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

Diliti naturally understood the emperor's implied meaning.

He cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you very much, Your Majesty! This time, we also brought along two capable assistants of General Wang Ren, Wuwei and Linbang. If you need evidence, we can arrange for them to testify directly!"

Xiao Dingbang nodded: "Alright, Diliti, it's getting late. You've had a long journey, go and rest."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Xiao Xiangqing beside her.

"Eighth Brother, go see them off."

Seeing that Xiao Dingbang did not agree to deal with Xiao Ce, Xiao Xiangqing did not bring it up again.

After all, he knew from Mr. Qianlong's guidance that Xiao Ce was not easy to deal with.

Moreover, he guessed what Xiao Dingbang wanted to do: he was thinking of sending Xiao Ce as a hostage to the Western Regions.

Without thinking much, he nodded and gestured for the others to proceed.

Dilit seemed unwilling to leave.

Xiao Dingbang asked, "Diliti, do you have any other questions?"

Diliti asked Xiao Dingbang, "Your Majesty, so our strongest man in the Western Regions is dead... is that all there is to it?"

Before Xiao Dingbang could speak, Yin Weiyong said, "Grand Preceptor Diliti, you should know that a life-or-death agreement was signed before we started... Since we're going to die, then we'll each take responsibility."

"Grand Preceptor, you can't even afford to lose this, can you?"

Diliti's expression changed slightly, and he finally froze on the spot, giving a wry smile: "Your Majesty, is that what you mean too?"

Xiao Dingbang nodded and said, "You were the ones who brought up the life-or-death agreement. Now that it's been drafted, everyone has to abide by it, don't you agree?"

Diliti cupped his hands in farewell and said nothing more.

They left under Xiao Xiangqing's guidance.

...

The remaining officials, not daring to leave since Xiao Dingbang had not spoken, did not dare to leave either.

Xiao Dingbang asked Xing Shoulu and Yin Weiyong to stay, as well as Xiao Wenqin.

The others were allowed to leave.

Xiao Dingbang then asked, "Prime Minister Yin, Lord Xing, do you think what these people from the Western Regions are saying is true? Is this situation really caused by the rebellion of the King of Zhen?"

Yin Weiyong looked at Xiao Dingbang: "Your Majesty, isn't the evidence now conclusive?"

Xing Shoulu bowed and said, "Prime Minister Yin is right. Now the evidence is irrefutable, and the King of Zhen is guilty! Moreover, His Majesty has always been certain that he is guilty. How come he has doubts now that the evidence is so overwhelming?"

Seeing how formal the two men were, Xiao Dingbang was about to speak.

Xiao Wenqin spoke up from the side, saying, "Father, I think Ninth Imperial Uncle may have had this thought before. However, I believe there must be another reason behind the chaos at Yumen Pass."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Xiao Dingbang asked, intrigued.

Xiao Wenqin cupped his hands and said, "Because that's the only way they can say it. They've changed their invasion into a righteous invasion, which at least gives them a moral high ground. Their garrison has also been changed to a defensive position. If we go and fight directly, we'll be branded as ungrateful."

"Moreover, the Tiger Legion is known for its fighting prowess, and it is impossible for the Western Regions Alliance Army to defeat the Tiger Legion overnight."

Yin Weiyong said, "What if there are internal problems? They keep saying that General Wang Ren is going to rebel, but Wang Ren is already dead. Now only two generals under Wang Ren are left! It is obvious that these two have been subdued by them."

Xiao Wenqin's eyes lit up, and he said to Xiao Dingbang, "Father, since that's the case, why don't we have Lord Xing take Wuwei and Lin Bang in for interrogation? Let's see if there's anything hidden! The King of Zhen's guilt is already set in stone with that letter. Now, for us, the interests of the country naturally come first. We need to know if it's really as they say, that they entered the pass to help quell the rebellion."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction: "Wenqin, you're right! Lord Xing, go and take a look from this point."

He then looked at Yin Weiyong and said, "Prime Minister Yin, you should also be careful when you negotiate with them."

Yin Weiyong's gaze was firm: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I know what I'm doing. What they said earlier sounds nice, but I don't agree with it... Even if the King of Zhen led the Tiger Army in a rebellion, this is our country's internal affair. If we didn't invite them in, we would be traitors."

Xiao Dingbang nodded in satisfaction: "That's right, that's the point. Tomorrow, when you go to negotiate, you should assess the situation. If their conditions are reasonable, we can agree. However, if their conditions are excessive, we absolutely cannot agree to them."

Yin Weiyong bowed and agreed.

I glanced at the time and realized it was getting late, so I let them go home.

...

At this moment, in Xiao Yang's mansion.

Xiao Yang was enthusiastically recounting the situation inside the palace to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce was not mistaken; Consort Hui still had many spies in the palace.

After Xiao Yang finished speaking, he said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, you are truly amazing. After Ninth Imperial Uncle died, Father seems to have become less wary of him. Now he is more concerned about his own interests. It seems that Xiao Xiangqing, that son of a bitch, won't be able to keep jumping around for much longer."

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily true."

Xiao Yang asked with some surprise, "Brother, isn't the emperor just someone who likes to use people and then discard them? Does that Xiao Xiangqing still have any value to be used?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "He doesn't have one, but that Dilit does. Moreover, Xiao Xiangqing has a Mr. Qianlong behind him, so Xiao Xiangqing won't be given up on so quickly."

Xiao Yang nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Before Xiao Yang could speak, Xiao Ce continued, "Go and find someone to inform Da Lei and tell them to suspend the plan."

Xiao Yang nodded. Having followed Xiao Ce for so long, he had learned not to ask questions he shouldn't ask.

It's about doing things honestly and diligently.

Xiao Wenqin's suggestion to follow the emperor's advice in the palace just now saved him a lot of trouble.

After all, if he were to seize Wuwei and Linbang, there would inevitably be unnecessary trouble.

Now that the Ministry of Justice has taken over the case, they can conduct the trial legitimately.

He simply doesn't know what Xiao Wenqin is up to.

The next day.

Da Lei returned early and told Xiao Ce.

Wu Wei, Lin Bang, and seven or eight others were taken to the Department of Punishments by Xiao Xiangqing.

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Then we just need to wait for Xing Shoulu to give us a result!"

Hearing Xiao Ce's words, Da Lei shook his head and said, "Your Highness, you'd better not have too much hope. The fact that these people from the Western Regions dared to bring these two people here and even hand them over voluntarily means they're definitely not afraid of interrogation here. Besides, they know the instructor who taught us, so it's not difficult for them to use any counter-interrogation methods against us."

Xiao Ce nodded upon hearing this and said to Da Lei, "You're right, but we don't need to rush this... let the dog emperor rush it."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce muttered to himself, "It seems that Mr. Qianlong does have some skill. He truly knows how to remain unchanged amidst all changes."

After saying that, Xiao Ce asked Da Lei to continue accompanying him to combat training.

It wasn't until Xiao Yang called that the first round of negotiations was about to begin.

Xiao Ce changed his clothes and then got into the carriage with Xiao Yang.

"Xiao Yang, did that dog emperor ask you about my use of the gun yesterday?"

Xiao Yang shook his head: "Yesterday, the dog emperor was led astray by them and was concerned about the matter of Yumen Pass, so he didn't come to ask me. Your Majesty, don't worry, even if he does ask me, I will definitely do as you say and deceive him. I'll say that this thing can only be used once every few months."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Can he be trusted?"

Xiao Yang replied, "He has no choice but to believe it!"

As they were talking, the carriage arrived at the palace gate.

The negotiations with the envoys took place in the main hall of the palace.

Yin Weiyong and a group of his chosen delegations arrived early.

Xiao Yang and Xiao Ce thought they were too late, but to their surprise, neither Xiao Xiangqing nor Xiao Wenqin had arrived.

They were the first of the princes to arrive.

Upon seeing this, Yin Weiyong came over to greet him.

Since they were alone, Yin Weiyong asked them if they knew about what happened in the palace last night.

Xiao Yang first shook his head, then nodded.

He then asked, "Prime Minister Yin, I don't know which matter from yesterday you're referring to?"

Yin Weiyong simply repeated it once.

Xiao Yang then said, "Prime Minister Yin, if this is what you're referring to, I know... what kind of tactics you're using today."

Yin Weiyong then recounted the details of today's negotiations, as well as Xiao Guo's attitude, to the two of them.

This includes the emperor's demands and the bottom line of this negotiation.

Xiao Ce nodded after listening. What Yin Weiyong said was exactly the same as the information Xiao Yang had received.

"My dear son-in-law, what are your thoughts on this negotiation?" Yin Weiyong asked Xiao Ce politely when he saw that no one was around except Xiao Yang.

Xiao Ce shook his head: "Father-in-law, we'll do everything as you say. I'm just here to listen in..."

Before Xiao Yang could speak, a voice came from beside him.

"Prime Minister Yin, you've arrived quite early! What are you chatting about so early in the morning?"

The person who arrived was Xiao Xiangqing.

Xiao Xiangqing walked up with a smug look on his face.

His joy stemmed entirely from the fact that the King of Zhen had been convicted, and the Court of Punishments had issued a decree.

At this time, the King of Zhen's tombstone in the royal mausoleum was inscribed with his crimes.

He believed he had already won.

Moreover, yesterday Diliti changed his tune about their Western Regions alliance's invasion, calling it an assistance to the Xiao Kingdom.

This instantly turned them into the 'benefactors' of the Great Xiao Kingdom.

Moreover, after Xiao Xiangqing returned yesterday, he received advice from Mr. Qianlong.

This time, he was full of confidence that he could help his uncle, Dilit.

Moreover, Mr. Qianlong's suggestion did not make him hold back any longer.

At this moment, he was filled with indignation, as if he were sharpening his knife to slaughter pigs and sheep.

Yin Weiyong said with a smile, "Eighth Prince, I'm just going to tell the two princes the purpose of our negotiations."

Xiao Xiangqing glanced at the two men and said, "Prime Minister Yin, aren't you just wasting your breath talking to them? Father didn't let them listen yesterday, and his intention was very clear: he didn't want them to get involved!"