The relationship between King Shangtai and Zaichun is very delicate. From the perspective of the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers, one is the emperor of the suzerain country and the other is the king of the vassal country. There is a difference between one being higher and the other lower.
However, in the late Qing Dynasty, the suzerain-vassal relationship between the Qing Dynasty and the vassal states was extremely fragile and unstable. The vassal states with bordering territories were relatively stable. However, Ryukyu, which was separated from the Qing Dynasty by the sea, could only rely on cultural and economic ties to maintain the vassal-vassal relationship. relation.
The Qing Dynasty did not have a navy, and had no actual influence on any changes that occurred in the Ryukyu Kingdom other than through words.
In addition, the place where Zai Chun studied was on the main island of Ryukyu. Although he had a high status, he lived here as a guest. As a result, the two of them got along very equally. Because of their equal relationship and the fact that they were brothers in the same discipline, the two had a very close personal relationship.
They are both descendants of the medieval feudal dynasty. They can feel the same confusion and pressure on their shoulders. They also have the same motivation for reform, and they feel the same anxiety.
Because of this, the two have a lot in common, and they often played together when they were in Naha.
However, the national conditions are really different. One is a small and barren island country that has been completely annexed by the Chinese, and the other is a crisis-ridden mainland regime. The volcanic magma is accumulating energy. The lives of the two emperors can only drift apart.
King Shangtai finally followed the trend of the times, completely abandoned his past illusions and devoted himself to the Hidden Dragon Project. He dedicated all his power as a king in exchange for the entire Chinese race's complete affirmation of his identity as king. This kind of It must be ready to be written into the Chinese code of law.
The relaxed King Shang Tai is about to start his adventure, and the rest of his life is destined to be colorful and full of legends. But his Xiao brother Zai Chunke was not so lucky.
The Qing Dynasty will not join the Hidden Dragon Project under any circumstances. The entire Eight Banners military group is extremely intricate and powerful. One of the Chinese people does not want it, and the other cannot afford to support these parasites.
So Zai Chun can only rely on himself. Maybe his master will give him a hand before he takes office. But after Xiao Letian takes office, his energy and resources will still be focused on the development of the Chinese nation. At that time, he can only rely on Zai Chun to support him. Such a big empire.
The road of life has changed. From a certain point of view, Shangtai is very worried for Zai Chun. He understands what it is like to carry a country on his back. A small Ryukyu is very heavy for him to carry, but Zai Chun has to carry it. A huge Qing empire.
What this child will face is destined to be an extremely cruel battle, and Shangtai pities him.
So during this period of time, Shangtai invited Zai Chun to board his Adventure King, and the two had a great time sailing in the sea. This was Shang Tai using his own way to relieve Zai Chun's stress.
Not only to relieve pressure, but more importantly, Shang Tai had a strong sense of guilt towards Zai Chun. He felt that he was very sorry for Zai Chun because before the fleet trip to Europe, King Shang Tai made an extremely difficult decision. decision.
It was the tenth day before the fleet set off. On a rainy night with lightning and thunder, King Shangtai's personal guard brought him an invitation. The young king read the words on it and hurriedly lit it in front of the lamp.
Watching the black ashes flying like butterflies, he hesitated for a long time and finally put on his raincoat and left Shuri Castle.
A dirty tavern near Naha Pier. This is where the most common stevedores gather. The taste of cheap rum, liquor imported from the Qing Dynasty, and sake produced in Fuso are mixed together. The smell of the food and the workers' sweat made King Shang Tai cover his nose.
Although the tavern is small, it is unique inside. After walking into the back kitchen and bypassing the storage room, you enter a double wall. This is a well-designed secret passage wall. From the outside, it looks like just a wall, but one person can pass through inside.
After turning five or six turns, I opened a wooden door and found a small, uniquely decorated room. It looked like a young lady's boudoir in a certain family, with all the furnishings on display being used by women.
In the middle of the room, there was a small round table with four dishes, one soup and several bottles of wine. However, the person waiting for King Shang Tai was not a lady, but a young man with a stern face.
"Xiang Ying..." King Shang Tai exclaimed in a low voice.
"That's right, it's me. My king is fine..." The person holding the flask and pouring wine was Xiang Ying, the captain of the Zhiyuan in casual clothes.
This is truly an unexpected guest. The note just now was written by the veteran Cai Mao himself. It did not include too many details. It said that a confidential guest wanted to see His Majesty, and he asked Your Majesty to follow the housekeeper out of Shuri Castle incognito.
Who would have thought that this mysterious guest turned out to be the rising star of the navy, Xiang Ying, Lord Long’s nephew!
"Why are you so mysterious? If you want to see me, go directly to Shuri Castle! No one can stop you..." King Shang Tai sat across from Xiang Ying in confusion, drank a glass of warm wine and began to look at the place.
"Don't look at it. This is a secret destination of mine. Not many people know about it... So our conversation today will be highly confidential, and there will be no more than five people who know about it!"
"Not more than five? Haha, you wouldn't even hide it from the head of state..." King Shang Tai laughed, and picked up a chopstick of crystal elbows with a smile, but his hand froze before he could put it in his mouth. He paused because he didn't wait for Xiang Ying's response.
The atmosphere suddenly became strange. King Shangtai stammered, "You, you, you... did you come to see me without telling the head of state? Instead of the head of state having a secret mission? What do you want to do!"
Born in an imperial family, the stories he heard since childhood were all about intrigues and bloody intrigues. This kind of person has a natural intuition for conspiracy, and he smells danger right away.
The chopsticks slammed on the table, and the piece of crystal elbow fell to the ground. King Shangtai glared angrily, "We are all close disciples of the Führer. What should we hide from the Führer? Are you going to rebel... Farewell!"
After saying that, he turned around and left, but before he could reach the door, Xiang Ying grabbed his shoulder firmly, "Calm down! Calm down! What are you thinking about? Do you think I will be harmful to the head of state?" You are wrong, I want to discuss a major matter with you, a major matter that benefits both our head of state and the Chinese people!"
"Sit down! Sit down!" King Shangtai was not as strong as him, and he was pushed back into the chair in a few clicks.
King Shangtai knew that he could not resist. Since this was Xiang Ying's secret stronghold, it meant that he was surrounded by his direct descendants. His bodyguards were also isolated. He could not escape at this moment.
However, Prince Shangtai is not afraid of Xiang Ying, because they are both close disciples and have the status of brothers. In addition, there is no conflict of interest. Xiang Ying will not be an enemy of a wealthy prince who has completed his political service.
The angry King Shangtai drank a glass of wine, "I tell you, you can't tell anyone anything, especially not behind the head of state's back... I won't keep it secret for you. I will tell the master everything I have later!"
Xiang Ying smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as you listen to what I said... I firmly believe that you will never reveal it to the master!"
The young captain's face suddenly turned cold. "My King! I want to talk to you about His Majesty the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, our junior brother Zai Chun..."
