Chapter 26: Instant Noodles Are the Most Popular

Dozens of commoners ran into the valley.

They were the craftsmen who had fled earlier.

Leading them was the old craftsman who had wanted to detonate the Landmine and perish together with the barbarian soldiers.

Thump!

The craftsmen knelt in a row before Xiao Moting, weeping and kowtowing.

"Prince of the Beijiang, it was you who saved Xuancheng and saved all of our lives!"

"Get up quickly!" Xiao Moting immediately stepped forward to help them up, saying in a deep voice, "Without you, this battle would not have been won so easily; you are all heroes."

Clatter!

Inside the tent on the snowy ground, a large pile of food suddenly poured out like flowing water.

Refined Rice, white flour, Ham Sausage, Instant Noodles...

Thousands of catties of food piled up into a small hill on the snowy ground.

The craftsmen all stared with wide eyes.

So much grain!

"Men, reward the meritorious commoners," Xiao Moting turned and ordered, "One hundred catties of Refined Rice, two cases of Ham Sausage, and two cases of Instant Noodles for each person..."

The craftsmen were puzzled.

"Prince, the ham... that sausage, what is it, and what are Instant Noodles?"

At this moment, Xiao Dabao walked past the crowd while eating, holding a steaming bowl of braised beef noodles with two Ham Sausages soaked in the broth, and holding a Plastic Fork.

"It's this, it's delicious."

A group of craftsmen stared with wide eyes, their throats involuntarily swallowing repeatedly.

It smelled so good!

They had never smelled such fragrant food before!

The Prince of the Beijiang actually used such precious things as rewards; they were incredibly grateful and would be willing to serve the Prince of the Beijiang again in the future!

At this time, several soldiers ran to Xiao Moting, hesitating and stammering.

Xiao Moting frowned.

"Speak if you have something to say!"

A soldier rubbed his hands and said with a sheepish smile.

"Prince, may I ask what our rewards are..."

"Rewards are based on military merit; those who killed ten enemies get two hundred catties of Refined Rice and one hundred catties of flour!"

"Prince, could you exchange a portion of our rewards for Instant Noodles?"

Xiao Moting fell silent.

As expected... Instant Noodles were still the most popular.

The sky turned bright.

Qin Zhan led a group of people to take inventory of the spoils of war.

He presented a long list to Xiao Moting.

"Reporting to the Prince, in this great battle, we captured over five thousand warhorses and over seven thousand pieces of Iron Sword and armor... In addition, we searched precious treasures from Wudabu and two major generals."

"The barbarian casualties number over fifty thousand, and our side lost over one thousand soldiers; as you instructed, we have already set aside a portion of the grain to be distributed to their families as compensation."

Xiao Moting took a deep breath.

Sacrificing over one thousand Beijiang soldiers in exchange for fifty thousand barbarian troops was already a legendary battle for the ages.

Despite making full preparations, casualties were inevitable once both sides went to war.

He took the list and examined it carefully.

The dozen or so chests in front of him were filled with gold, silver, and jewelry, all things looted by the barbarian soldiers over the years, among which were many precious items.

He wanted to send all these treasures to Bai Wei.

But with his current ability, he could not do so and could only help her keep them for now.

Xiao Moting picked out some precious items and placed them in the wardrobe.

"Shennü Daren, this battle is your credit; without your help, the Beijiang Army could not have achieved victory so easily."

"I would like to give you the spoils of war captured from the barbarians."

"Xiao Moting and the thousands of people of the Beijiang thank Shennü Daren."

After he finished writing, he closed the cabinet door.

When he opened it again, the items had all disappeared, already sent to Bai Wei.

This night.

The entire Beijiang was immersed in the joy of the great victory.

Every household hung lanterns and colorful streamers, celebrating this day of victory.

Heyuan County, ten miles away, was quiet.

"Tick-tock."

The water droplets from the clepsydra fell onto a lotus leaf and then rolled into the goldfish pond.

In a quiet courtyard, two people were sitting by a stone table.

One of the young men looked two parts similar to Xiao Moting, but his temperament was much more impatient.

He slammed his fist onto the stone table and said through gritted teeth.

"This Prince really did not expect that Xiao Moting could lead thirty thousand troops and actually beat Wudabu's one hundred thousand-strong army to pieces! It was truly unexpected."

Standing to the side, Yang Wei hurriedly said, "Prince, if you lead the troops into battle, you will surely achieve a great victory."

Xiao Rui looked toward a man in black robes sitting across from him at the stone table, his expression respectful.

"National Preceptor, now that Xiao Moting has won this battle, what should we do next?"

The man in black robes had a feminine and handsome appearance, with a head of jet-black hair hanging to the ground; he raised his head to examine a Bronze Water Mirror on the table.

The blurry water mirror vaguely displayed flowing stars.

He spoke slowly.

"Xiao Moting is an obstacle on your path to the throne, Prince, but please rest assured, his Life Palace is in the Army Breaker, and he will face three death tribulations in his life."

"Very soon, his first death tribulation is coming..."

Suddenly, a blurry figure flashed across the water mirror, and immediately after, with a "bang," it exploded into pieces!

A thin trail of blood was cut onto the National Preceptor's face.

He looked at the water mirror in surprise, his eyes narrowing.

"To think someone could change Xiao Moting's fate!"

"And it is a woman."

An attendant bowed and entered.

"Reporting to the Prince, a large group of refugees has arrived outside the county town; hearing that you are in the city, they are clamoring to enter and asking for your help."

Xiao Rui was displeased, "These refugees are all old, weak, sick, and disabled, with diseases running rampant; do not let a single one in, lest they cause a Time Plague."

"Wait!" The National Preceptor suddenly raised his hand and ordered, "Send someone to take this group of refugees to the Beijiang Camp."

Xiao Rui was stunned, "National Preceptor, do you want Xiao Moting to take in the refugees?"

"This group of refugees will bring a terrible disaster to the Beijiang, causing Xiao Moting to lose his reputation and die a violent death."

Qingshan Village.

Bai Wei stood at the entrance of the Farm, looking at Zhou Yuchuan in shock, "You say the Prince of Northern Suppression will die?"

She was just preparing to go out when she ran into Zhou Yuchuan, who had come looking for her.

Zhou Yuchuan nodded, "A portion of the royal tomb has already been excavated, and you will be able to visit it in a few days. The excavated data says that the Prince of Northern Suppression will die at Fengsha Pass."

Bai Wei held her breath, "What is the cause of death?"

"It is treason."

"Impossible!" Bai Wei blurted out.

Xiao Moting is decisive in killing, noble yet not arrogant; he appears cold and taciturn, but his heart is sincere toward others. Even if anyone else could commit treason, it could never be him.

Zhou Yuchuan said, "The data says the Prince of Northern Suppression colluded with foreign tribes, the Emperor sent an army to crusade against him, and Xiao Moting committed suicide by slitting his throat on the city wall."

"Old General Han, who raised him, was executed along with his entire household for supporting the rebel, with all three hundred members of his nine generations beheaded."

"Two thousand personal guards were all shot to death, with not a single survivor; among them, a Deputy General surnamed Xiao was hacked to death by chaotic blades and minced into meat paste."