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

Upon hearing the news, Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang also came to the highest deck at the bow of the ship and raised their telescopes to look into the distance.

In the distance, the coastline winds and twists, and a magnificent city is built against the mountains and by the sea. The city walls are majestic and the banners are fluttering. This is Dengzhou Guard, the most important coastal defense fortress and naval base in the north of the Ming Dynasty!

Dengzhou, formerly known as Dengzhou Prefecture, is located at the northernmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula, facing the Liaodong Peninsula across the sea. It occupies a strategic position at the throat of the Bohai Sea and is extremely important.

During the Ming Dynasty, especially in the early Ming period, Dengzhou Port held a prominent position on the northern coast.

Dengzhou was a frontline outpost on the East China Sea during the Ming Dynasty, used to defend against Japanese pirates and protect the capital region. It was home to the Dengzhou Garrison, which was heavily garrisoned.

The famous "Denglai Navy" used this as its main base, forming a strategic alliance with the Jurchen Jinzhou and Fuzhou navies, controlling the Bohai Strait.

Its city defenses are strong, with a naval fortress, allowing ships to sail directly into the city and anchor, making it extremely safe.

In addition, a Maritime Trade Office was established here in the early Ming Dynasty, mainly responsible for tributary trade and diplomatic exchanges with the Joseon Dynasty.

Envoys and merchant ships from Korea were required to stop here, undergo inspection, and conduct officially permitted trade.

Secondly, during the Yuan Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty when "sea transport" of grain was implemented, Dengzhou was an important transit point and storage base for grain from the south to be transported north to the capital region and Liaodong by sea.

Although the later stages of grain transport mainly relied on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, its maritime traditions and port facilities still exist.

As the telescope moved, the details of Dengzhou Port gradually became clear.

Inside and outside the port, masts stood like a forest, and banners blotted out the sun! The port was already densely packed with ships of all sizes, including various warships belonging to Dengzhou Guard and Laizhou Guard, as well as many grain transport ships and merchant ships waiting for inspection.

What's even more striking is that the port and the vast open space stretching from the docks to the gates of Dengzhou City are now teeming with people!

The Shandong governor, the Dengzhou and Laizhou governors, the Dengzhou prefect, and numerous other civil and military officials, including those from the Shandong Military Command and the Dengzhou Guard, numbering no less than a hundred, had already lined up in the front of the welcoming area, which was covered with a red carpet, dressed in the most solemn court attire or official robes, according to their rank.

Behind them stood elite soldiers of the Dengzhou Guard, fully armored and in impeccable military bearing, forming a neat square formation with swords and spears gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Further back were the local gentry and elders who were allowed to attend the ceremony, as well as many more eager residents of Dengzhou, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Countless colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and the air was filled with the hustle and bustle and anticipation of a grand festival.

Clearly, Shandong made extremely thorough preparations to welcome the emperor.

Several days earlier, news of the emperor's impending arrival in Dengzhou had already spread through a relay of fast horses and boats.

Shandong Governor Qiu Zude, Dengzhou and Laizhou Governor Xu Renlong, and other high-ranking officials personally took charge in Dengzhou, supervising officials of all ranks to renovate the docks, clean the streets with water, pave the roads with yellow earth, arrange the ceremonial guards, and train the welcoming etiquette. They were extremely busy.

All officials of any rank, unless they were extremely busy with military or political affairs, were required to come and greet the emperor.

At this moment, they all looked tense and excited, constantly adjusting their hats, belts, and robes, afraid of making a mistake in front of the emperor.

"Woo-wu-wu-"

As the southern patrol fleet gradually approached, salutes and horns sounded from the direction of the port, their echoes resounding across the sea and sky!
The fleet began to lower its sails and slow down, adjusting its formation.

The largest imperial warship, led by several guide ships, slowly sailed toward the newly decorated main dock, which was specially prepared for the emperor.

Before the ship had even come to a complete stop, squads of burly Jinyiwei generals, dressed in flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives at their waists, had already jumped off the deck and quickly set up a cordon in the designated area of ​​the dock, clearing the passageway. Their actions were clean and efficient, demonstrating their extremely high level of military discipline.

Subsequently, a large number of imperial guards and eunuchs disembarked to conduct final checks and arrangements.

After confirming that everything was in perfect order, the eunuch boarded the ship and loudly announced:

"The auspicious hour has arrived! Your Majesty, please ascend the palanquin!"

Amidst solemn music, Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a winged crown, appeared solemnly beside the highest deck of the ship, surrounded by Zhu Cilang and several concubines.

A large, royal gangway, already erected and draped in bright yellow silk, steadily connected the giant ship to the dock.

Emperor Chongzhen took a deep breath and, supported by two eunuchs, took steady steps onto the plank leading to land.

When his boots embroidered with golden dragons stepped once again onto the solid ground of Dengzhou Port, he felt an indescribable sense of peace.

Although he had begun to enjoy sailing, the feeling of being grounded was something that no giant ship could ever replace.

Zhu Cilang followed closely behind, his expression calm. His gaze swept over the grand welcoming scene before him, but in his mind he was quickly assessing the facilities of Dengzhou Port, the morale of the garrison, and the efficiency of the local officials.

"Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!"

Upon seeing the Emperor and the Crown Prince set foot on the land of Dengzhou, led by high-ranking officials such as Qiu Zude, the Governor of Shandong, Xu Renlong, the Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, and the General of Dengzhou, all the civil and military officials, soldiers, gentry and commoners on the dock knelt down in unison like a tide, kowtowing and shouting!

Shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" swept through the entire port like a tsunami, deafening and soaring into the sky, fully demonstrating the awe of imperial power and the excitement of the Emperor's arrival.

Emperor Chongzhen stood still, his gaze slowly sweeping over the kneeling subjects before him. Looking at the sea of ​​heads signifying submission, and at the majestic Dengzhou Garrison in the distance and the forest of warships in the harbor, a sense of pride, as the ruler of the world with all under heaven submitting to him, welled up within him.

He slightly raised his hand, and his voice clearly resonated throughout the entire hall:
"Everyone is safe!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The cheers rose again, and the crowd rose in turn, but still kept their hands at their sides and bowed, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

As the highest-ranking administrative official in the area, Shandong Governor Qiu Zude stepped forward, bowed again, and reported in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, I, Qiu Zude, the Governor of Shandong, along with officials from the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, the Provincial Surveillance Commission, the Provincial Military Commission, and the civil and military officials, gentry, and common people of Dengzhou Prefecture, respectfully welcome Your Majesty! Your Majesty's visit to Dengzhou is truly a great blessing for the entire land of Qi and Lu. We are deeply grateful and wish Your Majesty a long and peaceful life!"

Emperor Chongzhen smiled gently and gestured to raise his right hand:
"Minister Qiu and all my officials have worked hard. My southern tour will take me through Dengzhou. My purpose is twofold: first, to inspect the coastal defenses and comfort the soldiers; and second, to understand the people's conditions and observe their customs. I hope that you, my ministers, can work together with me to secure the coastal borders."

This brief response not only demonstrated the Emperor's boundless grace but also clarified the purpose of this imperial tour.

Next, under the guidance of local officials, a more formal entry ceremony was held. Chongzhen would then move into the Dengzhou Imperial Palace, which had been prepared in advance, and successively meet with local officials, inspect defenses, and listen to reports.

Zhu Cilang was about ten steps behind Chongzhen, also moving forward with the crowd under the protection of his guards.

His gaze calmly swept over the dark mass of people before him, from the officials in their colorful robes, prostrate on the ground, to the gentry and commoners in the distance, dressed in various styles and with excited expressions.

However, amidst the bustling crowd, Zhu Cilang's gaze suddenly sharpened, like a hawk locking onto its prey, fixing on a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man at the end of the military ranks, whose rugged air was still evident even in his military uniform.

Li Qingshan!
That "surrendered general" who once gathered a crowd to rebel and resist the government at Liangshan Marsh, causing the imperial court a great deal of trouble, was eventually personally recruited by him!
Sure enough he came.

According to regulations, a military officer of his rank was indeed entitled to a place in the welcoming procession.

Almost at the same time, Chongzhen, who was walking ahead, seemed to sense something as well, and his gaze inadvertently swept in that direction.

When his gaze swept over Li Qingshan's lowered yet still rugged profile, the smile on his face froze for a moment. Although it was extremely brief, the fleeting malice and disgust between his brows were keenly caught by the nearby ministers.

Zhu Cilang was well aware of Chongzhen's dislike for Li Qingshan.

When Li Qingshan was causing a great disturbance at Liangshan Marsh, even attacking and plundering prefectures and counties, Emperor Chongzhen was furious upon hearing the news and once issued an edict to "annihilate his followers and display their heads to the public." However, Zhu Cilang weighed the pros and cons and believed that a combination of suppression and appeasement, with appeasement as the main approach, was more in line with the needs of stabilizing the situation in Shandong at that time. He overruled the objections of others, personally went up the mountain to offer amnesty, and promised him an official position.

In the end, Li Qingshan led his troops to surrender.

Although Emperor Chongzhen later punished Li Qingshan with whipping as a warning to others, deep down, he could never truly trust or forgive such a rebellious bandit, always feeling that he was a thorn in his side.

In Chongzhen's view, that beating was far from enough to atone for his crime of rebellion.

However, Chongzhen was, after all, an emperor, and his imperial strategies were already highly refined.

He instantly suppressed his displeasure, and his face once again displayed that impeccable, distant, gentle smile, as if his momentary lapse in composure had never occurred.

He knew in his heart that Li Qingshan was someone whom Zhu Cilang had protected and personally recruited.

In the eyes of both the government and the public, Li Qingshan had long been branded as a "princeling".

If I were to embarrass Li Qingshan in public because of my personal likes or dislikes, or even show my dissatisfaction, it would undoubtedly be a slap in the face to the Crown Prince and a dangerous signal to the outside world that there is discord between father and son.

This is extremely unwise at a time when we need to work together to promote the new policies of Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour.

A small leak will sink a great ship!
Thinking of this, Chongzhen simply pretended not to recognize or notice Li Qingshan at all, glancing over him without stopping, and continued chatting and laughing with Qiu Zude, the Shandong governor beside him. Surrounded by a group of officials, he boarded the magnificent Ming yellow imperial carriage.

"Let's go!"

The eunuch drew out the notes and sang loudly.

The imperial carriage set off, led by ceremonial guards, and the large entourage began to move slowly, winding its way towards the imperial palace in Dengzhou City.

Zhu Cilang did not immediately follow the imperial carriage, but deliberately slowed down, creating a more noticeable distance between himself and the ceremonial procession ahead.

He then beckoned, and Li Hu, the commander of the Eastern Palace guards who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward and bowed to obey his orders.

"Go and summon Li Qingshan to me."

Zhu Cilang's voice was calm and left no room for argument.

"As ordered!"

Li Hu accepted the order and immediately led two capable guards through the crowd, quickly heading towards Li Qingshan's direction.

At this moment, the officials and gentry who were there to greet the emperor were getting up one after another, straightening their clothes, and preparing to follow the emperor into the city.

Li Qingshan had just stood up, brushing the dust off his official robes, his expression showing a hint of barely perceptible restraint and unease.

With his background, he always felt out of place among a group of proper officials.

The next second, he suddenly saw the Crown Prince's guards walking straight towards him. He was stunned at first, and then a little nervousness appeared on his face.

"General Lee."

Li Hu walked up to him, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"His Highness the Crown Prince summons you. Please come with me."

"Yes! Yes! Your humble servant obeys!"

Li Qingshan bowed respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. He quickly straightened his clothes and, under the complex gazes of the surrounding officials, strode towards the location where the Crown Prince was staying.

Zhu Cilang did not enter the imperial carriage, but waited standing beside a lighter carriage.

Upon seeing Li Qingshan hurrying over under Li Hu's guidance, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on his face.

Li Qingshan walked up to Zhu Cilang, about five steps away, and with a "plop," performed a standard military salute, as if a mountain of gold had been overturned and a jade pillar had been toppled.

"This humble general, Li Qingshan, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince! Long live Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!"

Although his movements were a little stiff, they were very methodical and much more disciplined than when he was in the mountain stronghold. It was clear that he had put a lot of effort into learning official etiquette after surrendering.

"Get up, no need to be polite."

Zhu Cilang waved his hand casually, his tone calm.

"Let's talk as we walk."

After saying that, he turned and got into his carriage, but did not lower the curtain.

Li Qingshan quickly got up and carefully followed half a step behind the Crown Prince's carriage, head bowed, looking like he was listening respectfully to instructions.

The crown prince's entourage also began to move slowly, following behind the emperor's large entourage.

The carriage traveled along the streets paved with yellow earth and sprinkled with clean water, flanked by soldiers standing at attention and cheering civilians.

Zhu Cilang leaned back on the comfortable brocade cushion, gazing ahead, and spoke as if in casual conversation. His voice was soft, yet it clearly reached Li Qingshan's ears:

"Li Qingshan, how does it feel to have taken off that bandit's skin and put on this official court robe? Are you getting used to the rules of officialdom?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan forced a slightly shy yet sincere smile onto his dark face, and bowed slightly in reply:

"Your Highness, it's a habit, a habit! Thanks to Your Highness's good fortune, I am now well-fed and warmly clothed, and I no longer have to live in fear of being besieged by government troops or stabbed in the back by my brothers in the mountain stronghold."

"Although being an official involves more rules—you have to bow to everyone you meet and think carefully before you speak—it gives you peace of mind! It's a hundred times better than being a rebel!"

These words, though simple, conveyed a sense of relief at surviving a catastrophe and being content with the status quo.

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly and nodded.

"Well, you'll get used to it. Now that you've accepted the imperial amnesty and taken this official robe, you must be conscientious and dutiful. Never mention those robbery and plundering activities of Liangshan again."

"Your current duty is to protect the territory and its people, and to guard the local areas for the imperial court. Can you do that?"

Li Qingshan's expression turned serious, and he immediately straightened his back, guaranteeing in a resolute tone:

"Your Highness, rest assured! Although I, Li Qingshan, am a rough man, I know the meaning of 'loyalty and righteousness'! Your Highness has shown me great kindness, and the court has shown me the grace of sparing my life and granting me official positions! I hereby swear to Heaven that I will turn over a new leaf and be loyal to His Majesty and Your Highness!"

"But if anyone dares to commit crimes, harm the local people, or even try to rebel like I did back then, Your Highness, I will be the first to lead troops to wipe them out without your orders! I will never let Your Highness down!"

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Li Qingshan's statement. (End of Chapter)