Chapter 611
Zheng Zhilong Enters the Capital!
The Crown Prince's full entourage was prominently displayed! The burly generals of the Imperial Guards, wielding golden maces, axes, and stirrups, the Imperial Guards' elite cavalry, dressed in brightly colored flying fish robes and with embroidered spring knives at their waists, and the personal guards directly under the Crown Prince's command, stood in neat rows on both sides of the road, completely silent, with only the occasional metallic clang and fluttering of their armor and flags in the cold wind.
Upon hearing the news, countless citizens of the capital, young and old, poured out of the city gates and gathered on both sides of the official road.
The soldiers and officers of the Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture had already set up long cordons, but they still couldn't dampen the people's fiery enthusiasm.
The dense crowd, shoulder to shoulder, their breaths forming a continuous white cloud, mingled together with the buzzing of conversations, excited shouts, and children's laughter, creating a huge, vibrant sound wave that dispelled the winter chill.
Snack vendors and storytellers also took the opportunity to set up stalls on the outskirts of the crowd, adding to the lively atmosphere of the marketplace.
Everyone's faces were filled with excitement and anticipation, their eyes fixed on the road stretching into the distance.
In front of the reception pavilion, Zhu Cilang, dressed in an apricot-yellow royal robe and covered with an incomparably luxurious sable fur cloak, stood quietly.
He did not sit in the pavilion, but stood in the open space in front of it, letting the cold breeze flutter his clothes.
He remained calm, gazing intently at the path he had come from, a faint, confident smile playing on his lips.
Behind him, in addition to the full ceremonial guard, were some officials from the capital who had come to greet him, such as officials from the Court of State Ceremonies and the Ministry of Rites, who all stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
"They're here! They're here! Look! The flags!"
"It's the banner of the Duke of Jinghai! The banner with the character 'Zheng' on it!"
"And there's the dragon flag! It's part of the imperial ceremonial guard!"
Someone with sharp eyes shouted it out first.
In an instant, everyone's gaze was fixed on the distance.
At the horizon at the end of the official road, a scarlet flag fluttered in the wind, bearing a large "Zheng" character that stood out brightly against the gray sky.
Immediately afterwards, more flags, carriages, and guards appeared, like a tide rising from below the horizon, slowly emerging and becoming clearer.
That was a fairly large team.
Ahead were dozens of cavalrymen in gleaming armor leading the way, followed by several ornately decorated carriages, slightly dusty from their long journey, and surrounded by even more cavalry and infantry guards.
The procession was adorned with flags representing the Duke of Jingguo's status, as well as dragon flags symbolizing the majesty of the imperial court.
Although it cannot compare to the extravagance and grandeur of the Crown Prince's procession, it still possesses its own aura of battle-hardened elites and the triumphant spirit of returning victorious.
The procession approached the reception pavilion at a leisurely pace.
The large banner bearing the inscription "Duke Zheng of Jingguo" fluttered in the cold wind, as if proclaiming to everyone the identity and glory of its master.
When the procession was about a hundred paces from the reception pavilion, the door of the largest carriage at the head of the procession was pushed open, and a figure nimbly jumped out of the carriage.
It was none other than Zheng Zhilong, the Duke of Jinghai.
He changed into a brand-new ducal court robe, the unicorn embroidered on it gleaming. But the weathered marks on his face, etched by the sea wind and the years, and his tiger-like eyes, which, though gleaming with restrained brilliance, now flickered slightly at the sight before him, all revealed the unique temperament of this maritime tyrant.
The fatigue from the long journey could not conceal the triumphant spirit he displayed after achieving great success, but when he saw the Crown Prince's entourage and the massive crowd of welcoming guests, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which quickly turned into solemnity.
He straightened his clothes, and without any hesitation, strode quickly toward the apricot-yellow figure in front of the pavilion.
According to etiquette, he should have bowed from a distance, but since the Crown Prince was personally welcoming him, he had to step forward to pay his respects as soon as possible.
However, he had only taken a dozen steps when Zhu Cilang on the opposite side also moved.
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Zhu Cilang, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, actually took a step forward and went to greet Zheng Zhilong! His steps were not fast, but steady and powerful, and his face was adorned with a sincere and enthusiastic smile.
The distance between the two quickly shortened.
Zheng Zhilong was even more startled to see the Crown Prince personally come to greet him. He quickly quickened his pace, approached, lifted the corner of his robe, and prepared to kneel and pay his respects.
"Your subject, Zheng Zhilong, pays respects to Your Majesty..."
"My father-in-law!"
He had only performed half of the ceremony when his arms were firmly supported by a pair of strong hands.
Zhu Cilang acted first, firmly supporting Zheng Zhilong to prevent him from kneeling down. He feigned displeasure on his face, but his voice was clear and pleasant enough for many people around to hear clearly:
"Father-in-law, you have traveled through wind and snow, and you must be exhausted! Your return today is a triumphant return of a hero of our Great Ming Dynasty. Why such a grand ceremony? Wouldn't that be too much for a junior like me and make us seem distant? Please rise, please rise!"
He used force to help Zheng Zhilong up steadily, carefully examining his face before his tone turned concerned:
"The sea was rough and the land was freezing cold. How is Father-in-law doing? This trip must have been very arduous!"
That cry of "Father-in-law," that helping hand, and those words of concern, traveled through the crisp winter air and reached clearly into the ears of the surrounding officials, soldiers, and the people who were holding their breath.
A brief silence.
Then--
Like a volcanic eruption, like a raging tsunami!
"The Duke of Jinghai is mighty!"
"May the Great Ming Dynasty be victorious!"
"Long live Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
A deafening roar of cheers and shouts erupted suddenly from the dense crowd lining both sides of the road! The sound waves, like tangible tidal waves, surged higher and higher, deafening and soaring into the sky! Countless people waved their arms excitedly, jumping and shouting, their faces beaming with pure, fervent worship and joy!
They witnessed the heroes who had recovered the lost territory, and the Crown Prince's unparalleled courtesy towards them. This simple and direct scene ignited their most basic patriotic fervor and pride in their powerful nation!
Amidst the deafening roar, Zheng Zhilong, supported by the Crown Prince, listened to the thunderous cheers around him, looked at the excited, flushed faces before him, and saw the sincere and genuine smile on the Crown Prince's face... In an instant, countless images and emotions flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
He recalled more than ten years ago when he was still the wretched figure referred to as "Zheng Yiguan, the pirate" by government officials, being hunted down everywhere, struggling to survive amidst the peaks and troughs of the waves; he recalled the trepidation and anticipation when accepting the offer of amnesty; he recalled the triumphant feeling when he decisively defeated the Dutch fleet in Liaoluo Bay; and he recalled the heroic feeling he had not long ago when he watched the Western barbarian forts turn to dust under his cannon fire off the coast of Dongfan...
Now, he stands outside the capital of the Ming Dynasty, with the land of the empire beneath his feet, the cheers of the people in his ears, and the sincere courtesy of the crown prince before him.
He was no longer a pirate living a precarious life, nor a local warlord who needed to carefully maintain his relationship with the imperial court. He was the dignified Duke of Jinghai of the Ming Dynasty, a national hero who recovered lost territory and expanded the borders, and the father-in-law of the Crown Prince!
The ups and downs of life, the vast difference in social status, the glory and prestige I never dared to dream of...
A mix of emotions surged within him like a tidal wave, assaulting his defenses.
Even a seasoned and resolute leader like him couldn't help but feel his eyes welling up and his nose stinging. A complex mix of emotions surged within him—a profound sense of honor, a feeling of unreality as if he were in another world, a sense of wonder at the unpredictability of fate, and an overwhelming sense of belonging and loyalty to the young crown prince before him and to the court that had given him all the glory.
Life is like a dream, wealth and status are fleeting.
But the reality he held in his hands, the cheers he heard, and the courtesy he received made him feel with absolute clarity that he had truly and completely integrated into this empire and become a glorious part of it.
"Your Highness..."
Zheng Zhilong's voice was a little hoarse. He grabbed Zhu Cilang's arm in return and shook it forcefully. All his words, in the end, boiled down to one sentence:
"Your subject... has fortunately fulfilled his mission!"
"Alright! Father-in-law, please!"
Zhu Cilang laughed loudly, stepped aside half a step, and made a "please" gesture.
"Father has already hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome Father-in-law! The people of the capital have long admired the illustrious name of the Duke of Jinghai. Today, we invite Father-in-law to ride into the city in glory, so that all the people may see the magnificent demeanor of the hero who has recovered Dongfan from the East!"
Two magnificent imperial horses, their saddles and bridles gleaming, were brought over by eunuchs. Zhu Cilang and Zheng Zhilong exchanged a smile and mounted their horses.
"Let's go—back to the city!"
With a loud announcement from the Grand Eunuch, the Crown Prince's procession slowly began. Zhu Cilang and Zheng Zhilong rode side by side at the head of the procession. The Imperial Guards and Imperial Bodyguards escorted them from the front and rear, their banners fluttering and their armor clanging.
On both sides of the road, there were crowds of people, as numerous as mountains and as vast as the sea, cheering incessantly.
Countless confetti and dried flowers were tossed into the air, landing in front of the hero's horse.
Praises, cheers, and discussions, like an unending tide, accompanied this glorious procession as it slowly flowed across the snow-covered fields, toward the majestic heart of the empire—Beijing.
Zheng Zhilong, mounted on his horse, straightened his back and tried his best to maintain a dignified demeanor. However, as he glanced at the excited faces out of the corner of his eye and listened to the deafening shouts of "The Duke of Jinghai is mighty!" and "May the Great Ming be victorious!", his heart was filled with a mixture of pride and emotion.
He knew that from this day forward, his name, Zheng Zhilong, would no longer be associated with the waves of the southeastern seas, but would be inextricably linked to the glory of the Ming Dynasty and the epic of "expanding territory," and would be recorded in history.
All of this began with the Crown Prince's trust and was accomplished with His Majesty's support.
Zheng Zhilong will repay this kindness and honor with the rest of his life and with the loyalty and passion of his entire family!
As dusk settled, a cold wind rose again.
However, inside the Forbidden City, especially in the Wuying Hall, which served as a venue for important celebrations and banquets, the lights were dazzling, as bright as day, forming two completely different worlds from the silent palace gardens outside the hall, which were covered with thick snow.
Countless giant tallow candles and glass palace lanterns illuminated every corner of this magnificent palace with exquisite detail.
The golden dragon pillar, illuminated by candlelight, gleamed with a majestic yet gentle light; the cloud and dragon patterns painted on the caisson ceiling seemed to come alive in the flow of light and shadow.
Inside the hall, dozens of huge gilded bronze charcoal stoves were burning brightly, and the heat they emitted dispelled all the chill. The emperor, his ministers and guests, dressed in their finest attire, not only did not feel cold, but instead felt warm and cozy, and even their cheeks glowed.
Tonight, a grand banquet is being held here to welcome Zheng Zhilong, the Duke of Jinghai, the hero who recovered Dongfan.
The furnishings inside the main hall had already been arranged.
The throne was high above, and on the left and right sides, dozens of long tables made of sandalwood were set up according to rank and status.
At this moment, on the throne, Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in a bright yellow robe with twelve dragon motifs and a winged crown, smiled easily and chatted with Empress Zhou, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, looking elegant and noble. The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.
At the head of the left, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang was already seated, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, with a jade belt and a golden crown. He exuded a calm demeanor, with a faint smile on his lips.
Opposite him, in the chief seat on the right, was the protagonist of the night—Duke Jinghai, Zheng Zhilong.
Zheng Zhilong had changed into a brand-new duke's court robe, with a bright and eye-catching unicorn embroidered patch. Although he had been traveling, he was in high spirits, sitting upright with a steady gaze.
Below Zheng Zhilong are, in order, his legal wife, Tian, his eldest son Zheng Chenggong, his second son Zheng Zongming, his third son Zheng Zongyao, and several other adult sons, as well as his brothers Zheng Zhihu, Zheng Zhibao, Zheng Zhifeng, and others.
Almost all the male members of the Zheng family who were in Beijing or were able to come were present, forming a large and prosperous family.
Below them were members of the imperial family and close relatives in Beijing, such as the Duke of Yingguo, as well as key officials like Grand Secretaries Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou, and Grand Secretaries Jiang Dejing and Fan Jingwen. Those invited to such a grand imperial banquet were all either wealthy and powerful or pillars of the court.
Everyone was dressed in their finest attire, with polite smiles on their faces. Although the banquet had not yet begun, the hall was already filled with a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
Well-trained palace maids and eunuchs moved silently among the crowd like butterflies flitting among flowers, serving each person a stream of exquisite dishes prepared by the imperial kitchen, various seasonal fruits, and fine wines brewed by the imperial court.
The abundance of dishes and the exquisite tableware were dazzling. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of food, the rich fragrance of wine, and the subtle warmth emanating from the charcoal stove.
The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air as a group of court musicians in colorful robes played auspicious and peaceful tunes at the corner of the palace.
Immediately afterwards, several graceful and beautiful dancers entered the venue, dancing to the music. Their long sleeves flowed and their skirts fluttered, adding to the splendor and joy of the feast.
At the start of the banquet, Emperor Chongzhen raised his glass and uttered a few polite words, nothing more than "celebrating the great victory" and "the emperor and his ministers rejoicing together." The crowd responded enthusiastically, creating a lively atmosphere. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly warm and convivial. Nobles toasted and exchanged pleasantries, while civil officials conversed in hushed tones, their gazes frequently drifting towards the Zheng family's table with expressions of envy, curiosity, or deep thought. (End of Chapter)