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

Hu Yidao asked with an incredulous look, "Are you sure you can train them?"

Xiao Ce smiled and raised an eyebrow: "We can't judge a book by its cover..."

Despite saying that, Xiao Ce wasn't really sure.

However, his thinking was simple: a little encouragement would be better than things being as they are now.

After Xiao Yang stepped forward, he followed the explanation that Xiao Ce had written for him.

Xiao Yang also learned some of Xiao Ce's oratory techniques from him.

A short while later, he got these people talking passionately.

It wasn't until the very end, when Xiao Yang revealed the benefits for their three armies, that the atmosphere reached its climax.

"Long live the Second Prince! Long live the Second Prince!"

Seeing the reactions of these 'oddballs' present, Xiao Ce knew that the matter was already settled.

"Money can make the devil turn the millstone; this saying is indeed true!"

Xiao Ce stopped reading after that.

This matter has come to a satisfactory conclusion.

Getting to know Lien Chan is a worthwhile experience.

After Xiao Yang finished speaking, he excitedly went to find Xiao Ce.

"Brother...Brother, I have never been so revered and worshipped by so many people!"

Seeing his excited expression, Xiao Ce said, "Then enjoy yourself. I've been away from there for long enough, and there must have been many changes in the Western Regions. I want to go and see."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Brother, if they don't relinquish the Nushan Pass, should we launch an attack?"

Xiao Ce shook his head: "No rush... You can use this time to train your troops and help me transport some things."

Xiao Yang nodded and asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, they won't attack, will they? Do we need to take any defensive measures?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "No need. If they attack, you guys run!"

Xiao Yang was even more puzzled when he heard Xiao Ce say this: "We're just going to run away?"

Xiao Ce nodded to Xiao Yang: "That's right. If they dare to come and attack you, I will have someone find a way to seize Yumen Pass and Nushan Pass as soon as possible. Then they will be in a dilemma."

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce with curiosity and said, "Brother, that's brilliant!"

Xiao Ce smiled but didn't say anything. He simply said to Xiao Yang, "This time, take good care of yourself and don't get captured again. Otherwise, I'll be busy coming to rescue you!"

Xiao Yang nodded: "Brother, don't worry, I'll take Fan Gang Ashina with me even when I'm taking a dump..."

As he spoke, Xiao Yang rubbed his hands together and looked at Xiao Ce.

Before he could even speak, Xiao Ce already knew what he wanted.

"Do you want to take a musket?"

Xiao Yang nodded and chuckled, "Not bad...Brother, those repeating crossbows you gave me before were really inconvenient to carry. If I had a fire lance, even if those experts wanted to kidnap me, they would all be equal before the fire lance!"

As he spoke, Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce with anticipation.

Xiao Ce glanced at Hu Yidao, then nodded at him.

As Hu Yidao spoke, he took out a flintlock pistol from his person and handed it to Xiao Yang.

After Xiao Yang took over the words about the flintlock musket, Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Practice properly first, so you don't hurt yourself instead of others."

Xiao Yang nodded respectfully: "Brother, could you teach me?"

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Yang, "Go find those generals from the Northern Desert; they all know how to use them."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Brother, do they all have these weapons?"

Xiao Ce did not deny it.

After exchanging a few words, Xiao Ce did not linger and prepared to leave with Hu Yidao.

Before leaving, I took Jiang Liu with me.

The main thing is that Jiang Liu is quite quick-witted. If there are important messages to be delivered in the future, we can let Jiang Liu handle it.

Jiang Liu was overjoyed after hearing this.

The three of them, carrying some goods, arrived at a pass in the Nushan Mountains.

Some soldiers who had been lying in ambush on one side came out. Fortunately, Wang Shouyi had brought them out earlier and made preparations for their return.

They produced the letter Wang Shouyi had prepared for travel, which included the items that needed to be purchased.

These soldiers checked very carefully.

Hu Yidao chimed in, "Gentlemen, everything's fine here, isn't it? We're all working for Old Wang. We've never seen such thorough checks before."

The leader-like figure glanced at Hu Yidao upon hearing his words and said, "Times have changed... Blame it on your generals from the Xiao Kingdom."

He looked at the Western Region leader with resentment as he spoke.

Jiang Liu, watching some soldiers being inspected, secretly slipped a small gold bean into the pocket of the leading general.

This amount of gold beans is just right, not too many, not too few.

It won't make him feel it's too little or unwilling to talk about it.

There wouldn't be too much, so as not to arouse his suspicion.

"Oh? What news? Sir, can you give us some information? If things are strict, is it still okay if we want to smuggle some of our own things?" Jiang Liu said, winking at the leading general.

The leading general touched the small golden bean, his expression softening considerably. He then asked Jiang Liu, "Is there anything like that in your shipment?"

Jiang Liu shook his head: "Sir, don't worry... not this time! I was just trying to find out, trying to earn some pocket money."

The leading general said to Jiang Liu, "It's good that there's nothing there! Otherwise, even if there was something smuggled, we should turn back the way we came. You guys should keep a low profile for now. Our commander-in-chief has been replaced recently... It's all former Tiger Legion soldiers. In your Xiao Kingdom's parlance, they're here to make a big show of their newfound power and establish their authority... They're investigating very strictly."

"You're still the first hurdle for us... Even if I let you pass, there are still the Tiger Legion patrolling behind you. If they find out, it's not just you who'll be in trouble. We'll all be in trouble too!"

Jiang Liu nodded: "Sir, what's going on... Weren't these people all taken back to Uzbekistan?"

The leading Western Region general said with a face full of resentment, "Who knew... after they came, they were given important positions... Anyway, you guys should just keep quiet for a while. These people are just looking for someone to take action against."

Hu Yidao then asked, "Sir, what are they arresting?"

The Western Regions general shook his head: "Who knows? They seem to be looking for something... but I don't know exactly what it is..."

After watching his subordinates finish their inspection, the leading Western Region general waved his hand.

"Alright! Go inside... Remember this! Behave yourselves these days."

Jiang Liu nodded and bowed, then went inside.

Because of the reminders from the Western Region generals at the entrance, Xiao Ce felt something was amiss, so he asked Hu Yidao to disguise him slightly...

As it turned out, Xiao Ce's foresight was indeed very necessary.

After they went inside, they soon encountered a five-person squad, all of whom were from the Xiao Kingdom.

Judging from their appearance, they should be members of the Tiger Legion.

They questioned them again and then checked them over.

They only released the goods after confirming that their order and the goods matched.

These people were serious and didn't smile, so Jiang Liu didn't dare to talk to them.

After they brought the goods in, they handed them over to Wang Shouyi on the Yumen Pass side.

Wang Shouyi asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, was your journey smooth? ...Did you see any members of the Tiger Legion?"

Xiao Ce nodded.

Seeing Wang Shouyi's expression, he continued, "Old Wang, how many Tiger Legion soldiers came this time? They were fast, weren't they?"

Wang Shouyi beamed with joy; he was extremely happy, for in his eyes these elite Tiger Warriors were like family.

"Your Highness, they have brought several hundred men. Although their numbers are small, they have already taken control of all the troops here."

"Your Highness, have you greeted them yet?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "No, I came here secretly this time... so I don't want to disturb their plans."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Wang Shouyi looked somewhat embarrassed.

Xiao Ce said to Wang Shouyi, "Wang Shouyi, you don't look well. What's wrong?"

Wang Shouyi awkwardly said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, I informed the commander here, Lin Yao, about your trip. He's a relative of Lin Bang... I hope there won't be any problems. I was thinking that if anything happens, they'll know immediately and help... I didn't expect Your Highness to want to keep a low profile..."

Seeing Wang Shouyi's embarrassed expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "It's alright, look how nervous you are. You told the Tiger Legion, not the Western Regions people... No problem. I still want to know what they're doing here."

Wang Shouyi said, "They should be taking over the Western Regions army here."

Xiao Ce nodded: "After you told Lin Yao, Lin Bang's confidant, about my trip to the Yumen Pass side, did Lin Yao say anything?"

"At first, he didn't believe me either... but after I said it so confidently, he finally believed me. He told me that when I came back, I must keep you here... and that I should inform him..."

After Wang Shouyi finished speaking, he saw Xiao Ce's serious expression and quickly added, "But Your Highness, don't worry... I haven't informed him yet... If you don't want him to know... I won't let him know! Even if he asks me, I'll just say you haven't come back."

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Wang Shouyi, "No need... Are you sure that Lin Yao is Lin Bang's confidant?"

Wang Shouyi nodded: "That's right. Lin Bang himself has no son, and Lin Yao is his uncle's son. Lin Bang has always treated him as his own son... So, he is definitely a trusted confidant!"

Xiao Ce was silent for a moment, then said to Wang Shouyi, "Do you know where he is?"

Wang Shouyi nodded.

Xiao Ce continued, "Then please take me there..."

Wang Shouyi listened and continued to nod.

Just then, Xiao Ce had an idea: "No need... Here's what you do, go and inform Lin Yao. If he asks, just say you didn't tell me anything. Just try to get me to stay here for the night..."

Wang Shouyi nodded again, then hurriedly left.

After Wang Shouyi left, Hu Yidao, who was standing nearby, asked, "Your Highness, do you not trust them? Aren't they one of our own?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I never trust anyone completely! Besides, neither the instructors nor Otok can keep their stories straight... which means only one side is lying..."

Hu Yidao scratched his head and said, "It's too complicated... Your Highness, indeed, not everyone has a brain like yours..."

Xiao Ce glanced at Hu Yidao, then said, "Alright, you're just sitting around anyway... We're having hot pot today... We need you to slice some meat!"

Seeing this, Hu Yidao nodded in agreement.

Although we don't have all the necessary equipment, we can still manage to eat something simple.

Right after they started eating.

A short while later, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard outside.

Hu Yidao had actually heard it all along, and Xiao Ce had signaled them to calm down.

A short while later, Wang Shouyi walked in first.

Xiao Ce acted as if nothing had happened and greeted Wang Shouyi, "Old Wang, come on... I'll show you something new today..."

Xiao Ce's words came to an abrupt halt as a young man of about seven or eight years old entered...

Even without Wang Shouyi's introduction, Xiao Ce could guess from the man's brisk walk and the striking resemblance between his eyebrows and Lin Bang's that this person was Lin Yao.

Xiao Ce's acting skills were also superb; his expression stiffened slightly at this moment.

"Who is this..."

Before Wang Shouyi could speak, Lin Yao stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Xiao Ce: "This humble general, Lin Yao, the Grand Commander of the Tiger Army, pays respects to His Highness the King of the Northern Desert!"

Xiao Ce sized up Lin Yao, then said to Wang Shouyi, "Old Wang, I didn't expect you to be a traitor?"

Watching Xiao Ce begin his performance, Wang Shouyi joined in and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, I think the Tiger Legion are our own people!"

Lin Yao cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, please don't mind... We meant no harm... We just learned that you were traveling incognito and were worried about your safety..."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce said to Lin Yao, "Since you know I'm traveling incognito... you should know I don't need anyone to disturb me..."

Lin Yao was extremely embarrassed by Xiao Ce's words, but he still managed to be polite to Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, King of Mobei, please forgive us... If... you are unhappy, then we will take our leave..."

Just then, Xiao Ce's expression softened a bit, and he waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I know you mean well... Since you're here, come sit down and have something to eat."

Seeing this, Lin Yao still spoke very respectfully to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, the King of Mobei, this humble general dares not..."

Xiao Ce said, "What do you mean 'dare'? This is an order! Come sit down and eat with us!"