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

Xiao Tao's expression was grim.

Cai Hui said to Xiao Tao, "Don't worry, just give me the money! I'll pay for it..."

Xiao Tao looked at Cai Hui with suspicion, but because there were too many people around, he didn't press the matter further.

Cai Hui said to the people from Fusang, "I will handle this matter. I will contact the gentleman who will be making the handover with us and then settle the payment!"

Upon hearing this, the envoys from Fusang smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, then let's continue discussing our future arms deals..."

The people from Fusang then presented a list, and after Xiao Tao and his group read it, they wanted to try and negotiate the price.

As a result, the people of Fusang did not give them a chance at all.

It's very simple: buy it or get lost.

Xiao Tao had no choice but to agree, since he needed their things after all.

Not only that, the Fusang Kingdom also occupied their port cities at sea and allowed Fusang people to come in and do business.

Furthermore, a series of rules were proposed to treat Japanese people preferentially.

In fact, Xiao Tao, Xiao Xiangqing, and Xiao Zhan were all the same; they had no choice at all.

However, the only difference between the people of Fusang and the Slavic people is that the people of Fusang are more assertive, almost to the point of using threats.

The Slavs, on the other hand, used relatively peaceful methods.

They are essentially the same.

After the negotiations were completed, the Japanese left triumphantly.

Some ministers could no longer hold back.

"Your Majesty, these people from Fusang are too arrogant... They took our port and now they want to act superior to us... This is simply outrageous! Outrageous!"

Xiao Tao said with a grim expression, "Everyone, I understand your anger... but as you have seen, our Xiao Kingdom has been declining, while their Fusang Kingdom has become much stronger... Just the ability to manufacture these weapons is something we can only dream of!"

"The situation is now clear. All the other countries are changing. Only we haven't changed! Not only have we not changed, we're also splitting apart! And as far as I know, the other rebel kings have also accepted help from some foreign tribes..."

"Therefore, if we don't accept their help, we will be destroyed by those traitorous kings. They have already established their own kingdoms; if we do nothing, our kingdoms will perish..."

"We should just be patient now. They sell us the weapons, so we'll find some good, skilled craftsmen to disassemble them. Once we're able to make these weapons ourselves, we won't have to put up with this nonsense anymore!"

Xiao Tao's words stirred the ministers' emotions.

...

At this moment, at Xiao Ce's place.

After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at the capital.

Because Xiao Ce heard about it from the Slavic people, he did not encounter any danger along the way.

They arrived outside the capital, but Xiao Ce did not have Han Da and the others inform them.

So the main force was behind them; they were ahead of the curve.

Looking at this renamed capital city in the northern desert, the city itself has been built to a grand and imposing degree.

After Xiao Ce reinforced the city's defenses, they have now put some effort into improving its aesthetics.

In less than two years, I watched the people walking on the street, their clothes, and the smiles on their faces.

Xiao Ce could then know that he had fulfilled all the promises he had made to the people here.

Make sure they have enough clothes to cover their bodies, enough food to fill their stomachs, and enough money in their pockets!

Along the way, Xiao Ce hadn't even seen a single beggar.

This is truly remarkable.

They arrived directly at the palace gates, which hadn't changed much.

Xiao Ce was accompanied by only two people: Hu Yidao and Da Lei.

Everyone else is following the main group.

As soon as Xiao Ce arrived at the palace gate, several guards tried to stop him.

However, upon seeing Xiao Ce, they were all speechless with surprise for a long time.

"Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness..."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "That's right, it's me. Can I go in?"

The guard nodded subconsciously, then shook his head.

"Your Highness, please forgive me... Even if you were here, you would still have to consult with the Commander of the Imperial Guards."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright, go and have Yang Changlin come over."

The guard nodded respectfully and then led Xiao Ce to a small room on the side.

Hu Yidao, standing to the side, said, "Your Highness, didn't they all recognize you? Why are they still letting us in..."

Xiao Ce chuckled and said, "Have you forgotten? Someone impersonated me before, and it almost caused serious consequences..."

Hu Yidao hadn't joined Xiao Ce at that time, so he didn't know about these things.

Hu Yidao nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "Then... can Yang Changlin distinguish between the real and fake?"

Xiao Ce said to Hu Yidao, "That's right... I told them some anti-counterfeiting codes, a secret code that only he and I know!"

"Besides, having the two of you with us is actually the best way to prevent counterfeiting?"

Just as they were chatting, they heard a hurried sound.

A short while later, Yang Changlin arrived.

When Yang Changlin saw Xiao Ce, he was first taken aback, and then subconsciously looked at Da Lei and Hu Yidao.

He then knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"This humble general, Yang Changlin, pays his respects to Your Highness! Long live Your Highness! Long live Your Highness! Long live the Prince!"

Looking at Yang Changlin's expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Are you so sure I'm not an imposter?"

Yang Changlin smiled and nodded: "Your Highness, even if someone can imitate your face, they certainly can't imitate your aura..."

"Furthermore, Mr. Da Lei, Mr. Hu Yidao, the three of you have very unique qualities that even if someone wanted to imitate you, they wouldn't be able to!"

Xiao Ce said to Yang Changlin, "Then there's no need for further words, we can go in now."

Yang Changlin nodded, then said, "Of course! But, Your Highness, what about General Han Da and the others?"

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Don't you know my rules? When have I ever always followed the main group?"

Yang Changlin smiled and nodded.

With that, they prepared to leave, led by Yang Changlin.

Just as I reached the door, I saw someone rushing over.

After looking at it, I recognized it at a glance.

It was none other than Xiao Jiu, the little follower he had previously recruited.

Before I left, I asked Xiao Jiu to help Yin Pan'er with the affairs in the palace.

In less than two years, Xiao Jiu has changed a lot.

He used to have a somewhat childish look, but now his face has a more mature feel to it.

"Your Highness, you've finally arrived!"

He had just praised Xiao Ce for his maturity when he walked up to him and his eyes immediately reddened.

He immediately knelt down on the ground with a thud and kowtowed several times to Xiao Ce.

"Your Highness, Xiao Jiu greets Your Highness... Your Highness... Long live the Emperor... Long live the Emperor... Long live the Emperor..."

As he spoke, his voice began to choke up.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce helped him up: "Why are you crying? Haven't I returned?"

Xiao Jiu nodded: "Your Highness...it's because you're back that I started crying...You're here, our pillar of support has returned..."

Seeing Xiao Jiu's expression, Xiao Ce patted him on the shoulder, both amused and exasperated.

"Alright, you grown man, what are you crying for! Come on, take me to see the princess!"

When Xiao Jiu heard Xiao Ce mention Yin Pan'er, her crying stopped immediately, and she looked flustered and panicked.

Hesitantly, he said, "Um... well... actually..."

After talking for a while, Xiao Jiu asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, didn't General Han Da tell you that?"

Xiao Ce naturally knew that they were trying to hide Yin Pan'er's injury.

Xiao Jiu was thinking of finding an excuse to lie to herself, but she was also afraid of causing a rift with Han Da, so she asked Xiao Ce instead.

Hearing Xiao Jiu's words, Xiao Ce patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, don't be afraid, I know everything!"

Xiao Jiu thought Xiao Ce was trying to trick him into revealing information, and he was unwilling to talk about it.

"Know what? What did General Handa say?"

Seeing Xiao Jiu's wary expression, Xiao Ce was speechless: "Alright, I know the Princess Consort was attacked by those damned Slavic people. Enough talk, take me to see the Princess Consort..."

Xiao Jiu's eyes widened: "What? What happened to General Han? The Princess Consort repeatedly told me not to tell..."

Xiao Ce slapped his head helplessly: "You think you can fool me with acting skills like this? You're just dreaming."

Xiao Jiu smiled awkwardly upon hearing this.

"The Princess Consort isn't here, Your Highness. Would you like to go?"

Xiao Ce nodded to Xiao Jiu: "I came back this time to give Yin Pan'er a surprise! Enough talk, hurry up and take me there..."

Xiao Jiu awkwardly said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, it seems you've come away empty-handed? The Princess Consort isn't here!"

Xiao Ce narrowed his eyes slightly: "Not here? Then where did you go?"

Xiao Jiu replied respectfully, "Your Highness, it seems you two are on the same wavelength. Just a few days ago, the Princess went to Dragon Tiger Stronghold. She said she was afraid that she couldn't hide it from you and that you would still find out here."

"You went to Dragon Tiger Stronghold?"

Xiao Ce gave a wry smile; the two of them had truly missed their chance...

Actually, Xiao Ce originally wanted to go to Longhu Village first.

As a result, thinking about Yin Pan'er, I decided to come here first.

If you go to Dragon Tiger Stronghold, then none of these things will happen.

After he finished speaking, Xiao Ce stared intently at Xiao Jiu.

Xiao Jiu quickly pointed to the sky with one finger: "Your Highness, I swear..."

Xiao Ce waved his hand, interrupting his oath: "Alright, stop making oaths all the time... There are plenty of trivial matters to deal with every day in the Northern Desert. Could Yin Pan'er leave this place behind and go to Dragon Tiger Stronghold for some peace and quiet?"

Xiao Jiu nodded with a smile: "Your Highness, didn't Prime Minister Yin arrive? Since his arrival, all the affairs here have been handled by him..."

After Xiao Jiu reminded him, Xiao Ce remembered that Yin Weiyong had also come.

"Alright, then take me to meet my father-in-law."

Xiao Jiu nodded respectfully as she spoke, and then led the way.

The palace hadn't changed much, so Xiao Ce asked Xiao Jiu, "I've seen many changes along the way in the northern desert, but why doesn't this place seem to have changed much?"

Xiao Jiu respectfully replied, "Actually, we followed the Princess's suggestion. However, the Princess said that money should be spent wisely... This palace is already sufficient, and there is no need to build anything more. The people need help more."

Just as Xiao Jiu finished speaking, the several main halls in front of them were undergoing renovation and reconstruction...

Xiao Ce pointed to the several halls that were under repair and renovation and said, "Those halls..."

Xiao Jiu said, "This is Yin Weiyong's idea, Prime Minister Yin's idea... Prime Minister Yin said that he does not approve of the Queen Consort's idea. The palace is the face of the entire Mobei Royal Palace's five prefectures and thirty-nine cities. When people from other countries come to visit, the first thing they see is the palace... The palace's decoration is magnificent and can also give people an invisible pressure... So, after Prime Minister Yin took over, he began to renovate it."

Xiao Ce nodded; Yin Weiyong's words made sense.

When he was doing business, he needed cars that were powerful and expensive enough to flaunt his status, as they were a symbol of his identity.

After all, when two people meet, their first impression is based on some external things to judge a person's strength.

As they were talking, they had already reached the outside of a study.

Because Xiao Ce had given orders, no one went to inform him.

At this time, Yin Weiyong was also handling some affairs.

As Xiao Ce walked over, he heard a sound coming from inside the hall.

"Please be patient... Our Northern King is coming soon! The Xiao Kingdom is currently fragmented, and we cannot rashly send troops. The situation is such that any move could have far-reaching consequences."

"Go tell those Zhang Yunqings! They can go and fight first... Didn't we provide them with weapons? Why can't they win? Tell them they must hold their ground... I don't care..."

"Don't worry, our Prince will be back in the next few days! Can't we hold on for a few days? Once our Prince returns, everything will be resolved..."

Listening to these voices, Xiao Ce realized that the Slavs were still causing trouble in the Turkic territories.

Yin Weiyong, however, did not seem to intend to send troops.

Xiao Ce truly understood Yin Weiyong's meaning. Now that the Xiao Kingdom has split into several forces, Xiao Ce seems to be the strongest.

However, Xiao Ce had no foundation and relied solely on himself.

Once you've exhausted your strength, your chances of unifying the country in the future will be greatly reduced.

Just by listening to Yin Weiyong's words, Xiao Ce knew that he was in a real bind.

He shouted, "Father-in-law, you've worked so hard these past few days! You're right, everyone doesn't need to worry anymore! I'm back, and everything will be fine!"