Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Many descendants of the Purple Pavilion meritorious officials served in the Jinyiwei. When Zhu Youjian summoned the descendants of Zhang Juzheng, he also summoned them.

These people were waiting outside the Wuying Palace, looking at each other, and soon guessed the emperor's intentions from each person's identity.

When Zhang Yunxiu saw Qi Changguo, the commander of the Southern Office of the Jinyiwei, he knew that he was a favorite of the emperor, so he smiled and asked him:

"Brother Qi, do you know why His Majesty summoned us?"

Qi Changguo also smiled and asked Zhang Yunxiu:
"Your Majesty is mainly summoning the Zhang family this time. Brother Zhang, can't you guess the intention?"

"With Brother Zhang's knowledge, why do you pretend to be ignorant?"

Then he pointed at Li Shunzu beside him and said to Zhang Tongchang beside Zhang Yunxiu:

"This little brother Li Shunzu is the assistant manager of the Southern Office."

"Brother Zhang and Brother Li are both young people, they should get closer to each other."

“Maybe when we go overseas, we’ll become neighbors.”

Zhang Tongchang and Li Shunzu greeted each other and asked curiously:

"Has the plan for enfeoffment been decided?"

"How many meritorious officials does Your Majesty intend to enfeoff this time?"

Qi Changguo looked at Zhang Tongchang, and then at Yu Risheng, who had served in the Jinyiwei but was not reinstated by the current emperor, and said:

"Brother Yu and Brother Zhang's ancestors were posthumously granted the title of Duke, and His Majesty promised that their descendants would be able to establish a duchy."

"Your Majesty's intention in this division of Beihai Island and Kuwu Island is to select a vassal king and a duke from Shaanxi, and each of them will occupy one island."

"The families of Duke Yingguo and Duke Dingguo all have hereditary titles, so they can be rich and powerful for generations without any division of fiefdoms."

"Most of these people are unwilling to fight overseas, so this duke can only be chosen from the descendants of the Purple Pavilion's meritorious officials."

"Brother Yu and Brother Zhang, who is willing to go overseas to found a country? Take the initiative in front of His Majesty later!"

Among the Purple Pavilion meritorious officials, only Yu Qian and Zhang Juzheng were posthumously awarded the title of Duke. Zhang Tongchang was the great-grandson of Zhang Juzheng, and Yu Risheng was the heir of Yu Qian.

The opening of overseas fiefdoms requires one of the two families to set an example.

Yu Risheng had already heard about this matter, and he looked at Zhang Tongchang and said:

"Zhang family boy, I am old and I might die if I go out to sea."

"Young brother, you are young and strong, why don't you take on more responsibilities?"

"I will stay in the capital and will definitely support you!"

Zhang Tongchang was eager to try when he heard this. He was less than 30 years old and still had some ambitions.

Moreover, he knew clearly that he had no Jinshi title, and even if he was favored by the emperor to be a servant, it would be difficult for him to be promoted as a civil servant in the future, and he had no chance of becoming a minister.

So after being encouraged by Yu Risheng, he wanted to agree and negotiate terms with the other party.

Seeing this, Zhang Yunxiu hurriedly pulled him aside and said to Yu Risheng with a smile:
"Brother Yu, you are joking!"

"You have been in the Imperial Guard for many years and have seen more battles than we have."

"To develop a feudal state, we need someone with insight like you."

"My nephew is still young, let him serve as an official in the court first and gain some experience for a few years!"

I still have the same idea as before, I don't plan to take the lead in this, lest I make a mistake and the Zhang family will be doomed.

Yu Risheng had the same idea, and they both wanted the other to take the lead. The two old foxes exchanged glances, and both planned to let the other go overseas.

Zhang Tongchang was upset and wanted to make achievements. After hearing Yu Risheng's promise of more and more support, he was about to persuade his uncle to agree. Suddenly, a eunuch came to tell them to come in. He could only suppress his thoughts and followed the crowd into Wuying Hall.

In the Wuying Hall, in front of Zhu Youjian there was still a map, and standing beside him were Qian Jiazheng, Zhang Pu and others.

Pointing to the two islands east of Jinjiaowei on the map, Zhu Youjian said:
"You should have heard about the overseas enfeoffment."

"This time, I intend to seal off the two islands of Beihai Island and Kuwu Island."

"According to a rough estimate, the area of ​​both islands is about 300,000 square miles, slightly larger than 500 miles, and can be used as a duke's fiefdom."

"Kuwu Island is slightly smaller and extremely long and narrow. In addition, it is located in the north and has a colder climate. The environment is not as good as that of Beihai Island."

"But it also has an advantage. There are no external enemies. As long as we can conquer the barbarians on the island, we can successfully establish a fiefdom."

"Yu Qing is the heir of Duke Suguo, and Zhang Qing is the great-grandson of Duke Jiangling. Who is willing to establish a country and accept immigrants from Shaanxi?"

Yu Risheng certainly didn't dare to show his disdain in front of the emperor. So he and Zhang Tongchang pretended to look at the map. Suddenly, he pointed to the island facing the Heilongjiang River estuary and said:

"I heard that this place was once the Nanghar Guard of the Nurgandusi."

"There are not only Kuyi people on the island, but also some Jurchen people."

"If you want to establish a vassal state, you must be more cautious!"

Zhu Youjian frowned upon hearing this and asked Yu Risheng to explain it in detail. Finally, according to the records, it was confirmed that the Nanghar Guards who were canonized during the Yongle period were indeed on Kuwu Island.

However, he did not take these Jurchens seriously and said:
"The Jurchens on these islands are completely different from the Jianzhou Jurchens, and the Jianlu are not good at naval warfare, so they probably failed to conquer them."

"There is still room for negotiation between the Ming Dynasty and them."

"If we can recruit them, we can re-establish a garrison and even send them to Liaodong to fight the Jianlu."

"Yu Qing, are you a little scared after hearing about the Jurchens?"

Yu Risheng was indeed a little timid, and didn't want to risk his life against the Jurchens at such an old age. But how could he admit it in front of the emperor? He smiled and said:

"Why would this old minister be afraid?"

"I am worried that I might miss your Majesty's important event."

"I have been serving in the Imperial Guards for many years and have never been on the battlefield."

"Now that I am old, I am really worried that I will be frustrated and miss the important matter of Your Majesty!"

If you think you are not capable enough, please ask the emperor to find someone else.

Zhu Youjian did not comment and looked at Zhang Tongchang again.

Zhang Tongchang ignored Zhang Yunxiu's previous dissuasion and said with great ambition:

"I am willing to help your majesty and conquer the barbarians on the island!"

Zhu Youjian was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately said to him:
"it is good!"

"Zhang Qing is indeed a loyal minister!"

"From now on, Kuwu Island will be the fief of Duke Jiangling. The Zhang family will inherit the title of Duke Jiangling and share weal and woe with the Ming Dynasty." Zhang Tongchang hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Although Zhang Yunxiu was dissatisfied with his nephew's self-assertion, he could only kneel down.

Zhu Youjian saw Zhang Yunxiu's reluctance, and Yu Risheng and others were looking at him with amusement. He snorted in his heart, pointed at the mouth of the Heilongjiang River, and said:

"This is Nurgan City, where the former Nurgan Dusi was located."

"Emperor Chengzu once sent eunuchs to build a temple dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, called Yongning Temple."

"In the future, we can build a city god temple for Lord Jiangling here, and change the name to Temple Street."

"I will select a member of the Zhang family to be conferred the title of Viscount and establish a territory 200 miles around Temple Street."

"From now on, it will be a vassal of Jiangling Principality, facilitating the exchanges between Jiangling Principality on the island and the mainland."

Zhang Tongchang was surprised and delighted when he heard this. Even Zhang Yunxiu was a little excited, wondering if his lineage had a chance to obtain this territory.

After all, in his opinion, Miaojie was once the headquarters of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission, and no matter how poor the conditions were, it was still possible to build a city, which was far better than overseas islands.

It is a rare opportunity for the Zhang family to have a city as their legacy.

Even Yu Risheng, who had just declined, felt a little regretful after hearing the emperor's condition. He felt that he should not have declined so quickly and missed the opportunity.

In his opinion, the value of the city of Temple Street far exceeds that of the island.

Most other people thought the same as him. It could even be said that in the eyes of many people in the Ming Dynasty, the ocean represented danger, while the mainland was more stable. A city on the mainland was better than countless islands.

Temple Street, a city whose foundation was laid during the Yongle period, is far more valuable than the island.

Zhu Youjian knew exactly what they were thinking, so he packaged up Temple Street and Kuwu Island and conferred the title together.

After all, at this time, Kuwu Island was far away overseas, and it was also a truly bitter and cold place. Giving a duke only this island would definitely be considered as harsh treatment. It would even make the overseas enfeoffment lose its appeal to meritorious officials.

That's why he packaged the two places together and canonized them together.

Now the effect is very obvious. Yu Risheng, who had refused many times just now, looked a little regretful.

After all, the opportunity to own a city on the mainland is too rare. Jiangling Principality owns the Nurgandusi garrison, which can almost be called the world's town in the northeast.

Given the location of Miaojie, as long as the Heilongjiang River is navigable, it can indeed affect the Northeast.

However, Zhu Youjian's arrangement was not that simple. He asked the Zhang family to choose a member of the clan to be the viscount in order to allow Temple Street to maintain a connection with Kuwu Island while maintaining a certain degree of independence.

The main body of Jiangling Principality is still marine, and it will not cultivate deep in the mainland. The Zhang family and the princes who will be enthroned in the northeast in the future will be out of tune and it will be difficult to form a joint force.

Even if the princes in the Northeast wanted to rebel, they had to target Miaojie first to prevent the fleet of the Principality of Jiangling from going up the Heilongjiang River and entering the hinterland of the Northeast.

It can be said that after suffering a great loss at the hands of the Jianlu, Zhu Youjian has been trying every means to prevent the emergence of separatist forces in the Northeast again.

Even if we want to enthrone princes in the northeast in the future, we must use the Principality of Jiangling to check and balance them from the sea.

In order to achieve this goal, Zhu Youjian issued another order:

"Jiangling Principality can set up three guards like a vassal king, one guard each in the north and south of the island, and one guard in Temple Street on the mainland."

"Another fleet may be established, under the command of the North Sea Fleet, with a maximum number of 10,000 men."

"Every year when the ice freezes over, the nobles of Jiangling Principality are allowed to come to Beijing to spend the winter."

"The Jiangling Mansion in the capital..."

Speaking of this, Zhu Youjian asked Qi Changguo:

"Is the Ningguo Mansion that Wei Zhongxian built for his nephew ready now?"

Qi Changguo immediately replied:
"It has been sorted out. Wei Ni still left a few mansions."

Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction and said:
"The Ningguo Mansion is built to the specifications of a duke's mansion. It will be given to the Jiangling Duke for wintering."

"If you have children in the future, you can come to Beijing to study."

Zhang Tongchang and Zhang Yunxiu expressed their gratitude excitedly, but Yu Risheng was filled with deep regret.

A mansion is nothing, but owning a duke's mansion in the capital means that the emperor allows the Zhang family to establish influence in the capital.

The Zhang family of Jiangling Duke was able to become a member of the noble family and enter the circle of nobles in the capital.

It can be said that in the future, the Zhang family, in addition to being a fiefdom noble, can also be regarded as half-capital noble, enjoying the convenience of both aspects.

Yu Risheng took the initiative to decline the opportunity to be enfeoffed overseas. He only had the title of commander and could not join the noble circle. Even if he stayed in the capital, he could only be a little rich and powerful.

It can be said that Yu Risheng, who understood how much favor the emperor had shown to Duke Jiangling, truly regretted it at this moment.

If he had known this earlier, he would have fought for the opportunity even at the risk of his life.

Unfortunately, there is no if. Zhu Youjian gave the Zhang family so many preferential treatments in order to set an example.

It would not be so easy for nobles who were granted fiefdoms overseas to have a mansion in the capital. Even if they had a mansion, they could only come during the pilgrimage. The significance of the fiefdom nobles residing in the capital was far from simple.

Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Tongchang did not fully understand this point, but the immediate benefits they could see made them extremely grateful to the emperor.

After all, the existence of the Duke's Mansion meant that the Zhang family could have a place to stay in the capital. Even if Zhang Tongchang, the Duke of Jiangling, was not around, the Zhang family could still live in the Duke's Mansion and enjoy all kinds of conveniences when they came to the capital.

So at this time, Zhang Yunxiu no longer blamed his nephew for taking risks. Instead, he felt that his nephew was very decisive and gave the Zhang family the opportunity.

From then on, the Zhang family's status was completely different. From being the descendant of a Purple Pavilion hero, they became the top duke family.

This was something that Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Tongchang had never thought of when they came to Beijing. If they had known that the emperor valued the Zhang family so much, they would not have hesitated and come until now.

Under this example, Yu Risheng regretted it first, Qi Changguo, Li Shunzu and others were also extremely envious. If they had not had their own concerns, they would probably have asked the emperor for a fiefdom.

Qi Changguo's concern was that he was the third son of Qi Jiguang. The title left by Qi Jiguang should be inherited by his eldest brother Qi Changzuo. His hereditary position of commander-in-chief could only be converted into a hereditary title of viscount.

Li Shunzu was worried that his health was not good. Even though the emperor asked the doctors of the Imperial Hospital to treat him, there was not much improvement.

To be precise, because of the reputation of the Imperial Medical Bureau's prescriptions, he didn't dare to use them, so his health naturally did not improve.

What he needs to consider now is not whether to go overseas to found a country, but to have an heir to pass on his hereditary position.

Otherwise, his ambitious younger brother Li Zunzu might take away the opportunity for his lineage.

Thinking about this matter, Li Shunzu laughed at himself:
"I don't even have any descendants now. How can there be a lineage of Li Shunzu in the Li family?"

"My younger brother got the opportunity to open up the Golden Corner Guard before the New Year. He may get the title of Viscount or Baron in the future and open up a territory there."

"Why don't you give him the opportunity to establish the Ningyuan Earldom and take back the Ningyuan Earldom title first?"

The establishment of the Principality of Gangneung, especially the principality in the capital, shocked Lee Sun-jo greatly, and he vaguely realized that a new aristocratic era was about to come.

If the Li family does not want to fall behind in this era, they must open up a fiefdom as soon as possible and own a fiefdom.

In this way, the Li family's residence in the capital can once again be inscribed with the title of Earl of Ningyuan, and under the protection of this title, they will have more room for maneuver. (End of this chapter)