Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

Liu Guoxuan strolled along the beach of Ganju Island, gazing anxiously at the distant sea. The lord had been away from Ganju Island for several days and should have returned by now, so why was there still no news? Qian Di, the Earl of Wuping, narrowed his eyes as several Haicang ships bearing the Zheng army's flag appeared on the sea.

"Are you saying that our army encountered the Qin King's navy while pursuing the enemy and was defeated?" Liu Guoxuan stared intently at Feng Xifan, who had escaped back, his eyes seemingly spitting fire.

"Is that so?" Feng Xifan's reply was choked with sobs.

"What about my brother? What is his whereabouts?" Zheng Ming asked anxiously.

"From afar, I saw Jiang Sheng, the Left Tiger Guard, protecting the lord as he broke through the encirclement. I tried to catch up and protect the lord, but was intercepted by the guards and lost contact," Feng Xifan said, choking back tears.

"If you have successfully broken through, why don't you come to Orange Isle to meet us?" Zheng Ming asked anxiously, wringing his hands.

"The most important thing right now is to go to sea immediately to meet the vassal lord," Liu Guoxuan said, showing a clearer sense of direction.

"Yes, that's the only way," Zheng Ming nodded repeatedly.

The two finished their discussion but hadn't even set off when their subordinates reported that a naval fleet of guards was approaching from outside the island. Upon exiting the water fortress, they were met with a dense, overwhelming array of warships, numbering at least eight or nine hundred, if not a thousand, which filled them with utter astonishment.

"Since things have come to this, this humble general is willing to fight the Wei army to the death!" Liu Guoxuan said through gritted teeth, his face ashen.

"I will go with Wu Pingbo and fight the Wei army!" Zheng Ming was also inspired to fight.

Just as the two were about to fight to the death, someone came to report that the guards had sent a messenger.

"Summon the messenger in," Zheng Ming said, his expression shifting slightly, before Liu Guoxuan could speak.

The messenger was tall and slender with a refined appearance. Upon seeing Zheng Ming, he couldn't help but shed tears, "Second Young Master, it's this humble general!"

"You...you are Guard Yang?" Zheng Ming stared at him for a long time before suddenly asking.

"It is indeed your humble servant," Yang Laijia said, his voice trembling with sorrow as he recognized him. Years ago, he had served as Zheng Chenggong's bodyguard and knew all of Zheng Chenggong's sons, including Zheng Jing, Zheng Cong, Zheng Ming, Zheng Rui, Zheng Zhi, and Zheng Kuan. He had even held Zheng Ming in his arms when he was a child, and now, seeing him again, he was a strong and powerful young man!

Upon seeing it was him, Zheng Ming also sighed deeply.

"Clang!" Liu Guoxuan drew his sword. "Yang Laijia, you betrayed your master and sought personal gain by surrendering to the barbarians. What brings you here today?"

"Second Young Master, General Liu, His Majesty the Emperor Qian Yuan is broad-minded and has the virtue of embracing all rivers. He allows all ethnic groups to retain their own ethnic clothing and customs. Surrendering to the Wei is truly a continuation of Chinese civilization. Moreover, His Highness Prince Qin's mother is a daughter of the Ming Dynasty's imperial family. She is our true master. Surrendering to His Highness will not disgrace the Zheng family," Yang Laijia earnestly persuaded.

"So you've come to persuade him to surrender? Where is my brother?" Zheng Ming asked, staring at him. "The eldest son (referring to Zheng Jing) was surrounded after his defeat and died fighting valiantly. I was too late and failed to save him. I'm so sorry, Lord Guoxing! Waaah~ Waaah~ Waaah~" Upon hearing this, Yang Laijia knelt down on the ground with a thud, weeping bitterly and blaming himself.

Seeing his reaction, the expressions of the people present softened slightly.

“General Yang, there’s no need for this,” Zheng Ming sighed, and asked in a deep voice, “What conditions did the King of Qin offer when he sent you to persuade them to surrender?”

"Before leaving, His Highness said that if the Zheng family were willing to surrender, he would be willing to protect the lives of the Zheng family and submit a memorial to His Majesty requesting that the Zheng family be granted the title of Duke of Yanping."

"This..." Zheng Ming hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Can the King of Qin's words be trusted?"

Yang Laijia wiped away his tears. "Your Highness's word is law, and I am willing to guarantee it with my life! Second Young Master, you must not hesitate, or you will not be able to save us!"

"Alas~" Zheng Ming sighed deeply, bowed deeply to Yang Laijia, and said, "The life and death of my Zheng family are now in your hands, Lord Yang!"

After Zheng Ming surrendered to Prince Qin, Zhuosiji, he volunteered to return to Dongning to persuade others to surrender. He first convinced his second brother, Zheng Cong, and then they went to the Prince's residence together to report to the Dowager Consort Dong.

Inside the Prince Yanping's residence in Chengtian Prefecture (Chikan City), Dongning, Consort Dong listened calmly as the others recounted the surrender terms offered by the Kingdom of David. As Zheng Chenggong's wife, she was a woman of the world. Having learned of her eldest son's death and the complete annihilation of the army sent to Fujian, she understood that the tide had turned. She faced only two paths: surrender or flee. Flee, taking her entire family into exile overseas. While this would preserve her integrity, where in this vast world could she find a place to settle down? Surrender? Would the David court truly keep its promise and spare the Zheng family?

“Mother, the Imperial Guard Yang Laijia is waiting outside the mansion. He once served as a bodyguard to Father and is willing to vouch for him with his life!” Zheng Cong guessed his mother’s thoughts and spoke up.

Upon hearing Yang Laijia's name, Consort Dong was deeply moved. Guard Yang was a man of great loyalty and honor; despite being from different countries, he had secretly sent someone to present the Seven-String Bamboo from Wolonggang in Longzhong, Xiangyang, knowing her fondness for bamboo. She had heard that he had risen to the rank of Jiangsu Governor; with his guarantee, it couldn't be anything wrong!

"Let him in," she sighed.

"This humble general is incompetent and has frightened the princess." Upon seeing her, Yang Laijia was overcome with grief and burst into tears.

"Ah~ It's been so long since I've seen you. Even Guard Yang has gotten some gray hair," said Consort Dong leisurely.

While some advocated surrender, others advocated war. Chen Yonghua, the governor of Dongning, Hong Lei, the Minister of Personnel, Chen Shengwu, the Minister of War, Yang De, the garrison commander of Zhaoyi, and others resolutely refused to surrender. They strongly urged that Dongning be defended to the death, and if it could not be held, they should flee overseas by boat, never bowing down to the barbarians.

At the critical moment, Empress Dowager Dong acted swiftly, ordering Zheng Cong, Zheng Ming, and Huang Liangji of Jianwei Central Garrison to launch a surprise attack during the court assembly, leading troops to arrest Chen Yonghua, Hong Lei, Chen Shengwu, Yang De, and others. After eliminating the pro-war faction, other ministers, including Minister of Revenue Yang Ying, Minister of Rites Ye Heng, and Minister of Justice Ke Ping, dared not utter another word. The entire territory of Dongning fell into the hands of the Imperial Guard without bloodshed.

Prince Qin, Zhuosiji, was a benevolent man and did not make things difficult for the Zheng family. He petitioned the emperor to enfeoff Zheng Jing's son, Zheng Kezang, as the Duke of Anping, and to relocate the entire clan to Quanzhou, Fujian. He was also very courteous to the former Ming imperial family members, such as Prince Ningjing, Zhu Shugui, who lived in Taiwan, and petitioned the emperor to relocate them to Xinghua Prefecture, Fujian. He spared the lives of any of the former generals of the Zheng family and appointed them to suitable positions. He treated the various ethnic groups in Tainan and Taichung, including the Lukai, Zou, Tao, Shao, Taroko, La'aluwa, and Kanakanafu, with the same kindness and consideration as in Taipei and Taitung. For a time, the people of Taiwan were greatly reassured.

Several months later, the Great Khan of Lotus arrived from Beijing. The old father first greatly praised his six sons, seven sons, and the generals who had participated in the battle. Then he bestowed lavish rewards upon his two sons, granting Suhe and Mandulatu first-class official salaries, promoting Seter to Admiral of the Tianjin Navy, and Ayuqi to Deputy Admiral of the Jinzhou Navy. All other meritorious officers and soldiers were also rewarded. He further ordered the establishment of a province in Taiwan, appointing the surrendered official Lin Tianqing as Governor of Taiwan, Wang Guotai, the General of Liaonan, as Admiral of Taiwan, and Xu Huapu as Provincial Surveillance Commissioner. Surprisingly, the position of Provincial Treasurer was given to Chen Yonghua, the Ming general who had previously refused to surrender. This appointment drew admiration from the world for the Great Khan's magnanimity and tolerance. Finally, he ordered the army to return to the capital. (End of Chapter)