Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The news of the recapture of Taiwan was delivered to Nanjing City at the fastest speed of 600 li.

When the words "Fort Zeelandia recaptured," "Dutch Governor Coyett surrendered," "Spaniards fled north," and "All of Taiwan liberated" were read aloud in an excited and high-pitched voice by the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial during the court assembly, the huge Fengtian Hall was first deathly silent, and then burst into an uncontrollable clamor mixed with astonishment and ecstasy.

"May Heaven bless the Great Xia! Your Majesty is wise!"

"General Zheng is truly a pillar of the nation!"

"With the retrocession of Taiwan, peace has been restored to the southeastern coast!"

"This is an unparalleled achievement!"

Regardless of any doubts they may have had about the expansionist strategy, both civil and military officials were now awestruck by this truly enormous victory.

The Battle of Liaoluo Bay was about repelling the enemy outside the country's borders and defending the maritime frontier; while the recovery of Taiwan was about expanding territory and truly projecting the empire's influence onto that rich island that has been somewhat separated from the mainland since ancient times.

The political, military, and economic significance of this is extraordinary.

Sitting upright on the dragon throne, Xiao Chen appeared calm, but the slight rise and fall of his chest and the fleeting glint in his eyes betrayed the turmoil within him.

Taiwan has finally been captured! This not only eliminated two Western colonial forces and removed two thorns stuck in the door of the southeast coast, but more importantly, it provided the empire with an excellent forward base, a hub for controlling East Asian maritime power, a treasure trove for acquiring strategic resources such as sulfur and deerskin, and a new world for settling refugees and relieving population pressure on the mainland.

"Silence." Xiao Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing the noisy court.

He slowly rose to his feet, walked to the imperial steps, and glanced at the assembled officials in the hall: "The restoration of Taiwan was achieved through the bravery of our soldiers and the meritorious service of our army, as well as the blessings of our ancestors and the favor of Heaven. However, conquering the world is easy, but maintaining it is difficult. Taiwan is located overseas, a place where Han and other ethnic groups live together. The remnants of the Japanese may be unwilling to accept this, and Western barbarians and Japanese pirates may also covet it. How to govern it, how to defend it, and how to ensure that it remains forever part of China and a shield for the East China Sea are the most urgent tasks."

"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough and comprehensive."

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng stepped forward and said, "Taiwan is newly annexed, and everything is in need of rebuilding. The most urgent task is to establish official positions and systems, station troops to guard the region, assert sovereignty, and appease the people. I believe that we can follow the example of Yunnan and Guizhou and establish a Regional Military Commission to oversee military and political affairs and pacify the local area."

"I second that opinion."

The Minister of War then reported, "Taiwan is isolated overseas and cannot be defended without a large army. We should send elite troops to build city defenses and encourage people from the mainland to migrate and cultivate the land, integrating the military with the people, so as to ensure a stable foundation. The navy should also use Taiwan as a base to patrol frequently and deter any unruly behavior."

"I believe," the Minister of Revenue added, "that Taiwan has fertile land and abundant produce, especially sulfur, deerskin, and rice. Officials should be appointed to manage the mining of sulfur to supply the military; the trade in deerskin and mountain products should be regulated to supplement the national treasury; and people should be encouraged to reclaim wasteland and plant rice and sugarcane extensively. This will not only strengthen the borders but also alleviate the problem of dense populations and limited land in Fujian and Guangdong."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, agreeing with the opinions of his senior officials.

He had been thinking about this for a long time, and now he was simply taking advantage of the court meeting to unify his thinking and issue an imperial edict.

"What you all say is very much in line with my thoughts." Xiao Chen walked back to his desk, picked up his brush and dipped it in ink. A eunuch in charge of writing had already spread out a bright yellow silk cloth.

"Draft an imperial edict."

"Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times, and thanks to the bravery of our soldiers, it has been restored. To secure our maritime borders and ensure the well-being of our people, the Dongning Regional Military Commission has been established, with its headquarters in Anping Town. It oversees all military and political affairs of the entire island of Taiwan and is directly under the central government."

"Zheng Zhilong, Marquis of Jinghai and Admiral of the East China Sea Fleet, is hereby appointed Commander of Dongning, temporarily in charge of all affairs in Taiwan, and is granted the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and is given the Imperial Sword, with the authority to act at his own discretion."

"Guo Huaiyi, the former leader of the Taiwanese righteous people, was promoted to the position of Deputy Commander of Dongning, assisting Zheng Zhilong. He was familiar with the local situation and pacified the Han and the indigenous peoples."

"Five thousand elite troops will be drawn from the land and naval camps of Fujian and Zhejiang and stationed permanently in Dongning, under the command of Zheng Zhilong. All provisions, supplies, and military equipment will be jointly guaranteed by the Fujian Provincial Administration Commission, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War, without fail."

"Recruit landless poor people and refugees from Fujian and Guangdong to cultivate land in Taiwan. The government will provide seeds, oxen, and farming tools, and exempt them from taxes for three years. The cultivated land will be permanently owned."

"In Anping Town, Chikan City, Keelung, Tamsui and other places, select key locations to build fortifications and camps to strengthen coastal defenses. In particular, Anping and Chikan should be renovated and expanded in accordance with the Western barbarian fortification system to ensure their sturdiness and serve as naval bases."

"Sulfur, deerskin, and other products produced in Taiwan are subject to a monopoly by the Military Commander's Office. Except for those supplied to the Imperial Court and the Navy, the rest may be traded. Private mining and trafficking are strictly prohibited, and violators will be severely punished."

"Treat the island's natives well, proclaim the imperial court's benevolent influence, bestow upon them cloth, salt, and iron, and encourage their assimilation. Those chieftains who wish to submit will be granted official positions and allowed to remain in their territory for generations. Anyone who dares to incite conflict between Han and non-Han peoples or stir up rebellion will be severely punished without exception."

"The matter shall be carried out immediately upon receipt of the decree. So be it!"

The imperial edict was quickly sent to Xiamen by fast horses, and then transferred to Taiwan by naval warships.

Along with the imperial edict arrived a large amount of gold, silver and silk as rewards for meritorious soldiers, as well as the first batch of immigrants, craftsmen, grain seeds and farm tools transferred from Nanjing, Fuzhou and other places.

Anping Town is now adorned with the flying dragon flag of the Great Xia Dynasty. The Governor's Office has been converted into the Military Commander's Office.

Zheng Zhilong received the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude. He, along with Guo Huaiyi and a group of generals, knelt and listened to the decree being read aloud. His heart was filled with emotion.

The Commander of Dongning was a powerful regional official. Although Taiwan had just been pacified and everything needed to be done, the trust and power given to him by the emperor were unprecedented.

"Brother Guo," Zheng Zhilong helped up Guo Huaiyi, who was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, "His Majesty has bestowed upon you this great responsibility. Taiwan was won back with the blood of you, me, and countless soldiers. In governing it from now on, we must work together with one heart and one mind. You are familiar with the local people and will have to put in a lot of effort to appease the Han and the indigenous people and attract refugees."

"My lord... no, Commander-in-Chief, rest assured!"

Guo Huaiyi wiped away his tears, patted his chest, and said, "Huaiyi will do his utmost to live up to His Majesty's great favor, the Commander-in-Chief's trust, and the expectations of the people of Taiwan!"

The military headquarters quickly sprang into operation.

The primary task is garrisoning troops.

Five thousand elite troops transferred from the mainland, along with some of Zheng Zhilong's own troops and some Han Chinese militia and local strongmen who were willing to surrender, were mixed and formed into the Dongning Garrison Army, which was stationed in key locations such as Anping, Chikan, Keelung, and Tamsui.

The navy also dispatched a squadron to be stationed at Anping Port and patrol the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters.

The second priority was building the city.

With the joint efforts of the craftsmen accompanying the army and the local laborers, Anping Town underwent a large-scale expansion and reinforcement on the basis of the original bastion, and additional forts were built. In particular, the forts facing the open sea were equipped with heavy coastal defense guns captured from the Dutch and transported from the mainland, and were named "Anping Forts".

Chihkan Castle was also renovated, with its walls raised and gun emplacements added, and it was called the "Chihkan Fortress".

The old Spanish fortresses in places like Keelung and Tamsui were also restored and reused, and there were plans to build new fortifications in key locations. The defense system of the entire island of Taiwan began to take shape.

The third priority, and the fundamental long-term goal, is to solidify border control through immigration.

Recruitment notices for immigrants were quickly posted throughout the coastal counties of Fujian and Guangdong.

For impoverished people with limited land and a large population, struggling to make a living, the offer of "government providing cattle and seeds, tax exemption for three years, and the land to be cultivated as permanent property" was undoubtedly an immense temptation.

Despite the risks of crossing the sea and the hardships of pioneering, driven by the hope of survival and the allure of the land, groups of impoverished people from Fujian and Guangdong, along with their families, boarded government-organized immigration ships and sailed towards the "Eastern Barbarians," a land full of both the unknown and the hope.

Guo Huaiyi personally took charge of the resettlement of immigrants, dividing up land, distributing oxen and farming tools, and teaching farming techniques (Taiwan's land is fertile, but the climate and crops are slightly different from those in Fujian and Guangdong). He quickly stabilized the first batch of immigrants.

Taiwan, this newly returned overseas territory, is beginning to radiate new vitality under the orderly injection of imperial power.

It was no longer just an island on a map, but a real "Dongning Commandery" with garrison troops, administration, immigrants, and defenses.

Like an unsinkable giant ship, it guarded the throat between the East China Sea and the South China Sea, becoming the outpost base for the Imperial Navy to advance into the wider ocean, and also a "flood discharge zone" to attract the surplus population from the mainland and relieve social pressure.

The empire's southeastern maritime borders became more stable and expansive than ever before, thanks to the recovery and establishment of Taiwan.