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

Yin Weiyong always had a faint smile on his face.

"Try it. This is the capital of the Xiao Kingdom. You can't get in..."

Just then, the general of the Kyoto Prefectural Guard put his hand to his mouth and blew a whistle.

Suddenly, a soldier dressed in black armor appeared on the city wall and began to beat a drum.

Within minutes, a vast, dark mass of cavalrymen came galloping from both sides of Kyoto.

There are at least a thousand people.

Diliti's face turned extremely dark.

"What do you mean by this? Is this how you treat an envoy?"

Yin Weiyong said with a dark face, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, is this how you conduct an envoy? It is true that you have invaded our territory... However, please remember, our willingness to talk does not mean that we are afraid of you! It is our Emperor who loves peace and wants to resolve this through negotiation."

“From the moment you arrived until now, you’ve been nitpicking and finding fault! Our Xiao Kingdom is not one you can challenge. If you consider us friends, we will naturally treat you with courtesy. But if you want to follow us and cause trouble, we fear no provocation!”

Everyone was greatly encouraged by Yin Weiyong's words.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiangqing laughed awkwardly, "Prime Minister Yin, it's a misunderstanding... a misunderstanding... my uncle doesn't have this..."

Yin Weiyong already disliked Xiao Xiangqing, and now, seeing his obsequious manner, he said, "Eighth Prince, please be mindful of your status. We are currently holding a meeting of state delegations. Don't keep calling him 'uncle.' Please distinguish between public and private matters!"

Then Yin Weiyong said to Diliti, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, we have given you enough respect, and we hope you will give us the same respect. Otherwise, we do not welcome you! Turn back immediately! We will also strengthen our military preparedness and fight!"

Diliti didn't expect Yin Weiyong to be so tough.

Xiao Ce had previously thought that Yin Weiyong was good at smoothing things over.

However, it seems that he is quite inspiring when he does serious work.

Looking back now, Yin Pan'er's ability to govern the country was entirely due to the influence of Yin Weiyong.

Diliti's expression suddenly changed, and then he burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Prime Minister Yin! Why are you getting so angry? How could I not know... I was just joking with you."

As he spoke, Diliti said to the guards, "Everyone, remove your armor and hand over all the large weapons to Prime Minister Yin for safekeeping."

Diliti then said to the people behind him, "Everyone, did you see that? This is the ability of our famous Prime Minister Yin... You all saw it, right?"

Those behind him readily agreed and joined in the laughter.

Seeing that his expression changed faster than turning the pages of a book, Yin Weiyong smiled and readily agreed.

Xiao Ce, who had initially been disdainful, suddenly became interested.

This guy is flexible and adaptable; he's quite something.

If one continues to act recklessly, then there is no difference between him and Xiao Xiangqing.

At that moment, their guards put down all their armor and heavy weapons.

The main force then followed them into the city.

After being reprimanded by Yin Weiyong, Diliti completely changed his demeanor.

She was no longer so arrogant, and she and Yin Weiyong were like old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time.

The two talked and chatted as they spoke.

This left Xiao Yang speechless, as if to say, "This works too?"

After leading them to the delegation's rest area, Yin Weiyong said, "Let's go and see how the banquet is arranged."

I will invite them when the time comes.

After exchanging pleasantries, they left.

Xiao Ce spotted several people with Xiao Kingdom faces among their Western Regions group.

These are clearly the former traitors; they were brought here obviously to smear the town's king...

After welcoming the people over, Yin Weiyong announced that everyone could disperse.

They gather at night.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Yang then left, waving to Da Lei who was following beside them.

Da Lei stepped forward.

"Did you see those people?"

Da Lei nodded: "They were both generals under the King of Zhen, one named Wuwei and the other Linbang. They were the King of Zhen's two most trusted generals. How did they end up as lackeys... and even betray the King of Zhen?"

Seeing that Da Lei recognized them, Xiao Ce nodded: "It's good that you recognize them... Send someone to keep an eye on them. They're definitely up to something after they arrive."

Da Lei nodded: "Okay, I'll go arrange it right away."

With that, Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "Let's go."

Xiao Yang was taken aback and asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, where are we going?"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "I'll take you to see some good things. Qian Dafang sent someone to say he has urgent business with us... We'll go in the next couple of days. Now that we have some free time, let's go take a look..."

Xiao Yang nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

The two of them got into a carriage and left.

...

At this moment, Xiao Xiangqing accompanied Diliti as he entered the delegation's premises.

Diliti, who had been all smiles, suddenly turned pale after entering a room.

He slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"That Yin Weiyong deserves to die!"

Xiao Xiangqing asked from the side, "Uncle, originally, I wanted to kill him. But then some unexpected things happened..."

Diliti looked at Xiao Xiangqing behind him: "Abbas, I'm not blaming you! I just wanted to give him a warning, but I didn't succeed. Are you sure your Xiao Kingdom doesn't dare to fight?"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded to Dili: "Uncle, they're just being stubborn... The main thing is that Xiao Yang won a great victory in the Northern Desert, which gave them confidence... No, to be precise, it's Xiao Ce..."

Diliti was dumbfounded by Xiao Xiangqing's words: "Is it Xiao Ce or Xiao Yang? Isn't Xiao Ce the deposed crown prince? Isn't he a good-for-nothing?"

Xiao Xiangqing then recounted everything that had happened during this period, as well as what he knew about the northern desert.

After listening, Diliti's eyes sharpened: "So, you mean... the one who is truly capable is Xiao Ce, and Xiao Yang is just his puppet."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded: "That's right, so I have a plan here."

Diliti asked Xiao Xiangqing, "Oh? What's the plan? Tell me about it."

Xiao Xiangqing then replied to Diliti, "We'll start by negotiating according to your alliance's plan. If Yin Weiyong agrees, then everyone will be happy. If they don't agree, my point is that we can first go along with Yin Weiyong's wishes and proceed according to their terms, and then reach a peace agreement..."

Diliti's gaze sharpened: "Abbas, you know very well. This is impossible..."

Xiao Xiangqing said to Diliti, "Uncle, don't be anxious... listen to me first! I'll have you pretend to agree first. Our goal is to get the emperor to agree to peace talks. Then we can talk about having Xiao Kingdom send a hostage. Right now, the emperor also wants to send Xiao Ce as a hostage!"

“Once Xiao Ce is captured and taken as a hostage, his life will be in your hands. If you kill him, Xiao Yang will be nothing but a piece of trash. Killing him will be a piece of cake. So, on one hand, I've facilitated the peace talks; on the other hand, we can have Xiao Dingshan's men testify against him…”

"At that time, what will Xiao Yang have to compete with me for the position of Crown Prince! As long as I ascend to the position of Crown Prince, I can cooperate with my uncle in the future."

This idea was suggested by Mr. Qianlong; their goal was to eliminate Xiao Ce.

In their view, Xiao Ce's death solved most of the problems.

After listening to Xiao Xiangqing's words, Diliti smiled and said, "Abbas, you know this alliance isn't something I can control alone... We won't benefit from doing this for you. We didn't come here to help you get rid of Xiao Ce."

"Besides, is Xiao Ce really as powerful as people say? You haven't been fooled, have you?"

Seeing this, Xiao Xiangqing said to Diliti, "Uncle, of course I know. My method was based on the premise that the negotiations could not continue. You can't really leave empty-handed, can you?"

"Moreover, if a war really breaks out, judging from Xiao Yang's demeanor, he's a champion of war. If Xiao Ce were to command from behind, they could defeat the Turks. Uncle, do you really think you have a chance of winning?"

"You saw Yin Weiyong's attitude just now. If it weren't for Father's tacit approval, how could Yin Weiyong have dared to be so assertive at the city gate?"

Diliti nodded in agreement: "Abbas, I understand. I'll seriously consider it. I'll try to meet with that Xiao Ce another day..."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded to Diliti; he did not stop Diliti.

After all, he could see that even though Diliti was his uncle, he was only helping him on the condition that their interests were met.

He thought that he should let Diliti go to Xiao Ce's side and get rejected first, so that he could genuinely help him...

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

Several people from the Western Regions stood at the door: "National Preceptor Diliti, our master says he wants to have a meeting with you."

Dili nodded and said to Xiao Xiangqing, "You see, this isn't a one-man show for me."

Xiao Xiangqing asked Dili, "Uncle, that's not what my mother said..."

Diliti said to Xiao Xiangqing, "Your mother doesn't know the specifics either. I'll tell you about it another day."

Xiao Xiangqing nodded and said nothing more.

I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

I thought I'd found a reliable backer, but it seems that this backer isn't so sturdy after all...

...

Xiao Ce and Xiao Yang arrived at Qian Dafang's residence.

Led by the butler, we went straight inside.

Qian Dafang wasn't there, so the housekeeper said he would go find him right away, and made the two of them wait for a while.

Xiao Ce wasn't in a hurry. There wasn't much to do today; the banquet was just the beginning.

Moreover, judging from Dilit's appearance, he wouldn't be too forceful.

In the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, Qian Dafang came running over, covered in sweat and panting heavily.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Boss Qian, didn't I already tell the butler? No need to rush..."

While wiping his sweat, Qian Dafang said, "Your Highness, your time is very precious, how could I keep you waiting... I figured you were going to pick up the Western Regions delegation today and wouldn't come looking for me, so I went to keep an eye on those fashions. Fortunately, I didn't go too far."

Qian Dafang had a big smile on his face.

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Oh? You've started making fashion clothes? The fabric's here?"

Qian Dafang's smile grew even more obsequious as he spoke: "Your Highness, that's right... thanks to you... you even gave me a lot of frosting sugar and fine salt. Just these things are enough to make me a fortune!"

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised: "It hasn't been long, and you've already arrived?"

Qian Dafang said with a smile, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but ever since you went with Dahai to discuss logistics methods, we've set up a convoy together. This convoy is specifically responsible for transportation. We've adopted a multi-segment system, with connections between cities, which can increase speed by more than three times!"

"Moreover, we are also building roads, and we have invested a lot of money on the roads that we must take."

After listening to Qian Dafang's words, Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction.

"Oh, by the way, those frosting candies and fine salt that I had them send you extra weren't for you!"

Qian Dafang was stunned.

"Not for sale? Then... you had them send quite a lot, it would be too extravagant for us to eat it all, right? Or is it something you want to use?"

Xiao Ce smiled and waved his hand: "I don't need it... these are for you! But, not for you to sell... but for you to give away."

Qian Dafang looked completely bewildered and asked, "Give it away?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, it's about matching your clothes with these gifts. If you give away these things with your clothes, it will give people the impression that your clothes are far more valuable than snow frosting candy and snow salt... Do you understand how to give them value?"

Qian Dafang nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Xiao Ce smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I'll explain in detail later. You should store those things away first, and whatever you do, don't sell them."

Qian Dafang nodded vigorously.

Xiao Ce continued, "I didn't come to see you about this. Did you bring everything I asked for?"

Qian Dafang nodded: "I brought them all, but because they instructed me to hide them in very secret places, I haven't opened them to look at them!"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright, take me to see it..."

Qian Dafang nodded and then told his steward to prepare the carriage.

"How many people came in total?" Xiao Ce asked.

Qian Dafang said, "There are a hundred boxes in total, but all the boxes are sealed. However, even with the seals... I don't really know what's inside."

Xiao Ce himself didn't know either; he simply wrote to them, asking them to send him the best weapons they had at the time.

As they were talking, Qian Dafang said to Xiao Ce, "By the way, Your Highness, I still have that list with me."

As Qian Dafang spoke, he began to rummage through his clothes for a while.

He took out an envelope, which was sealed with wax.

Xiao Ce excitedly opened the envelope after receiving it, and his face immediately lit up with a wide smile upon seeing the contents.