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

"If Westerners are indeed involved in this matter, I will definitely give you an explanation and ensure that your warrior did not die in vain!"

The Emperor muttered to himself, "That explains it. Otherwise, how could those people from Xiao Kingdom be so skilled in battle?"

Tokugawa Heiji nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor!"

The Emperor then said no more and told everyone to leave.

So, the members of several major families boarded the ship one after another.

Little did they know that their journey would lead to the dead end for many.

After the Emperor boarded the ship, he said to his personal guards, "Is the ship you prepared for me ready?"

The guards beside him nodded in agreement: "Reporting to the Emperor, they are already on the ship."

The Emperor nodded: "Alright, have those people from the list I gave you before come with me in the small boat..."

The head guard said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, are you sure you want to travel by small boat? Actually, it's quite dangerous to travel by small boat in the event of a storm."

The Emperor addressed his guards, "If those people from Xiao Kingdom truly have Western support behind them, then they're likely already aware of our situation. I suspect they're already waiting for us. Therefore, send the flagship and the other families' fleets ahead..."

The guards said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, shall we not leave?"

The Emperor nodded: "We won't go this way... Let's turn back first and wait a while..."

When the Emperor said this, the guards simply nodded in agreement.

So, after they had traveled some distance, he used a small boat to slip away and return.

The Emperor's plan was correct; as soon as they returned to shore, they faintly heard explosions coming from the sea.

The emperor's personal guards looked at Xiao Ce with extreme admiration, and indeed, their families owned hundreds of ships.

They initially encountered minefields at sea designed by Xiao Ce, and later they were surrounded and intercepted by warships, as well as cargo ships converted into vessels.

Of the original several hundred ships, only less than twenty managed to break through the encirclement.

The Emperor's fleet was the first to be completely wiped out, and the other families were also attacked to varying degrees.

They all chose to jump ship, and Xiao Ce and his group were extremely ruthless.

They poured a lot of oil into the sea where they were and then set it on fire.

Let those who jumped ship be burned alive.

The fierce battle at sea continued into the second day.

The Emperor felt incredibly fortunate.

...

When Xiao Ce woke up in the morning, he looked out at the burning sea.

The artillery fire lasted all night.

I don't know how well I've fared.

Seeing Xiao Ce looking through the binoculars, Da Lei said to him, "Your Highness, our initial estimate is that the enemy has sunk over 260 ships, and about 30 escaped from our encirclement..."

"The information given by Hiroshi Murata was quite accurate. However, some things still got lost..."

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Isn't it normal that they ran away? How would we know who died?"

Da Lei shook his head: "Your Highness, how would we know that? Many others burned to death, so we can't be sure. However, what we do know is that the Emperor's fleet was completely annihilated. If all went smoothly, they would all be dead..."

Xiao Ce nodded.

Then he saw Hiroshi Murata coming over with a bright smile on his face.

This time, Hiroshi Murata had a smile on his face the whole time, and his back seemed much straighter...

Clearly, this also adds a lot of confidence...

Clearly, he had also received the news.

In fact, this time, Hiroshi Murata did have a way to straighten his back.

After all, he deserves the majority of the credit this time, and his intelligence played a significant role.

Because you have to understand, without his route, they wouldn't be able to defend such a large area of ​​the sea.

Although Hiroshi Murata straightened his back much more, he did not slack off in the slightest when it came to the proper etiquette of kowtowing to Xiao Ce.

Although Xiao Ce had already heard some things from Da Lei, he pretended not to know anything at this moment.

"Hiroshi Murata, judging from your expression, you seem quite pleased? What news have you received that would make me happy too..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Murata Hiroshi's smile widened.

"Your Highness, I've come to congratulate you... on your navy's great victory last night..."

Xiao Ce nodded first, then shook his head and said, "I have indeed heard some news, but our navy has not told us the specifics yet... What, do you already know the news?"

Murata Hiroshi nodded to Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, that's right... Yesterday we also sent many people from Fusang to guide us. After all, the people here know these waters best... We're accompanied by the naval fleet, as well as some small fishing boats from our local fishermen..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Alright, these people are willing to make sacrifices for us. We should give them the status of first-class citizens."

This is Xiao Ce's way of classifying the residents of Fusang into different social classes.

For example, three generations of poor peasants would naturally be second-class citizens, while those with connections to power would naturally be third-class, or even the lowest-class citizens.

First-class citizens are awarded based on contribution points, and the benefits they receive are completely different for each level of citizen.

This policy was naturally supported by everyone after it was introduced.

Because those who remained in the war zone were the lowest-ranking laborers. Anyone with any real strength had already fled.

Hiroshi Murata nodded: "Yes, Your Highness! So, my information comes from those who have returned."

Xiao Ce feigned curiosity and asked Murata Hiroshi to explain the situation...

Hiroshi Murata explained that, firstly, the Emperor's fleet was completely annihilated.

The Tojo family owned the most ships, a total of twelve...

At this point, Hiroshi Murata quickly explained that it was Tojo Seisuke's cunning that caused the information he provided to be accurate.

Hiroshi Murata swore that the people he most wanted to annihilate were the Tojo family.

After all, he came from the Tojo family.

Seeing Murata Hiroshi's agitated state, Xiao Ce smiled helplessly: "I didn't intend to pursue this matter... Don't be nervous... Calm down, calm down!"

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Murata Hiroshi finally relaxed a little.

"Your Highness, I'm just glad you don't blame me..."

Then Hiroshi Murata continued speaking.

Tokugawa Heiji, whose entire family was almost wiped out, also managed to break through with eight ships.

This surprised Xiao Ce somewhat, since the news from the front lines should have indicated that the Tokugawa family had been almost wiped out. He never expected that there would still be members of the Tokugawa family left...

Hiroshi Murata said that although each family has people in various places, they also have people from each family in the capital.

The Tokugawa family still has quite a few members in the capital of their Fusang country.

Finally, one member of the Okamoto family, being from the central government, managed to escape with twelve ships. As for the other family ships, they were all completely annihilated.

As for whether he survived by chance, Hiroshi Murata said he couldn't be sure.

This news is truly exciting!

After speaking, Hiroshi Murata wore an expression that seemed to be seeking praise.

"Hiroshi Murata, you have done a great service this time. Several families and the Emperor have been severely damaged. We will definitely take over Japan."

Hiroshi Murata nodded: "That's right. However, judging from the ships they sent out, we can tell that they turned many of their private soldiers into ordinary civilians... It will be very difficult for the people in those places to distinguish them in the future."

Xiao Ce said to Murata Hiroshi, "Just like I told you before, divide those people into different classes... Then, I'll tell you how to tell whether they're human or ghost..."

Hiroshi Murata nodded: "Yes, Your Highness... Now that we've unified the country, who is the apparent leader going to take down?"

Xiao Ce listened as Murata Hiroshi said, "Weren't we publicly claiming that Tojo Koichi rebelled..."

Then Xiao Ce looked at Da Lei and asked, "How's it going to tame him?"

Da Lei nodded: "He's already very well-behaved, and the person beside him has been changed to someone from the Underworld..."

The people in the Underworld are really good at dealing with people; that Tojo Koichi is completely subdued now...

Xiao Ce said to Murata Hiroshi, "Then after our army has taken all the spoils, I will appoint Tojo Koichi as the new emperor. As cabinet officials, you will discuss and decide all matters concerning Japan together. What do you say?"

"After you all make the decision, Tojo Koichi will then issue it... To put it bluntly, it's like entrusting the entire country of Fusang to you few to manage... What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, several of his staff members, led by Hiroshi Murata, were initially excited.

Then a hint of fear appeared on his face: "This...this...this isn't quite right..."

"Yes, Your Highness, the people of your Xiao Kingdom should still be in charge here. We will be responsible for these people from Fusang..."

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "That's right, but it will take time for my people to arrive. And it will take time for me to utilize your people. I will gradually replace the people here one by one, and wait until there are enough immigrants from our Xiao Kingdom before making changes."

"For now, let you handle things. Since you're so obedient and sensible, you will always be the managers of these Japanese people..."

The group felt relieved after hearing Xiao Ce's words.

He then kowtowed to Xiao Ce, presenting him with one item each.

Xiao Ce said, "That's a story for later! I'll stay here for a while... to help you. I'll help you choose the path that's most suitable for you, and also the most advantageous for me..."

The group nodded in agreement.

"By the way, do you know what a water ghost is?"

Xiao Ce asked Murata Hiroshi.

Hiroshi Murata nodded: "Your Highness, of course I know... I was actually going to report this matter to you next?"

After hearing Murata Hiroshi's words, Xiao Ce asked in surprise, "Oh? You know what I'm going to do?"

Hiroshi Murata said, "Those who escaped must have taken all their valuables... Now that their ships have been sunk, their treasures must have sunk with them..."

"Therefore, leaving him at the bottom of the sea indefinitely is a huge waste. If he could be retrieved, it would certainly be useful to the Prince..."

"Therefore, I have assembled a salvage team of over a thousand people to carry out the salvage operation... However, all of this still requires your consent."

Xiao Ce was very satisfied with his interaction with Murata Hiroshi.

He always knows what he needs.

“Alright…but I need you to do this in secret. After all, we have an agreement with the Slavs…the spoils here are for them to take…”

Hiroshi Murata nodded: "Your Highness, that's no problem... We can start with exploration and assessment... If the Slavs ask, we'll just say we're fishing over there... We can hide for now..."

Xiao Ce nodded and said to Murata Hiroshi, "Alright, then you go and distribute the tasks... If you do this well, you'll all get your share of the benefits."

Upon seeing this, Murata Hiroshi kowtowed repeatedly to Xiao Ce.

Just then, the messenger rushed over to report the news.

Ahead lay a series of resounding victories; wherever they went, they encountered no resistance...

Therefore, Xiao Zhan requested that they speed up.

Xiao Ce naturally agreed. Upon hearing the news, Xiao Ce then instructed Murata Hiroshi to inform the world that the Emperor and several families had been annihilated.

Then, they made the people who had been hiding here surrender themselves.

Anyone who surrenders themselves will be released without further investigation, and will even be rewarded!

Hearing Xiao Ce's words, Murata Hiroshi asked with some surprise, "Your Highness, after they surrendered, are you really not going to pursue the matter? Those people are all their confidants. They might temporarily bow to you based on the situation, but they'll be the first to betray you later..."

Hearing Murata Hiroshi's reminder, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Of course I know that... Isn't it just about catching a bunch of them first, registering them, and then, once things stabilize here, sending them all to our Xiao Kingdom to grow potatoes..."

Murata Hiroshi listened and nodded with a smile, praising Xiao Ce's brilliance.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce said to Murata Hiroshi, "Why do I feel like you care more about those spies left behind than I do?"

Hiroshi Murata said awkwardly, "Your Highness, in the eyes of those spies, they would love to kill us!"