[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-200":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353324,4602,"Chapter 200: Who is the Lost Crown Prince?","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-200",200,"\u003Cp>Quan Wuji raised his eyebrows slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The matter of the vaccine is of great importance and is not something that can be given away easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Jin hurriedly said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, our country's epidemic is severe, and the people are suffering unspeakably. If we could obtain the vaccine, we would surely be deeply grateful and offer a generous reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor nodded slightly, a trace of imperceptible calculation flashing in his eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate the filial piety of both Crown Princes. This smallpox vaccine is indeed precious. Since both countries have a need for it, why not have a fair competition? The highest bidder wins. Of course, if you can offer terms that satisfy me, besides the vaccine, I can also loosen up on trade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chenggan felt a surge of joy. The Southern Kingdom was wealthy with deep financial resources; he was confident he would not lose to Shudu in a bidding war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to name his price, Liu Jin beat him to it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, although Shudu does not have the vast wealth of the Southern Kingdom, Shudu is willing to exchange three mines. These mines contain rich deposits of iron and copper, which can help Tianqi forge more excellent weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise and admiration:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crown Prince Liu is truly a man of great vision. You are using resources to trade for peace!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chenggan’s heart tightened. Although he could offer a higher price, the value of the mines was immeasurable. The refined steel he had originally relied on had become worthless, and he would have a hard time explaining this back home. If he failed to secure the vaccine... he didn't know how to speak for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Quan Aoyu, who was leaning against his chair, saw Jun Zijin mouth something to him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sea territory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile played on the corners of Quan Aoyu’s mouth as he spoke unhurriedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have heard that the sea territory surrounding the Southern Kingdom is rich in resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chenggan’s heart skipped a beat. Gritting his teeth, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, if you can grant our country the vaccine, the Southern Kingdom is willing to cede two islands and the resources of the surrounding sea. Additionally, our country is willing to open our border trade wide for the Tianqi Kingdom to show our sincerity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corner of the Emperor’s eye twitched. Mines would eventually be mined out, but the resources in the sea were inexhaustible. However, the mines were indeed extremely important for Tianqi’s development...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile curled the corners of Jun Zijin’s mouth, a smile that bore a striking resemblance to the little fox in her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resources in the sea were far more than just fisheries. If the Southern Kingdom knew the sea contained rich mineral deposits, they probably wouldn't have conceded so readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Tianqi Emperor could speak, Liu Jin stepped in again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We in Shudu will also open our border trade wide. Shudu’s silk, tea, and porcelain are all treasures of the world; I believe they will also bring substantial benefits to Tianqi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the great hall, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianqi courtiers looked at one another, their eyes flickering with hesitation and deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Southern Kingdom’s islands meant vast maritime rights and treasures beneath the sea; Shudu’s mines were the indispensable foundation for industrial development. The conditions offered by both sides were extremely tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji turned his head slightly to look at Quan Aoyu, then nodded at the two Crown Princes with a profound gaze:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have understood what both Crown Princes have said. The vaccine is a vital national asset and cannot be easily spread abroad. However, since both Crown Princes have come in person with such sincerity, I cannot let you return empty-handed. I will have my people prepare it, and you may take it back when you depart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Chenggan and Liu Jin let out long sighs of relief and hurriedly stood up to bow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks for Your Majesty’s great grace. The Southern Kingdom\u002FShudu will certainly keep this in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, with the Southern Kingdom and Shudu deeply grateful, Tianqi gained three mines, two islands, and sea territory for nothing, and both countries opened trade for Tianqi. On these conditions, they were each granted the right to purchase a fixed quantity of smallpox vaccines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, since Jun Zijin had a laboratory and various vaccines would be produced one after another, the Tianqi Emperor was not overly worried about the smallpox vaccine flowing to other countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, since the bargain was right in front of him, it would be foolish not to take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the two Crown Princes sat back down, a loud shout from a Eunuch rang out from outside the hall:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The envoy from Eastern Zhou has arrived~~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall stopped what they were doing and turned to look toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Qingle leaned closer to Jun Zijin and He Linger, lowering her voice as if afraid someone else might hear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me tell you, I heard the Eastern Zhou Emperor has no sons, and now the Emperor’s brother is controlling the government.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin became interested. She raised her eyebrows slightly, a glimmer of inquiry flashing in her eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No sons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Linger also said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s rare. This is the first time I’ve heard of an emperor having no sons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that she had successfully captured their attention, Quan Qingle became even more enthusiastic. Her voice dropped even lower, like the buzzing of mosquitoes, yet it carried a sense of mystery:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard the Eastern Zhou Empress was originally from Tianqi. The Eastern Zhou Emperor is a devoted man who loved only the Empress his whole life. But for some reason, the year the Empress returned home to visit her family, she lost the Crown Prince and suffered severe injuries, leaving her unable to bear more children. They have been searching for the Crown Prince openly and secretly for many years. I don't know the specific details beyond that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a narrator, Quan Qingle briefly told them the gossip about the Eastern Zhou royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they were speaking, the envoy had already reached the center of the great hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was in his forties, dressed in magnificent robes with an extraordinary air, but his eyes revealed a trace of fatigue and worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Zhou envoy respectfully performed a full kowtow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your humble servant Shen Qianxi wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years, and the Empress a thousand years. May my Tianqi enjoy national prosperity and peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Zhou envoy finished his tribute to the Tianqi Emperor, bowed, and took his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melodious music and dance filled the hall once more. Shen Qianxi was immersed in the magnificent atmosphere when he suddenly felt a sharp gaze like a thorn in his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subconsciously turned his head and saw a cold, elegant woman in the distance observing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman had a graceful figure, and her features carried an indescribable sense of mystery and nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person observing him was none other than Jun Zijin, who was pondering a matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Zhou Emperor had no sons, and his brother had taken the opportunity to seize control of the government. In recent years, he had become increasingly arrogant and ambitious, frequently causing trouble on Tianqi’s borders. It was highly likely related to the political situation in Eastern Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Jun Chengcai walked toward Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shen Qianxi’s gaze swept over Jun Chengcai, his movements suddenly froze, and a look of incredulous shock flashed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Qianxi’s shocked gaze remained fixed on Jun Chengcai, and the more he looked, the more astonished he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually discovered that Jun Chengcai’s brows, eyes, and facial contours were eighty percent similar to the Eastern Zhou Empress!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charm in those brows and eyes seemed as if it had been carved from the same mold as the Eastern Zhou Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent storm surged in Shen Qianxi’s heart. A bold and terrifying guess arose within him—could this young master be the Crown Prince the Empress lost in Tianqi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The envoy’s hands trembled slightly, his eyes shining with a mix of excitement and nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were true, Eastern Zhou might still have a glimmer of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Qianxi’s expression while looking at Jun Chengcai naturally did not escape Jun Zijin’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Babies, remember to add this to your bookshelf, mwah!]\u003C\u002Fp>",1427,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","d39ba8a7b06bcd18d57792ca28a95b93b83afa9d80be9047f17765418cf39bd8","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-201","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-199",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]