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

Hana asked, "Do you think the Shanshan Kingdom is up to something?"

As Dawuleti rode his camel, he glanced at Hanati and said, "What are you thinking? What does this have to do with Nanxi of Shanshan? Isn't the Three Passes Pass controlled by Otog of Uzbekistan? It's obvious that Wuwei and his group orchestrated this! Otherwise, why would Otog only know how to collect tolls before..."

When Hanati heard Dawuleti say this, he slapped his forehead and had a look of exasperation on his face: "Yes, yes, yes... Now that you mention it, I really do remember, that's exactly what happened! This timing also matches Wuwei and Linbang's arrival! So you mean, the incident at Sanguandao was caused by Wuwei and Linbang?"

Dawuleti said, "Even if it's not them, it's still related to them... But no matter how powerful they are, it doesn't really concern us. We should just obediently be their puppets."

The two looked at each other, gave a wry smile, and neither of them continued speaking.

...

On the other side, following Xiao Ce's orders, preparations had been nearly completed.

Nanxi took the seat of honor and then had someone invite Bairda over.

Bairdda brought her children, Gulimiza, and several trusted generals to attend.

Upon entering the house, Bairdha bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. We are so grateful to you for giving us a place to stay; otherwise, we would have been truly destitute..."

Nanxi remained seated without rising, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you are too kind... This is your territory and land. We just saw that the Kingdom of Uz insisted on seizing it because it is a powerful country, which is really unreasonable. So we thought we would help you occupy it first."

"It seems we were right to have foresight... If it weren't for us, you would have lost all twelve cities!"

Upon hearing Nan Xi's words, Bairdda's expression turned bitter. She then cupped her hands and said, "That's right... So, I still have to thank Your Majesty the Empress... I was blind before..."

Nanxi couldn't help but feel secretly pleased as he watched Bairda grovel and admit his mistake.

Just over six months ago, this timid and subservient person was still her.

In just over six months, their identities have changed so drastically.

Nan Xi was perfectly aware that all of this was a gift from Xiao Ce...

Without him, he wouldn't be where he is today.

After listening to Baird's confession, Nanxi smiled and said, "Your Majesty Baird, let's not talk about the past! Let bygones be bygones. Let's look forward to the future together."

"Moreover, the fact that our Shanshan Kingdom has undergone such significant changes in the past six months... I think we should thank you for that... If it weren't for your help back then, we wouldn't have seen these changes, and we wouldn't have dared to take such radical actions!"

Upon hearing Nanxi's words, a hint of doubt flashed in Baird's eyes: "Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"

Nanxi smiled and said to Bairdda, "Your Majesty Bairdda, you're a smart man... guess..."

Baird's face fell; he had no idea what was going on...

However, they still looked around and soon found it.

Right next to Nan Xi on the right, in the upper seat, sat an acquaintance...

This person is none other than Xiao Ce, the hostage prince of the Xiao Kingdom.

When Gulimiza returned earlier, she told Bairda that Xiao Ce had made all the decisions.

Once I thought about it, everything became clear.

Bairdda then asked Nanxi, "Your Majesty, do you mean that Xiao Ce did all of this?"

Nan Xi smiled and said, "Yes, back then, none of you wanted Xiao Ce as a hostage... Initially, I didn't think much of him either. I felt he was not only useless but also a burden... It's all thanks to you for giving him to me..."

"With his help... I realized that he was no good at all, but a prodigy!"

Nanxi continued, "Have you heard about the Three Passes Pass around us?"

Although Baird and his men were at war, they had heard about the booming trading center in Sanguandao.

However, due to external factors, the Three Passes Pass has always been occupied by the Otog of the Kingdom of Uzbekistan.

So they didn't think anything of it...

However, seeing Nan Xi say this now, his eyelids twitched.

Nan Xi smiled broadly and then recounted in detail how Xiao Ce had helped them acquire the Three Passes Pass and implemented significant reforms there...

Nanxi laughed heartily as she spoke.

How much regret must Bairdda have felt...

After hearing what Nan Xi said, they could no longer laugh.

"Byrdal, tell me...should I thank you properly? Otherwise, in my opinion, I wouldn't have been able to see Prince Xiao Ce's abilities!"

Baird said with a bitter face, "Actually, I didn't see it either. Otherwise, I wouldn't have entrusted such a treasure to you... This can only mean that even the gods are looking after you!"

Then, Bairdda looked at Xiao Ce and asked, "Your Highness Xiao Ce, are the rumors about you in the Northern Desert true?"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right... I never said it was fake... Before, I said I was a treasure... but back then, none of you believed me..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Bairdda lightly slapped herself.

"I must have been blind..."

Nanxi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I, Nanxi, am not one to hog everything... despite how you treated me before. However, I have always adhered to the principle that cooperation benefits both sides, while division results in mutual loss... Therefore, I invited you here..."

Baird said to Nanxi, "Nanxi, this time the Kingdom of Uz has thoroughly defeated me... I know that my defeat was not unjust... My demands are not high. The twelve cities you occupied are a testament to your abilities... I don't want them! If possible, please help me reclaim the cities that belong to me and were occupied by the Kingdom of Uz... How about it?"

After listening to Bairdda's words, Nanxi smiled and said, "That's naturally the best! That's exactly what we asked you to come here to talk about..."

As she spoke, Nanxi noticed that Bairda and his group were still standing and asked them to sit down.

After they were all seated, Nanxi continued to speak.

"From now on, the matter of fighting will be handed over to His Highness the King of the Northern Desert."

Xiao Ce nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Then, turning to Bairdna calmly, he said, "Bailda, before that, I still need to ask you something..."

Baird nodded and said, "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, please ask... I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "You trust me now, right?"

Baird said bitterly, "Of course... Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, if I don't trust you now, who else can I trust? I definitely trust you. You are my savior now!"

Xiao Ce smiled slightly: "That's fine then... Since you trust me, you must trust me unconditionally from now on... If you dare to play any tricks, you'll be responsible for all the consequences..."

Bairdar nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes... I understand. Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, please give your instructions... However, we don't have many trump cards left... just over ten thousand men. Because the defeat was so rapid, we didn't even have time to empty our national treasury..."

Baird said it with a hint of bitterness.

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "None of that matters. Those are just material possessions... As long as you're alive, that's enough!"

Then, Xiao Ce tentatively asked Bairdda, "Baidda, we have occupied your twelve cities. Are you willing to do so?"

Bairdal nodded with a smile: "Of course! Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, I am truly willing... If it weren't for you, we would probably be dead by now, not even qualified to sit at the table..."

Xiao Ce was right about Bairdda after all.

When I first met Baird, I knew he was ambitious.

Although he was arrogant at that time, Xiao Ce could see that he had a broad vision.

The reason I chose Nanxi over this person is entirely because Nanxi knows how to conduct himself.

As for someone like Bairdar, unless he is kicked down from his high position...

They might only realize their mistake after being thoroughly stomped into the mud.

Xiao Ce thought that he might be the one to teach him a lesson.

To his utter surprise, the people of Uzbekistan beat him to it and offered him help.

Now that Baird has suffered setbacks, it is clear that he has reflected on his experiences.

Xiao Ce was fairly satisfied with his answer...

"Very good...not bad! You won't be at a disadvantage if you have this idea!"

Xiao Ce said, "Now, listen to my explanation... We are definitely at a disadvantage in terms of military strength compared to Uzbekistan... Therefore, we need to form alliances with others..."

After this point, Bairdar seemed to have cleverly guessed something: "Could it be that you want to unite the two countries of Dawuleti and Hanati...?"

Xiao Ce nodded with a smile.

Bairdar asked with an unfriendly expression, "Haven't you heard? They've ruined me... They let two of my defensive lines slip through, allowing the Kingdom of Uzbekistan to encircle me..."

"If it weren't for them, even if I were weak, I wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat... Your Highness, the King of the Northern Desert, they are nothing but treacherous villains..."

Xiao Ce said to Bairdda, "I know very well who they are... and I also know that they will definitely betray us... and what we need to do is make good use of them..."

Bairdar listened to Xiao Ce's words: "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, you've already planned everything?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "That's right, they will definitely be with the Uzbeks. What I want is to use them to spread false information... so that they will fight with the Uzbeks!"

Baird's eyes lit up noticeably: "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, then we'll do as you say..."

Xiao Ce looked at the people around Bairdda and said, "There's no rush... let's eat first..."

Baird was a sensible person, so he didn't continue.

During the meal, Bairdda said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, the King of the Northern Desert, I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it..."

Xiao Ce said to Bairdda, "I said, speak your mind... there's no harm in speaking your mind."

Baird nodded and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, since the news about the Northern Desert is true... does that mean that some of the rumors about you, Wuwei, and Lin Bang are true?"

Xiao Ce looked at Bairdda: "The rumors about me and Lin Bang from Wuwei?"

Byrdah nodded: "That's right... just say you all know each other... and that they will all be loyal to you..."

After listening to Bairdda's words, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "If that's the case, what do you think I'm doing right now? Playing around?"

Xiao Ce didn't follow what Bairdda said very clearly.

After all, to be honest, they had indeed followed his instructions before.

However, once they arrived here, they were supposed to split into two groups to see what the situation would be like.

However, it seems that things have gone wrong now.

Xiao Ce will not explain this matter to Bairdda.

Baird gave an awkward laugh: "Haha, it seems it really is just a rumor..."

After a few rounds of drinks, the dinner party ended.

The princes who had previously held grudges against Xiao Ce immediately fell silent.

After all, Xiao Ce used his abilities and personal charisma to make them realize that he was no ordinary person.

They were finally convinced.

After dinner, Xiao Ce invited Bairda and Nan Xi.

The three of them secretly explored the room for a long time.

No one knew what they said, not even Hu Yidao, Xiao Ce's personal bodyguard.

Of course, it wasn't that Xiao Ce didn't trust Hu Yidao; Xiao Ce's purpose was simply to let them know.

The news was leaked by one of the two of them.

After they finished talking, Nanxi led his army out of the city.

Nanxi essentially returned a city to them unconditionally, and not only that, they also gave them money and food...

Giving money was naturally intended to stabilize morale.

All of this money came from Xiao Ce.

The money all came from the Three Passes Road, and to Nanxi's surprise, Xiao Ce didn't charge much in handling fees.

What seemed like a simple transaction between his own hands actually brought him a considerable sum of money.

And this is just the beginning.

Nanxi began to anticipate how terrifying this trading center would be once it was fully completed...

They hadn't actually retreated far; they were in a city near where Baird and his group were.

Their retreat actually made them safer.