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

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised: "Miss Yin, I'm going to the northern frontier."

"That's right, I'm going with you to the northern frontier? What's wrong? What you said to me last night, all those grand ambitions of yours, were they just empty boasting? Are you afraid that if I follow you, I'll find out that you're nothing but a pretty face with no substance?"

Seeing Yin Pan'er's slightly provocative words, Xiao Ce's smile deepened: "Miss Yin, if you're not afraid... then what do I have to fear? If you're willing to come with me, I will definitely protect you!"

Then, he looked at Yin Weiyong and asked, "Prime Minister Yin, do you agree as well?"

Yin Weiyong said, "Your Highness, it's too early to talk about these things now! Let's discuss everything after the morning court session tomorrow. It's getting late, Your Highness, please return now."

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Weiyong and asked, "Prime Minister Yin, what is the purpose of your summons?"

Yin Weiyong's face darkened as he said, "I want to see how much of what you say is true and how much is false!"

"Prime Minister Yin, have you made a judgment now?"

Yin Weiyong smiled and nodded, saying, "I do need to get to know you again."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce left without saying anything more.

...

next day

Inside the Golden Palace.

After all the civil and military officials bowed and shouted in unison.

Xiao Dingbang, seated on the dragon throne, said, "All of you, rise!"

After the ministers rose to their feet, Xiao Dingbang said, "My dear ministers, do you have anything to report?"

At this moment, Yin Weiyong spoke first: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand and said, "Speak!"

Yin Weiyong, holding a tablet, bowed and took small steps forward.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has sent a report that the Turkic leader has amassed over 20,000 cavalry from the northern border! Judging from their actions, they don't seem to be here to plunder. It looks more like they're preparing for a major offensive! General Bao has dispatched an urgent courier to request reinforcements to defend against the Turkic invasion."

This news is true; Yin Weiyong also received it early this morning.

Xiao Ce was overjoyed.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold; just as he was about to doze off, someone handed him a pillow.

Xiao Dingbang frowned and asked, "My esteemed ministers, what do you think?"

The ministers looked at each other.

"Your Majesty, I believe that we should not send troops to the border. Currently, the people instigated by the White Lotus Sect are revolting everywhere, and the armies on all sides are too busy suppressing the rioters to spare any effort to support the northern desert."

"I also believe that the Turks are just trying to plunder before winter. They do this every year, telling the people to hide their grain and hide for a while, and then the Turks will go back after they've looted everything."

"I second that suggestion. The four prefectures of the northern desert already have 40,000 garrison troops. Even if they have 20,000 cavalry, we still have the advantage in numbers. As long as General Bao holds his ground and doesn't come out, the Turks won't be able to do anything. Once winter comes, the Turks' supplies will run out, and they will retreat on their own! Our top priority should be to annihilate the White Lotus Sect!"

The ministers all disagreed with sending troops.

Xiao Dingbang was also reluctant to send troops, after all, the four prefectures of Mobei were located in the desert and had been harassed by the Turks for many years. As a result, the local people were suffering greatly and needed government subsidies year after year.

Xiao Dingbang said, "In that case, go tell General Bao to hold the northern desert! We'll provide support after we've wiped out the White Lotus Sect!"

Upon hearing this, the King of Zhen stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, no! The northern desert is the shield of our Great Xiao. This time, they have gathered 20,000 cavalry, and it is certainly not as simple as just coming to plunder! It is true that there are 40,000 garrison troops in the northern desert, but the northern desert is vast and boundless, and each city has less than 3,000 garrison troops! And they are all infantry, with only 3,000 cavalry in the entire northern desert region."

"If their 20,000 cavalrymen launch a concentrated attack, we will be caught off guard! If the four prefectures of the northern desert are occupied by the Turks, our Great Xiao will lose a buffer zone, allowing them to attack or defend at will. At that time, the heartland of the Great Xiao will never have peace again. Therefore, Your Majesty, we must not let this go unchecked! We must send reinforcements."

"Your Majesty requests permission to lead troops to support the northern desert!"

Xiao Dingbang said, "King Zhen, I know of your loyalty. However, you are covered in wounds, old ones haven't healed and new ones have appeared! I can't bear to see you lead troops into battle again!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at the arena: "What the King of Zhen said is indeed correct. The threat of the White Lotus Sect within the country is indeed urgent, but the threat of the Turks is also a thorn in our side. I wonder if any general is willing to lead troops to provide support?"

The crowd looked at each other, but no one spoke.

After all, everyone knows what kind of place the northern desert is.

That's not a place for humans; going there is tantamount to exile.

Moreover, the commander of the northern frontier was Bao An, the second prince's maternal uncle.

That guy, Bao An, he'll always try to take credit for anything.

He immediately threw the pot away.

I've been to many places over the years, and the generals either colluded with him or were ostracized by him and died far from home.

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang's expression darkened. He said, "What's wrong? Could it be that, apart from the King of Zhen, no one else is willing to go and provide support?"

Xiao Yang subconsciously looked at Xiao Ce as he listened.

Xiao Ce saw that the time was almost ripe.

He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to provide support!"

Xiao Ce's words caused an uproar among the court officials.

A hint of joy flashed in Xiao Dingbang's eyes.

"Your Highness, you're going to lead troops to provide support? Do you know where you're going? That's a real battlefield! Have you thought it through?" Xiao Dingbang asked.

"Father, I have made up my mind. I know! The Turks are gathering a large army to attack our Great Xiao territory. If I lead the troops to provide support, it will surely boost morale... and let the soldiers on the frontier feel your concern for them," Xiao Ce said.

Before Xiao Dingbang could speak, the King of Zhen said, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, and the northern desert is extremely dangerous... If anything were to happen to the Crown Prince, it would damage the foundation of the nation!"

At this moment, Xiao Yang spoke up: "Ninth Imperial Uncle, what you said is inappropriate. Are you looking down on the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince is right. If he were to go to the front line to provide support, the soldiers would be greatly encouraged. Or do you think that His Highness the Crown Prince is too mediocre, and that if the Turks saw him, it would damage the prestige of our Great Xiao Kingdom?"

Before the King of Zhen could speak, Yin Weiyong interjected, "Your Highness, the King of Zhen's concerns are not unfounded. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and the foundation of the nation. The battlefield is ever-changing, and if anything were to happen to the Crown Prince, the court would surely be thrown into turmoil. Therefore, I urge Your Highness to reconsider!"

Seeing that Yin Weiyong had brought up the issue, Xiao Ce quickly stated his needs: "Father! Do you have any concerns about this?"

Xiao Dingbang really didn't want to waste any more words and agreed directly. However, he still had to maintain appearances: "Prime Minister Yin is right. Although you are not very bright and have a weak character, you are still the Crown Prince. If you die at the hands of the Turks, it will not only fail to inspire our soldiers, but will also be a huge blow! So, Crown Prince, I appreciate your intentions!"

Xiao Ce said, "Father! In truth, over the years, I have deeply felt my own foolishness and inadequacy to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Crown Prince. I wish to resign from the position of Crown Prince! I am thinking of doing what I can and also want to gain some experience! To show my determination, I humbly request that Father bestow upon me the title of King of the Northern Desert, governing the four prefectures of the Northern Desert!"

"If Father Emperor agrees, I swear here and now that I will never let the Turkic army set foot in the northern desert! If I do not defeat the Turks and make them submit, I swear I will never return to the court for the rest of my life!"