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

After hearing Xiao Xiangqing's words, Xiao Zhan and Bi Han's expressions gradually became excited.

"Brother, are you sure? You really want us to see you?"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded: "Of course...we've already said we can cooperate. I don't have any grand ambitions, like unifying the world. When the time comes, the two of us brothers can establish two separate countries, that's perfectly fine!"

"Xiao Wenqin's poem is excellent. It says, 'We are all born of the same root, why are we so eager to harm each other?' We are brothers, so we can be together in the future, with two countries and two emperors!"

Xiao Zhan laughed as he listened and said, "Haha, not bad, Your Majesty! I also think that unification is not necessary! With your words, we don't need to say anything more... So, let's do as you say and go deal with that bastard Xiao Tao first!"

Xiao Xiangqing nodded: "Okay, let's do as we say! Let's give him a good thrashing and show them what we're capable of! Don't think we're easy to bully!"

Xiao Zhan listened and nodded with a hearty laugh.

After they made their plans, they acted very quickly.

The two of them, a day later, first invented a proclamation to denounce the thief.

They joined forces to punish the rebel Xiao Tao, and recounted how they imprisoned and assassinated the late emperor before ascending the throne.

They stumbled upon a lucky break.

Three days after issuing the proclamation against the traitor, Xiao Xiangqing, with the help of the Jiangnan army, subsequently established the Jiang Kingdom in the eight prefectures of Jiangnan.

Xiao Zhan established the Kingdom of Chuan in the six prefectures of Sichuan.

After they established their new country, they gave Xiao Tao his territory as before, exempted him from taxes, and even provided him with some benefits he never dared to dream of.

Not only that, they also promulgated new policies for their own territories, although not as extravagant as those given by Xiao Tao.

The common people were well aware that even if the government dared to offer them the benefits Xiao Tao provided, they wouldn't dare to take them!

And so the people happily accepted these things.

Not only that, they also issued a recruitment order, simply because their two countries had just been established and they could recruit skilled workers from all walks of life, offering a series of subsidies, including housing, land, and even residency permits.

In fact, the Jiangnan region occupied by Xiao Xiangqing already had a geographical advantage.

The Jiangnan region is a land of fish and rice, and is inherently rich.

Previously, according to the laws of Xiao State, relocation between various counties was still very difficult. Now, with their talent-grabbing policy, naturally many skilled craftsmen are willing to go there.

This infuriated Xiao Tao. He had thought that Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xiangqing were the most vulnerable.

Unexpectedly, their method of using the enemy's own methods against them turned out to be a countermeasure.

This directly shattered his idea of ​​unification.

After all, Xiao Xiangqing controlled eight prefectures, Xiao Zhan controlled six prefectures, and Xiao Yang, though not declaring independence, was also granted four prefectures on the western frontier. And then there was Xiao Ce with four prefectures in the northern desert!

He only truly controlled the twelve prefectures.

His territory appears to be the largest, but none of his lands are protected by any barriers.

The western barrier has been seized by Xiao Yang, the northern barrier by Xiao Ce, and the coastal lands of Jiangnan in the east are now all in Xiao Xiangqing's hands. Furthermore, Xiao Zhan's Xiao Kingdom is like a sharp dagger piercing his heart.

Although he appears to own the largest territory, in reality, he is now surrounded and besieged on all sides.

Xiao Tao immediately summoned the ministers here, restored them to their posts, and then urgently convened the morning court session!

Just when the Central Plains of Xiao Kingdom were in complete chaos.

The northern desert, which Xiao Ce had always considered his rear base, was now facing immense pressure.

Although Xiao Ce traveled light, the northern desert region was simply too far away.

It was much farther than going to the Western Regions.

They rested very little and it took them about half a month to reach Yanmen Pass.

The most important thing is that the roads here are in terrible condition!

Xiao Ce had a profound understanding of the idea that if you want to get rich, you must first build roads.

He also greatly admired the security escort agencies that delivered their weapons and ammunition.

On the way, Xiao Ce passed by several houses and learned about them.

The Qian brothers, Qian Dafang and Qian Dahai, were indeed two successful businessmen.

Their execution ability is unquestionable; they strictly followed the plan that Xiao Ce gave them.

They had transit stations in almost every major city and town.

If they coordinate properly, they can ensure that people can rest while goods can still be transported.

Compared to the previous model, where a caravan could take a month or even several months to complete a journey, this new model is different.

With their current modifications, they have divided the entire route into dozens of segments, and then assigned each segment to a dedicated transporter.

The advantage of this is that they are very familiar with this section of the road, as are the people and the route.

This reduces a lot of unnecessary trouble, and with shifts, the speed can be increased several times.

If transported from Kyoto to the northern desert, the normal time for a person to arrive would be one and a half months.

If you use their logistics system, it will take at least 20 days, and sometimes as little as half a month, or even 10 days to arrive!

When Xiao Ce heard this, he even considered 'shipping' himself.

Judging from this logistics, the Qian brothers, Qian Dafang and Qian Dahai, are truly farsighted people.

After all, building this system in the early stages is extremely expensive; it's no exaggeration to say it's a business that loses money but gains publicity.

Fortunately, Xiao Ce provided them with enough money-making projects.

Xiao Ce walked on the road leading to Yanmen Pass. To avoid attracting attention, the road was still very dilapidated.

Only specialized transport teams travel this way, and only people from the northern desert can use this route.

For safety reasons, Yin Pan'er still adopted the policy of 'closing the country to foreign trade', which meant that it was still very difficult for people from Xiao Kingdom to enter the northern desert.

Because Xiao Ce established trade relations with Qian Dafang and his group, the country was able to maintain its isolationist policies.

They can also make money from the Central Plains.

However, to the outside world, they always said how difficult things were in the northern desert, especially after Xiao Ce occupied it, when things became even more difficult.

This is how 99% of the people from the Xiao Kingdom were persuaded to leave.

Following this trade route, Xiao Ce could see the undulating city wall of Yanmen Pass in the distance.

It was like a giant, reclining dragon lying on the ground, completely severing the northern desert region from the Xiao Kingdom.

Xiao Ce noticed that Gulimiza also looked travel-worn, with her face covered by a veil.

"Gulimiza, how are you? A little disappointed?"

Gulimiza revealed her beautiful, crescent-shaped eyes: "Your Highness, how could you be disappointed? Of course not... We haven't even reached the territory yet!"

Xiao Ce teased, "As the saying goes, 'You can know the whole leopard by looking at a part of it.' Look at those city walls from afar, they look so gray..."

Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, Gulimiza said, "Your Highness, please don't test me. That's a city wall made of cement; it may not look nice, but it's indestructible!"

Seeing that Gulimiza was so lucid, Xiao Ce lost interest in teasing her.

Less than half an hour later, they arrived at an outpost outside Yanmen Pass.

This is the first pass near the northern desert. If you don't pass this checkpoint, you can't get close to the city of Yanmen Pass.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Just as Xiao Ce approached, a man dressed in black armor rode a majestic Akhal-Teke horse.

They ran straight over from one side.

As the person approached, Xiao Ce recognized him at a glance.

"This humble general, Han Da, greets Your Highness! Your Highness, I've missed you so much!"

When Han Da said this, his voice was trembling, even though he was a seven-foot-tall man!

Xiao Ce stepped forward, helped Han Da up, and patted him on the shoulder.

Then he laughed and said, "Haha, me too... Get up quickly! How did you know I could make it today? You, the highest-ranking marshal of the Xiao Kingdom, don't you usually deal with military affairs and just wait for me here every day!"

Han Da laughed and said, "Your Highness, don't you know? Ever since our Northern Desert Army underwent restructuring, I've had far fewer worries! I must say, the Princess Consort is truly a remarkable person. Her reforms have made things much easier for me, and our efficiency has even increased..."

Han Da then proceeded to shower Yin Pan'er with praise.

Xiao Ce was naturally familiar with the military reforms that Han Da mentioned.

However, Xiao Ce didn't expect Yin Pan'er to act so quickly...

Xiao Ce patted Han Da on the shoulder as he watched him speak excitedly.

"Let's talk as we walk!"

Han Da then came to his senses and nodded, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Then Han Da said to Xiao Ce, "By the way, Your Highness, I have a surprise for you today!"

Xiao Ce was stunned for a moment after hearing Han Da's words, then said, "A surprise? What surprise?"

Han Da then blew a loud whistle.

Immediately, the sound of hooves came from one side, followed by the neighing of horses.

Upon hearing this voice, Xiao Ce was immediately pleasantly surprised.

I looked in the direction from which the sound came...

Immediately, a robust horse appeared, its size even larger than Handa's Akhal-Teke, yet it did not appear clumsy at all.

Instead, they are very agile and fit...

Upon seeing this, Xiao Ce's voice began to tremble.

"Iron Egg!"

The horses that arrived were none other than 'Iron Egg,' which Xiao Ce had left behind in the northern desert.

It's been over a year since I last saw him, and this 'Iron Egg' has grown so much again...

Not only has its body grown larger, but the entire horse exudes a domineering aura.

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, 'Iron Egg' seemed to understand.

The running speed increased even more, and it practically sprinted towards Xiao Ce...

It showed absolutely no signs of slowing down.

This scene terrified everyone present, and they all tried to pull Xiao Ce aside.

Xiao Ce waved his hand, showing no fear, and stood still.

'Iron Egg' only started to slow down when it was less than ten meters away from him.

Even so, just as it was about to reach Xiao Ce, 'Iron Egg' suddenly braked sharply, shifted its weight backward, raised its front hooves high, and then slammed down heavily beside Xiao Ce, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.

He seemed to be venting his dissatisfaction, glancing at Xiao Ce twice with his round, horse-like eyes.

It couldn't help but snort twice, seemingly venting its anger.

"Tiedan, are you angry? Fine! From now on, I'll take you everywhere I go, okay?"

Xiao Ce said, stroking 'Tie Dan's' neck.

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, 'Iron Egg' acted like a dog, nuzzling against Xiao Ce's side with its neck...

The ponytail behind her kept swaying.

This scene left everyone dumbfounded.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether it was a horse or a dog!