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

"With that shipyard, we won't be subject to the West anymore... Moreover, we can quickly transfer this technology back to Xiao Kingdom! Then, we'll be able to build ships and dare to challenge the West!"

"Let's take it one step at a time. I'm just using them; I won't give them any power whatsoever!"

Da Lei nodded repeatedly as he listened to Xiao Ce speak, when Ries came over with a hurried expression.

Seeing Rhys's expression, Xiao Ce quickly asked, "Rhys, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Rhys chuckled and said, "No...nothing much...it's just that my men, after making great progress, have gone even further in according to their established objectives...I just wanted to ask if you want to follow them."

After hearing what Rhys said, Xiao Ce gave a wry smile: "Go ask Xiao Zhan about this. The battle plan was arranged by you."

Rhys nodded: "I've already spoken to General Xiao Zhan, and he has agreed. I was thinking I should still ask for your opinion."

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "On the battlefield, everything is decided by Xiao Zhan."

Ries nodded: "Just now, I saw several Japanese people come out with happy expressions. Do you have a new plan...?"

Xiao Ce nodded and then repeated the suggestions from his advisors to Rhys.

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Rhys asked, "Can we continue?"

Xiao Ce smiled at Ries and said, "It doesn't matter. Their main role is to make those surrendered civilians obedient... I don't expect them to make the enemy's prisoners surrender either."

With a icy gaze, Xiao Ce said, "I don't want their soldiers as prisoners... kill them all! They might surrender now, but they could turn around and turn on us... This is not what I want to see..."

Rhys nodded: "Then I'll give the order..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "You and Xiao Zhan can discuss the war, you don't need to go through me... Anyway, my goal is to take over Fusang, I don't care how you take it."

Ries laughed and said, "You tell me, their capital city of Fusang must be in complete chaos right now."

Xiao Ce smiled and asked, "After we captured this port, have we been attacked by other warships?"

Rhys shook his head and said strangely, "I was wondering the same thing. It's been almost half a day... and we haven't encountered any counterattacks yet."

Xiao Ce wore an expression that said, "Actually, it's not surprising... Their ports are controlled by various family warships. We took over their main port in one fell swoop. They were all dumbfounded, no one knew what was going on, so why would they rashly come to attack..."

"They need to figure out what's going on, and besides, their main force shouldn't be here..."

"Once they've figured things out, we'll probably have half their territory in our hands..."

When Xiao Ce said this, Rhys, who was standing nearby, all nodded in agreement.

...

In fact, Xiao Ce's guess was completely correct.

After their country of Fusang was attacked, the news reached their various families immediately.

Some families that were not attacked were secretly pleased, followed by curiosity.

When the royal family of Fusang found out, they all summoned members of these families.

After they gathered at the palace, people from all sides...

By this time, Xiao Ce and the others had already established a firm foothold.

The Emperor, his face dark, looked at the six families now in the room.

The Emperor said, "My lords, you all know what's going on! Our port of Egawa has been breached by a force... and the Tokugawa clan has landed in Edo. Tokugawa lord, what is the situation now?"

Tokugawa Heiji's face was ashen: "We only received one letter saying we'd been attacked, and then there was no news..."

This is not the fault of the Tokugawa family's army; their army is too ruthless. Xiao Zhan said that any soldier should be killed without mercy.

A Japanese man could earn military merit simply by possessing a left ear. After the battle, almost no one could leave alive.

Tojo Seisuke frowned and said, "What? Tokugawa Heiyasu, what are your troops doing? I heard they were attacked this morning... and you haven't heard a single word from them?"

Then, Tojo Seisuke looked at Tokugawa Heiyasu meaningfully and said, "Or is it that your Tokugawa family is up to something?"

After Tojo Seisuke's reminder.

The head of the Fukuda family spoke up, "Not bad. Is it really an attack? Given the situation in our country, who would dare to attack... Tokugawa patriarch, you're not staging this yourself, are you? You know, your army is very powerful... Even if they landed, you're confident you can drive them away."

After the two of them said that, everyone else looked at Tokugawa Heiyasu with suspicion.

When Tokugawa Heiji saw the expressions on everyone's faces, he felt like he was about to explode with rage.

"Hundreds of cargo ships and dozens of newly launched warships in our port are all gone... I wouldn't joke like that with you! Tojo Seisuke, your penchant for shady dealings... doesn't mean..."

Before Tokugawa Heiyasu could finish speaking, the Emperor interrupted, "You've misunderstood General Tokugawa Heiyasu. Our people received news of the attack immediately..."

"Don't you have any news from the rest of you?"

The group looked at each other...

No one spoke up, because they genuinely didn't know.

Upon hearing that the Tokugawa clan's Edo region had been attacked, they immediately sent people to check on their territory to see if it had been attacked as well.

After learning that their territory was unharmed, they all remained indifferent and didn't care.

Moreover, a large number of people felt that Tokugawa Heiyasu was up to something.

Because they believe that their country, Japan, is now the little hegemon of East Asia.

Apart from Slavic countries, no other country dared to fight them.

As for Western countries, they are their financial backers, and they certainly won't attack them.

Now, the Slavic countries have been invaded by the Xiao Kingdom, which is controlled by Tojo Koichi, and they are too busy to even take care of themselves.

Therefore, they remain skeptical about being attacked.

The Emperor, his face ashen, said, "So, from the time our Fusang Kingdom was invaded until now, we have no idea who the enemy is, how many people they have sent, or what the situation is like on the front lines, is that right?"

Tojo Seisuke said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, please don’t worry. In Edo, there is the Tokugawa Ichiro’s ronin army, which is the most powerful army in our country… They have 10,000 ronin soldiers, and they have the most advanced equipment, so there won’t be any problems… They are probably cleaning up the battlefield right now.”

"That's right, unless those Western countries attack us. But we currently maintain good relations with those Western countries... They're too busy funding us to attack us. I suspect it's some small-time pirates from the surrounding area..."

Tokugawa Heiji hurriedly said, "Fifty warships, hundreds of cargo ships, how could it be... how could it be small-time pirates..."

"Don't worry... there's no use in worrying now!" said a member of the Kikuta family.

Upon hearing what the Kikuta family members said, the Emperor continued, "Indeed, Head of the Tokugawa family, you really shouldn't be in such a hurry... I've already sent out quite a few scouts and messengers. Judging by the time, they should have arrived and will reply soon via carrier pigeon!"

The group nodded in agreement.

The Emperor watched as these people approached, but not one of them could offer any useful information.

"Then, gentlemen, don't go back yet. We'll discuss it after my scouts bring back news from the front... Now, everyone, disperse."

The heads of the families nodded.

After all, they were completely confused.

They didn't even know who the other person was, so no matter how much they said, it was useless.

The Emperor said to Tokugawa Heiyasu, "Head of the Tokugawa family, please stay for a while."

Tokugawa Heiyasu nodded...

Then the others left.

They had just left the Emperor's residence when the group began to discuss the matter.

"Head of the Tojo family, did you receive some information that led you to say that the Tokugawa family's invasion was staged?" Head of the Kikuta family asked Tojo Seisuke.

Tojo Seisuke gave an awkward smile: "No, at first I did think he was staging it himself, but just now, I observed Tokugawa Heiyasu's expression, and his expression didn't seem like he was joking..."

Tojo Seisuke's answer surprised everyone.

"You're not kidding? Could it be that our Fusang Kingdom has really been invaded? Who? Who has the guts and the ability to do this?" The Fukuda family had a playful expression on their faces.

He still doesn't believe it.

Tojo Seisuke said, "I don't know either... Maybe Tokugawa Heiyasu's acting skills have improved... I really can't figure it out no matter how hard I try, who would dare to attack us, who could possibly attack us..."

The head of the Koizumi family, who had not responded until now, spoke up: "Since you can't think of it, then it's not true... I guess it must be a play put on by Tokugawa Heiyasu. After all... Head of the Tojo family, you not only control Xiao Kingdom, but you are also using the people of Xiao Kingdom to attack the Slavic Kingdom... It is said that you have won great victories all the way... It was said before that you had already conquered one-fifth of the territory."

"Haven't heard from them in a long time. It seems they've already conquered half the country... Tokugawa Heiyasu is green with envy. The tide is turning..."

Tojo Seisuke asked doubtfully, "Even so, why would he put on such a show? Fighting himself doesn't benefit him at all."

The Kikuta family member standing nearby said, "Think about it, if we're attacked, and the port keeps getting attacked... then your supply of weapons and materials to Xiao Kingdom won't be able to keep up. Even if your ships escorting supplies are attacked, there will be an explanation..."

Upon hearing their words, Tojo Seisuke's eyes immediately lit up: "Thank you all for reminding me. It seems your suggestion is very likely..."

"The Xiao Kingdom now desperately needs our support. Without it, they might even face widespread famine... Once they lose their food and weapon supplies, their rear will be in chaos, and their front lines will be without weapons..."

Tojo Seisuke grew increasingly anxious: "Gentlemen, I have to go back... My port happens to have a large shipment of supplies to be shipped out in the next couple of days. If something goes wrong because of this, we'll suffer heavy losses..."

"If the Emperor asks, I'll trouble you all to explain along with me..."

The group nodded in unison: "Head of the Tojo family, don't worry... go ahead. We'll take care of things here..."

"Yes, your situation is very important right now... We can't afford any mishaps... If anything goes wrong, the problems will really get out of hand..."

Tojo Seisuke hurriedly left.

The heads of the other families gestured to each other to invite each other on.

They now know that if Tojo Seisuke were to capture the Slavic Empire, he would become the most sought-after person in the Slavic Empire...

Therefore, it is definitely beneficial for them to become familiar with each other now.

...

At this moment, Tokugawa Heiyasu noticed that the Emperor had kept him alone.

He asked with a puzzled look, "Your Majesty, did you keep me here because you have something to say to me privately?"

The Emperor looked at Tokugawa Heiyasu: "Tokugawa Heiyasu, tell me the truth... was this whole thing something you orchestrated yourself...?"

Tokugawa Heiyasu was almost in tears.

"Your Majesty, am I going mad? Why am I doing this? I blew up my own ship... Am I attacking myself? Am I insane?"

The Emperor, observing Tokugawa Heiyasu's expression, said, "I'm giving you a chance now. Admit it, and I'll find a way to smooth things over!"

Tokugawa Heiyasu said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I swear to Heaven... I did not!"

The Emperor's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened to Tokugawa Heiyasu's words: "How I wish it were you! If not you... then who could it be?"

Tokugawa Heiji said to the Emperor, "Could it be those Westerners?"

The Emperor shook his head and said, "Absolutely impossible... I've been particularly careful to maintain good relations with Westerners... A few days ago, I even met with some Western leaders, and they were very satisfied with our achievements and expressed their willingness to increase their assistance to us..."

Tokugawa Heiji gave a bitter smile: "Then I really can't think of anyone else!"

Just as the two of them fell silent, a member of the Emperor's personal guard rushed in.

Upon seeing the guard, the Emperor excitedly asked, "Well, have you received the news?"

The guard nodded and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, we have received a secret report from the front lines!"

With that, the guard presented it with both hands!