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

Xiao Ce smiled slightly upon hearing this, then nodded: "This tells him to relax and not be so tense!"

Although Xiao Ce acted kindly, he had terrified the steward.

He nodded, then bowed and took his leave.

After the butler who had brought the money left, Night Owl looked around the reception room.

This reception room was extremely luxurious.

Night Owl said to Xiao Ce, "This Uncle Lai certainly knows how to enjoy himself!"

After listening to Night Cat's words, Xiao Ce could also detect the sour feeling in his words.

Xiao Ce said to Night Cat, "Night Cat, what's wrong? You sound a bit unconvinced?"

Night Cat said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, it's just that I feel you've had such a hard time overseas, while he's living more comfortably here than the emperor. I've disliked him ever since he came in..."

"Look at the hard and frugal life Da Lei lives... His wife has all the good things, but he doesn't take advantage of them..."

When Xiao Ce heard Night Cat speaking up for him, he naturally knew why Night Cat was feeling unwell.

"You've misunderstood; the money's here..."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Night Cat asked, "Your Highness, you see, I won't say anything if he's doing well, but look at those maids and the scenery, all of that requires money to build."

"If our Xiao Kingdom were doing very well, then his extravagance would be understandable. Besides, if he earned all this through his own abilities, I naturally wouldn't utter a single word..."

"But you must understand, all of this was built on the foundation laid by you, Your Highness. Qian Lai was merely the one reaping the rewards..."

"Your Highness, I'm not jealous of him... I just feel something's wrong. Isn't this a misunderstanding? Look at the decorations in this room; they're far more luxurious than even the palace!"

Xiao Ce smiled as he looked at Ye Mao's righteous indignation.

He was a businessman in his past life, so he naturally knows what it means for a businessman.

Often, external factors are still very important!

"You've really misunderstood him. Qian Lai probably did what I said..."

Night Cat asked suspiciously, "You gave him those orders?"

Xiao Ce nodded: "You should know that merchants are profit-driven! So strength is actually very important. And when it comes to letting people see whether you have strength, what do you think is the most direct way? A person's outward appearance, although materialistic, is indeed the most direct and useful!"

"How do you think the president of a Golden Society can convince people of their abilities? If you live in a dilapidated house and wear tattered clothes, people might think you're a fraud..."

Xiao Ce gave his explanation, and Night Cat pondered for a moment.

He then said awkwardly, "Your Highness, I'm sorry, I underestimated things..."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce waved his hand: "It's alright! Ignorance is no excuse. You're being too polite with me!"

"However, let's leave these things at that for private. It's true that I founded the Gold Society and provided the solution. But the Gold Society has developed so well, it wouldn't have been possible without their management."

"You haven't experienced the business world. The dangers of the business world are no less than those of the battlefield."

Night Cat bowed to Xiao Ce with a grim expression: "Your Highness, I understand..."

...

Qian Lai, who was discussing business nearby, was initially somewhat displeased that his butler had come over.

After all, the matter discussed by this distinguished guest today is very important.

"What's going on? Didn't I tell you? Unless it's something extremely important, you shouldn't bother me?"

Hearing Qian Lai's reprimands.

The butler said, "Master, it is indeed a matter of utmost importance."

Qian Lai looked at the butler's expression; he had personally chosen this butler.

Of course, I know that this person is not someone who would act rashly.

He quickly bowed slightly to the distinguished guest in apology.

The person sitting opposite him smiled and said, "President, it's alright. You should take care of your business first."

Qian Lai then beckoned the housekeeper to come up.

After the steward stepped forward, he whispered to Qian, "Master, the Prince has arrived!"

Qian Lai was shocked when he heard what the butler said, and stared at the butler with wide eyes.

"What? Really?"

The butler was startled by Qian Lai's actions and nodded subconsciously.

Because the housekeeper's expression was always very rational when he gave the money.

Just then, Qian Lai bowed slightly to the businessman-looking man in front of him and said, "Mr. Wu, I really have a very important matter to discuss... I'm so sorry, please go back first, I will personally come to apologize tomorrow."

The man called Boss Wu didn't show anything after hearing Qian Lai's words; he just kept a faint smile on his face.

Then, turning to Qian, he said, "President, please go ahead with your work. It's alright, it's alright... We don't need to be so formal with each other."

After listening to Boss Wu's words, Qian Lai smiled and nodded repeatedly.

"Then please excuse me!"

Seeing Qian Lai leave, Boss Wu quickly asked, "President Lai, do you need my help?"

Mr. Wu had never seen Qian Lai like this before. Logically speaking, someone of Qian Lai's age and status shouldn't have such a dramatic change in emotions.

That's when Mr. Wu asked that unnecessary question.

After asking that question, Qian Lai said to Boss Wu, "Boss Wu, you're too kind... no need... no need..."

After saying that, Qian Lai ran away, looking like he couldn't wait.

Looking at Qian Lai's expression, Boss Wu muttered to himself, "The only thing that could excite him like this is the arrival of the Prince."

But... that's probably not very likely either.

...

At this moment, Xiao Ce was chatting with Night Cat.

An anxious voice came from outside the door.

"Your Highness...Your Highness..."

"Your Highness, it really is you!"

"Meet the prince!"

After Qian arrived, he excitedly shouted a few words to confirm Xiao Ce's identity.

They immediately lay prostrate on the ground.

Seeing Qian Lai's expression, Xiao Ce stepped forward and said, "Uncle Lai, you should know my temper... why are you still doing this?"

After helping Qian Lai up, Xiao Ce saw Qian Lai's old face filled with excitement as he looked at him.

Then their voices began to tremble.

"Your Highness...Your Highness...It really is you...Thank God, I thought I'd never see you again in this lifetime..."

Qian's voice trembled as he spoke, tears streaming down his face...

Seeing Qian Lai's expression, Xiao Ce was truly at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

Just then, Xiao Ce said to Qian Lai, "Uncle Lai, what's wrong? Do you think I'm going to die out there?"

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai quickly waved his hands, "No, no, no... Your Highness, that's not what I meant... What I meant was, as you can see, I'm so old... I'm practically buried in the ground... I'm just afraid I won't live to see you return..."

Xiao Ce glanced at Qian Lai; Qian Lai had indeed aged considerably.

"Is the Golden Society's affairs causing you so much worry? You look so much older."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai waved his hands repeatedly, "Your Highness...no...no...I'm so old, I can't afford to worry about such things...thanks to you for giving me this position...otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to survive..."

Xiao Ce was even more puzzled, but he wasn't in a hurry to ask.

After Qian Lai was invited back to his seat, he was invited back to his seat.

Xiao Ce then asked Qian Lai about the reason, and Qian Lai began to explain.

Qian Lai has aged so much, not because of any worries, but because he suddenly fell ill half a year ago.

They were already on the verge of collapse, but thanks to the Golden Society, they survived.

Both Qian Dafang and Qian Dahai knew how important money was to Xiao Ce, so they began searching for it all over the country...

Later, they found some famous doctors and various precious medicinal herbs.

That's how Qian Lai was pulled back from the brink of death.

Although he was saved, Qian Lai's health is no longer what it used to be...

"Your Highness, if you hadn't given me this position, I'm afraid everyone wouldn't have gone to such lengths to save me... Even the Emperor wouldn't need so many medicines..."

Hearing Qian Lai's words, Xiao Ce wore an ambiguous expression; "You can't say that... Isn't medicine meant to save lives? Even if you're just a butler... if I were here, I'd still have to save you..."

Qian Lai said with a smile, "That's all thanks to Your Highness..."

As Xiao Ce spoke, he turned to Qian Lai and asked, "By the way, Uncle Lai, is everything in your Golden Society on track now? Tell me about the situation in your Golden Society."

Upon seeing this, Qian Lai nodded to Xiao Ce: "Your Highness! That's right, the number of core members of our Golden Society has grown from thirty-six at the beginning to seventy-two now. These members are distributed in the Western Regions, the Central Plains of our Xiao Kingdom, the Northern Desert Royal Palace, the Turkic Kingdom, and even the Kingdom of India... Now, we have already made peace with the people of Fusang!"

"Isn't it Prince Xiao Yang over there? We've already made contact with them! We're currently communicating about trade... it will be established soon, but due to the situation with the merchant fleets at sea and the circumstances at sea, we haven't reached an agreement yet..."

Xiao Ce nodded at Qian Lai: "Very good, so that means you've already established trade connections with several countries? You have a complete system in place?"

Qian Lai nodded, then nodded to Xiao Ce: "That's right, Your Highness. Actually, no matter how turbulent the political situation is in any country, it won't change anything for us. It's no exaggeration to say that we can even control the outcome of the war... as long as we tamper with the supplies..."

Xiao Ce's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this, and Qian Lai quickly added, "However, Your Highness, our Golden Society has very strict rules and regulations, all of which are based on your wishes..."

Xiao Ce nodded in agreement: "Very good! My goal was to have two lines of communication. Are you still the president and chairman of the Golden Society?"

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai quickly waved his hand, "At most, you're the president. You're the chairman of our Golden Society..."

Xiao Ce looked at Qian Lai and said, "Don't be nervous. I'm not trying to test you. I still have this position; I had completely forgotten about it..."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai nodded: "No one but you can do this job..."

Xiao Ce nodded: "Do you have any troublemakers in the Golden Society?"

Qian Lai shook his head: "Your Highness, your initial plan and the foundation you laid were excellent. Therefore, we've encountered almost no trouble here..."

"Moreover, the Qian brothers, Qian Dafang and Qian Dahai, were very helpful."

Xiao Ce said to Qian Lai, "When you sit in this seat, do either of them seem displeased?"

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai shook his head with a smile: "Of course not... Your Highness, those two are smart people... Although I used to be a steward under them, I am now one of your people, and they understand that very well. In fact, they have told me more than once that their choice is very important."

"Although they were wealthy merchants before, if they hadn't met you, with their own abilities, insights, and knowledge, they would have been lost in the chaos of the Xiao Kingdom long ago... let alone possess their current abilities..."

After listening to Qian Lai's words, Xiao Ce smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Not bad, they do have some self-awareness..."

Qian Lai chimed in, "Your Highness, that's right... In fact, everyone in the Golden Society shares this sentiment; they are all extremely grateful to you..."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce waved his hand: "It's not my fault. Actually, even without me, as long as we stick together, we can still rely on you guys."

Qian Lai shook his head: "Your Highness, it was you who provided this platform... In fact, these merchants are all very clever. In fact, during this period, organizations emerged that challenged our Illuminati... However, none of these organizations were able to develop... None of them could!"

Xiao Ce was not surprised after hearing Qian Lai's words.

As Qian Lai spoke, he looked at Xiao Ce again. Seeing Qian Lai's hesitant expression, Xiao Ce quickly said, "Uncle Lai, our relationship... just say what you want to say. There's no need for us to be so coy."

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Qian Lai smiled and said, "Your Highness, the Xiao Kingdom is about to undergo a major upheaval. Could you perhaps make an appearance...? Although everyone is very confident, there's still some unrest. Among the people I know, at least some are taking steps to protect themselves..."

Xiao Ce shook his head: "No need... The more the situation is like this, the less I should show myself. You should understand the principle that true friendship is revealed in times of trouble..."

Qian Lai nodded in agreement: "You mean, we should take this opportunity to find some people who can't share our hardships? To weed out some of those who are wavering?"