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

The eunuchs were terrified and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Lu Yao's face hardened slightly: "Your Highness, rest assured... if I can't get the information out of him, I'll offer my head as a reward!"

Seeing Lu Yao's confident declaration, Xiao Tao smiled and said, "Eunuch Lu, that won't do! You are my benefactor. No matter what, you must live well! You will still have to help me in the future."

Xiao Tao's words softened Lu Yao's previously unpleasant expression, but also added a touch of determination to his face.

Without further ado, he left with the eunuchs.

At this moment, Xiao Tao said to Cai Hui, "Mother, would you like to rest for a while, or..."

Cai Hui was indeed a little tired: "I'll go rest for a while. Your Highness, I'll leave the task of searching for Xiao Wenqin to you!"

Xiao Tao nodded: "Mother, don't worry."

After a whole night, they still couldn't find Xiao Wenqin.

On the other hand, Lu Yao, who looked exhausted, had used almost every form of torture available.

Those eunuchs truly did not know about this matter, and their conclusion was that Xiao Wenqin had simply vanished into thin air.

Xiao Tao wasn't particularly surprised when he found out.

Instead, Kyoto directly lifted the ban, allowing entry and exit to resume.

Afterwards, the search troops were sent back to their respective encampments, and they seemed relaxed. However, the areas outside the city were still under strict surveillance.

In fact, the entire city of Kyoto was in a state of outward relaxation but inward tension at this time.

Xiao Tao immediately arranged for Xiao Dingbang's encoffining. He did not use the grand ceremony he had imagined, and was very low-key.

After Xiao Dingbang was placed in the coffin, Xiao Tao immediately announced Xiao Wenqin's abdication and his ascension to the throne.

After he ascended the throne as the new emperor, he reduced taxes, granted amnesty to the whole country, and implemented a series of other measures.

This has greatly improved the public's perception of him.

He was still very magnanimous in granting Xiao Yang, who was stationed on the frontier, the title of Prince of Anyang, and also bestowing the titles of Prince Ping and Prince Zhan upon the two rebellious princes, Xiao Xiangqing and Xiao Zhan.

He also shamelessly bestowed the territories they each occupied upon the other.

Not only that, he also granted amnesty to the people in the territories where he was granted the title of king, and exempted them from all taxes.

It also provided support to many people in need.

This move was undeniably vicious; after all, it wasn't him who took the money!

It must be said that Xiao Tao is indeed very capable.

He brought the situation under control in the shortest amount of time and restored peace to the chaotic Kyoto.

After dividing his army, he stationed them in several key cities.

It can be said that they quelled this chaos with minimal risk.

Of course, this also means that Xiao Xiangqing and his group didn't make a single move.

He also recognized Cai Hui as his mother and bestowed upon her the title of Empress.

...

At this moment, after Xiao Xiangqing and Xiao Zhan received Xiao Tao's imperial edict, they were so angry that they beheaded the messenger.

Just take them back the way they came.

Although the messenger was killed, the beneficial policies for the people were still implemented.

The people were overjoyed.

What frustrates them most is that even though they don't want to comply, they haven't spoken out in order to maintain stability.

They neither agreed nor disagreed.

In order to discuss countermeasures, Xiao Zhan hurriedly ran to Xiao Xiangqing's territory.

During this time, they were also busy procuring the first batch of weapons.

Although those weapons weren't expensive, if you bought a lot of them, it would still cost a lot of money. Their first batch consisted of equipment for 5,000 people, mainly to see if they were being scammed.

As a result, Xiao Xiangqing and his group placed great emphasis on integrity...

Two days before Xiao Tao's imperial edict arrived, the weapons were delivered in good quality and quantity.

Some extras were also included, and after checking their quality, they were also excellent.

Only then did they let go of their resentment towards Xiao Xiangqing.

On this day, Xiao Zhan went to see Xiao Xiangqing.

Seeing Xiao Zhan coming over, cursing and swearing.

Xiao Xiangqing said with a smile, "Brother, why are you so angry? Getting angry is bad for your health..."

Xiao Zhan said with a grim expression, "Brother, how can you laugh like that? Didn't that dog Xiao Tao send you an imperial edict?"

"Didn't I hear that you also dismembered those messengers and sent them back?"

Xiao Xiangqing was actually furious at first.

However, after listening to Mr. Qianlong's analysis, he immediately stopped being angry.

"Brother, don't be angry... He's just trying to annoy us. Have you thought about how to retaliate?" Xiao Xiangqing asked Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan became interested upon hearing Xiao Xiangqing's words.

He shook his head and said, "Of course I don't know... If I knew, I wouldn't have come to you..."

At this moment, Bi Han, who was following him, was equally curious: "We came here today to ask Your Highness for advice..."

Bi Han is too upright. If you let him do something serious, he would definitely be a good strategist.

However, it's obvious that he's being led astray.

He wasn't quite sure how to do it, which is why he agreed to let Xiao Zhan come and find Xiao Xiangqing.

Xiao Xiangqing said with a smile, "You're too kind. You've come at the perfect time..."

As he spoke, Xiao Xiangqing pointed to a servant beside him and said, "Even if you don't come, I will send someone to invite you over."

With that, Xiao Xiangqing invited them to her residence.

After everyone was seated.

Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Xiangqing anxiously, "Brother, do you have any ideas?"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded and said, "Of course... Actually, it's very simple. Whatever tricks they use to annoy us, we'll use their tricks to annoy them."

Xiao Zhan was a little confused: "What do you mean? Does that mean we should also exempt their territory from taxes? We don't even have that qualification."

Xiao Xiangqing said, "Brother, you're usually quite smart, so why does your brain fail you at crucial moments? Did he ask you to agree to him becoming emperor?"

Xiao Zhan shook his head, then immediately came to his senses, his eyes widening as he said to Xiao Xiangqing, "No... I understand! You mean... we should also ascend the throne?"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded: "That's right, we all have the late emperor's edicts. We can establish our own kingdoms, then grant them titles of kings...and give them territories. We can also exempt them from taxes and ensure their people receive a monthly allowance...Damn, who wouldn't do such a cheap and good deed..."

Xiao Zhan's expression grew even more interesting as he listened, and then he said to Xiao Xiangqing, "Hahaha...Brother, how did you come up with this plan of having sons without an anus? Brilliant! Brilliant!"

Xiao Zhan is the kind of person who always speaks faster than he thinks.

After saying this, Xiao Zhan quickly waved his hand and said, "Brother...no...no...I didn't mean that...I just meant..."

Once Xiao Xiangqing understood Xiao Zhan's personality, she knew that he was a straightforward person.

I didn't want to argue with him, after all, they would be working together for a long time to come.

Before Xiao Zhan could finish speaking, Xiao Xiangqing laughed and said, "Hahaha, you're right, this scheme of 'sons born without an anus' was come up with by that bastard Xiao Tao!"

As soon as Xiao Xiangqing said this, the two of them burst into laughter.

The awkwardness vanished instantly.

Just then, Bi Han spoke up, "Eighth Prince, while this is indeed a solution, they won't listen..."

Xiao Xiangqing said to Bi Han, "Mr. Bi Han, of course... of course they won't listen. We didn't want them to believe us in the first place! What we want is a legitimate reason. We just need to establish him as a vassal king... Can a vassal king issue laws that can be implemented? Of course not... Since that's not the case... then we can legitimately stop this method."

"Then, we'll post notices for the people in our territory, saying that this is a scheme by the traitorous king to sow discord. After that, we'll adjust the tax reduction policies for the people in the capital, and the people will definitely buy it when they see them!"

After listening, Bi Han quickly said to Xiao Xiangqing, "Eighth Prince, your idea is brilliant! Excellent idea, excellent idea! Thank you for your guidance!"

Xiao Xiangqing waved his hand and said, "Hey, you're too kind... This isn't what I wanted either."

As soon as Xiao Xiangqing said this, Xiao Zhan and Bi Han knew about it almost immediately.

This idea must have come from Mr. Qianlong, who was dressed in a monk's robe and was standing next to Xiao Xiangqing.

After spending this time together, they have gained a general understanding of Mr. Qianlong.

They also realized that Mr. Qianlong had arranged all the weapons and other equipment this time.

Although, I envy Xiao Xiangqing somewhat.

Fortunately, this Mr. Qianlong is also a person who understands the big picture.

As long as this chaos remains unresolved!

Therefore, they will continue to benefit.

Xiao Zhan listened to what Xiao Xiangqing said and looked around.

"By the way, where's Mr. Qianlong? I haven't seen him..."

Xiao Xiangqing said to Xiao Zhan, "Ninth Brother, didn't you give out a new batch of orders? Mr. Qianlong went to contact those people before you did..."

Seeing this, Bi Han said, "You've really worked hard... Actually, if it's convenient for you, you could introduce us to these people's contacts as well! That would save us a lot of trouble."

After he finished speaking, seeing that Xiao Xiangqing didn't respond, he instead slammed his hand on the table.

This startled Bi Han, who awkwardly said, "Eighth Prince, I didn't mean anything by it, it's just..."

Before Bi Han could finish speaking, Xiao Xiangqing interrupted, "Mr. Bi Han, no wonder they say you're a capable person... You and Mr. Qianlong are thinking the same thing!"

Bi Han was clearly stunned when he heard Xiao Xiangqing say this.

"Your Highness, do you mean...?"

Xiao Xiangqing said, "Before Mr. Qianlong left this time, he asked me to invite you. There's another matter... they want to introduce you to people who sell weapons to us..."