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

The fleet sailed smoothly in the Bohai Bay for five days.

The sea route was much faster than the land route, and with the favorable weather and calm seas, the hazy outline of Dagu Port came into view earlier than expected.

Emperor Chongzhen stood on the deck, holding onto the cold bronze railing, his gaze sweeping across the shimmering sea and landing on that familiar land.

The sea breeze, carrying a damp coolness, stirred the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe.

“Ci Lang”.

He turned his head, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"I never imagined that sea transport would be so much faster than land transport! If we were to travel by land, it would take more than two months to go from Tianjin to Korea, even with the fastest horse. Now it seems that as long as we maintain this sea route, our Great Ming can control all the movements in Liaodong and Korea at any time through the sea."

Zhu Cilang stood to one side, gazing at the gradually clearing coastline, a slight smile playing on his lips, and calmly replied:

“Your Majesty is wise. The sea is the passageway to the world. Liaodong, Korea, and even more distant territories in the future can all be connected by this sea route. With the navy as the backbone and merchant ships as the lifeblood, information, provisions, and troops can all arrive in a day. How can there be any worry about being unable to reach them from afar?”

These words further stirred Chongzhen's heroic spirit.

He could almost see the Ming Dynasty's dragon flag drifting along this blue artery towards a more distant shore.

Tianjin Port, on the same day.

Although it was late September, and autumn was deepening in the north with a biting chill in the sea breeze, the docks of Tianjin were a bustling sea of ​​people, with noise so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

Civil and military officials stood on either side according to their rank, their scarlet robes, blue robes, armor, and official hats still exuding solemnity and dignity in the bleak autumn wind.

Further out, there were layers upon layers of people, men, women, and children, all with flushed cheeks, dancing with excitement.

Many of them were once emaciated refugees, but now they have rosy complexions and, although their clothes are not particularly fine, they are much neater.

"Here it comes! The ship! The ship has arrived!"

Someone shouted.

Cao Youyi, the Tianjin garrison commander who had been pacing somewhat impatiently, suddenly stopped and shaded his eyes with his hand as he looked out at the sea.

Sure enough, several miles away, a massive fleet of ships, whipping up the wind, was coming like a migrating pod of whales, breaking through the waves.

The towering sails and imposing bows of the ships all testified to the terrifying strength of this fleet.

"Quick! Final check!"

Cao Youyi gave the order in a hoarse voice, his tone distorted.

"The red carpet is laid out! The musicians are in position! Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Before long, accompanied by a deep and resounding thud as it came ashore, the massive anchor crashed into the water, sending up a spray of water several meters high.

The skilled sailors quickly threw and secured the ropes, and after the roar of the planks being laid, Emperor Chongzhen, accompanied by Zhu Cilang, steadily set foot on this homeland he had been away from for a year and a half.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Congratulations on Your Majesty's victorious return!"

On the dock, a massive crowd suddenly knelt down, their roar almost drowning out the howling sea breeze.

As Chongzhen looked at everything before him, at those familiar faces who were so excited they were almost distorted, an indescribable warmth welled up in his heart.

Stepping onto the land of the Ming Dynasty again, the sense of belonging was incomparable to any foreign land.

"My beloved subjects, rise! And all the common people, rise as well!"

Emperor Chongzhen's voice trembled slightly. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and reassurances, Chongzhen did not linger and went straight to the temporary palace.

Zhu Cilang followed behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

On the dock, cranes stood tall, warehouses lined the streets, and a newly built pier extended into the sea. Compared to when he left a year and a half ago, this place was completely different.

The houses stretched for dozens of miles, with masts like a forest. Not only were there military ships, but countless merchant ships also anchored here for loading and unloading.

"It seems that the Tianjin port is now a completely different place thanks to the smooth flow of sea routes."

Zhu Cilang pondered to himself. The court's emphasis on the navy not only brought military deterrence but also directly revitalized Tianjin's canal and sea transport, spurring the rise of countless industries in the surrounding area and truly bringing this northern gateway to life.

Two days later, Gyeonggi Province.

The convoy left Tianjin and headed towards the capital along the imperial road.

It is mid-autumn, and the North China Plain is a scene of abundant harvest.

Zhu Cilang lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. The fields were no longer the single golden yellow he remembered, but instead featured striking, deep purplish-red vines and black patches of soil exposed after being plowed.

Farmers are busy in the fields. Some are digging up the last batch of sweet potatoes, while others are preparing the land to plant winter wheat or replanting seedlings of another crop on the land that has just been harvested.

"Two seasons..."

A smile involuntarily crept onto Zhu Cilang's lips.

He remembered clearly that two years ago, when sweet potatoes and potatoes were first promoted in the Ming Dynasty, they could only be planted once a year due to the variety and climate. They were planted around May and harvested in September.

Back then, being able to eat your fill was considered a great blessing.

However, after two years of breeding and improvement, especially the introduction of new early-maturing varieties that are better adapted to the northern climate, as well as supporting cultivation techniques, sweet potatoes and potatoes can now be harvested twice a year. Planted in April, one crop is harvested in July; planted again in August, and another harvest can be achieved in October.

"Sow in April, harvest in July; sow in August, harvest in October."

Zhu Cilang silently recited this new season. Although relying solely on these two crops would ultimately be insufficient in nutrition, lacking in protein and vitamins, in this ancient era, having two stable and high-yield staple food sources was enough to free most of the lower classes from the shadow of hunger, preventing them from having to gnaw on tree bark and eat clay during the lean season.

This is the confidence to survive.

On the fifth day of the ninth lunar month, at the ten-mile-long pavilion in the capital region.

Five days later, the convoy finally entered the area of ​​influence of the capital.

Ten miles away, the area was already packed with people, with colorful tents stretching as far as the eye could see.

Led by Grand Secretary Xue Guoguan and the Duke of Yingguo, a host of civil and military officials, dressed in brand-new court attire, had been waiting here for a long time.

The Duke of England seemed somewhat agitated; he paced back and forth, rubbing his hands together incessantly, and muttering to himself:

"Why aren't they here yet? What time is it? Why aren't they here?"

Xue Guoguan, who was standing next to him, was also gazing solemnly at the end of the official road, but seeing the Duke of Ying's appearance, he couldn't help but smile and said reassuringly:
"Duke of England, please do not be anxious. The scouts have just reported that His Majesty's imperial carriage has arrived at Wulipo and will be there soon. Rest assured, the wind and waves are calm today and the auspicious time will not be missed."

Upon hearing this, the Duke of England breathed a long sigh of relief, his expression calming down somewhat, but his eyes, still fixed on the official road, remained filled with urgency.

His anxiety wasn't entirely for the sake of currying favor with the emperor—although that was of utmost importance—but was largely driven by personal motives.

His eldest son accompanied the emperor on this expedition, and it has been nearly two years since then!

For the past two years, he had been constantly worried about his son's safety. Now, hearing of his triumphant return, that his son was not only safe and sound but had also performed an extraordinary feat, his joy and anticipation were overflowing. "He's here! He's here!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

Everyone paused for a moment, then straightened their clothes, straightened their backs, and stared intently at the end of the official road.

In the distance, a bright yellow ceremonial procession, under the clear autumn sun, resembled a golden dragon, slowly appearing in everyone's view. With banners waving and the imperial carriage exuding elegance, who else could it be but Emperor Chongzhen's entourage?

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome you! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Your subject respectfully welcomes His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"

Before long, the dark mass of people knelt down in unison, like waves of wheat, their shouts shaking the fallen leaves on the ground.

The carriage curtain was slowly lifted by a hand wearing a jade thumb ring, and Chongzhen stepped out of the carriage.

It had been over a year since I last saw him. He looked a bit thinner, but he was still very energetic, and the heroic spirit between his brows was even greater than before.

When he saw these familiar officials before him, and the majestic city walls of the capital faintly visible in the distance, his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"I'm back... I'm finally back!"

He roared inwardly, and two lines of tears uncontrollably slid down his cheeks.

After nearly two years of personal campaigning, traversing the snows of Liaodong and drinking from the Korean River, he has finally returned to his homeland.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and looked at the kneeling crowd. His voice was slightly choked, yet exceptionally clear:
"My beloved subjects, rise."

Everyone thanked them and stood up.

Just then, a blue silk carriage stopped behind them, the curtain was lifted, and Zhu Cilang stepped down from the carriage.

Before the emperor, he was still the crown prince who needed to be respectfully bowed to.

Even so, the officials still hurriedly bowed to him:
"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly in return.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally lingering for a moment on the Duke of England's eager eyes before moving away.

When his gaze fell upon Grand Secretary Xue Guoguan, Xue Guoguan felt a slight tremor in his heart.

Two years have passed, and this young master has truly grown up.

Although only eighteen years old, Zhu Cilang's height already surpassed that of ordinary people.

Standing at 1.8 meters tall, plus the crown symbolizing the crown prince on his head, his overall height approaches 1.9 meters.

He was tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a wide back. He was no longer the slightly thin boy he was two years ago. Instead, he exuded a heroic aura that came from long-term high positions and the tempering of war.

Between his brows, the majestic aura belonging to an emperor was already beginning to take shape.

Xue Guoguan sighed inwardly, thinking that this was clearly a young emperor who was about to rule the world.

Moreover, barring any unforeseen circumstances, according to the previous plan, His Majesty will likely abdicate soon.

Thinking of this, the elderly prime minister felt a sense of relief—others might covet the position of prime minister, but he was truly exhausted.

After a routine exchange of pleasantries and a handover of government affairs, the large group began its journey towards the capital.

All the officials followed the imperial carriage respectfully, either on horseback or in a carriage.

When they reached the outskirts of the capital, the sight before them made Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang in the carriage unable to resist lifting the curtain again.

The outskirts of the capital were already completely surrounded by people!
Despite the best efforts of the officers and soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison to maintain order, the heartfelt cheers still broke through all restraints like a flood bursting its banks.

"Welcome back in triumph, Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"

The cheers were like thunder, wave after wave, deafening. Those simple and excited smiling faces, those heartfelt blessings, sounded both comforting and heavy to Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang.

This is the will of the people.

It is through the past two years, with food, firearms, and victory after victory, that we have won back the hearts and minds of the people, inch by inch.

The convoy slowly drove past, through the cheering crowds, and headed towards the ancient yet brand-new imperial city.

For the past year or so, although the emperor and crown prince have been absent from the skies over the capital, the entire city, and indeed the entire Ming Dynasty, has not come to a standstill.

On the contrary, on the track laid out by Zhu Cilang before leaving the capital, everything was running at an astonishing speed, methodically and rapidly.

Whether it's the potatoes and sweet potatoes that have long been deeply ingrained in people's minds, the honeycomb briquettes that changed the way people keep warm in the winter in the north, or the "ingenious and ingenious" things that gradually took shape in the workshops, they are all being promoted according to the established plan.

The people of the capital may not have known about the war in the distance, but they personally experienced the tremendous changes in their lives.

Nowadays in the capital, it's no exaggeration to say that even beggars can truly be considered to have enough to eat.

The terrifying yields of potatoes and sweet potatoes, often amounting to thousands of kilograms, completely shattered the food crisis that had plagued the Ming Dynasty for a century.

With the continuous influx of potato grains into the market, the price of grains on the market has fallen again and again, and now it has almost recovered to the unbelievably low price during the reign of Emperor Hongwu.

Although this had a significant impact on the landlords and wealthy people who relied on grain trading for their livelihood, and even harmed their interests, there was nothing that could be done about it.

The way to govern a country is like controlling water; it requires a combination of dredging and blocking, and it is impossible to achieve perfection.

As long as it aligns with the interests of the vast majority of ordinary people and ensures that there are no more starving people on this land, then it is the right thing to do, and that is the foundation of a prosperous era.

In conclusion, even after the "vacuum period" of the emperor's absence from the capital for a year and a half, the Ming Dynasty can still be considered a truly peaceful and prosperous era, with people living in peace and the city thriving.

When Emperor Chongzhen's carriage finally entered the majestic city gate of the capital, the scene along the street further confirmed this.

The streets were already packed with people, and the cheers were even more deafening than those in Tianjin or at Shili Changting.

The people waved the temporary colorful ribbons, and some even climbed onto the rooftops, just to catch a glimpse of the emperor.

"Welcome back in triumph, Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"

The shouts were like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next, even drowning out the mournful sound of the wind blowing against the flagpole below the city gate.

However, amidst this sea of ​​jubilation, the officers and soldiers of the Five City Garrison, responsible for the defense of the capital, and the Imperial Guards showed no joy on their faces; instead, they wore an almost frozen tension.

Their hands gripped the hilts of their knives tightly, their knuckles turning white from the force; their eyes, like those of hawks, scanned every suspicious corner and every half-open window in the crowd. (End of Chapter)