How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 148 The sea is yours, but the ports are mine! (Third update, fourth update today!)

The wooden pier at Tianjin New Port is still new, and it has a smell of tung oil mixed with seawater.

Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang's boats docked one after the other.

The two had barely touched the ground and were still unsteady when Eunuch Zhang from the Prince of Xuanning's residence and Eunuch Gao Yushun, the head of the Tianjin Maritime Trade Office, came to greet them. Behind them followed a young civil official in a blue robe, who appeared to be from the Ministry of Revenue. His brows were furrowed, as if he had something on his mind.

"You two gentlemen have had a long journey!" Eunuch Zhang said with a smile, his voice high-pitched, "Prince Xuanning and Eunuch Wei from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs have been waiting in the hall for quite some time. Please come with me, so as not to keep the distinguished guests waiting."

"Eunuch Wei?"

Zheng Zhilong's heart skipped a beat. He quickly exchanged a glance with Yang Tiansheng beside him. Yang Tiansheng's goatee twitched almost imperceptibly.

Liu Xiang glared at him with her triangular eyes, completely hiding the impatience she had shown when she first came ashore, and replacing it with surprise and doubt.

Wei Zhongxian is here? Although Wei Zhongxian is no longer the all-powerful "Nine Thousand Years Old," he has the great victories of Xuanfu and Datong as a foundation, making him a ruthless man who used the Mongol Khan as a punching bag!

This situation is much bigger than they expected.

The group had no time to observe the bustling docks and were led directly into the port area. The soldiers standing on both sides of the road were not the scrawny, ugly men from the garrison; they all stood ramrod straight, wearing brand-new uniforms, their eyes fixed straight ahead, not even glancing at them, the "gods of wealth." Even more conspicuous were a few guards wearing thin cotton armor and strange iron mesh boots, their eyes slicing over them like knives.

Those were people from the Eastern Depot.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Upon entering a large hall, I found it spacious, but the windows were closed, making it stuffy. The head seat was empty, but someone was sitting in the first armchair on the left.

He was dressed in a scarlet robe with a python design, had a fair complexion, and looked to be in his fifties or sixties. He was holding an official kiln porcelain cup, slowly and methodically stirring the tea foam with the lid. His eyelids were drooping, as if his entire attention was focused on the tea.

As soon as Gao Yushun and the civil official in the green robe entered, they immediately bowed and hurried forward, bowing respectfully in their voices: "Greetings, Eunuch Wei (Grandfather)."

Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang dared not be negligent and quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply: "This humble citizen Zheng Zhilong (Liu Xiang) pays his respects to Eunuch Wei."

Wei Zhongxian then slowly raised his eyelids.

That look, devoid of anger, even a hint of weariness, yet when it swept over Zheng Zhilong, he felt as if a cold splash had been applied to his face. Liu Xiang also unconsciously shrank her neck.

“His Majesty is concerned about you friends at sea,” Wei Zhongxian began, his voice low and slightly hoarse, carrying a sluggish quality ingrained from years of issuing orders. “He fears his men might not know how to speak properly and might offend the God of Wealth. So he sent someone to explain a few minor matters.”

He didn't ask them to sit, so Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang could only stand and listen. Yang Tiansheng and Master Ding didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

“The first thing,” Wei Zhongxian put down his teacup, making a soft clinking sound, “is the Emperor’s grace. His Majesty, mindful of the hardships you face making a living at sea, intends to reward you. There is a Jeju Island in Korea, which is currently in a situation where it has a master but no defender. His Majesty has shown you leniency by allowing you to purchase the island and then submit to the Emperor to request the title of Prince.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang's faces.

"A hereditary title of Prince of the County. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, this is a unique honor bestowed upon a living meritorious official."

Zheng Zhilong's heart skipped a beat, and his breathing became heavier. Liu Xiang's eyes also suddenly lit up.

“However,” Wei Zhongxian changed the subject, his tone calm but firm, “Heaven’s grace is boundless, but there are also laws. The title of prince is precious and cannot be given lightly. His Majesty has decreed that whichever of you two offers the highest price will receive Jeju Island and the title of prince.”

Highest bidder wins!

These words struck Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang like a hammer blow to the heart. The price was clearly stated, with no room for ambiguity.

"Prepare your terms and conditions, show your sincerity, seal them, and hand them over." Wei Zhongxian tapped the coffee table with his fingertip. "Your Majesty, I want to see your loyalty and strength."

The matter of the prince was settled in a few words, leaving them no room for negotiation.

After saying this, Wei Zhongxian leaned back, his eyes suddenly becoming sharper.

“The second thing,” his voice turned cold, “is the rules. The title of king is reserved for family. Now that you’re family, your business at sea will have to follow the new rules set by the emperor.”

Zheng Zhilong's heart tightened; he knew the sex scene was about to begin.

“From this day forward,” Wei Zhongxian said clearly, word by word, “all ships and goods entering and leaving the Ming Dynasty are only permitted to use the seven ports designated by the court: Tianjin, Yangzhou, Songjiang, Ningbo, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, and Xiangshan.”

Each place name he mentioned was like the next nail being driven into the ground.

"Inspection of goods, payment of taxes, and release of goods—all these matters are handled by the local maritime trade offices. Adhering to this rule," he glanced at the two men, "means that you are law-abiding officials. You will receive the benefits you deserve, and perhaps even be more comfortable than before."

The hall was eerily quiet, with the faint sounds of the docks outside the window making the air inside seem even more stagnant.

Wei Zhongxian paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the area like a cold lightning bolt.

"Breaking these rules... is smuggling."

The word "smuggling" came out of his mouth lightly, yet it carried a bloody undertone. "Let me make this clear," he added sinisterly, "from now on, the Imperial Guard, the Eastern Depot, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard will all help the Maritime Trade Office to establish these new rules firmly."

Give both grace and power.

The carrot represents an immensely powerful noble title, while the stick represents the "Seven Major Ports" and the charge of "smuggling" that can crush a person to pieces.

Zheng Zhilong's palms were sweating profusely. He understood everything. The Emperor not only wanted money, but also wanted to completely strangle maritime trade. This was no longer about doing business; it was forcing them to choose sides—no, it was about forcing them to kneel before the enemy.

Liu Xiang's face twitched, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. He'd spent his entire life on the sea; when had he ever suffered such humiliation? This wasn't allowed, that was all he was allowed to control—he'd rather be killed!

Wei Zhongxian observed their reactions.

He no longer leaned back in his chair, but instead leaned forward slightly, his eyes, which revealed neither joy nor anger, fixed on Zheng Zhilong, then turned to Liu Xiang.

"That's all we have to say."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a dull knife cutting flesh, scraping at one's nerves bit by bit.

"Now, our Emperor has a question for you."

He paused, and every word he uttered struck a chord deep within people's hearts:

"Do you want Jeju Island?"

Then came the second sentence, even colder and harsher:
"Are you willing to abide by the port regulations of the Great Ming Dynasty?"

……

The government office was deathly silent.

Gao Yushun and the others stood with their hands down and heads bowed, like clay sculptures or wooden figures.

Zheng Zhilong felt his throat go dry. He tried to force a smile, but his facial muscles were stiff. This wasn't a question; it was an ultimatum. Agree, and the future was uncertain—it could be wealth and glory, or it could be being drained of life. Refuse? Looking around at the Eastern Depot agents, he'd likely find it difficult to leave Tianjin Port alive.

He glanced quickly at Liu Xiang. He saw that the guy's neck was stiff, his cheeks were clenched tightly, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he was about to pounce and bite someone, but his feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, and he didn't move at all.

Bet!

Zheng Zhilong steeled his resolve, took half a step forward, and bowed deeply, his voice carrying a deliberately suppressed excitement: "This humble subject... Zheng Zhilong, thanks Your Majesty for your divine grace! Thanks to the eunuch for your clear guidance! Your Majesty's rules are the law of heaven! This humble subject is willing to abide by them! Ten thousand times willing to abide by them! This Jeju Island... this humble subject will do everything in his power to repay Your Majesty's grace!"

He spoke quickly and loudly, as if afraid of missing the opportunity if he was even a step too slow.

Wei Zhongxian's gaze shifted to him, lingered for a moment, and it was impossible to tell whether he was satisfied or something else.

All the pressure fell on Liu Xiang.

Ding, the clerk, was anxiously tugging at his sleeve from behind. Liu Yueying also looked at her brother nervously. Wei Zhongxian's cold gaze swept over Liu Yueying's face and figure several times.
Liu Xiang's chest heaved violently a few times. She took a deep breath, as if swallowing back the curses that were about to escape her lips. With her neck stiffened, she clasped her hands in a muffled voice and said, "I... Liu Xiang! I'm also willing to abide by the rules!"

He didn't express gratitude or pledge loyalty, but the three words "willing to guard" were already a huge concession.

Wei Zhongxian's face remained expressionless; he simply hummed softly and picked up the teacup again.

"We're waiting for your quote."

After saying that, he lowered his eyelids, slowly blew on the tea foam, and stopped looking at the crowd.

Eunuch Zhang quickly stepped forward and said in a shrill voice, "Gentlemen, please come in. I'll take you to settle in."

Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They bowed again and walked backward out of the government office.

It wasn't until they stepped out of that door and were hit by the sea breeze that they realized their clothes were soaked with cold sweat and clung to their bodies.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions. There was a lingering fear of shared misfortune, a burning desire for the crown, and a wariness of the impending life-or-death competition.

Zheng Zhilong gave Liu Xiang a perfunctory bow, said nothing, and hurriedly left with Yang Tiansheng.

Liu Xiang spat on the ground, uttered a very vulgar curse, and then led her people away.

The sky over Tianjin Port is still the same sky. The sea is still the same sea.

But they all knew that from the moment they left that government office, the rules of the Ming Dynasty's maritime trade had been completely overturned.

(End of this chapter)