The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"To Zheng Zhilong, the General Commander-in-Chief of Fujian Garrison, who has always been loyal and righteous..."

"...The peace and tranquility of the seas depend on capable generals; the stability of the bulwark still relies on meritorious officials."

"The sun and moon shine upon us, forever witnessing our unwavering loyalty; mountains and rivers stand as our bond, forever strengthening the alliance between ruler and subject."

"May you be cautious and respectful in obeying my command, and may your blessings and fortune last forever. Do not fail my orders."

"Appreciate this!"

The clear, melodious voice of the imperial envoy echoed in the courtyard, startling several birds perched under the eaves.

The golden autumn sunlight filters through the tall locust trees, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone floor.

The guards accompanying them on both sides stood solemnly like pine trees.

The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner swayed gently in the breeze, mingling with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms that filled the air.

In the courtyard, Zheng Zhilong led a group of officers and soldiers to kneel on the ground.

"Your subject... Zheng Zhilong, respectfully obeys the imperial decree."

Zheng Zhilong's voice trembled slightly, and he lowered his head, raising his hands high to solemnly accept the heavy, bright yellow imperial edict.

He slowly raised his head, gazing at the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

The brocade cloud pattern on the imperial edict shimmered with a subtle luster under the sunlight.

Even now, he still has a sense of unreality, as if he were in a bizarre dream.

The weight of the imperial edict in his hand was palpable, but Zheng Zhilong's thoughts were adrift, like the wisps of smoke rising from an incense burner.

Chen Wang won too quickly, so quickly that it was dazzling and difficult for people to react.

Zheng Zhilong originally thought that the Wanmin Army should be able to hold their own against Chen Wang, and that the outcome would be difficult to predict, so he hesitated to place a bet.

However, in the Battle of Yangzhou, the Jingnan Army swept away the 400,000-strong Wanmin Army in one battle.

Then the Qing army entered the pass, intimidated the northern country, captured the capital, causing Emperor Chongzhen to hang himself. The Ming Dynasty was in turmoil, and signs of national subjugation were evident.

However, Chen Wang led his troops on a northern expedition and won a decisive victory against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Jining, defeating nearly 200,000 Qing troops in a single battle. Within a few months, he recovered the northern border and even subdued the various Mongol tribes.

When the good news reached southern Fujian, it was the height of summer, but he felt a chill run down his spine.

Chen Wang was first promoted to Marquis, then to Duke, and thus took control of the empire.

All of this took less than a year.

To be honest, Zheng Zhilong was really scared; he was terrified.

Many nights, he would suddenly wake up in a cold sweat, his undergarment soaked with sweat.

He feared that Chen Wang would hold a grudge against him for his double-dealing and would settle scores later.

He feared that there would be no place for him in the world anymore.

When he was young, he didn't care.

Back then, sailing through stormy seas, sleeping peacefully in the cabin with swords as pillows, I felt the world was vast and the four seas were my home.

If there is no place to live on land, the vast ocean will be his home.

His massive fleet can still roam the world.

but now……

He really didn't want to leave the land that gave him birth and nurtured him, didn't want to leave the luxurious mansion he had painstakingly built, and was even less willing to give up the wealth and prominent status he had earned with all his might and even risked his life several times.

He really didn't want to be a pirate anymore...

He wanted to be the General Commander of Fujian, he wanted to be the Admiral of the Navy, and he was unwilling to give up the Earl of Nan'an, which he had worked so hard to obtain...

And now, the imperial edict has been issued, and he has actually been granted the title of marquis!

Marquis!

The two words kept echoing in his mind, making his eardrums buzz.

A noble of the highest rank.

Everyone understands that, under Chen Wang's instructions, the newly conferred marquis titles by the court now hold a status comparable to that of the early Ming Dynasty during the Hongwu era.

That was a true noble title that could last as long as the nation, the pinnacle that countless martial artists dreamed of.

The status of military officials is now increasing at a visible rate!

This imperial edict was enough to bring him glory to the Zheng family and be recorded in the family genealogy.

Zheng Zhilong slowly straightened up, feeling that his knees were still a little weak and his steps were unsteady as if he were walking on fluffy cotton. Every step he took felt like he was walking on clouds, and he could hardly put any weight on them.

A slight dizziness washed over him, and Zheng Zhilong subconsciously closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze refocused on the heavy, bright yellow object in his hand.

"Angel, you have come from afar and have had a long journey. I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared in the side hall. I humbly request that you grace us with your presence."

Zheng Zhilong took a deep breath, forcing his turbulent emotions to calm down. When he turned to the envoy delivering the imperial decree, he had already put on a polite smile. Although his voice still had a slightly dry quality, it had regained its usual composure.

"Your Excellency's kindness is truly appreciated, and I would be honored to accept it."

The angel who delivered the decree smiled gently and accepted the invitation.

Zheng Zhilong was taken aback again when he heard the messenger mention the Marquis, but he quickly recovered.

As Zheng Zhilong stepped aside, Zheng Zhibao immediately stepped forward and respectfully led the way.

"Angel, please come with me."

Zheng Zhibao led the angel of the decree and his entourage through the courtyard toward a side hall from which the faint aroma of food wafted.

As the footsteps of the group faded into the distance, the courtyard gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

After everyone disappeared through the moon gate, Zheng Zhilong remained standing there like a stone statue.

Zheng Zhilong's gaze was fixed on the imperial edict in his hand.

"My lord."

Zheng Zhilong repeated the title in a low voice, his lips unconsciously twitching slightly.

The title stirred up a thousand waves in his heart, a mixture of joy at having his wish fulfilled and an indescribable unease.

He recalled the same surge of emotion he felt when he was young, dealing with the Dutch in the waters off Penghu. But back then, it was a do-or-die spirit, while now all that remained was the cautiousness of walking on thin ice.

A gentle autumn breeze swept by, swirling up a few withered yellow leaves.

"Father……"

Zheng Sen stepped forward and spoke softly.

Zheng Zhilong's head twitched slightly, his thoughts began to flow, and his stiff body relaxed somewhat.

“Mingyan…”

Zheng Zhilong looked at the heroic young man in front of him, dressed in a flying fish robe, whose features resembled his own when he was young. His originally solemn gaze softened considerably.

Zheng Zhilong sighed softly, all his thoughts ultimately turning into a single, ordinary sentence.

"Come for a walk with me."

After saying that, Zheng Zhilong stopped looking at the courtyard, which was now somewhat empty after the noise, and turned to walk towards the quieter inner courtyard study, his steps carrying a hint of imperceptible heaviness.

As Zheng Zhilong turned and walked towards the inner courtyard, Zheng Sen followed without hesitation.

All of Zheng's officers and soldiers, such as Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Cai, Shi Fu, and Hong Xu, stopped in their tracks in tacit agreement.

Zheng Zhilong stopped again after taking a dozen or so steps, just before entering the corridor leading to the inner courtyard.
Standing in the shade cast by a lush, mature tree, I slightly turned my head.

“Yijian, you come too.”

Zheng Hongkui was talking quietly with the general beside him when he heard the noise and immediately looked up.

Zheng Hongkui's expression was solemn. He responded and quickly followed, flanking Zheng Zhilong on either side of Zheng Sen. They passed through several moon gates and walked along the corridor.

The artificial hills and ponds outside the corridor appeared shadowy in the twilight, and the noise of the banquet in the distance was gradually left behind, leaving only the sound of the three people's footsteps echoing in the silence.

The autumn sunlight has lost its midday intensity and become mellow and gentle.

Zheng Sen and Zheng Hongkui followed Zheng Zhilong deeper into the mansion.

Arriving at a pavilion built beside the water, Zheng Zhilong, as if he had exhausted all his strength, sat down on the cold stone bench.

Do you remember the days we spent at sea?

Zheng Zhilong's expression was somber as he gazed at the shimmering pond outside the pavilion, as if the water reflected the turbulent waves of the past.

"I never imagined that I would be able to rise to the rank of marquis today..."

Zheng Zhilong's gaze was deep and his voice was low, carrying a dreamlike quality.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves.

Zheng Sen and Zheng Hongkui stood silently to one side, listening attentively.

"This world is no longer the same as it used to be. The Ming Dynasty, which we used to see as a towering pillar that was unscalable, has risen and fallen many times."

Zheng Zhilong pulled his slightly cool sleeves closer, his voice growing increasingly dejected.

"The world situation is constantly changing, and the world can be transformed in the blink of an eye."

Zheng Zhilong's expression was solemn, and his tone was low.

"The change of dynasty is a foregone conclusion, and it is only a matter of time before Chen Wang ascends the throne as emperor."

"Once the world is unified again, Chen Wang will be able to rightfully become the ruler of the world, relying on his unparalleled martial arts skills..."

Zheng Zhilong spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

"You should all know about what happened in Haizhou."

Zheng Sen and Zheng Hongkui exchanged a glance, but remained silent.

They naturally knew about what was happening in Haizhou.

With so much timber and such a massive mobilization of personnel, how could it possibly be completely concealed?

None of the spies they sent out brought back any news.

But the fact that it brought no news at all is itself a great news.

Haizhou has now become a huge naval port, and countless warships have been launched into its harbor.

Not only in Haizhou, but Chen Wang now commands a massive inland waterway navy of 15,000 soldiers, all of whom are brave and daring, and has over 500 warships.

Although there is still a considerable gap in strength between them and the Zheng family, the inland waterway navy is ultimately only sailing on inland waterways. Once it goes to sea, its combat power will inevitably be greatly reduced, and it cannot shake the Zheng family's dominant position in the outer seas for the time being.

But in such a short time, Chen Wang already has such a large navy. If we include the fleet in Haizhou that has been hidden all along, its strength is probably not much weaker than theirs.

Chen Wang's ability to assemble such a large navy in such a short time foreshadowed everything.

And this is just the beginning.

“I know what Chen Wang wants to do, and you should know it too.”

Zheng Zhilong was perfectly clear-headed; Chen Wang would never allow anything to escape his control.

"When Chen Wang becomes emperor, he will never allow a force that does not belong to him to still exist overseas."

Zheng Zhilong thought a lot, but the more he thought, the more desperate he became.

Because he simply couldn't find a way to break the deadlock, the strength of the Jingnan Army was devastating.

After navigating the seas for twenty years, he felt for the first time that all his escape routes were closing in.

Zheng Zhilong stared at the imperial edict in his hand, his emotions churning. The title of marquis was something he could not refuse.

But to actually give up the foundation he had worked so hard to build up over half his life, and hand over his fleet, trade routes, and everything else, would be a different story.

He was truly unwilling to accept this.

"Father."

Zheng Sen had a tall and upright figure, exuding an aura of righteousness.

"The trend is like a tide, rolling eastward, and it is inevitable that the Duke of Yan will establish his rule over the world."

“Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty, paid large amounts of gold and silver tribute to the Northern Song Dynasty every year, made concessions in every way, and even expressed his willingness to abolish the title of Southern Tang and change his name to the ruler of Jiangnan. But what would happen if he accepted it?”

"How can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed? Emperor Taizu of Song could not tolerate the existence of the Southern Tang, and the Duke of Yan would never tolerate his father's power overseas..."

Zheng Sen was interrupted by Zheng Hongkui before he could finish speaking.

“What Mingyan said makes sense…”

Zheng Hongkui's brows were furrowed, and his tone was deep and serious.

"But Chen Wang is able to grant me the title of Marquis today precisely because my Zheng family holds the power at sea, with a sharp fleet and smooth trade routes, making us hesitant to act against him."

"If our elder brother were to hand over our fleet and trade routes—the very foundation of our livelihood—we would be nothing more than fish on someone else's chopping block..."

Zheng Hongkui's expression showed struggle, but he did not share the resentment that Zheng Zhilong felt; instead, he was filled with worry.

"During the Jiajing era, when Hu Zongxian was trying to win over Wang Zhi, he made generous promises and spoke earnestly."

But what was the result?

"Wang Zhi, easily swayed by others' words, relinquished his military power and became a fish on a chopping block. In the end, he died and his clan declined, and the maritime empire he had painstakingly built vanished in an instant..."

"Brother, I'm not exaggerating, but how is the situation today any different from what it was back then?"

"Given Wang Zhi's past actions, it is truly unacceptable..."

Zheng Sen glared at Zheng Hongkui and interrupted him.

"The Duke of Yan possesses the bearing of a dragon and the appearance of the sun and moon, and he also has a heart that embraces the four seas, spreading benevolence and virtue throughout the world. His actions are always upright and honorable. How could he possibly use conspiracies and tricks to harm us?"

Zheng Hongkui's expression was icy.

"If Chen Wang were truly upright and honorable, how do you think the world would have a Duke of Yan today?"

Zheng Sen's young face flushed instantly, and he wanted to refute.

But involuntarily, I thought of those rivals who had vanished silently in the power struggles.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.

Zheng Zhilong slowly closed his eyes. Only the rustling of the autumn wind through the bamboo leaves and the distant, incessant sound of the waves remained in the pavilion. That sound of the waves, once his most familiar lullaby for the past twenty years, symbolizing unbridled freedom and the power to control everything, now sounded like a countdown to fate, pounding on his heart in agony.

On one hand, there was the coveted title of Marquis of Jinghai, which was enough to wash away his pirate origins and bring glory to the Zheng family.

On the other side was the maritime empire he had painstakingly built up over half his life, a vast trade network with thousands of ships of all sizes, tens of thousands of followers, and wealth comparable to that of a nation.

This is his foundation, and also the reason why he is now feared and co-opted.

“Wang Zhi…”

Zheng Zhilong silently recited Wang Zhi's name in his heart, feeling lost and confused.

Abandoning their empire in exchange for honor and prestige might bring temporary wealth, but the roots of the Zheng family's maritime dominance would be completely severed, and their future life, death, honor, and disgrace would be in the hands of others, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

To reject honor and remain at sea means to confront a behemoth that is almost impossible to defeat head-on, and the outcome is likely to be the same destruction, or even more devastating...

A mighty nation, with an overwhelming momentum.

A fate swept along by the times.

after all.

They can only rise and fall with the times. (End of Chapter)