Chapter 178: The Prince of Zhenbei Colluding with the Enemy?

The Prince of Zhenbei didn't speak. He understood what Wei Xikang wanted to say. If he could wipe out the Xiongnu in one fell swoop and put an end to the war that had lasted for many years, how could he not want to?

But he was the commander-in-chief of the three armies. Every decision had to be carefully considered. Behind him were the lives of countless soldiers. He couldn't afford to gamble.

"Clean up the battlefield!"

The Prince of Zhenbei ordered in a low voice, then stood silently, waiting for the scout's news.

Wei Xikang didn't speak on the side either. The battlefield didn't need two commanders. Even if he had different thoughts in his heart, he couldn't say them, as that would disturb the morale of the army.

Soon, the scout galloped back and knelt on one knee: "Reporting to Your Highness, General, no Xiongnu ambush seen ahead!"

The two remained silent. What the Prince of Zhenbei was thinking about was why this battle was so weird. Such a mistake was something even his deputy generals wouldn't make, let alone Adunla, that old and cunning guy.

If it was said that the last victory still had some luck, this time, it was like the other party personally sending thousands of cavalry to his knife, everywhere revealing strangeness.

And Wei Xikang's heart was already in turmoil! His father's teachings rang in his ears: An emperor is a lonely man and should not easily trust anyone.

At this moment, the spear of doubt pointed directly at the Prince of Zhenbei. Why had he sat in the Northern Frontier for many years, but was never able to eradicate the Xiongnu?

Could it be that the tragic war reports of the past, and even this "victory" in front of him, were just a carefully arranged play?

In fact, the Prince of Zhenbei had already colluded with Adunla in private?

This was not Wei Xikang's groundless speculation. Ever since he came to the Northern Frontier, what he heard was how cruel the Xiongnu were and how valiant their attacks were.

But what he saw with his own eyes was that the Xiongnu were no match for the Zhenbei Army, and there was no parity in numbers and strategy between the two, and there was even some gap.

This had to make him think more. If the Prince of Zhenbei did these things over the years to consolidate his position and the reputation of the Prince of Zhenbei, then perhaps everything could be explained!

After returning to the military camp, the Prince of Zhenbei said to Wei Xikang first: "Your Highness, the Xiongnu's move today is not right!"

Wei Xikang responded expressionlessly: "What's not right?"

"Adunla is a mature general. He wouldn't make such a low-level mistake!" The Prince of Zhenbei still didn't understand what Adunla was thinking until now.

Wei Xikang took a deep breath and said: "Uncle, you describe this Adunla as so powerful, but I don't feel he has any outstanding points!"

"Your Highness! I know this might be hard for you to believe, but I have fought against him for many years, and he is definitely a cunning fox!" The Prince of Zhenbei was still explaining, trying to make the Crown Prince believe him.

"Enough!" Wei Xikang suddenly spoke to stop the Prince of Zhenbei, then looked at the Prince of Zhenbei with burning eyes, "Uncle, just tell me the truth, what exactly... are you thinking?"

As soon as these words came out, it was almost questioning whether the Prince of Zhenbei had already colluded with the enemy!

The Prince of Zhenbei didn't expect Wei Xikang to say such words. After being stunned for two breaths, he immediately knelt on the ground and drew his sword, offering it with both hands.

"Subject... has guarded the Northern Frontier for more than ten years. This heart can be illuminated by the sun and moon! If Your Highness suspects that I have two hearts, I... have only one death to prove my innocence!"

The Prince of Zhenbei, with tears in his eyes, grabbed his sword and was about to wipe it across his neck at the end.

At this critical moment, Wei Xikang took action to stop him, grabbing the Prince of Zhenbei's hand.

"Uncle, don't be impulsive!"

This dispute between the two made the Prince of Zhenbei's helmet roll to the ground. Wei Xikang could clearly see the Prince of Zhenbei's gray hair and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

The Prince of Zhenbei was only in his forties, and he was already full of gray hair!

The Prince of Zhenbei shouted with red eyes: "Prince of Zhenbei, I beg Your Highness to grant me death!"

For the Prince of Zhenbei, Wei Xikang's remarks were not only insulting him but also humiliating all the fallen border soldiers. He only hated himself for being useless and unable to wipe out the Xiongnu, which made the Crown Prince look down on him so much.

Wei Xikang gritted his teeth and held the Prince of Zhenbei's hands tightly. Such a scene made him doubt whether his guess was correct.

"Uncle, it was I who spoke wrongly! You stand up and talk first!"

"I beg Your Highness to grant me death!"

"I was wrong, Uncle, get up first."

The two remained at a stalemate for a while; though the Prince of Zhenbei was usually easygoing, he was shockingly stubborn when it came to his own reputation!

In the end, Wei Xikang had a flash of inspiration, "Uncle, if you die, how will the people of the Northern Frontier survive?"

The Prince of Zhenbei didn't speak, but the strength in his hands decreased a lot. Wei Xikang took the opportunity to continue: "The Xiongnu treat my Da Qian people as two-legged sheep. If you don't break the Xiongnu, how can you be at ease?"

"Just for the sake of the Da Qian people, Uncle, you should cherish yourself!" Wei Xikang was covered in sweat. If it lasted a while longer, he really wouldn't be able to hold on.

"Your Highness... is right!" The Prince of Zhenbei bowed to Wei Xikang.

Wei Xikang hurriedly leaned over to help the Prince of Zhenbei up and immediately made a guarantee: "Uncle, I am young and don't know the dangers of the battlefield. Don't hold it against me!"

The Prince of Zhenbei lowered his head and didn't speak, clearly still holding a grudge against Wei Xikang's words just now, just not saying it.

Seeing this, Wei Xikang continued: "Just now I was still thinking about why the Xiongnu did this today, and now I understand!"

"Subject, does not know what Your Highness is thinking." The Prince of Zhenbei responded respectfully.

"Sending these thousands of cavalry to you is just to make you and me have different hearts!" Wei Xikang said earnestly: "So we must not fall into that Adunla's treacherous scheme."

The Prince of Zhenbei also reacted and thought carefully about the links. Based on his understanding of Adunla, this person could really do such a thing.

"Your Highness's words are reasonable!"

Wei Xikang took a deep breath, "So, in order not to let that treacherous person succeed, I have decided that from now on, I will never interfere with your decisions, Uncle."

The Prince of Zhenbei was startled and hurriedly bowed to Wei Xikang: "This... Your Highness..."

"No need to say more, I have made up my mind!" Wei Xikang waved his hand. He had indeed made up his mind!

Wei Xikang continued: "Uncle, you have been in the Northern Frontier for many years and are also a good hand at commanding troops. I believe you will definitely be able to wipe out the Xiongnu completely!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your trust!" The Prince of Zhenbei felt better in his heart!

Wei Xikang picked up the helmet that the Prince of Zhenbei had dropped on the ground, wiped the dust off it seriously, and put it on the Prince of Zhenbei himself!

"For so many years, Uncle, you have worked hard!"

"For the sake of the Da Qian people! Even if I die, it is an honor!"

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Wei Xikang let the Prince of Zhenbei rest well before leaving the camp.

Coming to the city wall, all the previous posturing was gone. The autumn evening wind lifted the hair at Wei Xikang's temples, but his heart was cold.

He was still doubting the Prince of Zhenbei. The Prince of Zhenbei was a general, a former Martial Champion of Da Qian. If he really wanted to commit suicide, could he stop him?

But... the current Zhenbei Army cannot be without the Prince of Zhenbei! ===== CHAPTER 179 =====