How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 205 Everything is ready, and I have gained Shuzhen (Please subscribe)
In the spring of the third year of the Chongzhen reign, the weather was still quite cold, and the wind stung the face.

Inside the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City, however, lay a different scene. The underfloor heating was blazing, making it warm and cozy. Emperor Chongzhen, dressed only in an ordinary crimson gauze robe, leaned against the heated couch, holding a rosewood cup infused with goji berries.

Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, quietly entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, Zheng Yiguan is waiting."

"Bring him in." Emperor Chongzhen put down his cup, his face expressionless.

The curtain was lifted, and Zheng Zhilong entered with his head down. He had changed into a new python robe, but the rough, black skin on his face, caused by the sea wind, wouldn't fade anytime soon.

"Your subject Zheng Zhilong pays his respects to Your Majesty!" He lifted his robe to perform a grand salute.

"Enough, let him sit." Emperor Chongzhen raised his hand.

Zheng Zhilong dared not sit down properly; half of his buttocks rested on the edge of the embroidered stool, and his body was ramrod straight.

"It's cold, have some hot tea." Chongzhen pointed to the tea that had just been poured on the kang table.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zheng Zhilong picked up the teacup with both hands, only touching his lips to it before putting it down. His heart was pounding; he wondered if the Emperor was satisfied with the list.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't speak immediately. He took the thick booklet handed to him by Wang Chengen and slowly flipped through it. It was Zheng Zhilong's gift list.

The room was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of pages turning.

After a while, Chongzhen closed the book and a smile appeared on his face.

"You've put a lot of thought into this, sir."

Zheng Zhilong felt a weight lifted from his heart and quickly stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, I am deeply humbled! It is my duty to do my utmost for Your Majesty and for the Ming Dynasty! This small gift is nothing to mention!"

Emperor Chongzhen smiled. This gift list was quite generous. Three hundred thousand taels of silver, enough to wage a major war. There were also mountains of grain, tens of thousands of catties of high-quality gunpowder, five hundred muskets, two thousand matchlock guns... all real military and national weapons.

"I will accept your 'dowry'," Chongzhen said, looking at Zheng Zhilong. "As for your daughter... who is still unborn, I will also arrange her marriage. Once she comes of age, she will be brought into the palace."

Zheng Zhilong quickly knelt down again: "Your Majesty's grace! Your subject... Your subject is deeply grateful! I will certainly do my best to educate and nurture you, and live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

Looking at his dark face, Chongzhen suddenly felt like teasing him. He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of a smile:

"My lord, judging from your complexion, you must have been working hard at sea for many years. But you are quite robust."

Zheng Zhilong was taken aback, not understanding why the emperor brought this up, so he could only vaguely reply, "Serving Your Majesty, I dare not complain of hardship."

"Hmm," Chongzhen nodded, his tone becoming more casual, "I've heard that you have quite a few concubines in your household, including some from France, Russia, and Russia?"

Zheng Zhilong looked somewhat embarrassed. He was young and strong, and had plenty of money, so it was inevitable that there would be all sorts of things going on in his private quarters.

Chongzhen, however, continued as if in casual conversation: "Since you're going to have children, put in the effort. Go back and work hard with all your concubines, produce a few mixed-race offspring. As for the future..."

He paused, looking at Zheng Zhilong's bewildered face, and slowly said, "Whichever daughter is the most intelligent and beautiful in the future, that one will be sent to the palace. I await your 'good news'."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhilong was stunned, and even Wang Chengen, who was standing next to him with his eyes downcast, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Zheng Zhilong's mind was buzzing. What... what kind of situation was this? The Emperor wasn't just living off a woman; he was practically "custom-making" a concubine for himself in his harem!

He had never heard such outrageous words in his entire life! But since it was the Emperor who spoke, he dared not refute it, and could only blush and stammer, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty obeys! I will... I will certainly do my best!"

Seeing his embarrassed state, Chongzhen found it amusing and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I was just joking with you. Get up. The matter of crossing the sea to attack Liaodong is of utmost importance; your fleet must be well prepared."

"Yes! Yes! Your Majesty, I will take care of it as soon as I get back, and I will not delay Your Majesty's important matters!" Zheng Zhilong felt as if he had been granted a pardon, kowtowed to express his gratitude, and withdrew.

No sooner had Zheng Zhilong left than Wang Chengen came in to report: "Your Majesty, Mao Wenlong has arrived."

"Let him in." Emperor Chongzhen straightened his posture and sat up straight.

Mao Wenlong and Zheng Zhilong were similar; both were there to "send off" a bride. However, Zheng Zhilong's daughter was a "futures contract," while Mao Wenlong's daughter was a "real deal"—the most beautiful woman in Dongjiang, Mao Dongzhu!

"Your subject Mao Wenlong greets Your Majesty!" His voice boomed like a bell.

"Commander Mao, you must be tired after all this trouble. Please have a seat." Chongzhen was more casual with him. "You've come all the way from Tianjin, you must be exhausted."

This time, Mao Wenlong did not return to Pi Island, but went directly to Tianjin to meet with his daughter Mao Dongzhu, who had come from overseas, and several staff members before heading to Beijing together.

"Not tired at all! Serving His Majesty gives me boundless energy!" Mao Wenlong bowed before sitting down.

Emperor Chongzhen went straight to the point: "What is the situation in Liaodong? I have read the memorial you submitted the other day. What are the specific tactics for the campaign? Is there a plan?"

Upon hearing this, Mao Wenlong immediately perked up. He pulled a roll of oil-stained map from his pocket and spread it out on the low table. "Your Majesty, please take a look!" he said, pointing at the map with his thick finger. "I've devised a feint attack!"

"Here, Lushunkou." He pointed to the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula. "I will first send 5,000 troops from here, making a grand show of force to attack northwards, as if I intend to take Gaizhou! The two Red Banner lads stationed in Gaizhou and Fuzhou will certainly not sit idly by!"

Then he moved his finger towards North Korea: "At the same time, have a portion of the aid troops stationed in North Korea go to Tieshan and wave flags and shout towards Yiju! Make it look like you're cutting off the connection between Liaodong and Hanseong! So that bastard Mangultai won't dare to make any rash moves!"

Emperor Chongzhen stared at the map and nodded slightly. These two feints would keep Huang Taiji busy.

Mao Wenlong pointed heavily at the mouth of the Liao River: "The real trump card is here! Yingkou! The water is shallow here, making it difficult for large ships to dock, but small boats can manage. I will personally lead three thousand elite troops from the Dongjiang Old Camp, and request Your Majesty to dispatch several thousand more skilled firearms experts from the Imperial Guard to quietly ascend from here!"

He suddenly slashed his finger northward, pointing directly at Liaoyang and Shenyang!
"Once we get up there, we won't get bogged down in battle or linger! Like a sharp knife, we'll stab the Jurchens straight in the heart! We might not be able to take Shenyang, but if we wreak havoc on their territory and set their backyard on fire, that will be enough!"

He raised his head, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Your Majesty, I will take full responsibility for how we fight on land! But the sea support and the retreat route must be secured by Zheng Yiguan's men without fail! As long as the retreat route is safe, I dare to stir up this hornet's nest!"

After listening, Chongzhen remained silent for a long time. He looked carefully at the drawing, then glanced at Mao Wenlong's excited, flushed face.

"Good!" Chongzhen slammed his hand on the low table. "That's it! Commander Mao, I trust you! All the generals, including the Imperial Guard, will be under your command! How to fight, when to advance and retreat, it's all up to you! I just want Huang Taiji to have an uneasy sleep!"

He stared at Mao Wenlong, his tone heavy: "If you need anything, just go to Wang Chengen! I and the Ming Dynasty are your strongest backers!"

Mao Wenlong felt a surge of emotion and knelt down with a thud: "Since Your Majesty trusts me so much, I'll give you my life! If I don't turn the world upside down, I'll offer my head to you!"

"Get up quickly!" Emperor Chongzhen personally helped him up. "I await your good news!"

Mao Wenlong stood up, rubbed his hands together, and put on an almost obsequious smile: "Your Majesty, um... my daughter Dongzhu has accompanied me to the capital... and is waiting outside... Your Majesty, could you..."

Emperor Chongzhen was taken aback, only then remembering this. He hadn't held out much hope about what Mao Wenlong's daughter looked like. The daughter of a Liaodong soldier, named "Mao Dongzhu," seemed "ordinary," and bringing her into the palace was merely for peace of mind.

He remained expressionless: "Since you're here, let's see you. Wang Chengen, summon him."

"Summon Mao Dongzhu to an audience—" Wang Chengen called out in a drawn-out tone.

The curtain was lifted again, and a figure with head down entered quietly with small steps.

She wore a light green jacket and skirt, with a slightly worn, pale white vest over it; her attire was quite simple and clean.

She stopped at a suitable distance from the Emperor. Her bowing posture appeared perfect, yet her waist subtly revealed a resilient reluctance. She bowed gracefully, her voice clear and bright, but her enunciation carried a crisp, hard edge from the Liaodong accent: "This humble woman, Mao Dongzhu, pays her respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor."

"Raise your head." Chongzhen said in a flat tone, not holding much hope for this daughter of a soldier.

Mao Dongzhu obeyed and slowly raised her head. Her gaze met Chongzhen's for a moment before she looked away, then lowered it respectfully. But in that instant of eye contact, there was no fear, but rather a hint of scrutinizing curiosity.

The warm room was brightly lit.

Chongzhen's gaze fell on her face, and his originally calm eyes paused for a moment.

He had expected to see a face that was either reserved or dashing, but he never imagined it would be like this. Her skin was fair and delicate, clearly not from being exposed to the elements. Her large eyes were bright and sparkling, and in their movement, they conveyed not only a lively and quick-witted nature but also a hint of untamed wildness. Her nose was straight and high, and her lips were full; together, they created a striking and aggressively beautiful appearance.

This... how could such a temperament be cultivated in an ordinary military household?
For no apparent reason, the image of a clever and mischievous woman named "Shuzhen" from a Hong Kong movie in his past life flashed through Chongzhen's mind. He chuckled to himself, thinking that Mao Wenlong had given birth to such a... restless daughter.

His face still held the dignified air of an emperor, but his tone softened unconsciously: "Hmm, get up. Are you settling in well outside the palace?"

Mao Dongzhu thanked the emperor and rose, bowing her head in response, "Your Majesty, everything is fine." She paused, her lips twitching slightly as if she subconsciously disliked the restraint of the capital, before quickly adopting a proper smile and adding, "The capital is far more prosperous than Pi Island."

Her voice was clear and crisp, and her answers were appropriate, but the subtle changes in her expression did not completely escape Chongzhen's notice.

Chongzhen casually asked her what books she read and what she did on a daily basis. Mao Dongzhu answered in detail, her words were just right, but the occasional glint in her eyes always made people feel that she had a restless spirit, not as obedient as she appeared.

"Alright, you must be tired from your journey. Go and rest first. The palace maids will teach you the rules." Chongzhen said gently, but inwardly he felt that teaching this girl manners would be a difficult task.

"Your Majesty, I thank you. I take my leave." Mao Dongzhu bowed again, lowered her head, and slowly withdrew. In her seemingly proper gait, one could discern a certain elegance, and even a hint of stubbornness that refused to be outdone.

Watching that emerald-green figure disappear behind the curtain, Chongzhen picked up his now-cold tea and took a sip.

He turned to Wang Chengen, a subtle, enigmatic smile on his face:
"This Mao Wenlong has given me... quite a surprise." He paused, then added in a low voice as if talking to himself, "He is handsome, but his personality... doesn't seem like someone to be trifled with. From now on, the palace will probably be quite lively."

Wang Chengen bowed and smiled obsequiously, but he knew perfectly well what was going on. This future Consort Mao was more than just a favorite; she was a woman who could stir up trouble.

The spring chill still lingers outside the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Chongzhen felt that the taste of being a "soft rice" (a form of government favor) for the emperor was becoming increasingly delicious. The Zheng family's silver, the Mao family's sharp knife, and now this bright, sharp, and thorny "bead" had been added.

(End of this chapter)