Seven Seas Beacon Fire

"Even if you, Lord Qin, can persuade the King of Song, will it be effective?"

"Why does Your Highness need to come here specifically to test this old man?" A smile appeared on Qin Zhaoming's face that made Zhu Miaoyun feel somewhat creepy and disgusted: "As intelligent as Your Highness is, don't you understand that as long as Your Highness sets foot on Yanping Island, the great cause can be accomplished? At present, communication between Yanping and the mainland is not so convenient."

Zhu Miaoyun's eyelids twitched. Many people say that reading history makes one wise, because people can always gain experience from historical books. The short six characters "Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan" can teach future generations so much. That's why Guan Yu read the Spring and Autumn Annals his whole life.

Although Zhu Miaoyun didn't like reading history before she transmigrated, she did enjoy reading science fiction, especially science fiction written by a certain electrician. Coincidentally, most of this author's works were both science fiction and historical fiction.

The chain of suspicion caused by poor information flow sometimes doesn't need to be extended to the dark forest related to the vast universe; just look at the story of Emperor Wu of Han and Crown Prince Liu Ju to understand.

Zhu Miaoyun has now figured out too many things. This old man in front of her doesn't need to try to persuade the Prince of Song. They just need to send her to Yanping Island. There are many things between the Prince of Song and the Prince of Jin that are difficult to explain and difficult to fully trust each other.

Moreover, this old man actually managed to say that the Song King and the United States army could turn hostility into friendship. In Zhu Miaoyun's opinion, this statement was as ridiculous as the kind of talk that netizens from northern China would make.

To the aggressors, should we talk about turning swords into plowshares?

Shouldn't we be prepared to die rather than surrender to invaders?

Oh, this person's surname is Qin. Although it might be a bit offensive to friends with the surname Qin, it's not surprising for some reason. Qin Zhaoming... I think you'd be better off calling yourself Qin Zhaoming!

You're not confident you can persuade the King of Song, you're confident you can persuade the Federation people!

The federalists would certainly be willing to cease fire in Yanping in order to see a "pseudo-Ming" regime established!

"Lord Qin." Zhu Miaoyun exhaled a long breath, and then, under Qin Zhaoming's expectant gaze, thinking she was finally about to agree, she suddenly stood up, her eyes sharp as she looked directly at him: "Since the Han Dynasty, looking at the history of all dynasties in China, the Han was strong, the Tang was prosperous, the Song was wealthy, and the Ming was powerful. Compared to the Han, Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, what we, the Great Ming Dynasty, are most proud of is not our territory, nor our 550-year history, but... From the day of its birth, our Great Ming Dynasty has represented that we have washed away the humiliations of our nation's past and gained unparalleled glory!"

The Rome of the West has vanished from the world, but the Rome of the East still exists today, not because of the Han and Tang dynasties, but because of our Ming dynasty.

It will not submit to foreign powers, pay tribute, cede territory, pay reparations, or form marriage alliances.

The emperor guards the gate of the country, and the king dies in the country!

Regardless of how much of this is self-aggrandizement, at least broadly speaking, judging by deeds rather than intentions, our Ming Dynasty accomplished something. The Ming Dynasty had many flaws, and now the only thing this dynasty has left for people is its glory.

Mr. Qin, can't you let the Ming Dynasty rest in peace with its glory?

Qin Zhaoming's smile gradually froze. He never expected to hear such words from this princess, who had always been considered weak. He also never expected that the princess would say such things after learning of his loyalty and his willingness to help her restore the Ming Dynasty.

After his initial bewilderment, he was immediately overcome with an indescribable anger and embarrassment.

He felt he now completely understood Jiang Wei's feelings back then—"We were ready to fight to the death, why did Your Majesty surrender first?!"

Was everything I did wrong? As the saying goes, one should share the emperor's burdens and eat the emperor's food. Since our Qin family became Emperor Jingyun's protégé, we have been blessed with imperial favor for generations. At the height of our family's prosperity, we had two ministers, father and son, and nine Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) across three generations!

What I'm doing now would be considered heroic and moving by any dynasty in the past! You don't even understand my difficulties, and now you're standing on your moral high ground to criticize me?!

Qin Zhaoming stood up with a gloomy expression. He looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar princess in front of him. Qin Zhaoming had met Zhu Miaoyun before. This princess was very much loved by Emperor Yongning. Sometimes, when Emperor Yongning summoned ministers, he would not care that the little princess was playing and frolicking on the side. He was very sure that the princess in front of him was not some kind of substitute or replacement - because the two of them were now less than two meters apart in a straight line. No substitute could be so similar at such a distance.

But even the princess herself is finding it hard to see through things now.

What exactly is she trying to do?

You're a princess of the Ming Dynasty! Are you planning a rebellion?!

“Your Highness, everything this old minister has thought about and considered is for the sake of the Ming Dynasty.” Qin Zhaoming’s tone was no longer as gentle as before: “As I just said, everything I have done is to restore the Ming Dynasty from obscurity. No one can stop me. Your Highness, you are the last bloodline left by the late emperor. You should bear the responsibility of all this more than anyone else.”

“I will stay on the mainland. I will not go to Yanping. I will not go anywhere else. Songjiang Prefecture is fine. I have decided to live my life as an ordinary person in Songjiang Prefecture.”

After Zhu Miaoyun finished speaking, she added in her mind, somewhat nonsensically, "I estimate that the housing prices in Songjiang Prefecture will increase many times over in the next few decades."

"I'm afraid this is not something Your Highness can decide."

“My guards are right outside the door. Is Lord Qin trying to coerce me?” Zhu Miaoyun looked the old man up and down, her expression clearly saying, “At your age, you probably can’t withstand the punches of this beautiful young woman.”

Qin Zhaoming simply smiled and said, "Does Your Highness think... that I came alone? I am willing to sacrifice everything, including my life, for the restoration of the Ming Dynasty."

Chapter Thirty-Six: How to Raise a Violent Princess

Zhu Miaoyun had already heard the footsteps coming from outside. Without a doubt, these footsteps belonged to the guards in the outer courtyard. Judging from the footsteps, these guards should have moved to the door of this room.

Zhu Miaoyun and Qin Zhaoming did not lower their voices during their conversation inside the house. On the contrary, they spoke quite loudly due to their emotional state. The traditional wooden door of the courtyard was not soundproof at all, so people in the courtyard outside could definitely hear their argument.

The guards' actions were quite suspicious to Zhu Miaoyun, at least. If these guards were completely loyal to her, then after hearing her last words, they should have at least pretended not to hear, asked what happened inside, or asked if she wanted more tea, if they didn't care, rather than barging in to interrupt their argument.

But the guards did nothing; they simply moved closer to the door—from the window to the door.

Are these guards trustworthy?

In contrast, Zhu Miaoyun had no idea about the answer.

However, upon closer reflection, these guards were not originally part of the royal guard. It seems that when Wang Ma introduced them, she said that they were retired veterans recruited by some loyal officials.

What kind of loyal and virtuous people?

Wasn't Lord Qin, the man before us, one of these loyal and virtuous officials before?

Zhu Miaoyun couldn't make a judgment, but she really couldn't completely trust the guards outside. At least, those guards weren't paid by her. On the contrary, it was very likely that the one paying those guards was this old man surnamed Qin in front of her.

At this moment, Zhu Miaoyun felt a little regretful. She had acted impulsively and could have played along first and then thought of a solution.

However, she subconsciously expressed her opposition directly, even to the point of being confrontational. After all, she was essentially a girl from the 21st century, and anyone from the 21st century with normal values ​​would find it difficult to accept this guy surnamed Qin—a typical old-fashioned remnant.

This has led to the current passive situation. The guards outside are most likely hired by the old man in front of her. Zhu Miaoyun is not sure who the guards will listen to. Qin Zhaoming must have realized his position now. Although he probably won't harm her, he might put her under house arrest, restrict her personal freedom, or even use drugs to make her drowsy.

Zhu Miaoyun did not want her life and fortune to be controlled by others.

She certainly didn't want to be on a pirate ship selling grasshoppers so soon after she transmigrated to this world.

Originally, Zhu Miaoyun agreed to let these people take her away from Yingtianfu mainly to avoid ending up like Nicholas II and his family. However, Zhu Miaoyun has now made up her mind that even if she ends up in a basement, she will never become a grasshopper thief!

Just kidding! In my past life, I wasn't afraid of the IDF's bombardment and went to the most dangerous places to volunteer. I've already died once, so why would I be afraid of dying again? Maybe after dying here again, I'll be transported to some other world!

Just then, the courtyard gate suddenly opened, and Wang Ma's cheerful voice came in: "Your Highness, I bought some fresh sea bass. Today I've come to give you... What are you doing?"

The last question was clearly directed at the guards at the door, who stammered and didn't know how to answer.

Zhu Miaoyun's eyes narrowed—Auntie's big!

So, just after Qin Zhaoming put on an arrogant expression, Zhu Miaoyun lifted her skirt with both hands, then bent her legs and leaned forward, her waist and legs contracting like springs, and then suddenly bursting out, letting out a loud shout, and she pounced like an arrow, her left and right arms fixed together in a triangle, her elbows at the apex of the triangle and the hardest part of the human skeleton, slamming hard into Qin Zhaoming's chest.

Qin Zhaoming never expected that this dignified princess would suddenly launch an attack, and that she would resort to violence right from the start!

Is this still the noble princess of the Ming Dynasty?

If he were decades younger, Qin Zhaoming would not be afraid of this young girl suddenly attacking him. After all, the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty were all heroes in the truest sense, and they might have practiced Hunyuan Xingyi Tai Chi in private. Even if they didn't know any martial arts techniques, their bodies would be absolutely strong. But now Qin Zhaoming is over 70 years old. Not only is his reaction speed not keeping up, but his bones have also long suffered from osteoporosis.

So when the elbow suddenly came up, Qin Zhaoming almost subconsciously felt like he saw Tai Nai. He staggered back several steps before belatedly raising his hand and instinctively making a starting gesture. But as soon as he moved his arm, he felt a piercing pain in his chest—his ribs might be broken.

Zhu Miaoyun could tell that the old man in front of her had subconsciously struck a pose that seemed to be Chen-style Tai Chi. So she shook her head with pity. As a tough girl who was able to join the United Nations Volunteer Organization, she had also learned a few moves from another master surnamed Chen on the Internet!

Although he hadn't yet mastered the ultimate technique—the dump truck collision—under Master Chen's guidance, he could still easily launch a surprise attack on such an old man.

The commotion inside made the guards outside restless. They flung open the wooden door, and the scene inside made everyone's eyes widen. Zhu Miaoyun had already subdued Qin Zhaoming, pressing a hairpin from her hair firmly against his neck: "Everyone back off! The spot I've stabbed him is right below his aorta. I just need to push it in and pull the hairpin out, and he'll bleed to death before he even gets to the hospital!"

One sentence was enough to intimidate the guards outside. Of course, the one who was even more shocked was Wang Ma, who had just returned from buying groceries. The fish in her hand fell to the ground. From Wang Ma's perspective, she recognized everyone in the room, including Qin Zhaoming, who was currently being held to the neck by the princess with a hairpin. But why did everyone in their current state seem to have become someone she didn't recognize?

Why did Her Highness suddenly use a hairpin to kidnap Lord Qin?

And these guards at the gate, why do you all look like you're about to attack Her Highness the Princess?

And then there's Lord Qin, who in Wang Ma's memory had always been a nice guy, but now his face was contorted with extreme rage.

What the hell is going on?

"Make way, I need to get out!" Zhu Miaoyun decided to strike first and find a way to leave the courtyard no matter what.

"Your Highness, please calm down."

One of the guards was about to step forward, but his steps were immediately frozen in place.

Because a bright red bloodstain appeared on Qin Zhaoming's neck, Zhu Miaoyun pierced the skin with the hairpin in her hand, causing the guy to scream in pain.

"I just said, make way!" Zhu Miaoyun, holding Qin Zhaoming hostage, slowly walked out. "I am very calm right now, so please forgive me for not being able to trust you all. If you want to prove your loyalty, then you can do nothing now."

“Your Highness, Lord Qin is a loyal minister,” someone advised.

"The Ming Dynasty no longer needs loyal ministers." Zhu Miaoyun said as she slowly moved away, her wary eyes fixed on the guards: "You all stand to the side, all of you move to the right and stand together!"

"Don't let the princess out!" Qin Zhaoming shouted, his neck pressed against a hairpin. "Otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain!"

"Lord Qin, I wish you could speak a little louder, so that even without the radio, everyone around will know that I, the former princess, am here." Zhu Miaoyun's tone was still sarcastic and barbed. At this moment, she noticed that Wang Ma was still standing there blankly.

Zhu Miaoyun has learned from her previous experience. Now she wants to get as many people as possible. Although Wang Ma can neither fight nor use a gun, and the most lethal weapon she has ever used is probably the kitchen knife she holds when cooking, Zhu Miaoyun feels that even one more helper would be good.

Therefore, Zhu Miaoyun decisively chose to strike first and smear the accusations: "Wang Ma! This man surnamed Qin wants to kill me!"

"I don't!"

"What do you mean they're gone? Aren't these guards all under your orders? If you want to prove they didn't intend to kill me, have them throw their guns into the open space over there!"

The guards remained silent, which made Zhu Miaoyun's expression even more unpleasant. Sure enough, these guards were all paid by this Qin fellow. If she hadn't subdued Qin Zhaoming earlier, she would probably be in trouble now.

"It's clearly you, you crazy woman, who's acting crazy! I've given everything for the Ming Dynasty! And this is how you treat me! Is the entire Zhu family so heartless and ungrateful?!"

Yes, being harsh and ungrateful was a characteristic of the Ming Dynasty. If you're not happy, don't play games—that's what Zhu Miaoyun thought to herself. However, it was clear that Qin Zhaoming had fallen into a self-justification trap. As the saying goes, only those who wrong you know how wronged you really are. No matter what Qin Zhaoming said, Zhu Miaoyun could talk nonsense without batting an eye.

Wang Ma had never seen such a scene before. Her single-minded brain was clearly not enough to handle the current situation. She just followed Zhu Miaoyun in a daze. Zhu Miaoyun carefully moved to the gate of the courtyard little by little amidst Qin Zhaoming's unending curses.

Then, Zhu Miaoyun kicked Qin Zhaoming hard in the buttocks, making him roll all over the ground. After that, Zhu Miaoyun turned around and called to Wang Ma next to her, "Let's go, Wang Ma!"

After saying that, Zhu Miaoyun didn't care whether Wang Ma had heard her clearly or followed her. She immediately lifted her skirt and started running. Zhu Miaoyun wasn't wearing a princess's gorgeous clothes today, but she was wearing a rather ladylike long dress, which was indeed a bit inconvenient to run in.

By this time, Qin Zhaoming, who had rolled twice on the ground and looked utterly disheveled, clutched his chest as he got up. He never expected things to turn out this way. He glared at the guards with resentment: "The princess has gone mad! Go and bring her back right now! If you can't bring her back, then send her to reunite with her brother and father!"

Qin Zhaoming quickly grasped the implications of the situation. Although he didn't know why the princess had suddenly "gone mad," he knew he couldn't let her run into the street, otherwise it would be difficult to bring her back.

Moreover, the reason for choosing this little girl was that she was the most suitable for kneading and shaping, but now it seems that this is not the case at all.

If Zhu Miaoyun were to run into the street, it would be fine if she only wanted to get rid of them. However, given the princess's attitude just now, it's hard to say whether the princess might turn around and report them. The princess already knows too much. Since she's unwilling to be on the same boat as them, they'll just have to send this princess into the water.

After Qin Zhaoming said this, Wang Ma's expression changed. To Wang Ma, Zhu Miaoyun was everything, and now someone was going to smash that everything.

What's even more critical is that the guards are now obeying Qin Zhaoming's orders and are clearly preparing to chase after Zhu Miaoyun immediately and bring her back—whether alive or dead.

There are uses for death, and there is value in living.

For Wang Ma, who never married and had no children, Zhu Miaoyun was the last obsession she had held onto for most of her life.

So, just as a guard was about to run past him, Wang Ma suddenly reached into her bag. This unexpected scene startled the man, and he immediately drew his gun and pointed it at Wang Ma, just like the federal police officers who later became extremely suspicious.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A crisp gunshot rang out.

At that moment, Zhu Miaoyun, who was already running wildly from the alley towards the main street while lifting her skirt, also heard the sudden gunshot.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: How to Raise a Stranger Princess

Qin Zhaoming looked at Wang Ma lying on the ground. She had just reached for a large potato, which was now stained with blood and rolled to his feet. Enraged, he stomped on the potato and crushed it.

"This old woman doesn't have a gun! She wants you to shoot in the city! You idiot!"

The woman's sudden movement made one of the guards who chased after her think she was going to draw her gun. These guards were all skilled veterans from the army, some of whom came from the guard unit and pistol unit, and were considered top-notch quick-draw shooters. However, this time, their speed was somewhat inappropriate.

I can only say that they have the skill, but lack experience.

"Am I supposed to gamble on whether he pulled out a potato or a gun?!" Although Qin Zhaoming was their "boss," the guards were already a bit dazed by what had happened. They were supposed to earn some money while also being loyal to the Ming Dynasty, but who would have thought that the princess and Lord Qin's conversation would fall apart so quickly?

Now that they had accidentally killed Wang Ma, the guards belatedly realized their mistake—damn it! Why were they, meddling in such a complicated political mess? How much did they even earn a month? Was it really worth it? They had already killed the princess's loyal servant. Even if the princess and Lord Qin had disagreements, how could they expect to get away with doing such dirty work?

Anyone who has read Romance of the Three Kingdoms knows that after Cheng Ji stabbed the Emperor of Wei to death in the street, what good could possibly come of it?

Now they're in a real bind! Not only are they causing trouble, but they've also opened fire in the city and killed the princess's servant. This Wang Ma seems to have a very good relationship with the princess; I heard she was the princess's wet nurse back then. This situation is truly baffling for them.

Clearly, this loyal subject of the Ming Dynasty was no longer fit for his post, especially now that he was embroiled in such trouble. The guard who had pulled out his gun and killed the woman immediately changed his tune, saying, "How the hell can you blame me? We didn't even search this old woman. Who knows if she had potatoes, a pistol, or even a grenade in her bag?! I'm not taking this job! Let's just call it a day! If the Imperial Guards come to arrest her, we'll all be in deep trouble!"

His words clearly moved the other guards, but Qin Zhaoming responded even faster. The old man knew very well that in the current chaotic situation, it was necessary to temporarily calm the restless people's hearts.

"Do you think you can just leave now? Do you think you can hide in the country even if you want to live under an assumed name, given the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Let me tell you, you've already killed someone. Your only choice now is to bring the princess back, and then I'll send you all on a submarine to Yanping! Otherwise... I hope your backbone is harder than the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Upon hearing the words "Jinyiwei," the guards couldn't help but shudder. As the world's oldest, largest, and most experienced intelligence agency, the Jinyiwei's intelligence gathering capabilities might not be the best in the world, but its ability to suppress counter-revolutionaries was definitely the strongest!

The guards were all from the military, and they were all well aware of the methods used by the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) agents. It was said that if necessary, the Jinyiwei could make Egyptian mummies lie up again and confess their crimes.

However, the guards were now somewhat realizing the situation, or at least the ones who hadn't fired were more level-headed—even if they were caught, they weren't the masterminds, and...

"Is the Embroidered Uniform Guard still not paralyzed? Who are you trying to scare by bringing out a sick tiger?!"

Qin Zhaoming stomped his foot angrily once more: "Do you think Prince Jin entered the capital so easily? The Embroidered Uniform Guards have already latched onto their new master's coattails! Even if he's sick, a tiger is still a tiger. Do you think I'm just trying to scare you?!"

Qin Zhaoming wasn't entirely clear on the current state of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but things had already escalated to this point, so he couldn't let the princess escape; otherwise, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Seeing the guards still hesitating, Qin Zhaoming gritted his teeth and roared while promising, "What are you all standing there for?! Hurry up and chase after her! Bring the princess back, and I'll reward each of you with 10 gold bars! Medium-sized standard gold bars!"

The man who fired the shot was the first to run out. The others followed, perhaps intimidated by the reputation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and wanting to secure a safe passage, or perhaps coveting the ten medium-sized standard gold bars—not the cheap kind, but the kind that weighed 500 grams each. In the current climate of soaring prices due to the war, such a large sum of money was enough to tempt many desperate criminals to take the risk.