Chapter Sixteen: Invention—I'm Capable Too! (2)

Page 1 of 3

The Retired Emperor abdicated at seventy, becoming the third emperor of the Dashun dynasty, and had ruled for over fifty years. During his reign, he reclaimed the territory of Yizhou, established prefectures and counties, promoted agriculture, managed the rivers, constructed irrigation works, and defended against foreign invasions. Judging by these achievements, he could be considered an enlightened ruler.

However, it was regrettable that his policies of closing the seas and sealing off the nation ultimately caused Dashun to lose touch with the world for forty years. Now, the country was plagued by rampant corruption and an entrenched aristocratic faction within, while threats from the northern Russ nation loomed from without, ever covetous and menacing.

Emperor Qiande had been on the throne for five years. He opened the customs, allowed in foreign merchants, and established trade exchanges. Only then did Dashun reconnect with the outside world, but by this time, the Western nations had already entered the industrial era. The joint advancement of science and industry fascinated Emperor Qiande, who had been interested in Western culture since childhood.

He harbored grand ambitions, wishing to reform and build the nation’s character, to truly benefit the people and achieve a legacy worthy of praise. Yet, with the Retired Emperor still present, much was not within his power to decide. Even his chief proposal—to construct the Jiangnan Arsenal—was vehemently opposed by the old ministers, who collectively submitted a memorial urging its rejection. In the end, the Retired Emperor himself intervened to overrule the plan.

Emperor Qiande remained resolute in his belief that to strengthen the nation, the army must first be made strong. The legacy of the ancestors must not be discarded, but rather improved and utilized. Firearms, after all, were weapons developed by their forebears, yet had been adopted and endlessly improved upon by Westerners.

The foreigners had upgraded their guns and cannons, built warships, erected tall buildings, constructed countless factories, and paved broad, smooth roads. Their people always seemed to wear smiles, well fed, warmly clothed, and enjoyed freedom of speech.

Two years ago, Emperor Qiande personally selected the first group of scholars to study abroad in the West. From their reports, he learned all these things and found them almost unbelievable. Throughout thousands of years of history, countless glorious dynasties had come and gone, but behind the splendor, there had always been barren lands and many people suffering in dire poverty.

Yet the Westerners had achieved so much in less than a hundred years...

Emperor Qiande unearthed the notebooks left by the founding emperor, studying them carefully over and over. In the end, he once again proposed the idea of building a new arsenal in court, only to be met with overwhelming opposition, as expected.

The old ministers and the Retired Emperor stood united, deeming the plan extravagant and wasteful, a squandering of the treasury that would undermine the very foundations of the state.

Helpless, Emperor Qiande could only proceed with the factory’s construction in secret. Knowing that the palace was riddled with the Retired Emperor’s spies, he entrusted the task to loyal ministers outside the capital.

Though retired, the Retired Emperor still wielded control over half the government. Even the palace guards were his appointees, with all eight commanders personally chosen by him.

Thus, even as emperor, Qiande could not easily replace the commanders of his own guard.

One could scarcely believe it: when Zhang Changlin once again requested public funds from the court...

Page 2 of 3

Emperor Qiande was powerless to resist. Without arousing the Retired Emperor’s suspicion, the amount of treasury funds he could divert was already at its limit—half of which was actually disaster relief money.

Father, must you really push your son so far?

After a long while, Emperor Qiande collected himself from his restless thoughts and finally spoke. “The construction of the Jiangnan Arsenal must not halt—though it may be slowed... As for the rest, give me some time. The world is in decline, these are troubled times, and some entanglements... it is time to cut them with a blade.”

With that, the emperor narrowed his eyes and raised his revolver, aiming it northwest.

King Zhongshun and Zhang Changlin, witnessing this, felt a chill in their hearts.

In unison, they bowed and said, “We obey, Your Majesty!”

At that moment, a eunuch entered to report, “Your Majesty, Lord Zhongjing and his son have arrived, and are waiting outside the Gate of Heavenly Purity.”

“Summon them,” Emperor Qiande said, resuming his seat on the dragon throne with a calm air.

...

“This palace is truly magnificent—high walls, vast courtyards, splendid beyond compare. Even the palace maids are exceedingly beautiful. Being an emperor must be utter comfort,” Shi Yi mused as he entered the palace, stealing glances at every turn, and still marveling as he reached the gate of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Shi Ding lowered his voice beside him, saying, “When we go in, keep your head down and don’t look around.”

Shi Yi nodded with a grin. “Old man, what do you think the emperor wants with you?”

Shi Ding shot him a stern glare. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Shi Yi chuckled, about to make a teasing remark, when the fair-faced eunuch who had gone ahead returned and said, “Lord Marquis, Young Master, please follow me.”

The two of them followed the messenger eunuch, winding their way outside the southern study.

The eunuch gently pushed open the left door, leaving just enough space for a person to enter.

“Please, Lord Marquis.”

“Thank you, sir,” Shi Ding replied, bowing as he entered with his head lowered.

Shi Yi, heart pounding, also dropped his head and followed.

The floor was polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting their images as they walked. The hall was utterly silent, so quiet that only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.

They walked, heads down, for seven or eight paces, when Shi Yi caught, out of the corner of his eye, his father suddenly kneeling.

Page 3 of 3

Realizing the emperor was right before him, Shi Yi hurriedly knelt as well.

Soon after, Shi Ding’s clear voice rang out: “Your servant pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!”

Shi Yi, a beat late, echoed the cry of “long live the Emperor.”

Truth be told, he was indeed nervous and excited; after all, before him now was the sovereign who held the power of life and death over all. To claim he felt nothing would be a lie.

A deep, steady voice came from above, “Rise.”

Only then did Shi Yi dare to stand. As he rose, he couldn’t help but sneak a glance.

There, behind a bright yellow imperial desk, sat an elderly man of about fifty, whose aura of authority sent a chill down one’s spine.

Shi Yi had barely straightened when a cold snort sounded nearby. “Lord Zhongjing, you have truly raised a fine son—he even dared to barge into the imperial escort carrying tribute!”

Shi Ding’s face paled, and he hastily bowed. “Your Highness, I am alarmed! I truly did not know—”

“Enough!” came the abrupt interruption from King Zhongshun. “The Western envoy has pressed repeatedly, demanding harsh punishment for those who disrupted the imperial escort, and insists on an explanation—Lord Zhongjing, what do you propose should be done?”

“This...” The sudden turn of events left Shi Ding at a loss, and he looked in fear toward the emperor.

Emperor Qiande kept his head down, reading memorials, as if the pair did not exist.

Shi Yi’s mind was tossed like a stormy sea.

He could not make sense of the situation—accused of a grave offense right at the start? It was even more unjust than the most infamous scapegoat!

“You wretch! Kneel and confess at once!”

Before Shi Yi could react, Shi Ding seized him by the collar and forced him to his knees, pressing his head to the floor.

Shi Ding immediately knelt before the emperor, his voice trembling. “Your Majesty, I am guilty beyond measure, having failed to raise my son properly—he has committed a most heinous crime by disrupting the imperial escort. I beg Your Majesty to deal with us according to the law.”

Shi Yi was left dumbfounded.

After so much effort to enter the palace, he thought it was a promising start... but who could have expected it would end like this?