Chapter 7: Voluntarily Resigning the Crown Prince Position

Chapter 7: Voluntarily Resigning the Crown Prince Position

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised. “Miss Yin, the place I am going to is the Northern Desert frontier.”

“Exactly, the Northern Desert frontier is where I’m following you to. So what? Was all that talk of ambition and great plans you said to me last night just boasting? Are you afraid that with me along, you’ll be exposed as nothing more than an embroidered pillow?”

Seeing Yin Pan’er’s slightly provocative words, Xiao Ce’s smile grew a bit wider. “Miss Yin, if you are not afraid… what have I to fear? If you wish to follow, I will definitely ensure your safety!”

As he spoke, he looked at Yin Weiyong. “Chancellor Yin, do you also agree?”

Yin Weiyong said, “Crown Prince, it is too early to speak of such things now! Let us discuss everything after the court session tomorrow morning. It is getting late, Crown Prince, please return for now.”

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Weiyong and asked, “Chancellor Yin, why did you summon me here this time?”

Yin Weiyong’s expression turned serious. “I wanted to see how much truth and how much falsehood there was in your words.”

“Chancellor Yin, have you reached a judgment now?”

Yin Weiyong smiled and nodded. “I truly need to get to know you again.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce didn’t waste words and went back.

…

The next day

In the Golden Luan Hall.

After the civil and military officials finished their ceremonial bows and greetings.

Xiao Dingbang sat on the dragon throne and said, “All ministers, rise!”

The ministers rose with a rustling sound, and Xiao Dingbang said, “My dear ministers, do any of you have memorials to present?”

At this moment, Yin Weiyong stepped forward first. “Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present.”

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand grandly. “Present it!”

Yin Weiyong held his ceremonial tablet, bowed, and took small, quick steps forward.

“I report to Your Majesty, the Military Administration Bureau has come to inform that a report has arrived from the Northern Desert frontier. The Turkic chief has already gathered over twenty thousand cavalry! Judging by their actions, it does not seem like they are coming for mere plundering. It appears more like a large-scale assault! General Bao has sent an urgent message by three-hundred-li express, requesting reinforcements to defend against the major Turkic invasion.”

This news was true; Yin Weiyong had also received it early in the morning.

Xiao Ce was overjoyed in his heart.

As the saying goes, great wealth comes from great risk. Just as he was preparing for a venture, someone handed him a pillow.

Xiao Dingbang frowned deeply. “My dear ministers, what are your views?”

The ministers looked at each other.

“I report to Your Majesty, I believe we should not send troops to the frontier. Currently, the commoners incited by the White Lotus Sect are rising in rebellion everywhere. The various armies are too busy suppressing the rebels to manage their own affairs and simply cannot spare forces to support the Northern Desert.”

“I also believe that the Turks are merely plundering before winter. They do this every year. Tell the people to hide their grain and supplies and take shelter for a while. The Turks will plunder and then leave.”

“I agree. The Four Northern Desert Prefectures already have forty thousand garrison troops. Even if they have twenty thousand cavalry, we have the numerical advantage. As long as General Bao defends and does not engage, the Turks can do nothing. Once winter sets in, the Turks’ supplies will fall short, and they will retreat on their own! Our top priority should be suppressing the followers of the White Lotus Sect!”

Listening to the suggestions of the ministers, all were against sending troops.

Xiao Dingbang was also reluctant to dispatch troops. After all, the Four Northern Desert Prefectures were located in a desert region and were harassed by the Turks year-round. Therefore, the local people lived in hardship and required constant state subsidies.

Xiao Dingbang spoke, “Since that is the case, then tell General Bao to defend the Northern Desert! Once the White Lotus Sect is dealt with, we will send support!”

The Prince of Zhenguo stepped forward upon hearing this. “Your Majesty, that cannot be done! The Northern Desert region is the protective barrier of our Great Xiao Kingdom. This time, they have gathered twenty thousand cavalry; it is certainly not as simple as coming for plundering! It is true that the Northern Desert region has forty thousand garrison troops, but the Northern Desert region is vast and boundless. Each garrison town has fewer than three thousand soldiers! And all are infantry; the entire Northern Desert region has only three thousand cavalry.”

“If their twenty thousand cavalry focus their attack on a single point, we will surely be caught unprepared! If the Four Northern Desert Prefectures are occupied by the Turks, our Great Xiao will lose a buffer barrier. They could then advance to attack and retreat to defend. By then, the Central Plains Hinterland of Great Xiao would have no peace. Therefore, Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot leave this unattended! Reinforcements must be sent.”

“I, your younger brother, request to lead troops to support the Northern Desert!”

Xiao Dingbang said, “Prince of Zhenguo, I know of your loyalty. However, you are covered in scars, old wounds not yet healed, and new wounds added! I cannot bear to have you lead troops into battle again!”

He then turned to look at those in the hall. “What the Prince of Zhenguo says is indeed correct. The domestic threat of the White Lotus Sect is indeed serious, but the Turkic threat is also a bone stuck in the throat. I wonder, is there any General willing to lead troops to provide support?”

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

After all, everyone knew what kind of place the Northern Desert was.

It was not a place for people; going there was equivalent to exile.

Moreover, the commander of the Northern Desert frontier was the Second Prince’s maternal uncle, Bao An.

That Bao An would surely snatch any credit.

He would be the first to shift any blame onto others.

Over the years, many Generals had gone there. Either they colluded with him, or they were squeezed out and died in a foreign land.

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang’s expression darkened. “What is this? Could it be that aside from the Prince of Zhenguo, there is no one willing to go and support?”

Xiao Yang instinctively looked at Xiao Ce upon hearing this.

Xiao Ce saw that the timing was about right.

He stepped forward and said, “I report to Imperial Father, I am willing to lead troops to provide support!”

As soon as Xiao Ce said this, the entire court erupted in an uproar.

A flash of delight appeared in Xiao Dingbang’s eyes.

“Crown Prince, you want to lead troops to provide support? Do you know where you are going? That is a real battlefield of swords and spears! Have you thought it through?” Xiao Dingbang said.

“Imperial Father, I have thought it through. I know! Now that the Turks have gathered a large army to attack the territory of our Great Xiao Kingdom. If I go to lead troops to support at this time, it will surely boost morale… and also let the frontier soldiers feel Your Majesty’s concern for them.” Xiao Ce said.

Before Xiao Dingbang could speak, the Prince of Zhenguo said, “Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate. The Crown Prince is the foundation of the state, and the Northern Desert region is extremely perilous… If, by any chance, something were to happen to the Crown Prince, it might damage the foundation of the state!”

Then Xiao Yang spoke up. “Ninth Imperial Uncle, what you say is inappropriate. Are you looking down on the Crown Prince? What the Crown Prince says is correct. If he goes to support the front lines, the soldiers will surely be greatly encouraged? Or is it that you, Ninth Imperial Uncle, think the Crown Prince is too mediocre and that if the Turks see him, he will disgrace the prestige of our Great Xiao Kingdom.”

Before the Prince of Zhenguo could speak, Yin Weiyong beside him said, “Second Prince, the Prince of Zhenguo’s concern is not without reason. The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, the foundation of the state. The battlefield is ever-changing. If anything unexpected were to happen to the Crown Prince, the Imperial Court would certainly be shaken. Therefore, I urge the Crown Prince to reconsider!”

Seeing that Yin Weiyong had handed him the opening, Xiao Ce quickly stated his request: “Imperial Father! I wonder if you have such concerns?”

Xiao Dingbang really did not want to waste words and was ready to agree directly. However, he still had to go through the motions. “Chancellor Yin is correct. Although you are naturally dull and weak in character, you are still the Crown Prince. If you were to die at the hands of the Turks, it would not encourage our soldiers but would instead be a huge blow! Therefore, Crown Prince, I appreciate your intent!”

Xiao Ce said, “Imperial Father! Actually, over these years, I have deeply felt my own dullness and that I am unfit for the heavy responsibility of Crown Prince. I am willing to voluntarily resign my position as Crown Prince! I wish to do what I am capable of and also to gain some experience! To demonstrate my resolve, I boldly ask Imperial Father to grant me the title of King of Northern Desert, ruling over the Four Northern Desert Prefectures!”

“If Imperial Father agrees, I am willing to swear here that I will not allow a single Turkic soldier to set foot in the Northern Desert! If I do not beat the Turks into submission, I vow never to return to the court in this lifetime!”