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

In the spring of the tenth year of Xuanji, in Jinling City, banners fluttered and drums and music resounded.

An unprecedented grand ceremony was held in the square in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Forbidden City.

All the civil and military officials gathered together.

The protagonists who received the review and rewards were neither scholars who had passed the imperial examinations nor border generals who had expanded the territory, but a group of soldiers wearing brand-new dark blue uniforms, their faces tanned by the sea breeze and the scorching sun—the officers and soldiers of the Great Xia Royal Navy.

This was the first time in the history of the empire that the emperor personally presided over a collective awarding of honors and commendations to a branch of the military with the highest national ceremony.

Xiao Chen, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe and wearing a twelve-tassel crown, slowly ascended the altar amidst the chanting of the master of ceremonies.

Before him stood a neatly arranged group of naval officers and soldiers, their expressions solemn yet excited.

Behind them stood tens of thousands of Beijing residents, a sea of ​​people, all eagerly awaiting their arrival.

"The Royal Navy of Great Xia, since the Battle of Liaoluo Bay, defeated the allied forces of three Western nations; then sailed east to Taiwan, recaptured Zeelandia, and recovered our homeland; then turned south, displaying its might in Luzon, punishing the wicked and protecting our overseas citizens; then patrolled the South Seas, established a foothold on Penang, protected our trade routes, and subdued the villains. In just a few years, it traversed thousands of miles, pacifying the seas beyond our borders and displaying our national prestige across the oceans. This is truly an unparalleled achievement, strengthening our mountains and rivers, and shining brightly in history!"

Xiao Chen's voice, transmitted clearly through the brass loudspeaker, resonated throughout the entire venue.

With each word he spoke, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing is a fundamental principle of the state. Today, I, on behalf of Heaven, hereby bestow rewards to honor the loyal and virtuous!"

"Zheng Zhilong, Marquis of Jinghai, Admiral of the East China Sea Fleet, and Commander-in-Chief of Dongning, is loyal, brave, and resourceful. He has led the navy and repeatedly achieved great feats. His recovery of Taiwan is a monumental achievement; his fame in the South China Sea is renowned throughout the world. He is hereby promoted to Duke of Jingguo, bestowed the title 'Zhongyong' (Loyal and Brave), which shall be hereditary, and granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. He shall also be awarded the privilege of wearing a yellow riding jacket and riding a horse within the Forbidden City!"

Zheng Zhilong stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud but slightly choked voice, "Your subject, Zheng Zhilong, kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your divine grace! I am willing to serve Your Majesty and the Great Xia with all my heart, even unto death!"

"Lord Jinghai, please rise."

Xiao Chen personally helped him up and tied a gold-inlaid sword, a gift from the emperor, to his body. "May you continue your glorious legacy and expand the territory of our Great Xia to ten thousand miles of sea!"

Following this were the rewards and honors bestowed upon other meritorious soldiers.

Generals such as Gan Hui, Yang Geng, Chen Peng, Guo Huaiyi, and Wang Dashan were all promoted and rewarded.

Countless captains and sailors also received rewards of gold, silver, land, houses, and honorary titles based on their military achievements.

Then, the ceremony moved into its most solemn part—paying tribute to the martyrs.

Xiao Chen personally read the eulogy, remembering the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country in various naval battles.

Their names were engraved on a huge white marble stele and placed in the newly built Martyrs' Shrine at the foot of Zijin Mountain, where they will be honored by the state and their names will be remembered for generations to come.

Their families received far greater compensation than ever before; orphans were raised by the state, and parents were supported by local officials for life.

As the deep, solemn bugle call sounded, the entire crowd stood in silence, paying tribute to the heroic souls who had given their lives for the empire's naval supremacy. Many soldiers and onlookers shed tears.

The final item on the agenda was the promulgation of the "Regulations for Nobles of the Great Xia Royal Navy," which was personally reviewed by Xiao Chen and jointly drafted by the Cabinet, the Ministry of War, and the Maritime Affairs Bureau.

This regulation, referencing the Army lordship system and incorporating the characteristics of the Navy, established a complete rank system from Admiral to Lieutenant Commander, along with corresponding honorary titles.

More importantly, the regulations clearly stipulate that naval officers, given the same combat achievements and seniority, shall enjoy the same titles, salaries, status, and promotion opportunities as army officers.

The navy was officially recognized as one of the two pillars of the empire's military, alongside the army.

As the official read the clause aloud, the naval officers and soldiers in the square could no longer contain their excitement and erupted in thunderous cheers: "Long live His Majesty! Long live the Great Xia Navy!"

The cheers soared into the sky and lingered over the city of Jinling for a long time.

This is not only an affirmation of their past achievements, but also an expectation for their infinite possibilities in the future.

From this day forward, the Great Xia Royal Navy was no longer merely a "naval force," nor was it an appendage of the army. Instead, it was a dignified force that stood shoulder to shoulder with the army and carried the imperial dream of the seas.

The Navy's glory reached its peak at this moment.