Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 104 The Southeast is Slightly Calmed, and the Emperor Enters the Capital (Part 2)

Zhu Jue has returned to Beijing.

However, he didn't make a big show of it or publicize it.

He disguised himself as an Imperial Guard officer and hid among the cavalry of the Beijing Garrison, returning to the capital quietly, as if he had never been to Jizhou Town at all.

The next morning around 7 a.m., after arriving at the main hall of the Yuxi Palace, he did not rush to review the memorials. Instead, he immediately ordered someone to summon Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian was actually quite busy at the moment. He was busy catching spies and finding internal traitors, and he also had to manage the business of Tianbaotang.

However, no matter how busy he was, he would never leave the capital in the morning, unless he was going to collect land.

This was because he knew that the current emperor would only summon him to the palace in the morning, and that the emperor would usually leave the palace in disguise in the afternoon.

Of course, he wouldn't tell anyone about this.

He waited silently for the emperor's summons.

He actually got what he was waiting for today.

He scurried to the main hall of Yuxi Palace, his face full of respect, and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then asked, "Zhongxian, do you know of any other large mansions in the capital that cover hundreds or even thousands of acres?"

Uh, would you like to acquire the mansion?
Such grand mansions are not common in the capital.

You've already bestowed the Grand Princess Ning'an's residence upon the Emperor's father-in-law, Zhou Kui. Whom do you intend to bestow another residence upon this time?
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian thought for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, what kind of mansion do you desire, and to whom will you be bestowing it?"

If these things aren't explained clearly, this mansion will be really hard to find.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue readily agreed, "I will personally confer the title of Marquis of Nan'an upon Zheng Zhilong, and this mansion will be a reward to him."

Zheng Zhilong still needed Wei Zhongxian's help in many areas, so there was no need to hide it from Wei Zhongxian.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

Uh, you want to personally bestow a title upon a pirate captain and also reward him with a grand mansion?

Has this pirate captain gained your favor?

He paused for a moment before cautiously saying, "Your Majesty, if it is a duke's mansion, and it is hundreds or thousands of acres in size, there is one in the capital. However, that mansion is rather unlucky."

These days, people still pay attention to this.

Zhu Jue asked directly, "What's unlucky about it?"

I'll just say it directly.

The current emperor doesn't like being coy or hesitant.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian forced himself to say, "Your Majesty, you've heard of Duke Zhongguo, Shi Heng, right? He's the one who helped Emperor Yingzong seize the throne after the Tumu Crisis."

Because of his meritorious service in supporting the emperor, Shi Heng enjoyed immense wealth and honor. He even gathered a large number of craftsmen to build a huge mansion in Huanghuafang.

Now that place is called Shidaren Hutong, which is a little past the Ten Princes' Mansion, north of the Examination Hall and the Wensi Academy.

Shi Heng was arrogant because of the emperor's favor, and was eventually imprisoned and died. Later, the mansion was bestowed upon Qiu Luan, the Marquis of Xianning, by Emperor Shizong. Qiu Luan was a traitor who betrayed the country and was exhumed and mutilated after his death.

Later, Yan Shifan took a fancy to that mansion for some reason. Not only did he occupy it, but he also gathered craftsmen to expand it extensively. As a result, the mansion expanded to occupy half of the north side of Shidaren Hutong.

As a result, Yan Shifan was also executed and his property confiscated. From then on, some people said that the mansion was unlucky, and whoever lived there would die, and die a terrible death. Later, Emperor Shenzong only bestowed the newly built portion of Yan Shifan's residence upon Ran Xingrang, the husband of Princess Shouning, and converted it into Yiyuan Garden. The original half of the street belonging to the Duke of Zhongguo's mansion remained uninhabited and is still abandoned.

Oh, so that's what this unlucky saying is.

No problem, perfect. Let Zheng Zhilong learn a lesson, let this scoundrel know that it's best not to hold military power, not to be arrogant because of favor, and even more so, not to betray the Ming Dynasty.

Otherwise, the consequences will be dire.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue nodded slightly and said, "Well, let's go there then. Order the Embroidered Uniform Guards to take it over. After Zheng Zhilong enters the capital, arrange for one hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards to protect him personally. Remember, without my permission, Zheng Zhilong cannot leave the capital."

Uh, do you want to favor him or put him under house arrest?
Wei Zhongxian's eyes darted around, then he cautiously said, "Your Majesty, that mansion has been abandoned for decades. Should we order someone to repair it?"

This is certainly necessary.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and said, "Go and tell Yuan Guozhang to arrange more craftsmen and households to quickly renovate the Zhongguo Duke's Mansion and turn it into the Nan'an Marquis's Mansion."

Remember, use the best materials, install plenty of windows and mirrors, and ideally, make Zheng Zhilong so happy he'll forget all about home.

Also, assign them menial servants and maids. You can plant some secret guards there. Assign the hundred Imperial Guards to guard the outer residence. Don't worry about the inner residence, but make sure they keep watch on the outside.

Oh, so this means it's not just house arrest; as long as you're obedient, you'll be favored.

This pirate captain is treated much like me; I should definitely try to get closer to him in the future.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian nodded repeatedly and said, "This servant understands, this servant will certainly make the arrangements. By the way, if this servant may be so bold as to ask one more question, when will the Marquis of Nan'an move in?"

This guy only wants to be ennobled and bring glory to his ancestors. He either won't come at all, or if he does, he'll come incredibly fast.

Fujian is three or four thousand miles from the capital. It would take about five or six days to send an imperial edict there by express courier. If this fellow makes some preparations and takes a fast boat over, he should be able to arrive in about ten days.

Zhu Jue estimated, "The Marquis of Nan'an will arrive in about half a month. You can make arrangements accordingly. Try to arrive as soon as possible; the sooner the better."

Oh, there are still about two weeks left, that should be enough.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian nodded repeatedly and said, "This servant understands. This servant will definitely prepare the Marquis's residence for him before he arrives."

Zheng Zhilong was naturally unaware that the current emperor intended to lure him to the capital and place him under house arrest.

He hadn't even considered this possibility.

It's all because Xiong Wencan is such a smooth talker; he's incredibly persuasive and always manages to make people feel like they're floating on air whenever he's promoted.

Moreover, he had been promoted so many times, from his hometown of Nan'an to Quanzhou, then to Fuzhou, and then to Nanjing, that there was no such thing as being placed under house arrest. Xiong Wencan would always hold a grand banquet to invite all the dignitaries he could to celebrate his achievements.

How could he have imagined being placed under house arrest?

On the post road from the capital to Fujian, the fast riders at the post stations relayed the imperial edict rapidly southward. On the sixth day, the edict actually reached Fujian.

Xiong Wencan understood the imperial edict immediately. He summoned Zheng Zhilong and gave him a good talking-to, telling him to make preparations and go to the capital as soon as possible to receive his investiture.

Zheng Zhilong truly never imagined he would be placed under house arrest. He was overjoyed. How many marquises are there in the world?
The number of dukes still existing in the Ming Dynasty can be counted on one hand, and there are only a handful of marquises left. How many people in the world can obtain this honor?
The key point is that this marquisate was personally conferred by the current emperor, bringing glory to the ancestors!

This guy not only brought all his brothers with him, but he even sent people to his hometown of Nan'an to bring his parents and even his relatives and friends over!
He just wanted his family to see that he, the pirate captain, had truly brought glory to his ancestors, and that even the current emperor was going to personally bestow upon him the title of marquis.

Just as Zhu Jue had guessed, this guy was incredibly impatient. He summoned over a hundred of the fastest centipede ships, and with his family and Xiong Wencan by his side, headed straight for the capital.

When Zhu Jue received Xiong Wencan's urgent report, he was overjoyed. It seemed that the Ming Dynasty was finally about to gain control over its overseas trade!
(End of this chapter)