."

The others, also looking like they were afraid of falling behind, said, "That's right...we're also planning to bring everyone over...Let's do it!"

A group of people were filled with excitement.

The khans were overjoyed to see the fish take the bait.

"Alright, then you all hurry back and prepare, and bring your teams over as soon as possible."

Several powerful family heads nodded excitedly and then left.

After watching these powerful family heads leave.

Batu Helu scoffed, "Hmph, these people from the four northern prefectures, are they really that simple-minded... They're about to die, and they're still so happy..."

Ashide snorted coldly: "That's right... We were spoiled by these idiots before... making us think that the entire Xiao Kingdom is full of such idiots?"

Gesa said, "Fools like Xiao Guo are the majority. People like Xiao Ce are, after all, a minority."

Ashina chimed in, "I remember now! It's not that Xiao Ce is particularly powerful; the person behind him is Xiao Dingshan, the military genius of the Xiao Kingdom. We've been overlooking him all along. Xiao Ce is just a good-for-nothing; the real power lies with the person behind him!"

Ashide nodded approvingly: "That's right, that must be it. But none of that matters now. With so many Xiao people filling in, even if he has great abilities, there's nothing he can do."

The Khans all nodded in approval.

Meanwhile, the heads of several powerful families on the other side were all filled with excitement.

Because everything went much more smoothly than they had imagined!

They were confident that they might not be a match for the Turks in a direct confrontation.

However, if they launch a surprise attack when they are unprepared, it will likely be as simple as slaughtering a chicken or a sheep...

Upon their return, they immediately mobilized their troops.

They were quite quick. When they informed their respective generals, the generals initially looked incredulous, but this was quickly replaced by excitement.

After all, every person from the northern deserts harbors hatred towards the Turks.

After confirming several times, they said they would definitely kill those bastards.

Cai Yong and his men instructed them to keep the news under wraps, since it would be difficult to control once too many people knew about it.

They set off that very night, but the march of a large army is relatively slow.

Cai Yong and his men first assembled, and then proceeded at a leisurely pace, suppressing their marching speed.

The purpose was to arrive at night, so that they would have a reason to stay overnight at their camp.

Everything went exactly as these people had planned.

As dusk fell the next day, their army finally arrived outside the Turkic camp.

Ashina led a group of khans to show their respect and to make them willingly risk their lives for him.

These gentlemen finally got up and came to greet us personally.

Cai Yong and his entourage also wore smiles, but their expressions were filled with trepidation.

"Khans, why have you come to greet us personally? This is too much for us. We cannot accept it."

Ashina smiled broadly and said to the crowd, "As long as you are willing to sincerely dedicate yourselves to us, we will naturally consider you one of our own..."

Cai Yong said gratefully, "Khan, may we now launch an attack?"

Lin Nan said from the side, "We've been marching all day, and everyone must be exhausted. We need to rest for a night. Let everyone get some rest so we can go all out tomorrow."

Kan Shanyue and the others nodded in agreement.

They sang in unison.

Ashina said, "That's right, one more day won't make a difference. Tonight, I'll have our men roast meat for your soldiers! We'll treat you well..."

Cai Yong and his entourage bowed gratefully in thanks, and then inquired about the location of their camp.

Ashina looked around casually and then found an open space at the back.

He then invited the heads of the four powerful families to go drinking together.

As a result, these individuals all came together with their own ulterior motives.

In terms of warfare, these powerful clansmen were no match for these Turks.

However, when it comes to cunning, these Turks are no match for these powerful clan leaders.

Several people appeared to be so drunk that they were unconscious and had to be helped out of the military tent to walk.

After leaving the Turkic camp, the heads of several powerful families immediately regained their senses.

He then asked the men who came to meet him, "Is everything ready?"

The soldiers nodded excitedly: "Our men secretly gave those Turkic troops croton seeds, and they'll be effective in less than an hour."

Cai Yong glanced at the sky and said, "Then tonight will be the death knell for these damned Turks!"