Chapter 32: The Disaster Victims Are Treasures

Chapter 32: The Disaster Victims Are Treasures

When Da Lei saw Xiao Ce suddenly reveal his identity, he instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Ce.

The leading young master was stunned for a moment, then the disdain in his eyes grew even stronger. “Well, well! I was wondering who it was… Turns out it’s the Crown Prince of the Great Xiao Kingdom, known to all as a useless waste! You sound imposing… Fancy titles like King of Northern Desert! Weren’t you stripped of your position as Crown Prince by His Majesty? They say you were enfeoffed as King of Northern Desert, but isn’t it just the Emperor exiling you to the frontier?”

Seeing this, Yin Pan’er finally couldn’t hold back. She stepped forward, shielding Xiao Ce. “How dare you! The King of Northern Desert resigned from his position as Crown Prince after hearing of repeated Turkic provocations, in order to drive out the Turkic forces and glorify our kingdom’s might! He requested the title King of Northern Desert to fight the Turkic! As for you, what punishment do you deserve for insulting the King of Northern Desert!”

Xiao Ce watched Yin Pan’er, who was like a mother hen protecting her chicks, and found it amusing.

After hearing her out, the leading young master was full of contempt. “What punishment do I deserve!? I am Chen Boshu of the Chen Family from Runan. This time, I was recommended by the Second Prince and personally summoned by His Majesty to take up a post in the Capital! You’re just an exiled prince, what can you do to me?”

The Chen Family from Runan?

Based on the Original Host’s memories, Xiao Ce did have an impression.

The Chen Family from Runan, the Guan Family from Yinchuan, the Xu Family from Hongshan, and the Liu Family from Bashu were the four prominent families within the Great Xiao Kingdom.

These families had great local prestige, with talented members from each generation, and were highly supported in their respective regions.

In simpler terms, these families were like local emperors.

So he was Xiao Yang’s dog, no wonder he was barking so wildly!

However, seeing that Xiao Yang was recruiting such lowlifes, Xiao Ce didn’t want to waste any more words.

If he helped Xiao Yang by getting rid of these mediocre talents, wouldn’t that actually be helping him?

Yin Pan’er wanted to say something more,

but Xiao Ce stopped her. He cupped his hands and said, “So it’s Brother Chen from the Chen Family of Runan… My apologies, my apologies. You are absolutely right! I really can’t do anything to you. You are someone personally summoned by my Imperial Father, so you must be exceptionally talented. It’s only natural that you look down on me!”

What Xiao Ce liked and was most skilled at was killing with praise.

After Xiao Ce said this,

a look of smug satisfaction spread across Chen Boshu’s face. “Hmph… It’s good that you know. If I had known earlier that you were that good-for-nothing, why would I have wasted my breath? If word got out that I debated with a waste like you for so long, people would laugh their heads off!”

After saying that, he turned to the crowd of watching Disaster Victims and said, “You all should disperse now. Don’t listen to this waste’s boasting. If he really had any ability, he wouldn’t have been stripped of his position as Crown Prince and exiled to the desolate, godforsaken wasteland of the Northern Desert!”

“I am aware of your situation. After I arrive in the Capital, I will definitely report to His Majesty and then come to provide disaster relief!”

As he spoke, he left with great distaste, followed by the scholars behind him.

He didn’t even want to look at Xiao Ce again, feeling that another glance would dirty his eyes.

Xiao Ce looked at the Disaster Victims who had not dispersed.

“Everyone, I also had no idea the famine in the Great Xiao Kingdom had become so severe! Rest assured, this Prince was unaware before, but now that I know, I will definitely take action! You are all the foundation of our Great Xiao Kingdom!”

“I came here in a hurry. Give me a little time! Let me go into the city to purchase some grain. Later, I will set up a congee station outside the city walls and distribute congee to everyone to ease this urgent need. This Prince will also find a way to solve the famine problem for everyone, so you no longer have to wander around!”

Originally, after hearing Xiao Ce and Chen Boshu’s words, the Disaster Victims couldn’t help but feel somewhat scornful of Xiao Ce!

However, upon hearing Xiao Ce’s promise to provide congee, they were immediately filled with gratitude and knelt one after another.

“Thank you, Prince… Thank you, Prince…”

Xiao Ce looked at the scholar who had spoken earlier. This scholar appeared at first glance to be someone learned and cultured.

Xiao Ce felt this person could be useful.

“Esteemed scholar, may I ask your name?” Xiao Ce said, bowing to the scholar.

Seeing this, the scholar quickly bowed in return. “Prince, this old man does not deserve such courtesy. This old man is Xun Zixu.”

“Scholar Xun, would you be willing to accompany this Prince into the city? Then we can prepare for the congee distribution!” Xiao Ce said to the scholar.

Xun Zixu repeatedly cupped his hands. “This old man is willing to go. I just wonder if I can bring my grandson along.”

Only then did Xiao Ce notice a frail, skinny boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old nearby.

“Of course!”

As he spoke, Xiao Ce addressed the Disaster Victims nearby. “Everyone, please spread the word. This Prince will go now to make preparations. By evening, I can distribute congee to everyone. If you have relatives or friends, please call them over. This Prince will likely stay here for a few days. As long as this Prince is here for a day, I will make sure you have full bellies for a day!”

Seeing Xiao Ce speak this way, the eyes of the Disaster Victims gleamed.

They all knelt and cheered loudly.

Xun Zixu listened, his face troubled as he looked at Xiao Ce. He thought Xiao Ce was making a big boast.

However, since the two were not familiar, it wasn’t appropriate for him to say anything.

Meanwhile, everyone continued to line up.

After those Disaster Victims went to spread the news, Nie Bing walked up to Xiao Ce’s side with an awkward expression.

Earlier, she had wanted to embarrass Xiao Ce, so she had spoken that way.

But after hearing Xiao Ce’s analysis, she immediately realized her own shallowness.

“Prince, I’m sorry… Just now, I…”

Xiao Ce didn’t let Nie Bing finish and interrupted her. “This Prince knows you have a big chest but no brains. This Prince doesn’t blame you!”

After being spoken to like that by Xiao Ce, Nie Bing’s face instantly flushed red. The trace of guilt she felt was immediately replaced by resentment.

Yin Pan’er said, “Prince, are you sure you want to provide congee? There are tens of thousands of Disaster Victims outside, and you’re asking them to notify others. If word spreads, it might attract even more Disaster Victims. If the crowd becomes too large, how will you manage the situation then?”

Xiao Ce said, “This Prince is worried there might be too few people… Don’t worry, these Disaster Victims may be seen by others as a scourge, but in this Prince’s eyes, they are all treasures!”

From the moment Xiao Ce first saw these Disaster Victims, he had started plotting how to use them.

Especially when he heard the number of Disaster Victims was not small, he was overjoyed.

After all, the Four Northern Desert Prefectures he was about to go to were vast and sparsely populated. What they lacked was people!

Years of rumors had demonized the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. Under normal circumstances, if he asked ordinary people to go there, they would probably refuse even if beaten to death.

But now, heaven itself was helping him, bestowing upon him these Disaster Victims who couldn’t even get enough to eat.

If Xiao Ce promised them they could eat their fill, these Disaster Victims would probably fight to go.

Furthermore, if he later, after firmly establishing himself in the Four Northern Desert Prefectures, tried to pull people from the Central Plains to the Four Northern Desert Prefectures, it would definitely draw opposition from the Emperor and the other Princes.

But right now, probably the entire Great Xiao Kingdom wanted to get rid of these Disaster Victims like a hot potato.

If Xiao Ce was willing to take them in! The Emperor would be more than happy to give them to him!

Xiao Ce might even be able to use this opportunity to ask the Emperor for some more things!

The more he thought about it, the happier he became. Heaven was truly helping him!