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

Xiao Yang, unable to hide his excitement, politely said, "Brother... this... this isn't appropriate. You're more suitable to be the emperor!"

Xiao Ce glanced at Xiao Yang and said, "The throne is a shackle for me! Stop pretending. Do you want it or not? If you really don't want it, I can help the other princes. They're practically desperate for that throne right now!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yang immediately exclaimed excitedly, "I want to...I want to...I want to!"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yang, "Alright, you can use this time to hand over the reins to this army. After all, it has 200,000 troops. After you leave here, someone will be needed to take charge of it."

Xiao Yang nodded: "Alright, Your Majesty, I'll go right away..."

Xiao Yang said this and left in a hurry.

Xiao Ce said to Lien Chan, "General Lien Chan, how do you feel about taking over those cities they gave you before?"

Lien Chan smiled and said heartily, "Whether I'm herding one sheep or a flock, it's all the same to me. There's not much difference."

"Moreover, thanks to your tax-free policies, Your Highness, the people here are overjoyed..."

Xiao Ce said to Lian Zhan, "Old City Lord Lian Zhan, you now control both Nushan Pass and Yumen Pass. Next, I need you to undertake a project here: reinforcing Nushan Pass and Yumen Pass..."

Then Xiao Ce took out some blueprints.

This blueprint is for reinforcing this line of defense.

As long as the Nushan Pass and the Yumen Pass are reinforced, this area of ​​one prefecture and ten cities will become a natural fortress.

The geographical location was still too remote for transporting goods from the northern desert to various parts of the Xiao Kingdom.

However, if the defenses here are completed in the future, a second armory can be built here.

Firstly, it can increase production capacity; secondly, it can greatly reduce transportation costs; and thirdly, these weapons can be used to make money.

The Western Regions Alliance was a huge market.

As for where to build the armory, Xiao Ce had already decided: it would be on Mount Nu.

Of course, he will not tell Lien Chan about this idea for the time being.

After all, his initial projects were not yet completed.

Lien Chan looked at the blueprint and praised it repeatedly, but he didn't know what the cement and concrete mentioned in the blueprint were.

He asked Xiao Ce in confusion, "Your Highness, what is this cement you wrote about?"

Xiao Ce explained the properties of cement and then told Lien Chan how to burn cement into paper.

Furthermore, he repeatedly emphasized to Lien Chan that the method of cement firing must be taught to someone absolutely trustworthy...

As Lien Chan listened to Xiao Ce describe the power of cement, he found it somewhat unbelievable.

However, seeing how seriously Xiao Ce took it, he dared not be negligent.

"Your Highness, that's no problem. I have a force of three thousand men here that I absolutely trust. I'll have them all burn paper money for the cement you mentioned... These three thousand men are the kind of people I can entrust my life to..."

After listening to Lien Chan's words, Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction.

"You can treat them better. Lien Chan, the old city lord, everything on your side should be based on the hearts of the people... You must appease the people and get their full support... Once you achieve this, I can proceed to the second phase."

Lien Chan asked Xiao Ce curiously, "What is the second stage?"

However, Xiao Ce kept it a secret. He only told Lian Zhan that if he didn't have money, he could ask the people of the Western Regions for it.

The people of the Western Regions will give you whatever you ask for.

Although Lien Chan didn't know what Xiao Ce was up to, it was still a matter of course for him.

It's difficult to get him to exploit the people, but it's incredibly easy to get him to treat them well.

Xiao Ce also gave Lien Chan a brief outline, which was about the welfare of the people.

After reading it, Lien Chan exclaimed, "Your Highness, such treatment... it's practically a life of luxury!"

Xiao Ce didn't actually do much; he simply exempted every household from taxes, provided pensions for some elderly people, and offered free education and medical care for children.

Actually, these things don't cost much. They're called pensions, but in ancient times, there were very few people over sixty.

Therefore, even pension payments will not be much.

Lien Chan also asked Xiao Ce whose name this was on.

After much deliberation, Xiao Ce decided to have Lian Zhan act in his name.

Before doing all this, Xiao Ce also made sure that Lien Chan made sure to complete the household registration, since once this policy was spread, it would inevitably attract a lot of people to come.

It will be inconvenient if there are all sorts of people there at that time, but of course, if you want to settle down here, that's also an option.

First, one must possess exceptional talent, and second, one must have a clean background.

However, Xiao Ce said that the introduction of talent should be approached with caution.

He needed people he could trust, and he was quite certain that those who could persevere in such harsh conditions were unlikely to be spies.

After all, before he started developing this area, there really wasn't anyone here who would want to plant spies.

However, things may change in the future.

After making those arrangements, they all went about their business.

Two full days later, people arrived in the capital of Xiao Kingdom.

First, he contacted Xiao Yang to inform him of the death and then issued the emperor's dying decree, appointing Xiao Yang as the Prince of Anyang.

They really went all out, giving Xiao Yang two prefectures outside the Nu Guan Mountain Pass, and telling him to wait until the lease with the Western Regions expired.

The entire prefecture and ten cities on one side of Yumen Pass were given to Xiao Yang.

After the announcement, the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree told Xiao Yang that Xiao Wenqin wanted Xiao Yang and Xiao Ce to return to the capital to attend the funeral.

Xiao Yang accepted the imperial decree.

Then they sent someone to escort the imperial eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict. After the imperial eunuch went to the Western Regions...

Nan Xi had already received Xiao Ce's signal, and without saying a word, she directly refused.

He expressed his condolences, but stated that he would not let Xiao Ce go.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree didn't even get to see Xiao Ce.

However, having received the Empress's reply, she dared not say anything more and had no choice but to leave obediently.

...

Before Xiao Yang left, Xiao Ce gave him a few more instructions in private.

So we let him go.

What Xiao Yang didn't know was that not long after he set off...

Xiao Ce then led a caravan, following closely behind, and also set off.

This caravan is very wealthy.

With Xiao Ce's guidance, Qian Dafang's business went incredibly smoothly.

He joined forces with his elder brother and others to form a chamber of commerce.

Their chamber of commerce rose to become the richest family in Xiao Kingdom in just one year.

Of course, their chamber of commerce is very low-key.

Only a few people know this.

Xiao Ce originally didn't want to bring Gulimiza along, after all, she was such a typical woman from the Western Regions.

It would be too conspicuous to take it out.

As a result, he saw many women from the Western Regions in the caravan.

Those women from the Western Regions were very beautiful, but they couldn't compare to Gulimiza...

Xiao Ce learned after inquiring that trade had been opened up since Nanxi came to power.

They could come and go freely, thanks to their relationship with Xiao Ce.

The area around Yumen Pass was very lenient towards people from the Western Regions, and the merchants saw these beauties from the Western Regions.

They all bought some to take home.

According to local merchants, some powerful and wealthy people nowadays flaunt their status by having a concubine from the Western Regions.

Xiao Ce was actually somewhat displeased when he heard them talking about human trafficking.

However, the businessman who hosted them was also very clever.

The observant woman said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Our boss instructed us that we don't engage in the human trafficking business; after all, the profit margin is too low for us... However, these girls from the Western Regions are quite willing..."

"They grew up immersed in the culture of the Xiao Kingdom and were deeply fascinated by its mysterious traditions. Most importantly, many places in the Western Regions were still very poor, and going to the Xiao Kingdom would allow them to live a better life and leave money for their families... Therefore, they all went voluntarily..."

Gulimiza nodded: "Your Highness, he's right. The border crossings were quite strict before, so there wasn't this opportunity... Actually, many women in the Western Regions dream of marrying a man from the Xiao Kingdom..."

Xiao Ce was somewhat puzzled. Although the people of the Western Regions were poor, most of the people in Xiao Kingdom were living in the same dire straits.

The only positive aspect is that the environment in the Central Plains of Xiao Kingdom is better than that in the Western Regions.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce asked the caravan, "The situation in Xiao Kingdom is tense right now. Haven't your caravans been affected?"

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, the caravan leader smiled and replied, "Your Highness, no, actually we merchants, especially those who travel all over the country, know all sorts of people and have connections with local bigwigs in various places. So, wherever we go, they won't make things difficult for us."

"Moreover, most regular armies are disciplined and won't make trouble for us merchants. Although merchants have a low social status, the soldiers treat us quite well. After all, they know very well that if war breaks out, without merchants like us, the local medicinal herbs and medical supplies would be completely insufficient..."

"At that time, we merchants will still be needed... What we're really afraid of are bandits! However, since Boss Qian started a caravan, we're no longer afraid of ordinary bandits... They all have some very powerful secret weapons."

This escort team was suggested by Xiao Ce. Now, looking at the neatly lined escorts and their bulging bodies, which were full of weapons, he could tell that they were a perfect fit for the team.

Xiao Ce thought to himself, "It's so fast for rich people to gather troops."

Xiao Ce had intended to ask some other questions, but then thought it wouldn't be appropriate. He decided that once he went to the capital, he would go directly to ask Qian Dafang.

They then got into the carriage.

His current identity is that of the owner of this group who betrayed the Western Regions and sold spices.

He sat inside the carriage.

Gulimiza couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, didn't you say you didn't want to go to the capital? Why did you go anyway? Weren't you afraid of being discovered?"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Don't worry! First of all, you must think that just because I'm a big shot in the Western Regions, I'll be just as powerful and well-known in the Xiao Kingdom, right?"

Gulimiza smiled and shook her head as she listened to Xiao Ce's words, saying, "Your Highness, I don't think so... Although I'm in Shanshan Kingdom, your reputation as a good-for-nothing is quite widespread..."

Seeing that Gulimiza dared to joke with him, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Not bad, it's good that you know... Actually, nobody's paying attention to me. Everyone's attention is now focused on the Four Kings' Rebellion."

Gulimiza asked in confusion, "The Rebellion of the Four Kings?"

Xiao Ce explained that this was a general term used by the people to refer to this incident.

The fourth prince Xiao Tao, the eighth prince Xiao Xiangqing, the ninth prince Xiao Zhan, and the thirteenth prince Xiao Wenqin.

According to the emperor's wishes, shouldn't they all be granted the title of king?

Gulimiza nodded: "So you went there because you didn't trust Xiao Yang?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "Yes and no... Xiao Yang has now received the imperial decree, which means he is telling Xiao Wenqin that he will not oppose him. Xiao Wenqin will not be foolish enough to kill Xiao Yang."

"I'm going back to see how that damned emperor died. If it were just a power struggle, it wouldn't be such a big problem..."

Xiao Ce paused as he spoke, his gaze turning cold.

Seeing this, Gulimiza asked Xiao Ce, "What are you worried about?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "I'm worried that some people might want to sow discord... to split the Xiao Kingdom..."

"If that's really the case, then that's the biggest problem! You know it's easy to divide, but difficult to unify."

Gulimiza has a deep understanding of this.

Their Western Regions Kingdom had a period of unification before, and at that time, it was exceptionally powerful.

After the split, it never recovered.

If it weren't for Xiao Ce, this divided situation would have continued for who knows how long...

"Your Highness, do you have a solution?"

Xiao Ce gave Gulimiza a wry smile and then said, "Do you really think I'm a god? I don't know anything... We'll only know after we get there."

Gulimiza smiled, took Xiao Ce's arm, and said with a hint of pride, "That's right, Your Highness, in my heart, you are a god! An omnipotent savior..."

Since Gulimiza and Xiao Ce took their relationship to the next level, she has become less reserved with Xiao Ce and has bravely expressed her love.

They traveled very quickly along the way.

On the way, we did indeed encounter troops marching, all heading towards Kyoto.

Xiao Ce still managed to glean some information from the caravan leader.

The situation escalated rapidly, and Xiao Wenqin sent eunuchs to deliver imperial edicts to the various princes.

None of the princes accepted the imperial decree, and they even killed the eunuch who delivered it.

Tell Xiao Wenqin to get out of the capital, or they will send troops to take him away.

Then some scholars who supported Xiao Wenqin attempted to engage in a verbal battle with the princes.

As a result, they were all beheaded by several princes.

They even threatened that if these scholars supported Xiao Wenqin, who had usurped the country, they would first slaughter all the scholars...