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

The officials immediately looked on with curiosity.

"Does Your Majesty mean there's a way to solve the problem of embezzlement of disaster relief grain?" Yin Weiyong asked curiously.

He had racked his brains for a long time trying to come up with a solution, but to no avail.

After all, given the current political climate, those local bullies are neither easy to punish nor easy to scold, let alone punish.

Moreover, although they were accused of embezzlement, they had completed the necessary paperwork, claiming that the local area was also facing difficulties.

They also needed relief food, and what they withheld was borrowed, and in many places, they would actually be given an IOU.

They were certain that Xiao was currently beset by internal and external troubles, and the emperor dared not touch them.

The emperor truly dared not touch them.

Xiao Dingbang said with a happy expression, "That's right, and the method he gave is excellent... it can be said to have solved the problem directly."

Xiao Ce was genuinely curious as he looked at Xiao Dingbang's confident demeanor.

I thought they wouldn't find a solution.

However, judging from his appearance, he seemed to have found a solution.

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty?" Yin Weiyong said.

Xiao Dingbang said, "Starting today, mix sand into the disaster relief grain in various places before transporting it. Mix it according to a ratio of seven parts rice to three parts sand!"

"They embezzled the grain simply to sell it. But once the rice was mixed with sand, it wouldn't fetch a good price. No one would eat rice mixed with sand except for people who were on the verge of death or starving."

"In this way, no one will embezzle these disaster relief grains mixed with sand. Besides, those grains have been processed, so they can't be stored anyway."

Upon hearing Xiao Dingbang's words, the entire court fell into a deathly silence.

Even Xiao Ce was genuinely surprised when he heard this.

He did come up with a solution, but frankly, the solution he came up with wasn't the one that worked.

This method may sound unethical.

However, it is undoubtedly the simplest and most effective method.

The disaster victims only care about whether they will starve to death; they don't care if there is sand in the food.

"Brilliant! Brilliant! Your Majesty, this plan is ingenious!"

“Excellent, Your Majesty. If we use this method, even if local gentry want to ‘borrow’ grain, the ordinary people will not eat it, let alone sell it. Good!”

After praising him a few times, Yin Weiyong asked Xiao Dingbang, "Your Majesty, I wonder who came up with this brilliant plan?"

Xiao Ce was equally curious.

Xiao Dingbang smiled, looked around, and asked, "Take a guess. You definitely can't guess?"

The group looked at each other, unable to come up with an answer.

After everyone made a few wild guesses, Siu Ting-pong denied them all.

Finally, Xiao Dingbang turned his gaze to Xiao Ce.

Looking at Xiao Dingbang's fake smile, Xiao Ce immediately had a very bad feeling.

as predicted.

"It is none other than the First Prince, the King of the Northern Desert, Xiao Ce!"

The whole place was in an uproar!

The entire court was astonished!

All eyes turned to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce had already cursed this dog emperor and his ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

Just by the way Xiao Dingbang sticks out his butt, Xiao Ce can guess what kind of nonsense he's going to spout.

By pushing him out, wouldn't those powerful clans and local bullies see him as a thorn in their side?

However, he dared not openly contradict the emperor at this moment.

Even if he doesn't admit it, the emperor will still pin the blame on him.

No wonder the emperor kept making this dog of an emperor attend court.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Xiao Dingbang said, "What, you don't believe me? The First Prince has always been a man of great talent but little substance. He's kept it very well hidden... What do you think of this method?"

The crowd and officials immediately began to praise Xiao Ce.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiangqing, standing to the side, looked at Xiao Ce with a playful expression.

He had already begun to doubt Mr. Qianlong, but Mr. Qianlong told him to wait and see.

Sure enough, the changes really did happen.

Xiao Dingbang said, "Alright, that matter is resolved. Another issue is how to increase the national treasury's revenue during a year of natural disasters. Does anyone have a solution?"

The officials shrank back and remained silent.

Xiao Dingbang said, "Still don't know? Tell me, what do I need you to do?"

Some officials knelt down, saying, "We are ashamed that we cannot share Your Majesty's burdens."

Then some officials came out one after another, offering some trivial and ineffective solutions...

After listening for a while, Xiao Dingbang simply couldn't bear to listen anymore.

He then said, "I pondered deeply all night and suddenly came up with a solution."

The officials immediately looked at Xiao Dingbang.

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, a bad premonition rising in his heart once again.

Xiao Dingbang raised his hand: "The method I have come up with is called the 'Stationary Farming Method'."

For the next half hour, Xiao Dingbang spoke at length about the method of "stationary farming".

Xiao Ce's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened. Wasn't what he was talking about the land reclamation policy he was currently implementing in the northern desert?

Moreover, he further optimized many details.

Xiao Ce naturally did not believe that this method would be the idea of ​​that dog emperor, Xiao Dingbang.

She subconsciously looked at Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang's expression was very unpleasant at this moment; he wasn't stupid.

He also recognized the method as the military-agricultural colony strategy that Xiao Ce used in the northern deserts, a method he was also familiar with.

Seeing Xiao Ce glaring at him angrily, Xiao Yang really wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy on the spot.

However, upon looking at Xiao Yang's face, Xiao Ce dismissed the idea.

Given Xiao Yang's limited intelligence, even if he knew about the land reclamation policy, he couldn't possibly have explained it to the emperor in such detail, let alone optimized it.

After a moment of stunned silence, the entire court of officials knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Yin Weiyong looked at Xiao Ce with a hint of doubt on his face.

Clearly, he suspected that Xiao Ce had told the emperor about this method.

He's been in contact with the emperor for so long; if it comes to fighting on horseback, this emperor might be capable.

However, such a brilliant strategy could not possibly have been conceived by the emperor.

As he spoke, Xiao Dingbang asked the officials what they thought of his plan.

This immediately garnered praise and acclaim from the officials!

Siu Ting-pong then instructed the Finance Department and the Military Affairs Department to work together to come up with a plan, which would then be implemented.

Once these officials had a solution, they readily agreed.

"Alright, I have resolved the two most pressing issues troubling the Xiao Kingdom... Now, there is still a major problem... that is, the Western Regions Allied Kingdom's army is still stationed on our territory... Therefore, the most important thing going forward is how to deal with these people from the Western Regions Allied Kingdom. Prime Minister Yin, where are those envoys?"

Yin Weiyong cupped his hands in greeting: "According to their report, their delegation is less than a hundred miles from our capital. They should arrive as early as tomorrow, or at the latest the day after tomorrow."

Xiao Dingbang nodded: "Alright, officials of the Imperial Household Department, go and make preparations. Then go and greet them..."

A tall, thin director of the Imperial Household Department bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I wonder if we should hold a state banquet in their honor after we welcome them? The Emperor of Uzbekistan, Diliti, has come in person."

Xiao Dingbang nodded: "Alright, whether for public or private reasons, we'll host a state banquet. As for what happens next, that's up to Prime Minister Yin to handle. Since they dared to come, it means they've come with sincerity. We must also show the demeanor of a great power. You make the arrangements."

The director of the Imperial Etiquette Bureau bowed and nodded.

With a broad smile, Xiao Dingbang announced the end of the court session.

Many officials began to look at Xiao Ce with hostility.

Clearly, the side effects of the blame that Xiao Dingbang just threw at him have begun to appear.

There are also people in Kyoto whose interests are intertwined.

However, Xiao Ce didn't care, and he wasn't afraid of offending anyone. What he was curious about was who had given these methods to the dog emperor.

On the way back, Xiao Yang explained to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce snorted coldly: "You're overthinking it. If you had any brains, you wouldn't be under my control like this now."

Xiao Ce's words left Xiao Yang unsure whether to be happy or sad...

Xiao Yang said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, who do you think gave this idea to that dog emperor?"

Xiao Ce shook his head: "It's hard to say!"

Xiao Yang asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, do you think... it's possible that there's a traitor among the five prefectures of Mobei? You know, your trusted confidants certainly wouldn't betray you... but there are many people and eyes in the four prefectures of Mobei now... you can't guarantee that everyone will listen to you, right?"

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "This doesn't seem to be a rumor from the northern deserts. Go to the palace and inquire... whether the dog emperor has met with anyone."

Xiao Yang nodded and asked Xiao Ce in a questioning tone, "Brother, do you need me to go there now?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

After returning to the Prince's Mansion, Fuyao told Xiao Ce that Yin Weiyong had arrived.

He came here secretly by himself.

They're definitely here because of what that dog emperor said...

Upon arriving at a room in the backyard of the Prince of Zhen's residence, Yin Weiyong was already waiting.

"Father-in-law, you've come because of the two methods the emperor mentioned, haven't you?"

Looking at Xiao Ce's state, Yin Weiyong said, "That's right. It seems it really wasn't what you said?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "However, it doesn't matter. I originally wanted Xiao Yang to say it... but Xiao Dingbang said it first, so Xiao Yang won't get any credit."

After saying that, Xiao Ce changed the subject and asked Yin Weiyong, "Father-in-law, what brings you here?"

Yin Weiyong smiled: "I was just thinking of explaining this to you, after all, I was afraid you'd misunderstand, Pan'er..."

Before Yin Weiyong could finish speaking, Xiao Ce interrupted, "Father-in-law, what are you saying? First of all, I absolutely believe in Pan'er. Secondly, I know it was you who said it. Even if you wanted to tell the Emperor, you wouldn't do it in such an ineffective way."

Yin Weiyong nodded upon hearing Xiao Ce's words: "My dear son-in-law, then I'm relieved. Have you gained anything here?"

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "This person might be hiding something quite well; our efforts this time may have been in vain..."

Yin Weiyong nodded: "Then I'll try to find out who gave the emperor this idea. And son-in-law, I came here this time to tell you to be careful."

"The emperor has shifted the blame onto you. In the future, many people will take their anger out on you, and some may even try to assassinate you."

Xiao Ce sneered, "I was afraid they wouldn't come. Father-in-law, you don't need to worry about me... I'm more worried about you. Do you know what the Hidden Dragon Society is all about? Why are they so eager to kill you? Do you have some kind of relationship with them?"

Yin Weiyong shook his head: "I've been inquiring recently, but I haven't gotten much information. Although I don't know the details, I found out that your Crown Prince's residence was bought by a boss from a company called Tairan Chamber of Commerce. I'm investigating the background of this Tairan Chamber of Commerce. However, since Xiao Xiangqing wrote me a 'letter of self-reproach,' they've essentially surrendered. At least for the time being, they won't do anything to me. After all, I'm still the main official in the negotiations of the Western Regions Alliance delegation."

Xiao Ce nodded: "You're right, but we still shouldn't let our guard down..."

Yin Weiyong cupped his hands in greeting: "My dear son-in-law, rest assured. I, Yin Weiyong, have served as prime minister for decades; I'm not just doing this for nothing. By the way, regarding the Western Regions Alliance, is our attitude still as you suggested?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, Father-in-law, just do as I say. That's what Xiao Xiangqing also wants to achieve. After that, once the Emperor successfully sends me away as a hostage, you can support Xiao Yang in leading the troops to attack the Western Regions Alliance."

Yin Weiyong nodded: "You really believe Xiao Yang?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "This time, I have already sent a letter to the northern desert to secretly summon a general. As long as he is in command, Xiao Yang will be fine as long as he obeys."

Yin Weiyong nodded repeatedly: "However, son-in-law, isn't it too risky for you to be a hostage..."

Xiao Ce said confidently, "Fortune favors the bold, and besides, I'm currently on the high seas..."

Yin Weiyong said, "But Xiao Xiangqing knows everything about you... Could he use this to get his uncle to get rid of you?"

Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful smile: "You can rest assured. I will naturally have a reason for Diliti not to dare to kill me."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"King of the Northern Desert, the Thirteenth Prince has come again, saying he has urgent business to discuss with you."

Xiao Ce nodded upon hearing Fu Yao's voice.

Yin Weiyong smiled and said, "My dear son-in-law, your little tagalong is back. After all these years, it's quite something. This little thirteenth prince really is the most discerning person in the entire Xiao Kingdom. He has always believed that you are not a good-for-nothing."

Xiao Ce smiled. He had inquired about the two of them from Xiao Yang yesterday.

Xiao Yang briefly explained that when Xiao Wenqin was very young, he liked to play with Xiao Ce, and later he went to Yinchuan.

She would occasionally come back, and aside from staying at Consort Yun's palace, she would go to play with Xiao Yang.