Chapter 100: Have You Heard of Blitzkrieg?

Chapter 100: Have You Heard of Blitzkrieg?

Everyone was confused by Xiao Ce’s expression.

After all, he was currently in a situation where enemies were attacking from both front and back, so how could it be ‘heaven helping him’?

Even Yin Pan’er, who was beside Xiao Ce, thought Xiao Ce had misheard and that’s why he said that!

“Prince, did you mishear? They said the Turks are gathering their forces to launch a major attack!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “That’s right! I know.”

With that, Xiao Ce began to answer their questions.

“First, the food problem is not urgent! This Prince will make the Turks obediently deliver it to us!”

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Xiao Ce, their expressions looking as if they were watching a madman speak.

However, no one dared to interrupt Xiao Ce.

“Second, regarding the Capital, they actually don’t know much about the situation here! Just write back to them according to your status as Family Heads, coax them, say that you have followed their instructions and trapped me, not giving us food. First, stabilize them, make them think everything is under their control! This Prince will deal with the Turks first, then free up my hands to deal with them later!”

After hearing Xiao Ce’s words, the group nodded.

“But, Prince, you hung their heads at the city gate. The news that you killed the Four Great Families’ heads probably can’t be hidden!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “No need to hide it. Just write back as usual. They will think these are just rumors. This Prince will also spread various confusing messages later. By the time true and false news reach the Capital, they won’t be able to tell what’s real. They will naturally accept your message.”

“And also, be sure to complete the population census and ID registration as soon as possible! The rules for issuing ID numbers will be communicated to you later by someone This Prince sends. With ID cards, the city guards can easily identify Spies in the future. Anyone without an ID card is a Spy.”

Kan Shanyue asked from the side, “Prince, what is this ID card like? Won’t it be forged by others?”

Before Xiao Ce could speak, Yin Pan’er explained, “Family Head Kan, this ID card has multiple anti-counterfeit features! The ID number itself holds a secret; it can distinguish between a person’s birthplace, whether they are male or female, within the numbers. If someone forges it, they definitely won’t know the meaning, and investigators can use this for initial screening!”

“Second, even if someone learns this secret and forges it, there are multiple registration records! Each person’s identity information is on file at the government office and the archives. A check will reveal if it’s fake!”

“Finally, the numbers on it are not something ordinary people can understand!”

As she spoke, Yin Pan’er took out an ID card, which had a row of numbers on it.

These numbers were not written as One, Two, Three, Four as was customary here, but used Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, 4…

“Honored Family Heads, can you understand the numbers above?”

The Family Heads gathered closer: “These symbols are numbers?”

Yin Pan’er nodded, looking slightly proud, and said, “These are characters invented by the Prince himself. They are much simpler than the usual writing. This represents 3, this represents 6, this represents 9…”

Yin Pan’er taught these Arabic numerals, and everyone exclaimed in amazement…

Xiao Ce said, “Using these numbers can simplify many things! You can send some people here to learn next. Later, I will have the Princess Consort arrange it for you!”

The group nodded.

Although the dishes at this ‘state-founding’ banquet were ordinary, everyone ate very happily.

The prominent families and nobles were naturally happy because they knew that after this meal, they could leave.

Being able to leave alive from under the hand of Xiao Ce, this ‘murderous maniac’, was like gaining an extra life.

After all, even the powerful heads of the Four Great Families of the Northern Desert, and Bao An, who ruled a region, were all killed by Xiao Ce. If Xiao Ce wanted to kill them, it would be as easy as playing a game.

As for the new Four Great Families heads, their gains were even greater. They had previously agreed to follow Xiao Ce, which involved an element of risk.

But after interacting with Xiao Ce now, they truly saw his capabilities.

Just Xiao Ce’s ingenious ideas made them feel these were not things an ordinary person could think of.

After Xiao Ce’s troops had all marched past once.

This state-founding banquet was nearing its end.

Xiao Ce’s purpose for this ‘military parade’ was mainly for these prominent families, nobles, and the common people to see.

His goal had been achieved!

At the very least, the troops’ perfectly aligned formations and their impressive spirit were things they had never seen on ordinary soldiers before.

“Alright! From now on, for any matters, go to the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort will ask me if there’s anything she cannot decide! If there’s nothing else, all of you return and complete your tasks as quickly as possible.”

“And Cai Yong, the wealth seized from Cai Tianming’s residence that you brought over, take it all back and deposit it into your county’s treasury as funds to improve people’s livelihoods. The same goes for the other families!”

At this, the four Family Heads bowed in unison again.

“We obey, Prince.”

Xiao Ce said with a serious expression, “This Prince tells you, don’t think about making money now. Once things are stable here, This Prince will take you to make money. I’ll be direct with you: if any of you dare to embezzle the people’s hard-earned wealth, This Prince will definitely not spare you!”

Everyone bowed.

“Prince, should we allocate some of that money to you? After all, you have so many Disaster Victims to support, and such a large army’s expenses. The daily costs are a significant amount! Since you plan to make money, but the connection to the Central Plains has been cut off now…”

Hearing their words, Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, “No need. This Prince tells you, This Prince is not short of money!”

Yin Pan’er looked at Xiao Ce saying this with a strange expression and watched him with worry.

Although she didn’t speak, she had some criticisms of Xiao Ce’s actions.

After all, Xiao Ce really didn’t manage the household and didn’t know the cost of daily necessities.

Xiao Ce’s previous income was indeed substantial, but his expenditures were also huge. The Military Pay for Xiao Ce’s army could even support a force of several hundred thousand in the Central Plains Region.

She had originally thought to replenish funds with the money confiscated from Cai Tianming’s place. But in the end, Xiao Ce waved it off and didn’t want it.

It was important to know that Xiao Ce’s main income came from doing business with the merchants of the trade guild in Anhua City. Now that the Emperor had cut off that path.

Xiao Ce would have no more income coming in. What she could think of was, unless they sold that Snow Salt and frost sugar to the wealthy families here.

But the market here was only this big, far smaller than the Central Plains market.

Though anxious and worried, seeing Xiao Ce’s expression of having everything under control, she held back her doubts.

Xiao Ce saw them looking at him continuously, as if they still had something to say: “Do you have anything else?”

Kan Shanyue cupped his hands: “Prince, then please choose one from each family.”

Xiao Ce was confused by Kan Shanyue’s abrupt sentence and looked at him somewhat puzzled: “Choose one? Choose what?”

Liu Qi chimed in: “One child from each of our families, choose one to be kept as a hostage here with you…”

Xiao Ce looked slightly exasperated, waving his hand and said, “What are you talking about? For you, This Prince doesn’t need that. This Prince’s principle has always been: if I doubt someone, I don’t use them; if I use someone, I don’t doubt them. Moreover, if any of you were to rebel against me, keeping a few people here wouldn’t help.”

“And, everything you do is under my eyes. No one can betray me under my watch! My not saying anything just means I’m giving you a chance. When This Prince speaks, it will be your death sentence.”

Although Xiao Ce was speaking to the new Four Great Families heads, the expression on Nie Bing behind him was very complicated.

The people of the Four Great Families nodded respectfully.

With that, Xiao Ce announced the end of the banquet.

After the state-founding banquet ended, the prominent families and nobles did not linger at all and left immediately.

Each returning home.

The common people in Lingxiao City were all abuzz with discussion.

Xiao Ce’s speech quickly spread like wildfire. They all felt very fortunate to have such a good Prince.

…

After leaving the banquet venue, Xiao Ce went to find Yan Jia.

“Yan Jia, how is the training of the elite troops going?”

Yan Jia cupped his hands and said to Xiao Ce, “Prince, the three thousand elite Cavalry are already proficient in using various weapons, and their tactics and combat methods can be coordinated.”

Xiao Ce said to Yan Jia, “Good! Go and select the most elite one thousand Cavalry! Tomorrow morning, we will dispatch troops to attack the Turks!”

After hearing Xiao Ce’s words, Yan Jia was first stunned.

“Prince, you mean dispatch troops to attack the Turks tomorrow?”

Xiao Ce nodded: “That’s right!”

Seeing Xiao Ce wasn’t joking, Yan Jia cupped his hands and said, “Prince, how many troops should be arranged? I need to prepare supplies and rations accordingly!”

“Didn’t I say arrange one thousand elite Cavalry? Wait for This Prince outside the city before dawn tomorrow! No need to prepare supply wagons or heavy baggage, travel light!”

Hearing Xiao Ce’s words, Yan Jia’s face showed even more confusion: “Prince, you said one thousand elite Cavalry, to do what? To scout for news? Prince, you don’t need to go yourself for that. I can arrange professional Scouts!”

After hearing Yan Jia’s words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, “What scouting for news? This Prince will lead one thousand elites to attack the Turks!”

Yan Jia’s expression was strange, but looking at Xiao Ce’s face, he didn’t seem to be joking.

A thought flashed through his mind: Attacking the Turks with one thousand elite Cavalry? Was that madness?

Xiao Ce saw the doubt in Yan Jia’s heart and continued to instruct: “Weren’t you told before to have each man raise six horses? Tomorrow morning, each man brings six horses, and each carries two hundred Arrowheads!”

Then, Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu beside him: “Xiao Jiu, the one thousand sets of cowhide bags prepared with liquor and beef jerky, are they all ready?”

Xiao Jiu bowed and said to Xiao Ce, “Reporting to the Prince, everything is ready!”

As he spoke, Xiao Jiu looked at Xiao Ce with feverish eyes.

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Jiu, “You want to come along too?”

Xiao Jiu had learned of Xiao Ce’s attack plan earlier and had already asked Xiao Ce to let him come along.

Xiao Jiu nodded excitedly: “Prince, let me go with you. I’ve been learning archery these past days, I won’t hold you back…”

Seeing Xiao Jiu’s eager look, Xiao Ce said: “Alright! Dare to go? Not afraid?”

A trace of excitement showed in Xiao Jiu’s eyes: “Prince, this servant dares! This servant has been looking forward to it for a long time! Killing even one Turk would be a win!”

Xiao Ce saw Yan Jia standing there dumbfounded, seemingly still having trouble accepting it!

Xiao Ce smiled and said, “Yan Jia, are you afraid?”

Only then did Yan Jia snap out of it: “Prince, of course I’m not afraid! It’s just, with only one thousand troops, no supply wagons or rations, how can we attack the Turkic army? Their Cavalry numbers tens of thousands. Our one thousand elite Cavalry, if we engage them directly, no matter how skilled, wouldn’t be enough to fill the gaps between their teeth!”

A confident expression appeared on Xiao Ce’s face: “Have you heard of blitzkrieg?”