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The moist river wind whistled across the water and blew against the city wall of Jinling City.
Ye Qingyun said languidly, “A missionary can scare us? Is the King of Chu underestimating us too much?”
“The King of Chu’s real intention is probably not that. Don’t forget where our firearms came from. Perhaps he wants to tell us that they can also manufacture firearms now?”
Ye Qingyun frowned upon hearing this. “His Highness once said that the skills he knew were taught by a missionary. Could it be that the King of Chu has also found such a person?”
“That’s what I’m worried about too,” Fei Ji said with concern. He didn’t know that the missionary Xiao Ming spoke of was merely an excuse.
At this moment, on the warship below Jinling City, the blond, blue-eyed missionary was also looking at Fei Ji and Ye Qingyun on the city wall through a telescope. Then he shifted his gaze to the soldiers on the city wall.
After confirming that the soldiers on the city wall were carrying flintlock guns with fixed bayonets, he put down his telescope.
“It’s truly astonishing. These soldiers are actually carrying flintlock guns,” the missionary exclaimed.
Beside the missionary stood a richly dressed middle-aged man. He said to the missionary, “Mr. Richard, do you believe it now?”
“Yes, now I believe it,” the missionary named Richard said solemnly. After the King of Chu’s army reached the vicinity of Guangzhou, he contacted the Chu army’s generals and led them to make contact with the French.
Richard had arrived in the Great Yu Empire to preach a long time ago, living in Guangzhou for fifteen years. During this time, he learned the language of the Great Yu Empire and had always observed the Great Yu Empire. That was why he was so surprised that such advanced firearms would appear in the Great Yu Empire.
Putting away his telescope, Richard entered the ship’s cabin. In the cabin was a black-haired, blue-eyed middle-aged man in a blue tailcoat, with a mustache curled up on both sides of his mouth.
“Basil, they weren’t lying. Indeed, an extraordinary vassal prince has appeared in the north of this country. He can manufacture flintlock guns and cast iron cannons,” Richard said.
Basil came from the French expeditionary force. This time, he was ordered to come to Chu to cooperate with the King of Chu. After brief contact, the King of Chu readily agreed to trade with the French, on the condition that France sent military officers to train their generals and provided them with weapons.
In fact, after occupying Annam, France was unable to fight a vast Great Yu Empire alone. Now, obtaining trading rights without war was what they hoped for.
Of course, they could also take the opportunity to sell a lot of arms, which suited their intentions even more. In this way, they could both get rich in Europe by selling Great Yu Empire’s goods and sell firearms at high prices to Great Yu Empire’s vassal princes.
“It’s truly incredible. The Dutch said they were trading with a powerful vassal prince in the Great Yu Empire, and it turns out to be true. In that case, we French cannot fall behind. Now that this Great Yu Empire is in internal strife, it’s time for us to delineate our spheres of influence,” Basil said.
On the way, Richard had already informed him of the current situation in the Great Yu Empire. For him, a divided Great Yu Empire was precisely what they needed.
“The Dutch are very shrewd. This King of Chu’s army is too backward, and his industry is a mess. It won’t be easy to support him,” Richard said.
Basil frowned. “But this King of Chu is our best option right now. His territory is in the south, which can connect with Annam, and goods can be transported to our country overland from Annam. Furthermore, this Prince Qi seems ambitious and might become our enemy in the future.”
“The Dutch also said so. They are very worried about this Prince Qi. Both the occupation of Ryukyu and the stationing of troops in Zeelandia show that this Prince Qi is very strong. Claire was also forced to cooperate with him. It is said that Claire has sent someone to relay the news here back to the Dutch parliament, and the parliament will ultimately decide whether to continue cooperating with this Prince Qi.”
Basil nodded. “Claire isn’t too foolish. He should understand that a powerful regime appearing in East Asia is very disadvantageous to us Europeans. The Great Yu Empire is vast and populous. If this Prince Qi completes unification, it will be our disaster. Future trade will be dictated by him.”
“You are absolutely right,” Richard said with a smile. “Perhaps we should also cooperate with the British. After all, there are common European interests here.”
“Not yet for now, otherwise, we’ll have to share another piece of our cake,” Basil shook his head.
The two were communicating, but the others on the ship couldn’t understand them at all because they were speaking their native language. After their conversation, Richard spoke to the middle-aged man responsible for this matter: “Lieutenant Basil said he will help your King of Chu train his army, and also contact merchants to provide weapons for your King of Chu.”
The middle-aged man breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He said, “Excellent! Please, gentlemen, accompany me to Suzhou City. I will give you a grand reception there.”
On the city wall, Ye Qingyun and Fei Ji witnessed the King of Chu’s warships appear and then disappear. Fei Ji said, “What on earth is the King of Chu thinking? I must discuss this matter with His Highness when I return.”
Upon this, Ye Qingyun sighed. He said, “Elder Fei Ji, the safety of Jinling City is of utmost importance. I cannot return to attend His Highness’s enthronement ceremony. I hope Elder Fei Ji can speak well of me before His Highness.”
“General Ye has been diligent and conscientious; I certainly see it. Rest assured,” Fei Ji said, then descended the city wall.
The message from Qingzhou urged him to return as soon as possible. After making some preparations, he set off for Qingzhou, accompanied by representatives of the powerful families from Jinling City.
Along the way, as they passed through other prefectures and counties, some more powerful families joined them. Ten days later, when they arrived in Qingzhou, Fei Ji’s entourage had grown into a massive procession comprising thousands of people.
Such a large number of powerful families entering the city naturally quickly attracted the attention of the Qingzhou government office.
Pang Yukun was relieved to learn of Fei Ji’s return. In this regard, he was inferior to Fei Ji, and the specific arrangements for the enthronement would have to depend on Fei Ji.
After the two met, they immediately went to the princely estate, where they saw Xiao Ming trying on his dragon robes.
“Your Highness, this dragon robe is truly grand and fitting, especially the nine golden dragons on it, they almost seem to leap forth!” At first sight of Xiao Ming in such attire, Fei Ji was startled, then profusely flattered him.
Pang Yukun, meanwhile, smiled, his eyes showing a sense of accomplishment. Previously, he had merely harbored a mentality of being content with minor wealth, but now his mindset had completely changed.
Xiao Ming smiled upon hearing this. The dragon robes had just arrived. He said, “Elder Fei Ji, your flattery is too old-fashioned. However, you just returned and immediately rushed to the princely estate, there must be something else, right?”