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

Yin Pan'er smiled and said to Nie Bing, "Sister Nie Bing, it seems you're starting to get interested in him?"

Nie Bing's face showed a slight embarrassment: "I was thinking of following him to see if I could get close to him and take revenge!"

Yin Pan'er smiled without saying anything, and did not expose her.

Because she had completely experienced Nie Bing's emotional journey at that moment.

The more she learned about him, the more she discovered that Xiao Ce would give her some surprises every day.

Whether it was his self-deprecation as crown prince, his disturbance in the capital, his efforts to win over the prisoners, his coercion of the emperor to provide him with supplies, his bold conscription, or tonight's sugar production and salt refining, all these actions demonstrate his commitment to the cause.

Each and every one of these events refreshed Yin Pan'er's understanding of Xiao Ce.

This also includes Xiao Ce's actions towards Nie Bing.

She really couldn't see through Xiao Ce.

...

Xiao Ce woke up early the next day and, as always, practiced the Eight Vajra Skill several times.

Then I went to check on the servants who were busy at work.

They hadn't slept all night, but they were all energetic and showed no signs of fatigue.

"Everyone, you've all worked hard. You've all been busy all night, so please get some rest."

Lin Zhong walked over and said, "Your Highness, this batch will be finished in no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Last night, we produced 300 catties of snowflake sugar frosting and 600 catties of fine salt! Moreover, we discovered that we can increase the number of tools and use the waiting time to make two batches at the same time! If we do it tonight, we can definitely make even more."

Xiao Ce said with great satisfaction, "Very good, Uncle Zhong! Go and arrange carriages for them. Let them rest well during the day."

Lin Zhong nodded and said, "Yes, sir."

Xiao Ce said, "Uncle Zhong, I'll be leaving for the next few days, so I'll leave things here to you."

"Your Highness? Where are you going?"

Xiao Ce said, "I'll go to the heart of the Central Plains first, to the most prosperous city of Anhua! At the speed here, it would take at least ten days to get there. But if I travel light, I can get there in two days! That'll be perfect for opening up sales channels."

"Take advantage of this time to make more frosting and salt."

Lin Zhong nodded and said, "However, Your Highness, if you go alone, your safety may not be guaranteed!"

Xiao Ce waved his hand: "It's safer for me to leave here. I'll dress as a merchant. It'll definitely be much safer than staying here. Later, I'll have Han Da and Yan Jia find someone with a similar build to me to impersonate me."

"With the Twelve Great Thunder Fiends following me, I'm probably safer than the emperor."

The Twelve Fiends were a name that Xiao Ce came up with in a flash of inspiration last night.

He thought he was pretty good, just a little less impressive than the name 'Iron Egg'.

After spending the past few days together, Lin Zhong has come to know that Xiao Ce is a very decisive person.

He bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will take care of things here!"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "If we encounter robbers, survival is the most important thing. If they want to take this grain, let them take it! Understand?"

"Your Highness, rest assured. I will not allow anyone to steal these provisions! Besides, this area is not far from the capital, so it is still very safe," Lin Zhong said confidently.

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Alright, Uncle Zhong, I'll leave this to you. Let's split up. I'll give instructions to Han Da and Yan Jia later."

Lin Zhong bowed: "Your Highness, are you planning to take Miss Yin and Miss Nie Bing with you?"

“That’s right, didn’t we agree on this last night? Is there a problem?” Xiao Ce asked.

Lin Zhong frowned and said, "Miss Yin is fine, but I sensed murderous intent towards you from Miss Nie."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I know! Uncle Zhong, wild horses can be aggressive. But once tamed, they become good horses!"

“Your Highness, since you already know, I won’t say anything more!” Lin Zhong said, bowing.

Xiao Ce then called Han Da and Yan Jia over and gave them some instructions.

They then divided the refined salt and frosting sugar into portions, giving each of Da Lei and the others ten pounds to take.

Yin Pan'er and Nie Bing were already waiting at this moment.

"Miss Yin, we're going to set off on horseback. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Yin Pan'er said, "Your Highness, don't underestimate me... Although I am proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, I have also learned riding and archery since I was a child. Riding a horse is naturally no problem for me."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "That's fine then!"

As he spoke, he instructed Da Lei to put leather stirrups on all their horses.

He then patted Tie Dan on the shoulder, scrambled onto his horse, and said, "Our destination is Anhua City. Let's get there as quickly as possible, and avoid resting along the way if possible!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er and Nie Bing provocatively and said, "You two better not fall behind."

With that, Xiao Ce slapped his 'Iron Egg' and said, "Let's go!"

Tie Dan seemed to understand human nature; he called out once and ran out.

Tie Dan truly lived up to his reputation as a fine horse; as soon as he set off, he left them some distance behind.

"Your Highness, slow down!"

Da Lei shouted immediately.

After hearing Da Lei's words, Xiao Ce slowed down and said to Da Lei and the others, "By the way, remember not to call me Your Highness outside, call me Young Master!"

Da Lei nodded.

Xiao Ce spurred his horse and rode away.

...

The four prefectures of northern desert, Yanbei City, is a city located on the border with the Turks.

It is also the throat of the Mongolian Plateau and the Turkic region, and the gateway to the passage between the Mongolian Plateau and the Turkic region.

This is especially important for the four prefectures of Mobei.

At this moment, an arrogant middle-aged man stood on the city wall. This man was Bao An, the General of the Northern Garrison, and also the maternal uncle of the Second Prince.

At this time, a densely packed army had gathered more than ten miles outside the city of the Turks.

This is the Turkic cavalry army that they assembled from all the tribes.

“General Bao, what are the Turks waiting for?” asked one of the military advisors beside Bao An.

Bao An's face darkened. "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?! They're definitely waiting for us to send someone to negotiate! Have our envoys returned yet?"

The adjutant beside him shook his head: "Reporting to the general, they haven't returned yet!"

“Where is that good-for-nothing Xiao Ce? Where is he?” Bao An asked.

The military advisor cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to General Bao, according to the message sent by carrier pigeon, because the First Prince brought provisions, their marching speed is only a few dozen miles a day."

Bao An's eyes widened in disbelief: "What?! Dozens of miles? When will he ever get here?!"

“Father, didn’t the Second Prince send a letter? His Majesty gave him three thousand death row inmates. You don’t actually intend to rely on his three thousand death row inmates for support, do you?” Bao An’s son, Bao Cong, said from the side.

After listening, Bao An said, "Cong'er, when will you ever use your brain? What a waste of the name I gave you... Do you want those three thousand death row inmates? Do you want me to take the blame for everyone?"

“Look at the Turks’ posture. If they really attack, how can we resist them? If we lose the four northern prefectures before Xiao Ce arrives, we’ll have to take the blame. But if that good-for-nothing comes, he’ll be the one to take the blame for losing the four northern prefectures.”

The military advisor said, "General Bao, there's really no need to worry too much! After all, you have a good relationship with some of the Turkic generals... We can talk to them like before. Those Turks just want some money and some grain... No matter how many people they've gathered this time, they just want more..."

"And even if we take a step back and assume the Turks are unwilling to negotiate, and they do attack, General Bao, it's not entirely your fault. What did His Majesty send the First Prince here for? To reward the troops and provide support... But if he deliberately delays, he will also be held accountable."

Bao An nodded in agreement with what the soldier said and said, "You're right! However, the best-case scenario is still to have proper talks with the Turks!"

As they were talking, a strategist-like figure rushed over.

"General Bao, good news! Good news! The Turks are willing to negotiate! They are willing to negotiate!"

Hearing the tense expression on Bao An's face, he relaxed considerably: "Alright! Then quickly prepare all the good wine and food, and bring over all the pretty girls we captured, so we can serve the Turkic envoys well."

The strategist-like man listened to Bao An's words with some embarrassment: "General, it's not them coming this time."

Bao An frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"

The strategist said, "They want you to come over and talk!"