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

The city lord was also somewhat moved by what he heard.

"I never expected that the previously infamous good-for-nothing crown prince would have such a broad mind and awareness. The world has been blind."

Hearing the city lord's words, Xiao Tao nodded: "That's right, everyone in the world is blind. If my father hadn't ostracized him back then, but instead allowed him to rightfully oversee the country, then the Xiao Kingdom wouldn't be in its current state."

The city lord, however, was somewhat unconvinced: "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, you can't say that. If it weren't for your past experiences, you wouldn't be who you are now. Nor would the King of the Northern Desert be who he is now. If it weren't for these experiences, you wouldn't be convinced by the King of the Northern Desert, would you?"

As Xiao Tao listened and reflected on everything he had done, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Haha, that's absolutely right... everything is the best arrangement!"

Seeing this, the city lord said to Xiao Tao, "Your Highness, did the prince say whether or not to let that mad Taoist priest pass through?"

Xiao Tao nodded: "That's right, he has already said that I can bring the Mad Taoist over."

The city lord nodded and said, "The prescription given by the Fourth Prince is also correct. So, should we take him there now, or..."

Xiao Tao was silent for a moment, then said to the city lord, "I will go and invite him myself."

The city lord nodded.

Xiao Tao went to the back mountain himself and had just arrived at the thatched hut.

The ugly, mad Taoist priest had already slung his patched-up cloth bag over his shoulder.

"Taoist priest, did you know I've come to pick you up?"

The mad Taoist priest looked very serious and nodded.

Xiao Tao still admired the mad Taoist and said, "Taoist Master, you are indeed extraordinary, with divine wisdom and ingenuity."

The mad Taoist priest is no longer mad; he seems like a completely different person.

“It’s not that I’m a genius; I knew you were coming up the mountain. You didn’t come up there for any other reason; you must have come to ask me to leave.”

Xiao Tao nodded first, then asked curiously, "Then you..."

The Mad Taoist said, "It's getting late, we can go now!"

Xiao Tao was about to speak when he was immediately choked back by the Mad Taoist's words, and nodded.

When Xiao Tao led the Mad Taoist down the mountain, he intended to have a chat with him.

However, the Mad Taoist didn't pay much attention to Xiao Tao. After talking for a while, Xiao Tao also felt it was pointless and shut up.

After descending the mountain, Xiao Tao said to the mad Taoist, "Taoist, I still have many things to do here... I will arrange for someone to accompany you to take care of your daily needs and ensure your safety."

As the mad Taoist listened to Xiao Tao's words, he stared intently at him with his turbid eyes.

Xiao Tao, feeling awkward under the Mad Taoist's gaze, said, "Taoist Master, what's wrong? Is there a problem? Do you want me to personally escort you? I still have 100,000 troops here, and I'm afraid something might happen to them while I'm not around."

The mad Taoist shook his head: "It's alright, you can make the arrangements. I just need to see Xiao Ce."

Xiao Tao found it somewhat strange.

However, considering his previous erratic behavior, this is still considered normal.

Without giving it much thought, he let the mad Taoist rest for a while.

Seeing Xiao Tao about to go find people, the Mad Taoist said, "Find people who haven't taken drugs... I don't like people whose minds are controlled by drugs... They're already slaves to the devil... They may be alive, but they're already dead."

Xiao Tao didn't think much of it. After all, the way his men behaved without the Xiaoyao Pill was something even the Mad Daoist couldn't accept.

Even he couldn't accept it.

None of the soldiers around him had ever touched the Xiaoyao Pill, so they had no choice but to go to the city lord.

The city lord then dispatched some of his trusted confidants, a team of more than thirty people.

Because of the war everywhere, Xiao Tao took the gold coin from the Golden Society and went to find the merchant guild.

After finding the Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Tao asked them to help take care of things.

The merchant guild leader said to Xiao Tao, "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, please rest assured... His Highness the King of Mobei has already made arrangements... There are no problems on our side. You can relax."

Xiao Tao nodded, and they escorted the mad Taoist to the city gate.

The mad Taoist suddenly stopped the carriage, then spoke to Xiao Tao in a raving tirade: "Xiao Tao, remember... the prescription I gave you, don't rely on it too much... it can save lives, but it can also harm them... if more and more people use it... then your people, your country, have no future..."

Xiao Tao nodded: "Master Daoist, rest assured, His Highness the King of Mobei has also instructed us on these matters."

The mad Taoist priest listened intently, his eyes sharp: "He said that too?"

Xiao Tao recounted the letter that Xiao Ce had sent him, in its entirety.

After hearing this, the mad Taoist priest said excitedly, "As expected... as expected... worthy of being the person foretold... worthy of being the person foretold... it's him... it's him."

Xiao Tao pressed further, "Taoist, the person in the prophecy? What prophecy? What person in the prophecy?"

The mad Taoist gave Xiao Tao a meaningful look, then answered irrelevantly, "You're lucky...you're lucky...hahaha! Let's go! Let's hurry, let's set off! I want to see him as soon as possible..."

The mad Taoist priest then said to the driver, "Let's go..."

The person rushing to catch the carriage glanced at Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao knew that the mad Taoist priest was having another episode, so he didn't waste any words, nodded, told them to be careful, and then set off.

The city lord then said to Xiao Tao, "Your Highness, is this person truly insane, or is he faking it?"

Xiao Tao gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "I really don't know... But it doesn't matter. He can fool me, but he can't fool the King of Mobei. Anyway, we've already told the King of Mobei about it. The King of Mobei will receive him."

The city lord nodded and said to Xiao Tao, "Your Highness, should we attack now?"

Xiao Tao said to the city lord, "No rush, we'll wait for news. Now we can prepare our troops. Once they start fighting on the front lines, we can begin to gradually take over those cities. Xiao Yang and the others will join us then."

"Since the main battlefield is on the side of the Northern Desert King, there won't be any problems here!"

The city lord nodded: "So what do we do next?"

Xiao Tao said to the city lord, "Didn't the prince say that we should now use their own methods against them... to make medicine..."

Xiao Tao did not tell the city lord about this matter.

Therefore, the city lord looked puzzled.

Xiao Tao then recounted how the medicine they had produced was intended for use by the people of Fusang.

The city lord was somewhat stunned after hearing this.

"Could those people from Japan be affected? These drugs originated from there..."

Xiao Tao said to the city lord, "His Highness the King of the Northern Desert already has a solution. We just need to focus on shipping the goods. Moreover, the King of the Northern Desert said that we only need to handle production, and he will ensure that the entire Fusang Kingdom uses these things..."

The city lord's expression became quite interesting, and then he said to Xiao Tao, "Then we just need to focus on production?"

Xiao Tao nodded: "Of course, we must do a good job of publicizing the dangers of this thing... The prince has already taught me how."

As he spoke, Xiao Tao explained these methods to the city lord and then asked him to cooperate.

To be honest, the city lord was quite surprised after hearing Xiao Tao's words...

Because Xiao Ce's solution was simply brilliant.

Xiao Tao said to the city lord, "Is the King of Mobei really not simple?"

The city lord nodded: "If he could become our emperor, I can't even imagine how powerful our Xiao Kingdom would be."

Xiao Tao nodded in agreement, now fully understanding Xiao Ce's prowess.

They got busy for the next few days.

First, they purchased the medicinal herbs within the city.

However, after Xiao Ce intervened.

This matter will be handled jointly by the Golden Society and them.

Both parties supervise each other. This new product is called the Longevity Pill, and these pills are distributed strictly.

Moreover, Xiao Ce actually provided a way to quit.

Actually, there is no better way to quit taking that "Xiaoyao Pill" than this one.

That is forced abstinence.

This process is painful and unsightly.

Xiao Tao asked his trusted confidants if there was anything they wanted to give up.

Along with this letter came Xiao Ce, along with a method for quitting.

Those confidants naturally didn't want to be controlled by the drugs, so they began to openly quit Xiaoyao Wan.

Let the whole city supervise it, firstly for supervision, and secondly to let them know the harmfulness of this thing.

At the very least, it should intimidate everyone.

Of course, Xiao Tao may think they are greedy, but if they give up these vices, he will naturally give them important positions and reward them with money.

At first it was okay, but after two or three days of abstinence, they showed their true colors.

People gather around every day; when they are poisoned, they have absolutely no dignity.

They are not only incontinent, but also lack any sense of dignity; they beg and plead for anything they see.

These examples are clearly laid bare before everyone's eyes.

Everyone was terrified of that thing, and the effect was surprisingly good.

...

After a long and arduous journey, Xiao Ce arrived in Wan'an City along with the Slavic military supplies and the more than 10,000 troops supported by the Slavic country.

Wan'an City was originally part of Jiangnan Prefecture. It was the city that Xiao Zhan and Bi Han chose after they decided to betray the regime.

In fact, they occupied the three outermost cities: Wan'an City, Zishui City, and Guangfu City.

These three cities are not very large, but fortunately, their walls are sturdy and their geographical locations are excellent.

They can support each other from all sides, providing mutual cover.

Moreover, it leads to the Sichuan region, or even directly to the Northern Desert King's Palace.

From the selection of these three cities, Xiao Ce could tell that Xiao Zhan had indeed found a treasure.

That Bi Han not only has a knack for governing the country, but it seems he is also very proficient in military strategy and warfare.

As soon as they arrived outside Wan'an City, Xiao Zhan, along with many military officers and Bi Han, were already waiting.

Among the crowd, Xiao Ce spotted a Slavic man dressed in fine clothes.

This man must be the legendary eldest prince of the Slavic country, Nikolaevich Ries.

"Brother, you must be tired from your long journey!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Zhan stepped forward to greet them, and Nikolaevich Reis followed suit!

Before Xiao Ce could answer, Nikolayevich Riess said, "Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, I have long admired your name, and my sister also speaks highly of you."

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Nikolayevich Reis, "Your Highness Reis, I've heard so much about you for a long time. It really is true that seeing is believing. Hello!"

Seeing Xiao Ce extend his hand, Nikolayevich Ries shook it: "Your Highness Xiao Ce, my sister and I share the same view. I think we can cooperate."

Xiao Ce smiled slightly but did not respond.

Obviously, what Nikolayevich Ries didn't know was that his sister, Nikolayevich Eva, had already been reminded by Xiao Ce.

Eva had secretly warned Xiao Ce beforehand that he should keep his distance from Nikolaevich Ries, or at least be wary of him.

He said that Nikolayevich Riess looks approachable, but he is very cunning and good at pretending.

His greatest skill is feigning weakness, and he is also an ambitious man.

Xiao Ce changed the subject: "Your Highness Rhys, those are your troops. You can go and greet them."

Nikolayevich Ries nodded and walked toward the back of the group.

Xiao Ce then said to Xiao Zhan, "This isn't a place for chatting, is it?"

Xiao Zhan understood Xiao Ce's words immediately and quickly gestured for him to follow.

Upon entering the city lord's mansion, Xiao Zhan excitedly said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, I'm so happy you could come. I was a little worried before."

"After all, they brought an army of nearly 300,000 men, all looking very aggressive, as if they were going to devour us completely!"

"However, now that you're here, I feel completely reassured. I'm absolutely calm! Victory is assured!"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Don't flatter me... I'm not very good at fighting. With someone like Master Bi helping you, you'll definitely be fine."

Bi Han looked utterly apprehensive: "Your Highness, you're really putting me too hard... I can't... I absolutely can't..."

"Don't be modest if you can choose these three cities."

Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, and before Bi Han could reply, Xiao Zhan coughed twice and said, "Brother, you really misjudged him. When it comes to warfare, Lord Bi is truly incompetent!"

"These three cities were seized at my request!"

Bi Han nodded in agreement.