Looking at the timid, trembling emperor before him, whose attire was inferior to his own, he was instantly enraged.
"Tell me, where is the real Japanese king? Did he escape through the secret passage?"
A gleaming broadsword was thrust against his neck, and a strong stench of urine wafted out. A string of incoherent words spilled out.
Wang Yuanhao didn't understand Japanese. He glanced at his deputy, Pu Chun, who used to make a living at sea and also had businesses in Japan.
A few years ago, the imperial court lifted the sea ban, and he was suddenly cut off from his livelihood. So, heeding advice, he offered generous gifts and sought help from Consort Cheng, and was recruited and assigned to the Fujian Navy.
Then he caught the eye of Wang Yuanhao, and now he's switched allegiances.
Now is the time for him to make a difference.
"The commander may not know, but this Japan is different from other small countries. The real power is not held by the Japanese king, but by the shogun."
"Even the annual expenses of the Japanese king require the approval of the shogun. It's already quite good that he has this outfit; who knows how many patches are on his clothes underneath."
Wang Yuanhao scoffed, "I thought we'd caught a big fish, but who knew it would turn out like this."
"You call yourself a king? How could you be oppressed by your subjects for so many years?"
The Japanese king mumbled something in a foreign language while kowtowing to Wang Yuanhao, but Wang Yuanhao dodged his kowtow.
What did he say?
Pu Chun replied, "He said that whatever offenses were committed against the superior nation were the fault of the shogunate. He was under house arrest for many years, was unaware of the situation, and it had nothing to do with him. I urge the commander to see the truth."
"I also want to thank the commander for helping him eliminate the rebels. He will never refuse any of your orders."
Wang Yuanhao sneered, "Take him away and keep a close watch on him. As for what to do with him, we'll discuss that when the Emperor's decree arrives."
A dozen or so soldiers escorted the Emperor and his entourage away. Wang Yuanhao said, "This Japanese king isn't much to look at, but he's got quite the imagination. He wants me to help him reclaim power, and then he'll emulate Goujian's perseverance and humiliation?"
"He thinks he's the only smart person in the world, how could he be so cunning? He's so old and still just a puppet."
Pu Chun said, "These barbarians from foreign lands are ignorant and shallow, mere clowns. Why should the commander care about them?"
"However, the Tokugawa Shogunate cannot be ignored either; the silver mine is of utmost importance."
Thinking of the orders from the palace, Pu Chun wondered why Consort Cheng, who lived deep in the inner palace, would have such a strong aversion to these Japanese slaves.
On our land, not a single person may be of foreign blood. These few words cost the lives of millions.
No wonder everyone says that the mouth of a green bamboo snake and the stinger of a wasp are not poisonous, but the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart.
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