Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 180 Rebellion
The main hall of Zheng Mansion, the main seat above is empty

At the bottom left, Zheng Chenggong is sitting in silence. Below him is Zheng Hongkui, and behind him are Zheng Zhibao and other members of the Zheng family.

The three generals of the Zheng Zhilong clan, including Shi Fu, were still sitting in the front on the right side. However, unlike the day when Zheng Zhilong was discussing matters, there were more than a dozen burly generals sitting below on both sides. Zhou Hezhi, Xin Yigen, Liang Li, Cheng Sheng, Hong Xishan, and the middle-level generals who were still in Anping City were also sitting in the hall.
Zheng Hongkui looked at the many officers in the hall with a gloomy expression on his face. Yesterday, when he found out that Zheng Cai was going to call all the generals in the army to discuss matters, Zheng Hongkui knew that things were not going well, but he had no way to stop it.
Although Zheng Cai proposed to hold a meeting at Zheng Mansion, if Zheng Hongkui forcibly blocked it, then Zheng Cai could invite the generals again anywhere else.

By then, the Zheng family generals will gather in another place, but without Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Zhibao and other members of the Zheng family, the situation will become even more passive.
Zheng Hongkui saw that everyone was seated, and without waiting for Zheng Cai to speak, he looked directly at Zheng Cai below and spoke first.

"Now all the generals of the Zheng family have gathered. Zheng Cai, what do you want to discuss with us while the Duke is away?" Zheng Hongkui said with a warning in his tone.
Zheng Cai, who was standing below, seemed to be completely unaware of the threat in Zheng Hongkui's words. His expression straightened, and he stood up and said:

"Brothers, you should all know that Duke Ping went to Fuzhou to surrender to the Qing Dynasty."

Zheng Cai looked around at everyone in the room, then spoke loudly.

"I, Zheng Cai, invite you all here today to tell you that I, Zheng Cai, will never surrender to the Qing Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals on the field were shocked. Even Shi Fu and the other two looked at Zheng Cai in astonishment.
Although the three of them had heard some rumors a long time ago, they were still shocked when they heard Zheng Cai say this in the lobby of Zheng Mansion.

Zheng Cai is not an ordinary person. If Shi Fu is the commander of the land army in the Zheng family, then Zheng Cai is the commander of the navy in the Zheng family. In fact, Zheng Cai's position in the navy is even more important than Shi Fu. In addition to Shi Fu, the land army of the Zheng family also includes Zheng Zhibao and Yang Geng.

But most of the Zheng family's navy is under the control of Zheng Cai. Zheng Cai now manages four or five hundred large and small warships and has tens of thousands of men under his command.

The Zheng family started out as a maritime trader. If Zheng Cai wanted to rebel, the Zheng family would be severely damaged in an instant.

Zheng Hongkui also understood the consequences of Zheng Cai's rebellion. His expression immediately darkened. He stood up and shouted at Zheng Cai:
"Zheng Cai, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Zheng Hongkui shouted harshly, and before Zheng Cai could say anything, he immediately looked at the Zheng generals below and spoke loudly:

"When my brother discussed surrendering to the Qing Dynasty that day, all the brothers were present, and Zheng Cai also voted in favor."

"Zheng Cai, if you didn't want to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, why didn't you say so when the vote was held that day? Now that my brother is no longer safe, you hurriedly summoned all the brothers and said that you didn't want to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. What are your intentions?"

"Zheng Cai, do you want to rebel?"

Zheng Hongkui spoke sternly, but Zheng Cai remained unmoved. She sneered and spoke directly.

"That day, Zheng Zhilong asked us to come to discuss matters. The hall was filled with soldiers inside and outside. Except for you, a direct descendant of the Zheng family, who among us generals dared to object?"

"If Zheng had objected that day, I would have been killed by Zheng Zhilong now. In this situation, you still have the nerve to say that you are discussing matters!"

"On that day, Shi Fu and other brothers were present in the hall. Zheng tried to refuse in every possible way and told Zheng Zhilong that he was powerful and advised him not to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. However, Zheng Zhilong insisted on doing so. Zheng was finally forced to agree with Zheng Zhilong."

"Zheng Hongkui, you were also in the hall that day. Do you dare to say that I did not object that day?"

"The news of Zheng Zhilong's surrender to the Qing Dynasty has been circulating in the army for several months. During these months, you, Zheng Shengyi, were the most vehement in opposing it."

"But weren't you forced to raise your hand in approval that day? How come you, a great military scholar of the Ming Dynasty, are you now ready to surrender to the Qing Dynasty and become a Tartar?"

Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui argued with each other, neither of them gave in, and the whole hall was filled with the sound of their argument.

Shi Fu and several other generals looked at each other, and then looked at Zheng Cai who was speaking righteously in the hall, and their faces began to become solemn.

If Shi Fu and his companions were just shocked when Zheng Cai announced that she was unwilling to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, they would have realized the seriousness of the matter at this moment.

Zheng Cai actually called Zheng Zhilong by his name in public, not even using honorifics. It was obvious that she had made up her mind. This Zheng Cai might really want to rebel against the Zheng family.
Now that Zheng Zhilong is gone, if Zheng Cai really raises the banner of anti-Qing and leads most of the Zheng navy to rebel, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou will inevitably be in chaos. What should they do then?
Shi Fu and the others all frowned, staring at Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai in the field, without saying a word for a long time.

Zheng Hongkui stared at Zheng Cai opposite him with a gloomy look on his face. The thing he was most worried about really happened.
Zheng Zhilong used his own prestige to force the Zheng family to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, and now someone really jumped out with this excuse to split the Zheng family.
Why did Zheng Hongkui keep urging Zheng Zhilong not to surrender to the Qing Dynasty? On the one hand, it was because he was a military scholar from the Ming Dynasty, and he was unwilling to shave his head and be laughed at by others.

But more importantly, Zheng Hongkui realized that the Ming Dynasty was still popular among the people.

After the death of Emperor Longwu, his advice to Zheng Zhilong was to re-establish the Ming imperial family. This would not only ensure the power of the Zheng family, but also help them gain the support of the common people and soldiers.

But Zheng Zhilong refused to listen and wanted to take advantage of this upheaval to control the two provinces of Fujian and Guangdong.

And now the backlash of the Zheng family's loss of righteousness has finally come, and this backlash is much faster and more violent than Zheng Hongkui imagined.
Zheng Cai looked at Zheng Hongkui, who had a gloomy expression on his face. He glanced at the generals present, and then he spoke in a deep voice.

"Before Zheng Zhilong set out to surrender to the Qing, he ordered us to inform the army of the surrender. After I returned to the camp, I summoned the officers in the camp and informed them of the surrender."

"I forced all the generals to report this to the army, but now everyone in the camp thinks that I, Zheng Cai, am a ruthless person who has betrayed my ancestors."

"Two days ago, several of my personal soldiers who had followed me for many years suddenly resigned from me. I asked them why they wanted to leave, but they said that I, Zheng Cai, wanted to become a Tartar in order to gain wealth and honor."

"They said they dared not disobey military orders, nor did they dare to stop me, Zheng Cai, from seeking wealth and honor, but they could not insult their ancestors for a few taels of silver."

"They asked me to let them go because they had followed me for many years. In the end, I had no choice but to let him go back home, but I couldn't swallow this humiliation after thinking about it over and over again."

"Ever since I sent the order to the army to prepare to surrender to the Qing, the soldiers have been scolding me, Zheng Cai, saying that I, Zheng Cai, sold out my ancestors for fame and fortune and made them disgrace their ancestors."

"Even though I was a bandit on the sea in the past, I am still a Han Chinese. Now I am a general of the Ming Dynasty. Why do I have to become a Tartar?"

"Even if I, Zheng Cai, were to go to sea again as a pirate today, I would not tolerate the humiliation of this Tartar."

Zheng Cai's eyes were red, and his face was filled with anger. When the generals below heard this, their faces were also filled with sorrow.

Although what Zheng Cai said was definitely an exaggeration, a considerable part of it was true at the time.

After these people passed the order to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, although the soldiers did not dare to disobey the order, the soldiers secretly cursed them.
Zheng Cai saw the expressions of the generals on the field, and was immediately delighted. His face straightened and he spoke loudly.

"Although I, Zheng Cai, was born a pirate, I also know gratitude. All of us generals have been greatly favored by the court. Zheng Zhilong wants to surrender to the Qing Dynasty and become a Tartar, but I don't want to."

"I invite you all here today to bear witness that I, Zheng Cai, am determined to serve the Ming court and will never surrender to the Qing."

Shi Fu and others in the field saw Zheng Cai's determination. Regardless of whether they had met Zheng Cai before, they all felt a little admiration for him. In any case, it was right to support the Ming Dynasty and resist the Qing Dynasty at this time. Zheng Cai dared to take the risk of breaking up with Zheng Zhilong and publicly announced his anti-Qing movement. This was even more courageous. Zhou Hezhi and other officers who were already interested in supporting the Ming Dynasty were even more impressed by this and were about to speak out in agreement.
Zheng Hongkui saw the generals below with different expressions, and he became anxious. Without waiting for anyone to speak, he immediately spoke in a deep voice.

"The late emperor was in trouble, the Ming court was scattered, and the Qing court's troops were approaching Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. We are in danger of life and death. The reason why the Duke is willing to bear the infamy and go to Fuzhou to negotiate with the Qing court is to find a way out for the brothers. The Duke is not unwilling to support the Ming, but because there is no Ming to support..."

Zheng Hongkui tried his best to explain Zheng Zhilong's surrender to the Qing Dynasty, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zheng Cai.
"Who says there is no Ming to embrace? The orthodoxy of our Ming Dynasty is clearly there!"

Zheng Cai glanced at the generals who were all shocked, and then spoke loudly.

"His Highness Lu, the Regent of Zhejiang Province, is determined to restore the country. He has sent people to our army to announce the decree. I, Zheng Cai, have surrendered to Lu, the Regent."

"The Emperor Lu is now on his way to Fujian Province and will arrive at Zhongzuo soon."

"His Highness the Regent has ordered me to inform you that as long as you generals are determined to support the Ming Dynasty and are willing to serve the Ming Dynasty, His Highness will not hesitate to reward you with honors."

The generals in the hall were stunned at first, then all looked shocked and started discussing in low voices.

Because of the struggle between Tang and Lu, the officials of Fujian Province were no strangers to Lu, and when Zheng Cai said this, the generals immediately realized that after the fall of Emperor Longwu, Lu was the orthodox ruler of the Ming court.
Everyone thought that Zheng Cai just wanted to take the opportunity to become independent from the Zheng family because she didn't want to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. However, they never expected that Zheng Cai secretly contacted Lu Jianguo, who had been missing for a long time.

It seems that Zheng Cai is really supporting the Ming Dynasty and resisting the Qing Dynasty.
After hearing what Zheng Cai said, Zheng Hongkui secretly cried out that it was not good. Zheng Cai was fine, but he was just a general of the Zheng family. If he wanted to rebel, he could only take his men with him. It was basically impossible for him to win over Shi Fu and other direct descendants of the Zheng family who had the same status as him.
But if Zheng Cai contacted Lu Jianguo, then Zheng Cai would immediately have the righteousness of the court in his hands.

When Lu Jianguo arrives in Fujian, Zheng Cai only needs to use Lu Jianguo's righteousness, and even Shi Fu and other direct descendants are likely to rebel against Zheng and return to Ming, and the Zheng family will be completely torn apart.

When Zheng Hongkui thought of this, he became more and more anxious. He suddenly looked furious and pointed at Zheng Cai and shouted:
"Zheng Cai, you, a villain, actually dared to rebel while the Duke was away. Do you think that the brothers can't see through your evil intentions?"

"All the brothers in the hall are the Duke's confidants and have received great favors from him. You, an ungrateful villain, are trying to incite the brothers with your words, but it's just a waste of effort."

Zheng Hongkui shouted loudly, but the generals in the hall remained silent, just watching the two people coming and going in the hall. Zheng Hongkui's heart sank when he saw this.

Zheng Cai looked at the situation in the hall and was overjoyed. His face suddenly became determined, and then he spoke loudly:
"ungrateful?"

"Zheng Hongkui, you two brothers of the Zheng family have received great favors from the late emperor. During the Longwu Dynasty, one family was granted two states. What a great favor! Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has never been anyone as prominent as your Zheng family."

"It has only been three months since the late emperor was tortured, and you, the Zheng brothers, are eager to surrender to the Qing Dynasty and become Tartars just for the sake of the governorship of Guangdong Province promised by the Tartars."

"Zheng Hongkui, who is so ungrateful?"

Zheng Cai's face was full of sternness, his voice resounded throughout the hall, and his eyes were fixed on Zheng Hongkui above him.

Zheng Chenggong, who was standing by, also had a red face when he heard what Zheng Cai said. He looked angry, but when he thought of his father's behavior, he seemed to have suddenly lost his strength. In the end, he just clenched his fists and lowered his head.

"you……"

Zheng Hongkui's face flushed red, and he was about to argue again, but at this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the lobby, followed by a burst of hurried footsteps, approaching the lobby quickly.
As the footsteps approached, the noise became more and more obvious. The generals in the hall also noticed the unusual situation outside the hall and looked towards the door.

A servant hurried into the hall and walked directly towards Zheng Hongkui above. But before he could speak, a figure in a scarlet robe had already stepped into the hall.
Zhang Tong walked into the hall wearing a gauze hat and a bright red official robe.
Behind Zhang Tongchang came Liu Xiangke, who was wearing a blue Xiezhi official robe, and behind him were a dozen Jinyiwei wearing Feiyu uniforms, holding carved lacquer wooden boxes, and wearing dragon robes carrying imperial edicts.

At this time, more than ten people, all dressed in brocade robes, strode into the hall with great momentum.
When the generals in the hall saw the appearance of Zhang Tongchang and others, they were also shocked. For a moment, they were frightened by Zhang Tongchang and others, and the hall suddenly became silent.

In the end, it was Zheng Hongkui who reacted first. He frowned as he looked at the people who suddenly broke into the hall. They had not seen such a grand ceremony for a long time since the death of the previous emperor.
Zheng Hongkui stared at the peacock patch on Zhang Tongchang's body, then glanced at Zheng Cai below, only to find that Zheng Cai also had a look of astonishment on her face.

Zheng Hongkui felt relieved and spoke slowly.

"This gentleman looks unfamiliar, he should not be from my Fujian Province. May I ask where this gentleman is from and why he broke into my Zheng Mansion?"

"I am Zhang Tongchang, the Minister of War of the Regent of Guangxi. This time, I came to Fujian from Guangdong Province on the order of His Royal Highness the Regent of Guangxi, and came to Zheng Mansion to confer the title of Duke of Pingguo."

Upon hearing this, the generals looked at each other, and then all of them looked at each other in bewilderment.
Previously, they said that the Ming Dynasty no longer had a legitimate government. Now, in just a short period of time, first a Lu Regent appeared, and now an unheard-of Gui Regent has jumped out.
Now it seems that the Ming Dynasty is not without orthodoxy, but has too many orthodoxies to count.

Zheng Hongkui frowned upon hearing this and thought about it carefully, but still could not find any information about Gui Jianguo, so he asked again

"Forgive my ignorance, may I ask this lord, what is the origin of this Gui Regent?"

"This person must be the Duke of Ding. After all, Fujian Province is now the front line, and the two provinces are isolated from each other by the war. It is understandable that Duke Zheng was unaware of this for the time being."

Zhang Tongchang's expression remained unchanged. He continued to speak.

"Gui Jianguo was originally the King of Gui conferred by the imperial court. The King of Gui is descended from the line of Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty. He is the grandson of Emperor Shenzong and the only remaining direct descendant of the Ming Dynasty. He is the orthodox line of the Ming Dynasty."

"After the late emperor suffered disaster in Tingzhou, Longwu cabinet minister Lü Daqi led the officials of Fujian to flee to Guangdong, and together with former Guangdong and Guangxi Governor-General Ding Kuichu and Guangxi Governor Qu Shisi, they jointly supported the establishment of the King of Guangxi."

"His Royal Highness Prince Gui officially became regent with Zhaoqing on October 15th. Several southwestern provinces including Huguang, Yunnan and Guizhou have also expressed their support for him. This is the orthodox position of our Ming Dynasty."

All the generals in the hall were stunned when they heard this. They didn't know about others, but after all, Lu Daqi was a minister of Longwu Pavilion. They also knew Lu Daqi's name.

According to Zhang Tongchang, this Gui Regent was appointed by the ministers of Longwu, which means that this Gui Regent was the successor of the Ming court of Longwu.
Zheng Hongkui above heard this and his eyes lit up. He was about to speak, but Zheng Cai below suddenly changed his expression and shouted coldly:
"What is Gui Jianguo? I have never heard of it!"

"A few country bumpkins who came from nowhere dared to claim to be regents. How audacious they are!"

"Come here, suppress these people and interrogate the origins of this gang of thieves!"

As soon as Zheng Cai finished speaking, the guards outside the hall immediately walked into the hall, but before they could make a move, a cold snort came from above.

"Zheng Cai, this is my Zheng family's mansion, but it's not your turn to make the decision!"

As soon as Zheng Hongkui finished speaking, more than a dozen Zheng family guards walked in from outside the hall and blocked Zheng Cai's guards. The situation in the hall immediately became tense.

(End of this chapter)