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

And when the enormous red banner with the character "郑" (Zheng) embroidered in gold, fluttering in the wind atop the mainmast of the largest warship, was clearly reflected in the telescope—

"Bang!"

The telescope slipped from Dorgon's stiff hand and crashed heavily onto the deck, shattering the lenses.

Dorgon was struck dumb, staggering backward and crashing into the ship's side. His face turned deathly pale, devoid of any color, and his lips trembled violently, yet he could not utter a sound.

It’s over.

Those two words, like the most vicious curse, instantly shattered all his pretense, all his illusions, and all his support. He felt dizzy, his vision went black, and a chilling despair, like the northern sea, instantly overwhelmed him, leaving him breathless.

“Ming…Ming Gou…Zheng…Zheng Zhilong…”

He made a strange "hoarse" sound in his throat, like an old bellows pumping.

But how could this be?! How could they be here?! How could they know my route?! Zhu Cilang…it was Zhu Cilang! He had foreseen this! He had laid an inescapable trap! From land to sea, he had left me no way out!
"Enemy attack! It's the Ming navy!!"

"Prepare for war! Prepare for war now!!"

"Turn! Turn! Run!"

The fleet erupted into chaos! Terrified screams, desperate cries, and officers' off-key shouts filled the air. Ships frantically tried to turn, colliding with each other, making the situation even more chaotic.

Opposite them, the flagship of the Ming navy.

Zheng Zhilong, dressed in a neat dark blue naval admiral's uniform with a black cloak over it, stood against the wind atop the high stern tower.

Through the telescope, he could see the Jurchen fleet in a state of panic and chaos. A cold, triumphant smile spread across his face.

"My lord, just as His Highness the Crown Prince predicted, that old bastard Dorgon really wants to run off to the Russians in the north!"

The deputy general beside him said excitedly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is a man of extraordinary wisdom and strategy; how could this stray dog ​​possibly fathom it?"

Zheng Zhilong lowered his telescope, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. Ever since he had sent the main Ming army to the Korean mainland and completed the crucial task of crossing the river, he had been working tirelessly, leading the main naval force northwards, setting up a trap in the vast sea area from northeast Korea to the mouth of the Heilongjiang River, following several possible routes previously indicated by Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cilang had already analyzed that Dorgon had no chance of survival by land, and only two sea routes were available for escape—east to Japan, or north to Russia.

Zheng Zhilong had already deployed troops to monitor the situation in Japan.

And this northern front is the main battlefield where he personally oversees operations!

"Send the order to all ships!"

Zheng Zhilong's voice was like cold iron, resounding and forceful.

"Deploy into battle formation! Block all their paths! Gunships, advance and—boom!"

"Order!"

Command flags waved and bugles sounded in unison.

The massive Ming naval fleet, like a roc spreading its wings, swiftly changed formation, forming an impenetrable, arc-shaped death blockade that pressed towards the chaotic Jurchen fleet. Dozens of flagships at the forefront had their broadside gun ports open, their dark muzzles menacingly pointed at their targets.

"Target—Enemy flagship! Distance—Three chains!"

"Load solid shot and chain shot!"

"put!"

Zheng Zhilong swung his arm down hard.

"Boom! Boom boom boom—!!!"

In an instant, it seemed as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had split open! The Ming warships spewed out a continuous stream of fire from their broadsides, the deafening roar drowning out the howling of the wind and waves! Dozens, even hundreds, of heavy solid iron projectiles, with piercing shrieks, tore through the gloomy sea and sky, slamming heavily into the Jurchen fleet! Even more, chain shot, specifically designed to destroy sails and masts, spun and flew in like the scythe of death!

"Bang! Crack! Crash—!"

Wood chips flew everywhere, and the ship's planks shattered! A North Korean Pan-ok ship at the forefront was hit head-on by three or four solid shot bullets hitting the waterline in succession. The hull was instantly torn open with a huge gash, and seawater rushed in. The ship tilted and sank at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the soldiers on board screamed as they fell into the water like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

The mast of another ship was snapped by chain shot, and the heavy sails and canvas crashed down, burying the people on deck and throwing them into the sea.

"Fire! Return fire! Return fire now!!"

Supported by his personal guards, Dorgon roared at the top of his lungs.

The old breech-loading cannons and the few imitation red-coated cannons on his ship finally started firing sporadically. Most of the shells fell far into the sea, stirring up a few insignificant splashes. Occasionally, a shell hit the Ming ship, but it only left shallow dents on the sturdy hull and could not cause any substantial damage.

The gap is too big.

This was not a naval battle at all; it was a one-sided massacre.

Zheng Zhilong's fleet was overwhelming in terms of the number of ships, tonnage, firepower, protection, and the quality of the sailors.

This time, he brought his true ocean-going main force, with nearly a thousand warships and transport ships of various sizes, more than two hundred gunboats directly involved in the encirclement, and a force of over one hundred thousand! Dealing with Dorgon's escape fleet, which was made up of rubble and lacked naval combat experience, was like a giant toying with an infant.

The shelling continued relentlessly, wave after wave.

The Ming artillerymen were well-trained and their shooting was accurate. One after another, the Jurchen ships were hit, caught fire, broke apart, and sank.

The sea was littered with floating planks, debris, corpses, and people struggling and calling for help. Blood stained parts of the sea, only to be quickly diluted by the larger waves. Desperate cries and the screams of the dying could be faintly heard between bursts of gunfire, adding to the desolation.

"Protect the Regent!"

"Turn! Charge out! Crash through to make a way!"

Several relatively intact Jurchen ships, driven by their officers, attempted a desperate gamble, charging through the hail of bullets towards the gaps in the Ming fleet in an attempt to break through.

"Want to run?"

Zheng Zhilong sneered.

"Order the cruisers on both flanks to advance and use battering rams and fire ships! Don't let a single one escape!"

More agile Ming warships swarmed in from both flanks, pounding the sides of approaching enemy ships with their massive battering rams, or launching small, ignited fireboats that hurtled downwind towards the Jurchen fleet. Flames, smoke, explosions, collisions… the sea had become a boiling inferno.

Less than an hour later.

As the cannon fire gradually subsided and the smoke dissipated by the sea breeze, the once-thousand-strong Jurchen fleet was scattered and no longer existed.

On the sea, only a large amount of floating wreckage, oil slicks, debris, and the hulls of a few ships riddled with bullet holes and slowly sinking remained. Most of those who fell into the water had been swallowed by the icy sea or were caught in the subsequent artillery fire.

Those who managed to cling to the planks and float were already on the verge of death from the cold and despair.

The largest Fujian ship, where Dorgon was, had long since disappeared. Under the concentrated fire of the Ming army, it was hit by at least a dozen heavy cannon shells in succession, the hull broke in half, and it quickly sank into the cold, dark depths of the sea.

As for Dorgon himself, whether he died in the crossfire, was swallowed by a fish, or luckily fell into the water and froze and starved to death, no one knows, and no one cares.

This once all-powerful and ambitious regent ultimately sank with his imperial dreams into this foreign, unknown sea, leaving no trace of his remains.

Zheng Zhilong ordered a halt to the shelling, and the fleet dispersed to begin the final "sweeping" and search and rescue operation—searching for any surviving, valuable targets and clearing away any remaining enemy forces from the sea.

"Report—My Lord! Several people have been pulled out of the water! They look like... noble family members of the Jurchens!"

A fast sentry ship approached the flagship to report.

"Bring it here!"

Zheng Zhilong was greatly encouraged.

Soon, a small boat approached, and several sailors escorted two people who were soaking wet, shivering, and pale as ghosts onto the deck.

Ahead was a boy, about six or seven years old, wrapped in a blanket, with a terrified and blank look in his eyes.

Behind them was a young woman, equally disheveled with her hair in disarray, yet still undeniably beautiful. She clung tightly to the boy, trying to shield him from the cold wind and the countless scrutinizing gazes around them with her frail body.

"Your Majesty!"

The escorting sailors shouted.

The woman, holding the boy, staggered and knelt on the cold deck, her head bowed, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Raise your head!"

Zheng Zhilong walked up to them, looking down at them with piercing eyes.

Who are you?

The woman slowly raised her head, revealing a pale yet still beautiful face. Her once bright eyes were now filled with fear, despair, and a stubborn, barely concealed resolve. She looked at Zheng Zhilong, then at the menacing Ming soldiers around her, her lips trembling, unable to utter a word.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be a low-ranking naval officer, with a short beard and a somewhat refined air, stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting to Zheng Zhilong:
"My lord, I am Jin Wenkui, formerly the naval commander of Dengzhou, and later followed Liu Xiang... uh, later surrendered to the imperial court. Just now, I was on another patrol boat and saw with my own eyes this woman holding this child being pulled out from near the largest sunken ship."

Dorgon was right beside them on that ship! This woman's demeanor and bearing were far from those of an ordinary bondservant, and this child… judging by his age and the woman's protective manner, I'm afraid…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Zheng Zhilong's heart pounded wildly! The women and children with Dorgon, and the boy of such a young age... An unbelievable, enormous possibility exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt!
He suppressed his excitement, squatted down, and stared sharply at the woman. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling pressure:

"Speak! Who are you? And who is he? Don't deceive me! If you utter a single falsehood, I will immediately throw you back into the sea to feed the fish! If what you say is true..."

He paused deliberately.

"Perhaps there is still a way to survive."

That woman—was none other than Da Yu'er.

Sensing the undisguised murderous intent and the last glimmer of "life" in Zheng Zhilong's words, and looking at his son Fulin, who was almost fainting from fright in his arms, his last bit of psychological defense completely collapsed.

She knew that hiding it was useless. Since the other party was able to intercept them here and rescue them, they must have had informants or suspicions.

At this moment, admitting one's identity might, as the Ming general said, offer a sliver of hope of being treated as an important prisoner and temporarily saving one's life.

As for the future... I can't worry about that now.

She suddenly slammed her head to the ground, her voice trembling with sobs, yet unusually clear:

"Your Majesty...this sinful woman...this sinful woman is the concubine of the late false Khan Huang Taiji, of the Borjigit clan...he...he is the late Khan's son, named Fulin...I beg Your Majesty for mercy!I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness! The child is still young, he knows nothing!"

After saying this, she hugged Fulin tightly and wept uncontrollably.

The deck fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the howling sea breeze.

Huang Taiji's concubine! Huang Taiji's son! The rumored young emperor of the pseudo-Qing dynasty, "supported" by Dorgon!

Zheng Zhilong felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest!
They've captured them! They've actually captured them! This is an even greater achievement than capturing Dorgon himself! Killing or forcing an enemy chieftain to his death is certainly a great accomplishment, but capturing the enemy emperor and empress dowager alive is entirely different! This is an unparalleled feat worthy of being recorded in history and bringing glory to one's family!
This was enough to elevate Zheng Zhilong from a marquis to one of the most illustrious meritorious officials since the founding of the Ming Dynasty!

The title of Duke was also beckoning to him!
"Haha! Hahaha!"

Zheng Zhilong could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter, his hearty laughter carrying far on the sea breeze.

"Good! Good! What a wonderful concubine of Huang Taiji! What a wonderful young emperor of the pseudo-Qing! Heaven is helping us! Heaven blesses the Ming Dynasty!"

He abruptly stopped laughing, his face still flushed with wild joy, and sternly addressed those around him:

"Did you hear that? These two are no ordinary people! Keep a close watch on them! Arrange separate cabins for them, assign a physician to treat them, and ensure their food and drink are not neglected! If anything goes wrong, I will take your heads!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The guards on either side responded with a resounding roar, and carefully yet irresistibly helped up Dayuer, who was slumped on the ground, and the dazed Fulin.

"My lord...you promised..."

Da Yu'er raised her tearful eyes and asked timidly.

"rest assured!"

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand, full of vigor and high spirits.

"My word is my bond! Now that you have been captured, you shall be escorted back to the capital for His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince to decide your fate. Our Great Ming is a land of benevolence and righteousness, and His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are even more magnanimous and virtuous rulers. I presume they will not make things difficult for you, you orphans and widows."

However, everything still depends on His Majesty's will. You should all stay put for now!

Upon hearing this, Da Yu'er felt somewhat relieved, at least for the time being her life was not in danger. She said no more, but simply held Fu Lin tightly, letting the Ming soldiers take her away.

After the two were taken away, Zheng Zhilong immediately stopped smiling and said to Jin Wenkui and the surrounding generals:
"Immediately send a secret report to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty regarding today's events via express courier! Also, order all ships to continue a thorough search of the sea surface and carefully salvage the area to see if there is any trace of Dorgon, Ajige, Jirgalang, or the others. We must find them alive or dead!"

"Order!"

In the following period, the Ming navy combed through this sea area repeatedly, like a comb.

Some Jurchen soldiers and a few nobles who had fallen into the water were pulled out, but the whereabouts of key figures such as Dorgon, Ajige, Dodo, and Jirgalang were nowhere to be found, as if they had sunk to the bottom of the sea.

They must have either perished in the belly of fish or sunk into the cold, dark depths of the sea, to sleep forever with their ambitions and sins.

Standing at the bow of the ship, Zheng Zhilong gazed at the sea gradually calming down, with only a few scattered floating objects remaining, and felt a surge of heroic spirit. (End of Chapter)