Chapter 80: The One We Trust The Least Is Actually You!

Chapter 80: The One We Trust The Least Is Actually You!

Over these past couple of days, Xiao Ce had been wrestling with how to deal with the Family Heads of the Four Great Clans!

The method he had initially settled on was killing! Of course, they truly deserved to die!

Xiao Ce had already formed the idea of securing the interior first before dealing with external threats! However, just this morning during his practice, he discovered Nie Bing waiting for him.

He was a bit surprised. After all, since that incident last time where he had forced himself on her,

Nie Bing had never once taken the initiative to seek out Xiao Ce.

After meeting with Nie Bing, he learned her purpose for coming. She had come for the sake of the common people of the Four Prefectures!

Nie Bing’s previous idea had also been to rule them by force.

But yesterday, she discussed Xiao Ce’s new policies with those old ministers who were her father’s former subordinates!

Those old ministers, after hearing about Xiao Ce’s new policies, were very optimistic about his new plans.

They then advised Nie Bing, suggesting that Xiao Ce handle the relationship with the Noble Clans of the Four Prefectures more softly! Because they believed that once these new policies of Xiao Ce’s were implemented, and once they reached the ears of the common people of the Four Prefectures, those people would have no reason not to be tempted!

After all, the privately held commoners and militia within the Four Prefectures numbered five hundred thousand. These were, in fact, Xiao Ce’s wealth.

If they could be made to feel the benefits of Xiao Ce’s new policies, the common people would naturally support Xiao Ce and resist the exploitation by the Noble Clans!

At that time, the Noble Clans who had lost the people’s support would collapse without a fight! Taking them down would then be effortless!

Xiao Ce asked Nie Bing, weren’t those privately held people all brainwashed by them?

She said: “They are just a bunch of pitiful people, enslaved and brainwashed! They deserve a better life even more! Prince, they are also your subjects. No matter what, it shouldn’t be them who deserve to die!”

“Prince, I know you are not the type of person who is overly compassionate! But if there is another possibility, leave some seeds for the people of the Northern Desert Region! Moreover, if you can reclaim them, you will gain five hundred thousand more subjects! They will definitely be useful to you!”

At that time, Xiao Ce was persuaded by Nie Bing’s words!

He also knew that people were the foundation. If he really killed everyone off, then what development could he talk about?

Although he had brought in many Disaster Victims from outside, compared to the native people here, there was no doubt that the local people would have a stronger sense of belonging.

And once war was launched, those unfortunate privately held people would surely be pushed to the front lines! Once war started, deaths would breed blood feuds!

Once blood feuds began, hatred would continuously grow! Unless he wiped all those people out,

they would always see him as an enemy!

So, Xiao Ce pondered that rather than that, it was better to follow what those ministers said: focus on developing this area properly, and eventually people would see the good here! Previously, they were willing to work for the Noble Clans and Prominent Families because there was no difference, or perhaps their lives as privately held people were still better compared to the Bonded People under Bao An’s rule!

As long as they were made aware of the gap, they would start to resent it! Then, with just a little fanning of the flames, a small spark could ignite a prairie fire!

The increasingly fierce argument among the several Family Heads pulled Xiao Ce’s thoughts back.

Seeing that they had argued enough, he gave a slight smile and spoke to them: “Gentlemen, since you all insist on your own views! To be honest, I have no intention of figuring out whose words are true or false! I’ll give you one more chance!”

Lin Shou and Liu Xuan quickly said: “Prince, please grant us paper and brush! This time we will definitely show our sincerity. We will demonstrate our sincerity!”

Xiao Ce nodded and waved his hand, signaling others to bring paper and brush.

“Alright, you can write over here.”

As he said this, Xiao Ce shifted his gaze to Kan Zongye.

Kan Zongye’s expression was somewhat awkward.

Xiao Ce then said to Kan Zongye: “Family Head Kan, while they are writing this. Since you’re idle anyway, This Prince also assigns you a task.”

Kan Zongye had a bad feeling as he looked at Xiao Ce and did not respond.

Xiao Ce said directly: “You escort him to the Execution Platform outside the city and have him beheaded. You will supervise the execution!”

As soon as Xiao Ce spoke, Kan Zongye’s expression froze. Even Liu Xuan and Lin Shou, who were still writing their ‘information,’ trembled, their brushes shaking. They had never expected Xiao Ce to truly intend to kill.

Seeing that Kan Zongye did not answer,

Xiao Ce smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes, and said: “What’s the matter? Unwilling? Or do you think he doesn’t deserve to die?”

Kan Zongye hastily bowed with clasped hands: “Reporting to the Prince! I am but a commoner and have no authority to decide life or death for others. Everything is according to the Prince’s command! The Prince is the master of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. If you say he deserves to die, then he deserves to die! As for supervising the execution, if the Prince orders this commoner to go, this commoner will certainly go. However, this commoner feels it would be better and more persuasive if Family Head Liu Xuan and Family Head Lin Shou were to go with us, the three families together, to supervise the execution!”

Liu Xuan and Lin Shou, who were writing their own ‘information’ to the side, heard Kan Zongye’s words and wanted to curse.

Xiao Ce put on an approving expression and said: “Good! Good! Family Head Liu Xuan, Family Head Lin Shou. What are your thoughts?”

Liu Xuan and Lin Shou wore expressions as if they had eaten something disgusting. Naturally, they dared not refuse: “Everything is according to the Prince’s command. If the Prince wishes us to supervise the execution, we are naturally willing.”

Xiao Ce said with a smile: “Good! In that case, Family Head Liu, Family Head Lin, you pause for a moment. This Prince has always been the most reasonable. You draft a list of his crimes! After he dies, This Prince will confiscate his family’s assets to supplement the military funds for This Prince’s campaign against the Turks!”

Then, Xiao Ce continued with a patient tone: “Actually, as you can see, This Prince means no harm to any of you. You Four Great Clans have stood firm here for so long! You are the foundation of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures! But who would have known that this Cai Tianming would refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

“This Prince is someone who always responds better to softness than hardness! Since he has chosen to oppose me, I cannot leave a potential threat! You all know, This Prince has no interest in this area. Everything This Prince does is for the war against the Turks!”

“Fighting the Turks, on one hand, is for This Prince to gain some political achievements for myself. But the real beneficiaries are you! You can all understand this point, right?”

The three men nodded repeatedly.

Xiao Ce then said: “When the time comes, after This Prince confiscates the Cai Family’s assets, you can divide his territory among yourselves. You know, This Prince will ultimately leave! All the cities This Prince currently occupies, and the Disaster Victims I’ve brought you, will all be yours in the end, as long as you support me. Furthermore, any Turkic territory This Prince conquers in the future will be shared with you!”

“If we cooperate, it’s a win for all! Of course, if anyone wants to be my enemy, only you stand to lose.”

Xiao Ce painted a grand picture. The three men listened, feeling their hearts surge with excitement, and nodded repeatedly: “Prince, we naturally support you!”

Xiao Ce nodded: “Alright, you continue writing for now. After you finish, then send someone to supervise the execution! I will have people assist you. This Prince has other matters to attend to!”

With that, Xiao Ce left.

Within the great hall, only the soldiers holding Cai Tianming and the three Family Heads remained.

They watched Xiao Ce leave.

Lin Shou and Liu Xuan looked at Kan Zongye with venomous eyes: “Kan Zongye, you are truly treacherous! You actually tried to trick us! Thankfully Xiao Ce wasn’t that foolish, otherwise, we really would have been killed by you.”

Kan Zongye raised an eyebrow: “Enough! Haven’t you two harmed me just as much? At most, it’s tit for tat. Do you two want to keep dredging up these old grudges endlessly? Let’s focus on the task at hand.”

Lin Shou and Liu Xuan looked at Kan Zongye with suspicion almost simultaneously: “Do you truly believe in pledging loyalty to Xiao Ce?”

Kan Zongye nodded and said: “That’s right! Actually, he made it very clear. His backer is the Prince of Zhenguo. He was just a Crown Prince before, coming here only to build some reputation! And what he said is true; he will leave sooner or later. He’s staying here to fight the Turks, which does us no harm. If he actually defeats the Turks, it will be beneficial for us.”

“Even if he fails in battle, we won’t suffer any losses. So, whatever he does is fine as long as our interests aren’t harmed. And this time, by using his hand, we can also get rid of Cai Tianming together and expand our power. Why wouldn’t we do that?”

Lin Shou looked wary: “He can use this method to get rid of Cai Tianming now. In the future, he could use the same method to get rid of us. Aren’t you afraid?”

Kan Zongye smiled and said: “Why would he do that? Before, we didn’t know his purpose. We thought his arrival would inevitably encroach on our interests! But from how things look now, he and we are not in conflict. Moreover, all his previous actions were merely to show us his strength; he doesn’t want to clash with us. As long as we support him… he won’t target us.”

“If he targeted us, it wouldn’t serve his interests! Actually, Bao An’s death is just that! This Bao An, while controlling the Four Northern Desert Prefectures, let the Turks treat it as a granary! The army of the Prince of Zhenguo is extremely capable in battle. If they truly subdue the Turks, it would benefit us for generations. And if he conquers the Turks and regains his position as Crown Prince, it would be a piece of cake. Then, we would be supporting a future Emperor!”

“Taking a step back, even if he suffers a major defeat, we won’t suffer any losses. At the very least, we would have divided Cai Tianming’s territory equally.”

The two men nodded upon hearing Kan Zongye’s analysis: “Then aren’t you afraid he might suffer a major defeat and the Turks conquer the Four Northern Desert Prefectures?”

Kan Zongye smiled and said: “Didn’t you hear what he said? His army is the hidden army of the Prince of Zhenguo! Xiao Ce is the illegitimate son of the Prince of Zhenguo. If they weren’t absolutely certain, would they dare make this move? Taking a step back, even if he is badly defeated, we can then work with the people of the Northern Desert from inside to wipe out Xiao Ce’s forces completely, as a gesture of sincerity.”

“The Turks have always had disputes over the distribution of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. So, at worst, things would just be like they are now. Listen to me! It won’t go wrong.”

Lin Shou and Liu Xuan looked at Kan Zongye: “To be honest, we don’t trust you one bit! The one we trust the least is actually you!”