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

"You...do you know what you're saying?!"

Chongzhen's voice was filled with unprecedented shock, anger, and fear, as if he could see countless scholars drowning him, the emperor.

Zhu Cilang remained as steady as a mountain, even revealing a faint smile. In that smile, there was an understanding of his father's fear, but also an absolute confidence that transcended his time.

“Father, fear is normal. But think about it, if we don’t break this shackle, two hundred or a thousand years from now, the Ming Dynasty will still be the same, bound by Confucian dogma, with its technology stagnating. But once we take this step, even if it causes turmoil, even if we are condemned by scholars all over the world, as long as we can control the army, firearms, and food, we can forcefully implement it!”

He stood up, walked to the map hanging on the palace wall, and pointed heavily at the vast lands of Liaodong and Korea:

"Therefore, the Confucius family must be dealt with. We can't just uproot them all at once, or that would provoke too much backlash. We'll move a small portion to Liaodong as a pilot project to see how it goes. We'll leave the main force of the Confucius family alone for now, letting them continue to be their 'descendants of the sage' and deceive the people of the world."

Once our new education system has taken root in Liaodong and Korea, once new talents emerge in an endless stream, once the power of science and technology has won the world's admiration..."

Zhu Cilang turned around, his eyes flashing with a light like cold stars:

"At that time, we will slowly erode their power, gradually eliminating the outdated parts of Confucian culture, and sowing the seeds of 'modern civilization' throughout every inch of the Ming Dynasty. This may take ten, twenty, or even longer, but I can wait, and the Ming Dynasty can wait too!"

These words struck Emperor Chongzhen like a series of heavy hammer blows, leaving him dizzy and with tinnitus.

Looking at his son, who was both familiar and unfamiliar, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

This is not reform, this is outright rebellion! It is a complete overthrow of the feudal system, culture, and ideology that have existed for two thousand years!

However, after the initial shock and anger came a long silence.

Emperor Chongzhen looked into his son's clear and firm eyes, where there was not a trace of joking or impulsiveness, only an unquestionable determination.

He suddenly recalled everything Zhu Cilang had done in the past few years—from promoting potatoes and sweet potatoes to solve the famine, to reorganizing the Beijing garrison and sweeping across Liaodong, and now this shocking statement…which of these things didn’t initially make people’s jaws drop, but ultimately proved to be astonishingly correct?
This son seems to have been born to break conventions and reshape the world.

Zhu Youjian, perhaps, was already old, his thinking solidified by decades of Confucian education, and could no longer keep up with the pace of this "genius."

"That's enough...that's enough..."

Emperor Chongzhen slumped back into his chair, raising his hand to rub his throbbing temples, his face filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

"You...do whatever you want. But I have only one request—do not cause too much turmoil! Now that Korea and Liaodong have been pacified, it is a time when everything needs to be rebuilt. If your shocking actions lead to renewed internal strife, I...I will be letting down my ancestors and all your hard work!"

He waved his hand, as if he had aged considerably in an instant:

"As long as the stability of the Ming Dynasty can be guaranteed and the people can live and work in peace, the rest... you can do whatever you want. I... I only wish to see peace and prosperity throughout the land in my lifetime, and I will ask for nothing more."

Hearing his father finally relent, Zhu Cilang felt little joy, only a heavy sense of responsibility.

He bowed solemnly in greeting:

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will weigh the pros and cons and proceed step by step. I will never allow the Ming Dynasty to fall into turmoil!"

He knew that this first step, regarding the Kong family's plan, had already obtained the "imperial sword".

Once we return to the capital, we can proceed with our plans gradually.

Several days later, at the Korean royal palace, in the Taehwa Hall.

An even more dramatic "tribute ceremony" unfolded in the newly acquired palace in Seoul.

The lack of information caused the neighboring "barbarian" countries to react a beat slower.

It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty's land and naval forces completely wiped out the false emperor and captured him alive, and the news of Korea's nationwide submission swept across East Asia like a hurricane, that the Edo Shogunate of Japan, the Yakutsk Governorate of Russia, and even more distant Ryukyu, Annam, and some small countries in Southeast Asia finally awoke from their slumber.

Shock! Unbelievable! Then came a deep-seated fear.

How could the Ming Dynasty, which had once been nearly wiped out by the Jurchens, unleash such terrifying war potential in just one or two years? Not only did it annihilate the fearsome Jurchen Eight Banners, but it also annexed Korea? This is simply a myth! Is the Ming Dynasty going to restore the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties, or will it once again display the iron hooves of the Mongol Empire?
Thus, missions carrying complex missions arrived in Seoul in a very short time, traveling by sea or land.

The envoys from the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan brought enough gold, silver, pearls, and agates to fill a warehouse. They were extremely humble and earnest, only asking for "amendment." They never mentioned the past when Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea, and dared not utter the word "invasion." They only said that they were "students" of the Ming Dynasty and admired the majesty of the Celestial Empire.

The Cossack envoys from the Russian Empire were rude and direct. They carried furs, amber, and vodka, ostensibly for "trade," but their eyes revealed greed and probing for this newly acquired territory. They repeatedly emphasized the "exploration" achievements of their "expedition" in the Heilongjiang River basin.

Other countries, such as Ryukyu and Annam, were more inclined to offer tribute with sincerity, presenting local products in order to preserve their own territory amidst the new wave of expansion by the Ming Dynasty.

Faced with this group of "guests" with different eyes and different thoughts, Emperor Chongzhen demonstrated extremely high diplomatic skills.

He sat regally atop the temporary yet still magnificent palace, dressed in a bright yellow nine-dragon robe and wearing a winged crown, exuding natural majesty.

He did not blame these countries for being "late," but instead smiled and comforted them gently.

To the Japanese envoy, he emphasized that "we are separated only by a strip of water, share the same language and race, and should live in harmony and exchange goods and resources"; to the Russian envoy, he spoke with a hidden meaning, pointing out that "the Heilongjiang River basin has been Chinese territory since ancient times. If your expedition is truly committed to trade, you should abide by the laws of our Great Ming Dynasty and not cross the border to cause trouble."

As for other smaller countries, the suzerain state adopted a policy of "generous gifts in return for meager ones," bestowing generous rewards to stabilize their hearts and minds.

"You have come from afar and have had a hard time. I rule over all lands based solely on benevolence and righteousness. In the past, the Jianzhou Jurchens rebelled and invaded Korea. I had no choice but to send troops to punish them, but only to relieve the suffering of the people, punish the guilty, and restore our territory. I am not a warmonger."

Emperor Chongzhen's voice was loud and magnetic, echoing throughout the hall.

"Now that Korea is pacified and Liaodong is settled, I have no intention of waging war against our neighbors. As long as all nations uphold their tributary obligations and maintain friendly relations with our Great Ming, I will ensure your peaceful and prosperous lives."

These were well-said; they demonstrated strength, extended goodwill, and solidified the suzerain's position.

The Japanese envoy wiped his sweat repeatedly as he listened. His lingering sense of luck and greed were completely suppressed by the imposing presence of this "benevolent" army, and he could only bow repeatedly in agreement.

Although the Rakshasa envoy remained arrogant, he dared not act rashly in the face of the Ming Dynasty's current prosperity and the hundreds of thousands of troops stationed next door. He could only give a vague reply.

A reception, a reassurance, a diplomatic performance of "carrot and stick" tactics, ended in a pleasant atmosphere for both host and guests.

The envoys from various countries, laden with "divine favor," left Seoul with trepidation but no choice but to submit.

After seeing off the last group of envoys, Chongzhen stood on the white marble steps in front of the palace, watching their departing figures. The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a deep, cold expression. "Father, it seems they are all afraid."

Zhu Cilang stood beside him at some point, speaking in a calm tone.

"Afraid? Of course they're afraid!"

Emperor Chongzhen snorted coldly.

"The Japanese are afraid of us settling scores later, and the Russians are afraid that we will cut off their eastward expansion. But as you can see, this 'submission' is only temporary."

He turned to look at his son, his eyes gleaming with an undeniable determination:
"Japan, a small and insignificant nation, harbors wolfish ambitions and has long coveted our East China Sea. Though it has submitted now, it is only out of fear of the might of our Great Ming army. Once we have rested and recuperated, and our soldiers have honed their skills, Japan will surely become the next target of our Great Ming conquest!"

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly and bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty is wise. However, this is not an urgent matter. I have calculated that it has been more than a year and a half since we left the capital. The soldiers have been fighting for years and are exhausted, and they urgently need rest. Moreover, Korea and Liaodong have just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. The transfer of money and grain, the division of administration, the education of immigrants... there are thousands of things to do, and none of them can be done without time. If we rashly launch an attack on Japan at this time, the battle lines will be too long, and I fear that unforeseen events may occur."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:
"But Japan will surely take it! It just requires our internal affairs to be stable, our firearms to be more sophisticated, and our navy to be stronger. Perhaps in one or two years, or perhaps in three or five years, the Ming army will surely flatten Edo and completely turn this island into a province of our Great Ming!"

As Chongzhen listened to his son's calm yet ambitious analysis, the arrogance he felt due to the "tribute of all nations" gradually subsided.

He knew his son was right.

"well!"

Emperor Chongzhen patted his son's arm heavily, his eyes filled with satisfaction and anticipation.

"Then the rest of the matter will be entrusted to you for overall planning. I only hope to return to the capital as soon as possible to discuss and finalize the establishment of provinces in Liaodong and Korea with the Cabinet and the Six Ministries, so that these newly acquired territories can truly become an inseparable part of my Great Ming!"

As the sun sets, it paints the glazed tiles of the Seoul Palace in a golden-red hue.

A grand campaign against Japan has also been put on the agenda.

After a brief period of rest, the mighty Ming Dynasty will continue its journey, cutting through the waves towards an unknown yet destined-to-be-glorious future.

In August, the summer heat on the Korean Peninsula is gradually subsiding, and the sea breeze begins to carry a dry and crisp autumn feel, typical of the north.

The Han River was much calmer than in summer, reflecting the outlines of the cities on both banks that had been reborn after being ravaged by war.

An unprecedented transshipment of supplies is underway at Seoul Port.

Dozens of giant Fujian-style ships from Tianjin, like moving landmasses, were quietly moored at the dock.

Their waterlines were pressed very low, and the ropes on the deck were taut, indicating the heavy loads inside the cabins.

The dock was bustling with noise, and shouts of workers rose and fell.

The porters, shirtless and their bronze skin glistening with sweat, chanted in unison as they unloaded boxes of exquisite silk, grain, salt, silver, and Ming Dynasty banknotes from the Jiangnan Textile Bureau onto the shore.

The air was filled with the salty smell of the sea, the fresh scent of wood, the aroma of tung oil, and the dust kicked up by countless feet treading on the soil.

These riches from the heart of the empire are the most direct spoils of this war of "reclaiming and expanding territory," and also the material basis for the upcoming "rewarding of the three armies."

Emperor Chongzhen stood on the terrace of the newly built imperial palace, overlooking the bustling scene, his emotions remaining unsettled for a long time.

A Ministry of Revenue official, holding a thick ledger, stood bowing to one side, carefully reporting the final results:

"Your Majesty, after verification by the Imperial Treasury, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue, the amount of silver transported from the capital this time is a full seven million taels. In addition, the value of various silks, cloths, grains, and cereals is incalculable."

"In addition, there are gold, silver, and grain obtained from Liaodong and Korea. If all of them are added together, the silver alone amounts to a full nine million five hundred thousand taels!"

"Nine million five hundred thousand taels..."

Chongzhen repeated the number in a low voice, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the white marble railing of the terrace.

For an emperor who was constantly preoccupied with the "Liaodong military pay" and "suppression military pay," this was undoubtedly an astronomical sum, a huge amount of money that would make any emperor smile in his dreams.

However, the allocation of this huge sum of money caused the emperor, who had just been strategizing on the battlefield, to fall into a brief period of contemplation.

According to ancestral law, when an army returns in triumph, it should return to the capital, and after offering sacrifices to Heaven and reporting to the temple, and rewarding those who have made contributions, then further rewards should be given.

But Emperor Chongzhen made a bold decision at this moment: to reward the people ahead of schedule.

"Lang'er".

He turned around and spoke to Zhu Cilang, who was also watching the dock from behind.

“This time is different from the past. We not only wiped out the Jurchens, but also recovered Korea. This is a true ‘war of annihilation,’ two great achievements worthy of being recorded in history. Our soldiers fought bloody battles for a year and a half. It would be too cold-hearted to make them wait until they return to the capital to see a little reward. This merit must be recognized now.”

Zhu Cilang nodded, his gaze shifting from the dock to the distant, sprawling military camps.

He knew that his father's decision was not only based on gratitude, but also on a precise understanding of the current morale of the army.

More importantly, that was his initial plan!

"Father is wise."

Zhu Cilang took a step closer and calmly analyzed the situation.

"This sum of money, though seemingly enormous, cannot withstand close scrutiny. This military expedition involves over 500,000 troops, including infantry, cavalry, and navy. If we include the civilian laborers, artisans, and doctors accompanying the army, the total number exceeds one million. Nine million taels of silver, when divided equally among each person, amounts to no more than ten taels."

In today's world, this amount of money can't buy several acres of fertile land or even a decent house.

Fortunately, the imperial court also transported ten million taels of Ming Dynasty paper money, which wasn't a small amount when distributed.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned slightly, showing no relief at these words, for this sum of money was far from enough to quell the desires of millions. (End of Chapter)