"Besides him, who else in this world could forge a replica of an imperial seal that is so difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake?"
Chen Dachang looked calm, as if he was saying that the weather was really nice today and since he was at sea, he might as well have some lobster and abalone.
Rong Xin still looked shocked and frightened.
"But didn't Eunuch Chen say that the real imperial seal was missing a corner?"
"Who knows?"
Chen Dachang rolled his eyes. "Zhongzong threw the imperial seal at the previous emperor, and a corner of it was missing. No more than five people in the world knew about this. Four of them have passed away, leaving only my family still alive."
You've also heard the rumors in the palace that Zhongzong smashed the imperial seal because of pressure from court officials. But have you ever heard that Zhongzong smashed the imperial seal because he was furious with the previous emperor?
Rong Xin shook his head slowly. The rumor that the jade seal was smashed and had a corner missing did not really mention the late emperor.
Chen Dachang continued, "No one knew the real imperial seal was missing a corner. Perhaps when the late emperor ascended the throne, some people had doubts. However, those people were either dead or executed by the late emperor.
Why did the late emperor start a massacre right after ascending the throne? People say the late emperor was hot-tempered and bloodthirsty, but in reality, he was killing people to silence them. Anyone who dared to question the imperial seal, regardless of the reason, would be executed by the late emperor's decree.
As the killing progressed, everyone was in danger and only thought about saving their own lives. Who cared about the imperial seal anymore? When the killing was over, fakes that were so realistic appeared, and no one could tell the difference. No one could have imagined that the imperial seal in the palace would actually be a fake.
At this point, Chen Dachang started coughing violently.
Rong Xin came to his senses and quickly fed Chen Dachang medicine and bandaged his wound.
After treating their wounds, both of them felt a little depressed.
Chen Dachang said wearily, "To create this fake, Mr. Gu personally traveled to the northwest, found an abandoned mine in the mountains, and studied its properties. Following the clues, he found jade in the palace that was mined from the same mine as the original stone of the imperial seal. He meticulously carved it, spending a year to create this peerless masterpiece.
You know, when the imperial seal was successfully crafted and placed before the late emperor, even he couldn't tell if it was real or fake, if he hadn't known the real imperial seal was missing a corner. But now, authenticity is no longer important.
The real can become fake, and the fake can become real. The late emperor had used that jade seal for over thirty years, and Your Majesty had used it for several more. Even if it was a fake, the passage of time was enough for it to become real.
As for the jade seal in the underground palace with a missing corner, it is no longer important. Even if someone really stole the seal, it would be useless because the royal family would not recognize it, the court would not recognize it, and the world would not recognize it. The person who thought of stealing the imperial seal is clearly a fool and has lost his mind.
After hearing all this, Rong Xin felt very heavy.
He was silent for a long time before asking, "Is that jade seal Mr. Gu's last work?"
Chen Dachang was very surprised as to why Rong Xin asked this question.
However, he answered honestly, "It wasn't his last work. Logically, since Old Master Gu knew so many secrets and had personally crafted the jade seal, he should have been executed afterwards."
However, the late emperor, contrary to his usual practice, spared his life. As a result, Mr. Gu entered the imperial court, bound by court rules for the rest of his life, and bid farewell to his life of extravagance. We can see that Mr. Gu's life was very frustrating, and he endured it all the time. When his children grew up and started their own families, he did something crazy.
"What's the matter?" Rong Xin asked curiously.
Chen Dachang laughed, and laughed happily.
He spoke with a nostalgic tone, "He forged an imperial edict and falsely conveyed it. The edict instructed him to retire and enjoy his old age. However, the late emperor learned of the edict before it was even completed. He was so angry he laughed and simply granted his wish, sending him home while retaining his official position and forbidding him to leave the palace at will."
"Is this the reason why Mr. Gu hasn't left the house for many years?" Rong Xin asked.
Chen Dachang laughed, "Yes, that's why he never leaves the house. He's a playboy, good at eating, drinking, and having fun. Even at his age, he still hasn't changed his nature."
But the late emperor deliberately suppressed his nature, making him unhappy all his life. This was the price the late emperor paid for allowing him to live. Until his death, he was never able to leave the palace and have fun. He was wronged.
Chen Dachang felt a little regretful. He regretted that when Mr. Gu was alive, he hadn't been able to live a happy day.
"Did the late emperor order his execution?" Rong Xin asked hurriedly.
Chen Dachang shook his head slightly. "The late emperor didn't need to issue a decree for his execution. When the late emperor fell seriously ill, Old Master Gu knew his time was running out. He had to die before the late emperor. It was all destined from the beginning, and he had already prepared for it. And by the way, using my own death to buy Master Gu a chance to live, why not?"
"You mean, Mr. Gu is willing to die?"
Chen Dachang nodded. "Yes, he was willing to die. In fact, he should have died as early as the third year of Kaiyao. However, he survived and lived for more than thirty years. It was enough."
Rong Xin sneered, "I've lived for over thirty years, but I haven't had a single happy day."
Chen Dachang smiled and said casually, "How many people in this world can live a happy life? It's a choice between happiness and staying alive. If it were you, would you choose a happy day or live thirty more years?"
Rong Xin couldn't answer.
This question is too difficult.
Chen Dachang continued, "Mr. Gu made his choice without hesitation. He chose to live, to live for himself, for his family, and for future generations."
It took Rong Xin some time to calm himself down.
"Before his death, Mr. Gu was summoned by the late emperor. Can you tell me what the late emperor and Mr. Gu said? Madam wants to know."
Chen Dachang laughed. "It was just two old acquaintances chatting about family matters and their children. They didn't mention anything about what happened back then. There has always been a tacit understanding between Mr. Gu and the late emperor."
Rong Xin bowed and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Chen, for telling me the truth."
Chen Dachang laughed out loud, but unexpectedly it agitated his wound, causing him to gasp in pain.
After the wound had subsided, he gritted his teeth and said, "Tell my wife that we have said everything we need to say. There won't be a next time."
"Don't worry, Eunuch Chen, there won't be a next time." Rong Xin promised solemnly.
Chen Dachang snorted coldly, "No matter how sweet your words are, we'll see what you do."
He looked outside the cabin at the endless sea and the surging waves.
This is his dream and a new starting point in his life.
He laughed, "If I didn't still have desires in my heart, I would never try to get the skin of a tiger."
Rong Xin said, "Since Eunuch Chen still has desires in his heart, he should quickly recover from his injuries. Once we reach the shipyard, we will still need Eunuch Chen's command to slaughter all the natives without a single survivor."
Chen Dachang sneered, "You don't need to remind me. As long as I'm alive, I will definitely slaughter those unruly monkeys until they are in a sea of blood and fear, and make them obey."
"I wish Eunuch Chen success in his endeavors."
“Get out!”
Chen Dachang immediately turned hostile.
Rong Xin didn't care, stood up and walked out of the cabin.
He instructed his subordinates, "Take good care of Eunuch Chen and do your best to meet his needs."
"As you command."
Rong Xin returned to his cabin, took out the letter paper and began to write.
He wanted to report the information he had learned back to the capital in a timely manner.
When he arrived at the next dock, his own ship would pick him up. Then he would hand the letter over to a qualified person to take it back to land and mail it back to the capital.
The content of the letter seems ordinary at first glance, but it contains a mystery.
This ensures that if the letter is lost or falls into the hands of someone else, the content of the letter will not be known.
After writing the letter, put it in the envelope and seal it.
He opened the cabin door and looked out to sea.
It's almost December, but it's still extremely hot here.
I don’t know when I will be able to return to Jiangnan after this trip to the sea.
Maybe one year, maybe two years...
The only thing he could be sure of was that when he returned to Jiangnan, the situation of Sihai Trading Company in Jiangnan would be greatly improved.
By then, Sihai Trading Company will be the leading ocean merchant.
As for the pirates, let them live.
Driving out the wolf and swallowing the tiger is a good strategy.
Rong Xin faced the land and waved his arms.
"goodbye!"
"Are you worried that you won't be able to go back?"
Chen Dachang actually had him carried out.
"Eunuch Chen, don't you want to rest?"
"You've taken some life-saving medicine, and you can survive as long as you're still breathing. Since you can't die, there's no need for us to stay in this small cabin."
Rong Xin smiled and asked, "What does Eunuch Chen want to say?"
"Are you worried that you won't be able to go back?"
Rong Xin shook his head, "I'm just not sure when I'll be back."
Chen Dachang laughed sarcastically, "As expected, arranging our family to go to sea had no good intentions from the beginning."
Rong Xin said, "Don't forget, Eunuch Chen, I'm always with you."
Chen Dachang said, "Your life is worthless, at least not as valuable as our lives."
Rong Xin chuckled, "Eunuch Chen, don't think too highly of yourself. Things are different now. It's not up to you to decide whose life is more valuable."
"Haha... huh..." Chen Dachang couldn't help laughing even though he knew that his wound would be affected.
He reached out and patted Rong Xin's arm. "You're right. In Madam Zhao's eyes, you are indeed more valuable than our family. It's a pity that we are now at sea, far away from land. Your life has become unimportant."
Rong Xin gave him a scornful smile in return.
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