Chapter 926 This is against the rules

Chapter 926: 926 This is against the rules

A few days later, Lu Ming received Himiko, who had been sent as an envoy, in a side hall.

Lu Ming walked slowly forward, surrounded by guards like stars around the moon. Sunlight streamed in through the skylight, falling directly on Lu Ming, making him appear like a god, a savior bearing a divine mandate.

This visual impact was unparalleled, unforgettable for Himiko.

She even forgot to breathe, staring in a daze at the scene before her. After a while, someone snapped out of it and immediately knelt down in worship.

Himiko wore a simple, snow-white dancer’s costume with red trim, her face lightly powdered.

On her feet were palm-woven straw sandals, perfectly displaying her delicate, white feet.

She was about 1.6 meters tall, considered average for a woman.

Her fair face still held a hint of baby fat as she knelt before Lu Ming, hands clasped in prayer.

"Queen Himiko of Yamatai pays respects to the Emperor of the Great Qin Empire."

Himiko maintained a very humble posture. She had traveled from the western ports to Liaodong, then by ship to Beihai County, and finally along the Yellow River to Guandu.

What she saw and heard there broadened her horizons...

Upon arriving in Ye City, she witnessed firsthand what true prosperity was.

The towering city walls, the exquisite architecture, and the golden wheat fields all testified to the empire’s strength.

The armor and weapons used by the soldiers guarding the city walls were far superior to those of the feudal lords of Yingzhou, demonstrating a clear advantage in both materials and forging techniques.

If this was civilization, then in Himiko’s eyes, the civilization of Yingzhou was nothing more than that of uncivilized savages!

Lu Ming stared at Himiko for a while, then gestured with his lip towards the eunuch.

This eunuch was none other than Zhang Bao, whom they had met before; he was quite shrewd.

Eunuchs had also undergone reforms; they were not allowed to marry or have children, nor did they have the means to do so.

However, if they retired at the age of seventy, they could choose an orphan from their clan or an orphanage to raise as their heir, inheriting the surname and gaining access to the royal academy.

This meant the lineage could be continued, and studying at the royal academy—what did that mean?

It meant proximity to princes and princesses, and a secure future.

Therefore, eunuchs were absolutely loyal, and strictly supervised to prevent collusion.

The eunuchs’ power derives from the emperor; what good would come of angering the emperor?

Zhang Bao handed a cushion to Himiko. "Please kneel before Your Majesty."

This was a show of force, a gesture.

A great nation must display its majesty when dealing with these barbarians.

Himiko was unwilling, but she could only comply. She couldn’t even bring herself to hate Lu Ming; his aura had instantly subdued her.

Facing Lu Ming was like facing a mountain, an ocean—profound and unfathomable!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Himiko thanked him nonetheless, displaying the servility typical of Japanese women.

Today, Lu Ming wore a specially made dragon robe and an emperor’s crown, the beaded curtain obscuring his expression.

His imposing presence exuded mystery, his noble bearing radiating majesty.

"Himiko, what brings you to Great Qin?"

Himiko bit her tongue, pulling herself back from her daze.

Bowing even lower and speaking respectfully, she said, "Your Majesty, I have come to beg you to save the lives of 50,000 people in Yamatai.

The Shogun Oda Nobunaga is cruel and ruthless, seeking to unify Japan, and has audaciously attacked your army. We beg Your Majesty to grant us justice!"

Himiko’s arrival in Qin was unexpected.

After Lu Ming left, Liu Yu dispatched the brothers Ruan Xiao’er and Ruan Xiao’wu to attack Japan, not seeking a decisive battle, but merely to plunder like Japanese pirates, while simultaneously gathering intelligence.

While Qin’s fleet was not yet capable of large-scale transport, in small-scale battles, the advent of ballistae often meant that a single arrow could dismantle a Japanese ship.

This overwhelming force routed the Japanese.

Apart from Oda Nobunaga’s fleet, which could offer some resistance, the rest crumbled at the first touch.

Although they could initially resist, Oda Nobunaga’s navy was now completely annihilated.

Even the local fishermen dared not go out to sea, fearing for their lives. ℴ

Furthermore, with the arrival of the Liangshan heroes, the strategist Wu Yong devised a plan.

Knowing that Yingzhou was still embroiled in war, they directed all their anger at Oda Nobunaga, accusing him of offending the Qin Dynasty.

Those who didn’t want to die had to surrender, or face certain death!

Of Japan’s four islands, three had fallen, leaving only one.

Even Yamatai had fallen; only Himiko escaped with her personal guard.

Her prestige was undeniable, and after consulting with the remaining lords, they decided to seek aid from the Qin Dynasty.

Himiko was sent as an envoy, bringing with her what they considered their most precious possessions.

Now, with the intervention of the Qin navy, Oda Nobunaga could not unify Yingzhou, and the situation was at a stalemate.

The Qin Dynasty was not yet prepared; its soldiers needed further training.

Otherwise, seasickness would make them ill, further hindering their campaigns.

With severe non-combat casualties, fighting was out of the question.

Both sides were preparing, making this the perfect time for Himiko’s mission.

If Lu Ming hadn’t attacked Liaodong, the Goguryeo invasion wouldn’t have occurred.

Without the invasion, there would have been no desire to seize Goguryeo.

If Hanseong hadn’t been captured, the Japanese pirates’ attack on the port wouldn’t have happened.

Therefore, the Qin navy’s expedition to Japan wouldn’t have occurred. Every link in the chain was interconnected; Himiko’s presence here could be considered destiny.

"Yingzhou has been a vassal state since the Former Qin.

Himiko, I’m giving you a chance. Stay and serve in the palace.

I’m considering attacking the Shogunate. The lives of the people of Yingzhou depend on you. Now I’m giving you a chance to consider."

Lu Ming’s voice was deep and steady, ironically leaving no room for refusal.

"Romance?" Love isn’t always so beautiful; affection only arises when there’s a balance of power.

Otherwise, if status and strength are unequal, it’s merely opportunism.

A woman seeking a sugar daddy, a man seeking a rich woman—neither can be considered love...

And for the sugar daddy, the other party is merely a plaything.

Himiko was somewhat surprised. She thought that as long as she bowed her head, the Qin emperor would take on all the grand schemes, but she never expected him to want her to stay and serve him!

"Your Majesty, I am a priestess, responsible for prayer and blessings. According to the rules, I cannot marry, nor can I be with men."