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

He noticed that Xiao Ce was looking into the distance with a sly smile on his face, as if he was thinking about something.

When Yunqing and Urgen find out, they know someone is going to be in trouble again.

Xiao Ce must be plotting something wicked right now.

Everything was ready outside, and Nikolaevich Eva was already waiting.

Xiao Ce did not choose to ride a horse, but switched to a carriage. The journey had been bumpy and tiring.

Nikolaevich Eva initially suspected that Xiao Ce was up to something.

However, seeing Xiao Ce's sincere expression as he led a group of people dressed in camouflage training uniforms and wearing ghost masks, it was quite a sight.

These suicide squad members all wore bulletproof vests that Xiao Ce had researched, even though the effect might not be as good as modern ones.

However, it has already achieved good results, and is especially useful for blocking swords and arrows.

Moreover, each of those unique ghost masks was hand-painted by the individual.

Putting everything else aside, just one glance was enough to tell that these people are not to be trifled with.

...

The following day, Xiao Zhan and Bi Han arrived in Turkic territory under special escort.

Having grown accustomed to the splendor of the Northern Desert Royal Palace, they experienced a different feeling upon arriving in the Turkic region.

They were heading towards the capital when it was noon that day.

A group of people, resembling scouts, arrived and directly conveyed Yunqing Urgen's message.

When they were told to change their route, Xiao Zhan and Bi Han had no objections, having heard that Xiao Ce was waiting for them there.

So they changed their route.

Bi Han, sitting in the carriage, appeared quite calm, while Xiao Zhan seemed somewhat worried.

"Master, will there be any problems with this? You're usually a very cautious person, how come you just agreed like that... Could someone be impersonating you... trying to harm us on purpose?"

Seeing Xiao Zhan's wariness, Bi Han smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. We're more useful alive than dead right now; they won't let us die..."

"Besides, didn't you see a single refugee or bandit along the way?"

Xiao Zhan shook his head.

Bi Han said, "Xiao Ce's rule over these people is absolutely outrageous. You've seen it along the way; the Northern Desert King's Palace treats Xiao Ce almost like a god... So, there won't be any danger."

Xiao Zhan said to Bi Han, "Lord Bi, so do you think he is more suitable to be emperor than I am?"

Bi Han didn't mince words: "Indeed, Your Majesty!"

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan showed no displeasure whatsoever. If he had heard these words before, he would have been furious.

However, now that he has heard it, he is completely convinced.

Whether it's the construction of the Northern Desert King's Palace, the people's attitude towards him, or the security situation there.

He asked himself honestly, if Xiao Ce were willing to be the emperor of Xiao Kingdom, he would even be willing to be a prince.

He also thought it would be a wonderful thing.

After a pause, Bi Han continued, "However... I don't think His Highness the Crown Prince has any intention of ascending the throne. So, I think we can try our best."

Xiao Zhan asked in confusion, "Lord Bi, what do you mean by that?"

"Do you know the Second Prince?" Bi Han asked.

Xiao Zhan nodded: "Of course. Xiao Yang and Xiao Ce were sworn enemies before, the two were like oil and water. Back then, wasn't it all thanks to the Second Prince that the First Prince Xiao Ce was driven out of the capital? Later, after the Second Prince visited the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion, some rumors circulated that he had been beaten into submission by Xiao Ce..."

"At first, nobody believed it, but now it seems Xiao Yang was simply beaten into submission. Even now, Xiao Yang would rather sever ties with his birth mother, Cai Hui, than not be with Xiao Ce..."

Bi Han nodded in agreement with Xiao Zhan's words: "He probably just wants to be emperor, a puppet of Xiao Ce. But as for being a puppet, we can see that from Yin Weiyong, or even the Khan here. Xiao Ce doesn't seem to have a very strong desire for power..."

Xiao Zhan finally understood Bi Han's meaning: "So, you mean I should compete with Xiao Yang? Become Xiao Ce's puppet? Lord Bi, didn't you say I don't have the talent to be an emperor?"

Bi Han smiled and said, "Of course, if you have a god-like figure like Xiao Ce to assist you, you can also become one."

Xiao Zhan waved his hand and said, "That's not my turn. After all, Xiao Yang has been following him for so long."

Bi Han smiled and said, "Let's just let things take their course. Xiao Ce will definitely make his own judgment in the future!"

Xiao Zhan nodded: "That's right, let nature take its course. As for you, I've actually been an emperor before... but I feel less happy being emperor now. To be honest, I'd rather go back to my old life... If I were with Xiao Ce, enjoying the freedom of the martial world would be a good thing. Whether I'm an emperor or not isn't that important anymore."

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Bi Han smiled and nodded, saying, "That's true. If Xiao Ce agrees, I think it's feasible..."

Xiao Zhan was surprised that Bi Han was so agreeable: "You agreed?"

Bi Han nodded: "Of course... Actually, I have met Xiao Yang. Even that troublemaker Xiao Yang has been very well-trained by Xiao Ce. With Your Majesty's talent, I believe you will definitely achieve even greater things than Xiao Yang... You are still young..."

Seeing Bi Han's words, Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "Why does it feel like you're asking me to become your apprentice?"

Bi Han said to Xiao Zhan, "Of course, all of this is just wishful thinking on our part. And our knowledge of Xiao Ce's abilities is all hearsay... Only by seeing him in person can we truly appreciate his prowess..."

Xiao Zhan nodded.

...

Three days later, they arrived at a city near the border.

The city has been severely ravaged by artillery fire.

Moreover, along their journey, they saw scorched earth everywhere, even though so much time had passed.

The air was still filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Although they did not experience that war, just looking at this land ravaged by artillery shells was enough to tell how brutal the battle was.

Moreover, the fact that they were able to completely annihilate those Slavic people in the end seemed somewhat unbelievable to them.

What they didn't know was that, although it looked terrible on the ground, the actual fighting wasn't as bad as they imagined.

Basically, the previous Saleh militia was just turning over soil.

Aside from killing some of the ambush attackers at the beginning, no one else was injured...

After they arrived, Yan Jia received them.

"My lords, since we have just come from a war, the conditions here may be a bit basic. I hope you can bear with us."

Xiao Zhan and Bi Han waved their hands to indicate that they had nothing to do with it, and then asked directly, "General, when will my imperial brother arrive?"

Yan Jia was somewhat surprised by Xiao Zhan's words, because in his memory, Xiao Ce and Xiao Zhan had no interaction.

However, Xiao Zhan kept calling him "Royal Brother," making it seem as if the two were very familiar with each other.

Xiao Ce shook his head: "I don't know the exact time, but judging by the time it should be around that time."

Seeing Xiao Ce's response, Yan Jia said no more and led the two men inside to rest. Their attitude was quite good, which gave Yan Jia a positive first impression of them.

Xiao Zhan looked at Yan Jia and then asked, "Are you the general named Yan Jia under my imperial brother?"

Yan Jia asked in surprise, "Your Highness, do you know me?"

Xiao Zhan said with a smile, "Back in the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion, there were quite a few storytellers. I'm tired of hearing them... There were two great generals, Han Da and Yan Jia, who were initially selected from death row inmates."

Yan Jia nodded: "That's right, the prince is our benefactor. His kindness is like giving us a second life."

Xiao Zhan said with a smile, "You didn't let him down, did you?"

Yan Jia shook his head and said, "Talented horses are common, but discerning judges of horses are rare!"

Xiao Zhan nodded, neither denying nor denying it, which was considered an admission of the statement.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Zhan told Yan Jia not to worry about them and to go about his business.

The next day, Xiao Ce arrived here very early in the morning.

After hearing the news, Yan Jia waited here early.

After Yan Jia performed the ceremony.

Xiao Ce stepped down from the carriage and helped Yan Jia up, saying, "Yan Jia, you did a good job this time..."

Yan Jia couldn't tell whether Xiao Ce was praising or scolding him.

He could only stare at Xiao Ce, trying to find some clues from his expression.

In the end, he didn't find it, and instead knelt on the ground again: "Your Highness, please forgive us... annihilation was not our intention... it was just a coincidence... When I heard Wei Wuji say 'annihilation,' I knew things were going to go wrong..."

When Xiao Ce heard Yan Jia say this, he was both amused and exasperated, and helped him up: "What's wrong? It's not like you went to fight them... They invaded us, so it's normal for you to annihilate them all."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Nikolayevich Eva to the side: "Your Highness, is that right?"

Nikolayevich Eva listened to what the master and servant were saying, and her expression was extremely awkward.

He just kept nodding.

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Yan Jia, "Alright, even the Slavic princess doesn't care. You've won the battle, so I'll reward you handsomely."

Yan Jia waved his hand and said, "The plan was all devised by Your Highness... This humble general dares not take credit for it..."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Ce instructed Yan Jia to say, "We'll rest here for the night and head to the Slavic country tomorrow. Send someone to make arrangements for Her Highness the Princess."

Yan Jia nodded, and he immediately understood and arranged for someone to take Nikolayevich Eva to rest.

Nikolayevich Eva didn't say much; she knew Xiao Ce had come for a reason.

See Nikolayevich Eva leave.

Yan Jia then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, the Ninth Prince and one of his ministers arrived yesterday. Shall we go and meet them?"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Of course, that's why I came... What about those two?"

Yan Jia shook his head and said, "I can't be sure..."

Xiao Ce was somewhat bewildered by Yan Jia's response.

"What do you mean by 'I can't tell'?"

Yan Jia said, "I initially thought Xiao Zhan was arrogant and domineering, but he was very polite... and didn't find fault with me. Anyway, I can't be sure. I always feel that their attitude is a bit unusually good."

Xiao Ce raised an eyebrow: "What's so surprising about that? It's not surprising at all. They're asking for our help anyway. Of course, their attitude won't be too bad! On my turf, they dare to act arrogantly? Aren't they just courting death?"

Yan Jia smiled and nodded when he heard Xiao Ce say that, "Your Highness, what you say is not wrong. But His Highness the Second Prince was like this before, wasn't he?"

When Xiao Ce heard Yan Jia mention Xiao Yang, he couldn't help but recall Xiao Yang's appearance before, which resembled a honey badger.

He said with a smile, "A guy like Xiao Yang is a rare find in my life!"

As they were talking, Yan Jia arranged accommodations for Xiao Ce, and then went to invite Xiao Zhan and the others.

Xiao Zhan was still somewhat excited when he heard that Xiao Ce had arrived.

Bi Han whispered a reminder from the side: "Your Majesty, you must remember what I told you... In the future, I will try not to speak if I can."

Xiao Zhan said confidently, "You can rest assured."

After the two reached the door, Yan Jia stood there.

"General Yan, we've arrived!"

Yan Jia said with great enthusiasm, "Your Highness has been waiting for a long time."

Before the two of them could even enter, a hearty laugh echoed from inside the house.

"Yan Jia, is that my ninth brother?"

Before Yan Jia could answer, Xiao Ce had already come out, his face full of enthusiasm, as if he were a long-lost friend.

He walked up to Xiao Zhan and gave him a big hug.

"Ninth Brother, I'm so happy you could come to visit. I knew you were coming, and you came all this way without stopping. I'm so sorry for neglecting you!"

Xiao Zhan was momentarily taken aback by Xiao Ce's enthusiasm.

After all, he and Xiao Ce really didn't have any connection.

Xiao Ce was looked down upon by the emperor from childhood to adulthood, and he was always seen as a good-for-nothing.

Influenced by others, Xiao Zhan had always looked down on him from the bottom of his heart since childhood.

Of course, since they looked down on him, they didn't bully him.

It wasn't that Xiao Zhan was particularly good; he simply felt disdainful of bullying Xiao Ce.

So the two of them really had no connection whatsoever, not even a nodding acquaintance!

Xiao Ce's attitude now is like that of an old friend he hasn't seen in a long time, which is indeed somewhat unexpected.

Bi Han had warned Xiao Zhan that although Xiao Zhan was reckless, he wasn't stupid.

I'm still capable of putting on an act.

"Brother, you're too kind... You're too kind... Actually, I should have come to visit you much earlier. But I was held up by trivial matters..."

Seeing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Ce smiled and put his arm around his shoulder without saying a word: "Ninth Brother, let's go inside and talk... I've prepared some good tea for you... Please... please... have a good taste!"