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

Xu Zhiyuan's expression shifted slightly, showing some excitement.

Although his current position as county magistrate sounds like he's in charge of the affairs of the entire county.

In terms of official rank, he was considered a minor official.

According to Xiao Ce, this Supervisory Office sounds like the Imperial Censor who wields the Imperial Sword and can execute hundreds of officials.

He was somewhat flattered and immediately knelt down: "Your Highness, this humble official is willing... however, the people here..."

Xiao Ce looked at Xu Zhiyuan's expression of concern for the country and its people.

"Lord Xu, you're only managing some trivial matters here. If the policies of the Xiao Kingdom don't change, how can you possibly manage this place? But the five prefectures of Mobei are different; they hold many of the plans I've discussed with you before. That's where the real hope lies!"

"If we use the five prefectures of the northern desert as pilot areas and conduct experiments first, and then implement it nationwide one day, wouldn't you have a greater advantage then?"

Xu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up as he listened to Xiao Ce's words.

He then nodded emphatically.

"Your Highness, am I going to resign?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "You should feign illness, then make some preparations and pack your bags to go to the northern desert."

Xu Zhiyuan bowed and agreed.

He wouldn't do a lowly county magistrate's job; as long as he reported it, someone would replace him in no time.

As he spoke, Xiao Ce first wrote a letter of introduction for Xu Zhiyuan.

He chatted with Xu Zhiyuan for a while longer, about the development of the five prefectures in the northern desert and the things that needed to be done by him.

Xu Zhiyuan was filled with fervor as he listened.

...

At this moment, they were waiting in a courtyard in Anhua City.

She had been waiting at the door for several hours.

It wasn't until after dark that a young page emerged from a small house.

"Miss Nie, the master invites you in."

Nie Bing's icy expression didn't change much. She nodded and followed the pageboy inside.

As always, Mr. Qianlong was dressed in monk's robes and wore a mask.

"Has Xiao Yang entered the city? Has he seen Xiao Ce?"

Nie Bing bowed slightly to the man in front of her, Qianlong: "Reporting to you, sir, Xiao Yang has entered the city and has also seen Xiao Ce. Not only did he see Xiao Ce, but he also saw the Twelve Fiends who were with Xiao Ce before. Moreover, Fan Gang Ashina from the Ashina tribe was also among them. It seems that, sir, just as you predicted, they should all be under Xiao Ce's control."

Mr. Qianlong nodded in agreement: "No wonder there's been no news from the Turks or those powerful clans. It seems they've all fallen to Xiao Ce!"

Nie Bing, who was standing to the side, didn't respond, but changed the subject: "Then, sir, shall we take action?"

Mr. Qianlong shook his head: "Of course not. The purpose of luring him here is to keep him preoccupied with the affairs of the capital. Didn't you say that the progress in the four prefectures of Mobei is entirely due to Xiao Ce? As long as Xiao Ce is dragged down by them in the capital, those people in the four prefectures of Mobei are nothing to fear."

Nie Bing nodded as she listened.

Mr. Qianlong continued, "The Eighth Prince of Kyoto has been inquiring about my whereabouts and wants my help. You have some connection with him, don't you?"

Nie Bing nodded as she listened.

Mr. Qianlong waved his hand gently. A child dressed as a pageboy walked out from the side.

This young pageboy wasn't the one who always followed Mr. Qianlong.

He was holding a set of clothes, on which was placed a mask exactly like Mr. Qianlong's.

A hint of doubt flashed in Nie Bing's eyes.

Mr. Qianlong said, “Nie Bing, you have passed our many tests during this time. From today onwards, you can also become a Qianlong. The Pope has ordered that from today onwards, you can take over from me and be in charge of the Qianlong Society’s affairs in Xiao Kingdom! That’s Xiaohuang, who will be your page from now on. The Pope’s orders will be delivered to you through them.”

Nie Bing was somewhat surprised: "So fast?"

Mr. Qianlong said calmly, "This is the order of the Archbishop! You should know that after becoming Qianlong, you are no longer yourself! You must abandon everything from your past."

Nie Bing nodded: "The Archbishop has already told me that."

Mr. Qianlong nodded and said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "I hope you will not let down the bishop's trust in you. You know Xiao Ce better than I do, and you should know better that he is very difficult to deal with."

Nie Bing straightened her back: "You don't need to worry about that. I'll definitely do better than you."

Mr. Qianlong slowly got up, leaning on his staff, and then walked directly past Nie Bing.

"Okay, then I'll wait and see!"

As Mr. Qianlong left, the young pageboy named Xiaohuang stepped forward.

"Mr. Qianlong, let's change our clothes first."

Hearing Xiao Huang's childish words, Nie Bing's originally icy expression softened a little.

"Your name is Xiao Huang? Which 'Huang' is it?"

Xiao Huang bowed and said, "Mr. Qianlong, Huang is the 'phoenix' in 'phoenix'."

Nie Bing nodded and asked again, "You're a young girl, aren't you?"

Xiao Huang nodded again.

As for these children, Nie Bing had seen quite a few of them when she met the Archbishop.

These children are all war orphans.

These were orphans created by the war, and they were all taken in by the bishop of the Hidden Dragon Church.

Then they are trained by specialists. These children may look only five or six years old, but they know more than adults.

Nie Bing asked, "What does the Archbishop mean next...?"

Xiao Huang said to Nie Bing, "Reporting to Mr. Qianlong, we will now go to the capital. The Eighth Prince, Xiao Xiangqing, is looking for you. Let's go and reach a cooperation agreement with Xiao Xiangqing to help him."

Nie Bing nodded as she listened, her gaze sharpening, and her expression also becoming somewhat complicated.

It seems that he never expected that after going through all the twists and turns, he would be working with Xiao Xiangqing again.

However, the positions of the two sides have changed.

...

Three days later, Xiao Yang and his group arrived at the outskirts of Kyoto, travel-worn.

By this time, they had switched to a horse-drawn carriage.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Yang were both sitting in the carriage.

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce beside him and asked, "Brother, shall we enter the city tonight?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "We're here, why don't we go in? Let's proceed according to the original plan!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at the magnificent capital city and recalled how he had left in a sorry state just a few months ago.

Unexpectedly, a few months later, he returned on his own initiative.

Xiao Yang was about to bow.

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "Remember what I told you: mind your place and don't grovel before me. Do you want me dead?"

Xiao Yang looked embarrassed: "I wouldn't dare!"

Seeing Xiao Ce's cold gaze, she composed herself and said, "Alright, I understand!"

Seeing this, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, let's go into the city then."

As soon as their team entered the city, their spies from various sides were all busy.

They arrived at Xiao Yang's residence.

As soon as he arrived at the door, his butler, an old man named Fuyao, was already waiting there.

Seeing this, Xiao Yang said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, wasn't I right? In the capital, there are no secrets..."

Xiao Ce said, "Then let's put on a show for them. Now it's your turn to take the stage and perform."

Xiao Yang glanced at Xiao Ce and nodded: "Brother, I will do my best."

Xiao Ce said in an icy voice, "You don't just need to try your best, you need to give it your all. If you don't perform well in this play, you're dead."

Xiao Yang's eye twitched, then he gave an awkward smile: "Brother, I will certainly do my best."

Xiao Yang got off the carriage as he spoke.

The mansion's steward, Fu Yao, greeted him with a fawning smile and bowed, saying, "Second Prince, we heard the news of your return and have been waiting for you here."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Uncle Yao, your information network is still so efficient!"

Fu Yao gave an awkward smile: "Second Prince, because of your outstanding achievements in the four prefectures of Mobei, you have been highly praised by His Majesty. There are also many people in the court who are jealous of you, so we have been sending people to keep an eye on you these days."

As they were talking, Xiao Ce also got off the carriage.

Fu Yao was taken aback when he saw Xiao Ce, and the words he was saying came to an abrupt halt.

He then bowed and said, "King of the Northern Desert."

Xiao Ce nodded with an innocent smile on his face.

Xiao Yang said, "Alright, take him inside and settle him in properly. Don't let him leave through this door."

Fuyao bowed and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Ce then said to Da Lei beside him, "You all stay here and guard this area. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to approach."

Da Lei cupped his hands in agreement and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Xiao Yang then said to Fu Yao, "Everyone entering or leaving must be inspected by Commander Lei."

As he spoke, Xiao Yang pointed to several of the Twelve Fiends and instructed them to keep a close watch on Xiao Ce.

Fu Yao nodded again, and then gestured for Xiao Ce to proceed.

Xiao Ce was arranged to stay in a secluded courtyard, and Xiao Yang changed his clothes as planned before meeting the emperor.

"Second Prince, is it necessary to give special consideration to the King of the Northern Desert?"

Fu Yao bowed and looked at Xiao Yang, who had finished washing up and changing, and asked.

Xiao Yang nodded: "Of course, since I want him to instigate the crimes of the King of Zhen, we must first please him. Only when he is pleased will he listen to us. We will serve him the best food and drink."

Fu Yao nodded: "I understand, Second Prince. However, you must be careful of the Eighth Prince. Recently, the Eighth Prince has been receiving a lot of imperial favor in court."

Xiao Yang was not surprised, because he had already heard about it when he was in Anhua City.

Xiao Yang scoffed, "Hmph...he's nothing! Don't worry, prepare the horses, this prince is going to the palace to meet the emperor!"

Fuyao nodded: "By the way, Second Prince, that burly man in your group, who looks like a small mountain, is a Turk, right? Should we send someone to keep an eye on him? He looks extremely dangerous..."

Xiao Yang waved his hand: "No need! He's someone I've subdued. Don't be afraid... As for all defense matters here, listen to Commander Lei. He's a top expert I selected on the battlefield."

Fu Yao bowed and nodded, then led Xiao Yang out.

Xiao Yang boarded the carriage and headed straight for the palace.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ce had also changed his clothes, and Night Cat came over.

"Your Highness, we have thoroughly investigated all the visible and hidden sentries around here! If you wish to leave, we can do so at any time."