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

Xiao Ce said, "A ruler's word is law. In front of all the civil and military officials, how could he possibly go back on his word?"

The King of Zhen shook his head and said, "It's not that simple. You'll find out tomorrow! Take it. Why be so polite with me? Even common people have the saying 'the poor travel with money.' Besides, you're going to your fiefdom to 'return to your kingdom.' The northern desert is a barren land. Without money, you can't move an inch."

"Fortunately, His Majesty has given you the authority to build an army, and the money he has given you is enough for you to assemble a force to protect yourself."

"Alright, I've already given instructions to Uncle Zhong! He will assist you when the time comes."

Seeing how much the King of Zhen had planned for him, Xiao Ce was moved and said, "Uncle Jiu, thank you."

The King of the Town waved his hand and said, "Alright, take them back. You're leaving tomorrow, so I won't see you off. Take care on your journey."

Xiao Ce bowed and then said, "Take care, Ninth Uncle."

The King of Zhen's expression shifted slightly, and it was clear that he was trying his best to control his emotions.

Xiao Ce took a few steps, then turned his head back.

"Uncle Jiu, before I leave, may I ask a question that has been on my mind for more than ten years?"

The king of the town nodded.

Xiao Ce then asked, "Are you my biological father?"

After listening, the King of Zhen said sternly, "I do indeed admire your mother, but we have never crossed any lines. You are His Majesty's own flesh and blood. Your Highness, I urge you not to believe the rumors."

Xiao Ce was somewhat disappointed and said, "Then why did he keep trying to torment me? From now on, you're my biological father!"

The King of Zhen hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words."

Xiao Ce said with a smile, "Alright, Ninth Uncle, I've said it. From now on, call me the King of the Northern Desert!"

...

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace.

"Father, are you really going to give that good-for-nothing so much money and food? Isn't our goal to kill him?" Xiao Yang asked.

A concubine gently rubbed the emperor's head from behind.

Xiao Dingbang spoke slowly and deliberately: "Yang'er, you're still too inexperienced. Even if we wanted to kill him, we can't give others a handle to use against us!"

Xiao Yang looked puzzled and said, "Father, even so, you can't help him."

Consort Hui, standing beside him, said, "Yang'er, His Majesty has promised! However, when the money will be paid depends on the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of War, and other relevant departments!"

Xiao Dingbang listened, gently patted Consort Hui's hand behind him, and said with a smile, "Yang'er, you are not as good as your mother."

"So, Father Emperor, you didn't want to give him any money at all?"

Xiao Dingbang snorted coldly and said, "You want me to give that good-for-nothing money? Do you think I have too much money? The reward I gave him today has probably flown away as if it had grown wings."

"If the White Lotus Sect and those rioters find out, they'll be scrambling to intercept Xiao Ce's group. They won't have a peaceful journey ahead."

"Even if he manages to reach the northern desert by chance, I have said that I will give them money and provisions, some of which will be used to reward the troops. If he doesn't have the money to pay, the anger of the soldiers guarding the border will be enough to make him suffer."

Xiao Yang listened with great enthusiasm, saying, "Father is wise! Then what are those three thousand elite soldiers you mentioned...?"

Xiao Dingbang said, "Recently, the Department of Punishments has a batch of death row inmates to be exiled, exactly three thousand people. Let's send them to Xiao Ce."

Xiao Yang couldn't stop laughing upon hearing this: "Father, you are truly brilliant. It's a miracle that he even made it to the Northern Desert alive. With your plan, we don't even need to send assassins. Someone else will do the work for us."

Consort Hui said, "Yang'er, His Majesty's strategic brilliance is unparalleled throughout history. You must learn from your father. If you can learn even one ten-thousandth of what your father did, it will be enough to benefit you for the rest of your life."

Xiao Dingbang burst into laughter upon hearing such boasting.

...

Inside the Prime Minister's residence.

After listening to Yin Weiyong's account of the emperor's scheme, Yin Pan'er got up to leave.

Yin Weiyong asked, "Pan'er, where are you going?"

Yin Pan'er said, "Father, naturally we should go with the Crown Prince... no, we should tell His Highness the King of Mobei. Tell him to make preparations as soon as possible."

Yin Weiyong waved his hand and said, "If he can't even handle these things, how can I entrust you to him with peace of mind? If he can't handle things properly tomorrow, I won't agree to let you go with him. He has more than three thousand death row inmates around him. If he can't control them, you will be in danger."

Yin Pan'er nodded and said, "Father, then you are destined to be disappointed. Besides, didn't you ask Sister Nie Bing to come with me?"

Yin Weiyong said, "Although Nie Bing is skilled, he can't fight against many opponents. Xiao Ce has chosen a path with a high chance of death."

Yin Pan'er said, "Father, I think his courage alone is enough to prove his strength. I believe he is a hidden dragon emerging from the abyss, destined to soar to the heavens."

...

Xiao Ce returned to the Crown Prince's residence with Uncle Lin Zhongzhong and Da Lei.

Da Lei was clearly surprised to see the Crown Prince's residence completely empty and deserted.

Xiao Ce said to the two men, "Make do for the night."

Then Xiao Ce turned to Lin Zhong and asked, "Uncle Zhong, what are your relationships with the wealthy and powerful people in the capital?"

Lin Zhong nodded and said, "We have a good relationship. May I ask what your orders are, Your Highness?"

Xiao Ce's eyes darted around: "Tomorrow, you will invite them to a banquet and say that the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet to auction off the Crown Prince's residence."

Lin Zhong looked surprised and said, "Your Highness, this is not appropriate."

Xiao Ce said, "I've thought about it and it seems the dog emperor is just waiting for me to die, so I'm afraid the money and grain won't reach me. If he gives me the full amount of money and grain tomorrow, then we don't need to sell it. But if he withholds the money and grain, then we'll sell the house."

"I've already thought of a pretext for you. We'll say that I'm selling off the Crown Prince's residence with tears in my eyes, and all the proceeds will be used to resist the Turks and defend against foreign aggression! Even if His Majesty finds out, he won't be able to say anything!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Highness, I will take care of it in a moment."

Xiao Ce said, "Go and sort it out again! What else is there to sell? Sell it all together later."

As he spoke, he brought out paper, ink, brush, and inkstone, preparing to write down a list.

However, after only a couple of strokes, the characters looked like they had been chewed by a dog.

Unable to bear it any longer, Lin Zhongshi said, "Your Highness, if you don't want to tell me, I'll write it for you."

Xiao Ce looked at the unruly brush in his hand and said with a smile, "That's excellent!"

"I'll write it down, and you can remember it."

Sugar, coarse salt, rice, wheat...

...

He wrote for a full half hour.

Lin Zhong looked at the writing on the few pages of paper, somewhat puzzled.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Xiao Ce pointed to the items on the paper and smiled slyly, saying, "Buy everything written on it! Especially the ones with ticks, buy as many as you can."

"I wonder what Your Highness needs these things for?" Lin Zhong asked, puzzled.

Xiao Ce said, "Of course it's about making money!"

Lin Zhong was even more puzzled and said, "Your Highness, these things you wrote are sold in various places. Moreover, the prices in the capital are higher than in other places. If you want to resell them, I'm afraid you will only lose money."

Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful expression: "Uncle Zhong, just do as I say! I naturally have the ability to turn stone into gold! Just watch and see!"

Xiao Ce's idea was very simple!

The first step in everything is to make money!

This was also what he was best at in his previous life!