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

Emperor Chongzhen was overjoyed to hear this, and his smile grew even brighter.

Knowing it was just polite talk, which emperor wouldn't be overjoyed to be praised so highly by his son who had made such a great contribution?
He laughed heartily and offered a few words of encouragement to everyone, especially to generals such as Cao Wenzhao, Zu Dashou, and Abunai.

Subsequently, accompanied by Zhu Cilang and others, Emperor Chongzhen ascended the high platform and received even more solemn congratulations.

After the ceremony, the massive ceremonial procession started again. Emperor Chongzhen rode in a jade carriage, with Zhu Cilang on horseback beside him, heading towards the depths of Seoul, towards the "Korean Royal Palace," which had been urgently repaired and expanded in scale.

On both sides of the road, there was still a continuous stream of kneeling and shouts of "Long live the Emperor!"

However, amidst the clamor, the whispers and cold gazes about the former King Li Zong lingered like an inescapable shadow at the end of the procession.

Seoul, the "temporary palace".

Although it is called a temporary palace, it was actually expanded and renovated on the basis of the original Korean royal palace by Ming soldiers and conscripted Korean laborers working day and night.

The original Gyeongbokgung Palace was small in scale due to repeated wars and the limited national strength of Joseon. The palace buildings were low and the decorations were simple. Compared with the Forbidden City in Beijing, it was like the mansion of a nouveau riche in the countryside.

After Zhu Cilang moved in, he felt that it did not conform to the majesty of the "Celestial Empire" and could not serve as the center for future rule over Korea. So he simply ordered that, without affecting the safety of the main structure, the buildings should be expanded, heightened, and decorated as needed.

After two months, although it still couldn't compare to the real imperial palace, the area had nearly doubled in size, the main halls' foundations had been raised, covered with glazed tiles, and painted with vermilion pillars. The interior had also been partially renovated according to the style of the Ming Dynasty palaces, finally giving it some imperial grandeur and no longer its previous shabby appearance.

After Emperor Chongzhen moved in, he was quite satisfied with this "new imperial palace".

Although it cannot compare to the Forbidden City, the fact that such a system exists on this "newly expanded territory" is enough to demonstrate the majesty of the Celestial Empire.

He was particularly touched by his son's meticulous attention to detail in this "face-saving project".

The first two days were mainly spent receiving civil and military officials who remained in charge, listening to detailed reports on the war, understanding the current situation in Korea, and accepting the homage of Korean subjects who had submitted to the government. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Emperor Chongzhen greatly admired Zhu Cilang's "achievements" in Korea over the past two months, especially his skillful tactics in winning over, dividing, and controlling the old forces in Korea, which made him, as his father, secretly alarmed yet extremely gratified.

However, beneath the surface calm, undercurrents never ceased to surge. The final decision regarding the "status of Korea" hung over everyone's mind like the Sword of Damocles. Emperor Chongzhen was waiting, waiting for the most opportune moment, waiting for public opinion to reach its peak. Zhu Cilang, on the other hand, was secretly pushing forward, ensuring that this public opinion would boil over completely in the direction desired by the father and son.

On the third day, the time came.

At dawn, in the main hall, which had been temporarily converted into the "Hall of Diligent Governance," Emperor Chongzhen summoned Zhu Cilang, several key cabinet ministers, generals, and Li Zong to announce a decision.

"Since I ascended the throne, I have governed the world with benevolence and filial piety, and treated neighboring countries with trust and righteousness. The Joseon Dynasty has served the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years with utmost respect and obedience. Now, the Jurchens are rampant, Joseon is suffering, and the king is in exile. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of Heaven and the bravery of the soldiers, we have driven out the Tartars and restored our territory."

Chongzhen's voice echoed in the hall, carrying a deliberately restrained solemnity:

"Now, Korea has been restored, and its people have seen the light of day again. I have thought that a wise man does not steal the good things of others, and a king does not covet the land of others. Korea belongs to the Joseon Dynasty, not to the Ming Dynasty. My mind is made up..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping downwards. Li Zong's body trembled violently, his head bowing even lower. Zhu Cilang and the others kept their eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought. Several cabinet ministers wore expressions of "Just as I thought," and "Your Majesty is wise."

"...Five days from now, we will announce to the world that we will return all of Korea's territory and political power to King Injo of Korea. Our Ming army will also gradually withdraw from Korea after the handover is completed, leaving only necessary troops to assist in defense, in order to prevent the remnants of the Jurchens or Japanese pirates from invading."

"I hope that after returning to his country, the King will govern diligently, care for his people, and forever serve as a bulwark for the Ming Dynasty, thus fulfilling my sincere intention in returning him today, and also upholding the centuries-old friendship between our two nations."

The contents of the imperial edict, like a pre-prepared script, were loudly read aloud by the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial in a shrill voice outside the palace gates to the large number of Han citizens, gentry, and representatives from various regions who had come to hear the news, who had been gathered there intentionally or unintentionally.

"boom--!!!"

It's like pouring a ladle of ice water into a pot of boiling oil, causing it to explode instantly!

"What?! We're going to return North Korea to him?!"

"No! Absolutely not! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"What right does that king who abandoned his country have to return?!"

"The Ming army cannot leave! What will we do if they leave? What if the Jurchens come again?!"

"Tax exemption! His Highness the Crown Prince promised a five-year tax exemption! Will that still stand if he comes back?!"

After the initial shock and bewilderment came a volcanic eruption of fierce opposition!
The crowd surged toward the palace gates as if they had gone mad, their cries, pleas, curses, and questions creating a deafening cacophony.

The Ming soldiers guarding the palace gates desperately formed a human wall, their long spears like a forest, barely managing to keep the excited crowd outside.

Many people knelt on the ground, banging their heads against the earth until their foreheads bled profusely, crying out in anguish, begging the emperor to rescind his decree.

The scene was tragic and chaotic, filled with a near-desperate panic.

Almost simultaneously, the Korean officials, generals, and representatives of aristocratic families who had long since "submitted" to the Ming Dynasty, as if receiving a unified signal, dressed themselves neatly and came to the palace, kneeling down in a large, dark mass in front of the palace gate.

The leading group, holding pre-written, still-wet blood-stained petitions, called "Letters of the People" or "Weeping Petitions of the Officials," faced the palace gate and wept bitterly.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, have mercy! King Injo has lost all the hearts of the people and abandoned the country. He is unworthy to be king! If he is allowed to return to the throne, Joseon will surely be thrown into turmoil and the people will be plunged into misery again! This is not returning territory, but abandoning the lives of millions of Joseon people!"

"Your Majesty! The people of Korea have long admired Your Majesty's rule and yearned for the Celestial Empire! Since His Highness the Crown Prince entered the country, he has relieved the people from their dire straits, distributed grain and relief, and proclaimed benevolent policies. Only then have the people been able to live in peace, as if seeing their parents again! If now the Ming Dynasty were to abandon us and return to tyranny... to its former masters, it would be no different than pushing a drowning person back into the water, or abandoning a bird that has found warmth in the cold! What have the people done to deserve such a reversal?!"

"Your Majesty! The Celestial Empire aspires to unify the world and govern the four seas. Korea, strategically located, is eager to submit to the Ming Dynasty. This is the time when Heaven has bestowed upon Your Majesty territory and granted the people a wise ruler! How can you sacrifice the greater good for petty gains, or prioritize empty fame over real benefits? We, your humble servants, representing the people of Korea, tearfully beg Your Majesty to obey Heaven's will, heed the will of the people, and forever incorporate Korea into the Ming Dynasty's territory. Establish prefectures and counties, and implement benevolent governance, so that we may forever be Your Majesty's subjects and obedient citizens of the Ming Dynasty! If Your Majesty does not grant this request, we are willing to kneel here forever, until our blood is completely drained, and we will not dare to rise!"

These people, whether genuinely fearing Li Zong's return and subsequent purges, having already gained or about to gain tangible benefits from the Ming Dynasty, or simply being pragmatic and wise, all put on an acting show, shedding tears and delivering a flawless performance of "popular outcry" and "divine mandate."

Behind them were countless ordinary people, either incited or already harboring fear and expectation, echoing and pleading like a tidal wave.

"Please, Your Majesty, stay! Please, the Ming Dynasty, do not leave!"

"We don't want Li Zong! We want to be people of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty! Have mercy—!!"

Inside the palace gates, Emperor Chongzhen, with a "solemn expression," paced back and forth in the hall, occasionally sighing with "deep sorrow":

"This... what should we do? I came with the utmost sincerity, wishing to uphold the loyalty of our vassal states, but who would have thought the people would turn out like this... Alas! Your Highness, my ministers, what do you think we should do?"

Zhu Cilang and several cabinet ministers naturally "remonstrated earnestly," analyzing the pros and cons and stating that "the will of the people cannot be defied, and the mandate of Heaven cannot be reversed."

Li Zong, his face ashen, knelt in a corner of the hall, trembling, as if every word of the overwhelming opposition outside was a whip lashing his face.

The first time the emperor issued an edict to return the property, under pressure from overwhelming public opinion and the earnest advice of his officials, Chongzhen was "forced" to retract the order, stating that he would "reconsider" the matter.

The following day, similar petitions and cries reached another climax.

Some "excited" commoners and "loyal" scholars even declared that if the Ming Dynasty withdrew its troops and Li Zong was restored to the throne, they would "die for their country."

Emperor Chongzhen hesitated again and again. After Li Zong himself expressed his fear and unease, saying, "I am of meager virtue and fear that I will fail Your Majesty's trust and the people's expectations," Emperor Chongzhen once again postponed the return of the goods.

The play must be performed in three acts.

On the third day, when the petition reached its peak, when the public opinion that "the whole of Korea does not want Yi Jong to be restored to the throne, but only wants to be permanently attached to the Ming Dynasty" was thoroughly heated, and when even some forces that were originally neutral and observing were swept up by this "trend" and had to express their support for "annexation", the most crucial figure finally appeared.

King Li Zong removed his royal robes, changed into plain clothes, let his hair down, and walked barefoot. With the "support" of two eunuchs, he staggered out of the palace and stood before the thousands of onlookers outside the palace gates.

His face was deathly pale, his eyes filled with tears. Facing the palace gate, he once again performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows, then in a hoarse, sorrowful yet exceptionally clear voice, he said loudly:
"Your Majesty, I, the guilty subject Yi Jong, bow twice to Your Majesty's divine grace! Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous, wishing to preserve my dignity and return my homeland. This grace is as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth! However, the will of Heaven is hard to defy, and the hearts of the people cannot be deceived! In recent days, the people of Korea have wept and pleaded for my life, and the gentry have pleaded with tears in their eyes, all saying that I, the guilty subject, have lost my virtue and am unworthy to serve as your master. I only wish to be a subject of the Great Ming forever. This is what Heaven has shown, and it is the will of the people!"

He looked up, tears streaming down his face.
"How dare this sinful subject defy the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people for personal gain and family honor, causing Your Majesty distress and plunging the people into further confusion? Joseon, the Mandate of Heaven should belong to the Great Ming, and the hearts of the people have turned to the Celestial Dynasty! This is not something Your Majesty has taken away, but rather a gift from Heaven, and the people have turned to it!"

He kowtowed again, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud.

"Your Majesty, I humbly beseech you to consider the will of Heaven and comply with the will of the people, to annex Korea into your territory and establish prefectures and counties to govern it! May the lands of the Three Hans forever secure the borders of the Great Ming; may the millions of people forever be Your Majesty's children! Your Majesty... I am willing to relinquish my title as King, present maps and registers, and submit the entire country to Your Majesty, but I beg Your Majesty... to have mercy and spare the lives of your humble servant and the entire Yi family, and grant me a meager title and salary to end this remaining life. If you grant me this, I will be content, and I will be moved to tears. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!"

Having said that, he prostrated himself on the ground and burst into tears. The sound of his weeping, in the silence before the palace gates, was particularly desolate and helpless, yet it also carried a strange sense of relief after utter surrender.

Inside and outside the palace gates, all was deathly silent.

Only the sound of the wind and Li Zong's suppressed sobs could be heard.

All eyes were focused on the tightly closed palace gate.

After a long while, the palace gates slowly opened.

The Chongzhen Emperor appeared at the entrance. He was dressed in ordinary clothes, his face was calm, and his gaze slowly swept over the thousands of subjects kneeling in front of the palace gate, over Li Zong who was prostrate on the ground and weeping, and finally looked at the distant sky that belonged to this peninsula.

He took a deep breath, and his voice, no longer hesitant, carried a heavy, solemn, and seemingly divinely ordained resolve, clearly resounding throughout the hall:

"Heaven hears as the people hear, Heaven sees as the people see. The will of the people is the will of Heaven, the heart of the people is the heart of the Emperor."

"The people of Korea are sincere and loyal; King Yi is wise and righteous. If I insist on returning it, it will not only be contrary to the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, but I also fear that it will dampen the enthusiasm of loyal people and fail the expectations of millions of lives."

He paused for a moment, his gaze becoming incredibly sharp and resolute:
"I, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, grant the request of King Injo of Joseon to annex the territory and people of Joseon into the territory of the Great Ming! From this day forward, the name of Joseon shall be abolished, and the 'Joseon Provincial Administration Commission' shall be established, governing eight provinces, with appointed officials, implementing the laws and regulations of the Great Ming, and promoting the benevolent rule of the king! All former citizens of Joseon shall be subjects of the Great Ming, treated equally, and sharing in peace! All those who are willing to serve the new dynasty and possess talent and virtue shall be employed according to their abilities and become officials of the Great Ming!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live—!!!"

After a brief silence, cheers erupted more fiercely and fervently than ever before, like a volcano that had been suppressed for thousands of years bursting forth, shooting straight into the sky! Many people embraced and wept, whether from joy or relief at surviving a calamity, it was unclear. The North Korean officials who had led the petition were trembling with excitement, repeatedly kowtowing and shouting "You are wise!"

Emperor Chongzhen slightly raised his hand, suppressing the deafening roar, and turned his gaze to Li Zong, who was still prostrate on the ground. His tone softened.

"Li Qing voluntarily surrendered, saving the people from the ravages of war and ensuring the integrity of the country. He has rendered meritorious service to the nation and benefited all living beings. How could I be a harsh and ungrateful ruler? Therefore, I hereby confer upon Li Zong the title of 'Prince of Guiyi,' a hereditary title, and bestow upon him gold, silver, silk, mansions, and estates."

The Prince may choose his own residence, whether to remain in Korea, go to Liaodong, or reside in the capital or Nanjing; I grant all his request. Furthermore, I have dispatched the Ministry of Works to construct a mansion for him, and he will receive double the annual stipend of a prince, ensuring that he and his descendants will forever enjoy wealth and glory, sharing in the prosperity of the nation!

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant... no, Your Majesty, kowtow to express my deepest gratitude for Your Majesty's boundless grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Li Zong kowtowed deeply once more, his voice hoarse, tears streaming down his face. This time, the dust had truly settled.

He lost his throne, but his life was saved, his family was saved, and he even received preferential treatment beyond what was expected.

This was perhaps the best, and only, outcome that he and the crumbling Li dynasty could hope for. (End of Chapter)