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

Once you gain their trust, they really are easy to fool!

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I'm absolutely sincere... Just you wait and see."

Let's go greet them together.

Koichi Tojo smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Afterwards, they boarded Xiao Ce's carriage together. Inside the carriage, Xiao Ce asked Tojo Koichi, "Young Master Koichi, have any of those Blood Nether Pavilion people been looking for you these days?"

Koichi Tojo was somewhat puzzled: "No? They haven't contacted me since they last came to see me. After all, I promised them I would go to war with you... They're probably just watching."

Xiao Ce said to Tojo Koichi, "After they acquire the weapons this time, they should come looking for you..."

Koichi Tojo laughed and said, "What are those people thinking? They haven't even grasped the situation, yet they're already trying to instigate and sow discord between us..."

Xiao Ce smiled and replied, "Stupid."

In fact, Xiao Ce had been keeping an eye on them all this time.

That Wind Demon, also known as Wang Dequan, continued to run the escort agency as always, as for the house where Nie Bing was staying.

Aside from some servants occasionally going out to buy daily necessities, Nie Bing has never been seen coming out.

Clearly, they don't have any plans at the moment.

These days, while Xiao Ce seems to be coaxing Tojo Koichi, he hasn't been idle either.

What pleased him most was that Boudica brought over a hundred scientists from their country of Britain.

These scientists are all experts in their respective fields.

Xiao Ce specifically asked Lin Zhong to make the arrangements.

Lin Zhong has already set up the Tianji Academy branch, which is an institution established by the imperial court.

Once you get in, you'll be a civil servant with generous benefits.

The people they recruit are those with a particular skill, any skill will do.

The exam papers were also created by members of the Tianji Academy, focusing on mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Of course, some people with exceptional skills will also be recruited, since the Tianji Academy is equipped with manufacturing facilities.

In less than a month, it already had more than 3,000 employees.

It really does prove Xiao Ce's saying that true masters are often found among ordinary people.

Now, there are foreign scientists working in conjunction with his theories.

First, they developed a steam engine, which marked their official entry into the industrial age.

With this in mind, we can then research the revival of the piston four-stroke engine, and then the internal combustion engine...

Only when they are the first to develop and manufacture an internal combustion engine will they truly represent entering a leading era.

This will take time, but with Xiao Ce's theoretical knowledge, he will definitely get there much earlier.

Of course, his current plan is to catch up with the technology outside within a year. Only after catching up with the technology outside can he trigger a technological breakthrough.

Of course, his immediate task is to wipe out the Japanese. After that, he plans to seize Saudi Arabia and the UAE, countries whose underground reserves are teeming with liquid gold.

By then, he will have access to state-of-the-art technology, as well as liquid gold and oil.

If he doesn't unify the world, who can?

Xiao Ce grew happier the more he thought about it, and a silly grin crept onto his face.

Seeing Xiao Ce's expression, Tojo Koichi thought to himself, "They only gave him a small favor, and he's already so happy."

This is the difference in levels of understanding.

One of them is already thinking about unifying the world.

The other person was still feeling very happy about the goods they had transported.

...

Upon arrival at the port, the ships docked at the shore.

However, none of the supplies on the ship were transported.

The person in charge of transportation was likely the Tojo family's butler, named Tojo Kenjiro.

This Kenjiro Tojo was not a member of the Tojo family; it was just that Tojo Ōkawa saw his abilities and bestowed upon him the surname "E".

The situation was roughly the same as that of Tojo Shōki.

Kenjiro Tojo saw Koichi Tojo and said, "Young Master Koichi."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Kenshiro. Was Father worried about sending you here this time?" Tojo Koichi said with a smile.

Kenjiro Tojo smiled and waved his hand, saying, "The head of the family just wanted me to see if you need anything else. After all, some things can get distorted when relayed through different people."

Koichi Tojo smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes..."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tojo Koichi began to introduce Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce behaved neither servile nor arrogant, but was still quite enthusiastic.

Kenjiro Tojo, who was able to serve as the steward of such a prominent family in Japan as the Tojo clan, was naturally adept at interpersonal relationships.

He did show a certain level of enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, this is the manifest for our shipment. The unloading is now your responsibility..."

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, then went to call Da Lei to find the nearby garrison troops to come and move it.

Kenjiro Tojo found an excuse to spend time alone with Koichi Tojo.

Clearly, they have something they want to talk about!

Xiao Ce, being very tactful, walked away and arranged for those people to transport the goods.

Koichi Tojo boarded Kenjiro Tojo's ship.

"Mr. Kenshiro, did your father have other instructions?"

Kenjiro Tojo smiled and said, "The head of the family is worried about you because he's afraid that something fishy might be going on with such a good thing."

Koichi Tojo replied with a smile, "Actually, it's just that we've encountered a clever person. This Xiao Ce fought his way up from among their princes, so he's definitely the smartest. Moreover, this matter is advantageous to us, and it's also advantageous to him."

Kenjiro Tojo asked Koichi Tojo, "Is it because he's a smart man that he could foresee that after we conquered the Slavic country, he could still..."

Koichi Tojo interrupted, "He described our relationship as one of mutual benefit. We complement each other... He is aware of his own position and has also expressed his willingness to become our vassal state... and to pay us tribute every year."

Kenjiro Tojo listened and nodded: "It seems that the head of the family is right."

Koichi Tojo asked curiously, "Oh? What did Father say?"

Kenjiro Tojo said with a smile, "The head of the family said that the person seems to be someone who knows his place. If he continues like this, we can continue in this way."

Tojo Koichi nodded, and then relayed the letter his staff had given him to Tojo Kenjiro.

Having learned that Xiao Ce treated his prisoners so well, Tojo Kenjiro was no longer worried.

"Mr. Kenshiro, are there any more supplies? After all, they're rebuilding from scratch... These supplies seem like a lot, but in reality, they're just a drop in the ocean..."

Kenjiro Tojo said, "I came here this time just to confirm if it's possible to come back another time."

Koichi Tojo said, "You can rest assured, we'll bring more next time... Xiao Ce decided to attack in order to prove his strength. Right now we're short on ammunition, and of course, we can't skimp on food either. We also need to keep the people stable, otherwise, if we fight on the front lines, it won't work if the rear is in chaos due to food shortages."

Kenjiro Tojo nodded: "Alright, I will report this truthfully. We will send some more, and then, after you all go out to deploy, we will give you the final wave all at once..."

After the two confirmed it, they went out.

Kenjiro Tojo went and chatted with Xiao Ce for a few more minutes. From his words, Xiao Ce could still hear many probing questions.

However, he always gave satisfactory answers.

When it was time for dinner that evening, Xiao Ce specially treated him to hot pot, and once again, he subtly tried to please him with his words throughout the meal.

They didn't finish unloading until late at night.

This time, Kenjiro Tojo didn't linger and left immediately.

This allows them to mobilize their troops; their second wave of supplies will arrive in ten days.

And they ensured that the next wave of supplies would be absolutely sufficient to support them until they went to war.

Xiao Ce patted his chest and declared that they would go to war right away.

Because it would take more than ten days to mobilize troops, this would save time before the start of the war.

Kenjiro Tojo nodded and left.

Koichi Tojo also expressed his doubts, asking Xiao Ce if he had deliberately said that to Kenjiro.

Xiao Ce waved his hand: "Young Master Gu Yi, how could it be intentional? I mean it sincerely... I really think this way. We should start the war sooner. War is all about surprise. It takes time for us to mobilize our troops. If we wait for your supplies to arrive before we start fighting, it will delay us by at least a month."

"I don't want to wait any longer..."

Upon hearing this, Tojo Koichi asked, "Do you have enough ammunition?"

A sly smile flashed across Xiao Ce's face, and he said, "That's enough... Don't worry. We tricked quite a few people from the Slavic countries back then. Besides, you know we have some workshops, although the homemade guns and cannons we make aren't as good as yours."

"But in practice, there's no problem using them. They were enough for the initial stages of the war, and with you here, why would I worry about you not providing weapons?"

Koichi Tojo smiled, but Xiao Ce didn't wait for him to finish speaking.

He continued, "Before, you were afraid I'd trick you into giving us ammunition, so you didn't send troops. As for me, I was afraid that after sending troops, you wouldn't give us weapons... Obviously, now there's nothing to be afraid of..."

Seeing that Xiao Ce understood everything, Tojo Koichi smiled and said, "Then why don't you need to be afraid now?"

Xiao Ce replied with a smile, "Young Master Gu Yi, you were just having a private conversation with Mr. Kenshiro. You definitely trust me... From his attitude, I can tell he's definitely coming to our aid. So, I've decided, since we're going to fight anyway, the sooner the better..."

"After the battle, we'll have no more worries... and we can focus on our development."

Koichi Tojo smiled and said, "Alright, let's fight then."

Seeing Xiao Ce's hesitant manner, Tojo Koichi said, "Your Highness, regarding our current relationship, please feel free to say whatever you want..."

Xiao Ce nodded and said to Tojo Koichi, "I want you and your staff to come with us, or you can leave a few staff members here to receive supplies."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Tojo Koichi chuckled and teased, "What? Trying to take me hostage?"

Xiao Ce quickly waved his hand: "Of course not...of course not...Am I that kind of person? I just want you to come along, so you can see my strength and how hard we fight...Young Master, you will definitely be the master of the Slavic Kingdom in the future..."

"I want to show you my abilities, to let you know I'll always be someone you can use..."

When Tojo Koichi heard Xiao Ce say this, he smiled and said, "Alright! Even if you don't say it, I still have to go with you... Also, if needed, I can have my father send some troops."

Xiao Ce said to Koichi Tojo, "Young Master Koichi, aren't you slapping me in the face? Are you looking down on me? Before, we were lacking in resources and equipment to fight a small Slavic country. Now, with such powerful and advanced weapons provided by your Japan, if we still can't win, then there's really no excuse..."

"If that's the case, and I don't even have this much ability, you might as well wipe us out and go yourselves..."

Tojo Koichi nodded to Xiao Ce: "Alright, Your Highness, King of the Northern Desert, I admire your confidence. I'll learn from you then..."

Xiao Ce then offered another round of modesty, followed by a barrage of praise for Tojo Koichi...

I was overjoyed.

Because Xiao Ce was planning something big this time...

After returning home, he went to court early the next morning.

Because Xiao Ce did not ascend the throne for a long time, he changed the format of the morning court to the format of meetings in his later generations.

A large table was set up, with Xiao Ce sitting on one side and the others sitting around it.

Xiao Ce also invited Tojo Koichi to participate.

After everyone was seated, Xiao Ce looked at the group and said, "Gentlemen, I wouldn't normally gather everyone here!"

"However, as you have seen, our ally, Fusang, has already provided us with a considerable amount of weapons and food. I have decided to allocate all the food to the Ministry of Revenue first."

"Because our soldiers have a six-month supply of rations, and Japan will continue to provide them!"

"I'm telling you all this because I've decided to wage war against the Slavic nations! When we go to war, I hope you can help us defend our land!"

"As long as we destroy the Slavic Kingdom this time, and the Fusang Kingdom moves to Slavic territory, we will have a powerful backer and will have no worries about the future!"

"The affairs of governing the country are all handled by Prime Minister Yin. From now on, all matters concerning the Xiao Kingdom will be overseen by Prime Minister Yin! And what I'm going to talk about next is the general who will be leading the troops in this battle!"