Chapter 8: Getting a Wife First, Then Supplies

Chapter 8: Getting a Wife First, Then Supplies

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

The Prince of Zhenguo, according to the agreement with Xiao Ce, stepped forward and said, “Crown Prince, please reconsider. You may not know, the Turkic threat has existed for hundreds of years. It is a deep-rooted problem that cannot be resolved by relying on a single person.”

Watching the Prince of Zhenguo speak up to stop it.

Xiao Dingbang glanced very subtly at Yin Weiyong.

Yin Weiyong understood and said, “Prince of Zhenguo, your words are not appropriate. I think the Crown Prince’s great ambition should be encouraged! Moreover, at this moment, if His Majesty can send his eldest son to the Northern Desert frontier, grant him a title and lands, it would precisely prove His Majesty’s determination to resist the Turks.”

Xiao Yang chimed in, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, Chancellor Yin is right! Perhaps if the Crown Prince goes, the Turks will learn of Great Xiao’s determination to fight against them, and maybe that will scare them away.”

“Your Son concurs.”

“Your Son also concurs…”

…

Xiao Ce watched as all the princes stepped forward to show their support, with not a single one trying to persuade him to stay.

Indeed, he couldn’t stay in this place a minute longer.

With the princes’ support, the civil and military officials came out in succession to agree.

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang said, “Crown Prince, your actions today have truly made me see you in a new light. But, have you thought this through?”

“Imperial Father, Your Son has carefully considered this. Please grant Your Son’s request.”

Before Xiao Dingbang could speak, the Prince of Zhenguo continued to play along, saying, “Since that’s the case, Crown Prince, you don’t need to resign from your position…”

Xiao Ce said with a firm gaze, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, actually, I’ve had this intention for years now! The position of Crown Prince is the foundation of the state. Over the years, I have known that I am not material for an emperor. Now, the Turks are invading our lands.”

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Xiao Dingbang.

“Your Son has caused Imperial Father much trouble over the years. Now, I also wish to share some of Imperial Father’s burdens! The Northern Desert is barren. Your Son believes that to resist the Turks, we must first govern the Northern Desert region well. Only by making the Northern Desert prosperous can we become self-sufficient to fight against the Turks.”

“Therefore, Your Son boldly requests Imperial Father to grant Your Son a royal title and lands! Your Son will pour all his remaining life’s efforts onto the vast wilderness of the Northern Desert! As for the position of Crown Prince, please, Father, choose a virtuous person for it. I sincerely hope Your Majesty will grant this!”

Yin Weiyong took the lead and said, “Please grant the Crown Prince’s sincere wish, Your Majesty.”

The civil and military officials followed suit.

Xiao Dingbang could no longer hold back, fearing this coward Xiao Ce would change his mind: “Good! Since the Crown Prince resigns from his position, he is first relieved of the title of Crown Prince and is granted the title King of Northern Desert, ruling over the Four Northern Desert Prefectures! In the future, if you can make the Turks bow in submission, I will surely restore your position as Crown Prince.”

Xiao Ce was extremely excited in his heart. Trading a deadly title for a real-power King of Northern Desert was a great bargain, right?

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Son has another presumptuous request!”

“Speak!”

“From what Your Son knows, Second Brother and Miss Yin have not formally agreed to a marriage contract. It was just a casual mention in conversation, which cannot be considered binding. The day before yesterday, because of Your Son, Miss Yin’s reputation was damaged. Your Son also does not wish for any rift to grow between Second Brother and Miss Yin! Moreover, Your Son has long admired Miss Yin!”

“Your Son boldly asks Imperial Father to bestow this marriage, allowing Your Son to marry Yin Pan’er.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dingbang first looked at Yin Weiyong.

Then he looked at Xiao Yang.

Yin Weiyong bowed and said, “This old minister obeys whatever Your Majesty decides.”

Xiao Yang, knowing that Yin Pan’er had been slept with by Xiao Ce, had long wanted to discard her. He now bowed and said, “Imperial Father, since Elder Brother likes her. Your Son will certainly help fulfill his wish!”

“Good, then I shall grant you this as well! I bestow Yin Pan’er to you in marriage, granting her the title Princess of Northern Desert!”

Xiao Ce prostrated himself on the ground and said, “Thank you, Imperial Father!”

On such a rare opportunity today.

He naturally wouldn’t miss it. Got the wife, next came the supplies.

“Imperial Father, Your Son is concerned about the safety of the Northern Desert frontier. May I ask, how many troops and supplies does Imperial Father intend to send for support?”

Xiao Ce originally thought Xiao Dingbang would certainly make excuses.

He never expected Xiao Dingbang to say very readily, “I will allocate three thousand elite soldiers to assist you in supporting the Northern Desert.”

Xiao Ce showed a hint of difficulty on his face. “Imperial Father, three thousand men might not be enough.”

Xiao Yang spoke up: “Elder Brother, currently, in the Central Plains, rioters led by the White Lotus Sect are rising everywhere. Being able to allocate three thousand elite troops to you is already not easy. Besides, didn’t Imperial Father grant you a royal title? Weren’t you just boasting about developing the Northern Desert wilderness? If everything is given to you, what would you be going there to do?”

Xiao Dingbang nodded: “That’s right, Xiao Ce, have I not appointed you King of Northern Desert? After you go to the Northern Desert, I grant you the authority to raise an army of one hundred thousand, allowing you to build a force of one hundred thousand on the frontier to resist the Turks!”

Xiao Ce cursed in his heart: “Dog Emperor, you sure know how to boast. Raise an army of one hundred thousand? Without money or food, who would I raise it from? Moreover, the population of the Northern Desert wilderness, at full count, isn’t even one hundred thousand.”

Out loud, he said: “Imperial Father, the Four Northern Desert Prefectures are vast and sparsely populated. The people don’t even number one hundred thousand. How can Your Son recruit an army of one hundred thousand…”

Xiao Yang said: “You said yourself you wanted to develop the Northern Desert. That place had over a million people at its most prosperous. If you govern well, won’t the people come? If Imperial Father solves all the difficulties for you, how will your achievements show?”

Seeing Xiao Yang say this, and looking at Xiao Ce’s expression, Xiao Dingbang feared he might regret it and quickly added: “Xiao Ce, I know there are difficulties. Currently, the Great Xiao Kingdom also faces internal and external troubles! Since you actively proposed to share my burdens! I will also help you as much as possible. I further reward you with one hundred thousand taels of gold, one million taels of silver, and five hundred thousand dan of grain supplies! This should be enough for you to develop the army in the Northern Desert and resist the Turks!”

Xiao Ce was shocked!

Had Xiao Dingbang changed his nature? Why suddenly so generous?

Xiao Yang became so anxious he was hopping: “Imperial Father, you must have misspoken. Are you sure you want to bestow these things?”

Xiao Dingbang waved his hand grandly: “The frontier is harsh. This is all I can do. Xiao Ce, are you satisfied!”

Xiao Ce vaguely felt this was a trap, but he didn’t understand Xiao Dingbang’s real purpose. Out loud, he could only thank him.

“Thank you, Imperial Father! Long live Imperial Father, long live, long, long live!”

Xiao Dingbang said: “Of course, from the money I give you, you need to use some to reward Bao An’s frontier garrison soldiers!”

“I obey!” Xiao Ce bowed and agreed.

Xiao Dingbang was in a very pleasant mood and looked at Xiao Ce again: “Xiao Ce, when will you depart?”

“Reporting to Imperial Father, Your Son wishes to depart as soon as possible, tomorrow.” Xiao Ce bowed.

“Good, then I will order people to prepare the troops, money, and grain for you.” Xiao Dingbang said.

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Dingbang somewhat suspiciously. Was this Dog Emperor for real?

After Xiao Dingbang finished, he asked the court: “My ministers, if there are matters to report, report them. If none, court is dismissed!”

Seeing no one speak, the Chief Eunuch beside Xiao Dingbang loudly announced: “Court dismissed!”

After another round of cheers and bows from the hundred officials, they left.

Xiao Yang looked very anxious, clearly about to go find Xiao Dingbang.

…

After leaving the Imperial Palace.

The Prince of Zhenguo had Xiao Ce get on his carriage.

Seeing him still call him Crown Prince, Xiao Ce looked at the Prince of Zhenguo and said, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, I am not the Crown Prince anymore.”

The Prince of Zhenguo’s eyes were sharp: “You will be Crown Prince again sooner or later. However, His Majesty was so unusual in the court today. You must be careful!”

A flash of fierceness appeared in Xiao Ce’s eyes: “If he dares to give, I dare to take it. Who’s afraid of too much money!”

The Prince of Zhenguo nodded and said: “You’d still better be cautious.”

They arrived at the Prince of Zhenguo’s Mansion.

The Prince of Zhenguo brought an old man and a sturdy young man wearing simple clothes, with an honest and kind-looking face.

Xiao Ce looked at the newcomers, searching his memory.

The old man was called Lin Zhong, the steward of the Prince of Zhenguo’s Mansion, and also the person Xiao Dingshan trusted most, without exception.

Previously, when the Prince of Zhenguo went to the battlefield, if the original host Crown Prince encountered trouble, it was always this old man who helped clean up the mess for him.

As for the young man, Xiao Ce had no impression.

However, judging by his build, he should be a military man.

Seeing Xiao Ce scrutinize him, the Prince of Zhenguo said: “Crown Prince, for your journey to the Northern Desert wilderness, this Prince has nothing good to give you. I will give you Uncle Zhong and Da Lei.”

“Uncle Zhong, you know, is my most trusted person. When you go to your Northern Desert fief to ‘establish your state,’ there will certainly be many miscellaneous tasks. Uncle Zhong is an expert and absolutely trustworthy.”

“Da Lei is the captain of my secretly trained Death Warrior team. His squad has twelve people in total. You can directly command him. You can trust him as you trust me.”

The Prince of Zhenguo’s few short sentences made Xiao Ce realize that this man called Da Lei was not simple.

Death Warrior team, that should be like a Special Forces unit.

The Prince of Zhenguo’s thinking was quite advanced.

“Thank you, Ninth Uncle, you are too good to me! But, going to the Northern Desert, can Uncle Zhong manage?”

Lin Zhong bowed and said, “Crown Prince, if your body can manage, this old man’s body certainly has no problem.”

“Uncle Zhong, aren’t you afraid of hardship?” Xiao Ce asked.

Lin Zhong smiled and said, “This old man has suffered all kinds of hardships in his life, so he is not afraid of suffering. Crown Prince, you are the person the Old Prince values most. This old man will certainly assist you well. Help take care of your residence and logistics!”

Xiao Ce didn’t hesitate. He was just worried about not having a trusted person.

Having Uncle Zhong, a ready-made ace steward, saved him a lot of worry.

“Then I will rely on Uncle Zhong from now on!”

After saying that, he walked over to the strong man Da Lei.

He patted his body. Sure enough, he was a trained fighter, his body was solid.

Seeing this, the Prince of Zhenguo said: “Don’t worry. What I give you are my treasures!”

Xiao Ce quickly said: “Ninth Uncle, I naturally know this! It’s just, these people are your life-protectors, right? Giving them to me, wouldn’t you yourself then…”

The Prince of Zhenguo waved his hand and said: “Hey, I’m retired in the Capital, I don’t need these. I have something else for you.”

Saying this, the Prince of Zhenguo took out a small wooden box and placed it in front of Xiao Ce.

Opening it, inside was a box full of silver notes.

“It contains the silver I’ve saved my entire life, a total of one million taels of silver.”

Seeing this, Xiao Ce’s jaw dropped in surprise. He then waved his hand and said, “Ninth Uncle, this absolutely cannot be accepted. Moreover, Imperial Father promised to give me one hundred thousand taels of gold, and a million taels of silver, plus grain supplies. I won’t be short of money in the short term. When I need money later, I’ll go earn it.”

The Prince of Zhenguo gave a bitter laugh and said, “You are truly naive. Do you really believe His Majesty will give you so much money and grain?”