Isolated town in northern border region

Five days later, at the border of Cangzhou.

The eldest prince, Xiao Yu, led an army of 50,000 men and arrived in Cangzhou.

Banners blotted out the sky, and armored soldiers stood like a forest!

Xiao Yu rode a tall horse, clad in golden armor, with a long sword at his waist, his eyes filled with malice.

He looked up at the majestic Cangnan City in the distance, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

"You bastard, if it weren't for your antics in the palace, I would have been the crown prince long ago!"

"Once I take over the northern frontier, I'll make sure you die a horrible death!"

At the north gate of Cangnan City, colorful tents are erected high, and colorful flags are like a sea.

Today is the grand opening ceremony of the border trade market. Tuge led the leaders of various tribes from the grasslands to gather together, and many people and merchants from the northern frontier also came.

On either side of the colorful tent were grassland tents and shops of the Great Chu Kingdom. In the middle was an open space filled with tea, cloth, iron pots, furs, and medicinal herbs.

The shouts, bargaining, and the mooing of cattle and sheep blended together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Xiao Lie stood on the city wall, looking down at everything below.

Today he wore a dark brocade robe, a golden crown, and a sword at his waist.

Half a year of exposure to the harsh winds and frosts of northern Xinjiang completely shed his former naiveté.

The way he stood there was like an ancient, towering mountain.

Just then, Zhou Xun rushed up the city wall in a panic, even his hair ornament came undone, and he completely lost his usual refined demeanor.

His face was as white as paper, and he clutched a secret report in his hand, his knuckles turning blue.

"Your Highness."

Zhou Xun's voice was very low.

"Urgent report from the capital. Prime Minister Yue and Marquis Lu... are gone."

Xiao Lie was stunned on the spot.

He turned his head and looked at Zhou Xun.

"What does 'gone' mean?"

"Lord Lu led his army north, and died suddenly that night when he reached Liangzhou Post Station."

"Prime Minister Yue was imprisoned on charges of 'treason and poisoning Marquis Wuwei,' and he took poison on the same day he was arrested."

On the same day, more than a dozen officials from humble backgrounds who had been promoted by the late emperor were arrested and imprisoned.

"Overnight, scions of powerful families occupied more than half of the positions in the six ministries of the imperial court."

Xiao Lie unconsciously gripped the crenellations on the city wall until his knuckles cracked.

Zhou Xun said in a low voice.

"Your Highness, there is no one left in the court who can speak up for you."

With the downfall of Prime Minister Yue and Marquis Lu, the powerful families have taken full control of the government, and the Emperor of Chu has completely seized power.

Xiao Lie did not answer. After a long time, he finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Zhou Xun, what do you think they're after?"

Zhou Xun was taken aback.

"Your Highness?"

"Prime Minister Yue, Marquis Lu, and those dozen or so officials who came from humble backgrounds."

Xiao Lie turned around and looked at Zhou Xun.

"Don't they know they'll die if they stay in the capital?"

"They know! They know better than anyone else!"

"Yue Xiang clearly had the opportunity to retire and return to his hometown, but he stayed in the court and fought against the Chu Emperor for seven years."

"Lu Qingshan could have enjoyed his retirement in his mansion, but he petitioned to fight and led 50,000 troops north."

"Don't they know the Chu Emperor won't let them off?"

"They know!"

Xiao Lie's voice suddenly stopped.

"But out of gratitude for my father's patronage, and also to leave myself a way out..."

His eyes were a little red, but his voice remained steady.

"Prime Minister Yue, Lord Lu... you may go first. I will take care of the rest for you."

Just then, Bisu came running over with small, quick steps.

"Your Highness, the imperial army has arrived."

Xiao Lie nodded and glanced at Nanfang.

Dust billowed over there as a huge imperial banner bearing the character "Xiao" slowly approached.

"You've come at the perfect time."

When Xiao Yu led his army to the outskirts of Daizhou, he was not greeted by the desolate frontier he had imagined, but by a bustling and prosperous border trading town.

Pedestrians streamed in and out of the city gate, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares echoed from within the city, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The people, dressed in clean and tidy clothes with smiles on their faces, showed no fear upon seeing the imperial army. Instead, they pointed and chatted as if watching a spectacle.

"These are the imperial soldiers?"

"You call this an army? You've probably never seen the Prince's elite Trapped Camp!"

"While Your Highness was fighting a bitter battle in the northern frontier, not a single soldier from the imperial court was seen. Now that the war is over, you know to come and reap the rewards!"

"What the hell is that?!"

Xiao Yu listened to this and his face turned ashen.

"You unruly people! The five prefectures of northern Xinjiang are truly a desolate and impoverished place!"

"How dare you be so rude!"

Xiao Yu snorted coldly.

"After I deal with Xiao Lie, I'll deal with these troublemakers."

As the army marched to the north gate, Xiao Yu reined in his horse and looked up.

On the city wall, Xiao Lie was looking down at him.

The moment their eyes met, Xiao Yu's pupils suddenly contracted.

The last time he saw Xiao Lie, Xiao Lie was a good-for-nothing who had been kicked out of the Eastern Palace!

Like a stray dog ​​on the roadside!

I thought Xiao Lie would die in the northern frontier.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Lie not only didn't die, but he was also completely transformed!

Xiao Lie's appearance hasn't changed much, except that his skin is a bit darker and his body is more robust.

But those eyes had become completely unfamiliar!

There was no fear, no cowardice, but rather a sense of oppressive power that made people afraid to look directly at him.

Like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, its edge fully revealed.

Xiao Yu's Adam's apple bobbed.

He suddenly realized that this trip to northern Xinjiang might not be simple.

"Open the city gates!"

The city gates opened wide, and Xiao Lie led his men out to greet them.

He didn't kneel or bow; he simply cupped his hands in greeting, his tone as calm as if he were greeting an old acquaintance.

"Your Highness has come from afar; you must be tired."

Xiao Yu suppressed his anger, dismounted, and forced a smile.

"His Highness Prince Ning has restored the northern frontier; his merit is invaluable to the nation!"

"My father has specially appointed me as commander to lead troops to aid us and crush the northern barbarians."

Xiao Lie smiled.

"Crush the northern barbarians? Didn't you agree to peace talks before?"

"Very well, His Majesty has given the order, and as his subjects, we should obey."

"However, the eldest brother has come at just the right time. Today is the opening ceremony of the border market, and the leaders of various tribes on the grassland are all here, including Tug Khan."

"Since you're here, why don't we go take a look together?"

Xiao Yu's expression changed slightly.

Trade with the Northern Barbarians?

"Xiao Lie! The Northern barbarians slaughtered my people and seized my land, and you actually do business with them?"

Xiao Yu's voice turned cold.

Xiao Lie did not answer, and turned to walk towards the decorated tent.

"Yes! The northern barbarians slaughtered our people and occupied our land, yet His Majesty had previously agreed to peace talks!"

"His Majesty ordered me to be in charge of the peace negotiations, and isn't that what I'm doing now?"

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Xiao Lie's few words left Xiao Yu speechless, and he could only fiercely crack his whip.

"Hmph! I'll go see just how much these barbarians are worth!"

Under the colorful canopy, Tug Khan sat upright in the main guest seat.

His left ear was wrapped in white cloth, and the wound had begun to scab over, but the scar still detracted from his dignity.

Behind him stood a dozen or so tribal chiefs, each burly and with fierce eyes.

Xiao Lie walked up to the decorated tent and sat down next to Tu Ge, with only a small table between them.

Tuge frowned slightly when he saw Xiao Yu behind Xiao Lie.

"Your Highness Prince Ning, who is this—"

"The eldest prince of the Great Chu, Xiao Yu."

Xiao Lie picked up his teacup and said casually.

"They were sent by the imperial court to support the northern frontier. They may have to deal with the Khan in the future."

Tug's expression changed instantly!

He stared at Xiao Yu, his hostility undisguised.

Xiao Yu also stared at Tuge. He noticed the scar on Tuge's left ear, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"The Khan is missing an ear!"

Tug's eyes instantly turned cold.

The tribal chiefs around him all gripped the hilts of their swords.

Xiao Lie picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

"Your Highness, watch your words. Today is the opening of the trade market, not a battlefield."

Xiao Yu snorted coldly and said nothing more.

The trade fair proceeded smoothly.

Tuge and Xiao Lie walked side by side under the colorful canopy, watching the vendors on both sides haggling over prices.

Tug nodded at times and frowned at others. The two talked in hushed tones from time to time, like old friends.

Xiao Yu followed behind, her expression growing increasingly grim.

In front of Tuge, Xiao Lie was not only a victor, but also a controller.

The way Tuge looked at Xiao Lie showed fear, respect, and even a hint of... dependence.

As for the people of the northern frontier...

Her eyes were full of admiration and gratitude as she looked at Xiao Lie.

Every resident of the northern frontier who sees Xiao Lie will stop and bow in respect.

And those merchants, whether from the Great Chu or the grasslands, all treated Xiao Lie with utmost respect.

Xiao Yu's heart sank deeper and deeper.

He thought Xiao Lie was barely surviving in the northern frontier, but he never expected that Xiao Lie was a local tyrant here.

They have popular support, military power, financial resources, and even allies on the grasslands.

How can we reap the benefits without lifting a finger?

Halfway through the ceremony, Xiao Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Wait!"

He stepped forward, pointed at Tug, and spoke in a cold voice.

"I, the Prince, am ordered to support the northern frontier, and I am irreconcilably opposed to the northern barbarians. Yet Your Highness, Prince Ning, is here drinking and making merry with the northern barbarian Khan. What kind of logic is this?"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Tug's face turned ashen.

He had just ascended to the throne as Khan, and the various tribes of the grasslands were still observing.

If the Great Chu court publicly denies the trade, it won't just harm the interests of one company!

The tribes on the grasslands are like wild wolves; if they fill their stomachs, they'll go berserk at any moment!

He stood up and placed his hand on the hilt of his knife.

"Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

Xiao Yu sneered.

"What do you mean? Wasn't I clear enough?"

"The northern barbarians invaded our Great Chu territory first, and now they've been forced to retreat obediently to the grasslands. What right do you have to do business with Great Chu?"

Tug narrowed his eyes and slowly drew his knife.

The tribal chiefs behind him drew their swords, and the Wolf Riders and the Trapped Camp also drew their swords at the same time, their blades pointing at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Xiao Lie sat in the main seat, motionless.

He picked up the teacup, took a slow sip, and then put it down.

"Elder brother, I remember that it was His Majesty's imperial decree that granted me full authority over the peace negotiations, wasn't it?"

"Is His Majesty changing his orders every day, or is my eldest brother forging an imperial edict?"

Xiao Yu stared at Xiao Lie, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"The peace negotiations at the time were merely a temporary measure, undertaken out of His Majesty's understanding of the hardships faced by the northern border and his reluctance to inflict further conflict!"

"If Prince Ning insists on colluding with the Northern Barbarians, I have the right to take over the military and political affairs of the Northern Frontier."

Xiao Lie smiled.

"Take over the military and political affairs of northern Xinjiang? Hahahaha!"

"Xiao Yu, are you crazy?"

"Ask the people of northern Xinjiang if they agree? Ask the tribes of the grasslands if they agree?"

He stood up, walked up to Xiao Yu, and lowered his voice.

"Elder brother, I'm giving you face by calling you 'elder brother'..."

"If you don't know what's good for you, I won't mind letting you know whose territory the Northern Frontier is."

Xiao Yu's face flushed red, and her fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

But when he saw Xiao Lie's eyes, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

There was no threat, no anger in those eyes, only an extreme killing intent!

Xiao Yu had no doubt that if he continued to be stubborn, Xiao Lie would definitely take the opportunity to hack him to death!

Xiao Yu took a deep breath and stepped back.

"Fine. I won't argue with you!"

"But sending troops to the northern barbarians is the Emperor's will!"

"You dare disobey?"

Xiao Lie did not answer, and turned to walk back to the main seat.

"This matter will be discussed after the ceremony."

After the ceremony, Xiao Lie invited Tuge to the government office.

After closing the door, Tug's face was terribly gloomy.

"Prince Ning, what do you mean by this? Whether it's peace or war, we, the men of the grasslands, are ready to fight. Such fickleness—do you really think I, Tuge, am afraid to risk my life?"

Xiao Lie poured him a cup of tea.

"Khan, do not be hasty. In my view, the Northern Barbarians and the Northern Frontier are one entity. Long-term stability is the best policy!"

Tug stared at him.

"How so?"

Xiao Lie leaned back in his chair and smiled.

"Xiao Yu is a complete fool. He just wants to force you to raise an army and march south, so that I can lead my men to fight you to the death."

"In the end, no matter who wins or loses, he's happy."

Tug sneered.

"Hmph! You Chu people are more cunning than wolves on the grasslands!"

"However, if I were to cooperate with Xiao Yu, what would Your Highness, Prince Ning, do?"