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

"But you should know that the Xiao Kingdom isn't just about us; there are also Slavic people there."

"They're supported by another faction within the Illuminati... So, let them fight it out? Once they start fighting, we can sneak up behind them and steal the territory those two Okamoto idiots have taken over..."

"He who laughs last laughs best!"

Upon hearing Tojo Senichi's words, Tojo Seisuke burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, not bad! Not bad! You lad, I knew I hadn't misjudged you, and it wasn't in vain that I brought you into my life!"

Upon hearing Tojo Seisuke's words, Tojo Senichi smiled and said, "Father, are you testing me?"

Tojo Seisuke laughed and said, "Not bad, let me see your vision and mentality... After all, I already suffered a great loss because of your older brother, Tojo Koichi! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have ended up in this situation."

Tojo Senichi nodded in agreement as Tojo Seisuke listened: "That's right! Father, you're absolutely right! Our Tojo family can't afford any more storms... So, we must be extremely cautious. So, going slowly isn't a bad thing!"

Tojo Seisuke nodded: "It seems I can trust you now."

After hearing Tojo Seisuke's words, Tojo Senichi asked with a hint of doubt, "Father, what do you mean...?"

Tojo Seisuke said to Tojo Senichi, "My plan for the next period is this: you don't need to go to the next prefecture... I will go instead. If Okamoto Issaku isn't lying to us, then that's for the best, and I'll take over the big gift he gave me. If he's trying to deceive me... you can stay in the rear with our elite troops."

Tojo Senichi asked Tojo Seisuke, "Father, do you think they'll leave us in the rear?"

With a confident smile, Tojo Seisuke said to Tojo Senichi, "You can rest assured. If Okamoto Issaku were here, he could at least give Okamoto the warning, but right now, Okamoto the idiot is probably getting too cocky... Leave this to me..."

Tojo Senichi said, "Father, how about we switch?"

Tojo Seisuke waved his hand: "I'm too old. You are the future of the Tojo family..."

Tojo Senichi wanted to speak.

Tojo Seisuke said to Tojo Senichi, "Senichi, you're a smart person. I won't go on with your advice... You should know that now is not the time for sentimentality..."

Tojo Sen nodded.

Tojo Seisuke said, "If we really encounter the worst-case scenario, which is that we suffer a series of defeats... then open this brocade pouch I gave you!"

After hearing Tojo Seisuke's words, Tojo Senichi looked at Tojo Seisuke with some surprise: "Father, it shouldn't have come to this, right?"

Tojo Seisuke smiled slightly and said to Tojo Senichi, "Of course...of course...we always have to prepare for the worst...remember, unless it's the worst-case scenario, don't open it!"

Tojo Senichi looked at Tojo Seisuke's brocade pouch with a puzzled expression and asked, "What... what's inside this?"

Tojo Seisuke laughed and said, "Alright, it's best if you never find out in your life."

"Remember, treat these elite members of the Tojo family well; they are our future!"

Tojo Senju looked at Tojo Seisuke and asked in confusion, "Father, you seem a little different today?"

Tojo Seisuke smiled and waved his hand: "Hey, I'm getting old... I'm becoming more sentimental..."

Tojo Senichi smiled brightly and said to Tojo Seisuke, "Father, don't worry, everything will be better."

Tojo Seisuke nodded: "Of course!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tojo Seisuke said he was going to find the Okamoto family's idiot.

Tojo Senichi sensed that something was wrong with Tojo Seisuke.

However, he also felt that Tojo Seisuke was right.

However, he knew very well that his father was not so simple. All he could do was to handle the tasks his father had entrusted to him.

After Tojo Seisuke left, he went to find Okamoto Juzo and Okamoto Juroku.

...

At this moment, Okamoto Juzo and Okamoto Juroku were enjoying a delicious local specialty hot pot.

It has to be said that they really fell in love with this spicy hot pot after just one bite.

The local prefect was also present, along with a performance of songs from the Kingdom of Xiao.

But they were served very well and were very happy.

Just then, a servant approached and whispered to Okamoto Juzo, "Master, Tojo Seisuke requests an audience!"

After listening to the servant's words, Okamoto Juzo asked with some confusion, "What's that guy doing here now? I asked him to come over earlier, but he wouldn't come."

Upon seeing this, Okamoto Juro asked, "Who is it? Tojo Seisuke?"

Okamoto Juzo nodded: "That's right, they said they wanted to see me?"

Okamoto Juroku said, "Tojo Seisuke is definitely unhappy, but he can't do anything about it, so he can only obediently follow us around like a little shadow..."

"But I'm also really annoyed... and there's nothing I can do about it. Hahahaha..."

"What do you call someone who doesn't like us but can't do anything about it! Right now, that father and son have been thinking about it together again. They can't get rid of us, and they have no other way, so they're coming to us obediently again, aren't they?"

Okamoto Juzo took a big gulp of his drink, then smiled and said, "Then, Juzo, what do you think? Should we go see him?"

Okamoto Juro nodded: "Sure, big brother, why wouldn't we see him... Let's see what he wants to say! If it's something nice, then really, seeing how obediently they've followed us for so long, even if they're just dogs, we should at least throw them a bone, right?"

"Hahaha, Sixteen, you've got a really sharp tongue..." Okamoto Juzo laughed loudly.

After saying that, he said to the servant beside him, "Alright, stop standing there, go and call him over."

...

In fact, Tojo Seisuke heard everything clearly from outside, and neither of them lowered their voices at all.

A flash of anger crossed Tojo Seisuke's eyes. He now clearly understood the meaning of some of the common sayings in Xiao Kingdom.

It really is like a dragon encountering shallow waters and getting teased by shrimp!

However, upon seeing the servants run out, Tojo Seisuke quickly revealed a smile.

The attendant remained very polite to Tojo Seisuke.

"Lord Tojo, the head of the family requests that you come in."

Tojo Seisuke still had a kind smile on his face, showing no trace of the murderous intent he had just displayed.

Once inside, Okamoto Juzo saw Tojo Seisuke and waved: "Tojo, Tojo... tell me... aren't you being pretentious? I called you over earlier, and you were still pretending... come... come and have something to eat together."

Tojo Seisuke saw that Okamoto Juzo was too lazy to even call him by his given name, and instead rudely addressed him by his surname.

This made him extremely unhappy.

However, Tojo Seisuke kept this displeasure deep in his heart.

Tojo Seisuke smiled at Okamoto Juzo: "Head of the Okamoto family, it's just that I was worried it might be inconvenient for us to be here while you and the county governors were chatting. After all, the county governors are the ones following along... It wouldn't be appropriate for us to be here..."

He bowed respectfully as he spoke, "Master Okamoto, please don't have any other thoughts... We mean no harm..."

It must be said that, in terms of sheer cunning, even the Okamoto brothers, Juzo and Juro, combined, are no match for Tojo Seisuke.

Seeing Tojo Seisuke's humble and respectful demeanor, the two were quite satisfied.

"Tojo, you're overthinking it... Why are you thinking so much? You can't change anything by going with us. The magistrates here aren't stupid. They know your strength and ours... Don't overthink it! If you attack, they'll definitely rebel..."

As Okamoto Juzo spoke, he began to laugh arrogantly again, and asked the prefect beside him, "Prefect, don't you think so..."

The prefect naturally agreed.

Okamoto Juro, who was a bit cunning but not much more so, asked Tojo Seisuke, "Tojo, you won't be angry if I joke with you, will you?"

Before Tojo Seisuke could answer, Okamoto Juzo, who was already floating in the air, said, "Juzo, what are you saying... Who's joking? I'm just stating the facts..."

Tojo Seisuke maintained his gentle smile: "Yes, yes, head of the Okamoto family, you are absolutely right... If we take the lead, every prefect will see us as easy prey, and everyone will want to try and take advantage of us..."

"Haha, Tojo is the only one who knows his place. Alright, Tojo, what do you want from here... Stop beating around the bush, just say what you have to say, we're all on the same side."

Tojo Seisuke said, "Head of the Okamoto family, shall I speak frankly then?"

Okamoto Juzo waved his hand, signaling him to speak plainly.

Without mincing words, Tojo Seisuke delivered his prepared statement: "Head of the Okamoto family, we have benefited from your divine might along the way, thus gaining an advantage. We have acquired several cities without losing a single soldier."

“However, our men are of no use following you. Besides, as you know, we came here on loan, and it’s too wasteful to use supplies. If we were stationed in one place, we wouldn’t have to travel around and we would save some supplies.”

"What I mean is, could we borrow a city and set up camp there? We wouldn't have to follow you around anymore... We saw the Okamoto family's divine weapon, and we know the Illuminati wants us to compete."

"However, look at the gap between us, how can we compete! We are definitely no match for you! I was thinking, I'll have Chihiro take the last of our Tojo family's bloodline to rest, while I'll take the people we recruited later and continue to follow you and assist you... That way we can save some money..."

Okamoto Juro saw that Okamoto Juro was about to speak, but he spoke first.

"If you do this, how will the city be divided in the end? Are you giving up?"

Tojo Seisuke nodded: "I don't want to give up, but we also need to be realistic. You two are old friends, after all. I'm thinking, you could find us a few connected, dilapidated castles, or perhaps a slightly less desirable prefecture, and we'd be happy to..."

Before they could speak, Tojo Seisuke adopted a cautious expression: "Of course, if you're unwilling... that's fine too, that's fine too... I won't say a word, as long as the Tojo family has a place to stay, that's enough..."

This time, seeing that Okamoto Juzo didn't interrupt, he said with relief, "Haha, Tojo! Look at you... you've already said so much, how can we refuse you? We're all from Japan, so let's do it your way. After the war, we'll find a county for your Tojo family."

"As for your men, it's a good thing they don't come with us. To be honest, I feel that having your men with us has lowered our morale a bit... I also agree that you can choose for yourselves among the cities we conquer!"

"You can have whichever one you like."

Tojo Seisuke wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he looked excited.

"Really? Really? Okay... Head of the Okamoto family, then I must thank you... You're still a good person..."

Okamoto Juro asked to confirm, "You went along with them, right?"

Tojo Seisuke nodded: "Of course...of course, I'll follow you and help with logistics! You're so generous, willing to give us an entire prefecture..."

Okamoto Juzo laughed and said, "Tojo, you're being too polite. We're all on the same side... I know you have strength, but you need an opportunity... Don't worry, I won't let your clan be wiped out!"

Seeing this, Tojo Seisuke smiled slightly and then said, "Thank you! Thank you! Well... I'll go tell Senichi this good news!"

"Qian Yiping is all talk and no action, but he's utterly useless when it comes to leading troops! Don't laugh at me, he keeps clamoring to find a place to set up camp."

After hearing what Tojo Seisuke said, Okamoto and his two idiots laughed at the same time.

His eyes were full of disdain.

"Yeah, Tojo Chiichi still needs more practice. He seems pretty good with words all the time. Tojo, I'm not trying to be mean, but you're such a strong person, how come you only have such cowardly kids..."

Tojo Seisuke looked embarrassed.

Okamoto Juroku said, "Tojo, please don't mind, it's my older brother..."

Tojo Seisuke quickly chimed in, "I understand... I understand... You're all doing this for my own good... Actually, I know all that. If it weren't for us, we wouldn't be in this situation. This is karma..."

Okamoto Juzo nodded in agreement: "Tojo, what you said makes sense. I was trying to save face for you before, but now that you've said it yourself, I'll say something too. If it weren't for your foolish son, our Japan wouldn't be in this state..."

Seeing that Tojo Seisuke's expression was growing increasingly grim, Okamoto Juroku quickly interrupted, "Alright, alright, Tojo, you can go now..."

Tojo Seisuke gave a smile that looked more like a grimace and then left.

Okamoto Juroku said, "Big brother, you said it's too heavy!"

Okamoto Juzo looked unconvinced: "Isn't what I said the truth? Is he still not convinced?"