We'll have you impersonate the Crown Prince and create a prosperous era for the Great Qian Dyna

What are the traditions of the far north?

In short, it's survival of the fittest.

There is another saying: might makes right!

Zhou Tiancheng then realized that Tuoba Dao's friendship with the Northern Barbarians was not due to stupidity or shortsightedness.

In Tuoba Dao's heart, however, he hoped to obtain a more prestigious status through force.

Unfortunately, the Northern Xia had already begun to learn the culture of the Great Qian, and the status of scholars began to suppress military generals, which led to a distortion in Tuoba Dao's mind.

The southward incursion of the northern barbarians presents a different kind of opportunity for the Tuoba bandits.

"I take back what I said earlier. Tuoba Dao is not stupid, but he still doesn't understand that force can only cause destruction, while governing a country requires civil administration, and force is only a means of protection."

"There is absolutely no way he can become the emperor of Northern Xia by force."

"Let alone now, even hundreds of years ago, when Bei Xia had just left the far north, he couldn't do it."

Zhou Tiancheng shook his head, feeling that Tuoba Dao was being a bit extreme.

The position of the Northern Xia emperor is a position used to weigh various factors; it is not something you can become emperor simply by force.

Putting aside everything else, Tuoba Dao has wiped out the elite forces of so many tribes in one fell swoop. Even if he returns to the imperial court of Northern Xia, he will still arouse the resentment of countless people.

Anyone with a brain can figure it out: by following Tuoba Zheng, everyone can still get support from Daqian, maintain their noble status, and protect the vital forces of various tribes.

But what's the point of following Tuoba Dao?

What the Northern Xia needs is governance, not constant warfare!

Lin Tong didn't continue the topic. Instead, he asked Zhou Tiancheng how he dealt with the group of Northern Xia soldiers.

When Lin Tong heard that Zhou Tiancheng had not captured a single prisoner, he immediately sighed.

"Your Highness, you are forcing Northern Xia to make a statement."

"If that's the case, it goes against His Majesty's and their ideas."

Zhou Tiancheng looked north with a blank expression.

"What can I do?"

"You are well aware of the pressure brought by the barbarians. If we just sit and wait for them to grow stronger, what difference will there be between our Great Qian and Northern Xia at that time?"

"It will also lead to the downfall of the nation."

Lin Tong thought so too.

Ideally, all the barbarians should be wiped out.

Upon seeing Lin Tong return, Zhou Tiancheng decided not to stay at the Military Commission any longer and instead headed towards the National Protection Army camp.

On the one hand, it's a chance to see old friends; on the other hand, it's a chance to encourage the soldiers.

When he arrived, he saw a familiar scene.

The general stood on the platform and roared.

"How embarrassing!"

"More than three thousand people have died. When has our National Protection Army ever fought such a humiliating battle?"

"Your armor alone costs over ten taels of silver per set, and the composite bows, crossbows, armor-piercing spikes, and triangular daggers—couldn't you have acquired all of these for less than thirty or forty taels of silver?"

"Wearing such expensive equipment, you killed eight hundred barbarians, yet three thousand still died in battle. Where is your shame? Do you even deserve to be called soldiers?"

"I can't even imagine how many times my family would have died if they had been under your protection!"

For the Great Qian Dynasty, exchanging three thousand for three thousand was a victory.

But for the National Protection Army, this was a defeat.

In particular, the loss of 2,000 men to 800 barbarians was a complete disgrace to the National Protection Army.

Everyone lowered their heads and dared not speak.

The general's sarcastic remarks grew even louder.

Why are you looking down?

"Now you realize you're too ashamed to show your face?"

"You guys never train when I tell you to, and now you realize how shameful you are?"

"And another thing! I've said it countless times: we can't let our guard down as long as the enemy isn't dead. What have you been doing?"

"Do you know how those two thousand-plus people died?"

"He shot an arrow and thought the enemy was wounded and about to fall to the ground crying out, but instead, someone chopped off his head with a single blow!"

"You will all lose your lives sooner or later because of this arrogance!"

Members of the National Protection Army who had been to the battlefield naturally understood the weight of these words.

But those who had never been to the battlefield were still unconvinced.

The general naturally saw through it, snorted coldly, and spoke directly.

"Come! Let your brothers who have been on the battlefield tell you about what they gained in this battle."

"Besides, having lost so much face, I won't say anything else, but don't eat lunch today, everyone stand at attention!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the general stepped down from the platform and went directly to Zhou Tiancheng's side.

"Your Highness, what brings you here? Do you wish to give me a lecture?"

Zhou Tiancheng smiled jokingly.

"You gave a very good speech; it seems you've truly learned the skills of the National Protection Army."

The general's smile revealed a hint of shyness.

This is a tradition of the National Protection Army: during training, they relentlessly suppress and even physically attack their members, forcing them to squeeze out every last drop of strength.

However, it is on the battlefield that they become more obedient and unleash greater power.

This is what makes the National Protection Army different from other armies in the northern frontier.

Every soldier who came in felt uncomfortable and tired, but when they were praised and saw the envious looks in their comrades' eyes, they felt proud and that it was all worth it.

This is a virtuous cycle; anyone who joins the National Protection Army will be drawn into it.

"Your Highness, would you like to have it checked?"

"After all, you handed the National Protection Army over to us, so we have to produce some results."

Zhou Tiancheng was somewhat tempted, but still shook his head.

"Let's skip the test. The pressure on Daqian is already immense enough. Let's not make things worse. You should select a group of people to serve as instructors in other armies and carry forward the traditions of the National Protection Army."

"The National Protection Army has my support, and everyone is equipped with the best equipment, but the others don't have this kind of real money. They are just ordinary soldiers."

"They are all brothers from the northern frontier, comrades-in-arms. It would be good if they lost one or two fewer people."

The general nodded seriously.

Having personally fought against the barbarians, he no longer dared to underestimate them.

At this moment, Zhou Tiancheng was looking at Su Xiu on the high platform.

Su Xiu was talking about fighting the barbarians.

He casually lifted his clothes, revealing that his burly body was wrapped in a white cloth.

Even a fierce man like Su Xiu was seriously injured, which shows how ruthless the barbarians were.

"I've fought with barbarians before, and this sword was left by one of them."

"The word 'fear of death' doesn't exist in their dictionary. On the battlefield, they prefer to trade wounds for wounds or even die for wounds."

"Even if they die, they'll still stab you..."

This was the experience that the Soviet Union had summarized, and it was also a reminder to the soldiers below that they should never underestimate the barbarians, whose will and ferocity exceeded everyone's expectations!

Zhou Tiancheng gave a wry smile and looked north.

"Whether barbarians can read or not is another matter, so what kind of dictionary would they have?"