I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

Kyushu Island, Hirado Domain.

In the most prosperous area sits a mansion with the four large characters "Zheng Family Ancestral Residence" inscribed on it.

After Zheng Zhilong was killed, his son Zheng Sen should have inherited the family business.

However, conflicts between uncles and nephews are a tradition in the Ming Dynasty, and the Zheng family is no exception.

Zheng Zhifeng temporarily assumed the role of head of the family, citing Zheng Sen's youth and inexperience.

From then on, the rift between the uncle and nephew grew wider and wider.

On this day, Zheng Sen hurriedly came to the inner courtyard and found Zheng Zhifeng.

"Second Uncle, something terrible has happened!"

Zheng Zhifeng was embracing his newly acquired geisha concubine when he heard a noise outside. Reluctantly, he put on a coat and went out of the room.

"What's wrong? Why are you so anxious? I've told you so many times, you need to learn to be more composed. Otherwise, how can I entrust the Zheng family's business to you?"

Zheng Sen hurriedly said, "The Ming Dynasty's navy is attacking!"

"You...you're joking, right?"

Seeing Zheng Zhifeng's nonchalant attitude, Zheng Sen stamped his feet anxiously: "Second Uncle, it's absolutely true! The Ming army has captured Busan, the Japanese army is in complete disarray, and they're about to reach Hirado!"

Zheng Zhifeng scoffed, casually fastening his belt: "Have you been scared out of your wits by the Japanese? The Ming Dynasty is thousands of miles away, why would they suddenly send troops to invade?"

"The Ming army not only came, but they also brought flying fire dragons, which blasted half the city apart! The flintlock muskets we sold to the Japanese were like fire pokers in front of the Ming army!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhifeng's brows furrowed deeper: "This...this is impossible..."

"The most urgent task is to send troops to assist in the battle as soon as possible!"

Zheng Sen said impatiently, "If we wait until the Ming army finishes dealing with the Japanese, we'll be next!"

Zheng Zhifeng suddenly sneered, "What's the rush? Let them fight like dogs! Wouldn't it be better for us to sit back and watch them fight? Here's what we'll do: send someone to the front lines to scout things out first, and don't believe everything you hear!"

Zheng Sen turned away angrily. Just as he reached the corner of the corridor, he suddenly caught sight of several Japanese envoys hurrying towards the inner courtyard. The one leading them was none other than Matsudaira Nobutsuna, a trusted retainer of the Tokugawa family. He frowned, slipped behind the artificial hill, and watched them enter Zheng Zhifeng's courtyard.

"Strange, why did the Japanese envoy arrive at such a convenient time?"

Zheng Sen muttered to himself as he returned to his courtyard, where his deputy, Chen Yonghua, was already waiting in his study.

"Young Master, I've just received word that the Second Master has been meeting frequently in secret with Japanese envoys, seemingly intending to join forces against the Ming army!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Sen's expression changed. Recalling Zheng Zhifeng's ambiguous attitude earlier, and having witnessed the Japanese envoy enter the mansion, he immediately became alert.

Since Zheng Zhilong was killed, the Zheng family has fled overseas, but Zheng Sen has always identified himself as a Han Chinese.

He did business with the Japanese only to make money, and he thought about going back home every moment.

"Second Uncle...does he really intend to surrender to the Japanese?"

Seeing Zheng Sen hesitate, Chen Yonghua stepped forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Young Master, although the Zheng family has a foothold overseas, we are still citizens of the Ming Dynasty. Now that the imperial army is pressing in, if Second Master insists on joining forces with the Japanese, wouldn't we become traitors?"

Zheng Sen sighed helplessly, "That's understandable. My father died in a rebellion; even if he wanted to turn back, it's too late!"

"Young master is mistaken!"

Chen Yonghua suddenly produced a secret letter and said, "There's still a chance!"

Zheng Sen took it and unfolded it with a solemn expression.

...Your father, Zheng Zhilong, was ungrateful and rebellious, wreaking havoc on the territory, and has been beheaded to serve as punishment. However, I have observed that Zheng Sen practiced martial arts in his youth, studied the classics, and may still harbor thoughts of loyalty and filial piety, but has not been tainted by the heart of a tyrant.

Now that pirates are rampant, I, by the grace of Heaven and our ancestors, grant you a chance to atone for your sins. If you can repent and return from your misguided ways, your past transgressions will be forgiven. Whoever captures the pirate leader Zheng Zhifeng shall be enfeoffed as the Marquis of Jinghai, a hereditary title.

If you remain obstinate, then the entire Zheng clan will hang their heads at Chongwen Gate, and the 100,000 masts of the Fujian and Zhejiang navies will immediately point eastward. Your life, death, honor, and disgrace rest on your single thought…

The seal bearing the Imperial Seal of the State in seal script is a secret edict personally written by Emperor Chongzhen!

His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the secret edict tightly.

"Chen Yonghua, you betrayed me?"

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare; the Embroidered Uniform Guard spies contacted me on their own initiative!"

Chen Yonghua knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the bluestone slab, and explained, "Wherever you go, it's entirely up to you, young master. If death is the only option, I'm willing to be the first to die!"

After a brief silence, Zheng Sen sighed and said, "My father did indeed take the wrong path back then. Get up!"

Chen Yonghua slowly stood up, then stopped talking and waited quietly.

Zheng Sen looked at the cherry blossoms blooming in the courtyard, his eyes gradually hardening: "Go and call Zheng Tai and Hong Xu here. Remember, only call the two of them."

Half an hour later, Zheng Sen's trusted generals gathered in the secret room.

Zheng Tai slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Young Master should have done this long ago! That Zheng Zhifeng is addicted to wine and women all day long; how can she be fit to be the head of the household!"

Hong Xu hesitated, then said, "But most of the guards in the manor are Zheng Zhifeng's men..."

"Alright!"

Chen Yonghua raised his hand to interrupt, frowning as he said, "Listen to the young master's orders!"

Zheng Sen took out a token from his pocket and said, "This is the naval order. Tonight at midnight, Chen Yonghua will lead his men to control the docks. Zheng Tai, you will lead three hundred elite troops to ambush near the ancestral temple. Hong Xu, you will contact your old subordinates in Hirado Castle..."

That night, Zheng Zhifeng was hosting a banquet for the Japanese envoys. After several rounds of drinks, he suddenly felt dizzy.

"We have this wine, we have it..."

He staggered to his feet, only to see Zheng Sen's figure emerge from behind the screen.

"Second Uncle, I'm sorry to offend you."

Zheng Sen waved his hand, and more than ten armored soldiers rushed into the hall.

Zheng Zhifeng flew into a rage: "You little beast! How dare you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he collapsed to the ground. Just as the Japanese envoy was about to draw his sword, Zheng Tai kicked him over.

Three days later, when the Ming Dynasty's warships appeared at Hirado Port, the Ming Dynasty flag had already been raised on the castle walls.

Zheng Sen personally escorted the bound and gagged Zheng Zhifeng onto the flagship, kneeling on one knee: "This sinful subject Zheng Sen is willing to lead the entire Zheng clan back to the Ming Dynasty!"

(End of book)