Chapter 133: The New Turkic King! Yunqing Wurgen

Chapter 133: The New Turkic King! Yunqing Wurgen

Mosi Ashina said, “Father Khan, perhaps we should forget about the letter. If we tell them, they might stubbornly follow us… Let’s just pretend we don’t know. When the time comes, we can eliminate them directly.”

Ashina narrowed his eyes in approval. “You’re right. Let’s go back.”

As he said this, his group quickly departed.

From atop the city wall, Han Da saw this and said with a smile, “Good. Inform the entire army to prepare to retreat.”

The officers beside Han Da looked confused. “General, didn’t you say that the longer we hold out here, the safer the people behind us would be?”

Han Da explained, “If I’m not mistaken, they saw the ovens you built and the granary. They ran away so fast because they must believe a large army is stationed here.”

“But if we all leave and they see the city is empty, won’t they just march right in?”

Han Da turned his gaze toward the Turks who were previously half-dead.

After bringing them some food, these once-dying Turks had ‘revived’ one by one.

“The bodies of these Turks really are as sturdy as donkeys, incredibly resilient!”

Saying this, Han Da walked over to the Turks.

“Does it taste good?”

The Turks were eating large mouthfuls of horse meat, holding cornbread in their hands.

Seeing Han Da approach, they all knelt according to Xiao Kingdom etiquette. “Thank you, General Han Da, for saving our lives…”

Han Da replied, “You don’t need to thank me. I initially didn’t want to save you; I wanted to kill you. I just never expected your Khan to be so beastly… And you said you’re willing to work for us?”

A group of Turks, their faces dark, nodded repeatedly. “Yes… We fought tooth and nail for Ashina. If they hadn’t foolishly walked into your trap, how could we have been captured? When there were ambushers before, they charged in like fools. Now that there’s no ambush, they’re too scared to advance.”

“Such people are no match for your King of Northern Desert! General Han, just give us a way to live! We’ll work for you.”

Han Da asked, “You truly want to join us?”

The group nodded. “In this situation, we have no choice.”

Han Da said, “Good. Then from now on, listen to me… I promise you’ll be safe.”

The group cupped their hands and agreed.

“All one thousand of our defending troops will withdraw soon. What I want you to do is put on our clothes and wander around on the city walls from time to time each day.”

“Then, when it’s time to cook, each of you take a pot and cook separately within the city. While you cook, you can set up a few scarecrows wearing our clothes, just show a head above the wall.”

The group of Turk prisoners said with disbelief, “Will that really fool them?”

Han Da nodded. “Yes. You just need to hold out for seven days. Inside the city, we dug a secret chamber where you can hide… After they enter and leave some troops to garrison, you can blend in. When the time comes, the King of Northern Desert will arrive. You just need to go meet them promptly.”

A Turk prisoner looked puzzled. “The King of Northern Desert is coming? From where?”

Han Da showed a faint smile. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

“But how can we make the King of Northern Desert trust us? What if he kills us outright…”

Han Da said, “I will give you a token! The King of Northern Desert knows how to use people well and is fair with rewards and punishments. As long as you achieve merits, you might even receive substantial rewards!”

As Han Da spoke, the Turks all voiced their agreement.

After giving a few more instructions, Han Da led the main forces away.

…

Helu also received news.

It was said that Ashina acted much more subdued after visiting Yanbei City.

This confirmed for Helu and his men the existence of an ambush inside Yanbei City.

For the next several days, they observed daily.

They saw people on the city walls not decreasing but increasing, unaware they were just scarecrows.

Turk scouts, seeing the cooking smoke from within Yanbei City, confirmed there were at least fifty thousand troops stationed there.

Five full days later.

With the Turk rear forces fully rested and strengthened,

Xiao Ce had received a letter from Han Da days earlier. He saw Han Da’s praise for his empty-city stratagem.

He felt a sense of accomplishment, but also thought those Turks were truly brainless!

He summoned Yan Jia and Wei Wuji.

When the two men saw Xiao Ce,

Yan Jia cupped his hands and said, “Prince, our Ghost Cavalry has expanded to three thousand men, all fully prepared! However, we are still somewhat lacking in equipment.”

Xiao Ce nodded. “The equipment is not urgent; we’ll get it once we reach Yanbei City. Before Han Da left, he left the repeating crossbows and composite crossbows there. That’s more than enough to equip your Ghost Cavalry…”

Yan Jia listened excitedly. “Prince, are we about to set off?”

Xiao Ce nodded. “Yes, the fish is about to take the bait! Now we just wait for it to bite! The Turks’ end is near!”

Saying this, Xiao Ce looked toward Wei Wuji.

Wei Wuji cupped his hands. “Prince, your humble general has gathered thirty thousand cavalry here. Their basic training is complete! However, they now need actual combat experience. We request to go into battle! The remaining twenty thousand cavalry are being trained here by General Ma Yong.”

Xiao Ce looked at Wei Wuji. “Have General Ma Yong stay and continue the training. You come with me!”

Wei Wuji excitedly cupped his hands. “As you command, Prince!”

Seeing Xiao Jiu at the tent entrance looking like he had something to say, Xiao Ce asked him, “Xiao Jiu, is Zhang Yunqing here?”

Xiao Jiu cupped his hands in reply. “Reporting to the Prince, he has arrived!”

Xiao Ce then said to Yan Jia and Wei Wuji, “Alright, go and prepare. We will depart in the afternoon!”

The two men excitedly cupped their hands. “As you command!”

They hurriedly left.

After Zhang Yunqing entered, he paid his respects to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce asked Zhang Yunqing, “Do you know why this Prince summoned you?”

Zhang Yunqing cupped his hands. “Reporting to the Prince, are you about to leave?”

Xiao Ce stood up with a smile. “Yes, I’m leaving! I’m leaving this place to you.”

Zhang Yunqing bowed. “Prince, I will definitely manage this place well for you. I will turn it into your pasture. In the future, whenever you need warhorses, cattle, or sheep, we will supply them as required.”

Xiao Ce nodded. “Good. For now, you still call yourselves Turks to the outside world. And from now on, you are the new Turkic King. You shall be called Yunqing Wurgen.”

Zhang Yunqing looked slightly puzzled but cupped his hands in agreement.

“I obey.”

Xiao Ce said, “In time, you will understand the purpose of my doing this. I have also created a story for you. You are the son of their Turkic Death God, Urgen. In the future, your tribe will be named Urgen.”

“I want you to be my secret hidden card. In the story I created for you, with the help of Urgen’s Death God legion, you will lead the Turks to unification!”

Zhang Yunqing cupped his hands in agreement.

Noticing Zhang Yunqing’s expression and hesitance,

Xiao Ce said to him, “If you have any requests, speak frankly.”

Zhang Yunqing looked at Xiao Ce. “Prince… I know it might not be proper… It’s just… Could I have my child brought here?”

Xiao Ce looked at Zhang Yunqing and didn’t respond.

Zhang Yunqing was so frightened he immediately dropped to his knees with a thud. “Prince, never mind… Let my family stay in Lingxiao City. No… it’s fine…”

Seeing him terrified out of his wits, Xiao Ce stepped forward and patted Zhang Yunqing’s shoulder. “What are you so afraid of? Do you think I would use your family to threaten you? Of course, it’s fine. Once I unify the Four Northern Desert Prefectures, I will send them to you!”

“Zhang Yunqing, as long as you remember never to betray me, the good days of your life are just beginning!”

Zhang Yunqing bowed deeply. “Prince, you are the greatest benefactor of my life. No matter what happens, I will always be your most loyal servant!”

Xiao Ce smiled, looking at the prostrating Zhang Yunqing, and patted his shoulder again. “I hope you remember these words today!”

Zhang Yunqing bowed in acknowledgment.

Then, Xiao Ce helped Zhang Yunqing up and took out a thick stack of papers. These were Xiao Ce’s written guide for Turkic development for Zhang Yunqing.

Xiao Ce explained every detail meticulously. Zhang Yunqing listened, his eyes filled with emotion, and he kowtowed heavily to Xiao Ce several times.

Xiao Ce smiled as he saw Xiao Jiu approach. “Alright, helping you is helping myself.”

Then he asked Xiao Jiu, “Are they all ready?”

Xiao Jiu nodded.

Xiao Ce helped Zhang Yunqing stand and said, “Alright, it’s time for me to go and close the net.”