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

Chapter 1427 Clear

Night Owl's icy voice immediately rang out, like a bucket of cold water being poured over it, saying, "Ghost City is a mixed bag, with various forces deeply entrenched, and the terrain is as complex as a maze. More importantly, Your Highness just mentioned that the factory has strong defenses."

Centuries have passed, who knows if those protective mechanisms are still functioning? Or if they are in a dangerous state? A rash, large-scale attack would likely result in heavy casualties and could even trigger unknown defenses, damaging the factory! He was considering the realistic risks and costs.

Wei Wuji calmly added, "Your Highness, the factory has been sealed off for hundreds of years, and its internal condition is unknown. Has the energy supply been depleted? Is the equipment rotten? Can the production line be restarted?"

These all require meticulous investigation. Moreover, has the root cause of the energy accident that led to the collapse been completely eliminated? Could restarting the factory trigger another geological disaster? The technical official's meticulousness raised even deeper concerns.

The council chamber erupted into debate once again.

Han Da advocated for swift and decisive measures, Ye Mao emphasized covert investigation, Wei Wuji worried about technological risks, while Yin Weiyong frowned, pondering how to balance the various parties and appease the public's potential panic.

Xiao Ce listened quietly, and only after the noise subsided did he slowly raise his hand. An invisible aura of authority instantly silenced the hall.

"Han Da's eagerness, Ye Mao's caution, and Wei Wuji's thoroughness are all reasonable."

Xiao Ce said with a relaxed expression, "But time is the last thing we can afford to waste. We don't have the time to explore slowly and proceed step by step."

"And I forgot to mention earlier that this is also within my control... We just need to verify at the entrance, and then we can go in..."

"Then we can start up that factory again..."

Yin Weiyong stepped forward, his brows furrowed, and bowed to Xiao Ce, saying, "Your Highness, please understand! Relocating everyone from the Dragon Guard Ghost City is... this is no small matter, and it is extremely difficult!"

His voice was filled with an unprecedented heaviness and difficulty.

"Oh?" Xiao Ce's sharp gaze swept over him! "What's the difficulty? Tell me."

Yin Weiyong took a deep breath, as if to expel the pent-up frustration in his chest: "Your Highness, that Dragon Guardian Ghost City is no ordinary place."

Since the great catastrophe several years ago, that place has become a gathering place for exiles from the entire Xiao Kingdom and even the surrounding areas, a melting pot of all sorts of people.

There were kind-hearted people with nowhere to turn, fugitives fleeing from enemies, long-established black market forces, and many sinister individuals harboring ulterior motives towards the imperial court, perhaps even... perhaps connected to remnants of the previous dynasty, or even former subordinates of Xiao Dingshan!

He spoke faster, breaking it down in detail: "Some of these people have been rooted here for years, regarding that ruin as their home and a sanctuary, and are unwilling to move easily."

Some people make a living from the chaos and gray areas of the ghost town. Once it is cleared out and their livelihood is cut off, trouble will inevitably arise, and it is inevitable that they will gather to resist.

And those with ulterior motives are even more eager for chaos to erupt, hoping to stir up trouble. Forcibly driving them away will inevitably provoke large-scale riots and bloodshed!

Even if it is suppressed with swift and decisive measures, it will take a considerable amount of time.

The people are filled with anxiety and resentment, posing a huge threat to the Prince's grand plans and the very foundation of the Xiao Kingdom!

Fine beads of sweat had formed on Yin Weiyong's forehead. He knew that the difficulty of this matter far exceeded that of ordinary military and national affairs.

He then said, "Your Highness, I heard you went there once before and dealt with many of Xiao Dingshan's old subordinates. You should know very well that although we have control over the overall situation... we've only stabilized it. And a large part of it is due to the original inhabitants who are reluctant to leave their homeland..."

Xiao Ce listened quietly, his face calm, but in his deep eyes, the urgency of time passing was palpable.

He waited until Yin Weiyong finished speaking before slowly opening his own mouth, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable pressure: "I understand the difficulties involved. However, Prime Minister Yin, what I lack most right now is precisely time!"

That sword hanging over our heads leaves us with only six months to breathe! Every moment of delay increases the risk of annihilation. Tell me, with the court's resources, how long would it take at the earliest?

Yin Weiyong's face was bitter as he rapidly calculated the fastest process needed to mobilize troops, provide guidance and resettlement, suppress the riots, and quell the rumors.

He gritted his teeth and gave a deadline he felt he had reached his limit: "Your Highness! If we disregard the cost and exert all our strength..."

This old minister, this old minister, dares to estimate, at the earliest... at the earliest, it will take at least a month!

He used almost all his strength to say the word "January".

"January?"

Xiao Ce's voice suddenly rose, and an invisible pressure instantly filled the entire council hall, making the air seem heavier. His gaze was like lightning as he stared directly at Yin Weiyong: "Father-in-law, the six-month period will pass in the blink of an eye! A month is invaluable for restarting the factory, manufacturing equipment, and training the new army! I cannot wait, and the people of the world cannot wait even more!"

He declared decisively, "Three days! I'm only giving you three days! After three days, the Dragon Guard Ghost City must be emptied, by whatever means necessary!"

"Three...three days?!"

Yin Weiyong was struck as if by lightning; his body swayed, and he almost lost his balance.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, his lips trembled, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and a desperate plea as he looked at Xiao Ce: "Your Highness! This... how is this possible? Three days?"

Let alone relocating those tens of thousands of desperados, even posting imperial notices throughout every corner of the ghost city wouldn't be enough! Forcibly taking action would only lead to an immediate catastrophe!

This old minister...this old minister is truly...truly powerless to help!

This usually calm and capable prime minister's voice was choked with emotion, and his eyes even welled up with tears.

In his eyes, clearing out the ghost town in three days was nothing short of a pipe dream, an impossible fantasy.

After all, it would probably take them three days to move...

The hall was dead silent.

Han Da clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. Though he was brave, he knew that this matter could not be resolved by brute force.

The owl's figure seemed even fainter in the shadows, clearly also rapidly considering a solution, but his furrowed brows revealed the same seriousness.

Wei Wuji remained silent, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting inside his sleeve.

Yin Pan'er looked at Xiao Ce with worry, then at her father who was on the verge of collapse, her heart pounding in her throat.

Xiao Ce watched Yin Weiyong struggle in pain and remained silent for a moment. He understood Yin Weiyong's predicament; this old minister had devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, and every word he spoke was true.

Conventional administrative measures and military coercion were indeed like an ant trying to shake a tree in the unique environment of the ghost city within three days. He slowly closed his eyes, his thoughts racing like lightning.

Time...time...he could feel the deadly countdown from the sea of ​​stars more than anyone else.

If conventional methods don't work, then we must break with convention!

A thought, like the first rays of dawn, instantly illuminated the fog in his mind.

He recalled the awe in which the mountain people knelt in worship, the almost fanatical worship in the eyes of Wang Huzi and others, and even more so, the words that Yin Weiyong had inadvertently mentioned...

With the court's deliberate guidance and his own legendary achievements, almost everyone in the Xiao Kingdom, regardless of social status, regarded him as a god!

He is Xiao Shen! He is a miracle worker who turned the tide and brought hope!

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

Xiao Ce suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light, and an indescribable, majestic aura that seemed to connect heaven and earth arose spontaneously from his body.

He looked directly at Yin Weiyong, his voice no longer cold and hard, but carrying a penetrating power: "Prime Minister Yin, your concerns are reasonable. Using conventional methods, it would indeed be like climbing to heaven in three days."

But what I will use is not weapons, nor proclamations, but the hearts of the people!

Yin Weiyong looked up in astonishment: "Human...human hearts? Your Highness means..."

"I will go myself!"

Xiao Ce spoke clearly, word by word: "I will personally step into the Dragon Guardian Ghost City and personally tell everyone there who I am, why I have come, and why I need them to leave!"

I want them to see for themselves that the 'God of Xiao' they revere and praise is not just a vague legend!

"I want to tell them that their departure is not for the court's suppression, but to save everyone on this land, including themselves!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was shocked!

"No!"

Yin Weiyong almost cried out in shock. The despair he had just felt was instantly replaced by immense fear. He then said, "Your Highness! You mustn't! Ghost City is extremely dangerous, a place teeming with all sorts of scoundrels!"

Even though the prince is incredibly powerful, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow!

There are many outlaws there, among whom there must be some who harbor resentment towards the imperial court, or even towards Your Highness!

If any villains take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, or if any remnants of Xiao Dingshan are lurking among them, they may attempt an assassination using extreme means...

You should know that these weapons nowadays aren't something ordinary people can easily defend against...

The consequences would be unimaginable! Your Highness, the safety of the nation rests on your shoulders; how can you risk your life? This is absolutely unacceptable!

His voice trembled with excitement.

Han Da also stood up abruptly, clasped his hands and said urgently, "Your Highness! What Prime Minister Yin said is absolutely right! This humble general is willing to lead the elite of the Longxiang Army to clear the way for Your Highness, and to quell the rebellion! Your Highness can stay in the central government, why must you personally go to such dangerous places?"

He would rather lead his troops into battle and cause rivers of blood than let Xiao Ce take any risks.

The night owl silently took a step closer. Though it didn't speak, its sharp eyes were fixed on Xiao Ce, the meaning of which was self-evident: protection.

Wei Wuji also spoke with deep concern: "Your Highness, a son of a noble family should not sit under a dangerous roof. The Ghost City is a complex and filthy place, rife with disease, and people's hearts are unpredictable. I urge Your Highness to reconsider!"

Yin Pan'er instinctively gripped Xiao Ce's sleeve, her beautiful eyes filled with worry and disapproval, and whispered, "Your Highness, it's too dangerous..."

Despite the fierce opposition and deep concern from the crowd, Xiao Ce's eyes remained unusually calm, even carrying a hint of all-knowing clarity. He gently patted Yin Pan'er's hand to reassure her, then his gaze slowly swept over Yin Weiyong, Han Da, and the others.

Looking at everyone's expressions, he then said, "None of you have interacted with the people inside, have you..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, the group stood there stunned.

"Most of you are just making assumptions based on your own subjective opinions. I have had contact with them before... there are bad people among them, but... most of them are pitiful people..."

Then, Xiao Ce said to them, "Gentlemen, you have been detached from the people for far too long..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, their faces turned extremely embarrassed...

"I know of your loyalty. I also understand your concerns..."

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying a strange power to soothe people's hearts: "But, father-in-law, as you just said, the people of Ghost City are from all walks of life, with different thoughts and intentions."

A forceful attack would only push them to the brink of conflict, exacerbate tensions, and play right into the hands of those who thrive on chaos.

Even if all the rebels are killed, the rest will be easily frightened. How can we expect them to leave willingly, quickly, and in an orderly manner?

We cannot afford to waste time! And most of them are our people, they love and respect me, how can I turn against them with swords drawn?

He paused, his tone becoming even more resolute, carrying a sense of unwavering determination.

"And my personal arrival is the 'extraordinary method'! What I want is not their fear, but their trust, their heartfelt recognition and following! I want the Dragon Guardian Ghost City to become the first spark that unites people's hearts and ignites hope!"

"As for the danger?"

Xiao Ce's lips curled into a calm yet incredibly confident smile. An invisible spiritual pressure spread out from him like ripples on water, causing everyone in the hall to shudder.

"Since I was able to cross the sea of ​​stars and return, and kill Xiao Dingshan's phantom amidst ten thousand troops, what are these mere ghost city demons and monsters worth mentioning?"

My spirit and will are the most indestructible barrier.

If any villains dare to act rashly, we will deal with them with swift and decisive measures. Besides…”

His gaze was fixed on the distance, as if piercing through thick walls, as if it had already penetrated the entire Dragon Guardian Ghost City.

"I believe that in this land, the power of awe and hope far outweighs hatred and chaos. I am their awe and hope!"

Xiao Ce's aura reached its peak at this moment, and he spoke in an unquestionable command, no longer a discussion!

"My mind is made up on this matter!"

Father-in-law, immediately mobilize reliable manpower and prepare all the necessary materials, venues, and evacuation routes for the resettlement of the relocated people. Make sure everything is ready within three days!

Han Da, you shall lead the elite Longxiang Army to deploy defenses around the Ghost City, block all passages, leave only designated exits, and maintain order. However, without my order, not a single soldier shall set foot in the Ghost City!

Night Owl, select your most elite, fully armed bodyguards to infiltrate with me, remain hidden in the shadows, and not reveal yourselves except in life-or-death situations!

Wei Wuji, you are responsible for overall coordination, ensuring smooth information flow, and beginning to take over the area after the ghost city is cleared, to conduct preliminary exploration and preparation for the subsequent opening of the factory...

He issued a series of clear and logical orders, breaking down the massive relocation plan and assigning a person in charge to each step...