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

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce asked, "What witness? Is this information reliable?"

At this moment, Qian Dahai spoke up: "It's reliable. I got this information from the wife of the Eighth Prince's head steward, who is on good terms with my wife!"

"The Eighth Prince?" Xiao Ce asked.

Qian Dahai nodded: "That's right, Your Highness. I didn't tell anyone this news. The Eighth Prince is representing the Emperor to supervise the Department of Punishments' handling of this case!"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Whether those 100,000 Dragon Tiger Army soldiers are dead or have defected, it shouldn't be difficult to find out, right?"

Xu Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, according to information from my old friends in the capital, the 100,000-strong army outside Yumen Pass has indeed vanished without a trace. There are only a few dozen corpses; the rest seem to have disappeared into thin air. Therefore, the only explanation is that they defected to the foreign tribes."

"However, the Dragon Tiger Army has been fighting the foreign tribes for so long, it's impossible... Besides, even if the Dragon Tiger Army betrayed the country, it has nothing to do with the Prince!"

Xiao Ce nodded in agreement: "What is the situation in the court?"

"At first, there were some conservatives and old friends of the King of Zhen who spoke up for him. However, as the Emperor's attitude became clearer and more and more evidence pointed to the King of Zhen."

"Moreover, anyone who tries to speak up for the King of Zhen will be targeted, both openly and secretly. Even Prime Minister Yin has fallen silent!"

After Xu Zhiyuan finished speaking, the manager of Zhao's Trading Company chimed in, "I've also inquired about why many important officials in the court are unwilling to speak out. They went to see the Prince of Zhen, but he refused to see them. He didn't even defend himself, which made many people feel that there might be something fishy going on. They were afraid that it was true and dared not get too involved, lest they implicate themselves."

"The King of Zhen didn't utter a single word of rebuttal?" Xiao Ce found it somewhat strange.

They all nodded in agreement: "That's right! However, we believe that the King of Zhen is definitely not that kind of person! If he wanted to rebel, he wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. He could easily rally many people to his cause. Besides, if he really wanted to betray the country, His Majesty's spies wouldn't be able to stop him if he wanted to escape!"

Xiao Ce nodded, then raised his wine cup and said, "Thank you all for the information. It has been very helpful! I'd like to toast you all."

Seeing this, the group stood up with respectful expressions.

“Your Highness, we haven’t done anything. Your Highness, when you return to the capital, we each have branches there. At that time, we will give you a token, and you can use our people and our money at your disposal.”

Xiao Ce listened to their words and nodded with a smile.

Therefore, he enjoys dealing with these intelligent people; he doesn't need to spell things out, as they will understand!

"Very well. I won't stand on ceremony with you. Rest assured, I don't have the habit of taking advantage of others for free! I will definitely ensure that you gain something!"

Everyone smiled and nodded, thanking Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce had learned almost everything about the King of Zhen.

Xiao Ce changed the subject: "How smoothly did your dealings with Qian Lai go?"

Several people bowed and said, "Your Highness, thank you for your support. Your treasures are extremely popular here. Demand far exceeds supply! Especially that 'Immortal Wine,' which has been highly sought after by high-ranking officials and nobles since its release..."

"Not only that, Qianlai also asked us to buy some worthless things like saltpeter and charcoal, and offered us extremely high prices! We wanted to get a discount, but Qianlai disagreed and insisted on paying a high price, which made us feel a little embarrassed."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "It's just a matter of mutual benefit. By the way, do you know of any places in the Central Plains with brine salt mines?"

Seeing Xiao Ce say this, the others nodded repeatedly: "Of course! However, brine contains many impurities and is completely inedible. Even if it is refined, it is still a cheap and inferior salt, and it is said that eating too much of it can easily cause poisoning. Even poor people do not eat it."

"If you have the time, you can find people to mine it. We'll buy whatever amount of brine salt is extracted and transport it to you. And the price will definitely satisfy you!"

Everyone listened with excitement and nodded repeatedly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Ce was very satisfied with their restraint; none of them asked what Xiao Ce wanted the brine for.

In fact, these merchants knew it all too well.

At first, they believed Xiao Ce's fabricated story, but then the number of orders they received from the money skyrocketed.

They knew that this snow salt and snow frosting sugar were not gifts from immortals at all.

Rather, Xiao Ce must have some method of refining.

However, they didn't care because the price the money offered them was very reasonable, and they had a high profit margin.

Therefore, they don't care how those things are made or where they come from.

They're willing to cooperate in telling this story as long as consumers are willing to pay.

As he spoke, Xiao Ce also told them some business strategies, such as scarcity marketing and brand effect.

Everyone listened with an expression of sudden enlightenment, as if they had just realized how business could be done this way!

Xiao Ce talked with them for a long time before letting them leave.

They also gave Xiao Ce their respective tokens before leaving.

...

After watching the merchants leave, Xu Zhiyuan looked at Xiao Ce.

He couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, is there something you want to tell me?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Lord Xu, I've already told you about my situation! You're already forty-three years old, and unless something unexpected happens, I'm afraid you'll never be able to advance any further in your life!"

Xu Zhiyuan bowed: "Your Highness, if I can protect the safety of the people in this city, then my life will not have been in vain! Moreover, I am straightforward by nature...and not good at socializing. Taking any further steps would not be a good thing."

"Lord Xu, you do have some self-awareness. However, your talent and ability are far from sufficient. I wish to invite you to the five prefectures of the northern desert!"

"After you go, you will serve as the Director of the Supervisory Office, supervising the officials of the five prefectures of the northern desert on my behalf. Are you willing?"

Xiao Ce extended a direct invitation to Xu Zhiyuan, as he had not yet found a suitable candidate for the position of Director of the Bureau of Surveillance.

It was only when he saw Xu Zhiyuan again that he realized he was a perfectly legitimate candidate.

Xu Zhiyuan is a talented person. When he was in a high position, he also went to Kyoto.

However, his straightforward personality offended many officials, and he was reprimanded and demoted to this place.

Xu Zhiyuan was somewhat puzzled after hearing Xiao Ce's words.

Because in the official system of Xiao State, there was no department called the Supervisory Office.

"A lawsuit?"

Xiao Ce said calmly, "The officials in charge of supervising the northern deserts are here to see if they are corrupt, derelict in their duties... Simply put, you are my eyes and my blade!"