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

The King of Zhen nodded and said, "If it were a few years ago, when the world was at peace, your Crown Prince's residence would have sold for at least a million taels of silver. But now, with popular uprisings and instability on the borders, even an ordinary residence like yours could be bought for tens of thousands of taels of silver!"

Xiao Dingshan is right.

His treacherous father, when he first took office, brought peace and prosperity to the land.

It can be described as a golden age!

However, Xiao Dingshan was wise for only a few years before making a series of blunders.

In addition, according to Xiao Ce's observations.

The Great Xiao Empire is currently experiencing a mini ice age, though it is still in its early stages.

The next few years will likely be even more difficult.

This further solidified Xiao Ce's resolve to go to the northern desert!

Because after the Little Ice Age began, the people of the Central Plains found it difficult to move around. Plus, the current emperor is indeed not very bright.

The Central Plains will become increasingly chaotic in the future.

He needs to live in a secluded corner; having a place to stand is essential.

Xiao Ce sighed: "Yes! The saying goes, 'In prosperous times, one should buy land; in chaotic times, one should hoard gold.' This has always been the case."

"Two hundred thousand taels, our Qian Family Trading Company will take it!"

Then a steward from a merchant house raised the price to 200,000 taels of silver.

The other butlers also fell silent.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce said, "Alright, then two hundred thousand taels it is. Uncle Zhong, go and draft the documents! Then we'll exchange the money for the house!"

The steward of the Qian family business bowed and said, "Thank you, King Mobei. Also, what are your plans regarding the furniture and decorations in your room?"

Xiao Ce said, "I was originally planning to sell it too. If you need 100,000 taels of silver, it's a fixed price."

This price was estimated by Lin Zhong.

Seeing the Qian family's steward hesitate, Lin Zhong said, "Old Liu, I personally estimated the value of these furniture pieces to be no more than 120,000 taels. Our prince is in a hurry to go to the border, so we're selling them cheaply!"

Upon hearing Lin Zhong's words, Steward Liu of the Qian Family Trading Company spoke up: "Uncle Zhong, since you've spoken, then our Qian Family Trading Company isn't taking advantage of the situation. We'll contribute 120,000 taels of silver, and the extra 20,000 taels will be our support for the soldiers guarding the northern border. Only if they hold off the Turks can we merchants do business with peace of mind."

This steward, Liu, was quite capable; Lin Zhong took over all the subsequent trivial matters.

Just then, a sound came from outside.

"The imperial edict has arrived."

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Ce said, "Ninth Uncle, Lord Nan must have brought good news."

The King of the Town said, "Then I won't go, to avoid suspicion!"

Xiao Ce nodded.

As soon as they went outside, they saw Nan Changfeng leading a long team delivering supplies.

Seeing that no one was around, Nan Changfeng didn't waste any words.

He handed the emperor's handwritten letter directly to Xiao Ce: "It's exactly as you said. Two hundred thousand taels of silver, ten thousand shi of grain, six thousand sets of military uniforms, one thousand sets of armor, a number of weapons, and one hundred fine horses!"

Xiao Ce was overjoyed when he heard this.

"Professor Nan, thank you so much! You are our benefactor!"

Nan Changfeng looked puzzled and said, "Your Highness, these are all for His Majesty to reward the army, and have nothing to do with you. Why are you so happy? You are responsible for the risks of transporting them. The Central Plains are not peaceful right now. If you take these money and provisions from the capital to the northern desert, you are no different from a fat sheep walking around. Isn't this just asking to be robbed?"

Xiao Ce said, "Lord Nan, thank you for your concern. I have my own plans!"

Seeing this, Nan Changfeng said, "Alright, take a look. And keep this letter from His Majesty safe!"

Xiao Ce said, "Lord Nan, thank you for your trouble. After I have stabilized the northern desert, I would like to invite you to visit me!"

Nan Changfeng smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll wait here for your good news, Your Highness."

...

After Nan Changfeng left, Xiao Dingshan came out and asked Nan Changfeng the same question.

Why don't you ask the emperor for this hot potato?

Xiao Ce said, "Ninth Uncle, even a mosquito's leg is still meat!"

Xiao Dingshan glanced at Xiao Ce: "Even if it's small, it's still meat, but it's not for you to eat."

Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful smile: "Once it reaches my mouth, it's for me to eat!"

Xiao Dingshan listened with a worried expression: "Ce'er, that's money and rations for the army. You mustn't embezzle it; that's a capital offense..."

"Uncle Jiu, don't worry. I have my own plans. If you feel stifled here, you can come to Mobei to find me in the future."

Xiao Dingshan gave a wry smile and said, "Silly boy, His Majesty just doesn't trust me. That's why he left me in the capital as a leisurely old prince. He only feels at ease when I'm under his watchful eye!"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Ninth Uncle, then you wait here for a while! In less than a year, I will definitely pacify the Northern Desert..."

Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, Xiao Dingshan smiled helplessly and said, "Alright. Stop bragging. Take care of yourself. It's not that easy."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Then let's wait and see."

After seeing Xiao Dingshan off, Xiao Ce instructed Da Lei to prepare a carriage.

However, before Xiao Ce could go...

A carriage approached, accompanied by a guard.

As Xiao Ce was looking at her, Yin Pan'er got off the carriage.

Seeing this, he quickly stepped forward.

"Your Highness, I was just about to come and fetch you. Why did you come by yourself?"

Upon seeing this, Yin Pan'er frowned slightly: "King of the Northern Desert, please watch your words. Your Majesty, although you have betrothed me to you, you have not come to marry me with formal betrothal gifts and a grand procession. Therefore, I am not yet your wife."

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er's stunningly beautiful face; even when she was angry, she was still so beautiful.

"Miss Yin, you are right! I misspoke! Then what are you doing..."

Xiao Ce stepped forward with a smile.

A woman dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with her hair tied up high, looking very capable and like a female knight-errant, stood guard in front of Yin Pan'er, staring at Xiao Ce.

"What do you want to do?"

Judging from the girl's sharp gaze, she was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

However, it must be said that birds of a feather flock together.

Not only is Yin Pan'er incredibly beautiful, but her female bodyguard is just as stunning.

"Sister Nie Bing, it's alright!" After Yin Pan'er said this, the female bodyguard named Nie Bing took a step back and stood aside.

“Your Highness, the King of the Northern Desert! Although His Majesty has betrothed me to you, I have never said that I would marry you! If I do not wish to marry you, even if it is His Majesty’s decree, I will not marry you!” Yin Pan’er said with a frosty expression.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce asked with great interest, "If you didn't even like me, how did you end up liking that stupid and useless guy Xiao Yang?"

Yin Pan'er's face darkened as she said, "I never agreed to marry her. My attempt to frame you wasn't because of Xiao Yang. I never had any interest in Xiao Yang. It was only because my father promised me that I would help him with this favor that he would agree not to marry Xiao Yang."

"Moreover, back then, seeing how useless you were, if I had let you become emperor, then the Great Xiao Kingdom would truly be finished!"

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er and felt she had a strong presence.

He just liked that energetic feeling about her.

"Then you should have a different opinion of me now, right?" Xiao Ce said.

Yin Pan'er looked at Xiao Ce and said, "I'm sure you're somewhat shrewd. But in just this short time, I can't see anything. So, I'm thinking of going with you to the Northern Desert."

"However, before that, I have a few questions to ask you. I will only follow you if you answer them to my satisfaction."

Xiao Ce said with a half-smile, "It's not that I necessarily want you to come along."

Yin Pan'er was speechless for a moment and said, "If I follow you, it's the same as having my father's help. I believe you absolutely need it! Of course, if you don't need it, I'll turn around and leave right now."

“Yes! Yes! Miss Yin, please speak!” Xiao Ce said quickly when he heard Yin Pan’er say this.

Indeed, he did need Yin Weiyong's help.

As prime minister, Yin Weiyong had disciples and old friends all over the Great Xiao Kingdom.

Moreover, he also wielded considerable influence within the Great Xiao Kingdom.

"If you want to escape from here, why choose the most arduous northern desert! In fact, Lingnan or other border areas are much better."

Xiao Ce said to Yin Pan'er, "Miss Yin, do you know how many prefectures there are in the Northern Desert?"

Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Four prefectures, each prefecture has four counties! That's a total of sixteen counties. The population is over 100,000! Moreover, although there are only four prefectures in the northern desert, due to the geographical conditions of the northern desert, the land is vast and sparsely populated, and one prefecture there is equivalent to four prefectures in the Central Plains."

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised, because based on the original owner's skills...

In this era, most women still believed that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent.

Most of them studied needlework, household management, mathematics, and the like.

Xiao Ce continued, "Then do you know why the northern desert is so vast, yet so sparsely populated?"

Yin Pan'er said, "That's natural. The northern desert is a land outside the pass that borders the Turks. The Turkic army comes to plunder the four prefectures of the northern desert almost every year. If the people resist, they will be tortured and killed. Even worse, they are taken away as slaves."

"Some people fled their homes and fled the northern desert! However, too many people fled the northern desert, so His Majesty issued an order prohibiting the people of the northern desert from moving away! Therefore, the people in the northern wilderness live in fear every day."

Before Yin Pan'er could continue, Xiao Ce said with a firm look in his eyes, "This is why I am going to the northern desert!"

"Historically, the northern desert region was a rich land, with black soil unique to the entire Great Xiao, as well as dense forests and abundant natural resources! If properly governed, it would be a prosperous land."

"According to historical records, the desolate northern desert of today was once home to a very prosperous capital. It was the Turkic invasion that caused this once fertile land to become the infamous desolate northern desert!"

"Once I take control of the northern desert, as the King of the Northern Desert, I will first repel external aggression and then pacify the internal strife! I will build an army of my own to resist foreign invasion and ensure that the Turks dare not invade again!"

"Further develop agriculture and the economy! Not only should my people have a place to live, clothes to cover their bodies, and food to fill their stomachs, but they should also have surplus money every year and meat to eat at every meal!"