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

Below the steps outside the palace, on the vast square, birthday gifts presented from all over the country were displayed.

At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the morning sun finally pierced through the clouds, casting golden rays upon the glazed tiles of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.

The officials, arranged in order of civil to the east and military to the west, stood solemnly inside the palace and on the outer steps and square. Silence reigned, broken only by the soft rustling of the flags in the morning breeze.

"Your Majesty ascends to the throne——"

The distinctive, high-pitched, and slightly shrill voice of Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, pierced the silence above the Hall of Supreme Harmony square like a sharp sword.

The whip cracked three times, its crisp sound ringing out.

Amidst the solemn strains of "Long Live the Emperor," Emperor Chongzhen appeared in everyone's sight.

Today he wore his most solemn twelve-symbol imperial robe, with a twelve-tassel crown on his head. The white jade beads on his forehead swayed slightly, obscuring part of his face, adding to his unpredictable imperial majesty.

He walked steadily up the steps of the imperial palace, across the imperial road, and finally sat on the high and mighty Nine-Dragon Golden Throne, a symbol of supreme power.

Empress Zhou, also dressed in formal attire, with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, sat regally on the phoenix throne slightly behind the imperial throne.

Almost simultaneously, Zhu Cilang, dressed in an apricot-yellow imperial robe and wearing a nine-tassel crown, entered from the side hall under the guidance of the officials in charge of ceremonies, and stood solemnly at the head of the imperial steps.

He stood tall and straight, his face was calm, and his gaze was fixed straight ahead, exuding an extraordinary air.

"kneel--"

"prosper--"

"Kneel again—"

"Revival—"

"Three kneelings—"

"Nine kowtows—"

"A roar of cheers!"

"Long live--"

"Again, shout!"

"Long live--"

"Call of the Three Mountains—"

"Long live the Emperor!"

As the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial chanted their praises in a long and clear voice, everyone from the princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials inside the hall, to the mid- to high-ranking officials on the steps outside the hall, and then to the dark mass of low-ranking officials in the square, knelt down in unison, rose, and knelt down again, as if controlled by an invisible giant hand... their movements were perfectly synchronized.

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

The sound waves were so real, they rushed towards us.

Emperor Chongzhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze slowly sweeping across the hall.

Civil officials, military generals, nobles, members of the imperial family... all gathered together, their faces filled with festive joy and heartfelt respect.

There was no worry, no fear, no heaviness and anxiety that often permeated the court due to border troubles, famine, and lack of pay.

All that remained was a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, with a wise ruler, virtuous ministers, and a prosperous world.

Seeing this scene, Chongzhen was not stirred by the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" but instead felt a complex and overwhelming sense of emotion.

Nineteen years.

Countless images seemed to flash before my eyes like fleeting shadows.

Nineteen years ago, also in this Hall of Supreme Harmony, he, a seventeen-year-old boy, was hastily placed in this position amidst the crisis of his elder brother, Emperor Tianqi, suddenly passing away and the eunuch faction holding immense power.

At that moment, sitting in the chair beneath him, he felt only coldness, vastness, and emptiness, as if he were about to be crushed by that invisible weight.

But in his heart, how could he not harbor a trace of the ambition and aspirations of a young emperor?

He wanted to eliminate the eunuch faction, revitalize the Ming Dynasty, and accomplish a great feat comparable to that of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu!

However, reality soon dealt him a heavy blow.

Although the eunuch faction was eliminated, factional strife did not cease; the Jurchens beyond the Great Wall became increasingly rampant, their iron hooves repeatedly knocking on the passes, plundering and killing; the Northwest suffered from severe drought for years, leaving thousands of miles of barren land and displaced people everywhere, finally leading to a catastrophic disaster.

Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong... each name is like a nightmare; the national treasury is empty, and the "three taxes" levied by the court have forced more people to rise up in rebellion.

He changed one chief minister after another, and killed one military governor after another, but the situation only got worse and worse...

In those years, he suffered from insomnia almost every night, and when he woke up in the morning, his pillow was covered with fallen hair.

He was diligent and frugal, abstained from women, and saved the imperial treasury to fund the military. But why did the country become more and more decadent the more he tried?

He once wept bitterly in the dead of night in front of the portraits of his ancestors, thinking that he was really going to become the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty and had no face to meet the deceased Emperor Taizu Gao.

In this desperate situation, it was the Crown Prince who stepped forward.

Regent, military reorganization, fundraising, pacification of the people, employing ingenious strategies and launching surprise attacks... each scene was thrilling, yet he repeatedly turned the tide.

The Ming Dynasty, a giant ship on the verge of capsizing, was actually steered back on course little by little in the hands of the son, and its sails were raised again.

Now, Liaodong has been pacified, the Mongols have submitted, the coastal areas are cleared, the bandits are weakened, the national treasury is gradually becoming full, and the borders are peaceful... Although the world is not completely at peace and there are still many places that need to be rebuilt, everyone can see that the Ming Dynasty's fortune has returned and is moving towards unprecedented prosperity.

"I……"

As Chongzhen silently recited the mantra, the rims of his eyes behind the tassels felt slightly warm.

"I have not failed my ancestors, and I have not let the 270-year-old Ming Dynasty perish in my hands... Although I have taken too many detours, made too many mistakes, and almost... In the end, what I have handed over to Cilang is no longer a mess riddled with problems and on the verge of collapse, but a country full of hope and vitality, where he can make great strides."

"I, as emperor, have not been successful, but... at least I haven't become a ruler who brings about the downfall of his country."

The moment this thought arose, all the pent-up emotions in my chest vanished, leaving only endless relief and a faint sense of comfort.

Looking down the steps at his son's tall and upright figure, the last trace of regret and resentment he might have felt about "abdicating early" vanished.

it's time.

"All of you, rise."

After a moment of reflection, Chongzhen finally spoke slowly, his voice coming through the tassels, carrying his usual majesty, yet also a hint of gentleness that was hard to detect.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The officials bowed again and rose.

Next came the elaborate and solemn court ceremony.

Princes of the imperial family, princes of the second rank, civil and military officials, and foreign envoys stepped forward in turn to present congratulatory messages and birthday gifts, and to offer auspicious words of blessing.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded in response to each of them, occasionally offering a few words of gentle encouragement.

Zhu Cilang also presented congratulatory gifts on behalf of the princes, his words respectful and earnest.

The ceremony lasted for nearly an hour before it ended.

Afterwards, a banquet was held in the palace, which was set up in the side halls on both sides of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and in the temporary colorful tents erected in the square. Guests were seated according to their rank.

Although it was a banquet bestowed by the emperor, the etiquette and rules were strict, but the atmosphere was much more lively than that of the grand court.

Exquisite delicacies, both land and sea, and fine wines, all exuding a rich aroma.

As the crown prince, Zhu Cilang was required to offer a toast to several important ministers and senior members of the imperial clan on behalf of his father.

He carried a golden cup as he moved among the guests. Wherever he went, the officials would hurriedly rise and respectfully return his greeting. He spoke tactfully and smiled gently, neither overly familiar nor distant. He showed respect to the senior officials and encouraged the younger ones, striking the perfect balance.

Many officials, especially the younger generation who were promoted and given important positions after the crown prince took over the reins of government, had eyes that gleamed with fervor and admiration.

The veteran officials, such as Xue Guoguan and Jiang Dejing, looked at the Crown Prince's composed demeanor with eyes full of satisfaction.

Emperor Chongzhen sat on his high throne, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the apricot-yellow figure in the crowd below. Watching him handle the situation with ease, and seeing him gradually become the focus of attention among the ministers, he felt gratified, but a sense of melancholy, as if he were about to be left behind by the times, quietly rose up like a thin mist.

But he immediately shook his head, dispelling that emotion, raised his wine glass, and exchanged a smile with Empress Zhou beside him, everything understood without words.

After lunch, there was a short rest, and in the evening there was a smaller family banquet in the palace, limited to close relatives of the royal family and a very small number of important officials.

The real joy for all people comes after nightfall.

After 5 PM, it gets completely dark.

But instead of sinking into darkness, Beijing transformed into a sea of ​​light.

From the imperial palace to the east and west Chang'an Avenues, to the main streets and even in front of ordinary people's courtyards, countless lanterns were lit, and candlelight, oil lamps, and the more recently common glass-shaded lamps intertwined to create a dazzling galaxy.

Especially the Qipan Street and Qianmen Street areas, which face Chengtianmen and Damingmen respectively, were packed with people.

The vendors' cries, the children's laughter, and the people's exclamations blended into a sea of ​​joy.

"Look! Fireworks are about to bloom!"

Someone pointed in the direction of Chengtianmen and shouted.

Above the massive gate of Chengtian Gate, on a temporary elevated platform, fireworks and firecracker operators, already prepared, received a signal from the palace.

"Whoosh—Bang!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The first "Longevity" firework shot into the night sky with a sharp whistle, then exploded with a bang, forming a huge, golden "Longevity" character that lingered for a long time before dissipating.

Immediately afterwards, countless fireworks soared into the sky, blooming in the dark night with a myriad of dazzling patterns: there were the words "Long Live the Emperor," auspicious patterns such as peaches, cranes, and lingzhi mushrooms, a profusion of flowers such as peonies and chrysanthemums, and even intricate shapes simulating "golden dragons soaring into the sky" and "phoenixes spreading their wings"...

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple lights illuminated half of Beijing as if it were daytime.

The roar of fireworks and the cheers and exclamations of the people resounded through the sky.

Emperor Chongzhen granted special permission for some officials and nobles to ascend the corner towers and Meridian Gate towers of the Forbidden City to watch the fire.

Emperor Chongzhen himself did not appear, but standing on the high platform and corridor of the Qianqing Palace, he could see the dazzling rain of light in the southern night sky and hear the faint, ocean-like cheers.

Empress Zhou stood by his side, a serene smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, listen to how happy the people are."

Empress Zhou said softly.

"Yes."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded, gazing at the firelight illuminating the night sky, and slowly said:

"In the nineteen years since I ascended the throne, it seems that the capital has never had such a lively and carefree birthday celebration."

He recalled his early years, when, although the emperor's birthday was celebrated with lanterns and decorations, a sense of oppression always permeated the court and the public.

Urgent dispatches from the border, memorials demanding payment, reports of famine... always dampened spirits.

Unlike now, we can truly relax and enjoy life with the people.

"This is all thanks to His Majesty's blessings and Lang'er's efforts."

Empress Zhou said.

Emperor Chongzhen smiled but did not reply. He simply gazed for a long time at the jubilant night sky that belonged to the people.

This clamor and brilliance seemed to be the final, magnificent movement of this era, and also of his imperial career.

In the general public, this festive atmosphere has been brewing for more than two months.

From the Crown Prince's wedding to the ceremony of him taking a concubine, and now to the Emperor's birthday celebration, Beijing seems to be constantly immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

The streets were bustling like never before, restaurants and teahouses were packed every night, and silk shops, jewelry shops, and pastry shops were thriving.

The people had smiles on their faces, and their greetings to each other were filled with joy.

An optimistic sentiment of peace, prosperity, wise rulers and virtuous ministers, and a promising future reached an unprecedented peak among the people during the Chongzhen era.

Over tea and after meals, people on the streets and in the alleys gradually began to whisper among themselves:
"I heard... there might be an even bigger happy event after the Emperor's birthday celebration?"

"What joyous occasion could be more exciting than the Crown Prince's wedding or the Emperor's birthday celebration?"

"Hey, that's hard to say. Haven't you noticed that His Highness the Crown Prince is mostly in charge of the court these days? His Majesty might be... planning to take it easy."

"you mean……?"

"Shh! Just keep it to yourself. Just wait and see, the best is yet to come!"

The anticipation of the crown prince's imminent ascension to the throne, like an undercurrent, quietly spread and fermented among the people.

Everyone sensed that an old era was drawing to a perfect close, while a more exciting new era was about to emerge.

These two months of celebration were like the most brilliant movements in a grand overture.

A few days later, the Spring Festival arrived again, and a new round of excitement began.
One month later, in the afternoon, in the West Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.

The cold had not completely dissipated, but the spring atmosphere outside the window was noticeably stronger. Tender green buds had sprouted from the branches of several old trees in the yard, glistening in the afternoon sun.

There were no more icicles under the eaves, only the clear chirping of birds.

The window of the warm room was also half-open, and a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of grass and trees wafted in, diluting the smell of charcoal fire.

Today, Emperor Chongzhen was not wearing his usual clothes, but rather a simple apricot-yellow Taoist robe, with his hair tied up with only a wooden hairpin, making him appear exceptionally relaxed.

He was sitting on a heated kang bed by the window, reading a book called "Complete Treatise on Agriculture" from the previous dynasty in the bright sunlight. On the small table beside him was a cup of tea and some seasonal fruits.

If he weren't in the Qianqing Palace within the Forbidden City, this behavior would make him seem like a wealthy and leisurely scholar.

The five cabinet ministers—Xue Guoguan, Zhang Zhifa, Jiang Dejing, Fan Jingwen, and Hong Chengchou—have already been brought in.

They were all slightly taken aback when they saw the emperor dressed like this, and then they realized that His Majesty had completely put aside state affairs and was preparing to "retire".

"Please sit down."

Emperor Chongzhen put down his book, pointed to the chairs opposite the kang (a heated brick bed), and spoke in a gentle tone.

"The New Year has passed, and spring has arrived. The sun outside feels so nice to be in."

Everyone thanked the staff for their seats.

Xue Guoguan smiled and replied:
"Yes, spring has returned to the earth, and all things are reviving. It is a wonderful time of year. Your Majesty should also go out more often to relax and clear your mind."

After exchanging a few pleasantries and taking a sip of freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea, Chongzhen put down his teacup. The leisurely expression on his face slightly faded, and his gaze swept over the five people in front of him. His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:
"My beloved ministers, the New Year has passed and spring has arrived. As for the matter of abdication that I mentioned last time, it is time to set a date."

There was no probing, no beating around the bush, just getting straight to the point.

The warm pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Unlike the shock and fierce opposition during the "thunderous revelation" two months ago, this time, the five cabinet ministers appeared much calmer.

They exchanged a glance. The New Year had passed, and His Majesty had given the world time to adjust and accept the situation. Now, it was time to get serious. (End of Chapter)