Chapter 940

“Seeking help?”

In the imperial study, Xiao Ming showed a surprised expression. Speaking of which, if not for Xiao Qi’s reappearance, he would have even forgotten this person who once rebelled with the Prince of Wei.

Moreover, ever since Xiao Wenxuan’s passing, some facts had surfaced. According to Pang Yukun, the Prince of Ning’s death back then was indeed a great injustice.

So, he did not continue to dwell on the matter, considering it a favor to Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi’s expression was pained. He said with difficulty, “Your Majesty, please save the remaining Han people who survived in Luzon. Otherwise, they will be completely massacred by the Spanish.”

“Han people of Cebu?” Xiao Ming frowned.

Xiao Qi nodded. Then he told Xiao Ming everything that happened after he betrayed the Prince of Wei. It turned out that on that day, after he sailed from Jinling Province, he arrived at Cebu Island in the Nanyang. Here, there was a loosely organized state established by Han people called the Hwayeon Kingdom, with a population of about twenty thousand.

The Han people living in the Hwayeon Kingdom had ancestors who came from this Great Yu Dynasty, while others came from even more distant eras. However, because Han blood flowed in their bodies, they lived together in this strange place.

Xiao Qi’s original intention in going to the Hwayeon Kingdom was to seek refuge with Liang Daping, a former general under the Prince of Ning. At the same time, he wanted to experience the civilizations of Western powers.

Upon arriving in Hwayeon Kingdom, he successfully met Liang Daping. This old general, who had once been loyal to the Prince of Ning, remained true to his original intention. He regarded Xiao Qi as the Little Prince of Ning and introduced him to the nobles of Hwayeon Kingdom.

After successfully settling in the Hwayeon Kingdom, his mind became active. Compared to the Great Yu Empire, this was a completely foreign country. For the past few years, he had also frequently traveled between Cebu Island and Bohol Island to learn about Spanish culture.

However, the peaceful days were always too short. Just two months ago, the Spanish, who had always ruled Bohol Island, suddenly launched an attack on the Hwayeon Kingdom, massacring its citizens.

The Han people living in the Hwayeon Kingdom had always been law-abiding. On normal days, they only engaged in maritime trade and possessed no decent army whatsoever. How could they resist Spain’s sturdy ships and powerful cannons?

The once peaceful Hwayeon Kingdom turned into a river of blood in just a few days. The few survivors fled into the mountains to live with wild beasts.

It was also at this time that he resolved to return to the Great Yu Empire for help.

“Is this true?” Xiao Ming’s expression was unruffled, but his fists clenched.

In contemporary times, Bohol Island and Cebu Island both belonged to the Philippines, and Luzon was the largest island in the Philippines. Because it was closest to the Great Yu Empire mainland, the largest number of Chinese people always resided here. Precisely because of this, the Spanish had always been very suspicious of the Chinese, twice massacring Chinese in the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty. The reason was merely their concern that the Chinese might threaten their rule.

Especially in the early Qing Dynasty, after learning that Zheng’s father and son intended to attack the Philippines to avenge the Chinese, they not only did not restrain themselves but intensified their actions.

“Absolutely true. If there’s even a hint of falsehood, Xiao Qi will surely not have a complete corpse after death,” Xiao Qi cried out painfully.

At this point, Qian Dafu suddenly said, “Your Majesty, this Hwayeon Kingdom once dispatched envoys to Chang’an to seek an audience, wishing to become a vassal state of the Great Yu Empire. However, at that time, they were not well-received, and the late Emperor did not accept their request.”

“This happened too?” Xiao Ming could not find any relevant information in his memory.

“There’s no mistake about it, Your Majesty. You can ask Elder Fei,” Qian Dafu said.

Xiao Ming nodded. “You go to the inner palace and summon Fei Ji.”

Responding with a “Yes,” Qian Dafu left the imperial study. Soon after, Fei Ji arrived in the imperial study.

Seeing Xiao Qi kneeling on the ground, Fei Ji’s face changed dramatically. He exclaimed, “Xiao Qi!”

“Elder Fei, no need to be surprised. Let me first explain to you,” Xiao Ming said. He then recounted Xiao Qi’s appearance in Qingzhou and his purpose for coming, and then asked about the matter of the vassal state.

After a moment of contemplation, Fei Ji said, “Your Majesty, indeed, such an event occurred, but it happened thirty years ago; it is quite distant now.”

“So it did happen. Then why did the imperial court refuse to accept the Hwayeon Kingdom?” Xiao Ming asked.

With a wry smile, Fei Ji said, “Your Majesty, being a vassal state is not so simple. Once the Hwayeon Kingdom is recognized as a vassal state, it means the Hwayeon Kingdom and the Great Yu Empire have a blood alliance. If the Hwayeon Kingdom suffers an attack, the Great Yu Empire must exert all its national strength to help. Furthermore, the Hwayeon Kingdom is far overseas, beyond the reach of the Great Yu Empire, and most importantly, successive Central Plains dynasties have always deemed overseas Chinese as commoners, disdaining them!”

Xiao Ming was startled for a moment. He remembered that Emperor Wanli had used this very reason to refuse attacking the Spanish, believing that these people had little connection with the Great Ming Dynasty.

Fei Ji saying so immediately made Xiao Qi anxious. He said, “Your Majesty, Elder Fei’s words are mistaken. We Han people have the same blood flowing in our bodies. What does it matter where we are born? As for those traitors who drink the waters of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers and eat rice and wheat, they are truly Great Yu Empire people.”

Fei Ji opened his mouth, about to refute, but Xiao Ming stopped him at this point.

He said, “The main reason my imperial father back then refused to accept the Hwayeon Kingdom was probably that our national strength was insufficient to protect the Hwayeon Kingdom people. Secondly, the Hwayeon Kingdom envoy spoke of it as a vassal state, which means establishing a separate state. In the imperial court’s view, this is equivalent to rebellion. I understand the late Emperor’s temperament. With these two points, he naturally would not agree.”

Fei Ji nodded, “Exactly. It’s just that the late Emperor didn’t want to lose face then, so he didn’t say it.”

Xiao Ming continued, “However, today is different from the past. Now, I have pacified Goryeo and Japan. The navy’s southward advance to drive out the Spanish is naturally a trivial matter. But I only save my own common people, and I will not save the common people of the Hwayeon Kingdom. You are right about one thing: no matter where they are, those who have the blood of the Great Yu Empire people flowing in their veins are Great Yu Empire people. But there is one condition: I will not save those who, while bearing the guise of Great Yu Empire people, are ready to bite the Great Yu Empire at any time.”

Coming from modern times, he naturally knew that there was such a Chinese-established country in Nanyang, but this country was the most anti-Chinese. Historical lessons served as a guide for future actions. He certainly did not want his soldiers to shed blood, sweat, and tears only to raise an ingrate.

“What does Your Majesty mean by that?” Xiao Qi heard Xiao Ming’s implicit meaning, but did not understand it.

Exchanging glances with Fei Ji, Xiao Ming said, “Effective today, the Great Yu Empire recognizes all overseas Chinese as citizens of the Great Yu Empire. Wherever, whenever, and wherever Great Yu Empire citizens suffer bullying from enemies, the Great Yu Empire has the responsibility to uphold justice for them and the obligation to protect their lives and property.”

Xiao Qi, hearing this, felt a surge of passion in his heart. He said gratefully, “Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!”

Xiao Ming’s eyes darted around. He said with a smile, “But there’s no need for the Hwayeon Kingdom to exist anymore, is there? How about from now on, it’s called the Great Yu Empire’s Hwayeon Province?”