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

Chapter 256 I, Zheng Zhilong, am a loyal subject of the Ming Dynasty!
Thinking of this, Zheng Zhilong immediately chuckled to cover his embarrassment and said:

"Hahaha, I was just asking out of curiosity. After all, His Highness the Crown Prince is young and vigorous, so it's only natural that he has a few women."

Zheng Chenggong simply shook his head helplessly and did not reply.

He knew that what had just happened would definitely reach Zhu Cilang's ears, but he also knew that Zhu Cilang was not a petty person, so he was not worried that what he had said would cause any trouble.

After this incident, Zheng Zhilong became much more well-behaved and stopped asking those sensitive questions, only inquiring about recent daily trivialities.

Because he knew in his heart that some things could not be said in front of outsiders; only when he returned home and closed the door could he say these things.

Under the blazing sun, the streets of the capital were scorching hot, and even the air was filled with a sweltering heat.

The horse trod along the cobblestone path, slowly making its way towards its destination.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of a huge mansion.

This place is none other than the residence of the Marquis of Nan'an.

From a distance, the Nan'an Marquis's Mansion resembles a towering castle, with its vermilion gate standing four or five meters high, exuding a solemn and majestic aura under the sunlight.

The door studs, copper nodules the size of bowls, were arranged neatly, gleaming with a cold, hard light, as if silently proclaiming the nobility and inviolability of the Marquis's mansion.

Above the lintel are four gilded characters, “Nan’an Marquis’s Residence,” which are vigorous and powerful. Each stroke looks as if it were carved into the plaque with a knife, exuding an imposing aura that highlights the owner’s status and position.

Zheng Zhilong reined in his horse, tilted his head back, and stared intently at the four characters. His rough Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and his face, weathered by the sea breeze, flushed with an unusual redness. His calloused hands unconsciously rubbed the rhinoceros horn belt around his waist.

In fact, Zheng Zhilong also owned many residences in the Fujian area, and many of them were even more extravagant in scale than the mansion in front of him.

However, Zheng Zhilong still felt that the mansion in front of him was what he truly wanted.

Because this mansion is not just a mansion, but also his achievement and status!
From that moment on, no one in the world dared to regard Zheng Zhilong as a pirate anymore!
For a moment, his eyes held both the unwavering determination of someone who had weathered many storms and the joy of having achieved his goal. The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly, revealing a hint of undisguised pride.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Marquis's mansion, a group of maids and servants had already lined up, holding their breath and waiting.

The old butler had a hunched back, but he kept his back straight like a taut string, his eyes revealing tension and anticipation.

When Zheng Zhilong and the others came into view, he immediately raised his voice and shouted in a sharp and loud tone:
"The Marquis has returned to the manor!"

The sound, like a thunderclap, shattered the silence at the doorway.

In an instant, greetings rang out one after another.

"See you Lord Marquis!"

"Congratulations on your return, Lord Marquis!"

May Your Excellency enjoy boundless blessings and peace!

A wave of greetings swept over Zheng Zhilong in an instant.

Several young maids secretly glanced at their new mistress, their eyes filled with curiosity, then hurriedly lowered their heads, afraid of being discovered.

Zheng Zhilong dismounted, his robes billowing in the wind, and the jade pendant at his waist jingled with each movement, producing a clear and melodious sound.

Looking at the crowd before him, Zheng Zhilong waved his hand and said:

"Every single one of you will receive one hundred taels of silver! Consider it a small gift from this Marquis to you!"

His voice, as bold and unrestrained as the sea breeze, was as loud as a bell, startling several servants who couldn't help but exchange glances, their eyes flashing with surprise.

This lord is truly generous!
Just then, the curtain of the carriage behind them was gently lifted, and Zheng Xiaomei gracefully stepped out of the carriage.

Upon seeing this, two maids immediately stepped forward and carefully lifted the hem of her skirt, their movements extremely gentle, as if afraid of making the slightest mistake.

When the others saw Zheng Xiaomei appear, they quickly bowed to her.

However, their backs were bent even lower than when they met Zheng Zhilong, and their attitude was even more respectful.

However, Zheng Zhilong didn't care much, because he knew that his daughter's status was now much higher than before!

After entering the Marquis's residence, Zheng Zhilong began to wash up with the help of his maids.

After all, the weather was extremely hot, and with all the travel, he was already covered in sweat and really needed to take a shower.

Moreover, he had to go to the Eastern Palace to pay his respects to the Crown Prince that evening, and it would be absolutely unacceptable to go covered in sweat.

After washing up, Zheng Zhilong changed his clothes and then, led by a maid, went to the inner hall.

As soon as he stepped into the inner room, a rich fragrance immediately wafted towards him.

The sandalwood round table in front of us was already laden with all sorts of dishes. The fresh aroma of the dishes mixed with the mellow flavor of Shaoxing wine filled the air, making our mouths water.

Zheng Chenggong and Zheng Xiaomei stood quietly to the side, seemingly waiting for Zheng Zhilong's arrival.

Upon seeing Zheng Zhilong appear, the two quickly stood up and then spoke in unison:

"I met my father."

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand.

"There are no outsiders here, why be so polite? Please sit down!"

After saying this, Zheng Zhilong sat down in the main seat with an air of authority, picked up his chopsticks, and stuffed a piece of golden-brown crispy pork into his mouth.

The crispy outer layer burst open between his teeth, and the scalding hot meat juices made his tongue numb, but he ate with even greater enjoyment.

He chewed deeply, as if trying to swallow all the fatigue from the journey.

There was no other way; he had traveled for a long time and was indeed very hungry. In addition, there were no outsiders here, only his son and daughter, so he didn't care about his appearance.

Zheng Chenggong and Zheng Xiaomei only symbolically picked up a few bites of food before putting down their chopsticks, but their eyes kept falling on Zheng Zhilong, as if they were waiting for something.

Zheng Zhilong, while shoveling rice into his mouth, suddenly looked up at Zheng Chenggong and asked:
"By the way, has anything major happened in the capital recently? If so, you should let your father know first. Otherwise, if you meet the Crown Prince or His Majesty and they ask about it, it would be bad if I knew nothing."

His voice, mixed with chewing sounds, was somewhat muffled but still audible.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chenggong did not hesitate and immediately replied:

"There is indeed one more important matter, which concerns the Korean envoy."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong immediately became interested, stopped what he was doing, and gestured for Zheng Chenggong to continue.

Zheng Chenggong then continued:
"Just recently, an envoy from Korea came to the Ming Dynasty, wanting to ask the Ming Dynasty to help them expel the Jurchens."

"After discussing with His Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty agreed to this matter and decided to send troops to Korea to garrison the region. However, the ultimate goal was not to help Korea drive out the Jurchens, but to contain the Jurchens' rear forces and prevent them from threatening Liaodong."

"To put it bluntly, it's just replicating Mao Wenlong's previous combat strategy!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong frowned immediately, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected such a thing to happen.

However, upon closer examination, it makes sense. After all, the Jurchens suffered such heavy losses on the Liaodong battlefield, and they would definitely want to find a way to make up for it. At this time, the only country that would suffer would be Korea.

Zheng Zhilong then asked:

"Has it been decided which general will be sent to garrison the area? Is it Cao Youyi or Huang Fei?"

Zheng Zhilong's tone carried a hint of speculation, after all, in his view, the one who could shoulder such an important task must be a famous general in the navy.

However, Zheng Chenggong shook his head:
"Father, why don't you guess again?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong felt a chill run down his spine, and a sense of unease welled up inside him.

He didn't even eat, putting his bowl and chopsticks down on the table, a conflicted expression on his face, and said:

"Wait... Could it be your father?"

His heart was in his throat as he said this.

You have to understand that he has spent most of his life in the Fujian area, and everything there is deeply ingrained in his life.

If the imperial court really sent him to Korea, they would definitely send someone to take over the Fujian area, but he really didn't want to give up this territory that he had worked so hard to build up!
But if we don't go, it would be disobeying the imperial edict! The consequences would be unimaginable!

All the fame and fortune they'd worked so hard for are gone! Maybe their whole family will have to become pirates again.

But if he went, he couldn't bear to leave behind the foundation he had painstakingly built in Fujian.

There lies his fleet, his wealth, his brothers, and the fruits of his life's work.

Just as Zheng Zhilong was deeply conflicted, Zheng Chenggong suddenly said:
"Father is wrong. It's not you, it's me."

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was completely stunned. He stared wide-eyed at his son in disbelief.

His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then he was speechless for a moment.

The reason for his reaction was not that he looked down on his son. On the contrary, he had always known that Zheng Chenggong was very talented and that given time and a little training, he would become a great general sooner or later.

However, that won't work right now, since Zheng Chenggong is still too young, only in his early twenties!

So in Zheng Zhilong's view, this was simply a joke.

But clearly, this is no joke!

Seeing the doubt on Zheng Zhilong's face, Zheng Chenggong could only continue:

“Father, you don’t need to look at me like that. I know what you’re thinking. I was also surprised when I first found out about this. I felt that I was not up to the task, after all, I am too young.”

"But His Highness the Crown Prince told me that I wouldn't need to lead the army at the beginning. Instead, he would send some other experienced generals to lead the army, and then hand it over to me after I became familiar with military affairs."

"Since Your Highness has put it this way, I can't refuse. Besides, I also have the idea of ​​joining the army, so I agreed."

When Zheng Chenggong said this, his tone was firm and sincere, and his eyes revealed a longing for his father's approval.

Immediately afterward, Zheng Zhilong fell silent. He sat there quietly, his eyes filled with complex emotions, his mind constantly pondering the pros and cons of this matter, as well as the deeper meaning behind the Crown Prince's actions.

As a seasoned veteran, he naturally knew that this represented the Crown Prince's unwavering trust.

Ordinary people would never get this job.

After all, to eventually command such a large army, one would need to be at least a first-rank official. In other words, the Crown Prince was promising the Zheng family that if Zheng Chenggong went out to gain experience for a year or two, he would be given the status of a first-rank official.

This kindness was so profound that Zheng Zhilong was at a loss for words.

After a moment, Zheng Zhilong slowly raised his head and looked at Zheng Chenggong, his eyes showing less doubt and more relief and determination.

"In that case, I will send a group of people to help you when I get back. These people can also act as your confidants and do things for you."

His tone was calm and firm, and his words revealed his support and love for his son.

If it were someone else, Zheng Zhilong wouldn't bother with it, but if it were his own son, then he had to take action.

Therefore, after returning to Fujian, Zheng Zhilong planned to send a group of experienced naval commanders to help Zheng Chenggong familiarize himself with naval warfare and control the army.

Zheng Chenggong nodded upon hearing this, his eyes filled with gratitude.

He knew that this trip to North Korea would be fraught with difficulties, and if he didn't bring his personal guards, something might go wrong.

With his father's support, he felt more confident and assured.

Suddenly, at that moment, Zheng Xiaomei, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly said:
"Father, elder brother, remember this: no matter when or where, you must always be loyal to the Ming Dynasty and to His Highness the Crown Prince."

The girl's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable firmness. Her clear phoenix eyes were now intently gazing at her father and brother.

Zheng Zhilong's hand holding the wine cup trembled suddenly, and he looked at his daughter with a surprised expression.

His eyes were filled with surprise and astonishment, as if his daughter had suddenly become a stranger.

As a pirate captain who had dominated the seas for many years, he was used to giving orders and to women being subservient to him, including his own daughter.

But now, his own daughter has said something so unexpected to him.

This is why his daughter's current status is unusual; if it were before, Zheng Zhilong would definitely be furious.

The next second, Zheng Zhilong pretended to cough twice, trying to cover up his panic, and then said in a loud voice:

"How can you say that? I am now a Marquis of the Ming Dynasty and the future father-in-law of the Emperor. Of course, I am loyal to the Ming Dynasty."

He deliberately emphasized the words "father-in-law of the emperor" while secretly glancing at his daughter's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

But Zheng Xiaomei remained calm, only her eyes seemed to hold a deep pool, making them unfathomable.

This puzzled Zheng Zhilong. When did his daughter become someone he couldn't understand?

Zheng Chenggong, standing to the side, seemed somewhat surprised by what Zheng Xiaomei had just said, but he quickly regained his composure and then said gently:
"Don't worry, little sister. His Highness the Crown Prince has been incredibly kind to the Zheng family. No matter what, the Zheng family will never betray His Highness the Crown Prince or the Ming Dynasty."

"If I break this oath, may I die without a burial place!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong's lips twitched; clearly, he hadn't expected his son to make such a vicious oath.

Zheng Xiaomei nodded slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Zheng Zhilong.

She stood up and slowly walked a few steps closer, the pearl hairpin in her hair swaying gently with each step, making a soft rustling sound.

"Father,"

She spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of pleading.

"The situation is complicated now. As the daughter of the Crown Prince, she has seen all sorts of things and therefore knows the weight of loyalty. You and your brother must not be negligent in your actions outside."

Zheng Zhilong looked at his daughter, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

The little girl I remember chasing seagulls on the deck has grown into such a mature and composed young woman who even worries about the safety of her family.

Thinking of this, his gaze softened, yet still held a hint of stubbornness:

"Alright, alright, I know what I'm doing. You're a daughter, so just mind your own business."

Zheng Xiaomei sighed softly, said nothing more, and silently returned to her seat.

After having dinner with Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Xiaomei immediately returned to the East Palace.

Immediately afterwards, Zheng Zhilong discussed the matter in detail with Zheng Chenggong.

From troop deployment to logistical support, every detail was carefully considered, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened without anyone noticing.

As night gradually enveloped the world, lanterns lit up throughout the capital, like stars falling from the sky to earth.

Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Chenggong rode their horses along, their hooves making a crisp sound as they trod on the bluestone pavement.

The palace walls stood majestically in the distance, gleaming with a cold white light in the night, and the outline of the East Palace gradually became clear.

Zheng Zhilong subconsciously straightened his clothes, his palms slightly sweaty, whether from nervousness or anticipation, it was hard to tell.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the East Palace.

Zhu Cilang, dressed in a moon-white casual robe with a bright yellow silk sash around his waist, stood side by side with Zheng Xiaomei, waiting for his father-in-law.

Upon seeing Zheng Zhilong from afar, Zhu Cilang quickly stepped forward, a warm smile on his face.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Zhilong quickly dismounted and was about to kneel down to pay his respects.

After all, although Zhu Cilang was his son-in-law, he was also the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, and according to the rules, he was required to perform the kneeling ceremony.

Before Zheng Zhilong could kneel, Zhu Cilang reached out and supported his arm:
“Father-in-law, what are you doing? Today is a family banquet to welcome you back, there’s no need for such a grand gesture.”

Zhu Cilang had a slight smile on his face, and the five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on his cuffs was faintly visible, but he did not have the majesty of an emperor. Instead, he looked like the son-in-law of an ordinary family.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong smiled rather awkwardly, and then, pulled by Zhu Cilang, entered the East Palace.

The palace lanterns on both sides of the corridor stretched and shortened the shadows of the group. Zheng Xiaomei followed behind, occasionally exchanging glances with Zheng Chenggong.

Upon entering the banquet hall, one sees the tables already laden with delicacies, jade platters filled with rare and exquisite dishes, their enticing aromas wafting in the candlelight.

Zhu Cilang personally poured wine for Zheng Zhilong. The amber-colored liquid swirled gently in the luminous cup, then he raised the cup and said:
"In the previous Battle of Songjin, it was thanks to my father-in-law that the Ming army was able to defeat the Jurchen navy so easily on the Liaodong battlefield!"

"Afterwards, Father-in-law traveled to the sea and destroyed several of the Jurchen shipyards. He has made a great contribution. I would like to toast Father-in-law."

After saying this, Zhu Cilang tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the wine in the cup disappeared.

Zheng Zhilong quickly stood up, picked up his wine glass, and said in a slightly excited voice:

"Your Highness, you are too kind. This is my duty."

After saying this, Zheng Zhilong also drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

As the liquor entered his throat, its spiciness was followed by a sweet aftertaste. Looking at Zhu Cilang's friendly smile, his initial restraint gradually dissipated, and a smug look unconsciously crept onto his brow.

After a few drinks, everyone started talking more and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

When the topic turned to the stationing of troops in Korea, Zhu Cilang put down his wine cup, his expression becoming somewhat serious:
"I presume my father-in-law is aware that the imperial court is sending troops to garrison Korea?"

Zheng Zhilong nodded quickly:
"I already know, and I also think this plan is feasible. If we can station troops in Korea, we can threaten the Jurchens' rear at any time. Moreover, the Jurchens have lost their navy, which means they are unable to fight against our navy at all."

"In this way, we can replicate Mao Wenlong's combat strategy from back then."

Zhu Cilang nodded repeatedly, then winked at Ma Bao, who was standing to the side.

Ma Bao immediately understood, and stepped forward with a document, respectfully handing it to Zheng Zhilong.

Zheng Zhilong took the document but did not open it immediately; instead, a look of confusion appeared on his face.

Zhu Cilang then explained with a smile:

"These are the newly appointed naval commanders appointed by the imperial court for this deployment to Korea. Father-in-law, please take a look."

Zheng Zhilong then opened the folded document and carefully browsed the list. Several familiar names immediately came into view.

Wu Liuqi, Wang Zhiren, Shi Lang, Huang Binqing, Zhang Mingzhen, Zheng Chenggong
When he saw Zheng Chenggong's name prominently listed, his heart skipped a beat, but then a relieved smile appeared on his face:
"Your Highness is truly wise. I know these people well; they are all extraordinary talents of our time. With these people around, there will certainly be no problems in Korea."

"In addition, I am willing to send 5,000 troops and 50 warships to help our army stationed in Korea."

Zheng Zhilong was certainly not being polite, because these naval commanders were indeed rare talents.

Zhu Cilang smiled with satisfaction:
"In that case, I thank my father-in-law in advance."

"Also, although this time it is nominally to support Korea, the chance of fighting is actually very small, because the main force sent is the navy. The ultimate goal is to threaten the Jurchen rear, so that the Jurchen will not dare to launch a full-scale attack on the Ming Dynasty, and to replicate Mao Wenlong's battle strategy back then."

"As for whether Korea will continue to be ravaged by the Jurchens, that is not something the Ming army should worry about."

"In addition, because the distance is too far, it may be inconvenient to transport the grain. Therefore, I have decided that half of the grain will be procured by Korea, and the other half will be transported to Korea by the Ming Dynasty."

"In short, even if the King of Korea and I have no food, we cannot let the tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in Korea suffer."

Upon hearing these words, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Chenggong were inevitably moved once again.

It must be said that Zheng Zhilong thoroughly enjoyed this meal.

Of course, the main reason was that Zhu Cilang was very approachable in front of him. The two of them drank and chatted like ordinary father-in-law and son-in-law.

It wasn't until late at night that Zheng Zhilong left the Eastern Palace, accompanied by Zheng Chenggong.

(End of this chapter)