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

Xu Zhiyuan immediately stood up: "Your Highness, may I ask what brings you to Anhua City? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "It's a small matter, no need for Magistrate Xu to worry about it."

Xiao Ce had already figured out how to sell these things.

Before leaving, Xiao Ce took out two exquisite wooden boxes that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket.

These two wooden boxes were jewelry boxes that he had gotten from Yin Pan'er.

“Magistrate Xu, it’s our first meeting. I’ve also had a meal with you. This is just a small token of my appreciation.”

Xu Zhiyuan looked at the exquisite wooden box and felt that it was very valuable.

"Your Highness, it's just a simple meal. I cannot accept such a reward without merit..."

Xiao Ce opened the wooden box and said, "It's nothing precious, just some Tianshan snow salt and Tianshan snowflake sugar. Just some seasonings. Why can't you accept it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiyuan stepped forward out of curiosity and was astonished to see the snow-white, fine salt and the frost-white, dense white sugar inside the wooden box.

"This is sugar? There's even white sugar? And this salt is so pure!"

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "This is fine salt and white sugar collected from the Tianshan Mountains, naturally pure. It is said that eating a little of this refined salt every day can prolong life, and it is also said to have miraculous effects on strengthening the kidneys and nourishing the body for men! And this snowflake sugar is especially good for women. Drinking a cup of snowflake sugar water every day can beautify and nourish the skin. Let my wife try it..."

As Xiao Ce spoke, he began to boast and embellish the story, exaggerating the fact that this thing was something that could only be found in heaven and earth.

As a modern person, he understands very well that a good product's value increases once additional benefits are added to it.

Xu Zhiyuan did not doubt Xiao Ce's words. Firstly, he had never seen such pure fine salt and white sugar before. Secondly, it was normal for Xiao Ce, as the eldest prince, to possess such treasures.

"Your Highness, that's too precious... I cannot accept it."

Xiao Ce feigned a dark expression and said, "You said it yourself, these things are priceless to those who understand them. But to those who don't, they're just ordinary salt and sugar. Magistrate Xu, you just said you considered me a close friend. You won't even accept such a small gift; you're being far too distant."

Having said this much, Xu Zhiyuan dared not refuse any longer.

"Your Highness, that was not what I meant. Since Your Highness has said so, then I will accept it!"

Xiao Ce joked, "Alright, that Tianshan Snowflake Frosting Sugar is for your wife. If you like it, I have more! But next time you'll have to pay for it."

Xu Zhiyuan bowed and said, "Yes...yes...yes!"

Having achieved his goal, Xiao Ce did not linger.

After leaving the government office.

Yin Pan'er couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, do you really want to take the disaster victims to the four prefectures of the northern desert? What kind of solution is this? Although the four prefectures of the northern desert are short of manpower, they are also short of food. They can't grow food in the short term, and the imperial court isn't providing disaster relief grain. They will only starve to death if they go there!"

Yin Pan'er was a smart woman. Although she had some questions in her mind when Xiao Ce was speaking, she did not ask them in front of outsiders.

Seeing Yin Pan'er speak, Nie Bing continued, "The people of the four prefectures of Mobei are eating dirt. If you lead these disaster victims there, do you want the people there to not even be able to eat dirt? No matter how powerful you are, you can't conjure up food out of thin air."

Xiao Ce said nonchalantly, "I already had a plan. I never fight a battle unprepared! Since I can 'turn stones into gold,' it's not impossible for me to conjure up some grain out of thin air! Let's leave this matter here and get down to business."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er with ill intent.

Looking at Xiao Ce's eyes, Yin Pan'er got goosebumps all over: "Your Highness, what do you want to do?"

Xiao Ce said, "I need your help."

"What's the deal?"

Xiao Ce then waved to Yin Pan'er, signaling her to come over.

Yin Pan'er looked at Xiao Ce with a puzzled and wary expression: "There's no one else here..."

Xiao Ce said with a serious expression, "Trade secrets, come here!"

Yin Pan'er then went to Xiao Ce's side.

Xiao Ce then explained his plan: "Take some refined salt and frosting sugar and go to every shop in Anhua City to buy these..."

After listening, Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, is that all? Didn't we want to sell? How did it turn into buying?"

Xiao Ce said to Yin Pan'er, "Just do as I say!"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, saying, "That's good. I'll leave this place to you. I'll go and help them distribute the porridge! I'll send a few people to protect you."

Yin Pan'er nodded and did not refuse.

...

After watching Xiao Ce ride away on horseback, Yin Pan'er followed Xiao Ce's instructions and started looking for a shop.

Yin Pan'er first found an inn. Having traveled a long way and was covered in dust, she washed up.

After changing my clothes, I went out.

Seeing that Nie Bing didn't stop him, Yin Pan'er asked with some surprise, "Sister, aren't you going to stop me from going?"

Nie Bing followed Yin Pan'er, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Why did you want to stop me from going?"

Yin Pan'er said, "Didn't you always think Xiao Ce was unreliable? Do you really think the method the prince mentioned can sell those sugar and salt at a high price?"

Nie Bing laughed and said, "You criticized him because his methods were unreliable. However, I think his method of selling goods might work. He made up a story and claims about the effects of these products. Scarcity increases value, and rich people like these kinds of things, don't they?"

Yin Pan'er said to Nie Bing, "Sister, it seems you've changed your opinion of him too!"

Nie Bing quickly shook her head: "On this one point alone, I still think he's bragging."

Yin Pan'er said, "Sister, if he really manages to accomplish all of these things, wouldn't you look at him with new respect?"

Nie Bing shook her head: "Those things are impossible for him to do."

As the two were talking, they arrived in front of a shop.

As soon as she entered, a waiter, seeing Yin Pan'er's aristocratic air and attire, stepped forward to greet her: "Miss, what do you need? Our shop has everything, and the prices are fair and honest..."

Yin Pan'er asked, "Is it really as expected?"

The waiter patted his chest and glanced at Yin Pan'er again: "Judging from this young lady, she shouldn't be a local. I'm not exaggerating, but if you can't buy it in our shop, you definitely won't find it anywhere else in Anhua City, or even the entire Great Xiao Kingdom."

Yin Pan'er: "Oh? Then it seems I've come to the right place. If you can really help me buy these things, you'll definitely get a reward!"

When Xiao Er heard Nie Bing say this, his eyes lit up even more.

“Miss, you’ve come to the right place. Tell me, what do you need?”

Yin Pan'er then said, "Tianshan snow salt, and Tianshan snow sugar frosting."

Yin Pan'er's words completely baffled the waiter.

"Miss, are you referring to Tianshan snow salt? Not Tianshan snow lotus..."

Yin Pan'er said with a smile, "It's not Tianshan snow lotus, it's Tianshan snow salt and Tianshan snow sugar frosting."

The waiter's face immediately turned awkward.

Seeing this, Yin Pan'er asked, "What? You don't have any?"

Xiao Er had never even heard of it, but he still bowed to Yin Pan'er.

"Miss, perhaps I am ignorant. Please wait a moment, I will go and fetch the manager."

The waiter hurriedly went inside.

A short while later, a chubby, shrewd-looking shopkeeper in a long robe came running up with small, quick steps.

"Ladies, I heard you want Tianshan snow salt? And Tianshan snow sugar frosting?"

Yin Pan'er nodded: "That's right. This waiter just boasted that if you can't buy it here, you definitely can't buy it anywhere else in the entire Great Xiao Kingdom, right?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "This is no exaggeration; our business covers the entire Great Xiao Kingdom. However, it could just be a difference in the names of the items. I wonder if the 'Tianshan Snow Salt' you mentioned is a type of salt? And is that 'Tianshan Snow Frosting' a type of sugar?"

Yin Pan'er looked around and saw that there were many customers, and judging from their clothes, they must all be wealthy people in this area.

Following Xiao Ce's instructions, he began to speak: "What you said is true and false. That kind of salt is not ordinary salt; it comes from the Tianshan Mountains and has been refined by the essence of heaven and earth, making it incomparably pure. When used in dishes, it even has the effect of prolonging life!"

"As for Tianshan Snow Sugar Frosting, it is also produced in Tianshan. The sugar is as white as snow and as fine as frost! Since this snow sugar is naturally formed in Tianshan, take a little every day, soak it in water and drink it. Women who drink it will have beauty and health benefits."

The shopkeeper was stunned by what Yin Pan'er said.

“Miss, what you’re saying is something I’ve never heard of before. Sugar that’s as white as snow and as fine as frost simply doesn’t exist.”

A bystander remarked, "Yes, young lady, you're not making this up, are you? I'm the one who handles all the procurement for the Zhou family, and I've never heard of these treasures before."

"I've never heard of that either. I've spent half my life procuring goods for the Zhao family and I've seen all sorts of treasures. What you're talking about is unheard of... You're not making this up, are you?"

The shopkeeper said, "Miss, you see, it's not that we don't have it. It's just that most people have never even heard of what you're talking about."

"You're not here on purpose to cause trouble, are you?"

"That's right... Looking at your face, you don't seem to be a local."

Yin Pan'er wasn't angry: "I don't have time to cause you any trouble."

As she spoke, Yin Pan'er took out two exquisite bags, one containing a small half bag of refined salt and the other containing white sugar.

After opening it: "Today I'll show you something!"

The shopkeeper leaned forward, and after looking at it, his face was full of surprise: "This...this is salt? This is sugar?"

Yin Pan'er held the food in her hand and carefully took out a small pinch: "Shopkeeper, you'll know if I'm lying to you once you try it."

Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper respectfully extended his hand and first tasted the salt.

After taking one bite, their eyes lit up.

He wondered if it was because of Yin Pan'er's storytelling, but he felt that even the salt contained a magical quality.

"It has no bitterness or astringency, and it's much saltier than regular salt! It's truly extraordinary!"

Yin Pan'er smiled and asked the shopkeeper to taste the white sugar.

The shopkeeper, very professionally, called over the waiter, rinsed his mouth, and then put the white sugar into his mouth.

A sweet taste immediately spread across his tongue, and he began to analyze it.

"This sugar is so sweet, and unlike ordinary brown sugar, it has a refreshing sweetness! It truly deserves to be called a divine product! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

"Miss, may I speak to you in private?"

This middle-aged man was able to become the head manager, so he must have exceptional insight. If he could find out where this item came from, there would definitely be a huge business opportunity if they sold it. He thought he should ask Yin Pan'er about it.

Those watching from the sidelines exclaimed, "Manager Fu, is it true? Is this thing really that miraculous?"

"Young lady, would you sell me some to try?"

"Young lady, could you sell me some too, so I can try some..."

Nie Bing glanced at them and said, "You wish! This is a divine item. Even if you wanted to pay, you might not be able to afford it... Besides, we're here to buy, not to sell."

Seeing this, Yin Pan'er said to the head manager, "Head manager, you've seen and tasted it. I wonder if your shop has this item? If so, the price is negotiable! Money is not a problem."

"To tell you the truth, my father was seriously ill before, and it was a wandering immortal who gave him this item. After he took a medicine, my father recovered. The immortal also gave us some Tianshan snow salt and Tianshan snow sugar frosting, which can prolong life if taken. However, I searched many places but could not find it, so I came to Anhua City, which is known as the trading capital."

After saying that, Yin Pan'er let out a long sigh: "It seems like it's destined to be a wasted trip!"

After saying that, Yin Pan'er was about to leave.

The head manager quickly stopped her, saying, "Miss, please wait a moment! Please let me speak with you privately. I need some details, and then we'll help you search. We can't find it; we can't find it anywhere in Anhua City."

Yin Pan'er said, "In that case, alright."

The head manager, with great enthusiasm, invited Yin Pan'er over.

Among the onlookers were stewards from other chambers of commerce. They sensed that this matter was not simple and instructed their attendants to go back and report.

This Manager Fu is a prominent figure in Anhua City. Judging from his expression, what he just saw must have been some treasures.

After they went out, they waited not far away, wanting to find out about the treasures.