My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Secret report from Liaodong?

Now?
If he were in the capital, he would not be surprised at all to receive a secret report from Liaodong.

But now, the Emperor is on his southern tour, currently adrift at sea, anchored in this desolate little port in the middle of nowhere! How did this secret report manage to cross mountains and rivers, accurately locate the moving fleet, and be delivered to his cabin door in the dead of night?
The underlying chain of transmission, efficiency, and precision are truly astonishing upon closer examination.

This also illustrates one thing: this secret report must be extremely important!
Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang quickly steadied himself and said in a deep voice:

"Come in."

The hatch was gently pushed open, and Ma Bao slipped inside, then quickly closed the door behind him.

Immediately afterwards, a memorial was delivered to Zhu Cilang.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhu Cilang began to examine the text. As he read on, his expression became subtle, first becoming serious, then his lips curled into an uncontrollable smile, and finally culminating in a sigh of relief, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

The secret report detailed what happened in Shengjing about two months earlier: the open falling out and fierce conflict between Regent Dorgon and Prince Su, Hauge.

It was only because of the mountain passes and the slow transmission of information that this earth-shattering news finally reached him at this moment.

After reading the secret report, all the sleepiness that Zhu Cilang had been cultivating vanished instantly.

He read those few hundred words twice more, confirming every detail. A huge weight was lifted from his heart, and an indescribable sense of relief washed over him.

He knew that Hong Chengchou's plan had finally achieved its remarkable effect! This matter was like a poisonous thorn, deeply embedded in the already fragile and delicate relationship between Dorgon and Hauge, the two highest-ranking officials of the Jurchens.

Even if they don't immediately turn against each other and completely split apart, the resulting suspicion, vigilance, and internal strife are already great news for the Ming Dynasty!
Then Zhu Cilang seemed to realize something, and looked at Ma Bao and said:

"You should personally make the trip and present this secret letter to the Emperor immediately. Tell him it is an urgent report that just arrived from Liaodong and ask the Emperor to take a look. This good news will make the Emperor happy."

Upon hearing this, Ma Bao immediately bowed and replied:
"Yes, ma'am! I'll go right away!"

After saying that, he took two steps back, turned around and left quickly, his steps light but carrying an undeniable urgency.

Meanwhile, in the more spacious, luxurious, and heavily guarded imperial study on the top floor of the imperial ship, Emperor Chongzhen had just finished reviewing several urgent memorials delivered from the capital by fast ship and was rubbing his throbbing temples, preparing to rest.

Suddenly, at that moment, a eunuch tiptoed in and whispered an announcement:
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent Ma Bao with a secret report from Liaodong. It is an urgent letter that has just arrived and requests Your Majesty's review."

"Oh? A secret report from Liaodong?"

Upon hearing this, Chongzhen's slightly weary expression immediately lifted, and he sat up straight.

"Send it over quickly!"

Soon, the previous memorial was delivered to Chongzhen, who eagerly took it and began to read it carefully by the light of the bright palace lanterns.

At first, his brows furrowed slightly, but as his gaze moved downwards, the expression on his face gradually changed from solemn to astonished, and then from astonished to unbelievable ecstasy!
His fingers trembled slightly with excitement, and his breathing became rapid.

"Good! Good! What a Dorgon! What a Hauge! Dogs fighting, all mixed up! God bless the Ming Dynasty! Truly, God bless the Ming Dynasty!"

Emperor Chongzhen slammed his hand on the imperial desk and stood up abruptly. His voice, slightly loud due to extreme excitement, echoed in the cabin, startling the few eunuchs standing beside him, who quickly lowered their heads.

Emperor Chongzhen paced back and forth in front of his desk with excitement, his face beaming with a genuine, heartfelt smile that he hadn't seen in many years.

The division and struggle within the highest levels of the Jurchen people are of such great significance to the Ming Dynasty that they are no less important than a decisive victory in a battle!

This means that for a considerable period of time in the future, the pressure on Liaodong will be greatly reduced, and the imperial court will be able to more calmly reorganize its internal affairs and accumulate strength.

He seemed to see the dawn of a complete solution to the Liaodong border troubles that had plagued the Ming Dynasty for decades!
That night, Chongzhen slept exceptionally well, as if all the fatigue from the days of sailing had been swept away.

In the days that followed, the fleet continued its smooth southward journey along the Jiangsu coastline.

The sea conditions remained good, the weather was fine, and the voyage was very smooth.

On this day, the sailors on the watchtower let out a high-pitched shout:
"The Yangtze River estuary! We can see the sandbar at the estuary!"

Upon hearing the news, the atmosphere across the entire fleet changed once again.

The Yangtze River, the mother river that nurtured Chinese civilization, was also the vital artery of the southern territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Reaching the mouth of the Yangtze River signifies the end of the long sea voyage, after which the fleet will turn onto inland waterways and head straight for the final destination of this southern tour – Nanjing!
Under the precise navigation of Zheng Zhilong's flagship, the massive fleet began to carefully adjust its course, heading towards the magnificent waters where the sky and water meet.

The Yangtze River estuary at the end of the Ming Dynasty was completely different from the waterway that had been dredged and improved on a large scale in later generations, and it was extremely difficult and dangerous to navigate.

This is mainly because the massive amount of silt carried by the Yangtze River continuously accumulates at its estuary, forming numerous, ever-changing shoals and sandbars.

The main channel is extremely narrow and winding, and is affected by tides and seasonal water flow. The location of the shoals often moves, hence the saying "The natural barrier of the Yangtze River is at its mouth."

Without the guidance of an extremely experienced helmsman, large fleets are highly susceptible to running aground.

However, even before the fleet arrived, Zheng Zhilong had already dispatched a fast boat with the imperial seal to Chongming Island and Liujiagang in Taicang Prefecture on the south bank of the Yangtze River estuary to report the arrival.

At this time, several small pilot boats belonging to the Jiangnan Navy, familiar with the local waters, arrived to provide assistance, flying special signal flags.

Led by a pilot ship, the massive royal fleet, like a giant dragon, slowly sailed into the turbulent, sand-swept main channel of the Yangtze River estuary.

All the ships lowered their sails to half-mast, greatly slowing their speed. The sailors nervously measured the water depth, and the helmsmen were fully focused, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

When the last ship safely passed the waters around Chongming Island and entered the wide river, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, the view before me suddenly opened up!
The river was wide and the water was vast and calm. Although we were still sailing against the current, it was much safer than the storms at sea.

The fleet initially relied mainly on oars and adjusting the angle of the sails to overcome the current, and although the speed was slow, the journey was exceptionally smooth.

The scenery along the coast is also quite different from that at sea.

The north bank is the flat North Jiangsu Plain, while the south bank is the gradually undulating Jiangnan Hills.

On the river, cargo ships, merchant ships, and fishing boats came and went in a continuous stream, their sails dotting the surface, presenting a bustling and prosperous scene.

Although we did not stop for long at the important towns and ports we passed along the way, their majestic appearances could already be seen from afar.

As the emperor approached a major town, local officials would lead their large and small official boats out to greet him, kneeling and bowing in the middle of the river, their shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoing along the river. Sometimes, Emperor Chongzhen would stand at the bow of the boat to receive the homage and would send eunuchs to offer their congratulations.

The entire voyage was like a grand, moving procession showcasing imperial authority and the prosperity of Jiangnan.

However, as the outline of Nanjing became clearer in the distance, Emperor Chongzhen's mood became more complicated, and an indescribable worry quietly rose in his heart.

That afternoon, the boat was sailing on the section of the river between Zhenjiang and Nanjing. A gentle breeze was blowing and the water was calm.

Emperor Chongzhen issued a special decree summoning Zhu Cilang to the observation deck on the top floor of the imperial boat for a meeting.

The view here is excellent, overlooking the mighty river and the scenery on both banks.

After dismissing his attendants, only the father and son remained in the cabin. Chongzhen leaned on the railing and gazed into the southwest where the water met the sky, where the majestic city of Nanjing lay.

He remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly, turned to look at Zhu Cilang sitting beside him, and said with a rare hint of confusion and candor in his voice:

"Lang'er, we are about to arrive in Nanjing, but for some reason, I feel uneasy and restless."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang put down his teacup, looked calmly at his father, and asked gently:

"Father is the ruler of the world. His southern tour here is precisely to demonstrate his virtue and pacify the Jiangnan region. May I ask what worries Father?"

Chongzhen walked to the rosewood armchair opposite Zhu Cilang and sat down. His fingers unconsciously tapped the smooth armrest, and his gaze became somewhat distant, as if he were lost in memories.

"Alas, I did not wish to bring this up again, but it may not hurt to tell you."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"To be honest, just a few years ago, when the bandits were at their most rampant and the Jurchen army was at its strongest, I did indeed consider moving the capital to Nanjing."

Zhu Cilang's heart stirred slightly, but he did not show much surprise on his face.

This was within his expectations. In the dire situation of the late Ming Dynasty, beset by internal and external troubles and a broken country, it would be a natural, even necessary, strategic option for any ruler with a modicum of reason to consider retreating to the southern half of the country, which had been developed for more than two hundred years, was economically prosperous, and had the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

This is not cowardice, but a pragmatic move to preserve the nation's lifeline in the hope of future recovery.

The Southern Song Dynasty, relying on the Jiangnan region, confronted the North for over a century, which serves as a precedent.

Seeing that his son's expression remained normal, Chongzhen continued speaking, his tone tinged with bitterness and helplessness.

"At that time, Beijing was repeatedly threatened by military forces, the national treasury was empty, and the soldiers were exhausted. I was truly sleepless at night. I felt that if we could temporarily take refuge in Nanjing, relying on the natural defenses of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers and the wealth of the southeast, we could reorganize our army and strengthen our military capabilities, and perhaps there would still be a glimmer of hope."

"I have vaguely hinted at this idea to a few trusted ministers."

Chongzhen's voice lowered.

"To my surprise, the moment I mentioned it, Zhou Yanru and Chen Yan's expressions changed drastically, as if struck by lightning! They all knelt down, weeping and pleading, saying things like, 'The capital is where our ancestors' tombs are located, the foundation of our ancestral temples and the state; how can it be so easily abandoned?', 'If Your Majesty moves south, the hearts of the people will be lost, and the north will collapse in an instant!', 'This will be the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty's downfall; does Your Majesty intend to follow the example of Emperors Huizong and Qinzong?'"

“Their words are like swords, piercing my heart! They regard the relocation of the capital as abandoning the country and fleeing, thus placing me in a position of disloyalty, filial impiety, inhumanity, and injustice!”

A look of pain and lingering fear appeared on Chongzhen's face.

"I was terrified by them at the time! I felt that if we moved south, wouldn't I become a sinner of the Ming Dynasty? How would future historians judge me? In the end, I didn't dare to mention it again."

He sighed deeply, his gaze returning to the vast river outside the window, his tone becoming complex.

"But later, many things happened, and I developed another kind of worry about Nanjing. Lang'er, do you know that Nanjing, though seemingly prosperous, is actually a tangled mess, a bottomless pool of muddy water!"

Emperor Chongzhen's concerns were not unfounded.

As a secondary capital, Nanjing retained a bureaucratic system similar to that of Beijing, but most of these positions were sinecure or honorary titles.

More than two hundred years of peace have allowed the local nobles, officials, and powerful families dependent on the canal transport and salt industries to form a complex and deeply entrenched interest group.

They are content with their wealth and tend to be conservative, naturally resisting any changes that might disrupt the existing balance or affect their interests.

Emperor Chongzhen knew that if he had hastily moved the capital to Nanjing, as a "fleeing emperor," whether he could effectively control the situation and mobilize the resources of the south for his own use would be a huge unknown.

Perhaps, while the north was engulfed in flames of war, the undercurrents in Nanjing were enough to engulf him.

Those civil service groups, for their own benefit, might even do more extreme things.
Historically, the deposition and installation of powerful ministers and palace intrigues are not unprecedented in the ancient city of Nanjing.

Seeing the genuine fear and worry on Chongzhen's face, Zhu Cilang completely understood his feelings.

After all, Emperor Chongzhen at that time was beset by internal and external troubles and his authority was damaged. If he were to forcibly move the capital south, he might indeed fall into an even more dangerous situation.

But these days are different!
The Ming Dynasty of today is no longer the Ming Dynasty of the past!
Immediately, Zhu Cilang revealed a calm and confident smile, and comforted her:

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Times have changed. What Your Majesty was worried about was when we were weak. Now, our Great Ming has quelled internal troubles, defeated foreign invaders, and our national strength is growing daily. Your Majesty's divine might is awe-inspiring, and you are reigning supreme over the world! Your son can assure you that at this moment, the nobles and civil and military officials in Nanjing are only filled with trepidation and eager anticipation for Your Majesty's arrival. They would never dare to harbor the slightest disloyalty!"

"They will certainly be respectful and attentive to the Emperor, and not one of them will dare to complain, let alone do anything untoward!"

Zhu Cilang's words were forceful and full of confidence.

This confidence stems from strength; the Ming Dynasty of today is no longer the precarious state it once was.

The powerful new army, the full national treasury, and the successive military victories greatly reshaped the authority of the imperial power.

Faced with absolute power, any local force has no choice but to submit.

Moreover, this southern tour is not a relocation of the capital and will not directly touch the core interests of the Nanjing interest group. They will only try their best to curry favor in order to get a share of the pie in the new pattern.

As Chongzhen listened to his son's words and saw the resolute look on his face, the gloom in his heart gradually dissipated.

Yes, perhaps I'm overthinking things.

The current imperial court is strong and well-equipped, and the national treasury is full. I, the emperor, am making my southern tour with glorious military achievements and an air of revival. This is a far cry from the embarrassing situation of "fleeing south in a panic" that I had envisioned back then.

Those nobles and officials in Nanjing were all intelligent men; how could they not see the situation clearly? (End of Chapter)