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

The Western Regions and the Northern Desert Royal Palace were relatively stable places after Xiao Ce's reforms.

Therefore, they were able to provide tremendous help to the Central Plains, which was in dire need of reconstruction.

Of course, the things that Xiao Ce tricked back from Fusang also played a significant role.

However, Xiao Ce's achievements are not solely due to his own efforts.

It's also a collective achievement.

"So, did I underestimate you... and try to lure them here to kill them?" Xiao Ce asked Lin Hai.

Lin Hai waved his hand and said, "Of course not... These people are all excellent laborers. We are currently short of manpower... Moreover, we are in a period of rapid development, and we need peace. We have the technology, but our production capacity is limited!"

"If a major war breaks out on our homeland, it will be disadvantageous for us... We need to develop basic industries. According to the Tianji Pavilion's estimates, it will take us at least three years to catch up with the West, and at least five years to surpass it... Therefore, what we urgently need is peace... We just need to deceive the people of the Light Illumination Society to buy time for our country to develop."

"Your plan is excellent. We'll lure them here to work as laborers, and we can even swindle subsidies from them... It's a win-win situation... The longer we deceive them, the more power we accumulate for ourselves. Once we've swindled enough from the West, it doesn't matter if we turn against them..."

"Because we have the capability to protect ourselves... As long as we have the capability to protect ourselves! We can establish a third island chain with the Sulu Kingdom, a second island chain with Siam, and a first island chain with Japan... With three island chains, they simply cannot harm our homeland..."

Xiao Ce listened to Lin Hai talking nonstop, and found that Lin Hai's ideas were very similar to Xiao Ce's.

Xiao Ce said to Lin Hai, "Oh?"

As Lin Hai spoke, he picked up a map and began working on it.

His goal is to establish three island chains as maritime protection zones, which, once established, will provide strong protection for the Xiao Kingdom.

With Xiao Kingdom as a support, as long as the Westerners cannot break through the three island chains, they can only watch helplessly.

They can't harm the Xiao Kingdom, and once the Xiao Kingdom has accumulated enough strength, it can challenge them.

Lin Hai said, "Fusang is now in our hands. The first island chain has been formed. Next, we need to find a way to deal with the second and third island chains."

After listening to Lin Hai's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Secondly, the three-island chain is also no problem. It's practically in our hands..."

Lin Hai stared wide-eyed at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce then said to Lin Hai, "What? You don't actually think I went out to sea for fun, do you? I got all dressed up like this to do this..."

"Your Highness, was that what you thought back then too?"

Xiao Ce nodded to Lin Hai and then said, "That's right...you could say our thoughts coincide..."

Lin Hai immediately became excited.

Xiao Ce said, "Alright, let's not talk about anything too far ahead... The only thing we need to do right now is to drive these people in... and then arrest them..."

Lin Hai nodded: "Your Highness, rest assured. We've already made preparations for this...we're just waiting for your command..."

Xiao Ce smiled slightly: "Alright, then I'm relieved. I'll be leaving now..."

Lin Hai said to Xiao Ce, "By the way, Your Highness, were you there when they were being captured?"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course... I've been bowing and scraping to them for so long just to see their faces after they find out the truth..."

Lin Hai listened and nodded repeatedly, then said, "By the way, Your Highness... how do you plan to treat the Slavs?"

After listening to Lin Hai's words, Xiao Ce smiled slightly and then said, "Are you planning to use the same method... Those people should have come in by now."

Lin Hai nodded: "They've only entered the Northern Desert King's Palace; they might not have left yet. But even if they haven't, they should be leaving soon..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Then the Crew-Headed Army of the Northern Desert Prince's Mansion will deal with them."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Lin Hai nodded. Since Xiao Ce had made the arrangements, he remained silent.

Once Xiao Ce has achieved his goal, he can leave.

Lin Hai said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, shall I make some arrangements for you?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand, intending to say no.

Suddenly remembering something, he said to Lin Hai, "By the way, do you have a fast horse?"

Lin Hai nodded: "Of course, I actually got a fine horse from the Turks..."

Before Lin Hai could finish speaking, Xiao Ce said to him, "Alright, let's use the one you mentioned..."

Lin Hai was taken aback, then went to make the arrangements.

With that, Xiao Ce and Ye Mao rode off on their two horses.

Since Xiao Ce had already made arrangements before leaving, Night Cat asked him, "Your Highness, where are we going? Back to the capital?"

Although Night Owl knew Xiao Ce was about to close the net, he didn't expect him to do so so quickly...

I thought I would have to spend a few more days with the Tojo and Okamoto families.

To their surprise, Xiao Ce left so quickly.

Not only that, after they found a roadside inn to rest, the next day Night Cat discovered that Xiao Ce had already taken the medicine given to him by the Mad Taoist after waking up.

Then it immediately returned to its original form.

Xiao Ce's thinking was actually very simple. He had no other choice before, so he changed his face.

He doesn't need to do that anymore; now Xiao Guo's technology is taking off.

Moreover, Brian Carter and his group have already taken control of the Kingdom of Siam and the Kingdom of Sulu, so they can keep up the deception for at least another year or two.

When the Illuminati arrive, Xiao Ce can advance the war.

No matter how the fighting goes, it will not reignite the flames of war on the homeland of Xiao.

Previously, it was because we lacked the strength; now that we do, there's no need for that...

As for wanting to give the Okamoto and Tojo families a shock, he only needed to go there himself, which is enough to prove it.

After all, the appearance of someone who had 'come back to life' in front of them was enough to make them despair.

If all goes well, they will have a smooth journey with their men until they reach the inescapable trap set up by Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce was actually more curious about Tojo Seisuke's expression, since his family had been deceived by him three times and he didn't know what they were thinking.

Xiao Ce looked at Ye Mao with a surprised and puzzled expression.

Xiao Ce said to Night Cat, "What's wrong, Night Cat? Didn't you want to see what I look like? Why are you still making that face now that I've changed back to this appearance..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Night Owl smiled and nodded: "I was just surprised... I thought you would need some more time... I didn't expect you to recover so quickly?"

Xiao Ce smiled at Night Owl and said, "There was a need before, but there's no need now... Since there's no need anymore, there's no need to keep wearing this face..."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Night Cat smiled and nodded: "Your Highness, you're more reliable with this face... Did you change your mind because of what Lin Hai said?"

Xiao Ce nodded, then said to Night Cat, "I guess so."

The night owl looked wary.

"What, are you afraid he's lying to me?" Xiao Ce asked Night Cat.

Night Owl chuckled, then said, "Not bad...that's true."

Then, Night Cat realized that saying it this way might not be appropriate, and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, however, you are so intelligent, you must have made this decision based on your own observations and considerations..."

Hearing Night Cat's addition, Xiao Ce couldn't help but laugh and cry: "You've become more tactful too!"

Night Owl smiled but didn't respond.

As Xiao Ce spoke, he said to Night Cat, "Night Cat, I know your concerns... Don't worry, I have my own considerations too. And this Lin Hai, although I haven't met him many times, is someone I personally promoted... He's not an ordinary person, he's trustworthy..."

Night Owl nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "By the way, Your Highness, you've considered many things, but there's definitely one thing you haven't fully considered..."

After listening to Night Cat's words, Xiao Ce looked puzzled and asked, "What do you mean? Where did I not fully consider things?"

Night Owl pointed to the portrait on one side of the wall.

Xiao Ce subconsciously looked in the direction the night cat was pointing, and saw a portrait on the wall that deified him.

Every hotel and household here has this kind of image, said to ward off evil spirits or something...

Especially after the news of Xiao Ce's 'death' spread, Xiao Ce's status was further elevated.

The people didn't say that Xiao Ce was dead; instead, they said that Xiao Ce had returned to the realm of gods.

It is unknown whether it was the work of Yin Weiyong and his group, but there have been rumors that worshipping Xiao Ce is now even more effective.

Because Xiao Ce's physical body was still intact before, he was at most a demigod...

But Xiao Ce is now a god, and the worship of him by every household has reached its peak...

So, Xiao Ce looked at the portrait on the wall that had deified him.

Xiao Ce gave an awkward smile; Night Owl was right.

Xiao Ce usually considers many things, but he definitely overlooked this one.

"I really forgot about that! I acted impulsively. I should have taken that pill after returning to Kyoto..."

Night Cat produced two bamboo hats as if by magic, and then handed them to Xiao Ce.

"Your Highness, this is fine..."

After looking at it, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Not bad...not bad...this is indeed a solution."

Night Owl said, "However, it seems you can't visit every city you pass by... since entry into any city requires inspection..."

Xiao Ce waved his hand and said, "No need for now... Let's go back to the capital first... We'll be back anyway."

Seeing Xiao Ce's anxious expression, Night Cat asked, "Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry to go back?"

Xiao Ce said to Night Cat, "I just wanted to go see my godson..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Night Owl subconsciously asked, "Godson?"

Xiao Ce smiled at the night owl and said, "Forgot? General Dan should have given birth..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Night Cat suddenly realized something and nodded, "That's true! But, Your Highness, when will you agree to be Captain Lei's godfather for his child?"

Xiao Ce smiled slightly at the night owl: "It was while he was with General Dan!"

Xiao Ce gave an awkward smile, then said to Night Cat, "To be honest, I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't present at either Da Lei and General Dan's wedding, or later at the birth of their child... I was practically their matchmaker. Actually, Da Lei's child is the first life to be born among people I know..."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Night Cat and said with a smile, "Night Cat, what's wrong? Are you envious? After we deal with those people from Fusang, I'll find you a partner... and then I'll adopt your child as my godson!"

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Night Cat smiled and waved her hand, "Your Highness... I'm not envious... I won't look for anyone else! I'll follow you for the rest of my life!"

Xiao Ce felt something was off about what Ye Mao was saying, and looked at Ye Mao strangely.

Judging from Xiao Ce's expression, Night Cat guessed that Xiao Ce had misunderstood...

"Your Highness, of course I don't like men..."

Upon hearing Night Cat's explanation, Xiao Ce thought to himself that Night Cat's thinking had broadened considerably after being with him for so long.

Xiao Ce said a few words: "Alright, I know you don't like men... but you can't force fate."

The two men chatted and laughed, then rode away on their horses.

Over the next few days, the group sped up.

Because of Xiao Ce's saying, "To get rich, build roads first," everyone strictly followed the directive...

Therefore, it must be said that the transportation in Xiao Kingdom was excellent.

Such roads would be truly ruined if war broke out...

Although they did not enter other cities, Xiao Kingdom has made great strides in infrastructure construction in recent years, with houses being built everywhere.

Looking at the thriving scene here.

Xiao Ce became even more determined to keep the war confined to the land of Xiao Kingdom.

What would normally take five or six days to reach, Xiao Ce and his group arrived in just over two days at a leisurely pace.

Since entering the city required inspection, and the two didn't want to cause a commotion, they figured out a place to sneak in.

However, after walking around Kyoto, I was embarrassed to find that the city wall had been reinforced several times and was now as tall as a three-story building.

Moreover, there are sentries at regular intervals.

The two then considered finding some scalpers to take them inside...

As it turned out, Yin Weiyong managed the area quite well; there wasn't a single tout offering to guide people.

After trying for a long time, the two decided to let Night Cat go first to find the person and then come out to bring Xiao Ce in.