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

Xiao Ce subconsciously pinched her exquisite face.

"You really trust me unconditionally."

The two had just sat down when there was a knock on the door.

Hu Yidao said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, it is Empress Nanxi."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Go and call her over."

Hu Yidao nodded.

Gulimiza glanced at Xiao Ce and then tried to look away.

Xiao Ce did not stop him this time either.

After all, Nanxi must have come with Xiao Ce to explain things.

Since it was something that was threatened, it must be something that's hard to talk about.

Even if you trust Gulimiza, you still need to respect Nanxi a bit.

Nanxi was invited in.

After Xiao Ce had Nan Xi sit down, he told Hu Yidao to leave as well.

Hu Yidao looked at Xiao Ce with some concern.

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, go ahead and get busy. If I don't even trust Empress Nanxi anymore... then all the time I spent in the Western Regions will have been wasted."

Hu Yidao nodded upon seeing this.

After Hu Yidao left, Nanxi's expression became increasingly awkward: "Your Highness, I'm afraid I really have let you down... I agreed to negotiate with them this time because I received their threats!"

"However, rest assured... I did not do anything to harm our interests. Because their only request was for peace talks... that's why I agreed."

Seeing Nanxi smiling like that, Xiao Ce said, "Nanxi, you don't need to apologize to me. Everyone has their own standards... If you think it's worth it, you will do it... Besides, I've said it many times, I never came to your Western Regions to conquer you... I came to help you."

"Even if you make peace with the people of Uzbekistan now and reach an agreement to stop fighting... I won't say a word. I've told you this several times... I'm here to help you, but more than anything, I'm here to help you..."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Nan Xi nodded vigorously.

"Your Highness, I understand what you mean. However, I feel it's still necessary to explain... I meant no harm, it's just..."

Xiao Ce smiled and shook his head, saying, "Alright, that's enough! Go do what you think you should do. I trust you!"

"And you still don't want to say what they're threatening you with, right?"

Nan Xi nodded with a grim expression: "If necessary, I don't want to say... Of course, Your Highness, if you really want to know, I will definitely tell you without hesitation."

Upon hearing Nan Xi's response, Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, I have no interest in knowing your secrets!"

Seeing Xiao Ce say this, Nan Xi looked at Xiao Ce with a hint of gratitude.

"By the way, Your Highness, there's something else I need to tell you. They're just stalling for time. This means they might have figured out a way to break this deadlock."

"I don't think he'll be able to break through on our side! And... if they want to break this deadlock, there's only one possibility, and that's the east..."

Xiao Ce nodded, his gaze sharp, and said, "If you can guarantee that your preparations are without problems, then I can guarantee that there will be no problems on the east side."

Nanxi nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will not betray your trust this time. I will not let them threaten me a second time."

Xiao Ce smiled but remained silent.

Nanxi then left.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Yang, on the advice of several trusted generals, decided to meet with the envoy from the Kingdom of Uzbekistan.

Xiao Yang was no longer as timid and hesitant as he had been when he was with Xiao Ce.

His face was brimming with arrogance.

"Your Highness, there is no need for you to see them now!"

One of Xiao Yang's personal servants spoke to him.

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow: "It wouldn't hurt to meet them. Besides, it's all my subordinate generals who are speaking on my behalf. They've risked their lives for me, so I should at least fulfill this small request... If I don't even fulfill this small request, it would be too disheartening for them."

“You don’t know, no matter how powerful they were before, it was always the Northern King who was powerful. No matter how many battles they won before, they were all serving the Northern King. But this army is different. They were built up by me! They all listen to me.”

"Although I used Xiao Ce as my agent, these are all my people! My trusted confidants! Understand? So, by meeting with the envoy from Uzbekistan, I'm doing them a favor!"

"That's what the King of the Northern Desert always taught me! The art of navigating social relationships—these four words seem simple, but truly mastering them is no easy feat..."

The personal servant beside him smiled and nodded, wanting to say something, but still didn't speak.

This army was previously guided by a Northern Desert Army sent by Xiao Ce, which helped Xiao Yang to reorganize the army.

In order to consolidate his own forces, Xiao Yang had Xiao Ce apply to allow them to return.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce agreed.

After all, according to what Da Lei and the other northern soldiers who came with him said.

The northern desert appears prosperous, but it is not as peaceful as Xiao Ce imagined.

Although development has been rapid, there has been significant progress in trade.

In particular, the products produced there, such as fine salt, white sugar, and cement, are highly sought-after export items.

These items are very expensive and have high profit margins, which attracts the envy of some powerful figures.

Therefore, there were two menacing enemies in the northern desert: India and Tsarist Russia.

They had all been tentatively engaging in minor skirmishes with the Turks led by Yunqing Urgen and with the northern desert regions.

Although, it did not develop into a major conflict.

However, as the northern desert expands, the number of people with conjunctivitis will increase.

Having a mountain of gold in one's hands requires the ability to protect it; otherwise, the gold in one's hands will become someone else's wealth.

After all, the northern desert was Xiao Ce's stronghold, so he sent those elite troops back.

As for Xiao Yang's ulterior motives, Xiao Ce was perfectly aware of them.

As long as Xiao Yang obeys, Xiao Ce can grant him power.

Xiao Ce knew very well that even though Xiao Yang had his own army, it was all built by throwing money at it.

Moreover, their fighting prowess was all thanks to weapons provided by Xiao Ce.

If Xiao Yang dared to bare his teeth, Xiao Ce would stop sending money and cease supplying weapons.

That army will then disperse.

However, Xiao Yang seemed not to have considered this step. He felt that the victory along the way was because he had learned the essence from Xiao Ce.

...

Just then, a general walked in with a woman.

This general was none other than Xiao Yang's most trusted general, named Guo Kai.

This Guo Kai certainly has his own unique approach to warfare.

The woman behind Guo Kai, dressed in a cloak and completely covered up, was none other than...

It was Lou Yao, the Queen Mother of the Kingdom of Uzbekistan.

After Guo Kai entered, he bowed to Xiao Yang and said, "Your Highness, Second Prince, let me introduce you. This is the supreme leader of the Kingdom of Uz, Queen Mother Lou Yao."

Xiao Yang was also surprised after hearing Guo Kai's words.

"The Queen Mother? You mean the Queen Mother of Uzbekistan who rules from behind the scenes?"

Lou Yao then removed her cloak, revealing her face.

"Your Highness, Second Prince, yes, it is I! Since I've come to talk to you, after much consideration, I've decided that coming in person is the best way to represent my attitude."

Xiao Yang looked at Lou Yao's face and listened to her words, clearly somewhat surprised.

He then asked, "Are you from the Xiao Kingdom?"

Lou Yao smiled, then said to Xiao Yang, "Your Highness, Second Prince, you have a good eye... That's right, I was once a member of the Xiao Kingdom... I actually have many connections with you."

Xiao Yang was captivated by Lou Yao after just a few words.

"Oh? You still have some connection with us? Could it be that you are a member of our royal family?"

Lou Yao smiled and said, "The rumors are indeed true! His Highness the Second Prince is exceptionally intelligent; no wonder he has won the Emperor's favor and is said to be one of the candidates for Crown Prince."

Xiao Yang, flattered by Lou Yao, laughed and said, "Your information network is quite impressive! But you should know who my older brother is, right? Your attempts to sow discord won't work on me!"

Lou Yao smiled and said, "Of course I knew I was here. Besides, I've heard quite a few secrets... about how Xiao Ce gradually tamed you!"

"fart!"

Lou Yao was very good at provoking Xiao Yang, as evidenced by her use of the word 'taming'.

Xiao Yang immediately bristled.

"I'm only willing to see you because of General Guo... You'd better know what's good for you... Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it... I can take you down and send you to my elder brother, then this war will be over! And I'll naturally be the biggest hero!"

Lou Yao listened to Xiao Yang's words with a calm and composed expression, showing no sign of being in a hurry.

"Then, Your Highness, just take me away, and we won't need to talk anymore! I didn't come here to save myself. I came here primarily to save you!"

After saying that, Lou Yao didn't say another word.

Seeing this, Xiao Yang's gaze sharpened: "Hmph... What? You're threatening me now? Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you? Do you think I'm joking with you?"

Lou Yao smiled and said to Xiao Yang, "Your Highness, hurry up and arrest me. Since you want to be a dog, then offer the prey you catch to your master."

"What do you gain from fighting so hard here?"

"Xiao Ce is supporting the Empress of Shanshan, and they're definitely having an affair now. Xiao Ce is completely captivated by her..."

"Not only that, King Baird of Gaochang also offered him his most beautiful daughter. So, will the Western Regions that you and your warriors fought so hard to conquer be distributed among Xiao Ce's women?"

"And you!"

Lou Yao scoffed, her face full of disdain, and said, "At most, I'll just praise you a few times... because in Xiao Ce's eyes, you're just a docile dog, a dog that doesn't even dare to bare its teeth!"

“You…” Xiao Yang’s inner pain points that he was unwilling to mention.

Lou Yao poked him in the wrong way one by one, and he pointed at her with bloodshot eyes, about to explode.

Lou Yao's momentum at this moment was in no way inferior!

"Don't be so anxious! If what I said were all lies, why would you be so upset? The reason you're so anxious is because you know very well... what I said is all true... so you're getting impatient!"

"The reason I offered to help you is because I think this is the best opportunity! It's a golden chance for you to turn your life around!"

"Unless you want to be a dog for the rest of your life... then grab me. But remember, since you've chosen to be a dog, don't have such a temper. Also, don't be naive enough to think he'll make you emperor! Is Xiao Ce currently accumulating power on all sides?"

"Why do you think he did it? Was it to help you rise to the throne? Or is it because he doesn't know how to be an emperor himself?"

Lou Yao's eyes widened in anger, and she spoke each word with force and conviction.

These words struck a chord with Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang's previously furious expression instantly calmed down.

"Please offer a seat to the Queen Mother."

Lou Yao spoke with great confidence, but she was also very flustered inside.

These statements were given to Lou Yao by her benefactor.

Lou Yao didn't actually know much about Xiao Yang.

However, it is clear that his benefactor did not lie to him.

After Lou Yao sat down.

"Your Highness, you should know what it means to speak the truth, even if it's unpleasant to hear. What I'm saying may be harsh... but it's truly for your own good."

Xiao Yang laughed out loud: "You're doing this for your own good... You don't need to say things like that to a three-year-old!"

Lou Yao didn't care at all about Xiao Yang's words of criticism.

"That's at least a win-win situation..."

Xiao Yang asked impatiently, "Alright, enough nonsense... Let's get to the point. Tell me, how is this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me?"

Lou Yao then unfolded a map in front of Xiao Yang.

"Your Highness, look at the map. This is the territory you have occupied in our Kingdom of Uz."

"You have captured Nushan Pass and Yumen Pass. You know very well that the reason you were able to achieve such a great victory this time is entirely because of those very powerful firearms."

"These firearms should all have to come in through the Nushan Pass and the Yumen Pass, which means they'll come from your hands!"

"If they lose these weapons, and their weapons are still being continuously supplied to you, then if we start fighting... who do you think will win and who will lose?"

"As long as we join forces, and you guard the Nushan Pass and Yumen Pass, tightening that trap, we can now trap you and beat you!"

"Your Highness, Xiao Ce's greatest help is you! If you don't help him, he'll be helpless!"