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

His thinking was simple: if Eva could win over Xiao Ce, they would become family.

That would be a permanent solution!

Eva nodded: "Father, I'm sure I've made up my mind... Please don't worry. I already know what my brother said... I'll follow his method."

Shahar nodded.

"Alright, actually, there are advantages to keeping the Xiao Kingdom alive. They caused the Fusang Kingdom such a huge loss; given the temperament of those people in Fusang, they certainly won't let them off so easily..."

"Let them wear each other down while we focus on our own development. That wouldn't be a bad option, would it? What do you think?"

Upon hearing Shahar's words, the oligarchs and cabinet ministers all nodded in agreement.

"Since everyone is nodding, they probably don't have any objections."

These individuals all nodded, indicating that they had no objections.

Shahar didn't linger and immediately announced the end of the meeting, saying everyone could leave.

"Reese, Eva, you both stay here."

They naturally knew that Shahar had something to say.

Without further ado, he followed Shahar to his residence.

After Shahar had them sit down, he said to Rhys, "Rhys, tell me what's going on."

Ries paused, then asked Shahar, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Didn't I already say it?"

Shahar looked at Ries with a meaningful expression: "Ries, there are no outsiders here... you don't need to be so wary of me anymore. Tell me your true thoughts..."

Ries knew that Shahar was a cunning man, and even if he was his son, it would be difficult if his beliefs differed from Shahar's.

He wouldn't even consider the bond between father and son...

Therefore, Reese's mouth is still very tight...

There was no budging.

"Father, I have already made my stance clear..."

Shahar looked somewhat helpless. With his shrewdness and composure, he naturally knew what his son was worried about.

"Do I have to force you to say it? Actually, you've already convinced me... Our Slavic Empire is enough... To be honest, I don't have the desire to rule the Xiao Kingdom anymore. If what Xiao Ce said is true, I'd be happy to have him as an ally."

Shahar expressed his sincerity with a genuine expression.

After saying it aloud, Rhys said, "Father, that's what I think too..."

Seeing this, Shahar said, "So, what I'm saying is, what do you think about their request for help this time?"

Rhys said, "What I mean is, let's go straight to their aid..."

Shahar said to Ries, "You mean, we should just bring the grain over directly?"

Rhys nodded: "That's right. There were some things I didn't say earlier. Actually, cooperation would be beneficial to us..."

"Regarding Xiao Ce and his group's weaponry, they still need to rely on us for some heavy weaponry. We can continue to supply them with it should a conflict arise with Fusang later. It's a business deal..."

"Secondly, without the threat of Fusang, we can focus our naval development on our weaknesses while Xiao Ce is at war with Fusang."

"Even after we develop and manufacture them, we'll still need ships when we go to fight Japan... We can sell them to them... Instead of letting them fight us, we might as well be the ones making money..."

“That Xiao Ce is a sensible man! We’re helping him out in his time of need, and he’ll definitely not let us suffer any losses! Father, I think his strategy is feasible... If we divide this huge Earth between the two of us, everyone will definitely be able to eat their fill.”

“It’s not enough for just our family to do it, and there’s another problem I’m considering!”

Looking at the determined expression on Rhys's face, Shahar had already guessed what he was thinking.

"Your goal is to create an oligopoly?"

Ries nodded: "That's right, Father! The biggest problem for our Slavic nation has never been external threats... but internal troubles."

At this point, Rhys paused again: "Father, now that we've come this far, I have to borrow a phrase from Xiao Ce."

"No country has ever been destroyed by force; whenever a country falls or its stock market changes hands, it is always due to internal problems..."

“Previously, you unified the entire Slavic people and became the undisputed Tsar of this land... but at the same time, you also fed those oligarchs.”

"These oligarchs are like a poison that could explode at any moment... Once it explodes, all the efforts you've made, Father, will likely be... wiped out..."

After listening to Rhys's words, Shahar laughed and said, "You're not bad, kid...you've hit the nail on the head...So? Do you think he has the ability?"

Ries said to Shahar, "Father, at least we'll have a powerful ally if problems arise... When our Slavic nation was comprised of many small countries, we didn't actually have any conflicts of interest with the Xiao Kingdom. That was true then, and it certainly will be true now; they will need us as an ally..."

Ries's proposal of this viewpoint can be said to have completely convinced Shahar.

"Alright! Then tell me, how much grain should we provide this time?"

Ries said, "To solve his immediate problem, we need at least fifty million to one hundred million koku!"

After hearing this, Shahar gasped: "Given away for free?"

Rhys laughed and said, "Of course not... Xiao Ce wouldn't accept it even if you gave it to him for free..."

Shahar said to Ries, "This amount is not a small number for us... it's almost emptied our long-accumulated reserve food supplies!"

Rhys said, "Father, when I was in Xiao Kingdom, I learned a saying: 'You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub...'"

"Besides, believe me... Xiao Ce won't let us suffer!"

Shahar slammed his hand on the table and said, "Alright! Let's do it!"

After listening to Shahar's words, Ries asked with some surprise, "Your Majesty... then how do you persuade those oligarchs?"

Shahar scoffed, "Aren't those oligarchs all about profit? Those stockpiled grains are just sitting there anyway; we'll let them make money by selling them at prices higher than the market value, and they'll naturally be happy to do so..."

"Moreover, they all understand what you just analyzed for them. Fighting with Xiao is more harmful than beneficial, while making peace is more beneficial than harmful. Furthermore, if the two countries truly become friendly and trade begins, it will benefit both of them."

"I'm afraid there's only one person who'll be unhappy, and that's Constantine Eugene! After all, he only benefits from war, right? But convincing him is simple: all future arms orders from Xiao Kingdom will go to them... and we won't take a cut..."

Hearing that Shahar was going to such lengths, Ries looked on in astonishment and said, "Father, isn't this a huge loss..."

Shahar laughed and said, "It doesn't matter. Once money reaches a certain amount, it's just a number... Besides, it's in their pockets. Sooner or later it'll be mine..."

After Shahar said that, the group was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Haha, not bad... not bad..."

As he spoke, Shahar looked at Eva in the first volume.

Eva said to Shahar, "Father, I understand what you mean! I will try my best!"

Shahar was taken aback when he heard Eva say that.

Because he hasn't said anything yet.

"I haven't said anything yet!"

Eva said to Shahar, "Father, isn't your plan to make me his woman? That way, we can become even closer... complete and unwavering allies?"

Shahar looked at Eva with some surprise and said, "Not bad...not bad...but do you agree?"

Eva nodded and said, "Of course...why not? After all, I don't know any other man who is better than him."

“I was concerned about the relationship between the two countries before, but now that you have decided to cooperate with them in depth, Father, I have no more concerns.”

"I like him... I like men who are better than me..."

Shahar listened, "Haha, good! Good! Eva, as long as you're determined, Xiao Ce will be a piece of cake..."

Rhys nodded. "Yes, Eva. If you're sincere, I wish you well. And I can tell you, now is a very good opportunity. He's with a woman from the Western Regions who's helping him with matters concerning the Turks. And his wife seems to have disappeared..."

"He's a man...and he doesn't have a woman with him...you..."

After listening to their words, Eva's expression didn't seem entirely natural.

She wasn't actually that confident. Although she was very capable, she also liked strong men.

However, Xiao Ceqiang was completely beyond his control.

Moreover, she had been in contact with Xiao Ce. Xiao Ce was fond of women, but he didn't touch just any woman.

However, there is good news: Shahar's spending is quite substantial.

Shahar promised to lend or sell 100 million shi of grain; he will surely be grateful for this great gift.

Over the next two days, Shahar defeated his enemies one by one.

The oligarchs conceded profits, and naturally, they all agreed.

Even if some cabinet ministers objected, Shahar did not heed their advice.

They began preparing food.

...

Inside the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Xiao Ce had just heard the letter from Yan Jia.

It is said that Cai Hui was killed silently, seemingly to silence her.

Moreover, the other party's methods were very professional.

Yan Jia later investigated through the Twelve Fiends, but found almost nothing.

However, some clues were still found from the Xie Zhi.

This matter may be related to the Blood Nether Pavilion.

Xiao Ce was initially stunned, but Da Lei reminded him.

Xiao Ce then remembered that the Blood Nether Pavilion had been involved in the competition between the Western Regions and this region.

They came specifically for Xiao Ce.

Seeing that Da Lei was very nervous, Xiao Ce said, "Da Lei, you don't need to be so nervous..."

Da Lei also came during this period. He heard that Hu Yidao had been left in India.

General Dan was also pregnant, and since he didn't want him to stay in the army, he applied to come over directly.

General Dan was pregnant in the mansion that Xiao Ce had given him.

Da Lei, on the other hand, continued to serve as a bodyguard.

Da Lei said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, you are unaware of this... the Blood Nether Pavilion has never failed in its missions..."

Xiao Ce was somewhat dismissive: "You tried to kill me before, but you just failed."

Da Lei waved his hand: "Actually, the Xie Zhi later found out that their target wasn't you at all..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "There's no need to be nervous. They're powerful, and this time they're here specifically for Cai Hui. Besides, according to what you said, they're so powerful, and they're coming to kill me... I'm living in constant fear, and they're still coming to kill me..."

Da Lei shook his head: "Then we can take precautions!"

Xiao Ce laughed: "There are only thieves who steal at night, not thieves who catch each other at night! Take it easy, I'll have the Golden Society investigate."

Then, Xiao Ce said to Da Lei, "By the way, do you have any news about Night Owl?"

Ever since Night Cat impersonated that Hidden Dragon and went to find Yin Pan'er, he seemed to have vanished into thin air.

No news at all.

I don't know if it's life or death...

Da Lei shook his head: "No."

Seeing Xiao Ce's somewhat worried expression, Da Lei comforted him, "Your Highness, don't worry... Do you know why night owls are called night owls?"

Xiao Ce looked at Da Lei with a hint of confusion.

Da Lei laughed and said, "Because cats have nine lives... Among us Twelve Fiends, who is the least likely to die? Night Cat is one... Don't worry. The fact that we haven't heard from him means that he really has no other choice..."

Xiao Ce muttered to himself, "I wonder where Yin Pan'er went... Such a vast country, now that it's unified... She should have heard the news by now. She'll come looking for me."

Da Lei then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, have you considered one possibility?"

Before Da Lei could finish speaking, Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Of course...you mean they're no longer here? They left Xiao Kingdom...and went somewhere else."

Da Lei nodded.

Xiao Ce gave a wry smile: "That's what I was thinking too... After all, the Golden Society has infiltrated every level of society, finding someone shouldn't be that difficult..."

Da Lei comforted her, "Your Highness, please don't worry. The Princess is a lucky person; she will definitely be alright..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "I'm not worried about that..."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce rubbed his temples and said, "What I'm worried about now is food... I've sent letters to both the Slavic and Japanese countries... but there's been no news!"

Da Lei chimed in, "Your Highness, those people are probably thinking of taking advantage of our weakness to kill us! They'd love to see us starve to death if they knew our situation!"