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

"Your Majesty?"

Xu Zhiyuan was the first to come to his senses, exclaimed in surprise, and then prostrated himself on the ground.

Following closely behind were several business owners who exclaimed in surprise and then began rubbing their eyes.

After repeatedly wiping his eyes, he confirmed that the person who had come was indeed Xiao Ce.

They knelt down in gratitude.

"Your Highness, it really is you. Where did you come from?"

"Your Highness, how did you get here? Wasn't anyone watching you?"

Xiao Ce looked at the astonished expressions on their faces, smiled slightly, and didn't answer them: "You guys are quite bold, daring to openly rescue me from Xiao Yang's clutches? Aren't you afraid of death?"

Xiao Ce had actually been there for a while, listening to their conversation from the doorway, and he heard it all very clearly.

I was somewhat moved, even though they were only considering it for the sake of profit.

But he also knew very well.

They were taking a huge risk.

Xu Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, you have been kind to us all. Now that you are in trouble, we cannot turn a blind eye!"

Qian Dahai said, "Your Highness, we are not as noble as Lord Xu. We just feel that you can help us expand our business. So we feel we need to save you."

Hearing their words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, at least you haven't forgotten the kindness I've shown you."

Everyone looked at Xiao Ce with a relaxed expression, still completely bewildered.

"Your Highness, what's going on? Has the Second Prince been hiding you in the ranks all along?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "That's good. Alright, you can all withdraw your men. I am safe."

Although no one knew what was going on.

However, both Xu Zhiyuan and these businessmen are shrewd and calculating.

Although we don't know what happened, we do know that their intelligence seems to be inaccurate.

After they went out and gave instructions to their men, they left.

Xiao Ce then said to Xu Zhiyuan, "Lord Xu, didn't you say you had prepared fine wine and food? I've been traveling through wind and rain and haven't had much to eat... Take me there."

Xu Zhiyuan nodded repeatedly: "Then, Your Highness the Second Prince..."

Xiao Ce said to Xu Zhiyuan, "I will send someone to call them. You only have these few people here. Tell them not to come near any unauthorized personnel."

Xu Zhiyuan nodded and then led the way.

After Xiao Ce and Da Lei went out, they put on their masks again.

The heads of several major merchant families followed behind.

Looking at each other.

Upon arriving at a reception hall in the city lord's mansion, under Da Lei's command, the reception hall was immediately surrounded by three layers of people.

Xiao Yang was also summoned over at this moment.

Seeing that Xiao Ce was no longer wearing a mask, there were several people in the reception room.

He was a little surprised.

Xiao Ce said to him, "Xiao Yang, come here. What are you standing there for? You know I came here to see them, right? These are all our own people, and we can trust them."

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yang nodded respectfully and stood respectfully beside Xiao Ce.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce couldn't help but laugh and said, "What are you doing standing next to me? Find a place to sit down."

At this moment, Xu Zhiyuan immediately gave up the position closest to Xiao Ce.

"Your Highness, this way please."

After hearing Xu Zhiyuan's words, Xiao Yang did not move, but looked at Xiao Ce questioningly.

Xiao Ce nodded: "Go and sit down."

After receiving Xiao Ce's permission, Xiao Yang respectfully sat down.

This scene stunned everyone.

Even the most naive among them would understand what was going on by now.

This isn't Xiao Yang escorting Xiao Ce back to the capital; it's clearly Xiao Ce escorting Xiao Yang back to the capital.

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Those of you here are all people I trust. My purpose in coming here is very simple: I've come to rescue the King of Zhen!"

Xiao Ce spoke very directly.

This left several people momentarily stunned.

"I'm here to ask you if you're willing to help me! If you are, you can stay and listen to what I have to say. If you're unwilling or have reservations, you can leave. I won't blame you! You must answer carefully."

“After all, the matter of the King of Zhen is very serious, and if we are not careful, it could bring disaster to his entire family.” Xiao Ce said very directly as always.

Without hesitation, Xu Zhiyuan replied, "Your Highness, the Prince of Zhen is a pillar of the nation, and I do not agree with the court's various judgments against him. I am willing to do my part for Your Highness, but I fear that my words carry little weight and I will be unable to offer any assistance!"

Xiao Ce knew Xu Zhiyuan's personality, so he wasn't too surprised by his reaction.

"Now that I'm here, I'm sure I'll need you."

Then, Xiao Ce turned his gaze to several merchants.

After a few moments of hesitation, Qian Dahai was the first to speak: "Let's do it! Your Highness, I'll follow you!"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid of having your entire family executed?"

Qian Dahai nodded and said, "I'm afraid! However, even the Second Prince, who used to be your enemy, has now joined forces with you, so we should stand even closer with Your Highness! Besides, there are risks and benefits. Given the generous nature of the Northern Desert King, if we help you, you won't treat us unfairly. This deal, although risky, is worthwhile!"

Qian Dahai, as always, spoke his mind directly and realistically.

However, Xiao Ce liked it very much.

As soon as Qian Dahai spoke, the other merchants all voiced their support.

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction. One of his purposes in coming here was to seek some information.

However, I just saw these people preparing to rescue Xiao Yang from his clutches.

Because of this friendship, Xiao Ce felt he needed to make more use of them.

Just as Qian Dahai said, Xiao Ce would not let them suffer a loss.

He didn't bring much money with him when he left the northern desert, intending to travel light.

In Kyoto, one inevitably needs money to do things or travel.

These four are among the top merchants in the Central Plains. With their financial support, it will definitely be much easier for him to do anything.

Seeing that they had all agreed, Xiao Ce said, "Alright, then I'll continue."

"Have you heard the news that Xing Daorong and his men have occupied the northern desert?"

Everyone nodded.

Xiao Ce then recounted the current situation in the northern desert, including the fact that all the Turks had been driven out.

However, Xiao Ce did not elaborate on the matter of the Turkic Kingdom.

These individuals have been shocked time and time again today.

"Your Highness, do you mean that you have taken over Xing Daorong's entire army?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

"Your Highness, those thirty-nine cities in the northern desert are all under your control now. Have you dealt with the powerful clans and aristocratic families there?"

Xiao Ce nodded and added, "Now it's five prefectures, or to be precise, forty cities, because Maoming City is also under my control!"

Everyone stood there stunned, unable to calm down for a long time.

Xiao Ce's words were like a reassurance to them.

"So, what I said just now was also a test for you. Even if we fail to rescue the King of Zheng, as long as you enter Maoming City, no one will be able to harm you."

"Even the emperor's decrees won't work there!"

Xiao Ce's words commanded the respect of everyone present.

"Your Highness, what do you intend to do?"

Xiao Ce asked them, "You must know quite a bit about the details of the King of Zhen's imprisonment this time, right?"

Everyone nodded, and subconsciously looked at Xu Zhiyuan.

Xu Zhiyuan bowed and said, "Your Highness, let me explain..."

Xiao Ce took out a wine flask from his pocket, took a sip, and gestured for Xu Zhiyuan to speak.

Xu Zhiyuan bowed and began to speak.

This story begins with the Yumen Pass Rebellion.

A month ago, a coalition of foreign tribes outside Yumen Pass launched an attack.

Strangely, the Dragon Tiger Army, which was known for its bravery and skill in battle, was defeated overnight.

Of the more than 100,000 Dragon Tiger Army soldiers, some died, some fled, and some were captured.

Yumen Pass fell.

The area encompassing two prefectures and nineteen cities within the Yumen Pass was occupied by a coalition of foreign tribes.

Moreover, the allied forces of the alien races also occupied the natural barrier of Nushan Mountain.

When this news reached the court, the entire court was in an uproar.

The emperor immediately dispatched 50,000 troops from the Left Study General near Yumen Pass to drive them away.

However, the foreign tribes defended the natural barrier of Nushan Mountain and were unable to conquer the land occupied by them.

Nevertheless, General Zuo obtained some information while fighting against foreign tribes on the frontier.

It is said that the more than 100,000 Dragon Tiger Army soldiers did not resist at all, but instead colluded with foreign tribes and all defected. The mastermind behind this was none other than the King of Zhen, Xiao Dingshan, who created the Dragon Tiger Army.

General Zuo also said that he had captured several soldiers from the Dragon Tiger Army, who immediately accused Xiao Dingshan of being the perpetrator.

The emperor immediately placed the King of Zhen under control. Next, they found letters from a foreign tribe, which urged the King of Zhen to rebel.

Furthermore, they discovered a huge amount of treasure hidden beneath some of the king's villas in the town!

Following the remonstrances of some officials, the King of Zhen was imprisoned.

However, since Prime Minister Yoon and the conservatives said there was insufficient evidence, this could be a tactic used by foreigners to sow discord.

Despite their desperate pleas, the emperor did not rush to punish them.

However, as time went on, more and more witness testimonies and physical evidence emerged that were unfavorable to the King of Zhen.

Even the alien races sent people to propose conditions: if the Xiao Kingdom was willing to release Xiao Dingshan, they were willing to hand over the Nushan natural barrier and return a prefecture; they only wanted Yumen Pass and the prefecture within it.

This news effectively confirmed that the King of Zhen had committed treason.

The officials of the Punishment Department have been interrogating the Prince of Zhen so far, but he has not uttered a single word, neither admitting nor denying anything. Moreover, they have never found a letter written in Xiao Dingshan's own handwriting, making it difficult to convict him.

However, it is said that someone has found an important witness, who is now being brought to Kyoto.

Multiple sources indicate that this witness could completely decide Xiao Dingshan's fate!

Judging by the time, the witness should arrive in Kyoto in about ten days!