Chapter 612
Emperor Chongzhen's Rewards!
Emperor Chongzhen was clearly in a very good mood, slightly tipsy, with a rosy complexion.
He put down the golden cup in his hand, his gaze passing over the dancing figures and landing directly on Zheng Zhilong. His smile widened, and he raised his hand to signal the music and dance to stop.
The music and dance abruptly stopped, and the dancers gracefully bowed and quietly withdrew.
The hall fell silent instantly; everyone knew that the main event was about to begin.
"Minister Zheng."
Chongzhen's voice, tinged with the exhilaration of wine, was exceptionally clear in the quiet palace.
"This time, you commanded the navy, crossed the sea on a distant expedition, and in one fell swoop reclaimed the Eastern Barbarians, wiping out the Western barbarians who had occupied the land for decades. You have displayed our national prestige overseas and expanded our territory across the vast ocean! This is a great achievement for the nation and a legacy for generations to come! I am very pleased, very pleased!"
He raised his glass and offered a perfunctory toast in Zheng Zhilong's direction:
"This cup of wine is for you, and also for all the soldiers who fought and bled to reclaim Dongfan! Cheers!"
"Your Majesty, I dare not! You flatter me!"
Zheng Zhilong had already left his seat and arrived at the center of the imperial path. Upon hearing this, he immediately lifted his robe, knelt down, and touched his head to the ground, his voice loud and earnest:
"This victory is entirely due to His Majesty's overwhelming divine might, His Highness the Crown Prince's strategic planning, the support of the court officials, the bravery of the soldiers on the front lines, and the utmost loyalty of the entire army! I merely happened to be there and contributed my meager efforts; what merit have I made? I dare not claim any credit! This cup of wine, on behalf of the soldiers of the Eastern Expedition, is a toast to His Majesty, to His Highness the Crown Prince, and to the eternal stability of our Great Ming Dynasty!"
Having said that, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp, his posture extremely respectful.
"Hahaha! Good! My dear minister, you are too modest! Rise and take a seat!"
Emperor Chongzhen laughed heartily, gesturing for Zheng Zhilong to rise, his eyes filled with even greater admiration.
He liked ministers who knew when to advance and retreat, and who understood hierarchy, especially those who remained clear-headed and respectful even after making great contributions.
Zheng Zhilong thanked the emperor and stood up, but did not immediately return to his seat. Instead, he bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, the Eastern Barbarians have been recovered, but there are countless matters to be addressed in the aftermath, such as the establishment of officials, the stationing of troops, pacification, and education. All of these require the court to make decisions as soon as possible. Your Majesty, I earnestly request that you make a wise decision soon."
"Yes, my concerns are very valid. The cabinet is already discussing it, and a plan will be in place soon."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, then changed the subject, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"However, if I do not reward such a great achievement, wouldn't the people of the world curse me as a stingy and foolish ruler, and chill the hearts of loyal ministers and generals?"
He leaned forward slightly, looking at Zheng Zhilong, his tone both suggestive and authoritative:
"My dear minister, you are already a Duke, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, and Commander-in-Chief of the Southeast Navy, holding the highest position among officials. I am truly at a loss as to what to reward you with. Gold, silver, land, and houses are rather vulgar and do not do justice to your achievements. Have you considered this yourself? Or what are the ambitions of your sons and nephews? Speak frankly today, and I will grant you whatever I can do!"
The emperor publicly inquiring of his meritorious officials about their desired rewards was itself a tremendous act of favor and trust. All eyes in the hall once again focused on Zheng Zhilong. Many thought that Zheng Zhilong might seize this opportunity to secure a better official position for his son.
However, Zheng Zhilong bowed again, his tone extremely sincere, even tinged with a hint of fear:
"Your Majesty's grace has already moved me and my entire Zheng family to tears. We have been thinking of repaying it day and night, and we dare not ask for anything more. In my life, I have been fortunate to meet an enlightened ruler, to serve the Ming Dynasty, and to witness the peace of the seas and the restoration of our homeland. This is enough for me and I have been extremely honored! If Your Majesty were to bestow any further rewards, I... I am truly ashamed and do not deserve it!"
"My only wish is to continue serving Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince, guarding the seas and training the navy, so that the dragon flag of our Great Ming Dynasty may fly high across the four seas. This is my duty and my heart's desire!"
Those were beautifully spoken words.
He neither claimed credit nor sought rewards, only expressing loyalty and a willingness to continue serving. Even Emperor Chongzhen, upon hearing this, couldn't help but nod repeatedly, his eyes practically overflowing with satisfaction. This was a true minister of the state, incomparable to those who fuss over petty gains.
"Ah, my dear minister, you are mistaken!"
Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand, but the smile on his face grew even brighter.
"Merit is merit, and reward is reward. Your merit is too great; if I do not reward you, I will feel uneasy, and it would be against propriety. Since you are so humble, I will make the decision for you!"
He sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. He cleared his throat, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying the unique, unquestionable majesty of an emperor, echoing clearly in every corner of the Wuying Hall:
"Duke Jinghai Zheng Zhilong is loyal and diligent in serving the country, and his contributions to the nation are immense. However, he has already reached the pinnacle of his position, and I can offer him no further promotion. It is only natural and humane for a son to inherit his father's merits, and for a brother to be honored and for a younger brother to be respected, as well as for the laws of the court!"
He paused briefly, his gaze first falling on Zheng Chenggong, who sat calmly to the left of Zheng Zhilong:
"Zheng Chenggong, the heir apparent of the Duke of Jingguo, is a young man of outstanding talent and commendable loyalty and courage. In the past, he assisted the Crown Prince in Korea and made remarkable contributions. He is hereby formally established as the heir apparent of the Duke of Jingguo, and his annual stipend is increased by two thousand shi (a unit of grain), as a sign of imperial favor! It is hoped that he will carry on the family tradition, work diligently and make progress, and live up to my expectations!"
Zheng Chenggong had already left his seat, knelt down beside his father, and kowtowed upon hearing this:
"Your subject Zheng Chenggong kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! He will certainly perform his duties faithfully and be loyal to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince, and will never dare to fail in your kindness!"
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, then his gaze shifted to a young man beside Zheng Chenggong, Zheng Zongming, the second son of Zheng Zhilong:
"Zheng Zongming, the second son of the Duke of Jingguo, is intelligent, studious, and of upright character. He is hereby appointed as the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a hereditary title!"
Although the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was only a fourth-rank official, it was an important post in the emperor's personal guard and a hereditary privilege!
Zheng Zongming was clearly surprised. He paused for a moment before hurriedly stepping forward and kneeling to express his gratitude, his voice filled with excitement:
"Your subject... Your subject Zheng Zongming thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Chongzhen did not stop, and continued:
“Zheng Zongyao, the third son of the Duke of Jingguo, was diligent in his studies from a young age. He was granted the title of student of the Imperial Academy and allowed to study there. He will be employed after he completes his studies.”
This provides a background and a future.
Then, his gaze swept over the equally excited brothers behind Zheng Zhilong:
"Zheng Zhihu, the younger brother of the Duke of Jingguo, has served in the military for a long time and has repeatedly made meritorious contributions. He is especially skilled in naval warfare. He is hereby promoted to the rank of Naval Vice Admiral, in charge of a battalion, and is specifically responsible for patrolling and suppressing pirates in the Fujian coast!"
"Zheng Zhibao, the younger brother of the Duke of Jingguo, is brave and resolute, and skilled in boarding maneuvers. He is hereby promoted to the rank of Naval Lieutenant General and assigned to assist in the defense of the Zhangzhou and Quanzhou sea areas!"
"Zheng Zhifeng, the younger cousin of the Duke of Jingguo, is diligent and conscientious in his work. He is hereby granted the title of Commander and shall serve under the Duke of Jingguo!"
A series of honors and rewards came in a flash, from Zheng Zhilong's sons to his brothers, covering almost all the core male members of the second and third generations of the Zheng family.
The rewards were also very practical, ranging from increasing the annual salary to solidify the heir's position, to granting a hereditary military post to ensure the family's long-term wealth and status, to promoting an existing military post to grant greater real power, or at the very least, a promising background.
Moreover, these rewards were clearly well-considered, comprehensive, and extremely generous!
With each name read out and each reward bestowed, a low, barely suppressed gasp of amazement and envy rose from within the hall.
Many nobles looked at the Zheng family with more than just envy; they were practically green with envy!
Such a generous reward, extending to the entire family and even to their descendants, is truly rare in recent decades! The emperor's high regard for the Zheng family and his affirmation of this achievement need no further explanation.
Zheng Zhilong, along with his son and brothers who had been called by name, left their seats again and knelt down in the center of the imperial aisle, banging their heads on the ground. Their voices trembled slightly with excitement, yet remained exceptionally unified and resonant.
"Your Majesty, we kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's boundless grace! Your Majesty's kindness is something the entire Zheng family will never forget! We are determined to serve Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty to the death! If we harbor any disloyalty, may we be struck down by heaven and earth!"
This time, they were truly grateful, moved to tears. The emperor's reward was not merely about gold and silver honors, but also about securing the political status of the Zheng family for the next generation or two and providing them with ample room for continued development! This imperial favor was far too great!
"Alright, alright! Rise and take your seats! Today is a family banquet, and also a victory celebration, so there's no need for such formalities!"
Emperor Chongzhen laughed heartily and gently helped him up with his hand.
The Zheng family members expressed their gratitude once again before excitedly returning to their seats.
Everyone's face was glowing, and their eyes were shining with glory and excitement.
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly reached a climax.
British nobles and other high-ranking officials were the first to raise their glasses in congratulations to the Zheng family, and several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet also offered auspicious words such as "Congratulations," "The Zheng family has produced many talented people," and "Your Majesty is fair in rewarding and punishing."
Empress Zhou smiled and spoke a few words of praise to Zheng Xiaomei, who was sitting in the women's section, saying that her "family has a pure and honest tradition, and her father and brothers are all pillars of the country." This made Zheng Xiaomei and her mother, Madam Tian, feel very honored and thanked her repeatedly.
Emperor Chongzhen, seeing this scene of "the emperor and his ministers enjoying themselves" and "their happiness and harmony," was beaming with delight and was clearly very pleased.
He had drunk quite a bit and was in high spirits. Taking advantage of his drunken state, he looked at Zheng Zhilong, who had already returned to his seat but was still unable to hide his excitement, and laughed in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for those near the throne to hear clearly:
"Minister Zheng, today's reward is well-deserved. Serve the court diligently, and for me and for the Crown Prince... safeguard the vast coastal borders of the Ming Dynasty. In the future, even greater responsibilities will be entrusted to you, and greater wealth awaits your Zheng family! As long as you serve loyally, I... and the Crown Prince will never mistreat a meritorious official!"
These words, seemingly encouragement after drinking, were actually quite meaningful to discerning people, especially the phrases "on behalf of me and the Crown Prince" and "me and the Crown Prince."
This almost explicitly states that the future of the Zheng family depends not only on the current emperor, but also on the crown prince.
Zheng Zhilong was no ordinary man; how could he not understand the implied meaning? He rose from his seat again and bowed.
"Your Majesty's grace is beyond my ability to repay even with my life! My family and I swear to serve Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince to the death, and to be the eternal bulwark of the Ming Dynasty's seas, with no other intentions whatsoever!"
"Good! Good! I believe you! Come, my ministers, drink this cup to the brim!"
Emperor Chongzhen laughed heartily and raised his cup to invite him to drink.
"Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Once again, the orderly toasting resounded throughout the hall, its echoes reverberating across the roof tiles.
The banquet continued, the music resumed, and the singing and dancing began again.
The imperial wine, rich and fragrant, rippled in the exquisite golden cups and jade goblets; the sumptuous dishes exuded an enticing aroma.
Every time the emperor raised his cup, it was met with enthusiastic responses from his ministers; every mention of the Zheng family was accompanied by waves of congratulations and praise.
The radiance on the faces of the Zheng family members shone brightly under the light of countless palace lanterns and candles, as if they were enveloped in a dazzling halo woven from "holy favor" and "meritorious service."
The nobles and ministers present had different thoughts.
Some people simply envied the Zheng family's immense wealth and Jian's favor with the emperor; others marveled at how Zheng Zhilong, a former "pirate," could have such good fortune, with his family rising to the top ranks of nobility.
Those with keen minds, such as Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou, clearly sensed from the emperor's extraordinary bestowal of honors and his meaningful words the emperor and the crown prince's unwavering commitment to managing the maritime frontier and their intention to make the Zheng family the core pillar of the future maritime strategy.
They knew that from this night onward, the Zheng family's position in the Ming court and imperial strategy was completely secure and unshakeable.
No wise person would, and dare not, provoke this concern again.
Inside the Wuying Hall, it was warm as spring, filled with fragrance and laughter, as if trying to completely melt away the chill of this winter night.
What was supposed to be a welcoming banquet for the victors has transformed into a grand ceremony that showcases imperial favor, rewards meritorious individuals, and lays the groundwork for the future.
The Zheng family was the most dazzling protagonist in this ceremony, firmly embedded next to the most crucial helm of the Great Ming Empire, a giant ship that was adjusting its course and preparing to sail into a wider and deeper sea.
A few days later, all the regional princes finally arrived in the capital.
Although it had snowed again, the recent sunny days had melted most of the snow, revealing the original vermilion base of the palace walls and the luster of the golden glazed tiles reflecting the winter sun.
The passageway leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony was swept clean, without a single fallen leaf, and so quiet that one could hear the occasional soft rustling of armor worn by guards in the distance.
The side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which will be used to receive the princes of the imperial family today, has already been prepared.
Unlike the solemnity and grandeur of the main hall, which was used for grand court assemblies, the side hall, though spacious, was much more simply furnished.
The enormous golden pillar with coiled dragons stood silently, supporting the deep coffered ceiling, where the painted cloud and dragon patterns appeared indistinct in the dim light filtering through the high windows.
The throne, high above, was now suspended in mid-air, its bright yellow brocade cushion exuding a silent majesty.
Below the throne, on the left and right sides, there were more than twenty rosewood armchairs neatly arranged, with scarlet cushions on the backs. However, there were no tables or chairs, which made the entire hall solemn, yet also exude a slightly empty and even cold formality.
Several copper charcoal braziers were burning inside the hall, but perhaps because the space was too large, or perhaps because the Imperial Household Department had received some instructions, the charcoal fires were not being added very strongly. They only managed to dispel the bone-chilling cold, keeping the hall at a temperature that was not enough to make people shiver, but was by no means warm either.
The eunuchs and palace maids standing in the corner all stood with their hands at their sides, holding their breath and concentrating, like clay sculptures or wooden statues.
Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the sound of hurried but restrained footsteps, along with hushed greetings and small talk, could be heard outside the side hall.
Today's main characters—the princes of the Ming Dynasty, scattered throughout the empire and summoned to the capital—have arrived one after another.
One by one, figures dressed in princely robes, each with a different python pattern, filed in.
Most of them were not young; the youngest was over thirty, and the oldest, such as Prince Rui, Zhu Changhao, was already white-haired and needed the support of eunuchs.
Years of pampered living and distance from political turmoil have etched an air of affluence and ease onto their faces, but also a hint of apathy and caution born of long-standing constraints of rules. (End of Chapter)