Chapter 66: Something for You to Do

Chapter 66: Something for You to Do

Not long after, Da Lei came over with two drawings.

Since they were rough sketches, it was fine even if others saw them.

One, when opened, was a picture of a Compound Bow.

The other was a picture of a Repeating Crossbow improved in later times.

In his previous life, he was a military enthusiast and a weapons fan; he had collected many bow and crossbow weapons.

These two were the ones he had thought about for a long time on the way, most suitable for the local conditions and the craftsmanship available here.

Compared to the hard bows of ancient times, the Compound Bow had many advantages: fast firing rate, high accuracy, long range, and most importantly, it saved energy.

Drawing the same kind of bow, the Compound Bow could save eighty percent of the strength.

Then there was the Repeating Crossbow. His Repeating Crossbow was improved, with much smaller size and weight. Although the range was reduced, for archers, it could fully compensate for the weakness in close-quarters combat.

Use the Compound Bow for long-range attacks and the Repeating Crossbow for close combat; this way, his cavalry would have no shortcomings.

After seeing these, the craftsmen all breathed a sigh of relief.

Because the two things in the pictures, although strange-looking, did not seem difficult to make.

Though they did not know that Xiao Ce would call them divine weapons.

“After you officially start work, This Prince will let you know the marvel of these things. Don’t worry, you will have no problem making them…”

Just as Xiao Ce was speaking to the craftsmen, he noticed Xiao Jiu already waiting at the palace entrance.

Looking at his swollen face, glowing with pride, it seemed he had lived up to Xiao Ce’s expectations.

“Alright, today, you may all go back and bid farewell to your families first. This thing is only a part of my plan. Later, I will have you make the real divine weapons.”

Xiao Ce’s ultimate goal was definitely to make Firearms.

However, even though he knew the making method, the technology tree needed to be developed slowly.

After all, people in this era didn’t even have Gunpowder yet; you have to eat bite by bite.

Right now, he needed an elite cavalry force!

Seeing this, the craftsmen kowtowed to Xiao Ce again.

He left the rest to Qian Lai to handle.

…

Walking to the door, Xiao Jiu said excitedly, “Prince, you were right! They were just like me, even worse than me… Both of Bao Cong’s hands were chopped off by me…”

Listening to Xiao Jiu’s words, Xiao Ce nodded with satisfaction. “Very good! Remember this saying from now on: do not fear the strong, do not bully the weak!”

Xiao Jiu bowed and nodded, then took out a stack of letters.

“Prince, these are letters written by the merchants and ministers outside the palace. Among them, that man named Zhang Yunqing was the most proactive.”

After taking the letters, Xiao Ce returned to his residence and started reading them.

These merchants were still very sincere, especially that merchant named Zhang Yunqing, who was the most earnest, practically laying himself bare for Xiao Ce to see.

Moreover, every one of the things he confessed was enough to cost him his head.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door outside.

Xiao Ce told the person to enter. Yan Jia said that Yin Pan’er and Nie Bing had arrived.

Xiao Ce looked behind the two of them but did not see anyone.

“Where are they?”

Yan Jia said awkwardly, “The two Princess Consorts said they were tired and asked Chief Steward Qian Lai to arrange a place for them to rest first.”

Xiao Ce nodded, not surprised, and asked, “How are the Shen Hu and Shen Bao brothers doing?”

Yan Jia said, “Their journey has been very smooth. With Sun Qiang’s men cooperating from inside and out, they very smoothly captured four cities. After the Bao Family Army under Bao An arrived, they didn’t even fight a decent battle. In three days at the latest, they will be able to capture all nine cities.”

“I’m not worried about that side. Yan Jia, I want you to pick another thousand absolute elites from your cavalry troops, then find Qian Lai to get a thousand fine warhorses. You will start rigorous training.”

Yan Jia looked at Xiao Ce with a hint of excitement. “Prince, are you preparing to attack the Turks? But, a thousand cavalry might not be enough.”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Don’t rush! Troops are not about quantity, but quality! We may seem to have many soldiers now, as many as a hundred thousand. However, the real combat-effective force is less than thirty thousand! And we need to face not just the Turks, but also the private soldiers of the Four Great Clans! Combined, that’s over two hundred thousand. So, we need to muddy the waters!”

Yan Jia listened, seeming to understand but not fully, and said to Xiao Ce, “Prince, I don’t fully understand. You mean we need to train this thousand elite cavalry to be worth ten men each, right?”

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded. “Exactly, that’s the idea. This army will have the best food, everything of the best. Money is not a problem!”

Yan Jia nodded, cupped his hands, and left.

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu, “Go summon the two Princess Consorts!”

Xiao Jiu cupped his hands and agreed.

…

In a Temporary Palace on one side, Yin Pan’er and Nie Bing.

The two still found it somewhat hard to believe, especially Nie Bing.

Although they had seen much along the way, Nie Bing still felt it wasn’t real.

Because only Nie Bing, born and raised in the Northern Desert, knew how difficult these enemies were to deal with.

So, when they heard the messenger say that Xiao Ce had taken control of Lingxiao City, they still didn’t want to believe it.

Yin Pan’er said to Nie Bing, “Sister Bing, he really did it. He actually captured Lingxiao City. And according to Yan Jia, Bao An and the people of the Four Great Clans were all trapped in the Rites Hall!”

Nie Bing’s expression was very complicated, and she muttered to herself, “When these people dealt with my father before, they weren’t this stupid! How could they…”

Yin Pan’er said to Nie Bing, “Sister Bing, haven’t we had enough surprises from Xiao Ce along the way? He always turns the impossible into possible! No matter what, it’s good news, right?”

Nie Bing nodded.

“Should we go pay our respects to him? After all…”

Before Yin Pan’er could finish, Nie Bing said to her, “He is your husband, you are his Princess Consort. You go. I am just your Guard; I have no obligation to pay respects to him.”

Yin Pan’er saw that Nie Bing was being stubborn and said with a smile, “Sister Bing, now the Generals under the Prince call both of us Princess Consort… I really don’t mind; in fact, I’m happy. This way, we sisters can stay together forever.”

Nie Bing’s icy face instantly turned red.

“Pan’er, stop talking nonsense… I will not be his woman! Even if he begged me, I wouldn’t marry him! I can’t stand him!”

“Miss Nie Bing, don’t overthink it! The woman This Prince would propose to hasn’t been born yet! Don’t overestimate yourself either. Though you have some beauty, This Prince doesn’t really like brainless, foolish women with big chests!”

The sudden voice startled both women.

They saw Xiao Ce push the door open and enter.

Nie Bing’s face darkened. “You… you were eavesdropping on us?! Why didn’t you knock!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “This is This Prince’s territory. This Prince comes and goes as he pleases. Do I need your permission!”

Xiao Ce originally intended to have Xiao Jiu come, but considering Nie Bing’s foul temper, she might not be willing to come. So he came in person.

Nie Bing was speechless for a moment.

Xiao Ce walked straight to Yin Pan’er’s side. “Pan’er, you must be tired from the long journey. So, how about it? This Prince didn’t do too badly, right?”

Compared to Nie Bing, a woman who was not only brainless with a big chest but also violent, Yin Pan’er pleased him much more. Although this woman too was forced by him initially, she was smart enough to quickly discover his good qualities.

Especially when Xiao Ce overheard Yin Pan’er at the door still trying to find a Princess Consort for him.

Seeing Xiao Ce speak to her softly almost face-to-face, Yin Pan’er’s face flushed red instantly. She nodded obediently and said, “I didn’t do anything. It’s you, Prince, who worked hard. The process must have been very difficult.”

All of Xiao Ce’s actions along the way were seen by Yin Pan’er. This man was decisive, swift in action. As a Prince, he could still understand the hardships of the common people, cared for their welfare, and was responsible. His actions sometimes seemed too aggressive or eccentric. But if not for his personality, he couldn’t have achieved such results in such a short time!

So, her prejudice against Xiao Ce had long disappeared. Her heart was filled with admiration, and she was not so resistant anymore.

Xiao Ce was a little surprised that Yin Pan’er didn’t shy away like before. He laughed heartily and said, “It’s nothing! Remember? This Prince told you, you bet yourself on This Prince, and This Prince would definitely not let you lose! Moreover, This Prince had good luck; heaven was helping me! Bao An held a wedding, gathering all the big fish from the Four Northern Desert Prefectures in one place, allowing me to catch them all in one net.”

Yin Pan’er shook her head and said, “Prince, if not for your foresight, sending the main force to deceive the enemy while leading troops in a surprise attack yourself, catching them off guard, such results would not have been possible.”

“Hahaha, Pan’er, This Prince always said you were smart! You have good judgment. You saw through it. This Prince really wasn’t wrong about you.”

Xiao Ce said with a smile, gently stroking Yin Pan’er’s face. Yin Pan’er’s face turned even redder this time, but she didn’t avoid it.

When coming over, Yin Pan’er had already fully accepted her identity as Xiao Ce’s woman.

She had also decided to help Xiao Ce with all her heart.

Nie Bing also knew about the change in Yin Pan’er’s feelings.

Seeing the atmosphere heating up, she was about to leave.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce called out to Nie Bing. “Nie Bing, don’t go yet! I have something for you to do.”

Nie Bing looked at Xiao Ce in confusion.

Seeing her expression, before she could retort,

Xiao Ce spoke first. “Don’t be in a hurry to refuse! It’s not that I must have you, but for Pan’er’s sake, I’m giving you a chance to avenge your father! Of course, if you refuse, just leave. I will never ask you again! Remember, once an opportunity is missed, it won’t come again.”

Hearing Xiao Ce’s words, Nie Bing looked embarrassed. She had indeed wanted to say a few sharp words to Xiao Ce just now, but it seemed Xiao Ce had seen through her. His words choked her reply.

She felt a deep sense of helplessness, as if controlled by Xiao Ce, which made her involuntarily think of that night when Xiao Ce had ravished her.

She said, “Don’t be so smug. I never said I would refuse! What do you want me to do?”