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

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said coldly, "If they were useful, Uncle Jiu wouldn't have been arrested! I don't trust them!"

Seeing Yin Pan'er's worried expression, Xiao Ce said, "Don't worry, the people of the capital know very little about our situation here. Doesn't that dog emperor want to take me back? I can just use this to my advantage, take advantage of Xiao Yang, and go back with him. Everything will then fall into place!"

"Your Highness, your words only make me more worried. Xiao Yang has no choice but to behave himself here because it's our territory. But if he leaves the Northern Desert, he'll surely repay you for the torment he suffered!"

“Back in Kyoto, you had the King of Zhen to protect you. Now that the King of Zhen is in prison, if anything happens to you, no one can help you.”

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er, whose face was practically etched with worry, and gently patted his head: "Don't worry! I have my own plans. When I volunteered to guard the border, no one believed me that I could destroy the Turks, eliminate the powerful clans, and rebuild the northern desert. But I did it!"

Yin Pan'er wanted to say something, but then she thought of Xiao Ce's personality.

He has always been a very opinionated person, and once he makes a decision, very few people can change it.

After a moment's thought, she made a decision: "Your Highness, then let me go with you."

Xiao Ce could tell that Yin Pan'er was serious.

“Pan’er, I originally intended to bring you along. However, you should also know that it wasn’t easy for me to achieve this situation here. Therefore, I still need you to stay here! With you as my support, I can be in Kyoto without any worries.”

Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er, who still had a worried expression, and said, "Pan'er, don't worry. Those people in the capital are no match for me! I'm more worried about you here!"

Yin Pan'er did not insist on going with Xiao Ce. She knew very well that she could be more useful if she stayed here than if Xiao Ce left with her.

After some rational consideration, I decided to stay.

With a bright smile, Yin Pan'er spoke in Xiao Ce's manner, "Your Highness, when you went to the rear of the Turks, I managed things very well here. Don't treat me like a little white rabbit."

Xiao Ce listened to her words and said with a smile, "A little white rabbit certainly doesn't count... it has to be a big white rabbit."

Looking at the area where Xiao Ce's gaze was directed, Yin Pan'er blushed.

He's being unserious again!

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Before I leave, there are a few things I need to tell you."

In fact, he believed that Yin Pan'er was capable of managing the four prefectures and thirty-nine cities of the northern desert after their unification.

Having the experience from Beiwang County, all she needs to do is spread that same experience.

As for those remaining powerful clans, they are not worth worrying about at all. Under his policies of benefiting the people, if they cooperate, they will gradually dilute his power; if they do not cooperate, the people will deal with him.

After all, these powerful and aristocratic families have now become a minority.

As long as he controls the army, the money and supplies, and the hearts of the people, Xiao Ce believes that Yin Pan'er will be invincible.

Yin Pan'er is a very intelligent woman and an excellent student.

He was able to quickly understand everything Xiao Ce instructed him to do.

After giving a brief explanation, Yin Pan'er said, "Your Highness, let the Twelve Fiends go with you this time."

Xiao Ce shook his head: "I'll take half of them. Although you have military power, soldiers can only defend against open attacks, but the Twelve Fiends can defend against hidden attacks."

Just as Yin Pan'er was about to speak, Da Lei said calmly from the side, "Your Highness, don't worry. Even if only the Six Fiends are gone, it will be enough to protect the Prince! If we six can't protect him, it won't make much difference whether we send six or twelve."

Xiao Ce nodded in agreement: "That's right, that makes sense. Besides, this time I'm hiding behind Xiao Yang! The emperor's goal is to get rid of the King of Zhen. If Xiao Yang protects me, this 'useless' person, there will be no danger."

Yin Pan'er then nodded.

While talking to Yin Pan'er, Xiao Jiu came to report that all the people Xiao Ce had summoned had arrived.

Xiao Ce then had Xiao Jiu bring them over.

Since the unification of the five prefectures of Mobei, Xiao Ce has only met with them individually, and has never formally summoned them all together.

When they arrived, a look of tension flashed across their faces.

Looking at their tense expressions.

Xiao Ce glanced at everyone and, seeing that they were all present, smiled and said to them, "Everyone, don't be nervous... I just want to hear how well you've handled the tasks I assigned you."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

As Xiao Ce spoke, he turned his gaze to Han Da and Yan Jia.

"Han Da and Yan Jia, you two are my right-hand men in the army, you two speak first."

When Xiao Ce called their names, the two men respectfully stepped forward.

They exchanged a glance, and then Han Da stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, let me introduce you..."

After unifying the five prefectures and thirty-nine cities of the northern desert and annexing the elite troops from each prefecture and garrison, the total number of the northern desert army reached as many as 200,000.

Xiao Ce also assigned the duties to the two generals.

Yan Jia selected 50,000 elite troops from his 200,000-strong army, including 30,000 infantry and 20,000 elite cavalry.

These men were equipped with the best warhorses and the finest gear, and of course, they were also in the best physical condition.

The remaining 150,000 regular troops in the northern desert region will be under the command of Han Dalai.

Of these 150,000, a portion was used for garrisoning various regions, while the majority was sent to the production corps that Xiao Ce had previously planned.

They were put to serve as soldiers during wartime, and in their spare time, apart from daily drills, they engaged in production, planting, and other work.

This would greatly reduce military spending.

After Han Da finished speaking, Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction: "Han Da, military discipline must not be relaxed. Even when they are farming or producing crops, they must know that they are soldiers. Also, you should formulate a reward and punishment system for military pay. If everyone does a good job in farming, we should reward them."

"Yan Jia, your troops are all about training. All the assessments I've mentioned must be completed! After all, your army's pay is more than three times that of others! What I need is for them to be like swords drawn, ready to draw their blades and draw blood! Of course, rigorous training is necessary, but morale must be high; we can't let the training turn them against us."

Yan Jia bowed and said, "Your Highness, I have been training according to the methods given by Mr. Da Lei! Moreover, as you wish, it is entirely voluntary. However, the generous benefits you offer would make any soldier want to come!"

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction and looked at Qian Lai and Jin Dawei from the Golden Society on the side.

"Uncle Lai, what about your side? You are the lifeblood of our region now. Our development, our army, and our people's livelihood all depend on the money you earn."

Qian Lai bowed and stepped forward: "Your Highness, let me report..."

After this period of adjustment, their Golden Club has already sorted out all the work.

Today, the brine salt mines that were previously useless in the four prefectures of northern Mongolia have all been fully exploited.

There are also workshops for refining fine salt and white sugar, as well as a series of workshops for distilling liquor, all of which have been established.

As for keeping the process secret, every worker is required to sign a confidentiality agreement, and violators will be beheaded.

Furthermore, the Northern Desert King's Palace issued a decree that these industries are monopolized, and ordinary people are not allowed to engage in these businesses. However, ordinary people can still do so by joining a franchise, which requires a franchise fee and a series of other expenses, with prices set uniformly by the Gold Association.

Today, the four prefectures of Mobei have even established trade routes with the Turkic Kingdom, and the two sides are exchanging goods.

Another point is the largest market in the Central Plains. Before Qian came, he was the head steward of the Qian family business and made contact with various businesses in the Central Plains.

Afterwards, they agreed to conduct the transaction in Maoming City. Due to the expansion of production capacity, they received so many orders for fine salt, white sugar, and distilled liquor that they were overwhelmed.

Previously, due to the supply disruption, the fine salt and white sugar in the Central Plains, whose effects had been exaggerated by Xiao Ce, were all driven to exorbitant prices.

According to Qian Lai's estimates, based on their production capacity, he can guarantee that fine salt, white sugar, and even distilled spirits will maintain a high price within two years.

Especially in cold regions like the Turkic Khaganate, highly distilled spirits are very popular.

Money has been estimated. Under normal circumstances, if there is no war, their income from such trade would be astronomical, which would be more than enough to support the army and the welfare of the people.

They are still in contact with the Turkic Khaganate to explore opportunities in India.

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Once these industries of yours are stable, I will have the Princess Consort help you develop some other industries, such as soap, perfume, and some silk weaving techniques... However, there's no rush. Too much of a good thing can't be digested. The Princess Consort will tell you about it at the right time!"

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai and Jin Dawei's eyes were full of anticipation.

Although they didn't quite understand what Xiao Ce was saying, they could tell just by hearing the name that it would be a bestseller.

After speaking, Xiao Ce looked at Lin Nan to the side.

"Lin Nan, what's the attitude of those remaining aristocratic families now?"

Lin Nan cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, these remaining aristocratic families are not actually opposed. It was the major aristocratic families who had objections to you before. Your policies are also beneficial to the smaller aristocratic families, and they support them."

"Moreover, you are now holding a grand imperial examination to re-select officials, and they are all eager to participate. These powerful clans and aristocratic families still have an advantage over those commoners! Now that they have lost their guards, they are no longer a threat."

Xiao Ce nodded as he listened, and said to Lin Nan, "Very good, you've made a significant contribution this time. I didn't contact you, were you cursing me in your heart?"

Lin Nan was so frightened that she knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Highness, I dare not..."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Have you thought about what reward you want?"

Lin Nan cupped his hands and said, "I serve Your Highness without seeking anything in return!"

Xiao Ce waved his hand with a smile and said, "Alright, stop being hypocritical. If you don't ask for anything in return, I wouldn't dare use you. Go ahead and say it."

Lin Nan dared not refuse any longer: "Your Highness, if only I could run a small business, or perhaps become the magistrate of a city..."

"Lin Nan, you seemed quite ambitious when we talked before. So, although all the officials in the seven departments I've established must be selected through imperial examinations, I'll grant you special permission to enter the 'Supervisory Department' to oversee all officials on my behalf. What do you say?"

Lin Nan, upon hearing this, cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, this...this favor is too heavy, I'm afraid it's inappropriate..."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I'm putting you in the Supervisory Office, not making you the director. Your specific position will depend on your performance, and I'll decide later."

Lin Nan then smiled, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

He knew very well that Xiao Ce's arrangement must have had a deeper meaning. Moreover, this Supervisory Office, which oversees all officials and is directly managed by the Prince's Mansion, likely means that even an ordinary official would have a higher level of prestige than an ordinary one.

Most importantly, he knew very well that Xiao Ce would not let him be an ordinary official.

Xiao Ce arranged for Lin Nan to join him because Lin Nan was able to discover him when Xiao Ce was not in a strong position and follow him without hesitation; this showed Xiao Ce's keen insight.

When they first met, Xiao Ce and Lin Nan had a deep conversation. They discussed how the four prefectures of Mobei had become what they were, partly due to the responsibility of powerful clans and partly due to corruption among officials from top to bottom.

At that time, Xiao Ce had considered that Lin Nan would be the most suitable person to serve as the supervisor.

As for his abilities, whether he's all talk and no action, we'll have to see how he performs.

Xiao Ce then looked at Yang Changlin on the side.

Yang Changlin cupped his hands in greeting, about to speak, but Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "I know your situation perfectly well. You don't need to say anything. I called you here because I have something to tell you."

As the commander of the royal guards, Yang Changlin returned immediately after Xiao Ce helped him out of a predicament last time.

Without wasting words, he bowed and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"I will be leaving Lingxiao City for a while, so please take extra care of the Princess's safety. If anything happens to her, I will take your head!"

Xiao Ce's words surprised everyone present.

Yang Changlin said with a firm expression, "Your Highness, if even a single hair on the Princess Consort's head is harmed, I beg you to exterminate my entire family!"

Xiao Ce nodded, looking at the shocked crowd: "During my absence, I have been following the Princess's arrangements. The Princess's orders are my orders!"

Everyone knows Xiao Ce; if he's leaving, he must be doing something important.

Since Xiao Ce didn't say anything, they didn't ask. A tacit understanding had formed between them.

Among the group, only Han Damo was eager and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, how many soldiers do you need this time? This humble general will go and prepare them right away!"