Chen Xiaobei returned with so many weapons, and Xiao Jingyun was also very surprised.
"Brother Xiaobei, where did you get these?"
Chen Xiaobei pointed to the two large jars of wine, "These were left by the mountain bandits. I found them when I had time today and brought them to Your Highness."
Xiao Jingyun laughed heartily, "Ah, such fine wine, how can I drink it alone? How about we drink a toast together?"
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists, "We have a deal. We'll drink until we're drunk tonight."
Returning to his room, Cui Hongyu was writing with Chen Qiao'er. Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Chen Qiao'er immediately put down her brush and ran over, hugging Chen Xiaobei's leg, "Brother, brother, I want to eat fish tonight."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and gently tapped her forehead, "Okay, we'll eat fish tonight."
Then he turned to Cui Hongyu, "I just met the Crown Prince. He said he wants to invite me for a drink tonight. We'll go together."
Cui Hongyu's face flushed slightly, "Is it appropriate for me to go?"
"It's appropriate. The Princess will also be there, so you can get closer to her."
"By the way, Qiao'er wants to eat fish, so let's stew a fish to take with us."
Although they were on the mountain, they went to Xiao Family Town every day, so they could still get fish.
As night fell, Centipede Ridge became lively, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.
The villagers of Hetou Village still ate in the style of communal meals, with a few dishes prepared on small stoves to entertain the Crown Prince and Princess.
Even Liu Rumei had to eat the communal dishes with the villagers.
Chen Qiao'er insisted on eating fish, so a special pot was prepared for her.
Several dishes, hot and cold, were brought into Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's room.
The food was neither exquisite nor particularly tasty, but it was the best the villagers of Hetou Village could do.
Seeing the food served, Princess Zhaoning smiled and said, "Great, great, I'm starving. Brother Emperor, let's eat quickly."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, "Not yet, not yet. I have another guest who hasn't arrived."
As he spoke, Zhou Quan's enthusiastic greeting was heard from outside, "Oh, Brother Xiaobei, why are you here? And you too, Miss Hongyu."
"Is Your Highness here? I have an appointment with Your Highness." Chen Xiaobei politely cupped his fists.
Zhou Quan nodded and pointed into the room, deliberately raising his voice, "Your Highness is inside. Please come in."
The door creaked open, and Xiao Jingyun came out with a smile.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're here. Please come in."
Behind Xiao Jingyun was Princess Zhaoning. He smiled and stepped forward to greet Hongyu, then picked up Chen Qiao'er.
Seeing how enthusiastic they were towards Chen Xiaobei's entire family, Zhou Quan was stunned.
Although the Crown Prince was always courteous to worthy individuals, there were very few people he would personally go out to greet.
Entering the room, Xiao Jingyun pulled Chen Xiaobei to sit beside him. As they talked, he reached for the wine pot to pour wine for Chen Xiaobei.
This greatly startled Chen Xiaobei, who quickly took the wine pot with both hands.
Chen Xiaobei respectfully poured wine for the Crown Prince and Princess Zhaoning, then for Cui Hongyu, and only then for himself.
When Cui Hongyu saw that Chen Xiaobei respected her so much that he didn't let her pour wine but poured for her himself, she was filled with gratitude, especially in front of the Crown Prince and Princess.
Xiao Jingyun raised his wine glass with a smile, looked at Chen Xiaobei, then at Cui Hongyu, and finally his gaze fell on Chen Qiao'er.
"I've always wanted to have a good chat with Brother Xiaobei." Seeing the smile in Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's eyes, Chen Qiao'er lost her fear and asked with wide, questioning eyes, "Brother Crown Prince, why do you speak differently from us?"
This question made Xiao Jingyun laugh heartily.
Startled, Cui Hongyu quickly patted Chen Qiao'er's shoulder and said, "Qiao'er, I'm telling you, His Highness is from the capital, and people speak like that in the capital."
"Is the capital far? I want to go and see it too." Chen Qiao'er asked again. At this moment, Princess Zhaoning spoke, "Qiao'er, after things here are settled, I'll take you to the capital, okay?"
Chen Qiao'er nodded vigorously, then buried her head and began to eat.
Chen Xiaobei then gave Xiao Jingyun an apologetic smile.
Xiao Jingyun nodded slightly, meaning he understood that children speak innocently.
However, the two chatted aimlessly, not getting to any serious topic. Cui Hongyu naturally understood that it was to prevent Chen Qiao'er from interrupting again.
So, after eating her fill, she said to Qiao'er, "Qiao'er, shall I take you out to play for a while?"
Chen Qiao'er nodded.
Princess Zhaoning also stood up, "Then I'll go out too."
Soon, only Chen Xiaobei and Xiao Jingyun were left in the room.
Xiao Jingyun put down his wine glass, "Brother Xiaobei, Zhu Meng is now occupying Qingniu Mountain and resisting stubbornly. Do you have any good strategies?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly, "Your Highness, this is quite simple."
"Your Highness only needs to wait patiently for the ten feudal lords to arrive, surround Qingniu Mountain, and then send men to burn their provisions. It is already late autumn on the mountain. In a few days, they will be cold and hungry, their morale will be unstable, and they will surely descend the mountain to surrender."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Xiao Jingyun nodded approvingly.
"This plan is excellent. If we attack forcibly, it will inevitably lead to bloodshed. They are all citizens of our great Cang Kingdom, and I truly cannot bear it."
"In two more days, two more armies will arrive, totaling 100,000 men. I want to take Qingniu County first. What do you think?"
Chen Xiaobei still shook his head.
"Your Highness, Qingniu County can be taken at any time. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"If 100,000 troops attack head-on, they will lose at least twenty to thirty thousand men."
"Why bother with all this effort? As long as Zhu Meng descends the mountain and surrenders, Qingniu County will fall without a fight."
"Your Highness only needs to endure a few more days at Centipede Ridge." Sudang Fiction Network.
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's explanation, Xiao Jingyun was greatly shocked.
Frankly speaking, he did not want to go to war. If it were not for the Grand Tutor's initiative, he would have preferred to fight the Grand Tutor in secret rather than engage in such a large-scale conflict, as war inevitably led to casualties.
Chen Xiaobei's method was undoubtedly the optimal solution.
Surround but do not attack, wait for the enemy to disintegrate from within.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jingyun raised his wine glass and said solemnly to Chen Xiaobei, "Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books. This plan is truly excellent, truly excellent."
"I, Xiao Jingyun, toast you."
Chen Xiaobei quickly raised his wine glass to reciprocate.
The banquet ended, and Xiao Jingyun seemed reluctant to part. He stood at the door watching Chen Xiaobei leave.
Seeing her brother's demeanor, Princess Zhaoning came over and asked with a smile, "Brother Emperor, even if we are staying at Centipede Ridge, you don't need to be so polite to this Chen Xiaobei."
Xiao Jingyun looked at his sister and sighed, "If you had been present to hear his words just now, you would feel the same way I do."