Chapter 82: War Bonds

Chapter 82: War Bonds

After listening to Ashina’s words,

the other tribal leaders nodded excitedly. “Is it time? Weren’t you always saying it wasn’t time yet before?”

Ashina said, “It wasn’t time before because the people of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures were still willing to obediently be our dogs, bleeding themselves to support us. However, no matter what situation they are in now, it shows they are no longer willing to be our dogs!”

“We all know, when a dog you raise starts biting its master, that kind of dog must not be kept! When they show their heads, we strike!”

A leader nearby nodded and said, “But haven’t we figured out the situation clearly yet?”

Before Ashina could speak, the other tribal leaders beside him said, “The toughest fighter in their entire Xiao Kingdom is that Prince of Zhenguo, Xiao Dingshan! But Xiao Dingshan’s achievements were so great they overshadowed his ruler, and that foolish emperor of their Xiao Kingdom imprisoned him in the Capital… There’s nothing to fear.”

Ashina nodded and said, “Exactly… Even if Xiao Dingshan personally leads troops, he’s no match for our warhorses! Since it’s a full-scale attack, everyone should bring out all their family’s resources.”

“Weren’t the twenty thousand elite troops we each contributed before enough?”

Ashina said, “That would be enough to attack the Northern Desert! However, this time we will take the Central Plains by surprise! Once the battle lines stretch that long, twenty thousand cavalry will be insufficient. As an example, I will send out all ten thousand cavalry from our Ashina tribe!”

“You’re sending out all ten thousand? Won’t you leave your home undefended?”

Ashina laughed and said, “What, are you planning to sneak attack my tribe? Besides all of you, I really can’t think of any other enemies… Each of you, say how many you will contribute.”

“Brother Ashina, since you’re contributing ten thousand, I won’t hesitate either. I’ll send all five thousand of my cavalry.”

“We’ll send three thousand! All of them.”

“I’ll send two thousand…”

…

These tribal leaders of the Turkic Kingdom basically pledged all their family’s resources.

Ashina nodded and said, “Good, I roughly calculated. We will have nearly sixty thousand warhorses! At that time, we’ll tear the entire Xiao Kingdom apart.”

“Brother Ashina, after we conquer this Xiao Kingdom, how will we divide it?”

Ashina said, “First, we take the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. Then, after a brief reorganization, we’ll divide the areas. Whoever conquers a place gets it… In the end, whoever captures the most cities becomes the new Emperor. How about that?”

Some tribal leaders did not look pleased. “That’s not appropriate, Brother Ashina. We only have two thousand cavalry. If we go out and fight on our own, I’m afraid after capturing a few cities, we won’t have any strength left…”

Ashina spoke up, “Tribes with fewer soldiers can join forces. You can share equally then, isn’t that fine?”

After hearing Ashina’s words, the group nodded repeatedly.

Ashina said, “Well then, let’s all prepare. Get all the preparations done. I’ll give you half a month to assemble at the designated location. Any problems?”

The group waved their hands repeatedly. “Brother Ashina, we’re making such a big show. Aren’t you afraid they might harm your Eldest Prince?”

Ashina waved his hand and said, “It’s fine! I bet they wouldn’t dare. Previously, when we gathered twenty thousand cavalry, they were so scared they personally came to apologize… This time, with sixty thousand cavalry, we’ll probably scare them so much they wet their pants on the spot!”

“Brother Ashina, we heard they cut off one of the Khan’s Son’s fingers?” a leader asked.

After hearing the leader’s words, Ashina’s face darkened a bit. “There is indeed a finger. However, I don’t think it looks like Mosi’s. Probably, they’re just trying to scare us. I dare them to cut our Khan’s Son’s finger—I bet they don’t have the guts. If anyone dares to cut it, I’ll dig up their ancestors’ graves and chop off the fingers of all their ancestors’ corpses!”

After hearing Ashina’s words, the group laughed and nodded repeatedly. They did not doubt his words at all.

Ashina became number one among the tribes of the Turkic Kingdom precisely because of his ruthless methods.

…

The next day, inside the Yanzheng Hall of Lingxiao City.

The hall was filled with people. At the front were the three family heads: the Kan Family, the Liu Family, and the Lin Family.

Behind them were the Prominent Families from each faction. Standing at the very back of the group were a bunch of merchants.

The people standing in the hall now had been summoned early in the morning without being told what it was about.

They looked around the hall, which was lined with soldiers in heavy armor holding weapons, their killing intent palpable.

Remembering the bloody scenes they witnessed yesterday at the Execution Platform, their hearts kept pounding. The grim atmosphere in the hall made them too afraid to even whisper to each other.

Among these merchants, Zhang Yunqing had given them some inside information, telling them this was a good thing.

Therefore, they were the most at ease in this great hall.

Yesterday, after Zhang Yunqing took them to watch the beheadings, he went and talked to them about this merchant association matter.

After hearing what Zhang Yunqing said, they thought it was definitely a good thing and expressed their support one after another.

…

Just as people were feeling uneasy, Xiao Ce entered directly with Yin Pan’er and Nie Bing.

After these days of training, these people knelt down very quickly.

In no time, the floor was covered with kneeling people.

“We greet the King of Northern Desert, Prince! Long Live! Long Live! Long Live!”

Xiao Ce sat in his seat and did not correct them for shouting “Long Live.”

After all, he would be the “Long Live” ruler sooner or later.

“All rise,” Xiao Ce said with a smile as he sat in his seat.

Watching the group stand up, he saw their expressions were not very natural; some could even be described as ugly.

Xiao Ce said to the crowd, “Everyone, you don’t need to be nervous. Since you are all willing to support me, and you have shown your sincerity, this Prince sees it all! This Prince is not a bloodthirsty person!”

“I called you here because I have a good thing to tell you. Don’t be nervous.”

Although Xiao Ce said this with a smile, the people present did not dare to relax at all. Instead, their expressions grew even more tense.

Seeing no one respond, Xiao Ce turned to Kan Zongye. “Family Head Kan, did you convey what I told you? Did you communicate this Prince’s spirit down the line?”

Kan Zongye bent forward and gave a clever reply. “Prince, we already told everyone about your plan to attack the Turkic Kingdom. Everyone is very supportive.”

As he spoke, Kan Zongye looked at Lin Shou and Liu Xuan.

These two old foxes were very smart and nodded repeatedly. “Yes… Everyone is very happy and very supportive and behind it!”

The three of them had also discussed it. No matter what, for now, they needed to stick together and not harm each other anymore.

Regardless of what they thought in their hearts, their words were unified.

After these three spoke, the Prominent Families behind them chimed in one after another.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce said with a smile, “Very good, it’s great that everyone is supportive! When this Prince fights the Turks, I won’t have any designs on your assets. Your private Manor Guards are for protecting your own territories, so please rest assured and don’t be nervous! To be honest, I really don’t think much of your Manor Guards anyway.”

After Xiao Ce said this, their expressions relaxed a bit more.

Lin Shou couldn’t help but ask Xiao Ce, “Then, Prince, why did you summon us here? What are your orders?”

“Of course, it’s a good thing. Since we are going to war, after we defeat the Turks, there will surely be a lot of captured goods. You should know, over the years, those Turks have plundered us a lot! So, I was thinking about how to divide the captured gold, silver, treasures, money, grain, and such things afterward. This Prince can’t take it all alone, right! So I called you here to discuss this matter with you.”

As soon as Xiao Ce said this, the whole hall erupted in chatter.

They began whispering and discussing among themselves. At first, they thought Xiao Ce was tricking them.

But if he really wanted to discuss this, then it truly was a good thing.

However, some among them remained rational.

After all, good things don’t just fall from the sky.

And Xiao Ce didn’t seem like the kind of person willing to take a loss!

Nie Bing beside him looked inquiringly at Yin Pan’er, as if asking what medicine Xiao Ce was selling.

But Yin Pan’er shrugged helplessly. Since she left Xiao Ce’s side yesterday, this was her first time seeing him again.

They had been busy with those new policy matters. Although it was only nine cities,

these nine cities were like a wasteland ready for revival, with many things to do.

If Xiao Ce hadn’t insisted, she wouldn’t have wanted to come today.

……

Kan Zongye spoke first. “Prince, if you can conquer the Turks, the captured supplies would naturally be yours. You are the King of Northern Desert; the entire Northern Desert is yours! We cannot take your things.”

After thinking for a moment, Kan Zongye suspected Xiao Ce might be fishing, testing them.

He declined.

Lin Shou and Liu Xuan beside him chimed in, also saying they didn’t want anything!

Seeing these three old foxes not taking the bait, Xiao Ce really grew a bit anxious.

“You three old guys, what’s going on? Did you forget what this Prince told you yesterday? Although this Prince is the King of Northern Desert, this place ultimately belongs to you natives! When this Prince wants to share with you, why are you being polite with me?”

The three of them looked at each other after hearing Xiao Ce’s words!

Still very cleverly, they said to Xiao Ce, “We will follow the Prince’s orders. Whatever the Prince arranges!”

Xiao Ce then looked at the heads of the Prominent Families and said, “You all can get a share too when the time comes for division.”

The heads of the Prominent Families looked flattered!

But since the heads of the three great Noble Clans didn’t dare to speak, they naturally didn’t dare either.

They all imitated the others, cupping their hands toward Xiao Ce and saying, “We will follow the Prince’s orders! Prince, you decide how to divide it, and we’ll follow!”

Seeing his goal achieved, Xiao Ce said, “Fine! Since everyone is letting this Prince decide, this Prince thought it over. No matter how we divide it, it won’t be completely fair. But this Prince still thought of a method! It will absolutely be fair!”

Everyone looked at Xiao Ce with curiosity.

Xiao Ce glanced at Da Lei, and Da Lei took out a piece of paper with very intricate patterns. This paper resembled a banknote but was much more complex.

“This Prince thought it over and decided to issue War Bonds for everyone to subscribe to!”