Chapter 86: The Hunting Dog is Killed Once the Hare is Caught

Chapter 86: The Hunting Dog is Killed Once the Hare is Caught

The person behind the screen did not speak.

Instead, it was the burly man who entered: “We need you to rescue the Khan’s Son, Mosi Ashina!”

Nie Bing hurriedly said after listening, “That’s impossible! Mosi Ashina is under special guard, all arranged by Xiao Ce with his most trusted people.”

The burly man did not speak.

The man behind the screen said, “We sought you out because we know you have the ability! And today is a big day. Xiao Ce’s close aides, Lin Zhong and Han Da, are bringing the main force over. Given Xiao Ce’s personality, he will definitely hold a grand feast! At that time, you will have your chance!”

Nie Bing said with an unpleasant expression, “Even so, if I go and bring Mosi Ashina out, his disappearance will immediately make Xiao Ce suspect me!”

The burly man said, “As long as you agree and bring a few of our men inside. The rest, I will make sure it’s done without anyone noticing, we will get him out without a trace. It definitely won’t implicate you.”

After listening to the burly man’s words, Nie Bing was silent for a moment. “You must not kill anyone.”

The burly man nodded and said, “Naturally.”

Nie Bing took a deep breath and looked at the person behind the screen. “Who exactly are you?”

The person behind the screen: “Don’t worry, we are on the same side. Just based on the fact that I took in your younger sister and brother, you should know!”

“On the same side? You don’t even dare to show your face?” Nie Bing asked with a slight frown.

The person behind the screen said, “Don’t you find it strange? You didn’t help Xiao Xiangqing kill Xiao Ce, instead you started working for Xiao Ce! Why hasn’t Xiao Xiangqing made trouble for you?”

Nie Bing suddenly snapped back to reality upon hearing this. “He probably hasn’t found me yet.”

The person behind the screen sneered. “Nie Bing, you are still too naive! Xiao Xiangqing can mobilize the White Lotus Sect, would he be unable to find you? If I hadn’t mediated, you would have been captured by Xiao Xiangqing long ago.”

“You mean, you helped me?” Nie Bing asked with surprise, growing more curious about the identity of the person behind the screen.

The person behind the screen nodded. “Correct. Xiao Ce won’t cause much trouble. He does have some petty cleverness, but he will soon face great disaster!”

Nie Bing asked in confusion, “What do you mean?”

The person behind the screen: “Don’t you think your journey has been too smooth? Do you really believe that the people from Lin Zhong’s caravan could fool the imperial court?”

As he spoke, the person behind the screen let out two soft coughs, then abruptly stopped. “I’ve said too much today! If you are willing, go discuss the details with him. After this matter is done, I will arrange for you to meet your family. Also, don’t get too close to Xiao Ce. He is like a grasshopper in late autumn, he won’t be jumping around for much longer!”

After finishing, the person behind the screen covered his mouth and coughed twice more. “See the guest out.”

The Little Page Boy made a gesture of invitation to Nie Bing.

Nie Bing, with a slight frown, walked to the door.

The burly man said to Nie Bing, “Miss Nie, what do you say?”

Nie Bing frowned slightly and looked coldly at the burly man. “Do I have a choice?”

The burly man pointed to a room nearby. “Let’s go into the room to talk!”

…

At the entrance of the temporary palace.

He had already changed the General’s Temporary Palace to the Northern Desert Prince’s Mansion.

Xiao Ce, wearing a specially made suit of gold armor, was riding on ‘Iron Egg’, who was also fully armed.

He looked majestic.

This was the first time Xiao Ce had left the city since arriving here.

Although he believed his series of policies must have deeply won the people’s hearts.

However, while his actions gained the hearts of the common people, they also took away the benefits of many others.

He was also afraid someone might try to assassinate him.

This gold armor had been adjusted several times, with a gold-thread inner vest inside.

Beside him was a group of over a hundred Golden Armor Guards.

They wore armor similar to Xiao Ce’s and were divided into three groups.

The outermost group held large shields nearly six feet tall. The middle group carried two repeating crossbows on their backs and held one in their hands, three in total, ensuring they could fire over thirty arrows in the shortest time. This squad had thirty men.

Meaning they could fire nine hundred arrows in a very short time.

The innermost group carried a compound bow on their backs and a short knife at their waists!

It must be said, the sense of security was unmatched.

No wonder Xiao Ce was being so meticulous. These days, the lockdown in Lingxiao City had been partially lifted, though entry and exit still required registration.

And according to Yan Jia, after opening up, quite a few suspicious-looking people had arrived.

Xiao Ce valued his life greatly.

Xiao Ce sat on his horse, looking at the common people on both sides, who all shouted “Long Live” upon seeing him.

He could feel the enthusiasm of these common people.

These poor common people truly felt the changes Xiao Ce had brought.

These past days, many of them had been allocated land. Not only that, Xiao Ce had waived their first year’s taxes and halved their taxes for the next three years.

Moreover, following Xiao Ce’s instructions, Yin Pan’er encouraged the people to actively reclaim wasteland.

Any wasteland they reclaimed, after reporting it, they could farm it themselves. And for the wasteland they reclaimed themselves, there were no land taxes for the first three years, and a fifty percent tax reduction for the following three years.

Not only that, many other tax reduction policies had been introduced.

For example, having children could reduce taxes. Nie Bing said the Four Northern Desert Prefectures had a bad custom: favoring boys over girls.

Most families considered girls useless and would drown them at birth, leading to many more men than women in the Four Northern Desert Prefectures.

To address this, an additional rule was added: whenever a girl reached marriageable age and got married, she would receive a dowry payment. The dowry was based on the Five-year average income of the Northern Desert. So, raising a daughter was no longer a money-losing endeavor.

A series of other policies had not yet been implemented. But just these had given the common people real, tangible benefits.

They were all grateful to Xiao Ce. Their only worry now was how long this “King of Northern Desert”, Xiao Ce, would stay.

If he could stay for good, their good days would truly come.

Xiao Ce smiled and waved to the crowd.

Upon reaching the city gate, Yan Jia was already waiting outside.

It turned out Xiao Ce had worried too much.

Yan Jia had done an excellent job with the security arrangements. Archers were positioned at all high points.

Space was also left for the common people, not completely blocking them off.

Xiao Ce said to Yan Jia, “Yan Jia, well done!”

Yan Jia bowed and said, “Prince, I don’t know if anything was missed. Not just in the open, I have also placed hidden sentries everywhere!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “It’s fine, you’ve done very well! And I am fully armed! Don’t be afraid, with such a grand display, even if someone wanted to kill me, they wouldn’t dare! Moreover, I came out this time precisely to see how many people want me dead!”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce glanced up at the city wall, seeing Xiezhi and Night Cat, along with some members of the Twelve Fiends, standing on the wall watching.

Yan Jia nodded and said, “Your subject has sent out scouts. Uncle Zhong and Han Da’s army is less than five li away. They should arrive in at most the time it takes an incense stick to burn…”

Yin Pan’er, listening to their conversation, said with annoyance, “Prince, why didn’t you remind me to change into armor as well?”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “What kind of look is it for a Princess Consort to wear armor? Besides, your father is the current Prime Minister. Who would dare kill you… the one everyone wants to kill is me.”

Yin Pan’er wore an expression of disbelief. “I think you’re just using me as a human shield. If others can’t kill you, venting their anger by killing me isn’t a bad option either.”

Xiao Ce raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Pan’er, it’s not appropriate for you to think that way… I need gold armor for protection, while you have me to protect you! So, you naturally don’t need to wear it.”

Yin Pan’er’s face turned red at Xiao Ce’s words.

Not long after, they saw a large, mighty procession approaching.

Leading it was a cavalry unit, followed by orderly infantry, all wearing identical armor.

Xiao Ce had asked Uncle Zhong to purchase these.

After all, he had boasted about them being veteran soldiers. If the people who came didn’t even have uniform military attire, they wouldn’t look proper.

Uncle Zhong had connections from all the Prince of Zhenguo’s former associates, as well as ties with the merchant associations in Anhua City.

So acquiring these uniforms wasn’t difficult.

They had brand-new uniforms, high morale, and gleaming weapons.

Especially once the procession drew closer.

Han Da at the lead shouted loudly, “Everyone, attention! Let the Prince see the training we’ve done along the way! Form ranks!”

Immediately, the leading cavalry unit directly transformed into a neat square formation.

Then the infantry behind them, marching in perfect unison, kicking their legs in precise steps.

The unified thumping sounds.

Made the entire ground tremble. All the soldiers chanted in unison, “One, two, one” as they marched.

Seeing them approach like moving squares, Yin Pan’er exclaimed in amazement, “Prince, is this army you temporarily organized? How did you manage this?”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “I made sure they were well-fed and gave them generous military pay. It wouldn’t do if they couldn’t do such a small thing well!”

…

The noble clan members and prominent families observing from one side did not look pleased.

“It seems the King of Northern Desert was telling the truth. Look at the spirit of this army! Truly worthy of being an army trained by the Military God, the Prince of Zhenguo! Just this aura of killing intent is enough to chill one’s heart.”

“Yes. I wonder who said they were just selected from among the disaster victims! Look at their vigor and spirit. Could disaster victims have this kind of aura?”

“Right. Look at their physique. You can tell they eat well, they are all so robust. Most importantly, their perfect synchronization isn’t achieved in a single day. One can imagine what such an army would be like on the battlefield.”

“We should be thankful. Otherwise, how could our private soldiers be a match for these men?”

“Indeed, indeed! Once the Turks are truly dealt with, we can also benefit!”

Kan Zongye, standing to the side, looked grim. “Hmph, thankful? You short-sighted lot, if the King of Northern Desert really deals with the Turks, do you think he will allow us thorns to remain here? The Prince can’t spare the effort to deal with us now. Once the Turks are destroyed, you will understand what it means when the hunting dog is killed once the hare is caught!”