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

Then, Emperor Chongzhen surveyed the territory that had been reclaimed by the Ming Dynasty and silently murmured to himself:
Looking back on the nearly three hundred years of Ming Dynasty history, Emperor Taizu rose from humble beginnings, and Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to the north. Yet, only I, Emperor Chongzhen, personally visited this place, drank from the Yalu River, and recovered the lost territories of Korea! Such achievements are unprecedented, and countless others will follow! I shall be an emperor for all ages!
"set sail!"

The bugle calls blared, and the war drums beat.

The huge sails slowly rose, billowing in the strong southeast wind.

The large ship cut through the azure sea, slowly turned its bow, leaving a long, foamy contrail behind it, and sailed towards the misty east, towards the Forbidden City, which it had not seen for a year and a half, towards the heart of the Ming Dynasty.

At this moment, the glory of the empire reached its zenith.

An hour later, hundreds of huge black shadows suddenly appeared on the originally calm sea, like giant beasts rising from the seabed. They were none other than the massive fleet under Zheng Zhilong's command, which struck fear into the hearts of pirates.

The leading warship, towering like a mountain, had a three-story sterncastle. On its huge triangular mainsail, a bright yellow dragon flag fluttered in the sea breeze, like a giant golden hand smoothing the waves on the sea.

On the bow deck, Emperor Chongzhen leaned on the fine bronze railing, the sea breeze blowing his bright yellow dragon robe tightly against his body, the sleeves fluttering in the wind.

He was full of vigor, his gaze piercing through the thin mist as he looked out at the vast, unfathomable sea before him.

Once upon a time, whether it was Zhu Youjian or the dozen or so emperors of the Ming Dynasty before him, they all shared the same thought: the Central Plains were the backbone of the world, the place where the rightful rule of the emperor resided. That vast ocean, regarded as a "barbarian land," was merely a peripheral embellishment, dispensable, or even an excessive and inappropriate burden.

However, after experiencing the flames of war in Liaodong and the smoke of battle in Korea, and especially after witnessing firsthand how Zheng Zhilong's navy navigated the raging waves with ease and crushed the last naval force of the Jurchens into dust with overwhelming force, Chongzhen suddenly felt that the sea actually contained endless possibilities.

It is no longer an obstacle, but a thoroughfare; no longer a boundary, but a starting point.

His thoughts returned, and he turned his head to look at Zheng Zhilong beside him, who was dressed in military uniform and looked slightly reserved. He laughed loudly:

"There's no need to be so formal here today. Our relationship is no longer simply that of ruler and subject. Don't forget, we're also related by marriage."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong's weathered face, etched with the marks of the sea, immediately broke into a heartfelt smile.

To be addressed as "in-law" by the supreme ruler is an immense honor.
He bowed and replied:
"To be able to serve Your Majesty is already a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes. Moreover... hehe, to be able to form a marriage alliance with the imperial family is the good fortune of my entire family. I am deeply grateful."

Emperor Chongzhen was in high spirits. He waved his hand, and the cuff of his dragon robe drew a graceful arc in the air.

"Rest assured, once we return to the capital, I will officiate the wedding for the Crown Prince and your daughter. Although according to the rites she cannot be the principal wife, I have already decided that her rank will be second only to the Crown Princess. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, she will become the Imperial Noble Consort, wielding power over the six palaces. You have made such a great contribution to the court, and I will certainly not treat your Zheng family unfairly."

These words were spoken frankly and sincerely, revealing the promise of an emperor.

Zheng Zhilong was deeply shaken, and a surge of heat rushed to his head.

He was a pragmatic and shrewd man who knew the political weight behind this marriage. Now, hearing the emperor's clear promise, the sense of security he felt as a "royal relative" instantly relieved him of all his burdens.

"Your subject... Your subject Zheng Zhilong thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

His voice trembled with excitement, and he instinctively reached for his robes to kneel down in a grand gesture of respect.

"Look, look."

Emperor Chongzhen smiled and stepped forward, helping him up.

"I just told you not to do that, why are you doing it again?"

The force was neither too light nor too heavy, yet it conveyed an undeniable sense of warmth.

"We're all family, why bother with such a grand ceremony?"

Zheng Zhilong was supported by his arms, and feeling the warmth from the emperor's palms, his eyes even became a little moist.

He stood still again, his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and his admiration for the "in-law emperor" before him reaching their peak.

Chongzhen, without immediately letting go of his hand, shifted his tone, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the sea met the sky, his voice becoming incredibly solemn:

"My dear minister, today I have finally witnessed firsthand the power of the Ming Dynasty's navy. In the future, the Ming Dynasty will not only conquer Japan, but also, in accordance with the Crown Prince's grand plan, expand from the sea to the world, and enfeoff the Ming Dynasty's princes throughout the four seas and eight wastelands. And all of this is inseparable from the support of the navy."

He abruptly withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back, his chest heaving slightly, as if trying to absorb the vast ocean into his embrace:

"In other words, the future national policy of our Great Ming Dynasty must be to develop the navy with all our might! Coupled with the unpredictable firearms, one day the world will be filled with the flags of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

Zheng Zhilong straightened his back and spoke in a booming voice:
"Your Majesty, rest assured! If Your Majesty commands, I am willing to lead the navy to conquer the vast ocean, even at the cost of my life!"

"Good good!"

Emperor Chongzhen praised him repeatedly and patted Zheng Zhilong's strong arm forcefully.

"Work hard, the Crown Prince will need your help in the future."

This statement was both an encouragement and a mandate, and it also bound the fate of the Zheng family and the Ming imperial family together.

Zheng Zhilong felt a surge of heat in his heart, as if he had inexhaustible strength.

Emperor Chongzhen turned his gaze to the distance again. The sea breeze tousled his hair and stirred the longing in his heart.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of Empress Zhou, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and his little daughter who was still in swaddling clothes.

As he was leaving, his youngest daughter, who had just learned to walk, wobbled into his arms. Now, almost two years have passed, and he wonders what she looks like now.

Thinking of this, Chongzhen's longing to return to the capital became even more urgent.

He was so eager to return to the Forbidden City, to that warm haven where he had a wife and daughter.

Moreover, if you think about it carefully, from the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, from Emperor Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang) to Emperor Chengzu (Zhu Di), and then to the emperors of later dynasties, no emperor has ever left the palace for such a long time at once.

Even the founding emperors Taizu and Chengzu had never experienced this before; it was truly a first in the history of the Ming Dynasty.

However, none of this matters anymore.

Importantly, he accomplished a monumental feat, not only completely conquering Liaodong but also bringing Korea under his control.

Thinking of this, Chongzhen couldn't help but smile, a hint of smugness transforming his originally gaunt face into an air of domineering pride.

At dusk, in Dongjiang Town, also known as Pidao.

As the setting sun painted the sea a fiery orange-red, the fleet finally approached the island, which held immense strategic importance during the Ming-Qing wars.

Tonight, the army will encamp here, and will continue its journey tomorrow.

Zheng Chenggong had been waiting here for several days.

After defeating Dorgon's remaining forces at sea, Zheng Chenggong led his main force back to Pi Island. He was a shrewd strategist, knowing that the emperor would inevitably return to the capital by sea, and that Pi Island, as a transit hub, would be a temporary stop. Therefore, he had already begun preparations there to receive the emperor, cleaning the barracks and stockpiling provisions, ensuring that the emperor and crown prince could stay comfortably.

When Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang stepped onto the island's dock amidst a crowd of people, Zheng Chenggong, who had been waiting in a line, led his generals to kneel down in a thunderous roar.

"Your subject, Zheng Chenggong, leading all the soldiers of Dongjiang Garrison, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's arrival! Respectfully welcomes His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The unified shouts echoed through the bay.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the scene before him and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He reached out his hand and made a pressing motion:
"My beloved subjects, rise."

Everyone thanked them and stood up.

Although the commanders defending Pi Island did not directly participate in the frontal battles of the Korean War, their role was crucial in determining the outcome of the operation.

Without them tying down a large number of Jurchen troops in the rear, and without them firmly blocking the Jurchens' possible retreat routes, the Jurchen army would never have been able to withdraw into Korea so smoothly and be wiped out in one fell swoop.

After some polite greetings, Emperor Chongzhen, led by Zheng Zhilong, arrived at a temporary residence that had been prepared for him.

Calling it a "palace" is an exaggeration; it was actually converted from a fortified government office where Zheng Chenggong's main forces were stationed.

The walls were mottled and the furnishings were simple. Compared to the comforts of the Korean royal palace and Liaodong, the conditions here were undoubtedly much harsher.

But Chongzhen didn't care at all. He even felt that this simplicity showed his true imperial nature.

As night falls, a cool sea breeze brings a refreshing coolness.

Inside Zhu Cilang's tent, a small welcoming banquet was underway. After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere inside the tent had long since shed the formality of the court.

Zhu Cilang, holding his wine cup, looked at Zheng Chenggong, who sat below him, beaming with pride, and said with a smile:

“Brother-in-law, you’ve been cooped up on the island for two years, it’s time to get some fresh air. Now that the army has returned in triumph, why not come back to the capital with us? The capital is bustling and vibrant, far surpassing this island. Besides, after we return to the capital, I will be marrying my younger sister next year. You are her brother, and it would be inappropriate for the wedding if you weren’t there.”

Upon hearing the term "brother-in-law," Zheng Chenggong blushed slightly, then broke into a hearty smile:
“Your Highness is right! It would be inappropriate for me, your brother-in-law, to be absent from such a grand event. Besides, I do miss the prosperity of the capital. After I have settled the military affairs on the island tomorrow, I will return to the capital with His Majesty and Your Highness!”

Zhu Cilang nodded in satisfaction when he saw that Zhu Cilang had agreed, and drank another cup.

Just then, Zheng Chenggong seemed to suddenly remember something. A hint of curiosity flashed in his bright eyes. He put down his wine cup and asked, with a slightly tentative tone:
"By the way, Your Highness, may I ask which family the Crown Princess is from? There have been many rumors in the capital, and I am quite curious as well."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang paused slightly, his hand halfway up, then shook his head helplessly, a genuine look of confusion on his face:

"To be honest, I don't know who the Crown Princess will be either."

This wasn't just polite talk. He genuinely wasn't sure.

Before leaving the capital, Empress Zhou did mention several names, but she remained vague about who to choose.

Now that the situation has changed drastically and the Ming Dynasty is thriving, will Empress Zhou's thoughts change? All of this remains to be seen.

"I'll probably find out once I get back to the palace."

Zhu Cilang added, his tone indifferent, seemingly unconcerned.

As the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he didn't really have many personal emotional needs when it came to choosing an empress.

In any case, given Empress Zhou's discerning eye, the people she chooses are unlikely to be too bad.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chenggong simply chuckled, raised his wine cup, and changed the subject:
"Come on, let's not talk about these worries anymore, let's drink! Cheers to His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding next year!"

He was a smart man; he knew when to stop when it came to matters involving royal privacy, and never to delve too deeply into them.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Chongzhen got up.

Instead of lingering in bed, he led his entourage of civil and military officials to a simple ancestral hall on Pi Island.

Here, Mao Wenlong, a once-important figure from the Ming Dynasty, is enshrined.

There were no elaborate ceremonial processions, only simple incense and candles.

With a sorrowful expression, Emperor Chongzhen bowed deeply before the rather plain memorial tablet.

He mourned the blood and sweat Mao Wenlong had shed for the Ming Dynasty, his heart filled with endless sorrow and emotion.

"General Mao, I'm late..."

Mao Wenlong's two sons and several surviving former subordinates stood in a corner, watching the emperor so sincerely mourn their father. They couldn't help but burst into tears, kneeling on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Perhaps in future generations, historians will always be ambiguous and endlessly debate whether Mao Wenlong was loyal or treacherous.

However, from this specific point in time, a little in-depth study of that period of history reveals that Mao Wenlong was always loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

In Dongjiang Town, he was like a nail, firmly anchored to the flank of the Jurchens.

As long as he was there, the Jurchens never dared to launch a full-scale attack on the Ming Dynasty's interior.

Unfortunately, in order to "reorganize the border defenses," Yuan Chonghuan unjustly killed this loyal minister who had tied down a large number of Later Jin troops on trumped-up charges.

Mao Wenlong's death relieved the Jurchens of any worries, allowing them to launch a full-scale attack, which ultimately led to the Battle of Songjin and the complete decline of the Ming Dynasty.

It can be said that if Mao Wenlong had not died back then, the Jurchens would not have dared to launch a full-scale attack, and the Ming Dynasty would not have fallen into such a state. It was all Yuan Chonghuan's fault.

However, these "ifs" and "regrets" are now all just memories.

The wheels of history have been pushed onto a completely different track by the external force of Zhu Cilang.

After spending five days on Pilos Island, the army set off again.

Because the emperor was on board, Zheng Zhilong walked with exceptional steadiness throughout the journey.

He mostly sailed along the coastline, at a slow speed, but it gave people a strong sense of security.

No matter what happens at sea or what sudden changes in the weather, he can immediately direct the fleet to dock and set up camp.

The key principle is "stability," because if anything were to happen to the emperor, it would be a catastrophe. (End of Chapter)