Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 310 Attack
"The high shaman told him to dig out the rashes on his body, and that fool actually did it. He bled all over the bed, and his body was covered in pockmarks, not a single good spot. Don't let his tall and strong appearance fool you; he's actually terrified of pain. When we were kids, every time we wrestled and he fell to the ground, he would scream in agony. How could someone like that endure the pain without uttering a sound, without even the guards outside noticing?"

Namtso's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing. At this moment, even he felt that words were exceptionally inadequate.

Murdon's expression wasn't as sorrowful as Namtso had imagined; perhaps he had already passed the peak of grief. At this moment, his face was blank, just as it had been in the Khan's tent, and he didn't even have the strength to utter a single word.

After a long silence, Murden finally spoke.

"Do you think he caused this smallpox?"

"Are you crazy?! How can you say such nonsense?"

Namtso's expression changed, and he quickly turned around to look for anyone listening. Only after finding no one was there did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief, grabbing Muldor's arm and pulling him to a secluded spot.

Throughout this process, Murdon did not resist. Once they reached a secluded corner, Namtso glared fiercely at him.

"Do you know what you just said? If he hears this, do you even want to live? It's fine if you don't want to live, but what about your mother and the others? Don't drag them down with you."

Murden was lost in thought, and he didn't know why he had just said those words, but there was no denying that he felt much more relaxed the moment those words left his mouth.

However, he knew that Namtso was helping him, so he didn't refute it, but his expression was very unpleasant.

Today, Namtso can keep quiet, but what about what others say? Don't people think and talk about these things? Can't such things be completely stopped by simply forbidding them from speaking about them?
For nearly 30 years prior, he had revered that man. Even before this war, he had always considered him the bravest warrior on the steppe, a majestic lion even in his old age. But now he found himself increasingly unable to understand him. How could Sachi Khan, his own father, have changed so quickly? So completely?
“I always thought he was the most powerful person on the grassland. But isn’t the path he’s leading us down now a dead end?”

Namtso responded by covering his mouth with his hand, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, and a desolation that even he himself did not realize.

Looking at Namtso Lake like this, Murdon couldn't help but smile.

Look, even he agrees, doesn't he? Even his own son opposes it, does the father even know what he's doing?
"I know what you want to say, but you'd better not say another word. Whatever he's going to do, he has his own plan. This southern expedition, in Father Khan's words, is a do-or-die situation. As Father Khan's sons, all we need to do is obey. Besides, we're not necessarily going to lose. Yuchi has indeed contracted smallpox, and he hasn't appeared in public for five whole days. Now his life is uncertain. With the commander dead, even if the Northern Frontier Army is united, it will likely fall into chaos. That will be our chance to seize the capital!"

"..."

Because his mouth was covered, Murden couldn't make a sound. He just lowered his eyes, finally broke free from his brother's grasp, and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Namtso opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent. Forget it, sometimes he didn't even believe his own comforting words, how could he possibly persuade others?

Five days after this conversation, Saqi Khan ordered Murden and Namtso to each lead an army of 30,000 to attack the northern border from the southeast. Neither of them hesitated; after all, they were on the battlefield, and their honor as soldiers did not allow them to retreat.

On the morning of the attack, the two brothers ate breakfast with Sachi Khan. The table was silent, the atmosphere as stiff as stagnant water. Even the servants trembled with fear, terrified of making a mistake and being punished by their master.

Sachi Khan looked at his two most outstanding sons, and tried to speak several times, but couldn't. He only opened his mouth stiffly when the two sons were almost finished eating.

"Multon, Namtso, you two are my most outstanding sons. You both made tremendous efforts during this southern expedition. I have seen it all. Rest assured, my sons, one day our feet will rest on the throne of the Great Jing Emperor, and that vast and fertile land will finally belong to us."

“Father Khan is right.”

The two responded in unison, and Sachi Khan paused for a moment. Then he stepped forward and gently touched the tops of their heads, a gesture that embodies the deepest hopes and expectations of parents on the grasslands for their children.

"But my children, I hope you will both return safely. There are too many people going to heaven, and the two of you will not be needed. When you come back, I will hold the grandest banquet for you, with the most delicious food and the most beautiful women, to welcome you back. Go, do not be afraid, do not be scared, behind you are the expectations of hundreds of millions of people on the grassland, and your father is here waiting for you to return."

"We will certainly live up to Father Khan's expectations, so please rest assured."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, bowed solemnly to their father, the Khan, and then departed. Outside the camp stood an army of 60,000, already prepared. It was clear that the people were no longer satisfied with the small-scale battles of the past month and desperately needed a decisive victory to wash away their doubts and anxieties.

When the two princes appeared, the grassland army outside erupted in cheers.

Amidst the cheers and jubilation, the two nimbly mounted their horses and marched boldly in the predetermined direction.

News of the grassland offensive had already been relayed back to the Northern Frontier Army by scouts, and they were well-prepared for the attack. Lin Chongshan had taken full command of the army and now stood atop the wall, watching the main grassland force heading straight for the city, a bloodthirsty smile on his face.

It must be said that Sachi chose a brilliant timing. If it weren't for the large amount of smallpox scab powder that Jiu Que brought, and the supplies that calmed everyone down, they might have been caught completely off guard. After all, with a well-intentioned attack on an unsuspecting enemy, the Northern Frontier Pass would probably be in complete chaos by now.

Of course, that's exactly how the message was presented.

Jiu Que stood beside Lin Chongshan, intently watching the dense crowd in the distance. Before this, she had indeed imagined what warfare in the era of cold weapons was like. But none of her imaginations could compare to the awe-inspiring power of witnessing it firsthand.

A hundred thousand grassland soldiers—even a hundred thousand chickens would be quite a sight here, let alone a hundred thousand fully armed men! Just look at their imposing presence; they're almost overwhelming.

(End of this chapter)