They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

Now, let's talk about the other side.

After leaving the Golden Palace, Zhao Ji arrived at an artificial lake in the Imperial Garden.

Zhao Ji stood in the pavilion, holding a white jade fish food bowl in his hand, and casually scattered a handful of fish food into the lake.

In an instant, the calm lake surface suddenly rippled with rapid waves, as tens of thousands of golden-red carp swarmed in, creating a spectacular scene of them vying for the food.

Before Zhao Ji could even appreciate it, the system's virtual panel reappeared.

The emperor guards the nation's gates, and the monarch dies for the state. Ceding territory to seek peace is a great disgrace. The path of a great emperor throughout history must never contain such stains of national humiliation and loss of sovereignty.

[Issued an imperial decree for a personal expedition (completed)]

[Reward: 10,000 muskets, plus 1 million rounds of ammunition.]

[Please select the reward distribution location.]

Zhao Ji was overjoyed; it seemed that Eunuch Hai had already taken care of things.

Zhao Ji immediately ordered the surrounding imperial guards to withdraw, then pointed to a wide open space nearby and instructed the system to distribute the rewards there.

Soon, heavy wooden boxes appeared out of thin air in front of Zhao Ji.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhao Ji immediately opened a wooden box, took out a musket, examined it for a few moments, and was overjoyed.

This is actually an improved version of the arquebus, the Rumi arquebus.

Zhao Ji recognized it as the Lumi musket, an improved version of the bird gun, because many of his girlfriends in his previous life were knowledgeable about the history of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhao Ji learned some things from what he saw and heard, so he recognized it.

The Ming Dynasty standard musket had a kill radius of about 150 meters, roughly 100 paces, with a maximum range of 300 meters.

The improved Lumi gun had an effective kill range of 200 meters and a maximum range of 600 meters.

With such a divine weapon in hand, we can achieve a surprising victory in the battle of the Northern Frontier.

As Zhao Ji was overjoyed, he caught a glimpse of Eunuch Hai leading Qi Yuanqing over.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Qi Yuanqing hurriedly stepped forward to bow, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the fire poker-like object in Zhao Ji's hand, and couldn't help but feel a little curious.

No need for formalities.

Zhao Ji said casually, getting straight to the point: "I wonder how skilled the Imperial Brother-in-law is at archery?"

Qi Yuanqing was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised that His Majesty would suddenly ask him this, but he quickly realized that His Majesty must have his reasons for asking, so he hurriedly and respectfully replied:

"I have practiced archery since childhood and have been on the battlefield a few times, so my archery skills are so-so. I can penetrate armor within fifty paces and my arrows never miss within one hundred paces."

"Alright, then I'll have a contest with you today."

Zhao Ji smiled faintly.

"this……"

Zhao Ji's words stunned not only Qi Yuanqing, but also Eunuch Hai, who was standing to the side.

To compete in archery with the emperor?

Qi Yuanqing couldn't help but regret his boasting.

If I win, His Majesty will lose face; but if I lose, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor.

Qi Yuanqing quickly went through his thoughts and realized that he hadn't done anything wrong recently.

"Your Majesty, how dare I compete with Your Majesty in archery?"

Qi Yuanqing hurriedly knelt down, his heart filled with fear.

Zhao Ji ignored him and turned to instruct Eunuch Hai to immediately prepare bows, arrows, and targets.

Soon, Eunuch Hai had his guards bring over the target and bow and arrows.

At this moment, Qi Yuanqing, who was kneeling on the ground, had his entire back soaked with cold sweat.

Because whether he wins or loses, he will be wrong.

Zhao Ji had long since guessed Qi Yuanqing's thoughts. He smiled and said:

"Is the Imperial Brother-in-law still not moving? Does he want me to come and invite him?"

"Your humble servant dares not."

Qi Yuanqing was filled with fear and quickly stood up, picking up the bow and arrows that were placed to the side.

Zhao Ji then instructed Eunuch Hai, "Put a suit of armor on the bullseye."

"Yes."

Eunuch Hai immediately did as instructed, having a guard remove his armor and put it on the bullseye.

"Brother-in-law, shoot!" Zhao Ji said, looking at Qi Yuanqing.

Zhao Ji decided to let Qi Yuanqing experience the power of the musket first, so as to make arrangements for what to do next.

"As you command."

Although Qi Yuanqing didn't know what Zhao Ji was up to, the die was cast and the die was cast. Even if he angered His Majesty, he would have no choice but to accept the punishment, since he had just boasted so much.

Immediately, Qi Yuanqing drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

With a whoosh.

The sound of arrows piercing the air rang out.

As expected, Qi Yuanqing hit the target. However, the arrow's power gradually decreased during its flight, and it bounced off the armor covering the target after striking it.

The armor worn by the imperial guards was top-quality, so it was normal that Qi Yuanqing couldn't penetrate it at a distance of 100 paces.

Qi Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief, but quickly became tense again.

If I hit the target, it wouldn't be considered deceiving the emperor, but what if His Majesty misses...?

For a moment, Qi Yuanqing's heart was filled with anxiety.

"good."

Zhao Ji gave a word of praise, then stood up and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, bow and arrows."

Hai Gonggong, who was standing nearby, immediately carried Zhao Ji's imperial bow and arrow over with both hands.

Zhao Ji waved his hand, telling him to step back.

Hai Gonggong was taken aback, as was Qi Yuanqing, who was standing beside him.

How can you compete in archery without a bow and arrow?

Just as the two were wondering, Zhao Ji raised the fire poker-like object in his hand and then struck a strange pose, as if aiming at a bullseye a hundred meters away.

"Does Your Majesty intend to use this fire poker to hit the bullseye a hundred meters away?"

Qi Yuanqing was filled with doubt for a moment, feeling that this was too absurd.

However, he only dared to think these thoughts in his heart, and dared not reveal them at all.

Just then, a loud bang was heard.

Zhao Ji pulled the trigger.

At the same time, the imperial guards surrounding the area rushed over from all directions to protect the emperor after hearing the explosion.

Hai Gonggong and Qi Yuanqing immediately stood guard beside Zhao Ji, their faces showing signs of great concern.

That explosion was absolutely terrifying.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Zhao Ji couldn't help but smile:

"Don't be nervous, all of you step back. Eunuch Hai, go and fetch the target for me."

"Your Majesty, what was that commotion just now...?"

Hai Gonggong was still in shock. He didn't move and glanced at the smoldering fire poker in Zhao Ji's hand with some doubt.

The loud bang just now seemed to have come from this fire poker, but Grandpa Hai found it too far-fetched to be sure, so he couldn't be sure for the moment.

Qi Yuanqing had the same thought in his mind at this moment, staring at the fire poker-like thing in Zhao Ji's hand with suspicion.

"You'll know when you go and retrieve the target."

Zhao Ji gave the order without explanation.

"Yes."

Grandpa Hai nodded, suppressing his doubts for the time being.

However, when Eunuch Hai retrieved the target, his expression was strange, and Qi Yuanqing was shocked to see the target's current condition.

Because the armor covering the target now had a hole, and looking at the bullseye, it was clear that something had pierced through it.

And what seems to have caused all of this is that fire poker-like thing that His Majesty is holding.

"Your Majesty, this...?"

Qi Yuanqing was momentarily at a loss for how to ask the question.

Zhao Ji raised his musket and aimed it at Qi Yuanqing. Qi Yuanqing's expression changed drastically, and his hair stood on end, as if he had been locked onto by something terrifying.

Seeing the other party's terrified expression, Zhao Ji stopped teasing him and smiled faintly:

"Why does the Emperor's brother-in-law think I am so confident in personally leading the army?"