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

"We might even have to fight with those Western countries. That won't be a good place; it will be a huge burden for us!"

Once one oligarch speaks, he quickly gains the approval of the others.

"That's right...that's right, I think so too!"

"Actually, when Xiao Ce gives us things, that guy always keeps the good stuff for himself... as for the rest, the bad stuff, he just gives it to us!"

Seeing this, Constantine Eugene said, "That's right! I didn't think of that before, but after your reminder, I understand now!"

"What good is Xiao Ce up to? The geographical location of Fusang is right outside Xiao's sea area. If we station troops there, it will be like we're guarding Xiao's door. Wouldn't that make us watchdogs?"

"No way! Absolutely not! Let Xiao Ce stay there! We'll take what's on land, and besides, he shouldn't play the victim... We've already given them enough food..."

Shahar interrupted, "Constantine... please don't bring this up... it's too formal... Although we provided them with support, Xiao Ce handled this matter very well, ensuring we didn't suffer any losses... on the contrary, we even made a small profit..."

"Everyone here is a beneficiary of this."

The group of oligarchs nodded in agreement. One of them said, "Eugene said that entirely because he didn't gain anything from this..."

"That's why he got a little anxious."

The oligarch's words immediately drew unanimous agreement from the others.

"Alright, let's get back to the main point. Is this what everyone thinks? Does no one want that piece of land from Fusang?" Shahar continued.

The group nodded in agreement: "Actually, Fusang is not a good place either. It is surrounded by the sea and is constantly affected by natural disasters. It is said that there are many volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis and the like... When Xiao Ce first said that he would give Fusang to us, I felt that it was not a good place."

"If it were a good place, Japan wouldn't be constantly trying to change countries..."

After listening to the oligarch's words, the others nodded in agreement: "That's right...that's right...I think so too. Originally, we didn't attack Fusang to gain any advantage. We just wanted to destroy that country...so we could be at peace."

"Moreover, as others have said, if we station ourselves there now, it's like we're just guarding the gates for the Xiao Kingdom... So, we'll tell Xiao Ce that we need supplies, and the Fusang Kingdom will give them to us... We don't need them..."

"You know, the Fusang Kingdom has plundered a lot of good things from various countries, all of which are on their islands! That's true wealth..."

Everyone almost reached a consensus: no one wanted the tiny island nation of Fusang.

Shahar nodded upon seeing this: "Alright, then I will reply to Xiao Ce! What if he disagrees?"

Constantine Eugene scoffed, "We can't disagree. Didn't he repeatedly claim in his letter that he respected us and was willing to cede land? Their Xiao Kingdom would be at a disadvantage... they'd have to be able to move supplies from those islands..."

“Let’s say that since he has acknowledged us as his elder brother, we Slavs are loyal and can’t let our younger brother suffer a loss. We’ll take the loss ourselves! If he’s unwilling, it means he’s trying to set us up.”

"Don't worry, Xiao Ce is very smart. He knows he needs to stick close to us. If we suggest switching places with him, he'll agree, even if he's reluctant."

Although these oligarchs usually bicker with each other, they still unite when it matters.

For example, on this issue, everyone shares the same view.

Shahar nodded: "Okay, it's decided then."

Then, Shahar said to Ries, who had been silent all along, "Ries, you're leading the army this time, so you'll be in charge of negotiating this matter with Xiao Ce."

Rhys nodded: "Yes, Father... But what if... what if he disagrees? We can't just start a fight!"

Shahar said to Ries, "Generally speaking, this won't happen, just as Eugene said. For Xiao Ce, our Slavic country is a powerful ally. He himself has made it clear, so can't we just not try to take advantage of him?"

"Even if he really disagrees, let's just take together all the land and things of Fusang and divide them equally among us. He definitely won't have any objections to that. Of course, if he still objects to that, then he's just picking a fight."

Rhys nodded: "I understand, Father!"

Constantine Eugene chimed in, "If he won't even share it equally, then we can send troops to deal with them..."

Shahar said to Constantine Eugene, "Alright, stop with the nonsense..."

The oligarch standing nearby chuckled and said, "Eugene is incredibly envious of how much money we're making while we're all in the alliance. This lack of war is driving Eugene crazy..."

Constantine Eugene didn't deny it: "You're absolutely right... You're all making a fortune, while I, an arms dealer, can only watch helplessly..."

Shahar said to Constantine Eugene, "We've already fought the Japanese, haven't we? You heard what Xiao Ce said, right? We'll be fighting endless wars in the future..."

"You've seen the benefits of our alliance... Eugene, your good days are yet to come..."

Constantine Eugene nodded; he didn't deny it.

As Shahar spoke, he said to Ries, "Ries, this time when you go on the expedition, you will obey Xiao Ce's orders..."

Constantine Eugene quickly interjected, "Of course, if they want to use you as cannon fodder, then you shouldn't listen to that..."

Ries laughed and said, "Don't worry... Xiao Ce also stated in his letter that our main warships will set off with them... I know what I'm doing. Besides, didn't you all say that their armies are all out on campaigns... With the scale of our expedition, even if they weren't out on campaigns, we could still put up a fight."

"Not to mention, given the current situation... I can't speak for a protracted war, but I'm confident that in the initial battle... we should be able to achieve a great victory..."

Seeing this, Shahar didn't say much more. He mainly wanted to talk about the letter from Xiao Ce.

Now that a decision has been reached, everyone can leave...

After giving their instructions and blessings to Rhys, the oligarchs left.

Shahar then called Ries aside.

He then said, "Rhys, why were you so silent just now? Do you have a different opinion?"

Ries said to Shahar, "Father, based on my understanding of Xiao Ce, I have a feeling this is a trap..."

Shahar said to Ries, "Do you think he actually wants that Fusang Kingdom? He's saying this on purpose so that we'll follow his lead?"

Rhys nodded: "Father, is that what you think too?"

Shahar nodded to Ries: "That's right... Actually, I already guessed it when I received Xiao Ce's letter..."

After hearing Shahar's words, Rhys looked puzzled: "Father, since you already know... then why did you..."

Shahar smiled and said, "It's very simple. Firstly, I want to continue my long-term cooperation with Xiao Ce."

"Secondly, Fusang might have its uses for Xiao Ce. However, I think what everyone is saying is that if we were to invest in building Fusang, it would require too much of our energy."

"Moreover, we're bound to face a lot of attacks from the West later on. So, instead of that, let's just leave this problem to Xiao Ce. After all, we're allies... it wouldn't be bad to have him guard our gate."

"And one more thing I'd like to tell you: never see someone else's gain as your own loss..."

Ries looked at Shahar with a puzzled expression.

Shahar explained to Ries, "Even if we were given the entire Fusang Kingdom, we wouldn't know how to explore or develop it... So for us, it's a huge burden, isn't it?"

Ries nodded, suddenly realizing: "So, no matter how Xiao Ce explores and develops Fusang, it's not something we've lost... because we were never meant to..."

Seeing Ries's response, Shahar smiled and nodded, "That's right."

Ries looked at Shahar with admiration.

Seeing Rhys's expression, Shahar smiled and said, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ries smiled at Shahar and said, "Father, I used to think that Xiao Ce might be smarter than you. But these days I've realized that you seem to be smarter than Xiao Ce, and you are also more composed."

"Although Xiao Ce is very intelligent, he often acts too aggressively and is too emotionally driven..."

"And you are a true emperor, capable of seeing things from the perspective of a nation..."

Shahar's expression didn't change much when Ris praised him like that.

Instead, he changed the subject: "Rhys, I heard you say that you can't have this kind of mentality. This time, your chances of winning are only about 50%."

Ries looked on in astonishment as he heard Shahar say this: "Father, do you really think we can't win even like this?"

Shahar nodded to Reis: "Of course not... Rather, the Japanese navy, and their experience in naval warfare, is extremely unpredictable..."

“We’ve suffered many losses fighting them… So, I only have one request for you… that is, regardless of victory or defeat, preserve your own life.”

Reese nodded.

Shahar waved his hand at Ries and said, "Alright, let's go."

Rhys nodded, took a few steps, and then suddenly thought of something.

"Father, if Xiao Ce's attack on Fusang ends in a crushing defeat for their people, what will you do next..."

Shahar nodded: "That's right. If they suffer a crushing defeat, there will only be one outcome in a naval battle: total annihilation!"

"If that's the case, we will send a large army to take over the Xiao Kingdom."

Rhys's expression didn't look good.

Shahar continued, “Don’t look at me like that, this is reality… They’ve sent 600,000 troops to this battle! And they’ve also provided a lot of food. If they win, they can naturally receive aid from Fusang. But if they suffer a crushing defeat, it will be adding insult to injury for them.”

"Even if we don't make a move, and the Fusang Kingdom comes down in a fit of rage... it's better for us to conquer it than for the Fusang Kingdom to conquer it, isn't it?"

Reese nodded with a complicated expression, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent.

Seeing this, Shahar said to Rhys, "I know you and Xiao Ce have a good relationship! You admire him... but remember! You are of different status, you can never be friends."

"Do you think he didn't scheme against us? He's always scheming against us. Isn't this letter the best proof? And if we were very weak... about to be invaded, what do you think Xiao Ce would do?"

Shahar's words made Ries's gaze more resolute.

"Father, I understand!"

Shahar laughed and said, "Don't let him forget what I told you."

Rhys laughed and said, "Father, you underestimate me too much."

Shahar shook his head and said, "It's not that I'm underestimating you, it's just that Xiao Ce is too cunning... he knows how to trick people into revealing information."

Rhys nodded: "I understand! Father, are you going back with those oligarchs?"

Shahar nodded: "That's right, I don't need to see you off personally. As the saying goes in Xiao Kingdom, Xiao Ce is the one putting on the show, and we're just supporting actors, so there's no need for such a grand ceremony..."

Rhys nodded: "Father! I understand!"

As he spoke, Shahar asked Rhys to draft a reply, and then said to Rhys, "When you meet Xiao Ce in the future, and the time is right, you can tell him something."

Ries was completely bewildered by Shahar's nonsensical remark.

"What are you revealing?"

Shahar said with a smile, "That's the thing. We knew what he was thinking. It was you who mediated and persuaded everyone to choose to switch with him... That way, he will remember your kindness."

After listening, Rhys nodded and smiled, saying, "Father, you're amazing! I understand."

Three days later, at the port of Tianzhu Kingdom.

All the soldiers were in high spirits and ready to board the ship, when foreigners from various countries came to see them off.

Looking at Xiao Ce's army, they felt full of confidence.

With such a spirited and energetic army, coupled with their fleet, victory in this battle is assured.

Xiao Ce, who was watching from the side, took a letter from a messenger and opened it to take a look.

Then, the smile on his face widened even more.