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

Upon seeing this, Gulimiza respectfully bowed to Xiao Ce.

However, Xiao Ce knew that she was not convinced. The reason she did this was entirely because she followed Nan Xi's advice.

She was too embarrassed to refuse Nan Xi's request.

Whether she was sincere or not, Xiao Ce naturally didn't care.

Nanxi's magnanimity impressed Xiao Ce.

After all, Xiao Ce's statement meant that he would not allow Gaochang to perish, which meant that Nanxi's goal of unifying the Western Regions might never be achieved.

Nanxi showed absolutely no displeasure at this moment, which was quite rare.

Just then, a messenger's urgent report came from outside the door.

Seeing this, Nan Xi asked the messenger, "Where did this urgent report come from?"

The messenger bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is a letter from General Wuwei of the Kingdom of Uz."

Nan Xi subconsciously looked at Xiao Ce, then glanced at Gulimiza.

Gulimiza was very sensible: "Your Majesty, perhaps I should excuse myself for a moment?"

Before Nan Xi could speak, Xiao Ce said, "No need..."

Then, Xiao Ce said to the messenger, "Speak."

Xiao Ce dared to say this because if Wu Wei really had something to ask him, he wouldn't have done it so openly.

It was obvious that they were relaying orders to the Kingdom of Shanshan, so Xiao Ce had no concerns.

The messenger didn't recognize Xiao Ce and instinctively looked at Nan Xi.

Seeing this, Nanxi quickly said, "What the King of Mobei means is what I mean... Speak."

The messenger nodded: "Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the King of the Northern Desert, General Wuwei says that the Kingdom of Gaochang has instigated a war with the Kingdom of Uz. This war between their two countries has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Shanshan. We hope that the Kingdom of Shanshan will not interfere, and even more so, will not accept any people from the Kingdom of Gaochang! Otherwise, it would be tantamount to making an enemy of the Kingdom of Uz..."

After the messenger finished speaking, Gulimiza's expression was not good.

Xiao Ce continued, asking the messenger, "Did they also send this message to the other two countries?"

The messenger bowed and replied, "Your Highness, the King of the Northern Desert is right; the other two countries have also sent gifts!"

After listening, Xiao Ce waved his hand at him and said, "Alright, you can leave now."

After the messenger left, Gulimiza asked with a grim expression, "Your Majesty, are you going to rescind your order?"

Nanxi smiled at Gulimiza and said, "Gulimiza, I mentioned this matter entirely on the orders of His Highness the King of Mobei."

Gulimiza looked at Xiao Ce questioningly.

Xiao Ce smiled slightly and said to Gulimiza, "I, Xiao Ce, never go back on my word. Go tell your father what I just said... As long as you are willing to listen to me obediently, I will bring you back to life."

Gulimiza listened to Xiao Ce's confident tone, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

"Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, if I may be so bold as to ask you a question...aren't you afraid of the people of Uzbekistan?"

Xiao Ce laughed: "What? Did I give you the impression of being a coward?"

Gulimiza shook her head: "Of course not...it's just some rumors..."

However, Gulimiza is clearly the kind of person whose mouth is faster than her brain.

After saying that, he said somewhat flusteredly, "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert... I didn't... I didn't mean..."

Xiao Ce was quite satisfied with Gulimiza's honesty.

Seeing his incoherent rambling, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, don't be nervous... Rumors are just rumors because they lack truth... You'll find out who I am once you cooperate with me!"

Gulimiza nodded.

In fact, he had already sensed it from the few words he exchanged with Xiao Ce.

This Xiao Ce may not be the same as the rumors suggest.

Gulimiza didn't waste any words: "Then I'll go and inform my father, and our ten thousand troops..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright, let them set off immediately. However, to show our sincerity... you all need to disarm when you enter the city."

Gulimiza nodded in agreement, then hurriedly left.

Nanxi also sent General Dan to arrange for several people to escort them.

After seeing Gulimiza off, Nanxi noticed Xiao Ce staring at her.

She felt a little uneasy under his gaze, and then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Nan Xi, "I want to support the Kingdom of Gaochang. Do you mind?"

Nanxi shook his head: "Your Highness, of course I don't mind... Although I aspire to unify the Western Regions, I know how incredibly difficult that is... almost impossible. At least not in the short term, so we can't afford to make enemies everywhere..."

"Haste makes waste. Your Highness, with your help, I am confident that our national strength will greatly increase within a few years. With sufficient national strength, unification is only a matter of time!"

"However, we are currently in a period of development, so naturally we must avoid making too many enemies! Also, Your Highness, I support whatever ideas you have. Even if you asked us to hand over the twelve cities we currently occupy to them, I would have no objection!"

Hearing Nan Xi's words, Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Just based on that one sentence, I certainly won't let you down..."

"Let me reassure you! I'm telling you, the reason I'm allied with them is to use their military strength to wear down the Uzbek military... Otherwise, if they wipe them out, we'll have to get involved ourselves."

"Let me tell you, no matter when or where a war takes place, as long as the final outcome is always the most beneficial!"

Nanxi nodded in agreement: "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, I will listen to you! So, will you personally take charge next?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "That's right, I'll handle it..."

Nan Xi nodded: "Okay, I'll send you more support!"

Xiao Ce listened to Nan Xi's words and said with a smile, "You also have to step forward and say that I am your national advisor! I can't do everything! When I leave, I will still need you to manage the entire Western Regions."

Nan Xi listened with excitement, then nodded respectfully.

Xiao Ce couldn't help but laugh when he saw Nan Xi's expression.

He knew very well that Nan Xi had been feigning weakness all along, precisely to prevent Xiao Ce from developing any distrust towards her...

However, Xiao Ce didn't mind; he enjoyed dealing with intelligent people.

Dealing with smart people can save him a lot of effort.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce said it was getting late and he was going to rest.

After returning to his residence, Hu Yidao looked at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce felt a little uneasy when he saw Hu Yidao staring straight at him.

He then said to Hu Yidao, "You old bastard, why are you staring at me like that?"

Hu Yidao asked, "Your Highness, did Da Lei say something to you?"

Seeing Hu Yidao's words, Xiao Ce smiled and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Hu Yidao said, "Your Highness, your attitude before has always been low-key and patient... unwilling to show your face in anything... However, just now, after Da Lei came to talk to you and said something, you completely changed your attitude..."

"You're not hiding it this time... It's obvious that Da Lei has given you some reassurance."

Listening to Hu Yidao's analysis, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Haha, you old rascal, you're quite clever... Not bad! He did give me some good news... which is why I've changed like this."

Seeing Hu Yidao's curious expression, Xiao Ce asked, "Want to know?"

Hu Yidao nodded.

Xiao Ce said with a mischievous grin, "I won't tell you..."

Hu Yidao looked embarrassed upon seeing this.

Xiao Ce continued, "Aren't you quite good at guessing? Take a guess..."

Hu Yidao scratched his head: "How could anyone guess that?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Consider this a test for you... Think about it carefully..."

...

At this time, they were in the Kingdom of Khotan.

Hanati and Dawuleti both received warnings from Uzbekistan.

Unlike the Southern Seal of Shanshan Kingdom, they were also invited to go to the front line.

With a grim expression, Hanati asked Dawulie, "Dawulie, what do you say, should we go or not?"

Dawuleti was silent for a moment before nodding and saying, "Of course we'll go. Do we have a choice? We've already listened to them once. If we don't listen to them this time, they'll definitely turn around and attack us."

Hanati said, "So what do you think they want us to do?"

Dawulieti shook his head: "Who knows? It can't be anything good... I reckon it's because that wretched woman Nanxi of Shanshan secretly stole twelve cities from Gaochang without anyone knowing!"

Hanati asked Dawuleti, "Will they send us to beat up that vile woman?"

Dawuleti nodded: "That's unlikely... Those generals from Xiao Kingdom would never let others do it for them if they could do it themselves. I suspect they're just looking for us to do what they did before and not interfere."

Hanati listened and nodded approvingly: "However, I wonder if they've contacted that bitch Nan Xi..."

Dawuleti shook his head and said, "You'll know when you get there!"

The two of them talked and, not daring to delay, quickly packed up and prepared to leave.

...

Meanwhile, in another oasis, a team led by Bairdda was lurking.

The soldiers sat scattered about, their eyes vacant. Bairda appeared to be sitting, but her mind was in turmoil.

He wasn't sure if Nanxi would take him in.

If Nanxi doesn't take him in... then they'll truly be at their wits' end! They'll likely have no choice but to fight to the death with the Kingdom of Uz!

Just then, the quiet night was broken by the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

Bairdah quickly got up and looked in the direction from which the sound of hooves came.

Under the moonlight, they saw a cavalry unit rapidly approaching them.

Upon seeing this, Bairdah exclaimed excitedly, "She's here! She's here! It's Gulimiza! And she's being escorted. It seems her negotiations went very smoothly!"

The princes standing nearby were not as excited as Bairdda, after all, they did not have any hope for Nanxi.

However, they naturally wouldn't say it out loud.

A moment later, Gulimiza rode her horse to Bairda.

Behind them were several female soldiers dressed in Shanshan military uniforms.

As soon as Gulimiza dismounted, Bairdda excitedly asked her, "Well? Did they agree?"

Gulimiza nodded with a smile: "Father, they agreed to let us temporarily set up camp on their side! And they are willing to help us reclaim the lost territory that belongs to our Gaochang Kingdom!"

After listening, Bairda nodded excitedly, "Good...good...good! I really underestimated Nanxi."

Before Bairdha could finish speaking, the prince beside her said calmly, "Father, don't be too happy yet! Gulimiza, what about their conditions? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"