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

Xiao Ce snorted coldly: "You don't even need to rebel... If it weren't for my concern for the people, I really wouldn't want to get involved in this mess... I'd rather go back and be the King of the Northern Desert and live a comfortable life..."

Xiao Zhan quickly waved his hand and chuckled, "No, no... Brother, to be honest... I've been an emperor, and it's really not as comfortable as being a general or a leisurely prince."

Xiao Zhan said that.

On the other side, Xiao Tao and Xiao Wenqin, who had also been emperors, both expressed their strong agreement.

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang and nodded, then said with a smile, "Why are you nodding? You've never been one before!"

Xiao Yang chuckled, then said to Xiao Ce, "Brother... I may not have eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run! Look at how unlucky they were when they were emperors... Hahaha..."

Xiao Yang couldn't control himself and laughed mockingly.

Seeing this, Xiao Tao said quietly, "Then you should thank your elder brother properly. If it weren't for him... your situation probably wouldn't be much better than that guy Xiao Xiangqing's!"

Xiao Tao is good at roasting people, and he immediately hit Xiao Yang's weak spot.

Xiao Yang's smile vanished instantly, and he subconsciously asked Xiao Ce, "Brother, how is that bastard Xiao Xiangqing doing?"

Xiao Ce shrugged. "To be honest, I don't know either... He's probably with the prisoners of war. He's probably not dead; someone like him wouldn't die..."

Then Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang and said, "By the way, your mother also..."

Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, Xiao Yang waved his hand and said, "No... Your Majesty, my mother died long ago... If you say that person is my mother again, you're insulting me... Is she even human? If it weren't for your foresight, I would have died long ago..."

After hearing Xiao Yang's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Alright! That's enough!"

Xiao Ce then turned to Xiao Zhan and said, "Xiao Zhan, you need to understand, this is not a good thing... For a long time to come, we may not be able to supply you with sufficient military rations..."

Xiao Zhan said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, if all else fails... shall we just rob them? I'll lead the troops and we'll make some money!"

Xiao Ce gave a wry smile: "Although the situation isn't good... it shouldn't be this bad..."

"Furthermore, eliminating the 'Xiaoyao Pill' from the military must be a top priority! Go find Xiao Tao to cooperate with you on this!"

Xiao Tao nodded: "Your Majesty, leave this matter to me."

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Tao, "I do need to tell you something... the production of the Xiaoyao Pill is entirely entrusted to you!"

Xiao Tao was somewhat surprised by Xiao Ce's words: "Brother, didn't you say you were going to quit? Why are you having another child?"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Tao, "With so many people like us, such a large population, how can we just quit like that? You've presided over people's quitting before, so you know the difficulties involved."

"I had you produce this so that they would have a process. The ultimate goal is to quit, and also, we need to get them motivated. They can't just lie around like corpses. I'll discuss some details with you regarding the distribution of this 'Free and Easy Pill'... They can only receive it after making certain contributions."

"Furthermore, no one but you is allowed to refine or sell this 'Freedom Pill'... We must establish strict laws..."

"I'm entrusting the matter of getting rid of the 'Xiaoyao Pill' entirely to you!"

Xiao Tao nodded solemnly.

Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Tao and saw that he didn't seem disappointed: "Are you disappointed?"

Xiao Tao shook his head and said, "No, Your Majesty! This matter is very important. If it is done well, it will be a great achievement for posterity! We will be remembered in history..."

"Moreover, this matter seems simple, but it's actually not simple at all! Doing it well is even more difficult... especially for our entire Xiao Kingdom. If we don't rid ourselves of these things, our nation will never be able to rise again..."

Xiao Tao's realization was highly appreciated by Xiao Ce.

"Indeed, I wasn't wrong about you! You're a smart person. Yes, this matter is very important! If you do this well, you will truly be remembered throughout history! The significance will be profound..."

Xiao Tao nodded: "Brother, I know! Don't worry. We've already made a mistake once... and we can only make this mistake once more..."

Xiao Ce nodded.

Then he looked to the side at Xiao Wenqin.

Xiao Wenqin walked up with an expectant look on his face and said to Xiao Ce, "Brother, what can I do?"

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Wenqin, "After the Fusang people came, they caused the collapse of etiquette and music. Moreover, judging from your expression, you don't seem to like court affairs very much..."

Xiao Wenqin smiled awkwardly, nodded, and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Majesty is right... I am actually more suited to scholarship."

Xiao Ce felt much more comfortable looking at Xiao Wenqin now.

In fact, Xiao Ce had always thought that Xiao Wenqin was cunning and treacherous, but seemed harmless.

However, having experienced life and death, his eyes have become much clearer.

What kind of person was he before?

Xiao Ce decided not to pursue the matter any further.

“Alright, then go and contact your grandfather, and then rally everyone together. The traditional culture of our Xiao Kingdom must be passed down... Tell those scholars that they can continue their studies... You do this. Discuss the specifics and then tell me.”

Xiao Wenqin nodded as well.

After speaking for a while, Xiao Ce looked at Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang looked at Xiao Ce with anticipation.

To be honest, Xiao Ce really hadn't decided what he wanted Xiao Yang to do.

"You'll just follow me for now..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Yang showed no disappointment; on the contrary, he was quite excited.

"No problem! Brother, I will definitely follow you obediently..."

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised: "What, if I don't assign you tasks, don't you think I'm showing favoritism..."

Xiao Yang smiled and said, "Being by your side is the closest thing to me..."

Xiao Ce rolled his eyes at him and said, "Are you openly trying to sow discord?"

Xiao Yang then realized that there were several other people beside him.

He waved his hand quickly.

Xiao Ce didn't wait for him to speak before saying, "Alright, stop explaining."

"Furthermore, I'm in charge of this matter now. I'm not trying to become emperor! Nor do I consider myself emperor."

"However, the country is now shattered, and the people are suffering terribly... The ancients were right: when the country prospers, the people suffer; when the country falls, the people suffer..."

“We shouldn’t be like this! So, I think someone should step forward now!”

"When the time comes and everything is settled, I will have our country change its system... But there's no need to tell you that now. After all, if we don't resolve these current issues, saying anything more will be futile..."

Xiao Ce's words immediately caused a huge uproar.

“Brother, you absolutely mustn’t… I think you are the best person to be emperor! Please, brother, ascend the throne!” Xiao Tao was the first to speak.

Xiao Wenqin nodded: "That's right, Your Majesty. Throughout history, no emperor has been able to do what you have done. Please ascend the throne! In this way, you will definitely be the best emperor in our Xiao Kingdom. It would not be an exaggeration to say that you are the greatest emperor of all time."

Xiao Yang nodded: "That's right, to be honest. Your Majesty, if it weren't for you ascending the throne, and someone else did, we would all be somewhat dissatisfied... But since it's only you who ascended the throne, I believe that not a single one of these people here is dissatisfied!"

After a few people spoke, the ministers on this side nodded in agreement.

"Yes! Yes! In both literary and military affairs, Your Highness, you are the most outstanding... You are the only choice to be emperor! We humbly request Your Highness to ascend the throne!"

"Indeed, Your Highness, the King of Mobei, in terms of status, you are the eldest son and were previously the Crown Prince! In terms of talent, we have all witnessed your efforts along the way... You are the best person... Only you can save our Xiao Kingdom. We kneel and beg Your Highness to ascend the throne!"

...

Upon seeing this, the ministers all expressed their support for him.

Xiao Ce flicked his sleeve: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I have no chance of becoming emperor! Besides, I'm resigning right now and I'm done with it!"

"I came here to enjoy myself, not to be treated like a beast of burden!"

Thinking of this, he remembered how hard he had worked in his previous life to get the company listed on the stock exchange.

As soon as the product was launched, he came here.

He didn't want to see the peace and prosperity he had worked so hard to achieve leave him behind.

He's come all this way, so he should enjoy himself.

Moreover, he actually has even more ambitious goals.

I'd rather be the master of this world than a mere emperor!

If only I could get people all over the world to speak my language like I do.

This is a much better choice!

After Xiao Ce said this, everyone fell silent.

"Alright, everyone get back to your own business."

One of the ministers spoke up and asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, all the princes have things to do, what should we do?"

Xiao Ce glanced at the ministers.

"I will bring Prime Minister Yin back later and have him reorganize the Six Ministries of the court. You all go about your business now..."

The ministers dared not say anything.

After all, they had all witnessed Xiao Ce's abilities...

He was able to win over these princes who were originally scattered and made them completely devoted to him.

They dared not offend him.

They knew very well that even if he became emperor, it wouldn't be him.

The emperor who comes after will be nothing more than a subordinate in front of Xiao Ce.

They simply agreed.

After Xiao Ce gave his orders, Xiao Zhan was the first to get busy.

After all, he had a lot of troops to take over, so he was under considerable pressure.

After all, his army consisted of all sorts of people...

Fortunately, he was experienced.

Xiao Tao didn't leave immediately because Xiao Ce had given him the guiding principles...

His task was actually more serious than Xiao Zhan's.

Xiao Zhan was facing only a few hundred thousand soldiers, while they were facing tens of millions of civilians who had been infected with the "Xiaoyao Pill".

When these people aren't showing signs of poisoning, they're like sheep...

However, once the poison takes effect, there's little reason left when searching for the "Free and Easy Pill".

It's like the evil in human nature, when left unchecked, will be terrifying.

In fact, Xiao Ce had already thought about this problem.

Previously, Xiao Ce's biggest worry was not the food supply, but rather the fact that he had become addicted to the "Xiaoyao Pill".

How to handle this properly is a very important question.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Tao talked for half the night. Xiao Tao was indeed capable and had ideas.

No wonder Cai Hui sought him out.

However, Cai Hui is completely brainless; she would listen to even a little bit of Xiao Tao's advice.

Things haven't gone so smoothly for Xiao Ce yet.

After discussing it, the two parties had already established a general framework and system.

Xiao Ce didn't concern himself with the details.

After lying on the bed, Xiao Ce did not relax at all.

Instead, I only felt a heavy burden.

Although he didn't say it, the extent of the current famine is actually more important than the fact that the people are addicted to the drug.

With the carefree pills given by Fusang, he won't die anytime soon.

But a person will starve to death if they don't eat for a few days.

Moreover, the current widespread famine is far more severe than the famine he experienced just now...

These years have already seen reduced grain production due to the Little Ice Age...

Now, man-made disasters have added to the mix.

Even with the support of the Northern Desert King's Palace, it seems like a drop in the ocean.

Moreover, the Western Regions depend on his grain...

He initially planned this to defend against the Western Regions, but now he feels like he's shot himself in the foot...

He has no other options now.

Now the only option is to seek help from India, but he has been to India before.

India, that place, had long been exploited by Westerners, and they didn't have much food to eat to begin with.

Another one is the Slavic countries.

The Slavic country is a powerful nation, and it has accumulated considerable wealth over the years.

Their population is small, but their food reserves must be substantial.

However, Xiao Ce knew that times had changed...

When Fusang was in their country, they were indeed able to provide them with support.

However, the abilities they will demonstrate will certainly make them wary...

If we ask them for help during this famine, they will surely suffer greatly as well.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have agreed...

After much deliberation, Xiao Ce realized he had another plan: go after whoever stole it...

We'll go and take it back.

However, naval warfare was not something they were familiar with...

This is really a headache!

The only solution now is to take those ten thousand-plus prisoners...

The people of Fusang value human life very much.

If we could exchange these artificially negotiated terms for enough food, that would be quite good.

Looking back now, it's all thanks to Xiao Zhan for stopping it in time.

Otherwise, if he had acted rashly and killed everyone, there would have been no possibility of negotiation...

Xiao Ce scratched his head, lost in thought.

The problems that Xiao Kingdom is facing now are far more difficult than driving out the Fusang people.

Xiao Ce kept pondering until dawn, then forced himself to go to sleep and finally drifted off!