Green Mountain
Chapter 369 - 305, Assassination

Chapter 369: 305, Assassination

With the escort of the Yulin Army, the Korean Crown Prince passed through the Imperial Palace from the left side of the Imperial Gate.

The Princely Heir, who had traveled a long distance, couldn’t help but look around the palace with a longing expression.

An official from the Honglu Temple reminded him, "Princely Heir, do not gawp around."

The Korean Crown Prince sighed, "How can one avoid observing such a grand palace? I used to think that Jingfu Palace in Han City was one of the most magnificent places under the heavens. But now, upon seeing this Daning Imperial Palace, I understand what it means for imperial power to be granted by heaven and the dignity of the Heavenly Family."

Hearing this, the Honglu Temple official beamed immediately and stopped interfering, "Naturally."

Circumventing the Imperial Extreme Hall and Central Extreme Hall, the group awaited the Emperor Ning’s ascent to the throne outside Jianji Hall.

Chen Ji silently surveyed the surroundings, pondering where Wu Yun, who had disappeared upon entering the palace last night, might be hiding now? Had he encountered some danger, causing him to hide and remain dormant?

Just at this moment, another group of armored soldiers appeared from the east. Their helmets were adorned with red pheasant tails, and they held firearms, striding with the bearing of dragons and tigers. As they passed by the Yulin Army, they only cast a sidelong glance before returning their gaze.

Qi Zhenzhuo whispered in envy, "Divine Machine Camp!"

Chen Ji turned to look, examining the handguns of the Divine Machine Camp. These handguns consisted of a simple front chamber, pharmacy, firing gate cover, and tail mortise, far from resembling the "firearms" of later generations and more like a large, peculiar copper flute.

He pondered, these handguns ultimately did not match the range and accuracy of bird guns, and their stability when shooting on horseback was extremely low, not convenient... but they were effective enough in defensive formations to repel cavalry. A salvo from such an army could not easily be dodged even by a Grand Official of the Seeking Dao Realm.

However, researching bird guns, one might as well skip directly to considering flintlock guns. Who was it that created China’s first flintlock gun? It seems it was a craftsman named Bi at the end of the Ming Dynasty who named it the self-igniting gun...

From handguns to matchlock bird guns and then to flintlock guns, Chen Ji’s thoughts wandered who knows where.

Until the booming sounds of the handguns snapped him back to reality. He saw the Divine Machine Camp’s armored soldiers lined up in two rows in front of Jianji Hall, firing in salute.

For a moment, smoke filled the air, and the smell of gunpowder permeated his nostrils.

Chen Ji looked back at the Korean Crown Prince and noticed that he was mesmerized by the handguns.

The Honglu Temple official tugged at the prince, reminding him, "Princely Heir, it’s time to meet with the Emperor, remember my instructions, do not mistake the three kneelings and nine prostrations, and avoid losing decorum before the throne."

The Korean Crown Prince smoothed his red silk robe, "Understood."

In the next moment, Wu Xiu strode out of Jianji Hall, announcing loudly, "Summon the Korean Crown Prince, Li Yi to audience!"

Under the escort of the Yulin Army, the Korean Crown Prince ascended the high steps. Jianji Hall with its red walls and golden tiles, had five-paneled doors and a breadth of nine bays.

Before the imperial screen, on the gold-lacquered imperial seat, the Emperor cast his eyes downward.

The Princely Heir lifted his robe and crossed the threshold, then prostrated himself on the ground, performing three kneelings and nine prostrations, "Minister, Li Yi, humbly begs for the Emperor’s grace!"

Yet, at this loud proclamation, Chen Ji, standing outside the hall, suddenly froze, his pupils contracted sharply.

In the opulent Jianji Hall, Emperor Ning, dressed in a dark diadem robe, sat solemnly on the gold-lacquered throne, his expressions unreadable. To his east, slightly behind, was an ornately decorated seat, where the Empress, adorned with a phoenix crown and cloud scarf, smiled gently.

But peculiarly, at such a solemn occasion, the Empress had a black cat in her arms!

The black cat wore a well-fitted cloud brocade coat wrapping its belly, with a small Pure Gold Longevity Lock hanging around its neck, exuding immense wealth.

Wu Yun?

Wu Yun!

Chen Ji’s mouth slightly opened; if he weren’t so familiar with Wu Yun, he might not have recognized the luxurious guise of his companion.

He tried to construct causes and effects in his mind, yet couldn’t fathom why Wu Yun would appear in the Empress’s arms, with numerous doubts stuck in his throat.

Is this why you haven’t returned home?

In Jianji Hall, Wu Yun mewled, "Stop staring at me like that, I fear the Empress might misunderstand."

Chen Ji: "..."

Beside him, Qi Zhenzhuo bent his head, whispering through clenched teeth, "Are you courting death? Hurry and lower your head, turn to face outside the hall!"

Chen Ji immediately withdrew his gaze, aligning with the other Yulin Army guards at the hall door, his heart a whirl of emotions.

At this moment, the Korean Crown Prince knelt before the throne to present a memorial, "This lowly minister from overseas is honored to behold the face of the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty today, ardently regarding Your Majesty, whose virtue unites heaven and earth and whose benevolence parallels the sun and moon."

On the golden seat, Emperor Ning did not heed the compliments, simply asking, "Korea, being our prime vassal state, need not use such formalities. What brings you from afar?"

The Korean Crown Prince, still bowed down, replied, "This lowly minister has come for three reasons: first, our country has faced continuous disasters, coupled with plunders by the Jing Dynasty, making it difficult to prepare tribute horses, and thus implores for a reduction of regular tribute by half."

"Granted."

The Korean Crown Prince rose, then bowed again, "Secondly, we humbly request Your Majesty to bestow upon us the Complete Collection of the Four Books, the Five Classics Collection, and the Agricultural and Sericulture Collection."

"Granted."

The Korean Crown Prince bowed again, "Thirdly, for three consecutive years, the Jing Dynasty has arbitrarily provoked border conflicts, leading to the dissolution of our eight provinces... Petitioning for the swift dispatch of heavenly troops to save lives and preserve threatened lineages."

As the words fell, immediately a red-robed Ministry official stepped out, voicing loudly, "Your Majesty, it is inadvisable. Our navy would require several dozen days of sea travel to reach Korea, by which time the winds and waves would be most perilous, unsuitable for distant maritime warfare."

The Korean Crown Prince quickly added, "Our small country has suffered under the Jing Dynasty’s bullying. Yuan Xiang and Lu Jin, those treacherous individuals, have always harbored ambitions to annex Korea. Without the aid of heavenly troops, we fear the nation may not survive!"

Emperor Ning, seated high above, stated, "To be discussed further."

The Korean Crown Prince’s expression turned morose.

The Ministry of Rites official, holding a ritual baton, nonchalantly asked, "Does the Princely Heir have anything further to present?"

The Korean Crown Prince composed himself and gravely said, "This lowly minister earnestly implores, if no heavenly troops can be dispatched, can consideration be given to my sincere request for five hundred firearms and thirty cannons to rescue our small country from crisis."