Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

Xiao Yang nodded.

After passing through that doorway, the convoy was instantly engulfed by the cacophony of voices and the intense commercial atmosphere.

The sight before them left Xiao Ce and the other first-time visitors in the car somewhat shocked.

Upon entering, it felt as if we had stepped into a vast market that encapsulated the essence of Western civilization.

A central avenue, paved with huge, flat stone slabs, stretches straight into the depths of the city, wide enough for several horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side.

The road is lined with a continuous stretch of stone buildings, mostly two or three stories high, with the ground floor almost entirely converted into bright shops.

The storefronts of these shops all have a strong ancient Roman style, with thick Doric columns supporting protruding canopies or forming colonnades!

The arched doors and windows are often decorated with simple reliefs or mosaic patterns; the roofs are gently sloping and covered with red terracotta tiles.

Many shops have brightly colored canvas awnings in front of them, casting shimmering spots of sunlight in the afternoon sun.

The air was filled with a wonderful mix of scents: the smell of tanned leather, the aroma of freshly baked bread, the rich spiciness of spices from the distant Eastern Mediterranean, the fresh scent of olive oil, the smell of dye from newly dyed fabrics, the smell of horses' sweat, and the vibrant, sweaty aroma emanating from all sorts of people.

The goods are displayed in a wide variety, either in the open storefront or on the street.

It's lively! Very lively!

Their team has also become a remarkable force.

Continuing along the avenue, the streets were teeming with people. There were artisans in coarse cloth shirts, merchants in cloaks or robes, foreign sailors wearing headscarves, well-dressed local citizens, guards escorting slaves, hawkers shouting their wares, and patrolling city guards…

Speaking in multiple languages ​​and accents, the sounds of bargaining, hawking, the neighing of livestock, the rumble of wheels over stone slabs, and the hammering of blacksmiths mingled together...

Xiao Ce had always heard about how prosperous and powerful the British Empire was.

Xiao Ce had been to the capital of the British Empire. The castle there was refreshing, but it was far less prosperous than this place.

It was here that Xiao Ce truly saw freedom, integration, and prosperity.

He was becoming increasingly curious about the Ux Aurelius he was about to meet.

The avenues converge in the distance to form a huge central square.

Looking out, the square is surrounded by even more magnificent public buildings, including a long, colonnaded hall similar to a basilica, used for large transactions and commercial arbitration; a multi-columned temple perched in one corner; and a building that looks like a miniature version of an arena.

Xiao Yang explained that the place was a venue for public gatherings and business information releases.

The convoy stopped at a wide entrance guarded by guards at the edge of the square.

Although not tall, the building has a dignified and imposing style. The Doric colonnades on both sides of the main entrance and the family crest on the lintel indicate its status as the official residence of the core members of the Aurelius family, where they conducted official business.

Xiao Yang opened the car door, took a deep breath of the air filled with money and order, and turned to Xiao Ce, saying, "Brother, we've arrived. This is the heart of Aurelius City. I'm going to see that Sepp later. You and your sister-in-law can go sit in the Dark Light Tavern next door for a while. Their mead and olives are famous, and you can also overlook the square. It's a good opportunity to see how the heart of Western trade operates."

Xiao Ce looked in the direction Xiao Yang was pointing.

It turned out to be an extremely luxurious tavern.

This tavern is also decorated in the style of their ancient Roman Empire.

Despite the decoration, it exudes an air of luxury...

Xiao Ce nodded, then said to Xiao Yang, "Is there a Dark Light Tavern around here?"

Xiao Yang said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, Kimberly and his team are here to develop the Dark Light brand, so naturally they won't miss this place..."

Xiao Ce thought about it and agreed.

Xiao Yang then called over a few people to provide protection.

Xiao Ce then led Yin Pan'er towards the tavern next door.

After arriving at the tavern, Xiao Yang ran straight towards the official residence.

Upon arriving at the official residence, a person came out to greet them.

The man smiled and then said to Xiao Yang, "Lord Xiao Yang, what brings you here? I just heard that a convoy is coming. I was thinking that, apart from you, no one else should own a car of the Dark Light brand."

Seeing the man's obsequious expression, Xiao Yang smiled and said, "Secretary-General Ado, we didn't have anything urgent to attend to. Otherwise, we wouldn't have rushed over like this, and we would definitely have made an appointment with you..."

This is the secretary-general in charge of the Aurelius family's daily official business.

Of course, here they are called the Secretary-General, but in the Xiao Kingdom they have another title: Steward.

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's words, the secretary-general looked nervous and then asked Xiao Yang, "What happened in your Dragon Kingdom's city?"

Xiao Yang nodded first, then shook his head, and said, "It's a long story, I can't explain it in just a few words..."

"Who's in charge now? Is it Sepp?"

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, the secretary-general nodded and did not dare to be negligent. He then nodded to Xiao Yang and said, "That's right, Mr. Xiao Yang, you are Lord Sepp."

"Do I need to make an appointment to see him?" Xiao Yang asked directly, without any hesitation.

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's words, the secretary-general smiled, then awkwardly waved his hands repeatedly, "No need, no need... Mr. Xiao Yang, you're joking with me. You certainly don't need an appointment... but..."

When Xiao Yang heard the first half of the secretary-general's sentence, his expression was quite pleased.

But after hearing the second half of the sentence, his face immediately froze.

"What? Just what? Don't try to fool me..."

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's words, the secretary-general waved his hands repeatedly and said, "No, no, how could that be..."

After hearing the secretary-general's words, Xiao Yang said directly, "Since you don't know, that's good... then please lead the way."

Upon hearing Xiao Yang's words, the secretary-general said awkwardly to Xiao Yang, "Mr. Xiao Yang, Lord Sepp hasn't come today yet. I don't know if he will come today... However, I heard that he has some important matters to discuss today, so... he won't be coming."

Just as Xiao Yang was about to speak, the secretary-general's expression suddenly brightened again.

"They're here! Mr. Xiao Yang, Mr. Saipu must have heard you making a fuss and came over now!"

Xiao Yang turned his head and saw a car with a dark-colored license plate approaching.

The car stopped immediately after it arrived.

Before Xiao Yang could even look over, a burly man with a square face, brown skin, and dressed in Roman Empire attire stepped out of the car.

This man has a square face, which makes him look very reliable.

This person is Sepp.

After getting off the bus, Sepp hurriedly walked up to Xiao Yang.

"Mr. Xiao Yang, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting... I sent people over as fast as I could after hearing you were coming, but I didn't expect we'd still be late..."

Xiao Yang saw Sai Pu's expression, and this attitude pleased him greatly.

Actually, his pride wasn't this strong before...

But times have changed...

You should know that Xiao Ce was watching right there at that moment.

Xiao Yang's hard work was largely driven by his desire to gain Xiao Ce's approval.

Therefore, at this moment, the attitude of Sepp and his group still made them feel very proud.

Therefore, Xiao Yang's expression softened considerably at this moment.

Xiao Yang smiled and said to Saipu, "Lord Saipu, you're too kind. I just arrived... Secretary-General, didn't you just say you went to discuss important matters? Why... did you come all this way... I hope I haven't delayed your business... Although I have urgent business, I know the order of arrival, and we can't break your rules..."

Now that Xiao Yang saw Saipu approaching, he could finally start spouting nice things without batting an eye…

Saipu greeted him politely, "Mr. Xiao Yang, you're too kind. I know you must have come in a hurry for something urgent, otherwise you would have informed us in advance. My business is fine too; it's all family business. We'll definitely prioritize Mr. Xiao Yang's needs. Although there's an order of arrival, there's always a hierarchy of urgency..."

"Mr. Xiao Yang, you are a very busy person and certainly wouldn't come here unannounced, so I came first..."

Without giving Xiao Yang a chance to speak, Sepp said enthusiastically, "Mr. Xiao Yang, look at me, I was so busy talking that I forgot to invite you in..."

"Please, let's go inside and talk..."

Saipu then warmly welcomed Xiao Yang and led him inside.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er witnessed this scene from another tavern nearby.

Yin Pan'er said, "Your Highness, tell me, Xiao Yang's public identity is at most that of the city lord of Dragon Kingdom City. In terms of status, that Saipu is at least an equal, so why is he so obsequious to Xiao Yang?"

Xiao Ce narrowed his eyes slightly, then said, "That's where these people's brilliance lies... They definitely know Xiao Yang's true identity, so their politeness is understandable..."

Yin Pan'er nodded: "That's right, that's indeed the case... They won't lose anything by being polite... On the contrary, a simple remark might lead to a completely different outcome..."

Xiao Ce smiled at Yin Pan'er's expression and then said, "I didn't expect..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Yin Pan'er looked surprised and said, "Didn't expect anything?"

Xiao Ce smiled at Yin Pan'er and then said, "What I didn't expect was that you have a good feeling about them... Do you think our cooperation this time will go smoothly?"

Yin Pan'er smiled at Xiao Ce and then said, "That's right, that's what I think. Mainly, both sides are intelligent people... I believe that our cooperation this time will definitely achieve unprecedented success!"

Xiao Ce smiled after hearing Yin Pan'er's words.

Before Xiao Ce could speak, Yin Pan'er said with a smile, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Don't you approve?"

After speaking, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Of course I approve, how could I not approve..."

"That's what I think too..."

As Xiao Ce spoke, he looked in Xiao Yang's direction, then said calmly, "Alright, let's take a look next... Let's just wait for Xiao Yang to give us some news..."

...

Meanwhile, Xiao Yang, on the other side, was taken to Saipu's office.

Upon arriving at Saipu's office, Saipu invited Xiao Yang to sit down and said, "Mr. Xiao Yang, what brings you here today? Just tell me, and I will do my best."

After hearing Saipu's words, Xiao Yang smiled and said, "Mr. Saipu, you're too kind... Since you're so polite, I won't waste any more words with you... I've come here to introduce you to two people..."

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, Sepp nodded and then said, "Oh? Introduce two people?"

Xiao Yang smiled at Sepp and then said, "That's right, to be precise, it's to introduce you to your father, Ux..."

Saipu said to Xiao Yang, "My father? Mr. Xiao Yang, you should know that my father has been out of the public eye for many years!"

After hearing Saipu's words, Xiao Yang smiled and then said, "Of course I know...of course I know about this..."

Sepp smiled at Xiao Yang, then said, "Mr. Xiao Yang, then you..."

Before Saipu could finish speaking, Xiao Yang said to him, "Saipu, listen to what the names of the two people I'm going to introduce you to are."

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, Saipu looked at Xiao Yang with a puzzled expression and said, "Oh?"

Xiao Yang said to Sai Pu, "The first one is the famous Mr. Ce, and the other one is Agent Yin, the representative of the Illuminati's board of directors!"

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, Saipu smiled and then pretended to be thinking.

He remained silent for a long time.

Xiao Yang asked Saipu, "Mr. Saipu, is there a problem? Don't you recognize him? Or..."

Sepp shook his head at Xiao Yang: "Mr. Xiao Yang, it would be a lie to say I don't know them. However, I believe that since you brought these two gentlemen here, you must know what happened in Lingas City. I won't hide anything from you. Our family prioritizes profit."

Xiao Yang heard what Saipu said and was clearly aware of their purpose.

After this period of experience, Xiao Yang has become very adept at understanding human relationships!

"So, do you think I brought you good fortune, or...?"

Saipu heard Xiao Yang say, "To be honest, I was skeptical before you came. But now that you've come, and with them, I think you must have brought good news!"