Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

In a side hall next to the Qianqing Palace, wooden wheels creaked on the blue brick floor.

Zhu Youxiao, bent over, rode on a strange two-wheeled wooden cart. As he turned his feet, it slowly began to move forward.

A group of eunuchs nearby were sweating profusely, circling around Zhu Youxiao as if afraid he would fall.

"Get out of the way, get out of my way!" Zhu Youxiao shouted excitedly.

If anyone from later generations were here, they would surely recognize the items Zhu Youxiao rode.

That's right, it's a bicycle.

However, its overall structure is made of wood, with only the chain and steering mechanism made of iron. The rest of the frame is made of wood, and the tires are wrapped with layers of tanned cowhide for cushioning.

Zhu Youxiao rode his wooden bicycle around the side hall again and again until he was drenched in sweat before he stopped.

"Lin Qing, your bicycle is really great. How did you come up with such an ingenious design?" Zhu Youxiao was still reluctant to let go after riding it, and pushed the bicycle to Lin Chengyuan's side.

"Your Majesty, this was designed by my nephew and specially presented to you for your amusement," Lin Chengyuan replied with a smile from the side.

"Not bad, not bad. The things from your Dongning Kingdom are really exquisite. I also really liked the ship model before. Next time you have any interesting things, remember to let me see them first."

Zhu Youxiao was extremely excited. He was still young and at the age where he loved to play, so this bicycle was a very rare treat for him.

Just as Zhu Youxiao was about to ride his horse again, a young eunuch rushed into the hall, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei requests an audience, saying he has news of a victory in Liaodong."

"Good news from Liaodong?" Zhu Youxiao looked up abruptly. Lately, every time he heard the words "Liaodong," he felt a splitting headache.

Nothing good came from over there. Shenyang had fallen, Liaoyang had fallen, southern Liaoning was in turmoil, and each border report was worse than the last.

This was the first time he had heard the word "victory" in Liaodong.

"Let him in." Zhu Youxiao sighed. He didn't really want to get involved in these matters, and he didn't believe there would be any good news from Liaodong.

So he was more interested in studying how the bicycle worked.

But his sense of responsibility made him decide to listen, just in case it was good news.

Before long, Wei Zhongxian quickly entered the hall. Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, he immediately bowed and then slid down to kneel gracefully in front of Zhu Youxiao.

Wei Zhongxian drew a beautiful mark on the ground and stopped precisely in front of Zhu Youxiao. Then he grabbed Zhu Youxiao's leg and cried bitterly.

"Your Majesty! Your servant Wei Zhongxian greets Your Majesty and congratulates you on the great victory in Liaodong!"

Zhu Youxiao tugged at Wei Zhongxian's sleeve, but didn't pull it away. He could only say helplessly, "Get up and tell me. What good news is there from Liaodong? Speak quickly."

Wei Zhongxian released his hands, raised his head with tears streaming down his face, first kowtowing deeply to the ground, then choking back sobs as he said to Zhu Youxiao, "Your Majesty, this servant begs for forgiveness!"

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback. "Didn't you say you were reporting a victory? What offense are you apologizing for?"

Wei Zhongxian said, "Shenyang and Liaoyang in Liaodong have fallen one after another. I see Your Majesty is worried every day and is extremely anxious."

Fortunately, I thought there were still righteous people along the southern coast of Liaodong. If we could provide assistance from the sea, perhaps we could give the people of Liaodong a way to survive.

In this urgent situation, I must act expediently. I have taken the liberty of deciding to send the Dongning Navy north to support Liaonan.

Unexpectedly, the Dongning Navy, in cooperation with the Jinzhou Guard, decisively defeated the Jurchen army, captured Nurhaci's son Degelai alive, annihilated the Jurchen elite in one fell swoop, captured 2 Jurchen heads, and seized countless other spoils.

"But this matter was not reported to Your Majesty beforehand. I am guilty and beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Lin Chengyuan stood to the side, his expression unchanged.

He was the first to know this news, and today's report was pre-arranged to be delivered when His Majesty was at his happiest.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao did not pay attention to the crimes mentioned, but instead focused on the most crucial words.

"Daban, you just said that you captured Nurhaci's son and beheaded 2 Jurchen heads?"

Do you know the punishment for deceiving the emperor?

Wei Zhongxian kowtowed again, "This servant dares not deceive Your Majesty, every word I have said is true."

The chieftain's son will be delivered to the capital soon. The number of heads captured may vary, but it will definitely exceed one thousand. Your Majesty is requested to send people to verify this at any time; there is absolutely no falsehood.

Moreover, this is evidenced by reports from the garrison commander of Jinzhou and the envoy from Dongning Kingdom. Your Majesty, please consider this carefully.

Wei Zhongxian handed the two memorials in his hand to Zhu Youxiao.

Zhu Youxiao took them and saw that one was a report from Dongning Kingdom and the other was a report from Jinzhou Guard.

He soon discovered that the contents were extremely detailed, even specifying the name of every Jurchen officer killed. Among the prisoners was the name of Degelai, a fact personally confirmed by the generals of Jinzhou Guard.

Even if the other side has some embellishments, they would not lie about the capture of such an important enemy figure.

"Good! Good! Good!" Zhu Youxiao clenched his fist forcefully, then paced back and forth in the hall. These past few days, the unfavorable war in Liaodong had given him a headache, and the affairs of the court were causing him great distress.

But now there's finally some good news.

"Great, that's wonderful! After so long of reports of the defeat in Liaodong, finally there's something to be happy about."

"Wei Daban, you handled this matter very well; you deserve a reward."

"This servant dares not claim credit; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's far-reaching divine might. The King of Dongning is grateful for the benevolence of the Great Ming Dynasty and is therefore willing to follow the Ming Dynasty's calendar and send troops to support you."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Alright, no need to be modest. If you hadn't thought of the Liaonan sea route in advance, how could the Dongning Navy have arrived at such a convenient time?"

Those people in Liaodong, having lost cities and territories, are full of complaints about their difficulties. You, a mere court official, have already thought of using the maritime ban as a countermeasure; that's foresight."

Wei Zhongxian remained prostrate on the ground, his voice choked with sobs.

"If Your Majesty says so, then even if I were to be shattered to pieces, it would be worth it."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, "Get up. Now that you finally know me, take charge of the Eastern Depot as well. Don't disappoint me."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly. He had essentially taken control of the palace, and with the Eastern Depot under his control, and Wang Tigan, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, also his man, handling the imperial edicts, he now had no rivals in the entire Ming Dynasty inner court. The remaining task was to gradually control the civil officials in the outer court.

Wei Zhongxian kowtowed three times on the bluestone floor before slowly getting up.

Zhu Youxiao suddenly turned to look at Lin Chengyuan, who immediately bowed.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then looked at the wooden bicycle, and then smiled:

"I thought Dongning was good at mechanical arts, but I didn't expect them to fight this battle so well."

Lin Chengyuan respectfully replied, "Your Majesty flatters us. Dongning's only strength lies in its navy. This great victory is entirely due to Your Majesty's blessings."

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, "You have served me well during your time in the palace, helping me to look at blueprints and create artifacts."

"Lin Chengyuan is granted the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is permitted to enter the palace. He will assist the inner court craftsmen in producing various wares for Dongning."

Lin Chengyuan immediately knelt down, saying, "Your subject Lin Chengyuan kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Zhu Youxiao laughed and said, "I heard that you are a duke in Dongning."

"If I were to bestow upon you a mere commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, would you consider it too lowly?"

Lin Chengyuan lowered his head and replied in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, Dongning is a small overseas country with a population of only tens of thousands. It is not comparable to a county of the Ming Dynasty."

The title "Duke" was merely a self-deprecating nickname used by people overseas.

The thousand-household officer position bestowed by Your Majesty is a prestigious post in the Imperial Guard of the Great Ming Dynasty, a prestigious title bestowed by the legitimate court. If my ancestors could know from beyond the grave that I am able to be listed in the Imperial Guard and serve by Your Majesty's side, they would surely be proud of it. How could I dare to consider it a lowly position?

"I fear my talent and virtue are insufficient to bear Your Majesty's trust."

Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with what he heard. "Good, you have explained it very clearly. I like it very much. You must come to the palace often to play with me in the future."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you wholeheartedly." Lin Chengyuan bowed again in thanks.

"I've heard that you are engaged to Zhao Qing, the Imperial Secretary?"

"Your Majesty's wisdom shines upon all, indeed." Lin Chengyuan bowed in response. In fact, this was something that Dongning Kingdom had deliberately exposed. Rather than being discovered, it was better to expose it in the early stages.

"Such a coincidence is truly wonderful. Here's what we'll do: bestow upon the Zhao family's daughter the title of a seventh-rank noblewoman. As for Zhao Qing, it's too much of a waste of his talents to be in the position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, the Grand Eunuch will draft an edict to appoint him as the Director of the Bureau of Personnel.

Good heavens, even without mentioning this imperial title, for Zhao Xunru it was equivalent to directly skipping several years of accumulation for ordinary people.

Although the rank difference is only one grade, one position is prestigious but lacks real power, while the other holds the power to select, appoint, and evaluate officials, making it a truly "important" post.

If he were to be appointed to a post outside the capital, he would at least be a prefect of the fourth rank, which would be an incredible leap for someone who had only passed the imperial examination two years prior.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Lin Chengyuan bowed again in gratitude.

"After your marriage, Lin Qing, you can bring your wife to live in the capital. I can't be without you for a moment."

"Well, I've become a hostage," Lin Chengyuan thought to himself, speechless. But he didn't resist too much. He wouldn't leave the capital if the other party didn't mention it. He was just surprised that the other party was only a teenager and already had the mindset of an emperor.

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your great kindness and will certainly do my utmost to repay your kindness."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then looked at Wei Zhongxian again. "My lord, immediately send someone to Liaonan to verify the head, and also bring the son of the slave chieftain back to the capital. I want to personally comfort our ancestors at the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and do it immediately," Wei Zhongxian replied.

-----------------

In contrast to the excitement in the Qianqing Palace, the temporary Jin palace in Liaoyang was deathly silent.

Nurhaci kicked over the table in front of him, and silver bowls, wine pots, and meat platters rolled all over the floor.

The people in the hall fell silent, trembling with fear.

Eshuo knelt at the bottom of the steps, his forehead pressed against the cold ground.

He escaped back to Liaoyang via a side road, his body covered in wounds, but he dared not utter a sound.

If the message he brought back hadn't been so urgent, he wouldn't have been qualified to kneel directly before Nurhaci.

Nurhaci's face turned ashen.

"Say it again!"

Eshuo's throat was dry.

"Great Khan, we have been defeated, and utterly defeated. The two thousand troops led by Lord Degelai were unable to break through the enemy's lines, and suffered heavy losses. When I passed through Haizhou, I still had not heard any news from the south. I suppose all of you gentlemen are in grave danger."

"nonsense!"

Mangultai suddenly stood up, his face contorted with rage.

"You lackey, even if our army suffered a defeat as you say, we had many horses. We should have retreated quickly. How could we have suffered such heavy losses? I bet it was you who deserted in the face of battle."

Mangultai said to Nurhaci, "Father Khan, I think this man is not trustworthy. Let's arrest him and interrogate him first."

Nurhaci waved his hand, he didn't believe it either. The Later Jin had been established for so many years and had never experienced a complete annihilation.

"Has any news come from Haizhou?"

"Uh..." The princes looked at each other in bewilderment. This was where their despair truly began.

If things go smoothly, they should send messages every now and then.

But there has been no news from the south for a long time.

Nurhaci's face darkened. "Lock this guy up first, and send men south immediately to gather information. Make sure you find out the situation clearly."

"Yes!" Everyone readily accepted the order.

Regarding the situation in southern Liaoning, some are happy, some are worried, but there are still some who are completely kept in the dark.

On May 20th of the first year of the Tianqi reign, with the help of Wang Biao, the garrison commander of Xiping Fort, Mao Wenlong, carrying Wang Huazhen's official plaque and a large number of blank documents, led four sand boats and 197 soldiers from the Sanchahe ferry crossing at Xiping Fort, officially embarking on his legendary life at sea.

At this time, Mao Wenlong was unaware of this.

Due to the actions of a certain time traveler, the entire situation in southern Liaoning has descended into chaos, and the title of the Ming Dynasty's first major victory against the Later Jin has been stolen by someone else.

Perhaps the only good news for him is that the Later Jin is much weaker in southern Liaoning than it has been in history.