Chapter 98 The Kind-hearted Crown Prince Kim Shi-ok Relentlessly Pursues Him
When the weather got colder, Jin Suiqing got busy again.
Temperature variations significantly impact the stability of sulfur-burning engines. Beijing, being located further north, experiences lower minimum temperatures and longer periods of cold weather compared to the Jiangnan region, presenting a new challenge for sulfur-burning engines.
While she was focused on her research, something happened in Dengzhou.
Dengzhou is located by the sea, and the Japanese refugees from neighboring countries frequently harassed the border of Dengzhou, launching surprise attacks on fishing villages along the coast, burning, killing, and looting, causing great suffering to the people.
After negotiations and pressure, Japan requested Kyushu to send troops to suppress the displaced people, citing their growing influence in the region.
When the local troops arrived at the Bohai coast, they discovered that the cannons and muskets used by the Japanese refugees were extremely advanced, reminiscent of those used in the interior of Kyushu, so they did not venture out to sea rashly.
After several investigations, it was indeed discovered that there was a scam.
The so-called request for aid was actually a trap set by Japan in alliance with Baekje, specifically for the stationed troops.
After their plot was exposed, the two countries amassed nearly 50,000 naval troops and launched a large-scale invasion of Dengzhou by ship.
The Empress was furious and acted swiftly, ordering a thorough investigation into the weapons leak while simultaneously mobilizing the naval forces from both the south and southeast of the Yangtze River to support Dengzhou.
Ye Zhufeng said, "That's roughly how it is."
Jin Suiqing silently withdrew her hand from the fire. Jin Shiyu handed her a peeled roasted sweet potato, but Jin Suiqing wasn't very interested. She held the hot sweet potato and nibbled on it in small bites.
Ye Zhufeng remained silent for a long time, then asked in confusion, "Isn't Qingqing going to ask anything?"
Jin Suiqing pouted and blew on the sweet potato, making a loud panting sound. After taking a bite, she muttered, "You're definitely planning to go, aren't you?"
As she spoke, she brought the sweet potato to Jin Shiyu's lips, urging him to take a bite, and at the same time leaned close to Ye Zhufeng's ear and whispered, "Another mission?"
Ye Zhufeng nodded.
There's nothing we can do about that.
Jin Suiqing was even more disappointed. He took back the sweet potato and saw that he had only taken a small bite, so he reached over and urged, "Take a bigger bite."
Jin Shiyu obeyed and took a big bite.
There's only half a sweet potato left.
Jin Suiqing stared blankly at the few sweet potatoes in her hand, then angrily handed them back to him: "They're so big, what am I supposed to eat? I'm not eating them."
Ye Zhufeng wanted to coax her and tell her not to take her anger out on others, but when he turned around, he saw Jin Shi holding half a sweet potato in his mouth, peeling a bigger and softer one and feeding it to Jin Suiqing.
Ye Zhufeng glanced at the red mark on Jin Suiqing's ear again and decisively changed the subject, "Right now, it's just that I want to go, but His Majesty is still hesitant about who should go."
“Hmm,” Jin Suiqing said, munching on a sweet potato in his hand, “Not surprising. After all, he’s my own son, so I’ll give him a chance.”
Jin Shiyu patiently held it up, watching Jin Suiqing nibble away with a smile, "Eat slowly, eat less, your stomach isn't good, be careful not to get indigestion."
Kim Si-ok has withdrawn from Cheomseong-ro and is secretly assisting X-Gong in its expansion in Gyeonggi Province.
Using the connections he had built up within the building, he bypassed the Magic Machinery Sect and contacted several small prefectures and counties, most of which were interested in making purchases.
For states and counties with poor financial situations, Kim Si-ok intends to promote the leasing of legal equipment, using methods such as leasing with the option to sell.
Now, the three of them have come together to gradually integrate political, economic, and industrial resources, and are constantly encroaching on Huangfu Li's sphere of influence.
Therefore, Huangfu Li also tried his best to win over Dengzhou.
In particular, Dengzhou is located in Henan Province, which is still undecided between the Crown Prince and the Princess. It is also an important place for grain production and sea transport. If this military expedition is successful, it may be possible to bring Henan Province under our control.
After Jin Suiqing finished eating the sweet potato, Jin Shiyu said, "According to inside information, weapons have flowed into Japan and Baekje, possibly through the hands of Huangfu Li."
Jin Suiqing burped in anger and cursed, "No, is he crazy?!"
“I’m not surprised that he did this,” Ye Zhufeng said calmly. “If we can go, it’s like borrowing troops to fight a battle. We can get both the war merit and the Henan Province. It’s a risky move. Although the risk is not small, the reward is huge.”
Jin Suiqing looked at her with an expression that said, "You're sick too."
Ye Zhufeng waved his hands repeatedly: "What I mean is that I understand why he did it, but I don't agree with his ideas. Don't look at me like that."
Jin Shiyu took the warmed sweet milk from the stove, stirred it with a spoon, and after it cooled down, handed it to Jin Suiqing and casually said, "There's no point in worrying about those things. Instead, think about why Huangfu Li was so sure that His Majesty would choose him when it came to sending troops to Dengzhou."
Jin Suiqing didn't want to drink, so she turned around and peeled a roasted orange for Ye Zhufeng.
The orange had just been taken off the stove when she grimaced from the heat. Ye Zhufeng smiled, took it from Jin Suiqing's hand, and also flinched from the heat.
The two of them simultaneously peered at Kim Si-ok.
The stuff on the stove was so hot, how could he hold it in his hands and not even flinch?!
Ye Zhufeng peeled the orange while blowing on it, splitting it into two halves, one golden and one green. He watched as Jin Shiyu muttered that oranges and milk shouldn't be eaten together, then picked up the half-eaten hot orange and threw it aside. Ye Zhufeng kept rolling his eyes.
Jin Suiqing rested her chin on her hand: "Brother, do you know the reason for Huangfu Li's confidence, given that you have a spy left behind by Zhanxing Tower?"
Jin Shiyu remained silent, holding the hot milk closer to Jin Suiqing's eyes.
Jin Suiqing was speechless: "Drink, drink, drink! Fine, I'll drink!"
After saying that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the warm milk in one go.
Jin Shiyu was satisfied and stopped keeping the two in suspense, saying directly, "For this military expedition, the Ministry of Works urgently needs to manufacture a batch of new military equipment, which will ultimately be inspected by the Ministry of War. Huangfu Li's foundation is in the Ministry of War. If Huangfu Feng is ultimately in charge of the troops, this batch of new military equipment will likely not all arrive safely in Dengzhou by the end of the campaign."
Huangfu Feng raised his eyebrows and continued, "If military equipment can be tampered with, then military supplies can be too. Is he convinced that even if I go, I'll be bogged down by supplies and won't be able to win the battle, and ultimately he'll be the one to take the lead?"
Jin Shiyu nodded, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to Jin Suiqing, "Wipe your mouth."
Ye Zhufeng lowered her head and pondered, instantly understanding why the system had assigned her the task and wanted her to win this battle.
With the plot of the book more than halfway through and nearing its end, she had to relinquish her power. If she wanted to completely exclude Huangfu Li from the list of heirs to the throne, she had to sever Huangfu Li's ties with the Ministry of War.
Therefore, we must win this battle, and achieve a great victory to force the Ministry of War to protect itself and sever ties with Huangfu Li.
Upon hearing Jin Shiyu's report, Ye Zhufeng felt somewhat troubled again.
In winter, during naval battles, even with the assistance of the Marquis of Huai'an, the supply of essential items such as weapons and provisions is hindered. Even a god of war would suffer greatly in such a difficult battlefield.
We're not even guaranteed to win.
Jin Suiqing laughed out loud, wiped her face haphazardly with a handkerchief, and then slapped it boldly on her leg, "Ah Feng, you go ahead, I'll take care of the weapons!"
Huangfu Feng sighed, "Privately owning military equipment is a capital offense. How can you just make it up like that?"
"Who said I was going to build it?" Jin Suiqing blinked. "If the Magic Weapon Sect builds it, it can't be considered privately manufacturing military equipment, right?"
Huangfu Feng and Jin Shiyu were both stunned.
Jin Suiqing pondered, resting his chin on his hand: "However, we have to play it close to the line. In the end, what Ah Feng takes away might not be military equipment, but a batch of experimental subjects that need to be tested."
*
After some effort, Ye Zhufeng was ordered to go to Dengzhou and will set off early tomorrow morning.
Jin Suiqing also worked hard and finished the first piece.
Inside the princess's residence, Jin Suiqing handed Ye Zhufeng a long, narrow black box about the height of a person. "Gong Xiaoyang and I have tested it, and the functions are fine, but you'll need to do the fine-tuning yourself. Chai Zixin has seen the blueprints and reported them to the Emperor. The first batch of prototypes should arrive in Dengzhou on time."
Ye Zhufeng understood, stroked the wooden box, and took a deep breath: "Has the news been kept secret?"
“Chai Zixin is holding the fort. He’s been in the dark room researching and assembling from beginning to end. Don’t worry, Gou Tai…” Jin Suiqing covered her mouth, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “That bastard Huangfu Li definitely doesn’t know anything about this. Besides, the first batch of prototypes has already started production. The Magic Machinery Sect is Huangfu Ying’s territory, so he can’t act recklessly.”
With a weight lifted from his heart, Ye Zhufeng breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Jin Suiqing's side and asked in confusion, "Where's Jin Shiyu? Why didn't I see him come with you today?"
Jin Suiqing, with her hands tucked into her sleeves, swayed back and forth: "I just got out of the dark room. I haven't seen him for a few days, so naturally I have to avoid him..." Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a murmur, "I probably won't be able to see you off tomorrow. When you get to Dengzhou, be sure to be careful."
After a long pause, Ye Zhufeng finally understood. He gasped and grabbed Jin Suiqing's hand, saying earnestly, "Take care of yourself."
The rest is left unsaid.
After leaving the princess's residence, Jin Suiqing sighed.
I figured we'd run out of herbal tea at home, and since we were already out, we decided to stop by the clinic to get a couple of doses. We'd boil it when we got back and force-feed it to Jin Shiyu by holding his nose.
Worried about Ye Zhufeng and thinking of Jin Shiyu, and having stayed up late these past two days working on testing, Jin Suiqing was very distracted. She clenched her fists, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and then remembered that she was still holding a brass bullet in her hand.
The brass bullet was about the thickness of a finger. She had casually held it in her hand and played with it while chatting with Ye Zhufeng, and she had brought it out with her.
The bullets were warm and comfortable to handle. Jin Suiqing, feeling lazy again, simply abandoned the idea of returning them and slowly boarded the rhinoceros carriage.
As soon as I lifted the car curtain, I saw someone sitting inside.
He was still the person she least wanted to see.
Huangfu Li smiled and said, "Good morning, Sister Suiqing."
Jin Suiqing didn't want to stay a second longer and turned to get out of the car.
Huangfu Li's smile vanished instantly, replaced by murderous intent: "If you get out of the carriage now, you'll be riddled with arrows."
Jin Suiqing stood there, looking troubled, and said, "Why is His Highness the Crown Prince so persistent?"
Huangfu Li did not answer.
He carefully examined Jin Suiqing.
The last time I caught a glimpse of her from afar at Tao Guangyuan, she was like any other lady, with her hair combed up, revealing her slender neck, red marks hidden between her collars. Although she was a bit thin, she had a wonderful smile, as dazzling as a jewel.
He had never seen her smile like that before, and couldn't help but follow her for a long time until he inadvertently revealed his whereabouts and had no choice but to leave.
From then on, his dreams were filled with gold and green fragments.
Huangfu Li closed his eyes, frowned, and then opened them again. He stretched out his hand to Jin Suiqing and said coldly, "Get in the carriage."
Jin Suiqing refused to reach out and stood there glaring at him.
The person he longed for appeared in his dream, but with a cold face. Huangfu Li lost all patience, leaned over, grabbed Jin Suiqing's hand, and forcefully dragged her into the carriage.
The corner of the carriage curtain lifted and then fell back down, and then the carriage began to sway.
The rhinoceros-horn carriage led him astray; his destination was no longer the clinic. Jin Suiqing demanded, "Where are you taking me?"
Huangfu Li: "I was not present on the day of Suiqing's wedding and did not see you in your wedding dress, which I regret. In the past six months, I have rarely seen you leave the mansion alone. I miss you so much that I found this unseemly way to see you."
Jin Suiqing scoffed at him: "So you know it's not presentable?"
Huangfu Li stared at her for a long time before laughing and saying, "I have more to say than what is said in public. Would you like to hear it, Sister Suiqing?"
Jin Suiqing ignored him, lowered her eyes, took out a handkerchief, and kept wiping her hands with a look of disgust.
Huangfu Li knew she disliked him and wanted to vent his frustration, but he didn't want to be hysterical in front of her, so he could only grit his teeth and restrain himself.
For a moment, the carriage was completely silent.
After a long silence, Huangfu Li said in a low voice, "Do you still want to ask me where I'm taking you?"
Jin Suiqing put away the handkerchief, spread her hands, and examined it carefully from both sides, but she didn't look at him. "I won't ask anymore."
At this moment, a brass bullet lay on the stone steps in front of the princess's door.
She left a mark; Ye Zi will surely understand.
No matter where she went, she believed that Ye Zhufeng would definitely find her.
Author's Note: This chapter marks the end of the story. For a smoother reading experience, you can save it for later.
Vinegar was late today, so I voluntarily accepted the punishment and sent out ten small red envelopes.
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