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

Xiao Yang snorted coldly: "Do you know more about what's going on in the northern desert than I do?"

It looked like the two were about to start fighting.

Xiao Dingbang tried to persuade them, saying, "Alright, we're talking about the Western Regions delegation. Don't get sidetracked. Eighth Brother, do you have any suggestions? If you do, then make them. If you don't, then don't bother others."

Xiao Xiangqing cupped his hands, a sly glint in his eyes, and said, "Father, I haven't decided yet."

Although he tried to control it very discreetly, Xiao Ce still saw it all.

Xiao Yang wanted to retort, but Xiao Ce stopped him with a look.

Xiao Dingbang said, "Since you haven't thought it through, then think about your own! I have already sent people to investigate the Second Prince's achievements in the Northern Desert, and they are as real as gold! Anyone who uses this to attack the Second Prince will not be spared by me!"

Then, Xiao Dingbang said to Xiao Yang, "Second brother, your loyalty is commendable! However, as everyone has said, if we send heavy troops to guard that place now, we will be caught between a rock and a hard place. Although you have temporarily subdued the Turks, the Turks are ambitious and will surely take advantage of any weakness in the northern desert. In that case, it will truly be a case of losing more than you gain."

Xiao Yang cupped his hands and said, "Father, then give me another 100,000 troops. Even if they amass 200,000 troops, I will make sure they can't get through! I swear on my life! Besides, Father, didn't you mention a strategy of stationing troops for farming? With 100,000 troops, I can garrison the border on one side and farm the land on the other! No matter how hard the people from the Western Regions try to invade, they won't be able to get in."

"Furthermore, their Western Regions Alliance is a coalition of many countries. Their 200,000 troops are undoubtedly a combined force, and there must be many problems within it... Your Majesty, I am very experienced in dealing with such matters. The Turks were also a coalition of dozens of tribes before, but once they suffered a defeat and showed signs of weakness, they suffered repeated defeats!"

“As long as we wear them down, it won’t be long before their 200,000-strong allied army has many conflicts. Once these conflicts arise, I can dismantle them from within.”

Xiao Yang spoke animatedly about the methods Xiao Ce had taught him.

The officials, both civil and military, brightened up upon hearing this and chimed in, "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! This method is superb! Your Majesty, the Second Prince truly lives up to his reputation as someone who has rendered great service in the Northern Desert. This method is brilliant!"

“Excellent! This method will allow us to avoid bowing down to the Western Regions people... I also believe this method is feasible!”

Xiao Dingbang nodded: "This method is indeed good. Do you have any other ideas?"

The civil and military officials looked at each other...

For a moment, no one spoke.

Xiao Xiangqing said, "Father, I think that if we follow the Second Prince's idea, we will break ties with the Western Regions. They will not give up an inch of land. Not only will they not return the prefecture east of Yumen Pass, but they will also guard the natural barrier of Nushan Mountain!"

"This plan is truly the worst possible strategy. Right now, the Western Regions only want the territory of Yumen Pass. Perhaps we should feign agreement first, then they will hand over the natural barrier of Nushan Mountain, as well as the nine cities and one prefecture east of Yumen Pass..."

"We only need to pretend to agree to their demands, and we can gain the natural barrier of Nushan and a prefecture without losing a single soldier! We can also force them to withdraw their troops, giving us enough time to plan our next move!"

"As long as they lower their guard and we are prepared, we can reclaim the lost territory! Father, we'll find out which of the two methods is better and which is worse once we test it out!"

Those who had initially supported Xiao Yang began to speak again.

"The Eighth Prince's method is indeed better. On the one hand, it can ease tensions. We can use delaying tactics to agree to their demands and get them to make concessions, while we can also reclaim some territory. Then we can plan for the long term... This method is excellent!"

"Indeed, the Eighth Prince's method is more prudent than the Second Prince's. It's better than directly provoking the Western Regions. Although the Second Prince is very confident, if negotiations break down here, I'm afraid His Highness won't have time to mobilize troops and will face a fierce attack from the Western Regions..."

...

Looking at these ministers, Xiao Ce realized they really were opportunists.

However, although Xiao Xiangqing did not say it explicitly, he could tell that his plan was clearly in consultation with the emperor.

The next thing to do is to send Xiao Ce as a hostage.

Yin Weiyong, that old fox, also understood, just as the ministers were talking.

Yin Weiyong asked Xiao Ce in a very secretive manner.

Xiao Ce gestured for him to add fuel to the fire, after Xiao Ce learned the truth about the Tiger Legion's rebellion.

He increasingly wanted to go to the Western Regions legitimately.

After Yin Weiyong received Xiao Ce's approval.

He stepped forward and said to Xiao Dingbang, "Your Majesty, I also believe that the Eighth Prince's method is better. After all, from any perspective, our Xiao Kingdom is not in a suitable position! Winning would be fine, but our Xiao Kingdom cannot afford a defeat!"

Xiao Dingbang said, "So, you also support us ceding territory?"

Yin Weiyong shook his head and said, "Of course not... We can negotiate with them! Our bottom line is not to cede land, but as a token of our gratitude, we can lend them that county for a period of several decades... We'll discuss the specifics later... As for the lease, that will be easier to discuss in the future. If we want to, we can simply say we don't want to lease it anymore."

"Once we're ready, we can say we don't want to lease it anymore. If they don't agree, then we can launch a military operation!"

After Yin Weiyong spoke, Xiao Dingbang nodded repeatedly.

"As expected of Prime Minister Yin, your method is brilliant..."

He then turned to Xiao Yang and asked, "Second Prince, do you have a problem with this?"

Xiao Yang cupped his hands to Xiao Dingbang and said, "Your Majesty, if that's the case, I have no objection! However, I still volunteer to guard the western border! I want to be where Xiao Kingdom needs me most!"

Xiao Dingbang listened with a look of approval: "Good, worthy of being my good son!"

Just then, Xiao Wenqin, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "Father, our idea is indeed very good. However, the people from the Western Regions delegation are not stupid... They won't believe whatever we say. They won't agree even if we state it so clearly."

Xiao Dingbang nodded and said, "Isn't it up to Prime Minister Yin and the others to negotiate?"

Xiao Wenqin said, "When we go to negotiate, we must show our sincerity. Just talking won't do! We need to show some sincerity. So, in my opinion, we also need to show some sincerity!"

As he spoke, Xiao Wenqin cupped his hands to Yin Weiyong and said, "Prime Minister Yin, don't you agree?"

Yin Weiyong nodded and said, "The Thirteenth Prince is right!"

Xiao Dingbang saw that everything was going along with his wishes.

He was secretly pleased, but knowing the answer already, he asked, "Then what sincerity do you think you can offer that will not cause any loss to our Xiao Kingdom, but will still satisfy them?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Xiangqing gave a wink to one of their ministers.

A minister, bowing respectfully, said, "Your Majesty, I do have a solution. We can offer one of the princes as a hostage. This show of sincerity is worth a fortune and will absolutely convince them of our goodwill, causing them to withdraw their troops and trust our stance..."

The minister's words immediately caused an uproar.

Among the princes, many looked tense, especially those who were relatively unknown.

“This is indeed a good idea, but every prince is a treasure of our Xiao Kingdom. Moreover, they certainly won’t trust ordinary princes, but it’s not safe to trust princes that our Xiao Kingdom values ​​highly.”

...

Just after the ministers had finished their chatter...

Xiao Dingbang said to Yin Weiyong, "Prime Minister Yin, what do you think?"

Yin Weiyong remained silent for a moment before saying, "This method is indeed a demonstration of our utmost sincerity... If we use a prince as a hostage, the Western Regions will certainly believe in our sincerity. Even if we propose leasing out the Jade Gate Pass, they can still negotiate! However, as the ministers have said, which prince to send..."

Xiao Dingbang already had the answer in his heart, but he still pretended to look at the group of princes.

The princes who were being targeted by Xiao Dingbang all lowered their heads, not daring to even lift them.

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly and said, "Can't you all learn from the Second Prince? You always say you're willing to share my burdens! But when it's actually my turn to share my burdens, none of you dare to speak up?"

"You don't need to be afraid. Although you are going to the Western Regions as hostages, as long as our Xiao Kingdom exists, the people of the Western Regions will definitely treat you well and there will be absolutely no danger!"

Upon hearing Xiao Dingbang's words, everyone lowered their heads.

At that moment, Xiao Dingbang looked at Xiao Xiangqing, clearly indicating that he wanted him to suggest that Xiao Ce come over.

At this moment, Xiao Yang, at Xiao Ce's prompting...

He patted his chest and said, "Father, why don't I go? I've rendered meritorious service in the Northern Desert. If you send me, those people from the Western Regions certainly won't suspect anything... I am also the second prince of the Xiao Kingdom... so I'll go!"

When Xiao Yang spoke, a look of panic flashed across Xiao Dingbang's face.

After all, Xiao Yang had performed such a remarkable feat in the northern desert.

Moreover, the generals of Xiao Kingdom are constantly dying out, and it is not easy for someone as capable as Xiao Yang to emerge.

If he were to actually go, it would be as if he had lost an arm.

However, he could no longer directly refute it.

Just then, Yin Weiyong stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I think this is inappropriate."

Upon hearing Yin Weiyong's words, Xiao Dingbang was overjoyed and quickly asked, feigning concern, "Oh? Why is that?"

Yin Weiyong then said, "Your Majesty, it's very simple! The Second Prince has just made an unparalleled contribution in the northern desert, which has earned him the respect of the Xiao Kingdom's army."

"It is precisely because of the matter concerning the King of Zhen that the morale of our soldiers in the Great Xiao Kingdom has been shaken. Therefore, we urgently need someone to lead our Xiao Kingdom army to rebuild morale, and I think His Highness the Second Prince is the most suitable candidate. In addition, the Second Prince has volunteered to guard the border at Yumen Pass. If he goes as a hostage, we will lose a very powerful barrier."

"Therefore, I believe that among Your Majesty's many princes, any of them may go... except for the Second Prince!"

Listening to Yin Weiyong's analysis, Xiao Ce thought to himself, "My father-in-law is really a divine helper."

Moreover, what he said was reasonable and well-founded.

This drew the agreement of a group of ministers, as well as some ministers from Xiao Yang's maternal clan, who naturally did not want Xiao Yang to be a hostage.

Seeing this, Xiao Dingbang said, "Prime Minister Yin is right. The Second Prince volunteered to guard the border. Are there any others?"

The princes lowered their heads again.

Xiao Yang spoke up before Xiao Xiangqing could, saying, "Then let Xiao Ce go... He's the eldest prince and the King of Mobei, his status is more than enough!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiangqing looked surprised.

After all, he knew Xiao Ce's true colors.

Xiao Yang was a puppet; Xiao Ce was the real instigator.

Although he couldn't see their purpose in doing so.

However, he was confident that as long as Xiao Ce went to the Western Regions, no matter how powerful he was, he would be at the mercy of others.

After all, Mr. Qianlong also approves of this.

Xiao Ce's strength lay primarily in his subordinates, but in the Western Regions, his uncle held the power to control those subordinates.

At that point, it won't be as easy as it seems to manipulate Xiao Ce.

At this moment, Xiao Xiangqing looked over and found that Xiao Ce had a surprised expression on his face, staring at Xiao Yang with wide eyes, as if he wanted to breathe fire.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Xiangqing immediately understood, thinking to herself, "It seems like it's a dog-eat-dog situation. Xiao Yang also wants to break free from Xiao Ce's control..."

Seeing this, Xiao Xiangqing cupped his hands and said, "Father, I believe the eldest prince's identity is most suitable... Firstly, the eldest prince has a close relationship with the King of Zhen, and the current turmoil at Yumen Pass was instigated by the King of Zhen. Sending him there would be a way to atone for the King of Zhen's sins. Secondly, the eldest prince is of noble birth, being the eldest son of the legitimate wife. Sending him as a hostage will surely demonstrate our sincerity to the Western Regions delegation..."

Xiao Xiangqing paused, then continued in a sarcastic tone, "Thirdly... the First Prince and the Second Prince are close. The Second Prince is stationed on the border, while the First Prince is a hostage. They might be able to secretly communicate about the situation inside the Western Regions, and they could coordinate an attack from within..."

After Xiao Xiangqing's analysis, Yin Weiyong spoke up, and the Second Prince and the Eighth Prince also spoke up.

Therefore, all the opportunists in the court echoed this sentiment.

Xiao Ce watched as the fish took the bait, thinking to himself that his acting skills were actually quite good.

Seeing this, he cupped his hands, putting on a convincing act of extreme panic and unease, trembling as he said, "Father...no...your son is just a deposed crown prince, absolutely not..."