"Since His Majesty has appointed you as His Highness's bodyguard, you must fulfill your duty to protect His Highness's safety, understand?" Xu Jingjing said to Xie Chang'an with a serious expression.

Xie Chang'an felt particularly uncomfortable with such a stern mother.

However, there were outsiders present, so he could only cooperate with his mother's performance.

"Your Highness, I will protect you with my life!" Xie Chang'an knelt down on one knee before Ye Jingchen.

Ye Jingchen quickly helped him up. This man had been an emperor; his knees were heavier than gold. He couldn't bear Xie Chang'an kneeling like that.

"Your Highness, Young Master Xie, it's been three years since we last met, and I've finally waited for you!" Wu Zemin said to Ye Jingchen and Xie Chang'an.

"I am no longer the young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but merely a guard of His Highness the Crown Prince," Xie Chang'an corrected expressionlessly.

Ye Jingchen glanced at Xie Chang'an, who was forced to work, and said to Wu Zemin with a smile, "Zeming, you have done a great job these past three years. We are all proud of you!"

“I just did what I was supposed to do,” Wu Zemin said.

As the host, Wu Zemin hosted a banquet for Ye Jingchen and Xie Chang'an in Beiping County, with the generals of the Shenwei Army and the border defense battalion also present.

The meal was a joyous and harmonious affair for both host and guests.

After the meal, Marquis Wu'an and Xu Jingjing took their leave. As for Ye Jingchen and Xie Chang'an, they would stay in Beiping County for a day and then go to the Shenwei Army's encampment the next day.

The reason Xie Shaoling did not come to greet us today is that he led a small team of a hundred men to patrol outside the pass a few days ago and has not yet returned.

There is almost no autumn in northern Xinjiang. Not long after summer, the temperature will drop sharply and winter will arrive. Along with the heavy snow, the iron cavalry of the northern barbarians will often follow.

Every year at this time, Xie Shaoling would personally lead his troops out of the pass to patrol, ensuring that the northern barbarians would not have the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.

Ye Jingchen and Xie Chang'an stayed in Beiping County for a day to catch up and discuss their next steps.

Especially Wu Zemin's next plans.

The Minister of Rites naturally hoped that Wu Zemin would leave the harsh and dangerous northern frontier as soon as possible.

He hadn't really agreed with Wu Zemin coming to the Northern Frontier from the beginning, but Wu Zemin insisted on using this method to gain experience, which was indeed the fastest way. In order for Wu Zemin to continue to be a leader and outstanding young man in the capital, he agreed.

Three years have passed, and Wu Zemin has indeed delivered a satisfactory result through his own efforts. He will definitely be ranked first in the official assessment at the end of this year. If he returns to the capital at this time, he will still be able to crush Gu Beichen, who achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, in some aspects. This is also the effect that the Minister of Rites wants to see.

Since the beginning of autumn, the Ministry of Rites had been sending letters to Beiping County, all requesting Wu Zemin to prepare for his return to the capital. However, Wu Zemin had not actually decided on his next course of action.

The smooth road arranged by one's elders may not be the path one chooses to take, especially since Ye Jingchen and Xie Chang'an have arrived in the Northern Frontier at this time.

Grandfather's plan was to play it safe, while Wu Zemin hoped to become a part of Ye Jingchen's plan.

Six years of getting along with him made him realize that the Crown Prince was not as mediocre as he appeared. On the contrary, he saw in His Highness the Crown Prince a calm and composed demeanor that indicated he had everything under control. While his grandfather was still trying to make two-pronged preparations, he had already planned to become a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince.

Although the Wu family is the maternal family of the Fourth Prince, given that the Fourth Prince himself is already accustomed to obeying the Crown Prince's teachings, he probably wouldn't have the courage to oppose the Crown Prince.

That is to say, my grandfather and aunt haven't realized this yet and are still indulging in wishful thinking.

He knew that Ye Jingchen was a completely different person from the current emperor. As the saying goes, a new emperor brings a new court. When Ye Jingchen took that position, the court officials would definitely undergo a major reshuffle. He would appoint more capable people. If he did not have enough value to Ye Jingchen, the Ministry of Rites might not be able to maintain its current glory.

Therefore, he needed to demonstrate his value and sincerity to Ye Jingchen.

"Whether you go back to the capital or stay here is your decision, I won't interfere," Ye Jingchen said to Wu Zemin.

It was already quite an achievement that this pampered young master, who had grown up in luxury, was able to come to such a harsh and cold place as the Northern Frontier and persevere for three years because of his words. He had no right to ask Wu Zemin to sacrifice more for him.

In particular, Wu Zemin has now come of age and is of marriageable age, but it is obviously difficult for Beiping County to find a wife who meets the expectations of the Ministry of Rites.

In the eyes of elders, starting a family and establishing a career are equally important.

Therefore, Ye Jingchen left the decision to Wu Zemin.

No matter what choice Wu Zemin makes, Ye Jingchen will let him shine in the right place.

"What choice would Your Highness prefer me to make?" Wu Zemin left the decision to Ye Jingchen.

"Of course I hope you can stay in Beiping County. Beiping County is the last line of defense in the northern frontier, and also the last retreat route for the Shenwei Army and the border defense battalion. Naturally, I would only feel at ease if you were handed over to someone I trust," Ye Jingchen said, looking at Wu Zemin.

“Then I choose to stay in Beiping County and continue to serve as the prefect,” Wu Zemin said without hesitation.

"Are you sure? This stay could mean another three years." Ye Jingchen asked seriously.

"If you want to return to the capital, you can choose any of the six ministries," he promised.

“I’m sure,” Wu Zemin said with certainty.

"Then let's work together for the next three years to ensure that Dayuan is free from external threats!" Ye Jingchen said happily.

He was very satisfied with Wu Zemin's choice, which meant that they would have no worries for at least three years!

"Your Highness?" Wu Zemin looked at Ye Jingchen in shock, unable to believe his ears.

The war between Dayuan and the Northern Barbarians has lasted for decades, and three generations of emperors have failed to completely drive out the Northern Barbarians. Can His Highness really do it within three years?

But based on Wu Zemin's understanding of Ye Jingchen, he never said anything he wasn't sure of! Since he had said it, he must have a meticulous plan!

“Perhaps it won’t take three years,” Ye Jingchen said, glancing at Xie Chang’an.

Xie Chang'an was able to completely drive out the Northern Barbarians under such difficult circumstances in his previous life. It should be even easier for him to do it again, right?

Xie Chang'an looked at Ye Jingchen, his feelings complicated.

Ye Jingchen seemed to trust him from the very beginning, and sometimes he felt that he was omnipotent in Ye Jingchen's eyes.

Under what circumstances would a person trust another person without reservation?

If Xie Chang'an were to ask this question, Wu Zemin could probably give him the answer right now.

He looked at Ye Jingchen with excitement, without doubting Ye Jingchen's words at all, because he felt there was no need to doubt it. Ye Jingchen was indeed very powerful and could do things that ordinary people could not do!