Mr. Du exited the temporary palace to find the sunlight outside exceptionally brilliant.
However, beyond the splendid sun, clouds were gathering at the horizon, foretelling a coming storm.
It was true that good weather was hard to come by this season.
Mr. Du flicked his sleeve and, with hands clasped behind his back, began to sing. He hummed from some opera, not caring where it originated: "How can supreme talent hide its shine? How come immortals are banished among men! While generals age yet fight on, scholars naturally feel ashamed…"
A feeling he couldn't quite express overwhelmed his heart, for he already knew what the outcome would be.
The Qing Emperor was no fool; He would not hesitate over minor Taiwan Island.
Indeed, Taiwan Island was critical, but the Qing Emperor's gaze was set on far offshore, the areas that the large ships from Taiwan Island had never reached in recent years.
He had not overlooked the globe placed in the study of the temporary palace.
