novelhk Chapter 616 The wedding is about to begin!
Chapter 616 The wedding is about to begin!
Knowing that he had already received the Crown Prince's secret edict and knew how to deal with it, he mustered his spirits and set up a formation in the flower hall of the mansion, receiving the princes in turn.
"Your Excellency, I have long admired your name! I have come on the orders of my master, Prince Zhou, to pay you a visit. I would like to ask you some questions about customs and products from overseas..."
The chief secretary of the Prince Zhou's residence was respectful and handed over the gift list.
"Lord Zheng, I have come unexpectedly. I am truly fascinated by the affairs overseas, yet I also harbor some doubts. I have heard that Your Excellency the Duke is a man of vast knowledge and experience, and I have come to seek your guidance..."
A young prince personally visited, speaking earnestly.
The questions are largely the same:
"Lord Duke, is the South American gold mine that His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned truly... truly as wealthy as rumored? What is the strength of the Western barbarians there?"
"Is the soil and water in Southeast Asia still suitable? Are the miasma and wild beasts truly terrifying?"
"Going north to that vast plain, I've heard it's boundless. Are the native inhabitants there fierce? Are the winters bitterly cold?"
"How dangerous is sea voyage? Of a group of ten people, how many can arrive safely?"
"Does Your Excellency think the fleet and soldiers that the imperial court promised to send can still be relied upon?"
Zheng Zhilong sat upright in the main seat, dressed in the everyday clothes of a duke, his face solemn and resolute.
He answered very cautiously, displaying both the authority of a naval commander and a touch of a businessman's shrewdness.
"Your Highness Zhou has inquired, and I dare not speak falsely. My men have indeed reported that the silver mines in South America are astonishingly abundant. The Western barbarians occupy the main ports, but the inland areas are vast and not impossible to conquer. However, the mountains there are high and the forests are dense, and the sea route is the longest, so we must make thorough preparations."
"The climate in Southeast Asia is hot and humid, and there is some miasma, but as long as one chooses to live in high places and pays attention to diet and medicine, one can adapt. The local tribes live scattered and are not as troublesome as the Western barbarians."
"The northern plains have excellent soil, even more fertile than Liaodong. The natives live by hunting and nomadic life, and their tribes are small. Winters are colder, but better than in Liaodong. As long as you establish a firm foothold, you can build a lasting legacy."
"Sea storms are determined by fate. However, the Ming Dynasty's navy is not what it used to be. Our giant ships are as stable as mountains, and we have new compasses and nautical charts. As long as we don't encounter a major hurricane, we are confident that we can protect 70 or 80 percent of our men."
"As for the imperial court's support..."
Zheng Zhilong smiled meaningfully.
"His Highness the Crown Prince's words are law, and the laws of the court are clear. Once the regulations are set, not a single penny will be missing, and not a single soldier will be lacking. I, Zheng, will probably have to serve you princes in some humble way at that time."
He never exaggerated the dangers, nor did he shy away from the difficulties; he confirmed that the resources the Crown Prince spoke of were real, especially emphasizing the potential of South and North America; and he gave a definite but measured response to the court's support.
This attitude not only enhanced the credibility of the information but also avoided excessive incitement, making visitors feel more confident and more convinced that the "deal" was indeed feasible.
Secret collusion and game
People are easily swayed by self-interest, especially by the prospect of gaining territory and power.
Soon, behind-the-scenes collusion and maneuvering began to emerge.
The princes who were on good terms with each other began to meet secretly. In a secluded courtyard, the Prince of Zhou and the Prince of Shu sat facing each other.
"Brother King of Shu, while the goldmine of South America is indeed tempting, the required 'contribution' will undoubtedly be astronomical. Neither of us could possibly monopolize it. How about... joining forces?"
King Zhou lowered his voice.
The King of Shu's eyes flickered:
"What the King of Zhou's brother means is..."
"Let's combine our contributions and strive to take over the largest and richest area! After it's done, we'll divide the land into north and south along the river, both respecting the Great Ming Dynasty. What do you say?"
A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the King of Zhou.
The King of Shu pondered for a long time, then slowly nodded:
"This is a serious matter and requires careful consideration. However... it is not impossible to give it a try."
On the other side, several weaker princes gathered together, looking worried.
"Alas, our family is poor, and we are afraid we can't compete with those wealthy vassals. We'll be grateful if we can get a larger island in Southeast Asia or a piece of land on the outskirts of North America."
"I'm afraid the court's assessment will be unfair, favoring those close to us, or secretly manipulating things to lower the value of our assets."
"Yes, and what exactly is the standard for calculating 'contribution'? The fertility of farmland and the location of shops can lead to huge differences in valuation..."
Worry, suspicion, and scheming are swirling beneath the surface.
However, as the investigation deepened, as information was gleaned from Zheng Zhilong and other sources, and as the allure of "establishing an independent state" and "hereditary succession" burned day and night, the mentality of most of the vassal kings underwent a subtle but decisive change.
The initial reluctance and resistance to the idea that "the imperial court wants to seize my family property" melted away quickly, like ice and snow under the sun.
Instead, there was an increasingly intense excitement, a mixture of great aspirations, adventurous impulses, and greedy ambitions.
King Zhu Hua Kui of Chu looked at the staggering figure of his "family fortune" calculated in the preliminary accounts, then glanced at the gold mines of South America marked on the map, and slammed his fist on the table, his eyes filled with fanaticism:
"It's worth it! It's absolutely worth it! These fields and shops are things you can't take with you when you die. If you leave them in the mainland, you'll have to be at the mercy of the imperial court and local officials! Now we can exchange them for a real kingdom, for generations to come! Plus, the imperial army will escort us and clear the way. Where else in the world can you find such a deal? Let's go there! We'll give everything we have to get there!"
The powerful vassal states, such as the King of Zhou and the King of Shu, have also basically made up their minds.
The smaller vassal kings either chose to form alliances or opted for secondary targets, but their desire to go to sea outweighed their desire to stay put.
Only a handful of princes, such as Prince Rui Zhu Changhao, who were old and frail, had few children, or genuinely feared change, chose to remain after a painful struggle and began to silently accept the reality of "decreasing favors."
They will become silhouettes of the old era, slowly fading from the stage of empire's power and wealth.
Within just a few days, an invisible "map of intent to divide" overseas lands, based on estimates of each vassal's financial resources and ambitions, had begun to take shape in the minds of the princes.
The wealthiest and most ambitious King of Chu set his sights on the core mining areas in Peru and Mexico, South America, which are described in oracle bone script.
The Zhou king and the Shu king formed an alliance, aiming at vast fertile lands in northern South America or central North America.
King Lu and King Dai, among others, turned their attention to the vast and potentially huge plains of the Midwestern North America.
Several powerful princes favored the wealthy islands of Southeast Asia, such as Java and Luzon, or the fertile coastal areas of North America. Smaller and poorer princes could only look to smaller islands or the edges of continents for solace.
They began to draft a "list of intentions" for the imperial court based on their intentions—listing the types of industries they were willing to "contribute," their estimated value, the scope of the fiefdom they hoped to obtain in exchange, and the types and quantities of fleets, troops, and supplies they requested the court to support.
These lists will soon be sent to the Crown Prince's Palace, or through specific channels to the soon-to-be-established "Overseas State Affairs Coordination Office," which will be jointly composed of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, and the Imperial Clan Court.
The real, meticulous negotiations and coordination are about to begin.
Zhu Cilang, who was firmly seated in the Eastern Palace, was fully aware of everything simply through the daily reports from Ma Bao and others regarding the movements of various princes' residences, the visitor situation at Zheng Zhilong's residence, and the sporadic rumors that began to circulate in the market about a certain prince wanting to sell off a certain property.
One map, one set of rules.
Without resorting to violence or wasting words.
This led to the channeling of the empire's heaviest and most stubborn parasitic tumor—the royal family's—infinite desires and vast wealth into a massive project to expand the empire's territory and divert internal conflicts.
This open scheme has already succeeded more than halfway.
As for the subsequent assessments and negotiations, the transportation organization, and the myriad difficulties in overseas operations... those are all stories for later.
At least for now, the wheel of capital has begun to turn, and the giant ship of history, propelled by the raging tide of desire, is slowly turning its bow and sailing toward the unfathomable yet infinitely possible blue ocean.
December 22nd, night.
Only a few hours remain until the Crown Prince's wedding day.
The clear weather that had lasted for several days seemed to be giving way to this grand event. Night fell early, and the sky was a clear, inky blue. There was no moon, but it was studded with exceptionally clear, cold stars, twinkling with a cool light. However, this natural celestial phenomenon could not overshadow the fervent and daytime-like celebration in the imperial capital.
The entire city of Beijing seemed to have transformed into a giant, luminous island.
From the imperial palace to the east and west Chang'an Avenues, to the main thoroughfares and even the ordinary alleys, lanterns and decorations were everywhere.
Bright red silk, vibrant colored paper, and exquisite lanterns adorn every gate and every eave, creating a festive atmosphere.
Especially the Forbidden City, the usually solemn and majestic heart of the empire, was now illuminated by countless giant tallow candles, glass palace lanterns, and specially hung longevity lanterns and double happiness lanterns, making it look like a glass world, shimmering and colorful, almost dispelling the chill and darkness of the winter night.
The air was filled with the faint smell of gunpowder from firecrackers, the fumes of candlelight, and the rich aroma of expensive spices burned to ward off the cold and enhance the atmosphere.
Amidst this sea of dazzling lights and subtle clamor, several key locations evoke distinctly different atmospheres and moods.
In the main hall of Kunning Palace, the candlelight was deliberately dimmed, leaving only a few key light sources to illuminate the room in a warm and hazy way.
During the day, the elaborate and ornate furnishings seemed to quiet down, with only the warm glow emanating from the silver charcoal in the incense burner flowing silently.
Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou had both removed their heavy court robes and crowns.
Emperor Chongzhen, dressed only in a comfortable black casual robe, leaned against the pillow on the heated kang; Empress Zhou had also changed into a casual jacket and skirt, removed her hairpins and ornaments, loosely tied up her black hair, and was holding a jade ruyi, carefully wiping it with a soft silk handkerchief.
That was one of the lucky charms to be given to the Crown Princess tomorrow.
Empress Zhou moved very lightly and slowly, her gaze fixed on the warm and smooth jade of the Ruyi scepter, yet seemingly without focus.
After a long while, she sighed softly, raised her head, and looked at her husband beside her. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but a gentle smile played on her lips. In that smile, there was emotion, relief, boundless love, and a hint of dazedness.
"His Majesty."
Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing the warm tranquility.
"Even now, I still feel a little unreal. In the blink of an eye... Lang'er, our Lang'er, is getting married tomorrow. He... he is going to marry a wife, start a family, and truly become an adult."
She paused, and before her eyes seemed to appear the image of her child from many years ago, thin and sickly, always nestled in her arms, looking at her with clear eyes that held a precocious melancholy.
"When I think of him as a child, how frail he was, how he would fall over with a gust of wind, I worry about him day and night, and I don't know how many tears I've shed in secret... And look at him now, he's grown so tall and upright, skilled in both literature and martial arts, able to share the burdens of the country with Your Majesty, able to command thousands of troops... Tomorrow, he will marry the Crown Princess and become someone else's husband, and in the future... he will become a father."
Her voice was choked with emotion as she raised her hand and gently dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
"My heart is filled with joy, and... indescribable feelings. It's like I've had a very long dream, and now, the dream is about to come true."
Emperor Chongzhen listened quietly, watching his wife's emotional expression. His heart, hardened for half his life, softened completely at this moment.
He reached out and gently grasped Empress Zhou's slightly cool hand, squeezing it firmly. His palm was dry and warm.
"Your Majesty, this is not a dream."
Chongzhen's voice was also low and deep, carrying the relief and satisfaction of having been relieved of a heavy burden.
"Lang'er, you have truly grown up and become a talent. You are much better than me... much better than I was back then."
His gaze drifted to the faint lights outside the window, and his voice trailed off:
"These past years have been tough on you and the children. But it's all in the past now. After tomorrow, he'll be married, and I can finally hand over the burden on my shoulders to him with peace of mind. Then we can truly enjoy our retirement and live a peaceful life, just playing with our grandchildren and not getting involved in anything else."
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Empress Zhou, his eyes filled with unwavering trust and expectation:
"I think the Crown Princess Ning is a good person. She is dignified and reasonable, and she has a good relationship with Lang'er. With her assisting Lang'er in managing the Eastern Palace, we can rest assured. In two years, when they have a child, we can focus on taking care of our grandchild and make up for what we owed Lang'er in the past. What do you think?"
Empress Zhou was moved by his description of the scene, and instead of tears, she laughed and nodded vigorously.
"Yes, of course. I've been looking forward to that day."
She carefully placed the jade ruyi back on the tray lined with bright yellow brocade, and said:
"Your Majesty, tomorrow's ceremony is very busy, so please be careful and don't tire yourself out. The Ministry of Rites and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs will take care of everything. You can just sit there and receive the children's greetings."
Upon hearing this, Chongzhen's face broke into a sly, childlike smile, and he beckoned to Wang Chengen, who was standing in the shadows not far away.
"Your Excellency, have you made everything clear? Tomorrow's ceremonies will all be for the Crown Prince's sake. I am merely a clay or wooden statue, sitting on top to make a show of things. The limelight and prestige belong to the Crown Prince. If anyone bothers me with trivial matters or causes the Crown Prince any grievances, I will not tolerate it."
Wang Chengen quickly bowed and replied in a soft but perfectly clear voice:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already given you instructions repeatedly. Everyone in the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs knows this. Tomorrow, only His Highness the Crown Prince will be the main character."
Chongzhen gave a satisfied "hmm," leaned back against the pillow, and whispered to Empress Zhou about Zhu Cilang's childhood anecdotes, occasionally letting out a soft laugh.
Inside Kunning Palace, a warm and cozy atmosphere filled the air, reminiscent of the pure joy, anticipation, and gentle sadness felt by parents in an ordinary family on the eve of their son's wedding. (End of Chapter)