Chapter 600
The Emperor Wants to Abdicate? Zheng Zhilong is Shocked!
He would be content as long as his daughter could have a stable place in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince could treat her well, and she could have a son or daughter in the future, ensuring the Zheng family's wealth and prosperity for decades to come.
The empty titles of principal wife and concubine are utterly insignificant in the face of real power and favor.
However, just as Zheng Zhilong thought the matter was over and was preparing to discuss the Fujian coastal defense with the Crown Prince again, he heard Zhu Cilang speak again, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination:
"In addition, there is another matter that I need to inform my father-in-law. That is, I have decided that after the wedding, and after a while, I will choose an auspicious day to formally welcome my younger sister into the Eastern Palace, give her the title of concubine, and hold the investiture ceremony."
"what?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong's smile froze, and he looked surprised again.
This surprise was different from when he first heard about the wedding date; it was tinged with astonishment and worry. He almost instinctively tried to dissuade him:
“Your Highness, isn’t this a bit too hasty? The Crown Princess is newly married and has officially assumed the position of Eastern Palace. She should have some time to consolidate her position and calm her mind. If Your Highness takes a concubine immediately afterward, especially one who is… one of my daughters, it might cause controversy and be detrimental to Your Highness’s reputation!”
Zheng Zhilong's concerns were not unfounded, but rather the mature words of someone well-versed in the rules of officialdom and the palace.
According to custom, after the Crown Prince's wedding, there is usually a period of time, ranging from several months to one or two years, before he can consider taking a concubine, provided that his relationship with his principal wife is stable and she has not committed any major misconduct.
This is both a sign of respect for the principal wife and her family, and a necessary measure to maintain the stability of the Eastern Palace and avoid disputes within the inner palace.
Zhu Cilang's eagerness to take a concubine, who was already by his side and came from a prominent family, immediately after marrying his principal wife was easily interpreted by outsiders as a sign of "favoring the concubine over the wife," or as the Zheng family becoming too powerful and forcing the crown prince. This was definitely not a good thing for the crown prince, the Zheng family, or even the Ning family, who were not yet married into the family.
Those civil officials who disliked the Zheng family, especially the upright censors, would surely seize this opportunity to make a big fuss and submit memorials to impeach them.
Zhu Cilang was not angry when he heard his father-in-law's advice. He just smiled helplessly, a smile that carried a complex and indescribable emotion.
He put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Xiaomei's faces, and slowly said:
“How could I not know what my father-in-law is worried about? This arrangement may seem hasty and may attract some discussion, but... it is precisely for my younger sister’s good.”
"For my little sister's own good?"
Zheng Zhilong frowned, even more puzzled. Zheng Xiaomei also raised her eyes, looking at Zhu Cilang with some confusion.
Zhu Cilang did not explain immediately, but first glanced around at the palace maids and eunuchs standing in the hall, and then commanded in a calm but authoritative tone:
"This is none of your business. Go outside and wait. No one is to approach within ten steps of this hall without being summoned."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall, though curious, dared not hesitate in the slightest. They immediately bowed in unison and agreed, then with their heads down, they retreated from the living room in a light and orderly manner, gently closing the two carved doors behind them.
"Squeak-"
The sound of the door hinges turning was particularly clear in the now empty living room. As the door closed, the light and sounds from the outer courtyard seemed to be shut out as well, and the atmosphere in the living room instantly became heavy and private, as if completely cut off from the outside world.
Seeing the Crown Prince dismiss his attendants, Zheng Zhilong's expression immediately turned serious, and his back straightened unconsciously.
He knew that what the Crown Prince was about to say was no ordinary family talk, but rather a matter involving major secrets.
Zheng Xiaomei also realized the change in atmosphere and nervously gripped her sleeve.
Sure enough, the next second, Zhu Cilang leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said, word by word, in a tone that only the three of them could clearly hear:
"Today, my father and mother summoned me to the palace. In addition to setting the auspicious date for our wedding, they also discussed another matter... a matter of great importance concerning the foundation of the nation."
He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Zheng Zhilong, and clearly uttered the earth-shattering news:
"Father has decided that shortly after my wedding, he will formally abdicate in favor of me. At that time, I will ascend the throne as Empress, while Father will retire to become the Retired Emperor."
"Wh...what?!"
Even though Zheng Zhilong had seen many storms in his life and had an iron will, he was struck dumb by the news. His whole body trembled violently, and he stood up abruptly from his chair. His face instantly drained of all color, filled with extreme shock and disbelief!
He even subconsciously rubbed his ears, wondering if he had misheard!
Zheng Xiaomei, standing next to her, was so shocked that she covered her mouth with her hand, her beautiful eyes wide open, and her delicate body trembling slightly.
Although she didn't understand much about court politics, she knew what "the emperor abdicated and the crown prince ascended the throne" meant! This was an earth-shattering, world-changing event! And yet, in such a private setting, she had personally overheard this secret that should absolutely not be revealed, a secret that could shake the entire world!
"Your Highness! Is there some misunderstanding about this matter? Or did I... I mishear?"
Zheng Zhilong's voice trembled slightly from extreme shock. He stared intently at Zhu Cilang, as if trying to find a trace of a joke on the Crown Prince's face.
"Forgive my bluntness, but Your Majesty is only thirty-eight years old this year, in the prime of your life! Moreover, you have just achieved unparalleled merit, your prestige is widespread throughout the land, and your reputation is at its zenith! How could he possibly, how could he possibly have the thought of abdicating?! This, this is simply too inconceivable, too illogical!"
Zheng Zhilong's questions are all reasonable.
Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian, was only thirty-eight years old this year. In this era, it was the golden age when a politician's experience, energy, and prestige reached their peak.
Moreover, he had just completed the unprecedented feat of "pacifying Liaodong and establishing the dynasty," and his personal prestige and legitimacy of rule had reached their zenith.
Would such an emperor voluntarily abdicate?
Throughout history, apart from those forced to abdicate or suffering from serious illness, has there ever been such an "abnormal" act? If this news were to spread, the first reaction of people all over the world would probably be—the crown prince is forcing the emperor to abdicate?
Zhu Cilang was not surprised by Zheng Zhilong's violent reaction, which was as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight. He simply picked up the teacup beside him, which had already cooled down, and took a small sip.
Although his father-in-law was a dragon among men, wielding immense power at sea, his knowledge of the extraordinary trust and power transfer between father and son within the Forbidden City was ultimately limited. Zhu Cilang put down his teacup, his face still bearing that composed smile, his tone calm, as if recounting an ordinary family matter:
"Father-in-law, you may not know this, but this matter, though seemingly sudden, has actually been brewing for a long time. Several years ago, my father had mentioned to me his intention to abdicate and retire. However, at that time, there were rampant bandits within the country and the Jurchens eyeing the country from the outside. The state was in turmoil and on the verge of collapse, and it could not withstand the turmoil and suspicion that might result from a change of the throne."
Although Father Emperor was physically and mentally exhausted, he deeply understood the importance of the nation, so he forcibly suppressed this thought and worked together with me to first quell the internal strife, and then deal with the external threats.
He paused, his gaze becoming distant, as if recalling those years:
"Now, the internal strife has been quelled, the Jurchens have been wiped out, Korea has been returned to the map, the world is relatively peaceful, and there are signs of peace and prosperity in the world. My father... has been working hard for the country for nearly twenty years, rising early and retiring late, and has long been exhausted in body and mind."
Now that his greatest wish has been fulfilled and his greatest achievement has been accomplished, he truly feels weary and wants to lay down this heavy burden, to enjoy a few years of genuine family bliss with his mother, to be surrounded by his grandchildren, and to no longer be burdened by official documents or alarmed by border threats.
There was absolutely no discord, no coercion whatsoever; it was purely my father's own wish. Father-in-law, you can rest assured.
Zhu Cilang's words were sincere, frank, and reasonable.
It not only points out that Chongzhen had long intended to retire and explains why he hadn't done so before, but also depicts the ideal state of "retiring after achieving success" now. It downplays what could have been a shocking power transfer as a natural choice for an emperor who had worked hard for half his life to pursue personal peace after completing his historical mission.
Zheng Zhilong listened attentively, the shock and doubt on his face gradually fading away like morning mist being dispelled by the sunlight, replaced by a sense of realization and relief.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, his tense body finally relaxing as he sat back down in his chair.
He believed it.
This was not only because his words were logically consistent, but also because he understood Emperor Chongzhen's character—diligent, stubborn, and even somewhat headstrong, but by no means someone who coveted power or clung to his position.
Especially after experiencing the mess at the beginning of his reign and the subsequent miraculous turnaround, his decision to retire at the peak of his career in order to secure posthumous fame and personal peace is consistent with some of the stubborn traits in his personality.
More importantly, Zheng Zhilong was an extremely intelligent man, and he immediately figured out another crucial point—why the Crown Prince was in such a "hurry" to complete the ceremony of taking Zheng Xiaomei as a concubine before the coronation ceremony!
This is by no means a simple matter of romantic love, but rather contains profound political and legal considerations.
According to the strict imperial patriarchal system, a woman's status in the harem depended not only on her family background, favor, and offspring, but also on the timing of her entry into the palace.
If Zhu Cilang formally took a concubine before ascending the throne as the crown prince, then Zheng Xiaomei would be considered a "former person from the prince's residence" and a "concubine of the crown prince" who "followed the dragon."
After Zhu Cilang ascended the throne, she could naturally be granted the title of Consort, or even higher. Her position was based on her time as Crown Prince, during which she shared hardships with the emperor, making her legally more secure and more likely to gain the approval of the court and the public.
Conversely, if Zheng Xiaomei were to marry after Zhu Cilang ascended the throne, she would have entered the palace as a "newly selected" imperial concubine or the daughter of a meritorious official. Even if her starting point was not low due to her family background and her past relationship with the crown prince, she would still belong to the harem of the "new dynasty." Compared with the "old concubines from the prince's residence," she would always be separated by a layer in terms of etiquette and public opinion.
Especially in the event of future palace intrigues, the identity of "former servant of the Prince's residence" is itself an intangible asset and a talisman.
Zhu Cilang's move, seemingly a small matter of "taking a concubine" before ascending the throne, was in fact paving a smoother and less controversial path for Zheng Xiaomei's advancement. It was in the most proper and respectable way to give her and the Zheng family the greatest guarantee and dignity for the future.
Behind this "urgency" lies a well-thought-out effort to protect and elevate the individual.
Having figured this out, Zheng Zhilong no longer harbored any resentment towards the "order" of events; instead, he felt a surge of gratitude and relief.
He stood up again, bowed deeply to Zhu Cilang, and his voice was tinged with emotion:
"I see! Your Majesty's wisdom and ambition are beyond our comprehension. Your Highness's sincerity is deeply appreciated! In that case, I... would like to offer my congratulations to Your Highness on your imminent ascension to the throne and reigning over the world! May Your Highness soon assume the throne and establish an everlasting dynasty for our Great Ming!"
Zhu Cilang accepted the bow without hesitation and smiled, saying:
"Father-in-law, please rise. There are no outsiders here, so there's no need for such formalities."
Zheng Zhilong straightened up, his expression shifting, as if he had made up his mind.
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, his tone even more solemn than before:
“Your Highness, since we have come to this point, I also have an important matter to attend to. I originally intended to report back after I had completed it. But now… after much thought, I still feel that I should inform Your Highness first, so as not to be caught off guard later. I would also appreciate Your Highness’s guidance.”
Seeing his solemn expression, Zhu Cilang knew it was no small matter, so he also put away his smile and said seriously:
"Father-in-law, please speak freely. What is it?"
Zheng Zhilong took a deep breath, his gaze intense, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, the reason I am in such a hurry to leave the capital and return south tomorrow is not only to stay in my stronghold and deal with accumulated affairs, but also because of another urgent matter. A month ago, I received a secret report from my confidant in Fujian that recently, a large number of Western warships of unknown nationality have suddenly appeared in the southeastern seas, especially in the waters near Dongfan (Wanwan) of our Great Ming. The number is far greater than before, and their whereabouts are mysterious, as if they intend to stay there for a long time or even build fortifications and station troops there!"
According to investigations, the majority of the ships were Dutch, with occasional Portuguese and English vessels also present.
He paused, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his eyes:
"As per my previous strict orders, the Ming navy did not engage in direct conflict with them, but merely closely monitored them, issued warnings, and drove them away. However, how can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed? How can we allow those foreign warships to flaunt their power and spy on our territory in our Ming waters? Such behavior is a blatant disrespect and provocation to our Celestial Empire!"
Upon my return, I have resolved to mobilize my elite navy and seize the opportunity to annihilate these arrogant Western ships in the open sea!
Then, taking advantage of the situation, we will recover the entire island of Dongfan, completely incorporating it into the territory of our Great Ming Dynasty, establishing official offices and prefectures there, and eliminating future troubles forever!
"Dongfan?"
Upon hearing those two words, Zhu Cilang's pupils suddenly contracted, his body involuntarily leaned forward slightly, and his face instantly flashed with intense interest and a sharp light!
He immediately recalled his previous inspection tour of Jiangnan, where he had gazed upon that vast, desolate island from the coast. (End of Chapter)