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

Yes, when he was young, didn't he also have the ambition to work hard and revitalize the Ming Dynasty? It's just that reality has worn it all down.

Now that Zhu Cilang has the courage and skill, perhaps he can truly break the stagnant situation of the Jiangnan noble group and inject a new vitality into the Ming army? Even if it is just control and division, it would be good.

The hall was silent for a moment, with only the regular dripping sound of a bronze water clock in the corner.

Emperor Chongzhen's gaze lingered on his son's young yet resolute face for a long time. Finally, he let out a long sigh, leaned back on the couch, and a look of relief and determination appeared on his face as he slowly said:
"Enough, enough. Your thinking is far more thorough than yours. Since you have planned this far and are so confident, then... let's proceed according to your plan."

"Speak freely about how you need my cooperation, whether it's issuing an edict or summoning me. I will do as you say. It's time to give the nobles in Nanjing a good talking-to and a good reorganization."

"But... we must be careful not to provoke any major unforeseen events."

Seeing that his father had finally given his approval, a smile flashed in Zhu Cilang's eyes. He immediately stood up, respectfully cupped his hands, and said:
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust! Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter carefully and properly, so as to achieve the goal without causing any major turmoil."

Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and his expression relaxed considerably.

However, Zhu Cilang did not sit down immediately. Instead, as if suddenly remembering something, a slightly mischievous smile appeared on his face. His gaze swept over Chongzhen's slightly loose casual clothes and the exquisite fruits and wine vessels on the low table, and he asked in a relaxed tone:

"By the way, Father, when I entered the palace just now, I saw several palace maids serving me. They seemed quite unfamiliar, but their appearance and demeanor were all quite remarkable. Could they be some of the ten beauties that the nobles of Nanjing 'presented' to Father a few days ago?"

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Emperor Chongzhen was just picking up his teacup to moisten his throat when he heard this and almost choked. His old face instantly turned bright red, all the way to his ears.

He put down his teacup, wiped his mouth somewhat awkwardly, glared at Zhu Cilang, his eyes a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance, and a hint of guilt at being "caught" by his son, and said stiffly:
"You...you unfilial son! I...I support your implementation of new policies and the reorganization of Jiangnan. You want money? I'll give you money. You want people? You want an imperial edict? I'll issue one! What? I need to report to you, the Crown Prince, and ask for your permission beforehand for such a trivial matter as adding a few palace servants to my side?!"

The more he spoke, the more embarrassed he felt, and his voice rose a few decibels as he tried to use his fatherly authority to cover up his awkwardness.

Seeing Chongzhen's reaction, Zhu Cilang chuckled inwardly, but quickly put on an "understanding" expression and explained with a smile:
"Father, please calm down! Your son has no such intention, and dares not inquire about your private affairs. Your son only wants to say that... Your father has worked hard for the country for half his life, and now that you have a little leisure, it is only natural for you to enjoy some peace and quiet."

"However... Father Emperor should take care of his health. As for those women, since Father Emperor likes them, they can stay by his side to serve him."

"When we return to the capital, if Father Emperor is pleased with their status and wishes to grant them any title, please issue the decree. As long as Mother Emperor has no objection, I will have no objection."

His words were tactful, offering a way out while subtly reminding the Empress of the importance of taking care of her health and that the Empress was aware of the situation.

When Chongzhen heard that his son didn't intend to pursue the matter or object, his expression softened, and he breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to himself:

"Hmph, that's more like it. Your mother... she is virtuous and understanding. My harem is already simple, so adding a few more people is something she... she will understand."

As he spoke, his tone softened, as if he himself was feeling a little guilty.

He knew that although Empress Zhou was gentle, she was not without principles. However, now that her son was successful and the country was stable, the Empress's mind was mostly on her son. She probably wouldn't care too much about him taking a few concubines.

Zhu Cilang smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

He was well aware that Empress Zhou's entire focus was now on him, the Crown Prince. As long as his position was secure and he could smoothly inherit the throne, his father might not care much about having a few more beauties in the harem. Royal kinship, in the face of power, was sometimes so realistic and helpless.

After this slightly awkward interlude between father and son, the atmosphere actually eased considerably.

The two chatted about lighthearted topics such as the local customs of Fujian and their experiences along the way.

Before we knew it, it was almost noon.

A eunuch outside the palace quietly inquired whether the meal should be served.

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at the sky, then at his son, and said:
"Since it's time, don't rush off. Stay and have lunch with me. Try the Nanjing imperial chefs' cooking and see how it differs from that in the capital."

"Your subject obeys and thanks Your Majesty."

Zhu Cilang readily agreed.

Soon, lunch was served. Although it was not a formal banquet, the exquisite dishes, the high quality of ingredients, and the delicate cooking techniques far surpassed the "grand and magnificent" banquets of the Beijing imperial court.

Crab meat lion's head meatballs, stewed chicken, Nanjing salted duck, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Wensi tofu...

Each of the famous Huaiyang dishes, with its excellent color, aroma, taste, and presentation, is served in exquisite official kiln porcelain, making one's mouth water.

Both Emperor Chongzhen and Emperor Zhu Cilang ate with great relish, and the worries that had been weighing on their minds for days seemed to have temporarily dissipated in the face of this delicious food.

During the meal, Emperor Chongzhen picked up a piece of tender and delicious mandarin fish with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and savored it. Suddenly, he was filled with emotion, put down his silver chopsticks, looked at the lush southern plants and trees in the courtyard outside the palace, and sighed softly:
"Now I understand why Emperor Taizong insisted on moving the capital from Jinling to Yanjing as soon as he ascended the throne, despite all the objections."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang also put down his chopsticks, looked at his father, and waited for what was to come.

Chongzhen's tone carried a complex mix of realization and self-reflection:
"This land of Jiangnan is indeed a land of fish and rice, prosperous and beautiful, with a mild climate and abundant produce, making it the best place to nurture people. However... the wealth and luxury here, the finery and extravagance, are also the best at eroding one's ambition and corrupting one's character!"

"I have only been in Nanjing for a little over a month. Every day I see nothing but exquisite gardens, graceful songs and dances, and delicacies on jade platters. All I hear is the soft Wu dialect and flattery... Before I knew it, I had become somewhat lax and complacent, indulging in comfort."

"Today, you witnessed such a scene, and reflecting on it myself, I feel ashamed. If I were to remain here for three or five years, I fear... I fear I might truly become immersed in it, forgetting the flames of war on the northern frontier, forgetting the heavy responsibilities on my shoulders, and perhaps even becoming the 'foolish and incompetent ruler' ridiculed in history books." "Emperor Taizong was a man of great talent and vision, and his decision to move the capital to Beiping was certainly based on strategic considerations of controlling the northern frontier and having the emperor guard the nation's gates. But I fear... it also had the profound intention of distancing himself from the extravagant atmosphere of the south to temper the emperor's will."

These words were spoken quite sincerely, tinged with lingering fear and self-deprecation.

Zhu Cilang listened, and his heart stirred slightly.

He put down his chopsticks and said seriously:
"The fact that Father Emperor could think this way shows that he was alert. The prosperity of Jiangnan is a blessing to the country, but the atmosphere there is also languid and decadent. Emperor Taizong’s move of the capital was indeed a grand and far-sighted plan. By establishing the capital in the north, the center of gravity of the court shifted northward, directly facing the greatest external threat. The emperor and his generals dared not slack off for a single day, and the civil and military atmosphere was able to remain strong and vigorous."

"Throughout history, most dynasties that took the south as their political center did not last long, or were confined to a corner of the country. Few were able to unify the country and remain powerful for a long time. The key to this is probably not accidental. Your Majesty's feelings today are a personal experience."

Chongzhen nodded and said no more, simply eating in silence. However, the languor brought on by his comfortable life seemed to have been dispelled by this conversation.

After lunch, and after sitting for a while to drink tea to aid digestion, Zhu Cilang got up to take his leave.

Emperor Chongzhen did not linger, but merely instructed him to be careful in his actions.

After leaving Chengrui Hall, Zhu Cilang did not immediately return to his residence, but instead went to deal with some backlogged documents.

For the next two days, both Zhu Cilang and Chongzhen seemed to have completely forgotten the turmoil on the Qinhuai River that night and the shocking rumors that followed, ignoring any related reports or requests for an audience.

The emperor's palace and the crown prince's residence were kept tightly closed. Apart from necessary daily affairs, no officials, especially the nobles who lived in constant fear, were seen.

This deliberate, two-day silence terrified the nobles of Nanjing more than any thunderous outburst.

Rumors fermented in the silence, and panic spread as people waited.

Led by the Duke of Wei and the Earl of Chengyi, nobles of all ranks tried to meet with the emperor and the crown prince in quick succession, even using connections and back channels to try to find out information and express their intentions, but all of them were turned away.

The palace guards gave only one cold reply:

"His Majesty and His Highness have decreed that we shall fast and quiet our minds in the coming days and not see any foreign officials."

The less they receive a response, the more their suspicion and fear grow.

Various alarming speculations circulated privately within the aristocratic circles:
Is the emperor going to use this as an excuse to thoroughly purge the Nanjing nobles? Is the crown prince going to make an example of them to deter others?
What exactly happened that night that enraged the imperial family so much?
What outrageous things did that rebellious son of the Marquis of Changning say?
Will it implicate my good-for-nothing son?
The entire elite circle in Nanjing was in a state of high alert and paranoia for the past two days.

The once arrogant and domineering dukes and marquises were now like ants on a hot pan, unable to eat or sleep, feeling as if the sword called "Heavenly Might" was hanging lower and lower above their heads, its chill piercing their bones.

They gathered together to discuss how to sever ties with the Changning Earl family, who had caused the trouble, and rack their brains to figure out how to submit a memorial of apology, how to sever ties, how to express their loyalty, and how to preserve their family's title and wealth in the impending, seemingly inevitable "storm."

The deliberate or unintentional "cold treatment" by Emperor Chongzhen and his son Zhu Cilang was like a tightening net, firmly binding the minds of the Nanjing nobles. The seeds of fear had already been sown, waiting only for the moment when the cards were finally revealed and a "way out" or a "way out" was given.

All of this was under Zhu Cilang's control and calculation.

After two suffocating days of silence, on the morning of the third day, in front of the Chengtian Hall of the Nanjing Imperial Palace, bells and drums rang out in unison, and the imperial procession was solemnly arranged.

The elderly eunuch, holding a bright yellow brocade scroll and surrounded by two attendant eunuchs, solemnly walked up to the steps of the palace. Facing the Nanjing garrison nobles, civil and military officials who had already received the summons and were gathered anxiously in the square in front of the palace, he unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, which had stirred the hearts of countless people.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:..."

When the solemn and unquestionable imperial edict was proclaimed, many nobles held their breath.

However, the contents of the imperial edict did not directly name names, confiscate property, or strip titles, contrary to their greatest fears.

On the contrary, it unfolds with a sense of patriotism and foresight:

"Since my southern tour and arrival in Nanjing, I have observed the local customs and traditions. I have seen that Nanjing, the secondary capital, has enjoyed over 150 years of peace, with a prosperous population and flourishing culture and education. This is truly a blessing for the Jiangnan region and a boon for the nation. However, with prolonged peace, military preparedness can easily become lax, which is a natural consequence. I have observed that the officers and soldiers of the various garrisons in Nanjing, though their military bearing is neat, have long been out of practice in battle and are unfamiliar with archery and horsemanship. The sons of nobles and officials, who have received the nation's favor for generations, are mostly indulging in comfort and are not familiar with military affairs. This is not the fault of the soldiers, but rather a consequence of peace..."

The imperial edict first set the tone, pointing out that Nanjing's long period of peace had led to the neglect of military preparedness and the decline of martial spirit, but attributed the responsibility to "the ills of peace" rather than to any specific individual, which slightly alleviated the fears of the nobles.

"The most important affairs of the state are sacrifice and war. Without a strong army, how can we protect the nation and bring peace to the people? Liaodong is not yet pacified, and the surrounding barbarians may covet our territory. How can we forget about war preparations just because the south is prosperous? I am deeply concerned about this day and night. In order to consolidate the foundation of the nation, strengthen the military, and cultivate talented generals, I hereby issue this edict:"

The crucial part arrived, and everyone held their breath.

“Then select 8,000 elite officers and soldiers from the Nanjing Garrison, Xiaoling Guard, and various guard posts such as Shangyuan, Jiangning, and Jiangpu, and reorganize them into the ‘Nanjing New Army.’ This army is specifically set up for training and will not be under the jurisdiction of the Nanjing Garrison, but will be directly under the command of the Ministry of War.”

"Furthermore, to demonstrate the court's trust in the meritorious officials residing in the capital, and to provide opportunities for the sons of noble families to gain experience in serving the country, it is hereby decreed that all noble families in Nanjing with eligible, healthy, and literate sons may apply. After examination by the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, the best will be selected and granted military positions such as trial centurion, general, and junior officer in the 'Nanjing New Army,' and will accompany the army north to the capital to be stationed at the New Army Military Academy for a year of rigorous training and drills!"

"School officer"?
He was granted a real military rank, joined the new army, and went north to the capital for training!
The wording of the imperial edict was extremely "beautiful".

It never mentions "punishment" or "hostages," but instead packages the matter as a "national policy" of "the emperor to reorganize national defense and reserve talent," as well as "trust" and "favor" towards the sons of Nanjing nobles.

Sending your sons to become officers, to wield military power, to receive the most advanced military training right under the emperor's nose—this is "promotion," "cultivation," and "giving them an opportunity"! Who dares to say this is a bad thing? Who dares to openly oppose the court's "good intentions" of "strengthening the army and cultivating military talent"?
As for where they would go after the training, the imperial edict was vague, only saying that they would be "prepared for national use."

But the phrase "Liaodong is not yet pacified" already hung like a dark cloud over the minds of some astute individuals. (End of Chapter)