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

Xiao Dingbang looked at Xiao Ce's timid and hesitant demeanor.

A chill ran down his spine; he felt a deep-seated contempt for Xiao Ce.

If he didn't need to use him, he really wanted to give him a piece of his mind.

"Xiao Ce, I didn't depose you from your position as crown prince. You resigned from the position yourself. You don't need to belittle yourself. Xiao Yang has told me everything you did in the Northern Desert. You have made a contribution in the Northern Desert!"

"Prime Minister Yin is right, you are indeed the best choice. Moreover, you and the Second Prince cooperated so well in the Northern Desert. If you cooperate again this time and achieve merit, I will certainly not forget you!"

Xiao Ce's expression at this moment was even more disgusting than if he had eaten shit.

He then said, "Father... Your son... Your son is afraid..."

Seeing Xiao Ce's cowardly expression, Xiao Dingbang was furious and immediately said, "Alright, what are you afraid of... With our Xiao Kingdom as your backing, and Xiao Yang leading troops to support you on the Yumen Pass side, what are you afraid of... what are you afraid of?"

Xiao Yang chimed in, "That's right, what are you afraid of! It's decided! Or are you unwilling? You need to understand that the Emperor hasn't implicated you in your relationship with the King of Zhen, which is already a great favor! If you don't want to go, do you want the Emperor to investigate you thoroughly?"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Ce looked panicked and said, "I dare not... I dare not... Your Majesty... Your Majesty is willing... but can you guarantee my safety?"

Xiao Dingbang's eyes betrayed his disdain as he thought to himself, "They're both sons."

How come there's such a big difference between my sons?

He suppressed his impatience and said, "Don't worry, we're sending you as a hostage, not to die. But don't act timid or subservient, and don't embarrass our Xiao Kingdom after you're gone."

Xiao Ce looked extremely unwilling, but still had no choice but to agree.

Xiao Xiangqing watched from the side with a furrowed brow, thinking that Xiao Ce was truly a good actor...

After this matter was settled, Xiao Dingbang brought up other things.

Previously, Xiao Wenqin proposed the method of stationing farmers for farming, and planning has already begun.

This includes the practice of mixing sand into disaster relief food.

The results were naturally excellent.

After these relief food supplies arrived in the area, some people still wanted to 'borrow' the food.

It turned out that the relief grain was mixed with sand and soil, and I wanted to deal with it.

However, separating them is extremely difficult, and some parts simply cannot be filtered out.

Moreover, grains mixed with sand are really hard to swallow even after cooking.

Even if you sell it for a pittance, nobody will want it.

Therefore, these grains, still covered in sand, were able to reach the disaster victims.

These relief supplies, covered in sand and dust, were not valued by the local powerful and wealthy, but they reached the disaster victims.

The disaster victims regarded these relief grains as their life. When the relief grains were distributed to each disaster victim, they would patiently separate the relief grains from the sand and soil.

Therefore, when the grain actually reached the hands of the disaster victims, they had enough patience to pick out the sand and dirt from it.

This method became a very good method.

This time, the officials once again lavishly praised Xiao Ce, the scapegoat.

Xiao Ce knew perfectly well that they were trying to use him as a hostage to embellish their image.

However, he accepted them all with pleasure.

After all, this news, once it reached the hearts of the people, gave him a positive image.

This is also something they helped themselves without even realizing it.

As for offending those local powerful families and gentry, he didn't care at all.

Once he has enough confidence and is free to deal with them, he will be the first to go after them.

This morning's court session was very fruitful.

After the morning court session, another round of negotiations began.

At the negotiating table, Yin Weiyong brought up the concept of leasing.

The Western Regions delegation had clearly reached an agreement with Xiao Xiangqing.

Everyone compromised and it worked.

Although a rental agreement was reached, the rental period became another issue.

The people from the Western Regions made outrageous demands, asking for two hundred years.

The Xiao Kingdom would naturally not agree to this, even though it was thinking of waiting until the Xiao Kingdom resolved its internal affairs.

We will still try to take over those places.

However, everyone's idea was to rent the property for a shorter period and avoid any conflict.

So, the next day, everyone argued heatedly for a long time, but still no useful information was obtained.

Only a preliminary agreement was reached: the Western Regions ceded a prefecture east of Yumen Pass, while the Xiao Kingdom lent a prefecture west of Yumen Pass to the Western Regions.

As for the time limit, no one has reached an agreement.

Over the next few days, everyone discussed the matter, and then proposed that Xiao Ce be sent as a hostage as a sign of sincerity.

They finally reached an agreement on the third day.

The territory of one prefecture and ten cities west of Yumen Pass was leased to the Western Regions Alliance for thirty years, and a non-aggression pact and a peace treaty were signed at the same time.

This includes an agreement that the number of troops stationed at the border shall not exceed 50,000.

After they reached this agreement, Xiao Dingbang once again hosted a banquet for the officials and the delegation.

Because the Western Regions delegation was also in a hurry to return.

After the banquet, he ordered Xiao Ce to make preparations.

As a hostage, Yin Weiyong managed to secure some benefits for him, and he was accompanied by a hundred guards and subordinates.

The Western Regions delegation gave Xiao Ce a day to prepare.

Xiao Yang's residence.

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce with a complicated expression.

He felt a mix of joy and confusion...

He even felt somewhat despicable.

Logically speaking, Xiao Yang should have been completely free after Xiao Ce left.

However, he actually found it somewhat enjoyable to be controlled by Xiao Ce during this period.

After all, although he had previously received the emperor's protection, he did not feel respected.

But things are different now.

During the time he was controlled by Xiao Ce, he received respect.

Even the emperor looked at him with new respect.

He was terrified that without Xiao Ce's help, he would turn back into the same person he was before.

"Brother, you're gone... what am I going to do?"

Looking at Xiao Yang's expression, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "What's wrong? Did I get enough of beating you up? You don't want me to leave?"

Xiao Yang chuckled, scratching his head: "Brother, at first I was indeed unconvinced... but now I'm willingly your dog. I've discovered that being your dog is great... I genuinely do things for you, and you really do give me real benefits. I've even gotten a bit of a thrill from being tortured by you..."

???

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang with disdain and said, "You're disgusting."

Xiao Yang chuckled again and then said, "Your Highness... I'm telling the truth... I'm afraid that the persona you worked so hard to build for me will be completely ruined once you leave."

"Didn't that dog emperor give you some new troops and send you to the Yumen Pass border? When the time comes, just lead your troops well and wait for my news!"

Xiao Yang gave an awkward smile: "Brother, others may not know, but don't I know my own limitations? How could I possibly lead troops?"

"Don't worry about that. I've already sent a general over. Just listen to him! Even if war breaks out, you won't be afraid. Just train the troops according to his methods!"

Xiao Yang nodded as he listened, then looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Yang, "Speak your mind, why are you stammering?"

Xiao Yang rubbed his hands and said, "Brother, didn't you say you wanted me to be the Crown Prince? Now, not only the Eighth Prince, but also the Thirteenth Prince, are all by Father's side, while I've run so far away... Won't I be getting further and further away from the position of Crown Prince?"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Don't you know what kind of person this dog emperor Xiao Dingbang is? If you were here, he would constantly suppress you. Holding real power is the only way to win. And if I'm not mistaken, Xiao Dingbang's favorite is the thirteenth prince, and he wants him to be the crown prince."

Xiao Yang's eyes widened, somewhat puzzled.

Xiao Ce then began to explain: "It's actually very simple. If the emperor doesn't die soon after a crown prince is established, the emperor will worry that the crown prince will harm him. Both you and Xiao Xiangqing, your maternal families are too powerful now. So if Xiao Dingbang, an extremely selfish person, were to establish you as crown prince, it would arouse his suspicion. They are afraid that you will kill him."

"If we choose the thirteenth prince, Xiao Wenqin, we won't have this worry. After all, Xiao Wenqin's maternal family is prestigious, but those civil officials and scholars are fine with writing, but they are not capable of wielding weapons."

"Therefore, he is naturally not a threat, so making Xiao Wenqin the crown prince is the most suitable choice for him."

Xiao Yang nodded in agreement: "So, I left this place. Xiao Xiangqing and Xiao Wenqin will fight like dogs, while I'll build up my prestige in the army. Even if I don't become the crown prince, I'll have the support of the troops. I'll become an uncrowned king..."

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction and patted Xiao Yang's head: "Good... you even know how to use the uncrowned king now... I didn't let you stay by my side for nothing."

Xiao Yang asked, "Then, Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "He's very generous with money..."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Your Majesty, don't worry. My mother has always wanted a merchant to support us, but we haven't found a suitable one... Now, you've just sent one over, it's perfect timing. Don't worry, we will definitely do our best to support Qian Dafang."

Xiao Ce nodded.

After speaking with Xiao Yang, she went to the Heavenly Prison.

I went to find Ma Su.

Ma Su also knew that Xiao Ce was going to be a hostage.

"Your Highness, you don't need to worry about me. I will use my abilities to find her..."

Xiao Ce said to Ma Su, "I came to see you this time because of this matter."

Ma Su looked at Xiao Ce with a slightly puzzled expression.

Xiao Ce said to Ma Su, "In your current situation, it will be difficult for you to find clues. I have an idea that might be helpful to you."

Ma Su looked at Xiao Ce with a puzzled expression.

Xiao Ce said, "I want you to set up an intelligence department here."

Ma Su asked in confusion, "The intelligence department?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, it's an intelligence agency in Kyoto. Your intelligence needs to infiltrate various departments and industries."

Ma Su nodded: "I understand what you mean, but setting up such an intelligence department requires enormous financial resources... and time..."

Xiao Ce said to Ma Su, "Money is not a problem... As for people, I will trust you and send some people to guide you... What I need now is your attitude."

Without even thinking, Ma Su said to Xiao Ce, "Of course I'm willing. So, should I resign from my position in the Department of Punishments?"

Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "Of course not. Your position can serve as a perfect disguise for you..."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce took out a small notebook and handed it to Ma Su: "This contains some precautions and procedures for establishing an intelligence department."

This manual was compiled by Xiao Ce based on his modern knowledge and some spy dramas he watched in later generations.

He has already begun to have Fei Du implement it in the northern desert region.

Fei Du initially centered around Raven, but following Xiao Ce's suggestion, they used a radiating approach to extend this intelligence center to various industries and groups of people.

It is no exaggeration to say that Yin Pan'er, as the supreme commander of the northern desert, can know about any disturbance in the northern desert immediately.

If Yin Pan'er wanted to, he could use Fei Du's department to learn about a person's daily behavior down to the smallest detail... if he wanted to monitor someone.

Yin Pan'er can achieve the ability to know every single word someone says every day.

Of course, the reason why the establishment of the northern desert was so smooth has its own special characteristics.

Achieving this effect in Kyoto is not easy...

However, everything has a process of going from nothing to something.

Ma Su looked at the booklet, flipped through a few pages, and was instantly captivated.

Xiao Ce said to Ma Su, "Go back and read it. After you've read it and memorized it, don't keep it to yourself. Destroy it immediately."

Ma Su nodded: "Then the money issue... you need a lot of money to set up such a department."

Xiao Ce nodded: "On the one hand, you can get Qian Dafang to cooperate with you. On the other hand, if you need money, just go to Qian Dafang and he will support you indefinitely."

Ma Su asked in surprise, "No restrictions?"

"No limits!"

Ma Su's eyes lit up with excitement: "Your Highness, I will definitely handle this well."

"I have only one request for you: even if you find the people who killed your whole family, you must remain calm... Everything must be done only after you have my approval. Do not act rashly, because you are at the very top of this intelligence organization. If something goes wrong with you, all the preliminary work you have done may be in vain."

Ma Su nodded: "Your Highness, don't worry! I can do it!"

After giving his instructions, Xiao Ce didn't linger and turned to leave.

Ma Su seemed to suddenly remember something and called out to Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, I have something I'd like to ask you!"