My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

The banquet ended at the beginning of Hai hour.

As the moon and stars faded, the lights in the palace gradually went out, leaving only the main halls still brightly lit.

Emperor Chongzhen did not rest immediately, but instead issued an imperial edict summoning Zheng Zhilong, Tianjin General Cao Youyi, and Zhu Cilang to his study in the imperial palace for a private meeting.

Inside the study, candlelight flickered and sandalwood incense wafted gently.

Emperor Chongzhen had changed into more comfortable casual clothes and sat behind a large rosewood desk.

Zheng Zhilong and Cao Youyi stood respectfully at the lower end of the table, while Zhu Cilang sat on a chair to the left of Chongzhen.

"Alright, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need to be so formal. Let's all sit down and talk."

Chongzhen pointed to the embroidered stool below him, his tone much gentler than at the banquet.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Zhilong and Cao Youyi then expressed their gratitude and carefully sat down on the embroidered stool, leaning slightly forward to maintain a respectful posture. Zhu Cilang also adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable.

After a brief silence, Chongzhen's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, a hint of hesitation and worry flashing across his face. He then turned his gaze primarily to Zheng Zhilong, speaking in an almost inquiring tone:
"Minister Zheng, Minister Cao, you have both been in Tianjin for a long time and have often dealt with Haibo. I will speak frankly, so you need not hold back."

He paused, seemingly considering his words, but finally asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for so long, keeping him up at night.

"This vast ocean is boundless and unpredictable. Can we really guarantee a safe voyage south by sea? I have recently been reading some ancient books and records, and I have seen many accounts of towering waves, raging hurricanes, and even giant sea monsters stirring up storms. I am quite worried."

After saying these words, Chongzhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but the unease in his eyes became even more obvious.

He had spent most of his life within the walls of the palace; when had he ever truly witnessed the power of the sea? Those terrifying stories he had heard were magnified infinitely as he was about to face the sea in person, becoming a heavy psychological burden.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong was slightly taken aback, but then he understood and even felt a little amused and exasperated.

This fearless maritime tyrant found it hard to understand the emperor's almost instinctive fear of the deep sea.

But a smile of understanding and reassurance immediately appeared on his face. He leaned forward slightly and answered in an extremely confident and professional tone:

"Your Majesty's concerns are fully understood by me! However, Your Majesty can rest assured! Although there are risks at sea, there are also patterns to follow."

"The route we have planned for Your Majesty's southern tour is by no means a risky voyage into the open ocean, but rather a voyage close to the coastline of our Great Ming!"

“From Tianjin southward, passing the Bohai Sea, passing Chengshan Cape in Shandong, circling the Jiaodong Peninsula, and entering the Yellow Sea, the outlines of the mountains on land can be seen all the way. The fleet always sails in the near sea. If it encounters sudden bad weather, such as strong winds or dense fog, it can immediately order the fleet to approach the shore, find a safe harbor to anchor and avoid danger, and continue its journey when the weather improves.”

"I have already sent people to make arrangements for important points along the way, such as Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Lianyungang, to ensure that there will be support."

"Therefore, this journey is extremely safe, far from the perilous and unpredictable events described in ancient texts. I am willing to stake my life on it to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and Your Highness, without the slightest mishap!"

Cao Youyi quickly added from the side:

"Your Majesty, what Lord Zheng said is absolutely right! I have already selected twenty of the most elite warships and two thousand of the most experienced sailors and officers from the Tianjin Navy and the Dengzhou-Laizhou Navy to form an escort fleet to protect Your Majesty along the way."

"The ship has ample supplies of food, water, and medicine, which will surely ensure His Majesty's health and prevent him from being disturbed by the storm!"

Hearing the two important ministers, especially Zheng Zhilong, give such a confident guarantee, the worry on Chongzhen's face finally dissipated.

He knew he might be worrying unnecessarily, but he needed a professional's word of reassurance to ease his anxiety.

He then nodded, forcing a smile to try and cover up his earlier lapse in composure:
"Yes, my two ministers have thought things through and made proper arrangements. I am very pleased. I was just asking casually, but the matter is of great importance and I have to be extremely careful. With your words, I am at ease."

Sitting to the side, Zhu Cilang looked at Chongzhen's forced composure and found it somewhat amusing, yet completely understandable.

After all, let alone Emperor Chongzhen, who had lived in the deep palace for a long time, even he, a person from the information explosion era, would inevitably feel a little apprehensive when facing the vast and boundless sea for the first time.

Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty emperors also had the characteristic of being easily soluble in water, so he had no choice but to be extra careful.

For this reason, in addition to the overt guards, he made many preparations in secret for this trip.

At least half of the palace guards he brought were skilled swimmers, and he even assigned several bodyguards who were excellent swimmers.

All key personnel were equipped with simple life-saving flotation devices, and the ship was also prepared with sufficient emergency supplies. In addition, with Zheng Zhilong's powerful navy, which can be described as the best in Asia, escorting the ship, the safety level was actually quite high.

Next, the group had a brief discussion on some specific details of the voyage, possible stops along the way, and preliminary arrangements after arriving in Nanjing.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, seeing that Chongzhen looked tired, Zheng Zhilong and Cao Youyi tactfully got up and took their leave.

Zhu Cilang also stood up, bowed, and left the study.

Over the next two days, Emperor Chongzhen did not rest comfortably in the imperial palace. Instead, he changed into plain clothes and, accompanied only by a small number of elite guards and personal eunuchs, conducted an incognito visit to Tianjin and its surrounding areas.

He walked through the bustling market, listening to the conversations of vendors and ordinary people.

He stood at the busy dock, watching the loading and unloading of ships and the work of the fishermen.

He even sampled local seafood snacks and the famous Goubuli steamed buns.

The unique local customs of Tianjin, the relatively straightforward and bold nature of its people, and the pervasive smell of sea salt in the air all brought Chongzhen, who had long lived deep within the palace, an unprecedented and refreshing experience.

He witnessed firsthand how the city was born from the sea and prospered because of its port, and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of opening up the sea to trade for this place and even for the entire empire.

In addition to understanding the people's conditions, Emperor Chongzhen also specially summoned several influential maritime merchant leaders in Tianjin to the imperial palace.

These people had just experienced the excruciating pain of "spending money to avert disaster," and were originally filled with unease. Unexpectedly, they were summoned by the Emperor himself.

Emperor Chongzhen gently appeased them, fully affirming their past role in facilitating trade between the north and south. He also explained in detail the new maritime policy that the court was about to implement, promising to protect their legitimate trade rights within the legal framework and even provide them with certain policy incentives.

Upon hearing this, the merchants were all moved to tears. The heartache they had felt from being forced to hand over half of their wealth was immediately replaced by immense joy and anticipation for a bright future.

Compared to one's life and sustainable, legitimate wealth, the "fine" seems acceptable.

The emperor's golden words seemed to reassure them, filling them with confidence in the court's new policies.

Meanwhile, Zhu Cilang was not idle either. Instead of following Chongzhen, he took Zheng Xiaomei and Qiqige on a leisurely stroll through the streets of Tianjin, tasting snacks and buying novel seafood products and handicrafts.

But behind this seemingly relaxed trip lies a silent political declaration.

The appearance of Zhu Cilang and Zheng Xiaomei symbolized the close alliance between the imperial court and the Zheng family, the most powerful family at sea. This approachable attitude could appease the people and demonstrate the open and inclusive image of the imperial court.

One of the important purposes of the southern tour was to "proclaim authority" and "pacify the people." Sometimes, the appearance and friendly attitude of the supreme ruler were far more effective than an imperial edict.

Time flies, and the three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The affairs in Tianjin have been preliminarily resolved, and the imperial procession for the southern tour has also rested and prepared for the moment when it is time to set sail.

On this day, the sky over Tianjin Port was a clear, bright blue, the sun was shining, and a gentle breeze was blowing – perfect weather for a flight.

Inside the port, thousands of sails competed for attention, their vessels lined up one after another, creating a truly magnificent sight.

The main force of the escort fleet mobilized by Zheng Zhilong has been fully assembled and is neatly moored in the designated royal berth.

The most eye-catching of them all were the ten giant Fujian-style flagship ships that resembled castles at sea.

These giant ships were over ten zhang long and had an estimated displacement of several hundred tons. They were tall with three decks, thick and tall mainmasts, and dense sails like a net.

The bow is carved with a ferocious dragon or beast head, and the sides of the hull are covered with a dense array of cannon ports, with the dark muzzles protruding out, exuding a chilling murderous aura.

Each of these giant ships could easily accommodate hundreds of officers and soldiers and a large amount of supplies, making them the undisputed hegemons of the East Asian seas in this era.

The remaining accompanying ships, including the Haicang, Yong, and Kuaishao vessels, though smaller in size, numbered in the hundreds. They lined up, their banners fluttering, displaying a magnificent military presence and filling the entire port to capacity.

The air was filled with a unique aroma, a mixture of seawater, tung oil, ropes, and a faint smell of gunpowder, as well as a solemn and expectant atmosphere before a major battle.

When Emperor Chongzhen, Emperor Zhu Cilang, along with their concubines, civil and military officials, accompanied by Zheng Zhilong, Cao Youyi, and others, stepped onto the flagship deck of the largest ship, which served as the emperor's personal vessel, for the first time via a specially made, wide gangplank, almost everyone who boarded the ship for the first time was deeply awestruck by the sheer size of the giant ship and the boundless view of the sea!
Beneath my feet was a thick, sturdy deck, and before me stretched the vast, blue sea. Seagulls circled and cried out among the sails, and a cool sea breeze swept over me.

The fears and anxieties I had felt about the voyage miraculously dissipated at this moment, replaced by an indescribable excitement, pride, and longing for the unknown distance.

Emperor Chongzhen stood by the railing, gazing at the magnificent view where the water and sky met. He felt his heart open up and a surge of unprecedented pride and ambition welled up in his chest.

He suddenly recalled the vast overseas world, endless wealth, and the blueprint of the "empire on which the sun never sets" that Zhu Cilang had once described to him. At the time, he only felt that it was out of reach, but now that he was there, he felt a real impulse.

He then turned to look at Zhu Cilang beside him, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and said:
"Lang'er, standing here on this vast ocean, I can now truly understand what you once said: enfeoffing the princes overseas is indeed a brilliant strategy with multiple benefits! It can not only alleviate the land disputes in the Central Plains, but also expand the territory of our China, spread civilization, and make the prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty spread far and wide, with the footprints of our people traversing the world! This vast ocean is not an insurmountable barrier, but a thoroughfare!"

When Zhu Cilang heard Chongzhen suddenly say these words, he couldn't help but look at him with some surprise.

He never expected that Chongzhen, who had previously been afraid of the ocean, could undergo such a huge change in his views in such a short period of time.

But he quickly realized what was happening, and smiled as he bowed, saying:
“Your Majesty is wise and insightful, seeing far and wide! What I see is but the light of a firefly, while Your Majesty is as bright as the moon.”

Since they were outside, Zhu Cilang still had to give Chongzhen some face!

Upon hearing Zhu Cilang's words, Emperor Chongzhen burst into laughter, feeling extremely pleased.

Just then, Zheng Zhilong, fully armed and in high spirits, strode over, knelt on one knee before Emperor Chongzhen, and loudly reported:
"Your Majesty! The auspicious hour has arrived, all ships and personnel are in position, and all supplies have been loaded! Please instruct us whether we shall immediately weigh anchor, raise the sails, and set sail south?"

Emperor Chongzhen took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, a surge of heroic spirit welling up within him. With a forceful flick of his sleeve, he proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Granted! Issue my decree: Set sail!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Zheng Zhilong loudly accepted the order, abruptly stood up, and turned to the messenger, shouting:

"By order of His Majesty! Weigh anchor! Raise sails! All ships, set sail in sequence!"

"By order of His Majesty! Weigh anchor! Raise sails full height! All ships, set sail in sequence!"

The messengers repeated the order in unison, their voices echoing throughout the harbor.

At the same time, on the high mainmast watchtower, well-trained signalmen vigorously waved red and yellow signal flags, quickly conveying the emperor's decree to the entire fleet through flag signals!
"Woo-wu-wu-"

The deep, long horn sounds soon rang out from the capital ships, desolate yet powerful, drowning out all the noise!

Once the order was given, the entire fleet started up instantly, like a sophisticated machine!

"Crunch—crunch—"

A deep, heavy creaking sound came from below the bow. Dozens of strong sailors shouted in unison as they pushed the massive winch with all their might. The anchor, weighing thousands of pounds and submerged in seawater, was slowly pulled up by the anchor chain, which was as thick as a child's arm, and lifted off the seabed, carrying with it dripping seawater and clinging seaweed.

"Crash-!"

An even more spectacular sight appeared on the mast.

The sailors climbed the masts like nimble monkeys, untied the ropes binding the sails, and huge white hard sails rose slowly along the three mainmasts like clouds! The sails were filled with the southeast wind, and instantly swelled up with a muffled "bang," before being pulled straight by the strong wind!
The huge sail cast its shadow on the deck, and the ship visibly shuddered slightly.

The oarsmen in the hold also heard the order. Although the mainsail had been raised, they still needed to contribute when turning in the harbor and when the initial speed was insufficient.

Accompanied by the unified shouts of the boatmen, long oars extended from the oar holes on both sides of the hull and began to rhythmically paddle through the seawater, helping the boat to turn.

Before long, the bow of the ship cleaved the calm sea, creating layers of white waves.

Immediately afterwards, like stars surrounding the moon, the escorting ships around the flagship also weighed anchor, raised their sails, and slowly adjusted their course, following closely behind the flagship.

The entire massive fleet, like a sleeping dragon awakening, began to slowly sail away from Tianjin Port.

One after another, the sails of the ships blocked out the sun, stretching for miles, leaving countless long, white ripples on the sea.

Hundreds of giant sails fluttered in the wind, making a rustling sound.

The sounds of bugles, wind, and waves intertwined, creating a magnificent and exhilarating scene of departure for the expedition!
A maritime voyage destined to be recorded in history and usher in a new era for the Ming Dynasty's oceans has officially begun! (End of Chapter)