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

Hu Yidao wielded the knife with incredible skill, making it seem as if it were an extension of his body!

"Your Highness, if you would like it even thinner, I can slice it even thinner."

Seeing Hu Yidao's excited expression, Xiao Ce waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I know you've been itching to use your knife for a long time. This time, don't make it too thin! It won't be long before you have your chance to use it!"

Hu Yidao became even more excited upon hearing this!

Seeing Da Lei idling to the side, he said, "Da Lei, go set up two more tables over there. Let the Twelve Fiends come over. We haven't had a proper meal since we arrived, so let's have a get-together."

Da Lei nodded.

At first, he wasn't used to it.

After all, the deep-rooted sense of hierarchy made them understand that they could not eat at the same table as their masters.

However, Xiao Ce ordered them to eat together many times along the way.

Along the way, Xiao Ce prepared plenty of barbecue for them, including roasted rabbit and beggar's chicken.

They had never heard of such a thing before, and it tasted like a delicacy.

He's now curious about the deliciousness of this copper pot with charcoal in the middle.

A short while later, Yin Pan'er and Nie Bing arrived. They came over as soon as they heard there was something delicious to eat.

After all, the two of them had eaten quite a bit of the delicious food Xiao Ce made on the way.

They knew that Xiao Ce was indeed skilled at making some unusual delicacies. This was a large part of why Yin Pan'er's opinion of Xiao Ce changed.

Hearing that there was delicious food, Nie Bing, who had been holding back, came over without a second thought!

There's a saying in modern times: "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

This applies to women as well.

After the two entered, Yin Pan'er stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Ce!

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce got up from the armchair and gently patted the smooth hand of the maid who was serving him, signaling them that they could stop.

"Pan'er, you've come at the right time. Shall I treat you to hot pot today?"

"Hot pot? Isn't that just boiled meat?" Yin Pan'er asked, looking at a strange copper pot on the table.

"Yes and no. Generally speaking, this needs to be served with some sesame paste and chive blossoms. That would make it truly exceptional! However, it's a pity that I had people search everywhere but couldn't find that plant. But, just enjoying the meat's natural flavor is also very good. The key is its freshness!"

Xiao Ce introduced them with a smile.

Yin Pan'er was completely confused: "Sesame paste? Chive blossoms? What are those?"

"Those are plants from the Western Regions. Once I've stabilized things here, I must send people to the Western Regions to get some potatoes, Sichuan peppercorns, sesame seeds... There's nothing here to grow!"

"Where is the Western Regions?" Yin Pan'er asked.

Xiao Ce finally came to his senses. At that time, the area in the Western Regions was not yet called the Western Regions. There were dozens of small countries there, and it was in complete chaos.

"Those small countries west of Yumen Pass! I've given them a unified name: the Western Regions!" Xiao Ce said haphazardly.

When he first transmigrated, his first choice was to guard the Jade Gate Pass.

Because not far to the west of Yumen Pass lies the Western Regions.

You should know that the Western Regions are not only known for their sweet grapes and cantaloupes!

The beauties from the Western Regions there are even more radiant and have great figures.

If I could find a few Dilraba Dilmurats to perform for me every day while I'm eating, that would be the most exciting life!

With the Xiao Kingdom's strength, the small countries in the Western Regions were constantly fighting amongst themselves and dared not provoke the Xiao Kingdom. They came to pay tribute every year!

Therefore, he figured his cheapskate father, who was determined to kill him, wouldn't let him go there.

That's why they chose the four prefectures in the northern desert, which were fraught with danger.

The Western Regions also became a regret for Xiao Ce.

Yin Pan'er listened with some doubt: "Your Highness, you've never left the capital since you were a child. How do you know these things?"

Xiao Ce said, "You don't know this. Although I don't go out, the King of Zhen always brings me ancient books from various places! I read them all from books! After I conquer the Turkic Kingdom and then conquer the Western Regions, we will be able to expand our Xiao Kingdom's territory by one-third!"

Nie Bing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Xiao Ce said, "Nie Bing? Don't you believe me?"

Nie Bing looked at Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, I know you do have some ability. However, you can't even protect yourself right now. You don't really think that just because you occupy these nine cities, you really control the four prefectures of Mobei, do you? Bao An is the weakest among the four prefectures of Mobei. If it weren't for those powerful clans and local noble families protecting him, he would have died hundreds of times over."

"After my father was framed and killed by them, these powerful clans have been frantically amassing wealth. The power of their clan heads is no less than that of a small country. There are four such small countries in the four prefectures of the northern desert! Moreover, there is also the ever-watchful Turkic Khaganate outside. If you want to deal with the clans of the four prefectures of the northern desert, they will definitely turn their backs on the Turks."

"They have no concept of national sentiment! All they care about is their own interests! So it's already difficult enough that you can settle down and survive here."

"Not to mention attacking the Turks, or even attacking the far-off Western Regions, isn't that just wishful thinking? You should deal with the current situation first before talking about anything else."

Judging from Nie Bing's words, it seems that Fei Du has learned quite a bit from her.

Xiao Ce smiled slightly and said to Nie Bing, "So what? What do you think war relies on? Is it just about numbers? It's about risking lives, isn't that what war is all about!"

Nie Bing did not answer.

Xiao Ce pointed to his head: "Winning a war depends first and foremost on the commander's head; an incompetent general can bring ruin to the entire army."

"Secondly, it relies on the morale of the troops."

"In the end, it depends on the support of the people and logistics!"

"I don't believe anyone smarter than me has even been born yet!"

"Secondly, although we are new recruits, under our leadership, we have trained them to be incredibly skilled. Many of them have a deep-seated hatred for the Turks, so the fighting ability of such soldiers is beyond doubt."

"Finally, there's the people's hearts. I brought those disaster victims from the Central Plains. I rescued them from the fire and gave them land and houses! With such policies, how could they not support me!"

"As for logistics, I have Pan'er to help me manage it! Pan'er took charge of the Prime Minister's residence at the age of nine and managed it very well! I believe she can manage the four prefectures of Mobei without any problem!"

"I will tell her about my future businesses right away. We will have a steady stream of money coming in! I believe she can help me safeguard my home front."

As he spoke, Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er with a determined gaze: "Pan'er, I have the courage to hand over the management of the Northern Desert to you. Are you willing to help me?"

Xiao Ce had actually wanted to find an opportunity, but now the conversation had gotten to this point.

He followed Yin Pan'er's words with a determined expression.

Yin Pan'er was thrilled by Xiao Ce's words, especially by his recognition and trust, which stirred up a complex mix of emotions within her.

"I'm a woman, I'm afraid..."

Xiao Ce firmly interrupted Yin Pan'er: "Who says women are inferior to men? As long as you're willing, I'll definitely help you overcome all difficulties!"

Yin Pan'er wasn't one to hesitate, and said, "If you dare to ask me to come, I'm naturally willing! And I certainly won't let you down!"

Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Haha, good! I believe in you too. Besides, you have a good sister who is highly respected in the four prefectures of Mobei! The two of you working together will definitely be fine. As long as you stabilize the rear, I will be invincible on the front lines!"

Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "So you're still after Sister Bing. But I've agreed, while Sister Bing hasn't."

Xiao Ce looked at Nie Bing.

Nie Bing said, "You don't need to look at me! It was my father's last wish to let the people of Mobei live a good life. I will agree to anything that is good for the people of Mobei!"

Xiao Ce had expected Nie Bing to say something sarcastic to him, but he didn't expect such a response.

I can't believe they actually agreed!

Watching Hu Yidao bring out plate after plate of perfectly cooked meat.

Xiao Ce looked around and said, "Alright! It's decided then! Let's eat meat!"

As they were talking, they invited the Seasonal Maiden and Twelve to sit at the two tables next to them!

Then they called for money, and the swallows were served.

Yan Jia had gotten used to following Xiao Ce all the way, but Qian Lai was a little at a loss. Only under Xiao Ce's coercion did he awkwardly sit down!

Seeing his uncomfortable expression, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Uncle Lai, once we're at the dinner table, we're family. There's no need for so many formalities!"

“We haven’t known each other for long, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to you yet. I don’t think that you kowtowing to me is how much respect you show me… True respect is in your heart and in your daily life! It doesn’t need to be superficial; it’s shown through your actions.”

Xiao Ce said, "Uncle, come here."

Qian Lai looked bewildered and terrified!

Xiao Ce had said everything he needed to say, and didn't expect him to change or understand immediately.

Over time, you'll get used to it and become desensitized!

These ancient people thoroughly enjoyed this novel way of eating.

However, for Xiao Ce, a modern person, eating hot pot without sesame sauce and chive blossoms is ultimately soulless.

He ate while seemingly lost in thought. What Nie Bing said earlier made some sense.

Stabilizing the four prefectures in northern Mongolia and conquering the Turks are not things that can be accomplished overnight.

He still needs to make other plans!

We should first send some people to the Western Regions to see what they can find here and bring back some crops that are not available here.

Potatoes, in particular, are a high-yielding crop that is extremely well-suited to the soil and climate of northern Mongolia. If this crop is introduced, then the people of northern Mongolia will never have to go hungry again!

Since this timeline is completely fictional, it's unknown whether overseas missionaries introduced potatoes to the Western Regions at that time. If not, it would be troublesome to go overseas.

Because Xiao Kingdom doesn't have a navy, in their eyes the world is only so big!

They considered the most threatening foreign tribes to be the people of the Turkic Khaganate.

They were unaware, but Xiao Ce was very clear that the civilization and history here, although fictional and nonexistent, existed.

However, the planet he is on is exactly the same as the one he was on before!

He knew all too well how vast the outside world was!

So he really has a lot to do, but Nie Bing is right, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.