The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 654 Conferring a Kingship Upon a Person of a Different Surname
After Wanli finished writing the plaque and couplets, he couldn't help but catch his breath slightly.

Writing large characters is extremely tiring, especially writing large characters on plaques and couplets.

He sat down to rest for a moment, then asked again, "Huifu, is there any more?"

Of course, there are others.

Wu Daonan said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the next step is to posthumously confer posthumous titles and official ranks."

What are the significances behind this posthumous title?
Emperor Wanli bluntly asked, "What is the best posthumous title?"

This is divided into civil and military categories.

Wu Daonan said cautiously, "The best posthumous title for a civil official is Wenzheng, and the best posthumous title for a military general is Zhongwu."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli replied without hesitation, "Then bestow upon him the posthumous title of Zhongwu (忠武)."

Next came the posthumous conferment of official titles and ranks.

Qi Jiguang was already a first-class duke, so what other title could be posthumously granted to him?

This naturally exists.

That's being made a king!
After the death of Duke Xu Da of Wei, he was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Zhongshan.

However, this posthumously conferred title was not a true title; those of different surnames were only posthumously granted titles, not living titles.

Emperor Wanli, however, did not think so.

Qi Jiguang's achievements were enough to warrant the title of king, a true king!
He thought about it carefully, and then solemnly said, "Uncle, draft an imperial edict to commemorate Peng Guogong's merit in expanding the territory, and confer upon him the title of King of Beihai and bestow upon him a scroll."

what?
Upon hearing this, Li Xuancheng was momentarily stunned.

Upon hearing this, Wu Daonan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Not only was he posthumously granted a royal title, but it was also made hereditary!

Wanli, however, seemed to feel that it was not enough. He thought about it carefully and then suddenly realized, "That's right, there's also the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and receiving a ceremonial gift. Go and arrange this."

Wu Daonan quickly cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Is there anything else?

Oh, and we also need to send someone to bring the coffin back.

This should be done by a family member, preferably the eldest son or grandson who will lead the group.

Qi Jiguang's eldest son, Qi Zuoguo, was still stationed at the Eastern Capital Garrison in North America.

Emperor Wanli thought for a moment, then said loudly, "Weixian."

Zhang Weixian, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ying, strode in, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant is here."

Emperor Wanli instructed in detail: "You must quickly send ten Weiyuan warships and one hundred flying shuttles to the Eastern Capital Command in North America to bring back Yuan Jing's eldest son, Zuo Guo."

Zhang Weixian, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ying, immediately cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Having said that, he strode away.

Wanli then picked up Qi Jiguang's last words and handed them over, solemnly instructing him: "Huifu, take the bestowed silver and sacrificial offerings to Qi's residence first."

Tell Yuan Jing's family that I have sent naval ships to retrieve Zuo Guo, but it's too cold in the northern desert to carry the coffin back. Tell them to wait until Zuo Guo returns before going together.

Wu Daonan quickly took the letter, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Having said that, he hurried away.

After everyone had left, Xiao Zhu Changxun cautiously asked, "Father, it seems that there are no hereditary princes granted to non-royal princes, right?"

This is because no one has ever made such a great achievement before.

Emperor Wanli patiently explained, "Xun'er, you should have seen how vast the territory of the Ming Dynasty is now."

Most of these territories were conquered by Yuan Jing's army, and Yuan Jing's achievements in expanding the territory can be said to be unprecedented.

His achievements are enough to warrant the title of king. We cannot simply posthumously confer a royal title as a token gesture just because we didn't have one before.

We bestowed upon Yuan Jing the title of Prince and a hereditary scroll, which also inspired the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty to fight for the country and expand its territory. Did you know that?

That's it.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhu Changxun asked, "Father, it seems that after being granted the title of king, one must take up a fiefdom, right? Will we also grant the Qi family a fiefdom?"

These rules are so ridiculous, it's hard to know what to say about them.

No dynasty in history has ever treated its imperial princes like such incompetent fools as the Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Hongwu probably feared that his descendants would fight each other for the throne, so he granted each of his sons a fiefdom.

As a result, as soon as the Hongwu Emperor passed away, the Prince of Yan and the Crown Prince Jianwen got into a fight.

It's hard to say whether this rule is good or bad.

Wanli thought about it carefully, then slowly nodded and said, "Father Emperor's conferment of the title of Prince of Beihai on Yuanjing means that he intends to enfeoff the Beihai region to Yuanjing. As for the rule that princes must take up their fiefs, it can only be said that it is both good and bad. In the future, we should think of a way to make princes as obedient as dukes and nobles."

Is there any other way to solve this?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun fell into deep thought.

The Great Ming War God has passed away, but the grand plan to pacify Beifang must continue.

In early March, just as the snow and ice of Yanshan were melting, Wanli Emperor began mobilizing over a million soldiers from the garrison battalion who had spent the winter in Daningwei to build railways.

At this time, the northern desert is still freezing cold, so he can take advantage of this time to complete the railway from the capital, or rather the summer palace, to Alunhewei.

In March, over a million soldiers completed the railway connecting the Summer Palace to the Xilamulun River.

In early April, the Xilamulun River Bridge was completed, and the ice and snow in Nurgan Commandery began to melt. More than a million soldiers of the garrison crossed the Xilamulun River again and followed the snow line to repair the railway towards Alunhewei.

At this time, Zhang Weixian, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ying, also brought back Qi Jiguang's eldest son, Qi Zuoguo, from the Eastern Capital Commandery in North America.

On the third day of the fourth lunar month, around 7 a.m., Qi Zuoguo rushed to the imperial study to request an audience.

After the emperor and his subject exchanged greetings, this fellow actually took out the scroll of the Prince of Beihai, raised it above his head with both hands, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this humble general dares to say that I am unworthy to accept this scroll of the Prince's title."

Are you afraid of your achievements overshadowing the ruler, or are you afraid of rumors and gossip?
Wanli slowly shook his head and said, "Zuoguo, in terms of the merit of expanding the territory, your father deserves this hereditary title of king. This is not your problem."

Just remember your father's words: be loyal to the country.

I have decided to grant you over a million acres of grassland near the former territory of the Xiongnu royal court as a vassal state. From now on, the northern part of the Ming Dynasty will be entrusted to you and Xu'er.

This title of king is not just an honor, but more importantly, a responsibility.

I'll repeat what I told Xu'er: Don't be greedy for wealth and glory, and don't indulge in extravagance. The most important thing is to ensure that the people under your rule are well-fed, clothed, and live in peace and contentment.

You should pay more attention to this. The Liaodong and Nurgan Regional Military Commissions are developing very well now, and the lives of the soldiers and civilians there have become prosperous.

In the future, I hope that the Northern Regional Military Commission, the Southern Mongolian Plateau, the Northern Mongolian Plateau, and even the Siberian Khanate will develop in the same way as the Liaodong Regional Military Commission and the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.”

what?
Have the vassal states all been settled?
You've put me in charge of such a large area!

Can I decline?
This is indeed a great responsibility.

The northern territory of the Ming Dynasty is too vast. His Majesty's intention is to use the Beihai Prince's faction to counterbalance the Northern Prince's faction.

If I refuse, wouldn't that be tantamount to being unwilling to serve my country loyally?

Upon hearing this, Qi Zuoguo thought for a moment and then bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

After saying that, he carefully put the scroll away.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Wanli nodded slightly, and then solemnly said, "I intend to personally oversee and arrange your father's funeral."

However, the task of going to the northern desert to retrieve the coffin and bring it back to the capital still needs to be done by you brothers.

I have ordered the garrison troops to do their utmost to build the railway, and it is estimated that it should be able to reach Arun River Guard by the end of April.

Then you brothers can just take the train there and come back by train.

His Majesty personally presided over and arranged the funeral!
This favor is truly beyond compare.

Qi Zuoguo thought for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your Majesty, this humble general dares to ask, the northern desert is seven or eight thousand miles away from the capital. If this humble general waits until the railway is completed before going there, it will take at least half a month for a round trip."

I want to set off with my family now and ride to Alunhewei. I estimate that by then the ice and snow in the northern desert will have begun to melt, and I will be able to take a train from there directly to the northern desert.

By the end of April, I will be able to carry my father's coffin back to Alunhewei. Once the railway is completed, I will be able to return to the capital within two or three days.

This would save more than ten days, with little impact on the overall plan to conquer the Oirat Mongols.

Very good. It's also good that it can be used to plan the conquest of the Oirat Mongols.

Emperor Wanli nodded with satisfaction and said, "Yes, you are right. The campaign against the Oirat Mongols cannot be delayed for too long because the ice age there is too long."

This year we must wipe out the Oirat Mongols and completely pacify the north.

The train now reaches the north bank of the Ximulun River. Take the train to the north bank first, then ride horses to Alunhewei. That will be faster.

Upon hearing this, Qi Zuoguo nodded repeatedly and said, "This subordinate understands. This subordinate will set off with his family first thing tomorrow morning."

Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun couldn't help but ask, "Father, are you going to hand over the Beiping Regional Military Commission, the southern and northern deserts, and even the Siberian Khanate to him to govern!"

Don't you know how big the area to the north is?
Wanli shook his head slightly, then said solemnly, "Xun'er, didn't you look at the map?"

The Nurgan Regional Military Commission was larger than the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. Add to that the population and arable land of the Liaodong Regional Military Commission, and you don't know how many resources it had.
If the Northern Pacification Commandery, Southern Mongolia, Northern Mongolia, and even the Siberian Khanate were all handed over to the Northern King's faction, their strength would surpass that of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty.

Your second brother is obedient and unambitious now, but that doesn't mean his descendants will be obedient and unambitious as well.

Oh, so it turns out they were worried that the Northern King faction was too powerful, so they appointed the Northern Sea King to keep them in check.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun slowly nodded and said, "I understand."

(End of this chapter)