Chapter 4: Belief (Part 2)

Upon hearing this, Aqi clasped his hands in front of his chest, hurriedly took a step back, and trembled as he asked, "Then, are you a deity or a monster?" At that moment, a sound of "thud" was heard at the door, as if the eavesdropper had also been startled.

Aqi noticed the red marks on Zhong Jinwei's face and believed it was similar to that of a person. Zhong Jinwei understood that he could not explain it clearly in a short time. He simply said: "Anyway, you will understand later. Could you please bring me some paper and a pen? It will be dark soon, and I need help lighting the candle."

Zhong Jinwei looked around and noticed there was no blackboard, which felt inadequate. He realized he would need to make a blackboard in the future. He had no choice but to abandon the habit of speaking while writing and directly said: "Your Majesty, could you please bring me those items, especially the map? I believe I will understand better based on that."

Zhong Jinwei understood that the term "time travel" is a very common word for future generations. Time travel has long been portrayed on television, so it is no longer surprising (whether one would be surprised if they actually encountered it is another matter)

Thus, Zhong Jinwei hurriedly ate, finishing in a flash, almost choking in between, and completed the meal in no time at all

At that moment, a melodious voice sounded from beside them: "What are you doing?" Everyone turned to look, and it turned out to be a twenty-year-old palace maid holding a food box.

Aqi was speechless and softly explained: "I am just here to replace Cui Jie after the meal. You need not concern yourself with me; please enjoy your meal. Once you are finished, I will take care of the cleanup."

However, after spending some time together, Aqi found Zhong Jinwei to be a very interesting person and easy to get along with. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Did you not have rice to eat in the past?"

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen was no longer concerned with such formalities. He waved his hand and said, "Dismissed, you may leave now." Wang Cheng'en had no choice but to obediently withdraw.

Zhong Jinwei was waiting for paper and pen while contemplating how to further persuade Emperor Chongzhen the next time they met, hoping to make him believe in himself. He was particularly worried that there might be discrepancies between this timeline and his own history, as the crime of deceiving the emperor could lead to execution.

The bandits are currently causing trouble only in Shaanxi, which is merely one of the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. There are still Shanxi and Hebei between them and the capital. Could the bandits possibly defeat my large army stationed in these provinces? Even if, by some chance, the bandits were to succeed, could they possibly contend with the elite cavalry of Guanning that I have invested heavily in? Moreover, since I ascended to the throne, I have always prioritized the welfare of my ancestors and the state, shunning women, avoiding extravagance, diligently attending to state affairs, and toiling day and night. No matter how I think about it, I cannot comprehend how I could become a ruler of a fallen nation.

Zhong Jinwei was lost in thought when he suddenly heard voices from outside shouting: "His Majesty has arrived!" and "We pay our respects to His Majesty!" Realizing that Emperor Chongzhen was coming, he hurriedly stood up from his stool. Before he could reach the main gate, he saw the palace door being pushed open.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly, then turned his head and raised his voice, saying: "Wang Daban, quickly go to my study and bring over the items from today."

Wang Cheng'en first pushed open the large door. Upon entering, he saw Zhong Jinwei standing inside the hall. He then bowed slightly and shouted, "Your Majesty has arrived!" Zhong Jinwei, upon seeing this, wondered whether he should kneel. However, in his life, he had only knelt before his ancestors and had never knelt before anyone else, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. At that moment, Emperor Chongzhen entered. Wang Cheng'en noticed that Zhong Jinwei was still standing there foolishly and quietly admonished, "Your Majesty has arrived; why are you not kneeling to receive him?"

Zhong Jinwei stood aside, feeling a bit embarrassed as he watched Aqi clean up. Sensing the atmosphere was somewhat subdued, he said: "Delicious, delicious"

Upon observing Aqi's expression, Zhong Jinwei realized that he had once again explained himself in vain: "I am a human, not a deity, nor a monster. You see, I can feel pain too." After saying this, he pinched his own face hard, and exclaimed, "Ouch, that really hurts."

Wang Cheng'en knew that Emperor Chongzhen did not want others to know about those things. Therefore, he hurriedly went over to take them himself

Zhu Guozhong originally intended to actively acquire a few of Aqi's carved works to sell and earn some pocket money, but he forgot about it. (Palace Verse: "The fragrant screen carved with incense is sent to the secluded time, innate divine skill requires no teacher. The palace maid begs for the cleverness of the late emperor, the first plum basket, such is the person.") This refers to the palace maid Aqi.

Oh, alright, it's done now. "Zhong Jinwei came back to his senses and said apologetically. Aqi found this person quite interesting, covering his mouth with his hand and smiling, he said: "Alright, please enjoy your meal.

Emperor Chongzhen said: "Very well, I have sufficient time to listen to your detailed account"

Suddenly, he thought, could it be that Emperor Chongzhen also had doubts about himself? It seems that he still needs to be made to truly understand, but it appears that it cannot be explained clearly. Forget it, even if he can be left in confusion, that would be something.

Wang Cheng'en was both astonished and delighted; he was astonished at the prospect of hearing a momentous secret, and delighted that with Zhong Jinwei's words, he had gained even more trust from His Majesty the Emperor. Therefore, without any hesitation, he bowed and said, "Yes!"

Upon hearing what Aqi said, everyone forgot what they were about to do. Those on guard stood their posts, while others hurried to secure their places for the meal

Emperor Chongzhen held a heavy mobile phone in his hand, gazing at the map of China spread out on the imperial table, while the words of Zhong Jinwei echoed incessantly in his mind, declaring that he was a doomed ruler and that the bandits would invade the Forbidden City. How could this be possible

Zhong Jinwei knew that the time for the test had come. Imitating the ancients, he performed a bow and said: "Your Majesty, I truly come from the year 2013, this is absolutely true and documented. However, whether this era is the same as the history I am familiar with still requires time to prove. Your Majesty might as well allow me to discuss the subsequent historical developments; the truth and falsehood shall depend on Your Majesty's wise judgment"

However, that Zhong Jinwei suddenly appeared from the sky, carrying such different objects, with a sincere attitude and assertive words. I have not offended the goddess Nüwa, nor have I sent demons to harm my great Ming dynasty; perhaps it is the ancestors manifesting their spirit, unable to bear to see the dynasty fall into my hands, sending this person to assist me? Emperor Chongzhen now has two selves in his mind, representing belief and disbelief, engaging in a lively debate.

As soon as he finished eating, Zhong Jinwei began to clean up the dishes himself. Aqi, who was nearby, watched Zhong Jinwei eat with great curiosity; this person seemed as if he had never eaten before, devouring his food ravenously. Aqi thought to himself that he must have been starving for several days.

Aqi directly declined: "No need, this is your dinner." She did not know how to address Zhong Jinwei, and in her helplessness, she had to leave it unmentioned

Aqi quickly nodded and said, "Alright, I'll bring it right away." After saying this, he hurriedly walked out the door with the food box.

Zhong Jinwei's explanation makes it even less credible. They have no idea about airplanes or subways, and directly imagine it as a flying celestial chicken, akin to a mount with earth-evading techniques like that of the Earthwalker.

Aqi couldn't hold back any longer and let out a chuckle. Immediately, he felt it was inappropriate and quieted down, but he had already embarrassed Zhong Jinwei, turning his face bright red

Zhong Jinwei sat down, picked up the chopsticks, and noticed Aqi still standing beside him, feeling a bit embarrassed: "How about we eat together?"

After Aqi finished arranging, he looked around and did not see Zhong Jinwei. Where could he be? Turning around, he finally noticed Zhong Jinwei standing foolishly behind him. He hurriedly said in a gentle voice: "Please enjoy your meal"

Zhu Guozhong smiled ingratiatingly: "Sister Aqi, you have worked hard, I am here to help you with m.hetushu.com." Then he walked over, intending to assist her.

Emperor Chongzhen did not waste words and directly asked Zhong Jinwei: "Is what was said during the day to be taken seriously?"

However, in this era, discussing gods, demons, and monsters is arguably more comprehensible than time travel. Understanding this point left Zhong Jinwei at a loss for words

Zhong Jinwei stood before the map and began an eloquent speech, recounting the significant events of history, starting from the killing of Mao Wenlong by Yuan Chonghuan, to the Manchus' untroubled detour into the pass. As he spoke, Zhong Jinwei became increasingly fluent, gradually immersing himself in the scenario of explaining project plans and processes to future generations, forgetting that the audience before him was an emperor who could determine his life or death.

He recalled his determination, which was to treat every day as if it were the last. What is there to fear in death? One must not leave any regrets.

Zhong Jinwei, upon seeing the effect, felt rather embarrassed. He explained: "It is not as you might imagine, soaring through the heavens and burrowing into the earth; it is merely having taken a plane and the subway, flying in the sky and running underground"

Zhong Jinwei felt a bit nervous and said, "Yes, ah, no, I eat every day." Aqi was speechless, and just as he was finishing up, he straightened up and looked at Zhong Jinwei.

Zhong Jinwei was truly hungry, and with the addition of this being food from the ancient palace, one could only feel anticipation. He foolishly did not help, just standing by and watching Aqi skillfully tidy the table and arrange the dishes. One meat dish, three vegetable dishes, a bowl of rice, and a box of pastries.

Senior Zhong Jinwei has dealt with computers far more than with girls, having a beautiful young lady stand by to watch him eat, and only after he finishes does she tidy up, as if the service were not even as good as that of a five-star hotel

Aqi asked, "This, that..." Noticing that Zhong Jinwei was also staring at him, he became nervous and finally said, "It's that one, the place you came from, is it the Heavenly Court or the Fairy Realm?"

Zhong Jinwei now somewhat understands why, in the many time-travel novels he has read in later generations, no one mentions the reason for their time travel. To explain this clearly and make others believe it is indeed quite difficult

Suddenly, Wang Cheng'en entered to report, interrupting Emperor Chongzhen's mental turmoil: "Your Majesty, that Zhong Jinwei is requesting the Four Treasures of the Study. Should we grant it or not?"

Zhong Jinwei looked at the ancient light beauty before him, whose gaze still held a hint of reverence, and couldn't help but feel a mischievous impulse. I can scare you with the truth, just watch me. He smiled, pointed upwards, then downwards, and said: "I have been to both heaven and earth." After saying this, Zhong Jinwei felt secretly pleased: I have flown on a plane and taken the subway, I am not lying, am I

Zhong Jinwei quickly explained: "I really eat rice every day, occasionally having noodles. I was just too nervous earlier, oh no, it was because I was too hungry, so I ate quickly"

Moreover, the late dinner of Chongzhen was quite similar to that of Zhong Jinwei, lacking any distinctive flavor. After taking a few bites, he lost his appetite and hurried to the study. Anyone who encountered today's events would surely feel overwhelmed.

As Wang Cheng'en arranged the items and added more candles, he was about to step back when Zhong Jinwei spoke: "Your Majesty, this is Wang Cheng'en. He is the only eunuch in my history who has been proven to be consistently loyal to Your Majesty, and he is very reliable. You may allow him to listen as well; it could serve as a reference for you"

At the entrance, Aqi exchanged a hurried glance with the two guards before quickly departing

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Wang Cheng'en, then at Zhong Jinwei, and nodded, saying: "Wang Daban, come listen to the history that Zhong Jinwei is about to share with me"

Emperor Chongzhen inquired: "What does he intend to do?" Before Wang Cheng'en could respond, he added: "Forget it, I will go and see for myself. Prepare the carriage."

Seeing him finish eating, he immediately started to clear the dishes. I hurriedly stepped forward to take over from Zhong Jinwei and clean up myself