Chapter 74: Words or Weapons!

Chapter 74: Words or Weapons!

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded. “Do you have a way?”

Zhang Yunqing did not refuse. “Prince, there is indeed a way. However, Prince, you surely have a better one! This commoner will not speak and embarrass himself. I will cooperate one hundred percent with your plan.”

Xiao Ce said with a laugh, “This Prince does not know them well. So, the plan This Prince made might not be suitable. First, tell me your plan… This Prince will consider it!”

“Then this commoner will be bold and say a few words?” Zhang Yunqing cupped his hands and looked at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled. “Today I came to listen to you.”

Zhang Yunqing glanced at Xiao Jiu out of habit.

“These are all our people here, nothing cannot be said.”

Hearing Xiao Ce say this, Zhang Yunqing nodded and spoke plainly. “Prince, do you want to use words, or weapons?”

Xiao Ce did not answer. Instead, he threw the question back to Zhang Yunqing. “You tell me, how about using words? How about using weapons?”

Zhang Yunqing said, “Using weapons means directly taking the family heads of these Noble Clans and Prominent Families, to force their Clans and Families to submit, or demand money and grain! And they definitely will not obey, they will certainly resist.”

“After Your Highness’s troops gather, you can rightfully launch an attack on them in the name of their rebellion! Although they all secretly keep many Manor Guards, those troops have never truly fought a war. Their combat ability should be quite poor.”

“But using force has a disadvantage! That is, it will push them into a corner. These people from the Noble Clans will definitely turn to the Turks without looking back. With the help of the Turks, plus Your Highness having no reinforcements later, things will likely become even more difficult then. There are over three hundred thousand unregistered Bondservants in the thirty cities of the Northern Desert, and two hundred thousand Manor Guards, over five hundred thousand in total!”

“These people have been brainwashed by the Noble Clans and aristocracy. If war truly starts, they can also select at least another hundred thousand troops from among those Bondservants! And those Bondservants will all see you as an outside enemy, and will certainly rise up and fight back. So, in this commoner’s view, using force is not the best method. Because, in this commoner’s view, whether it is the Bondservants or the property of the Noble Clans, they all belong to you, Prince! Using force is hitting yourself!”

Xiao Ce nodded and said, “This Prince indeed thinks so too. Especially after This Prince heard from your mouth about those numbers you mentioned: three hundred thousand Bondservants, two hundred thousand Manor Guards! These are all This Prince’s people! Is this number accurate?”

Zhang Yunqing nodded very firmly. “Prince, this number is at least that much, probably more!”

He had heard from Qian Lai before that those Noble Clans and Prominent Families hid Bondservants and Manor Guards.

Now, from Zhang Yunqing’s mouth, he learned there was such a number.

Xiao Ce listened and said, “So, the imperial court has been deceived all along?”

Zhang Yunqing nodded. “Exactly, Prince. That’s why the ones who have always been poor are the registered Bonded People of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures!”

“You mentioned using words?” Xiao Ce asked.

Zhang Yunqing said, “Prince, you currently hold the nine cities from Yanmen Pass to Lingxiao City, right?”

Xiao Ce nodded.

Zhang Yunqing said, “Using words means, Prince, you first secure your footing! You do not have direct conflict with them! While they are all here, you can have them state their position, support your identity as the King of Northern Desert, and have them jointly sign a petition with you denouncing Bao An’s crimes, completely attributing Bao An’s death to treason, killed during the suppression of the rebellion.”

“This way, a position for the Border Garrison Commander will become vacant! Prince, you can then choose one from among the Four Great Clans, have them select a person, let them take this Border Garrison Commander position, and then recommend them to Your Majesty! At that time, the Second Prince and Consort Hui will certainly not agree and will definitely want to replace the person!”

“This way, to fight over this commander position, they will certainly fight fiercely among themselves!”

“And you, Prince, can take the chance to firmly hold the Nine Cities Territory, settle the Disaster Victims, and train the newly recruited soldiers! And you, Prince, can take a strong stance against the Turks. This way, Prince, you can use the Turks to wear down the power of these Noble Clans.”

Listening to Zhang Yunqing’s analysis, Xiao Ce laughed and said, “Haha, you being a merchant is really a waste of talent! But, will they be that foolish? Isn’t the Border Garrison Commander just a hot potato?”

Zhang Yunqing shook his head. “Prince, this Border Garrison Commander is a hot potato for ordinary people, but for these Family Heads of the Noble Clans, it is not! The Border Garrison Commander has the authority to lead troops, deploy troops, and recruit troops. If one holds the commander position, they can openly receive the Military Pay from the Military Affairs Department. They can have the imperial court help them raise troops.”

“And, they can openly let their Manor Guards move within the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. Their privately recruited Manor Guards are ultimately not legitimate. Whoever controls the Border Garrison Commander position will have a bit more say in the Northern Desert.”

Many of Zhang Yunqing’s ideas aligned with Xiao Ce’s.

Xiao Ce listened and nodded. “Alright, This Prince understands! You rest well here for now, no need to go write those things anymore!”

Zhang Yunqing nodded. He did not ask out of turn what Xiao Ce intended to do.

He had said what he needed to say, and had shown his attitude. That was enough.

Just as he got up to see Xiao Ce off and reached the doorway.

Zhang Yunqing thought of something again and asked Xiao Ce, “Prince, how do you plan to deal with that Khan’s Son, do you need…”

Xiao Ce didn’t let Zhang Yunqing finish and interrupted, “Regarding him, This Prince is keeping him for another purpose!”

Zhang Yunqing very tactfully shut his mouth.

“If you have time, draw This Prince a map of the Turkic Kingdom!”

Seeing Xiao Ce say this, Zhang Yunqing said excitedly, “Prince, I have had that ready for a long time. However, it is at my residence. If you need it urgently…”

Seeing this, Xiao Ce smiled and said, “No rush. Alright, now relax and rest well. In a few days, This Prince will have great use for you.”

Seeing this, Zhang Yunqing nodded. “Prince, don’t worry. I will certainly work hard for you!”

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Xiao Jiu beside him, “Find some maidservants to come, look after him, help him bathe and such, he smells bad!”

Xiao Jiu nodded and said to Xiao Ce, “Prince, that’s not necessary.”

Xiao Ce waved his hand. “Don’t be polite with me.”

After leaving, Mosi Ashina was sticking his head out, secretly looking around.

Seeing Xiao Ce look in his direction, he hid again.

After watching Xiao Ce leave, he waited for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, then crept to the outside of Zhang Yunqing’s room.

After knocking on the door, Zhang Yunqing saw Mosi Ashina, who was looking at him with a very fake smile.

Zhang Yunqing respectfully gave a slight bow to Mosi Ashina, then looked around in all directions.

Before he could speak, Zhang Yunqing cautiously lowered his voice, “Your Highness Khan’s Son, let’s talk inside the room!”

As he said this, he made way and let Mosi Ashina into the room.