Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

The two soldiers were slightly taken aback when they saw Qingya coming out of the ranks, and then quickly saluted!

"Princess Qingya!"

Then they stared intently at Li Chengqian, who was standing to the side.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian smiled slightly and said:

"I am the eldest son of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, and the current Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. I wish to meet with your Khan to do some business with him!"

Upon hearing this, the two soldiers couldn't help but be startled.

How did the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty end up on the grasslands?

They immediately bowed to Li Chengqian and said respectfully:

"Your Highness, please wait a moment, I will go and report to the Khan immediately!"

After the fall of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, the northern grasslands of the Tang Dynasty were fragmented. Among the many tribes that split off, the most powerful, besides the Xueyantuo, was the Ashina tribe, which was established by the remnants of the Eastern Turkic royal family.

Li Chengqian never intended to wipe out the Xueyantuo in one fell swoop when he came to the grasslands. After all, if one Xueyantuo was destroyed, a new overlord would soon emerge on the grasslands.

Rather than that, it would be better to support a force that can rival them and let them fight each other endlessly.

And Ashinabu in front of us is obviously the most suitable choice.

Today, in addition to the various tribes, there is also the Protectorate established by the Tang Dynasty on this grassland. However, the Protectorate has limited control over these powerful tribes, and tribes like the Xueyantuo completely disobey its management.

A moment later, a troop of cavalry charged out of the tribe, led by a middle-aged man dressed in Turkic noble attire.

When that person arrived in front of Li Chengqian and the others, Qingya immediately stepped forward and spoke in a soft voice:

"Father, I met a really handsome man while herding sheep. I want to be his woman, okay?"

Ashina Chuluo looked at his adorable daughter before him, then at Li Chengqian opposite him and the army behind him, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

My silly daughter, why do you bring all sorts of things home?

He smiled wryly, turned to Li Chengqian opposite him, bowed, and said:

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty, may I ask what brings you to our Ashina tribe?"

Seeing his wary expression, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile slightly and say:

"Great Khan, do not worry, I have not come here to attack the Ashina tribe!"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Chuluo finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then spoke respectfully:

"May I ask what brings Your Highness here?"

"We are here to attack the Xueyantuo. The Xueyantuo refuse to submit to the jurisdiction of the Tang Protectorate and have repeatedly harassed the Tang border. I have been ordered by the Tang Emperor to teach the Xueyantuo a lesson!"

Li Chengqian did not conceal the purpose of his trip, and Ashina Khan's eyes lit up when he heard Li Chengqian's words.

They've actually come to attack the Xueyantuo?

That's great news!

Today, the Xueyantuo are virtually the only powerful force on the grasslands. Although the Ashina tribe is not weak, it is frequently harassed by the Xueyantuo tribe.

So when he heard Li Chengqian say that he was coming to attack Xueyantuo, Ashina Chuluo couldn't help but feel excited.

Once the Xueyantuo are destroyed, the Ashina tribe will become the most powerful tribe on the grassland. Moreover, since he is on good terms with Li Chengqian now, the Ashina tribe can take the opportunity to annex the Xueyantuo after Li Chengqian conquers them, thus becoming the most powerful tribe on the grassland and restoring the glory of the Eastern Turks!

Thinking of this, Ashina Chuluo immediately revealed a warm smile and said to Li Chengqian:

"Your Highness, Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty, please come in. It is an honor for the Ashina tribe to have you here. I, the Khan, will immediately order a banquet to be prepared!"

Seeing Ashina Chuluo's enthusiastic manner, Li Chengqian chuckled and said:

"Your Majesty, you're too kind. It's just that these brothers behind me haven't eaten either. Look at this..."

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Ashina Chuluo was slightly taken aback. Then, when he looked at the six thousand elite cavalrymen behind Li Chengqian, he couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly!

Is this a case of someone trying to take advantage of a wealthy person?

It should be noted that the entire Ashina tribe only had a little over ten thousand combat-ready cavalry. Despite the large number, compared to the six thousand well-equipped cavalry behind Li Chengqian, his ten thousand-plus cavalry were nothing but a rabble.

After all, their cavalry wore armor, and even a blunt blade from the grasslands might not be able to cut through it, while his cavalry were at most wearing leather armor. They could cut him down like cutting vegetables!

He immediately forced a smile and said:

"Of course! Of course! Guests are always welcome, and we, the people of the grasslands, are the most hospitable. I, the Khan, will immediately order the slaughter of cattle and sheep to properly entertain the soldiers of the Great Tang!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Thank you very much!"

……

Inside the royal tent.

Qingya personally cut a slice of succulent mutton and fed it to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian ate it without hesitation, then affectionately rubbed her head. The latter felt the warmth from Li Chengqian's palm and immediately showed an expression of enjoyment.

It looked like a cute little kitten.

Xue Rengui and the others standing nearby barely managed to suppress their laughter at the sight.

Ashina Chuluo, sitting above, was speechless upon seeing this.

My silly daughter is beyond saving!

I've seen people give things away for free before, but I've never seen anyone so eager to give them away for free!

At that moment, Li Chengqian spoke first:

"I am interested in making a deal with the Great Khan. What is your opinion?"

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Ashina Chuluo asked with some curiosity:

"What kind of deal does Your Highness intend to make?"

"Hehe! Simple. I plan to support the Ashina tribe, providing them with food, salt, and iron. In return, the Ashina tribe will become a vassal of the Tang Dynasty and help the Tang deal with the Xueyantuo!"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Chuluo was stunned, then couldn't help but frown slightly and say:

"Your Highness! The Xueyantuo have at least 20,000 cavalrymen. My Ashina tribe's forces are no match for them. Even with the provisions, salt, and iron provided by Your Highness, we cannot contend with them in a short time!"

Hearing his concerns, Li Chengqian remained unconcerned.

"Hehe! Great Khan, rest assured. I came here with an army, as you have seen. Although my army is well-equipped, it lacks a continuous supply of provisions, and its numbers are only six thousand. It will be very difficult to wipe out the Xueyantuo in one fell swoop!"

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Ashina Khan couldn't help but nod in agreement.

In his view, such a force was indeed insufficient to destroy the Xueyantuo! After all, the Xueyantuo had a clear advantage in troop strength.

However, what he didn't know was that he had underestimated Li Chengqian's strength. With his current strength, plus six thousand well-equipped cavalry, he could easily wipe out the Xueyantuo.

Li Chengqian simply didn't want to do that!

Just then, Li Chengqian spoke again:

"However! While I may not be able to destroy the Xueyantuo, I can certainly cripple them!"

P.S.: Thank you all for the kind words and gifts from our godparents! Here's an extra chapter for you today. Hope you enjoy reading it! Happy Children's Day, and may you stay young forever, no matter how old you are!