Chapter 162

The morning mist over Wuzhou Prefecture in Guangxi drifted across the Xi River, and Shen Xitang's black leather boots crushed the charred edge of the Guangdong-Guangxi Frontier Report. Xiao Heng's Xiuchun Saber split the bronze incense burner at the Three Realms Temple, and a half-broken Portuguese crucifix suddenly caught the phosphorus light from the incense ash—among the Latin prayer inscriptions on the base, there was unexpectedly interspersed the seal script of "Yongli Regent"! "Lord Thousand-Householder, look at these gilded patterns." Her fingertips grazed the cracks of the crucifix. "This 'intertwined lotus' carving technique is from the craftsmanship of the Portuguese church in Macau during the Jiajing era. How could it appear in Qu Shisi's temporary imperial headquarters?" Shouting suddenly echoed from the river surface. Five merchant vessels flying the "Prince of Jingjiang" flags sailed against the current, yet the coiling dragon patterns on their bows revealed Portuguese Manueline carvings in the morning mist. Xiao Heng's scabbard shattered the lock of a cargo hold on one of the vessels, and what burst out was not military rations, but bundles of the "Two Guangs Defense Map," with the corner of every scroll bearing Jiao Lian's "Pacifier of the Barbarians General" seal!