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

"Your Highness...is this port...like the one you envisioned in your original blueprint...?"

Yin Pan'er stood beside Xiao Ce, her beautiful eyes filled with undisguised amazement.

When she left, the Kingdom of Xiao was undergoing changes.

But this is the first time I've seen a project of this scale and with such advanced facilities.

In fact, it has already caught up with some Western ports.

Although it's just catching up with the West... it's important to know that Xiao Kingdom has only truly entered a period of development in just over three years.

You should know that three years ago, the Xiao Kingdom was ravaged by war and left with only ruins.

It's already quite an achievement to have built a port like this in such a long time...

"Um..."

Xiao Ce nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the steel behemoths and the busy workers and soldiers, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. “Not bad. It seems your father hasn’t slacked off at all. The port’s development speed has, in some ways, even exceeded his initial expectations. This proves that even after he left, the internal driving force of the Xiao Kingdom is still operating efficiently.”

Yin Pan'er nodded, her tense expression easing considerably...D

Guided by the gunboat, the small boat slowly sailed into a relatively secluded military berth.

The area is mostly occupied by small patrol boats and supply ships, and there is relatively little human traffic.

Upon docking, a dock officer who had been notified in advance was waiting with a group of soldiers, as patrol logs had to be submitted.

Therefore, we received the news immediately...

"Major Xing!" The leading officer saluted Xing Wudao.

He seemed somewhat surprised that Xing Wudao personally escorted a ship of merchants back, but his military discipline prevented him from asking any further questions.

"Captain Li!"

Xing Wudao returned the greeting, pointed at Xiao Ce and the others, and said with a serious expression: "These are merchants from the Gold Merchants Association. They encountered danger in the controlled waters last night and were rescued by our patrol team. Their identities have been preliminarily verified, but they still need to be settled and further confirmed according to procedures. Arrange for them to stay at Jing'an Residence for the time being. I need to report this matter to General Qi immediately."

"Yes!"

Captain Li responded, then turned to Xiao Ce and the others, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, but serious and businesslike.

"Gentlemen, please follow me. Rock Harbor is a military stronghold, so please be sure to follow the rules and do not wander around at will."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Xiao Ce, playing the role of a worldly-wise but now rather weary and grateful businessman, bowed and expressed his thanks.

Yin Pan'er lowered her head slightly, with Xiao Yue following closely behind.

Da Lei stood silently by his side, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

The three men, including Director Mi, carried a load of "goods".

In reality, it was a large wooden crate containing their armor and weapons, and they followed with steady steps.

The three androids from the creation base acted as attendants and guards, walking discreetly at the back.

The group was settled in a small, independent courtyard called "Jing An Ju" inside the port.

This place is clearly intended for the temporary accommodation of visitors with special identities or those requiring screening. The environment is quiet, and soldiers guard the entrance, ensuring both security and a degree of isolation. The rooms are clean and tidy, but simply furnished.

After settling Xiao Ce and the others in, Xing Wudao did not delay for a moment and immediately went to the general's headquarters in the core area of ​​the port.

General Qi Lin's headquarters were located in a sturdy stone fortress-like building behind the port.

He is currently processing an official document regarding the allocation of materials for the port expansion.

"Report!" came the voice of a guard from outside the door.

"Enter."

Xing Wudao pushed open the door and entered, standing at attention: "General!"

Qi Lin looked up and saw his trusted lieutenant, Xing Wudao. A hint of gentleness appeared on his stern face: "Wudao? Just returned from patrol? Is something the matter?"

He noticed that although Xing Wudao was trying to remain calm, there seemed to be an unusual tension and...excitement deep in his eyes?

"General, last night, while on patrol, I intercepted a suspicious small boat in the waters near Eagle's Beak Reef..."

Following Xiao Ce's instructions, Xing Wudao began his report: "There are nine people on board, who claim to be merchants from the Golden Merchant Guild who have encountered a shipwreck and lost their way. But..."

He paused briefly, seemingly considering his words.

"But what?" Qi Lin put down his pen and stared intently at Xing Wudao.

His years of military service honed his keen observation skills.

The man in front of him, Xing Wudao, was someone he had personally trained. This kid was usually steady and reliable, but today his hesitant manner was clearly unusual.

"But I think they... are very strange."

Xing Wudao avoided looking directly at Qi Lin, his tone deliberately tinged with confusion and uncertainty.

"First of all, although their ships are disguised as ordinary merchant ships, their construction and materials are extremely fine, and they are not something that ordinary merchants can use."

Secondly, the 'goods' they were carrying... were sealed in several large wooden crates. When I requested an inspection, they cooperated, but the crates were unusually heavy, and what they contained... didn't seem to be ordinary goods, but rather some kind of... precision machinery parts, or even... armor?

He tried to describe it vaguely, but in a way that alerted Qi Lin.

"Armor?" Qi Lin's brows furrowed instantly.

In an era when firearms were becoming increasingly mainstream, armor was a rarity, especially on a merchant ship that had been wrecked at sea, which seemed highly unusual.

However, he keenly grasped the key information in Xing Wudao's words: a fine ship, heavy boxes, and "goods" that didn't look like cargo.

“And…” Xing Wudao continued, lowering his voice.

"These people have an extraordinary air about them. The middle-aged man and the woman in the lead have a calm and dignified demeanor, clearly not ordinary merchants. The accompanying guards... have cold eyes, and their movements reveal an... inhuman precision and strength. The other three are carrying the boxes, their steps extremely steady, as if they feel no weight at all."

After listening to Xing Wudao's words, Qi Lin was stunned for a moment, and then said, "What are you trying to say... Xing Wudao, there are no outsiders here... Do you and I need to keep things from each other?"

Xing Wudao looked embarrassed after hearing Qi Lin's words.

What he originally wanted to say directly...

But thinking about what Xiao Ce had told him, he was speechless for a moment.

However, Qi Lin was a shrewd person and could see Xing Wudao's predicament at a glance...

He didn't press further, but instead changed the subject, fixing his gaze on Xing Wu and asking, "Where is he? Where is he now?"

"I have followed the rules and placed them in 'Jing'an Residence' for temporary rest. Their ship is also under our control," Xing Wudao replied immediately, his palms slightly sweaty.

He knew he couldn't hide it from the general, but Xiao Shen's orders were paramount.

Qi Lin nodded as he listened, then looked at Xing Wudao again.

What is Xing Wudao hiding?

Moreover, what he was hiding seemed to be extremely important to him and...awe-inspiring? He didn't even dare to tell me directly?

Countless thoughts flashed through Qi Lin's mind in an instant: Spy from an opposing force? Special agents infiltrated by the Western Alliance? A secret operation by a high-ranking figure within the Gold Merchant Guild?

Or...

The last thought flashed through Qi Lin's mind like lightning, causing his heart to race!

He suddenly remembered that a few months ago, Marshal Han Da had sent a very brief and vague reminder through a top-secret channel, the gist of which was "The Prince may be going on a long journey. All parties should be vigilant, but do not act rashly. It is your duty to defend the territory."

Could it be...

This possibility grew wildly in Qi Lin's mind like weeds.

He forcibly suppressed his turbulent thoughts, but his face remained calm and composed. Years of experience had taught him that the more critical the moment, the more important it was to remain calm.

Since Xing Wudao chose this method to "report," there must be a deeper meaning behind it, or rather, it is a will that he absolutely cannot defy that is at play.

Qi Lin slowly stood up and looked at Xing Wudao, who was standing in front of him. Xing Wudao seemed to be hinting at something with his eyes.

The two of them clearly didn't say anything, but it also seemed like they said everything...

"Ah."

Qi Lin looked at Xing Wu and said coldly, "You handled it quite well. The Gold Merchant Guild... isn't without capable people. It's just that the time, the place, and the mannerisms... are indeed suspicious."

He turned around, his gaze falling once more on Xing Wudao, a look that seemed to pierce through to the heart: "Now that they've been settled in Jing'an Residence, take good care of them. Don't neglect them, and don't let them wander around freely. You personally oversee this, choosing reliable guards. Also..."

He paused, then emphasized, "Without my orders, no one is allowed to contact them, much less send any messages out! Anyone who disobeys will be subject to military law! Understand?"

"Understood, sir!" Xing Wudao felt relieved and immediately straightened his back in response.

The general understood! Although he didn't say it explicitly, his order to personally take charge, forbid contact, and prohibit communication was undoubtedly the arrangement that best met Xiao Shen's requirements for secrecy.

"Go."

Qi Lin waved his hand, sat back down at his desk, picked up the official document, seemingly to continue reviewing it, but his eyes were no longer on the paper.

Xing Wudao saluted and took his leave, then said to Qi Lin, "General, aren't you going to go and check it out now?"

Qi Lin waved his hand and said, "There are too many people now. If you bring those people here and I rush over, it will definitely cause trouble... Let's do it later."

After hearing Qi Lin's words, Xing Wudao bowed and nodded, clearly indicating that Qi Lin had already guessed some of what was going on.

He didn't say much, just bowed again to express his gratitude, and then left.

After leaving, he gently closed the study door.

The moment the door closed, Qi Lin abruptly put down the official document in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long, silent sigh.

He appeared calm, but his back was actually soaked with a fine layer of cold sweat.

He opened his palm, and it was slightly damp.

Even now, imagining that possibility again fills me with excitement...

"A merchant from the Golden Merchant Guild... Ha." Qi Lin muttered to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Although things weren't cleared up with Xing Wudao, Xing Wudao didn't say much more...

However, he always felt that his guess was correct...

It must be that person...

After all, Xing Wudao was someone he had personally trained; even if Han Da gave him orders, Xing Wudao would follow them...

But if it's that legendary person...

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and a suppressed excitement and anticipation welled up inside him.

He looked in the direction of Jing'an Residence, as if he could see through layers of walls and catch a glimpse of that possible figure.

However, he knew very well that since that person had forbidden Xing Wudao from speaking, he definitely didn't want anyone to know this time.

Since you don't want anyone to know, then naturally the fewer people who know, the better...

He pondered this, deciding not to rush into speaking, but to wait until later in the evening when there were fewer people to approach him...