Slaying the Qing: My Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

After leaving Shi Dakai's study, the relationship between Hong Tian and Shi Dakai had changed.

If their relationship was that of ruler and subject before, now it has become that of father-in-law and son-in-law.

The relationship between the two became even closer.

Shi Dakai also officially announced to his family that the young Heavenly King had proposed to Shi Junzhao, and that he had agreed to let Shi Junzhao marry the young Heavenly King.

This news also left everyone in the Shi family dumbfounded.

It's really strange that a little kid who's not even seven years old would ask to marry a girl who's only nine.

Even if people in this era are precocious, they are not this precocious, are they?

"Your son-in-law greets your mothers-in-law!" Hong Tian took the opportunity to greet Consort Li and Consort Liu.

Both were Shi Dakai's legal wives. In particular, Consort Li was Shi Junzhao's biological mother.

"Young Heavenly King, please rise quickly!" Consort Li and Consort Liu were also somewhat at a loss.

"Sister Yunzhao, let's get married when I turn sixteen!" Hong Tian said to Shi Yunzhao.

Shi Junzhao was still in a daze when she heard Hong Tian's words, and her face turned bright red, just like a ripe apple.

Overwhelmed with shyness, she ran back to her room.

Hong Tian did not linger at the Prince Yi's residence. This visit to Shi Dakai had already fulfilled his wish.

He needed to get back to the orphanage as soon as possible to prepare for the upcoming Tianjing Incident.

Having gained Shi Dakai's support, if he could suppress the Tianjing Incident, he could stabilize the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and take control of the overall situation.

As for Hong Xiuquan, the cheapskate, didn't he like to communicate with the Heavenly Father and listen to His teachings? Let him serve the Heavenly Father well.

In any case, there were as many as eighty-seven queens in the Heavenly King's Palace, which was more than enough for Hong Xiuquan to enjoy.

"Your Highness, Yunzhao is only nine years old, while the Young Heavenly King is not even seven. Isn't their marriage far too frivolous?"

After Hong Tian left, Consort Li couldn't help but ask.

Shi Junzhao was her daughter, a piece of her own flesh and blood, so naturally she cared for her even more.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Yunzhao and the young Heavenly King are still young. They can only get married when the young Heavenly King turns sixteen. There are still nine years to go!"

Besides, although the young Heavenly King is young, he is no ordinary person.

In the future, he will be the heir to the entire Kingdom of Heaven.

"Yun Zhao won't suffer a loss by marrying the young Heavenly King!"

Shi Dakai said.

Seeing this, Consort Li said nothing more.

Consort Li and Consort Liu, as Shi Dakai's principal wives, always treated each other with respect.

In another timeline, Shi Dakai was defeated at the Dadu River. Before being beheaded by the Tartars, both men shouted, "Li Fuyou avenges the Wing King!" Li Fuyou was a general under Shi Dakai.

Unfortunately, they were unaware that Li Fuyou had also been killed by the Tartars.

Hong Tian was in a great mood after leaving the Wing King's mansion.

They were even more confident in suppressing the upcoming Tianjing Incident and taking control of the entire Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The guards escorted Hong Tian's carriage as it traveled down the street.

Suddenly, a large group of people appeared in front of them.

The people in front carried ceremonial banners bearing the inscription of the Eastern King.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiuqing, the most powerful Eastern King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, was riding his imperial carriage back from outside the city when he happened to run into Hong Tian.

Now that Yang Xiuqing has successfully forced Hong Xiuquan to bestow upon him the title of "Long Live the Emperor," he is nominally on equal footing with Hong Xiuquan.

This made Yang Xiuqing feel very proud and self-satisfied.

"The Young Heavenly King is the Eastern King!"

Hong Tian's bodyguard captain, Zhang Yujie, had a serious expression.

As Hong Tian's confidants, they were naturally very dissatisfied with Yang Xiuqing's arrogant and domineering behavior.

"Step aside and let the Eastern King's entourage pass first," Hong Tian said.

Now is the time when Yang Xiuqing is being arrogant and domineering, so there's no need to go against him.

Hong Tian preferred to play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada, waiting until the Northern King Wei Changhui had slaughtered the Eastern King's Mansion before stepping in to clean up the mess.

However, the streets are wide.

But Hong Tian also had quite a few people on his side. Even if they moved to the side, they still attracted attention.

Following closely beside Yang Xiuqing's imperial carriage was his trusted confidant, Hou Qianfang. Hou was considered one of Yang Xiuqing's most loyal and steadfast confidants, and in another timeline of the Tianjing Incident, he even accompanied Yang Xiuqing to his death. This demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Yang Xiuqing.

Hou Qianfang whispered a few words in Yang Xiuqing's ear, and Yang Xiuqing's gaze immediately turned to her, where she saw Hong Tian and his group.

Then, when Yang Xiuqing's entourage passed by Hong Tian and others, they suddenly stopped.

"How dare you! You don't even bow to His Majesty the Eastern King!" Hou Qianfang shouted.

"This nephew greets Uncle Yang!" Hong Tian had no choice but to get off the carriage and bow.

Hong Tian's guards also saluted.

However, Hou Qianfang was very dissatisfied that Hong Tian and his men did not kneel down, and wanted to say something more. But Yang Xiuqing stopped her.

"They're just kids after all, don't be too harsh on them." Yang Xiuqing looked down on Hong Tian and the others, treating them like clueless little brats.

Yang Xiuqing regarded the orphanage established by Hong Tian as nothing more than a child's game.

Or rather, Hong Tian simply found himself a group of playmates.

It's just that there are a lot of playmates.

Yang Xiuqing was, after all, the most powerful prince in the entire Heavenly Kingdom. He had even defeated the Tartars, so naturally he wouldn't take Hong Tian and the others seriously.

"Tiangui, it's a good thing that you established the orphanage. It gives many children whose fathers and grandfathers died for the cause of the Heavenly Kingdom a place to rely on. However, our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents. It's not good for you to shave your heads so casually, and you all have bald heads. You've become an anomaly in our Heavenly Kingdom. This is not good. From now on, you must grow your hair back, just like the soldiers of the Heavenly Kingdom," Yang Xiuqing said.

"Yes, Uncle Yang, I understand." Hong Tian did not refute and repeatedly agreed.

Yang Xiuqing was very satisfied with Hong Tian's performance.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly asked another question.

"How is the Heavenly King doing lately? Has your communication with the Heavenly Father been effective? The Heavenly King should listen to the Heavenly Father's teachings more. As the heir to the Kingdom of Heaven, the Young Heavenly King should also communicate more with the Heavenly Father and listen to his teachings more!" Yang Xiuqing continued.

"It's been a while since I've been back to the Heavenly King's Palace, so I don't know how Father is doing. But I imagine that Father's daily listening to the Heavenly Father's teachings must have been very effective!" Hong Tian replied.

Yang Xiuqing nodded, and then allowed the ceremonial guard to continue moving forward.

Hong Tian also went straight back to the orphanage after Yang Xiuqing left.

At this juncture, we must try our best to avoid any unforeseen complications.

At the Eastern Prince's residence, Yang Xiuqing was discussing the current situation with his trusted subordinates.

This includes Hou Qianfang, who served as the Grand Proclamation Officer of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Second Minister of Personnel in the Eastern Palace; Chen Chengrong, the Prime Minister of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom; Xu Zongyang, a capable lieutenant of the Eastern King's Palace; and Yang Fuqing, Yang Xiuqing's younger brother.

However, in another timeline of the Tianjing Incident, both Chen Chengrong and Xu Zongyang betrayed Yang Xiuqing.

Chen Chengrong was dissatisfied with the delay in being granted the title of king, and subsequently informed Hong Xiuquan, revealing Yang Xiuqing's rebellious intentions. This was the main reason why Hong Xiuquan was determined to eliminate Yang Xiuqing.

Xu Zongyang, on the other hand, opened the gates directly when Wei Changhui, the Northern King, led his men to attack the Eastern King's Mansion, allowing Wei Changhui to lead his men into the Eastern King's Mansion and start a massacre.

"Your Highness, I observe that the Young Heavenly King, though young, is precocious. His establishment of the orphanage is solely for the purpose of winning people's hearts. Furthermore, I have heard that the Young Heavenly King is training troops within the orphanage, harboring grand ambitions. This may pose a considerable threat to Your Highness's important affairs. I urge Your Highness to prepare accordingly!" Hou Qianfang said.

Yang Xiuqing shook his head: "They're just a bunch of kids. They've never been on the battlefield or seen blood. What use are they? The Heavenly King is indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs. He has forgotten the oath he made during the Jintian Uprising and can no longer lead the Heavenly Kingdom to continue fighting against the Qing demons."

In that case, he should step down and give way to a more capable person.

"Once I become the Heavenly King, if Hong Tiangui knows what's good for him, I can guarantee him a lifetime of wealth and honor. But if he doesn't, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

In front of his trusted confidants, Yang Xiuqing made no attempt to hide his ambition.