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

Both sides looked at each other and smiled.

Xiao Ce continued, "Of course, this is also our choice. Even if you hadn't supported us, we would still have done it. We can never use a policy of appeasement towards the people of Fusang! There's only one word: kill!"

Ries looked at Xiao Ce with some surprise.

Xiao Ce asked with a smile, "Your Highness, what's with that expression...?"

Ries said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, the King of the Northern Desert, in my impression, you have always been a calm and rational person... However, you just can't remain calm towards the people of Fusang... As far as I know, there isn't any deep-seated blood feud between you..."

Xiao Ce gave a bitter smile: "They've made our country into this mess. Do you think we don't have a blood feud between us? If it weren't for your support, even if I had the power to reach the heavens, I'd probably still be left with a land full of starving corpses!"

Xiao Ce naturally did not reveal his true reasons.

Rhys nodded, though he knew this was definitely not the real reason for Xiao Ce's actions.

Even so, Xiao Ce had his reasons for not speaking.

He didn't press the matter further.

Seeing this, Eva asked, "Then... those prisoners, are you just going to keep them around like this?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand: "Of course not, how could I just keep them here for nothing... I had them all taken to some impoverished areas to grow potatoes..."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce couldn't help but laugh and said, "Our general sent us a letter saying that those people from Fusang are more useful than livestock..."

And that was indeed the case; Xiao Ce had his men use the Xiaoyao Pill to control them first.

Subsequently, they became dependent on Xiaoyao Pills.

Then it becomes very easy; without the Xiaoyao Pill, those people will suffer a fate worse than death.

To get the "Free and Easy Pill," you have to be as obedient as a dog.

Because only by obeying orders could they obtain the "Free and Easy Pill," they all worked obediently.

You should know that the purity of the Free and Easy Pill given by the Mad Taoist was much higher than that of the pills developed by the people of Fusang.

When the illness flares up, the effects are naturally much more potent.

Therefore, controlling them was very smooth.

According to the general in charge, those Japanese were treated like dirt, with one person doing the work of three...

To be honest, ever since he heard what that general said, he really couldn't bear to let these Japanese people go.

This is even more effective than black slaves...

Just then, Xiao Ce saw Da Lei appear outside the hall with two familiar faces.

Xiao Ce was somewhat excited when he saw the two people.

"Uncle Zhong, Xiao Jiu!"

Then, Xiao Ce said to Rhys and Eva, "Gentlemen, I have two old friends visiting, so I'll entertain them first! If you'd like to wander around, I can arrange for someone to protect you!"

Eva and Rhys waved their hands, saying, "We have guards with us, Your Highness, you can go about your business."

Xiao Ce smiled bitterly: "However, there's nothing fun here... These days, everyone is busy just trying to fill their stomachs."

Even in Kyoto, the locals are busy working in the fields.

When people can't get enough to eat, entertainment and business activities will decrease.

After all, if people can't even fill their stomachs, they won't spend money.

Therefore, the businesses of the Golden Association have recently stagnated.

They went to the Turkic Khaganate and the Western Regions to trade.

They still admired Xiao Ce to some extent. If it weren't for Xiao Ce opening up these two places, these merchants would probably only be able to farm.

Eva and Rhys waved their hands and said, "Of course not... The mountains and rivers of your Xiao Kingdom are very attractive... Your Highness, you don't need to worry about us."

Ries nodded in agreement.

Xiao Ce nodded with a smile, and Rhys and Eva walked to the door.

Upon seeing Lin Zhong and Xiao Jiu, he bowed slightly.

Lin Zhong bowed slightly in return, while Xiao Jiu seemed somewhat at a loss.

It's been almost half a year since we last parted ways.

Uncle Zhong's hair has turned quite a bit whiter, and he looks much more haggard.

Xiao Jiu has grown quite a bit taller.

I remember when I first met Xiao Jiu, she was just a little kid...

Now Xiao Jiu has grown into a grown-up.

After the two approached, they were about to bow to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce helped him up.

"Uncle Zhong, Xiao Jiu, you must be tired from your long journey."

Xiao Jiu waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, it's not tiring at all... This is my first time in the Central Plains, and the carriage you invented is very comfortable... I'm not tired at all... On the contrary, it's very comfortable."

Lin Zhong gave a wry smile and said to Xiao Jiu, "You came at the wrong time. If you had come earlier, the Central Plains would have been the Central Plains! Now look how desolate it is!"

"Even this Kyoto doesn't resemble Kyoto at all anymore..."

It's clear that Lin Zhong is still quite emotional...

After all, he had witnessed the prosperity of the Xiao Kingdom.

Xiao Ce understood Lin Zhong's lost and dejected expression perfectly.

After all, the difference between before and after leaving this place was too great.

Before Xiao Ce could say anything, Lin Zhong said to him, "However, Your Highness, you have now entered the Central Plains... From now on, Xiao Kingdom will only get better and better... And the people here have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel..."

Xiao Ce listened to Lin Zhong's words and nodded with a smile: "I wouldn't say I've taken control of the Central Plains... I'm just temporarily in charge of these matters..."

Lin Zhong naturally understood Xiao Ce; he knew that Xiao Ce didn't have that much desire for power.

"Your Highness, it's good that you can take charge for now. Even if you eventually stop managing this place, I believe you will find someone capable of doing so!"

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised to hear Lin Zhong say this.

Because when Xiao Ce told others that he didn't want to continue, they would all try to persuade him to keep going.

Only Lin Zhong didn't say that.

"Uncle Zhong, aren't you going to beg me to do it?" Xiao Ce said to Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong smiled and said, "Your idea is so righteous, and I know you... What you want to do is not to be an emperor in one place and live a life of idleness! Being confined to a corner is not your style... It's not that you don't want to be the emperor, but that you think the position of the emperor is too low."

Hearing Lin Zhong's words, Xiao Ce couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying to Lin Zhong, "Hahaha, Uncle Zhong, you really understand me! But how did you know that I thought the emperor's official position was too low..."

Lin Zhong said to Xiao Ce, "Back then, when I saw you give the position of the king of the vast Turkic Kingdom to Zhang Yunqing, whom you had only known for a short time, I knew that a mere regional overlord was not the goal you wanted."

"Especially after I went to Dragon Tiger Stronghold and took over the Heavenly Mystery Institute, I became even more certain... that what you want to do is far more complex than it seems..."

"Furthermore, I've heard that you went to the Western Regions. Using the same methods, you still couldn't bring them into the territory of the Xiao Kingdom. This only confirms my suspicions that you have great ambitions... Of course, what you intend to do, I truly have no idea..."

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Lin Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, it seems you really know me. However, I may not be as powerful as I think, at least not as powerful as I imagine... You must have seen everything along the way... desolation everywhere, starving people everywhere!"

Lin Zhong said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, haven't you already resolved this?"

Xiao Ce looked at Lin Zhong with some surprise.

Before Xiao Ce could ask a question, Lin Zhong said to him, "Your Highness, those must have been the Slavic prince and princess. Judging from their attitude towards us, it seems you have already won them over with your personal charm... In that case, the food problem shouldn't be a problem."

"Besides, if we really get into a desperate situation, you should know that our Dragon Tiger Stronghold has stockpiled a lot of food... At that time, everyone will just be hungry for a while. We have potatoes, and if everyone pools their resources, no one will starve to death..."

Hearing Lin Zhong's words, Xiao Ce slapped his forehead and said with a look of surprise, "Uncle Zhong, that's right... there's still the grain stored in Longhu Village. How could I have forgotten about that... I prepared enough food in Longhu Village to keep everyone from starving for ten years."

"If used as an emergency measure, it could indeed last for several months..."

Lin Zhong added, "Also, while you were away, the Princess Consort stocked up on some more grain for future emergencies at the Northern Desert Prince's residence..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Look at my brain. If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn't have worried myself sick for days..."

Lin Zhong said with a smile, "But it seems we don't need to use the grain supplies from over there?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "The initial problem has been solved. The Slavic country sold us 100 million shi of grain..."

Lin Zhong's eyes widened, then he gave Xiao Ce a thumbs up: "Your Highness, you truly live up to your reputation... So, you didn't call me here for the sake of the provisions?"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Of course not... What, did you think I sent you here because of the grain supplies?"

Lin Zhong nodded, then said, "That's right... I always thought you wanted me to handle the grain supplies..."

Xiao Ce said to Lin Zhong, "I have something more important for you to do..."

Lin Zhong looked at Xiao Ce with curiosity.

Just then, Xiao Jiu, who was very adept at handling things, said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, perhaps I should excuse myself?"

Xiao Ce smiled and waved his hand: "What, it's been so long... do you still feel like an outsider?"

Xiao Jiu waved her hand awkwardly: "No... Your Highness, I didn't mean that... I was just...

Seeing Xiao Jiu's terrified expression, Lin Zhong laughed and said, "Your Highness, I was just joking... You stay here."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Indeed, Xiao Jiu, during your time at the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion, both Prime Minister Yin and everyone else have spoken highly of you. You've been a very competent steward..."

Xiao Jiu scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed.

Xiao Ce then said to Lin Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, you've already arranged for someone you trust to manage Dragon Tiger Stronghold there, right?"

Lin Zhong nodded: "That's right. I have people in Longhu Village, and General Han Da has people under me, so there won't be any problems."

Xiao Ce said to Lin Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, this time, I will let you leave that place. We will start building a larger Tianji Academy here."

"Not only that, I also need you to put all the research into production..."

"Weren't many of the buildings in the Central Plains destroyed before the Fusang Kingdom left? So, I think we should destroy the old to build the new, and take this opportunity to renovate the Xiao Kingdom..."

"For example, bicycles, which are beneficial to the people, can be produced... They are no more useful than horses."

"And the land previously used to feed warhorses was used to feed cattle and sheep, improving the health of our soldiers and civilians..."

"Also, regarding the sewing machines we previously asked you to produce, we can also scale up production and make them available to the public so that everyone can benefit..."

...

After giving many examples, Xiao Ce said, "Our goal is to ensure that what we research benefits the people! Furthermore, we have ongoing trade relations with Slavic countries and overseas markets, so we have no shortage of markets..."

"We must make progress as quickly as possible, and scientific research cannot stop for even a moment..."

Lin Zhong was quite excited after listening to Xiao Ce's speech.

He understood the meaning behind Xiao Ce's words and knew their significance.

Once they actually put the things they designed in the Tianji Academy into practice in their current lives.

This is simply an unimaginable leap.

Seeing that Lin Zhong didn't respond, Xiao Ce then said to Lin Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, what's wrong? Don't you agree? Do you think it's not feasible?"

Lin Zhong shook his head and said, "No...no...it's feasible...this plan is feasible. And you're right...if we apply and roll out what we've researched...then our secrecy work will no longer be secrecy. Even if we want to keep it secret, it won't be so easy!"

"At that time, you might want me to control... but I'm not sure I'll be able to!"

Xiao Ce said to Lin Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, actually, my previous thinking was indeed that of a small workshop..."

"Actually, the things we are researching already exist overseas, such as electric lights and steam trains, which are already very mature. We just need to open them up for application, and I believe that there are many experts among the people."

"Now that the Xiao Kingdom is in our hands, we should not be complacent... Only by opening up can we progress..."