Chapter 253: Chapter 251: Where Destiny Belongs_1 Chapter 253: Chapter 251: Where Destiny Belongs_1 The reason Xiliang became a powerful nation was not due to its strong national policies or its unified national power, but because of its formidable cavalry. When the cavalry is strong, the army is strong, and when the army is strong, the nation is strong!

Xiliang bordered Rong, with vast lands in high-cold regions that were ideal for breeding good horses. The Jin Kingdom did not have such advantages.

In the Jin Kingdom, the cost of raising horses was extremely high. Feeding one horse required more grain than feeding thirty people. For years, the Jin Kingdom had been trading with Rong and Xiliang, but the downside was that the combat strength of the Jin Kingdom’s army would be constrained by other nations.

Bai Qingyan very rationally analyzed with the Crown Prince: “Moreover, if Your Highness has the heart for unification, then there will inevitably be a life-or-death battle between Rong and the Jin Kingdom in the future. Rather than waiting for Rong to recover and gain the strength to challenge the Jin Kingdom, it would be better to take down Rong now, while they are in turmoil.”

“But this time, the lands Xiliang ceded for compensation include high-cold regions suitable for horse breeding…” The Crown Prince thought for a moment. “I believe that Father will accept the jewels and horses! After all, the high-cold regions ceded by Xiliang are adjacent to Nandi. If the Jin Kingdom wants to raise horses there, it naturally needs to manage its relationship well with Nandi.”

“What does Your Highness think?” she asked.

“I also think… accepting the jewels and horses is the best way to proceed!” The Crown Prince tapped his fingers on the table. “In this battle in the southern frontier, the Jin Kingdom suffered heavy losses and needs time to recuperate! Moreover, Daliang’s intentions are unclear. If our entire army is entangled with Rong and Daliang attacks the Jin Kingdom, our country will be in grave danger.”

She pursed her lips and stopped persuading him.

Taking down Rong to prepare for future unification was indeed a gamble. The Monarch of Daliang did not dare to take that gamble, and neither did the monarch and the Crown Prince of the Jin Kingdom.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince’s carriage jolted unexpectedly, spilling a cup of tea on the table. Quan Yu and the coachman immediately reined in the horses.

Helter-skelter shouting came from outside.

“White Deer!”

“Sacred Deer!”

“Sacred Deer! It’s really the Sacred Deer! Look!”

“Oh my God! It really is the legendary white Sacred Deer!”

“White Sacred Deer! What a beautiful white Sacred Deer!”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

A pure white giant deer, with its majestic antlers spreading like tree branches, stood like a king. It elegantly and nobly raised its gracefully curved neck towards the direction of the marching troops. Its pristine white fur glowed with a layer of holy golden light under the evening sun.

The Jin Kingdom symbolized the white deer!

The Crown Prince had seen many white deer, but this was the first time he had seen one so beautiful and enormous!

He couldn’t help but dismount and look towards the high slope.

Zhang Duanrui was also stunned by the beauty of the giant deer.

Suddenly, the white deer seemed to be startled by something, raising its hooves and galloping crazily towards the marching troops. Its slender and beautiful legs possessed amazing power and explosiveness.

Zhang Duanrui hurriedly shielded the Crown Prince behind him, drawing his sword and shouting: “Protect His Highness! Quick! Protect His Highness! Your Highness, quickly get back into the carriage!”

The soldiers drew their swords, raised their shields, and nocked their arrows, positioning themselves in front of the Crown Prince’s carriage. If the white deer dared to charge forward, it would be killed instantly.

The Crown Prince, pale-faced in fright, was about to retreat back into the carriage when Bai Qingyan grabbed his arm: “Your Highness, don’t be afraid. It will submit to you! Trust me!”

The Crown Prince turned abruptly to look at Bai Qingyan’s calm and composed face. She nodded slightly, her tone firm, as she stuffed something into the Crown Prince’s hand: “Your Highness, trust me!”

Seeing the giant deer charging down from the high slope at an increasing speed, becoming more uncontrollable by the minute, even with layers of soldiers protecting the carriage, Zhang Duanrui’s heart was in his throat. He drew his sword and shouted: “Your Highness! Quickly get back into the carriage!”

The Crown Prince’s heart raced. This wasn’t Bai Qingyan trying to catch someone for him; it was as if she intended to use the white deer to kill him!

Elder Fang, having dismounted from his horse, rushed towards the Crown Prince, his face pale, shouting: “Your Highness! Quickly get back into the carriage!”

“The white deer is the sacred beast of the Jin Kingdom. If the sacred beast submits to His Highness… then he is destined by the heavens! Offering it to His Majesty for his birthday would be an auspicious sign!”

Seeing Elder Fang’s urgent expression, the Crown Prince turned back to look at Bai Qingyan, who was trying to drag him out of the protective circle. His mind was in turmoil.

[How about deciding on Yu Qingshan as our location? Though it’s a mountainous road, the terrain is open… It’s easy to spot and take action there.]
[Our purpose is to make it go to the Crown Prince and submit to him in full view of everyone, allowing him to capture it and present it to His Majesty, not to kill it! If it dies, all our efforts will be in vain.]
The Crown Prince’s heart pounded violently as he stared at Bai Qingyan, who was pushing Zhang Duanrui aside and dragging him out of the protective circle. So… they were talking about this white deer?

She wanted this white deer to submit to him in full view of everyone, for him to capture it and present it to his father!

“Move!” Bai Qingyan tightly gripped the Crown Prince’s wrist and shouted.

Zhang Duanrui looked at the Crown Prince, waiting for orders: “Your Highness?!”

Bai Jinzhi rode over and threw the sun-shooting bow in his hand: “Eldest Young Lady! The sun-shooting bow!”

Bai Qingyan caught the sun-shooting bow with one hand, grabbed a quiver of arrows from an archer with the other, her deep black eyes blazing: “Your Highness, time waits for no one!”

The Crown Prince’s gaze fell on the sun-shooting bow in Bai Qingyan’s hand, his heart pounding. With Bai Qingyan’s archery skills, there shouldn’t be any danger with her here!

But… deep down, the Crown Prince didn’t entirely trust Bai Qingyan.

Even though he had overheard Bai Qingyan’s words at the inn, seemingly understanding everything, facing the mighty white deer charging down the mountain, if Bai Qingyan intentionally missed, his life would be over.

The Crown Prince stared at the mammoth creature rushing closer and closer. As a mortal man, he was also afraid. He was already the Crown Prince; did he still need to solidify his position by risking his life in such a manner?

As the Crown Prince hesitated, Bai Qingyan swiftly drew an arrow, broke off the arrowhead, tore a piece of cloth from her garment, and wrapped the arrow’s end before nocking it and taking aim at the giant deer.

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The Crown Prince’s palm tightened around the sachet Bai Qingyan had just pushed into his hand. He gripped it firmly, raised his head, and shouted: “Move!”

Zhang Duanrui raised his hand and shouted: “Move!” at the increasingly fast-charging giant deer.

The Crown Prince’s throat tightened, and under the protection of Bai Qingyan, he stepped towards the giant deer charging directly at the troops below.

His entire body was tense, his palms sweaty as he watched the giant deer charging with no sign of slowing down. His heart was in his throat.

Qin Shangzhi held his breath as he watched the Crown Prince and Bai Qingyan stand at the front of the shield formation. He fully understood what Bai Qingyan was about to do.