Chapter 599
Zheng Zhilong is about to leave the capital!
Empress Zhou, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward, gently took Chongzhen's hand, and spoke softly to Zhu Cilang:
“My son, your father is truly sincere this time, without any coercion. He is tired and needs to rest. So don’t refuse anymore, and take on this responsibility with peace of mind. Your mother knows that you can handle it and do it even better than your father.”
Normally, when the emperor and the crown prince discuss such a momentous matter as the succession, the empress should be absent.
But at this moment, neither Chongzhen nor Zhu Cilang cared about such formalities. The future of the nation and the family was laid out in this frank dialogue between relatives.
Having said all that, Zhu Cilang knew that any further pretense would be hypocritical.
He composed himself, took a step back, and solemnly bowed deeply to the ground before Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou, his voice clear and steady:
"Your Majesty and Mother have shown their concern and care, and I understand. Since Your Majesty has decided to retire and Mother has said so, I will obey Your Majesty's command. I will do my utmost to fulfill this important responsibility for the country, and I will not dare to fail Your Majesty and Mother's trust, nor will I dare to fail the hopes of the people!"
"Okay! Okay! Get up now!"
Emperor Chongzhen smiled broadly, personally helped his son up, patted his arm forcefully, and looked on with satisfaction and anticipation.
After Zhu Cilang stood still, Chongzhen seemed to remember something else and asked:
"Oh, right, there's one more thing, which I mentioned before: the matter of enfeoffing the princes of the Ming Dynasty to overseas territories. Do you want to handle this yourself after you officially ascend the throne, or do you want me to issue an edict and manage it while I'm still on the throne? If you want to do it yourself, then there's no rush. You can do it in a couple of years when your foundation is more stable."
"If you wish for me to handle it, then we can take advantage of your upcoming wedding, when all the vassal kings are required to come to the capital to offer their congratulations, and summon them all to the capital so that I can explain things to them personally. Either way is acceptable."
Zhu Cilang pondered for a moment.
This matter is of great importance, involving a fundamental adjustment to the power structure of the imperial clan, and its impact will have far-reaching consequences.
He pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
“Father, this matter is indeed a long-term plan, but it should not be rushed. Now that Liaodong and Korea have just been pacified, everything is in need of rebuilding. Although the drought in several northern provinces has eased, the region has not yet recovered. If we suddenly implement the policy of enfeoffing overseas provinces at this time, I fear that we will not be able to take care of both internal and external affairs. I think it is better to postpone it for now.”
He changed the subject:
"However, what Father Emperor said is absolutely right. Taking advantage of my wedding and the fact that all the princes are gathered in the capital, it would be very appropriate for Father Emperor to personally explain the reasons and plans for this matter to all the princes and brothers in advance, so that they can be aware of it and start thinking and preparing as soon as possible."
In this way, it would both reassure the imperial family and demonstrate the court's sincerity, and also clear many obstacles for future implementation.
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen nodded in agreement:
"Yes, you have considered everything carefully. We will do as you say and use the wedding as an opportunity to inform them and lay the groundwork. When you are in charge of making decisions in the future, we can then make more detailed plans."
The father and son then briefly discussed the details of the wedding ceremony and the audience with the vassal king.
After everything was settled, Zhu Cilang bowed and took his leave, departing from the palace filled with warmth and the weight of the momentous decision.
The moment he stepped out of the palace gate, Zhu Cilang narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the vast blue sky above the towering palaces.
Not long after the grand wedding, he will truly sit on the throne of the emperor.
An era belonging to him was about to begin in a grand and spectacular fashion with that wedding and abdication ceremony.
The blueprint for overseas fiefdoms will then reveal its first glimpse of its magnificence to the princes of the Ming Dynasty.
By the time Zhu Cilang returned to the East Palace from the Forbidden City with steady steps, the sun was already setting in the west.
The personal eunuch, Ma Bao, was guarding the second gate. Upon seeing the Crown Prince, he hurried forward with small, cautious steps, and reported in a low voice:
"Your Highness, Lord Zheng has arrived and is waiting in the hall."
"Lord Zheng?"
Zhu Cilang paused slightly, then realized that the so-called "Lord Zheng" was none other than Zheng Zhilong, who had just been promoted to Duke of Jingguo and was enjoying unparalleled fame.
He was slightly curious. Zheng Zhilong had just been awarded a title and should have been busy socializing and receiving congratulations. Why would he suddenly come to the Eastern Palace? And why did he choose the time when he was about to enter the palace to meet the emperor?
Ma Bao seemed to sense his master's confusion and immediately added:
"Lord Zheng said that he will depart from the capital early tomorrow morning to return to Fujian. He came here specifically to bid farewell to the Crown Prince. When I told him that you had gone to the palace, Lord Zheng said it was alright and he was willing to wait. So I invited him to have some tea and rest in the reception room in the back. Right now... Lord Zheng is talking with the Empress in the hall."
"Oh? Leaving tomorrow?"
Zhu Cilang raised an eyebrow slightly.
As the commander of the navy, Zheng Zhilong was stationed in the southeast and had been away from the capital for a long time. It was understandable that he was eager to return to take charge.
He nodded, asked no further questions, and simply gave the instructions:
"understood."
After saying that, he walked straight towards the reception room in the backyard.
The East Palace, the reception room.
The hall was brightly lit, and through the open, carved windows, one could see swaying green bamboo in a corner of the courtyard. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of top-quality Longjing tea.
Zheng Zhilong, still wearing his brand-new court robe adorned with the unicorn emblem, sat upright in a rosewood armchair. Although he tried his best to maintain a respectful demeanor, his seasoned experience and imposing presence still inadvertently revealed his character.
He was speaking to his daughter, Zheng Xiaomei, who was sitting below him, in a low voice, his tone serious and concerned.
"Tomorrow I will be setting off south. There are countless matters to attend to regarding coastal defense, the navy, and trade with the Western barbarians in Fujian. I am truly worried about being away for so long. You will remain in the Eastern Palace. You must be careful in your words and actions and serve His Highness the Crown Prince well. His Highness is extremely busy, so you must be understanding and never act pettily. Always put His Highness first. Do you understand?"
Zheng Xiaomei, dressed in an elegant palace gown, listened quietly to her father's admonition. Although she felt a pang of reluctance at his impending departure and a slight sense of helplessness at his familiar admonitions, she maintained a composed and docile demeanor, nodding gently in response.
"Father, rest assured, I have kept everything in mind and will certainly follow your teachings without the slightest negligence."
Looking at his daughter's obedient appearance, a relieved smile finally appeared on Zheng Zhilong's resolute face, which was deeply etched by the sea breeze and the years.
He picked up the teacup beside him, but did not drink it. Instead, he looked at the tea leaves floating in the cup, and his heart was filled with a myriad of emotions.
Who could have imagined? Just over a decade ago, he was nothing more than "Zheng Yiguan," a figure who roamed the southeastern coast and was regarded as a "pirate" by the imperial court. He lived a precarious life, struggling to survive amidst the encirclement and suppression by government troops and the infighting among his peers.
But now, he has not only cleared his name, but has also become the Duke of Jingguo, bestowed by the imperial court, and is in charge of the most powerful navy in the Ming Dynasty, controlling the lifeline of the southeastern sea frontier!
What made it even more like a dream was that his daughter had actually married into the imperial family and become a concubine of the crown prince! The ups and downs of life, the changes of honor and disgrace, were just too dramatic and too unpredictable.
Sometimes, when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he worries that it's all just a dream and fears that when he wakes up, everything will be gone.
Just as Zheng Zhilong was filled with emotion and was about to give his daughter a few more instructions on court etiquette and how to get along with the Crown Princess, a clear and affectionate laugh suddenly came from the doorway:
"My father-in-law is here? Why didn't you send someone to let me know sooner? I've kept you waiting!"
Upon hearing the sound, Zheng Zhilong was immediately jolted out of his thoughts, put down his teacup, and quickly stood up. Looking up, he saw Zhu Cilang striding into the living room, a hearty smile on his face, showing no airs of a crown prince whatsoever.
"Your subject, Zheng Zhilong, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Zheng Zhilong dared not be negligent and immediately bowed respectfully.
However, he had only performed half of the ceremony when Zhu Cilang firmly supported his arm.
Zhu Cilang used force to help him up, feigning displeasure on his face, and said:
"Father-in-law, what is this all about? This is the inner quarters of the Eastern Palace, and there are no outsiders present. Why must we, father-in-law and son-in-law, perform such a grand ceremony? Doesn't it seem too formal?"
Feeling the strength in the Crown Prince's arm and the warmth in his words, Zheng Zhilong felt a comfort in his heart, knowing that the Crown Prince truly didn't consider him an outsider. He relaxed his tense nerves, straightened up, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Yes, Your Highness is right. I was being too rigid."
Zheng Xiaomei, who was standing to the side, had already stood up and gave Zhu Cilang a graceful bow, her voice soft and gentle:
"His Highness the Crown Prince has returned."
Zhu Cilang nodded gently to her, indicating that she did not need to be so polite, and then walked to the main seat and sat down with an air of authority.
Immediately, a clever palace maid stepped forward and served him a cup of fragrant tea at the perfect temperature.
Zhu Cilang picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, took a small sip, and then looked at Zheng Zhilong, asking casually:
"I heard from the servants that my father-in-law is leaving the capital tomorrow to return south?"
Zheng Zhilong sat back down in the chair to the side, and nodded in response:
"Your Highness, that is indeed the case. I left Fujian and went north, first to Liaodong, and then returned to the capital with Your Majesty. It has been more than a year in total. Fujian is a vast coastal area with many complex affairs. Although my son and other subordinates are managing it, I am still worried about it because I have been away from the capital for so long. Therefore, I thought of returning as soon as possible to take charge personally in order to prevent any mishaps."
That's a reasonable and logical statement.
Zheng Zhilong's stronghold was in Fujian, where his massive fleet, complex overseas trade network, and control over various forces along the southeast coast were all based.
Having been away for over a year, even with family and subordinates remaining behind, it's hard to guarantee that no one will harbor rebellious intentions, or that foreign Western forces won't seize the opportunity to cause trouble. Matters on the maritime frontier are ever-changing and cannot be taken lightly.
Zhu Cilang naturally understood the stakes involved.
He put down his teacup and nodded, saying:
“Father-in-law’s concerns are absolutely correct. The defense of the southeast coast is related to the peace of our Great Ming’s maritime borders and the lifeline of maritime trade. We really need a pillar of strength like you, Father-in-law, to go back and oversee it so that we can be absolutely sure of success.”
He abruptly changed the subject, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and looked at Zheng Zhilong, saying:
"However, after Father-in-law has returned and settled all matters in Fujian, I'm afraid... he will need to return to the capital as soon as possible."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong was slightly taken aback, and a hint of doubt appeared on his face.
He had just been granted the title of Duke and had no need to return to the capital to report for duty in the short term, nor did the court issue any new transfer orders. What was the Crown Prince's intention in saying this?
He tentatively asked:
"Your Highness's words... I am foolish and would like Your Highness to enlighten me?"
Zhu Cilang laughed heartily, and without keeping them in suspense, said directly:
"Today, my father and mother summoned me to the palace. Besides discussing state affairs, they also set a happy occasion—the auspicious date for my wedding has been chosen for December of this year. Counting the days, there are less than two months left. My wedding is coming up, Father-in-law, as the dignified father-in-law of the Emperor, can you not come to drink a cup of wine and witness this celebration?"
"A grand wedding?"
Zheng Zhilong was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what he meant, and a hearty smile immediately spread across his face as he clapped his hands and laughed loudly:
"So that's how it is! How could I not attend such a joyous occasion? I must come, I must come! Hahaha! Your Highness, rest assured, once I return to Fujian and have everything arranged, I will ride at full speed—no, I will set sail at breakneck speed—to be back in the capital before Your Highness's wedding! At that time, I will not only come, but I will also prepare a very generous congratulatory gift for Your Highness!"
Seeing Zheng Zhilong's delighted expression, Zhu Cilang smiled and nodded.
However, his gaze inadvertently swept over Zheng Xiaomei, who was standing to the side, and he noticed that although she was also trying to keep smiling, there was a faint sense of disappointment and sadness beneath that smile.
Zhu Cilang understood. Zheng Xiaomei's disappointment was not because her father was about to leave, but because she heard the words "wedding".
She knew very well that the person the Crown Prince was going to formally marry and hold a grand wedding for this time was his principal wife, Ning Wanyao, not her, a "concubine" who had already entered the palace but had no official title.
Although she had long accepted this reality, hearing with her own ears that her beloved was about to marry someone else, the bitterness and melancholy in her heart were ultimately hard to completely conceal.
In fact, Zhu Cilang himself was quite troubled by this complicated marriage procedure.
He was not one to be bound by ancient customs. He even considered making things easier by marrying the Crown Prince's principal wife, Ning Wanyao, along with Qiqige who had been with him for some time, and Zheng Xiaomei, who was in front of him, all on the same day and with the same ceremony. This would avoid any potential conflicts or troubles that might arise from the order of their marriages.
But the thought only flashed through my mind for a moment before I knew it was absolutely impossible.
The reason is simple: the two words "etiquette and law" are as heavy as Mount Tai.
Throughout the nearly three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, whether in the imperial family or among commoners, the order of marriage and concubines was always clear: first the principal wife, then the secondary wives. This was the cornerstone of maintaining the patriarchal social order and ethics.
As the crown prince and future emperor, Zhu Cilang needs to set an example and become a model of etiquette and law for the world.
If he dared to set a precedent of "marrying three women at the same time, regardless of whether they were legitimate or illegitimate," not only would the spittle of the entire court be enough to drown him, but the public opinion of scholars throughout the land would also be enough to ruin his prestige as the crown prince.
The pens of those censors and officials were sharper than swords.
Therefore, this seemingly "convenient" idea can only remain a thought.
Zheng Zhilong was a worldly-wise man, and his ability to read people and expressions was exceptional.
Although he was joking and laughing with the Crown Prince, he caught a glimpse of his daughter's fleeting sadness out of the corner of his eye.
He understood perfectly well, but he didn't care. He came from humble beginnings and fought his way to his current position through hard work. He was far less concerned with these empty titles and formalities than those civil officials from scholarly families.
He knew very well that, given his background and his current status as a "military nobleman," it was already a stroke of luck that his daughter could become the Crown Prince's concubine, a result of the Crown Prince's remembrance of past relationships and his appreciation of merit.
As for the position of principal wife, that was never something the Zheng family could even dream of, and he had never even entertained the thought of it. (End of Chapter)