Chapter 10: Never Expected Him To Be This Shameless

Chapter 10: Never Expected Him To Be This Shameless

The next day.

Xiao Ce got up early and practiced a set of the Eight Section Brocade.

This was his favorite exercise from his previous life, combined with breathing. It was very beneficial for strengthening the body and improving health.

In his previous life, he had even specially visited Taoist Priest Zhang to learn the Eight Section Brocade.

This body was too weak. After focusing on just one set, he was already drenched in sweat.

“Prince, what kind of exercise are you practicing? It looks so interesting!”

Da Lei had appeared by his side at some point.

Xiao Ce wiped his sweat and started doing push-ups.

Because the Original Host’s physical fitness was too poor, he could only start with these simple exercises.

As he did them, he rambled to Da Lei beside him: “That set just now is called the Eight Section Brocade. I learned it from a wandering Taoist priest. It has the effects of strengthening the body and prolonging life.”

Da Lei wore a skeptical expression, looking like he felt Xiao Ce had been scammed.

Clearly, this body of his was not very convincing at the moment.

Xiao Ce didn’t explain either. Changing the subject, he said, “Da Lei, Ninth Uncle said your squad has twelve people. What about the others? Bring them to meet me.”

Da Lei clasped his hands and agreed.

He blew a sharp whistle. Then, not far from them, from places Xiao Ce could never have imagined, eleven people sprang out.

They were agile in figure and wrapped themselves up tightly.

They lined up in front of him, knelt on one knee, clasped their fists and said, “Greetings, King of Northern Desert.”

The skills of these people seemed much stronger than his bodyguards from his previous life.

Xiao Ce looked at their uniform appearance, very satisfied.

“Good. All of you, remove your face covers. Let me see,” Xiao Ce said to them.

Their movements were very crisp as they took off their masks.

They all looked quite young, probably around 17 or 18 years old.

However, there was no childishness on their faces.

One could tell from their sharp, fierce eyes.

They had definitely killed people before.

“In the future, I will need to rely on you all. Introduce yourselves. Let’s all get to know each other,” Xiao Ce asked the group.

The dozen or so people did not respond.

Da Lei said, “Reporting to the Prince, we Death Warriors have no names.”

“But you’re a Death Warrior, and you still have a name, right?”

Da Lei continued bowing: “Because I am the Captain. This name was bestowed by the Old Prince.”

Xiao Ce looked at the Death Warriors and muttered, “Death Warriors are people too. Even cats and dogs have names. How can you just be called by numbers?”

“Go think of a name for yourselves. If you really can’t think of one, This Prince will bestow a name upon each of you.”

After hearing Xiao Ce’s words, these people showed no expression and no emotional change. They were as cold as ice.

Very mechanically, they clasped their hands and said, “As you command!”

Xiao Ce had thought they would show at least some happiness.

But they were like cold machines, with no emotional fluctuation at all.

It seemed their Death Warrior training must have been extremely brutal, training away any independent thought they had.

Seeing this, Xiao Ce waved his hand grandly, giving up the idea of motivating them.

“Alright, you all go hide again.”

The Death Warriors scattered and then went back into hiding.

Not long after, Lin Zhong came in from outside.

“Prince, you’re up so early?”

Xiao Ce wiped his sweat and went forward. “Uncle Zhong, aren’t you even earlier? How did things go?”

Lin Zhong said to Xiao Ce, “I have already gone to the merchant houses to purchase the things you need. To be safe, I had them delivered directly to the capital city of Northern Desert, Pingliang City, to avoid any transportation risks.”

Xiao Ce nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Zhong!”

“The Prince is too polite. These are all part of my duties. I just don’t quite understand how you plan to make money with these things?”

Xiao Ce said, “That’s a secret. You’ll know once we reach Northern Desert! Are the other matters arranged?”

Lin Zhong nodded. “Everything has been arranged! The invitations have already been sent out.”

Xiao Ce said with a smile, “Good. I’ll go change clothes now.”

…

Half an hour later, Lin Zhong hurriedly found Xiao Ce, who was writing and drawing at the desk.

“Uncle Zhong, what’s wrong? Why so rushed?”

“They’re here!” Lin Zhong replied, his expression not looking good.

Xiao Ce found it strange. “Has what Imperial Father promised arrived?”

Lin Zhong nodded.

“Then Uncle Zhong, why do you look like that?” Xiao Ce asked, puzzled.

Lin Zhong’s expression was grim. “Prince, just go out and see for yourself.”

Xiao Ce put down his paper and brush. Pointing at the sketches he had drawn on the desk, he said to Da Lei standing to the side, “Da Lei, put all these things away for me. Carry them with you.”

After saying that, he followed Lin Zhong outside.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw the area outside the residence was noisy and crowded with people.

Xiao Yang stood not far away with a mocking expression.

Seeing Xiao Ce come out, Xiao Yang came forward in quick steps, his face full of eagerness to see Xiao Ce become a laughingstock: “Crown Prince… oh no, you’re not the Crown Prince anymore.”

“Xiao Ce, by His Majesty’s order, I have brought you three thousand elite soldiers. And the money and provisions he promised you!”

When Xiao Yang said this, his smile was really hard to suppress.

Xiao Ce naturally looked at the so-called three thousand elite soldiers behind Xiao Yang.

These were clearly three thousand prisoners. Each one still wore shackles, and their prison uniforms were still on.

As for the so-called money and provisions, there was one cart of grain and one cart carrying two large boxes of copper coins.

This was at most ten dan of grain. Those copper coins, converted to silver, were worth at most one hundred taels of silver.

Was this coming to give alms to a beggar?

Xiao Ce indeed had some psychological preparation. He had thought the Emperor might be shameless, might shortchange him. But he never expected the Emperor to be this shameless.

These three thousand prisoners, judging by their faces, each looked like ruthless, vicious criminals. This wasn’t sending three thousand elite soldiers; this was obviously sending three thousand troublesome liabilities.

“Second Brother, there must be some mistake. This is not what Imperial Father promised yesterday.”

Xiao Yang said, “Yes, that’s what Imperial Father said. But each government office has its own difficulties.”

“Now, rebels are rising everywhere, military manpower is very tight. Money and provisions are even tighter! However, don’t worry! Here are the IOUs written for you by the officials from various departments.”

As he spoke, Xiao Yang took out a stack of IOUs and handed them to Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce took them and glanced at them.

They were indeed IOUs, but the IOUs didn’t say when they would be repaid. It was clearly an attempt to be shameless!

“Xiao Ce, why do you look so upset? You wouldn’t want to disobey the imperial decree, would you?”

Xiao Ce, looking displeased, stuffed the IOUs back into Xiao Yang’s hand.

Xiao Yang’s face immediately darkened, and he said sharply, “What’s this? Are you refusing a gift from Imperial Father? Are you disobeying the decree?”

Xiao Ce looked around at the commoners who had gathered to watch the spectacle.

He deliberately raised his voice: “Second Brother, I appreciate Imperial Father’s kind intentions!”

“However, since the finances of our Great Xiao Kingdom are so strained now, and military manpower is so tight, it would be wrong of me to make further demands! Return these IOUs to the various government offices! Consider it something This Prince does for the Great Xiao Kingdom before leaving.”

Then Xiao Ce asked, “Uncle Zhong, go check the gifts from His Majesty!”

Lin Zhong didn’t even move. From the side, he clasped his hands and said, “Prince, a total of twelve dan of provisions, and one hundred and thirty-six strings of copper coins.”

Xiao Ce nodded. “Good! Your Son thanks Imperial Father from afar for the gift of three thousand Death Row Prisoners, twelve dan of provisions, and one hundred and thirty-six strings of copper coins!”

As he spoke, he bowed toward the direction of the Imperial Palace to express his thanks.

“How dare you! Xiao Ce, what do you mean? Are you implying that Imperial Father shortchanged your reward? Imperial Father has already given the order! The Emperor’s words are not a joke! It’s just that the various offices cannot produce them for now! And the various offices gave you IOUs, it’s not that they won’t give them to you! You refuse to accept them, and then you want to falsely accuse Imperial Father of shortchanging your reward?”

Seeing Xiao Yang getting anxious, Xiao Ce sneered, “Second Brother, I don’t mean that. I think, since the various offices really can’t produce them, I won’t take them! I will rely on my own efforts to go to Northern Desert and fight the Turkic!”

“If you don’t accept Imperial Father’s reward, you are disobeying the decree!”

Xiao Ce asked meaningfully, “Second Brother, are you sure you want me to accept?”

Xiao Yang also understood Xiao Ce’s implication, thinking he would publicly say he didn’t receive the Emperor’s reward. That way, Xiao Yang could have an excuse to report.

Xiao Yang naturally wouldn’t let him succeed: “Exactly! The Emperor’s words are not a joke. Imperial Father did not shortchange your reward at all! Everything was given to you in full! If you don’t accept it, you are disobeying the decree.”

Xiao Ce said with a smile, “Since Second Brother says so, I won’t stand on ceremony.”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce took the IOUs, spat on his finger, and started counting them.

Then he looked at Xiao Yang and said loudly, “Second Brother, is it as you said? Imperial Father ordered the various offices to give me the reward in full!”

Xiao Yang quickly said, “Naturally. Imperial Father places great importance on the Turkic threat in Northern Desert! That’s why he awarded you so many soldiers, money, and provisions! It’s just that the various offices really can’t produce them now. As a last resort, they gave IOUs! This has absolutely nothing to do with Imperial Father. It’s all the problem of the various government offices and ministries.”

Seeing this, a triumphant smile appeared on Xiao Ce’s face.

He bowed again toward the direction of the Imperial Palace and said, “Thank you, Imperial Father, for the reward of one hundred thousand taels of Gold, one million taels of Silver, and five hundred thousand dan of provisions! Your Son, on behalf of the people of Northern Desert and the soldiers guarding the border, thanks Imperial Father from afar for his great kindness! Long Live Imperial Father! Long Live! Long Live!”

After doing all this, he said to Xiao Yang, “Alright, Second Brother, you can go back now. Thank you for taking the trouble to come in person.”

Xiao Yang never expected Xiao Ce to just accept it like that.

He had thought Xiao Ce would refuse these rewards.

As long as he refused, the crime of disobeying the decree would be enough to send him off with a whipping before he left.

But Xiao Ce obediently accepting was like punching cotton—utterly ineffective.

He cursed Xiao Ce in his heart for being such a softie, so weak! A coward.

“You’re accepting all this? You should know, although these three thousand are Death Row Prisoners, they are now registered soldiers. They are to go to Northern Desert for support. If they desert along the way, you will be held responsible.”

Xiao Ce said with a smile, “Since you put it that way, Second Brother! If I don’t accept it now, I would be failing Imperial Father’s good intentions toward the military and civilians of Northern Desert! Thank you for the reminder, Second Brother. I will keep them under control.”

Then, Xiao Ce looked at Da Lei to the side and said, “Da Lei, go remove the handcuffs and leg shackles of my three thousand fierce generals!”

Da Lei clasped his hands and said yes, then went forward to help these Death Row Prisoners remove their shackles.

Xiao Yang, seeing this, said, “Xiao Ce, what are you doing?”