Chapter 2: Court Discussion

Zhu Jin was very satisfied with his son's answer, so he asked again: "Then, does Qin She think that we should send troops?"

"Didn’t Geng Jingzhong promise to provide our army with warships along the entire Fujian coast?" Minister of War Chen Shengwu, however, considered the pros and cons of this matter from a different perspective. "With ships, what is there to fear about lacking territory? Moreover, while Wu Sangui can make such statements without hesitation, whether Geng Jingzhong is capable of doing the same is still debatable. Otherwise, how would he have thought of us?"

The people around felt that Ke Ping was shameless for using flattery towards a young child to win Zhu Jin's favor. However, despite their disdain, all the ministers still congratulated him one by one. Zhu Jin, on the other hand, waved his hand and said, "A twelve-year-old child occasionally saying one or two correct things does not warrant such praise from you all. Let us discuss the matter at hand; can we consider only taking Southern Zhili?"

The position of the Chief Military Officer of the Five Armies is vacant, and the posts of various military commanders are also unfilled. As a result, generals such as Liu Guoxuan, Chen Wenhui, He You, Xu Yao, Hong Yu, and Xue Jinsi are able to stand in the hall

"Lord Liu, what if the Three Feudatories are unwilling to grant me territory?" Ke Ping insisted on his assertion. "Does that mean we still have to engage in a battle with Geng Jingzhong?"

Zhu Jincheng was left speechless, and Zheng Kezang's reaction completely exceeded his expectations: "Zhoushan, Southern Zhili"

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent. Was Ye Heng's statement reasonable? Of course it was! There are still many members of the Ming royal family remaining in Taiwan. What does Geng Jingzhong mean by advocating for the restoration of the Ming dynasty? Is it really as dangerous as entering a tiger's den to pay a visit to Prince Ningjing Zhu Shugui, who is acting as regent? Clearly not. One must remember that in the past, Li Dingguo and Li Laiheng caused great chaos in the world, yet they were ultimately forgiven and became renowned anti-Qing generals in the Yongli era. Geng Jingzhong merely inherited his father's legacy, without much bloodshed, and now that he has suddenly awakened, how could he not be forgiven by the Ming royal family members who have no way out? However, while this reasoning holds, the reality is different. Even Zhu Jin, who considers himself the general of the Ming dynasty and the Prince of Yanping, harbors disloyal intentions towards Zhu Shugui. How can one expect Geng Jingzhong, who shares similar ulterior motives, to come to Taiwan and submit humbly?

Then? Seeing that Chen Yonghua, whom he regarded as his right-hand man, also agreed to deploy troops, Zhu Jin had actually made up his mind. However, he suddenly turned to Zheng Kezang. "Did you understand, Qinshe?"

"After ten years of savings, our army may be able to fight a battle." From a historical perspective, Chen Yonghua is actually quite similar to Zhuge Liang in that both are figures with high political strategy but lower military strategy. Moreover, his agreement to go to war is influenced by another consideration. "It is best to work together with the two vassals, Geng and Shang, in order to break the Tatar's coastal blockade order."

I believe there are still points for discussion in Yuanzi's words. Chen Shengwu glanced at Zheng Kezang and thought to himself, if the idea proposed by this child could work, what need would there be for us strategists? It was based on this line of thinking that Chen Shengwu raised his objections. Currently, with Geng Jingzhong's large army blocking our territory, we do not need to confront the enemy troops directly. On the contrary, if we were to directly attack Southern Zhili, it would mean that we are shielding Geng Jingzhong. Moreover, military strategy states that before the troops move, provisions must be prepared. The sea route from Taiwan to Southern Zhili is long and supply is difficult; if we encounter setbacks, it would not be advisable to retreat.

Beside Hong Lei are the official Hu Guan Yang Ying and his cousin, the official Yang Xian. Both Yangs hail from the military ranks of Rongzhen and are known for their fiery tempers. They are also closely related, and even among peers, others are generally reluctant to engage in disputes with them.

If Geng Jingzhong were to recognize the situation, it would be acceptable; however, if he fails to recognize it, a scene is bound to unfold

Indeed, the prosperity of Southern Zhili is not comparable to that of the impoverished mountainous region of Fujian. Moreover, there is no need to worry about the territorial issues that Ke Ping emphasized earlier. For a moment, Zhu Jin felt somewhat dazed, unsure whether to cry or laugh. At this moment, he heard Ke Ping congratulate him, saying: "Your Majesty, Yuanzi is naturally intelligent, which is a blessing for our fief."

Standing at the end of the civil officials' line is actually Chen Yonghua's nephew, Chen Shengwu, a painter in the Ministry of War. As the true assistant to Zhu Jin in military and political matters, although he lacks the seniority to be immediately promoted to a military official, the fact that he can stand on the dais alongside the older generation indicates his status in Zhu Jin's eyes. With this favor as assurance, his promotion is only a matter of time.

I believe it would be better to accept Geng Jingzhong's suggestion to deploy troops Liu Guoxuan and He You exchanged glances before responding Although it is said that the Dongning region has been developed since the restoration by the former king, it has only been a little over ten years in reality, with a total population of merely 150,000 and an area of about 18,000 jia (Note: 1 jia is approximately equal to 0.996 hectares) If we were to passively observe the conflict between the Three Feudatories and the Tartars, regardless of who wins or loses, our army would gain nothing Instead, it would be better to return to the mainland and occupy more states and prefectures, which would provide us with more room for maneuvering

"The son is unsure whether to deploy troops or not," the ministers finally felt relieved. However, the next words left them dumbfounded. "But why go to Fujian? I seem to have heard someone mention the story of my grandfather's campaign in Nanjing. Why doesn't Father learn from Grandfather and first take Zhoushan before advancing to Southern Zhili?"

The king has arrived! The eunuchs shouted, and with this announcement, everyone from Chen Yonghua down began to adjust their attire to avoid any impropriety. After a while, under the watchful eyes of the ministers, Zhu Jin appeared. He ascended the steps to the red platform and took his seat on the throne. Just as the ministers were about to shout their three cheers for longevity, they unexpectedly noticed a small tail trailing behind Zhu Jin. For a moment, everyone was stunned, but Chen Yonghua, quick to act, cleared his throat to awaken the crowd, thus completing the necessary ceremony.

Zhu Jin looked at Chen Yonghua with an inquiring gaze. "What does Chen Qing think?"

The Five Mountains and Five Seas, also known as the Five Merchants of the Ten Directions, refer to the five merchant houses located in Hangzhou, namely Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The Five Merchants of the Sea refer to the five trading houses in Xiamen, namely Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Trust. In general, their main focus was on exporting goods from Hangzhou and Xiamen to Japan. Later, the public associated them with the ten incense halls of the Tiandihui, but contrary to later speculations that Chen Yonghua founded it, the initial leader was Zheng Tai, the uncle of Zhu Jin. The purpose was not to gather intelligence or engage in sabotage, but rather to raise funds for Zheng's army. After Zheng Tai was killed by Zhu Jin and the Qing court implemented a ban on maritime trade, the Five Mountains and Five Seas gradually distanced themselves from the Zheng family after undergoing a transformation, eventually merging with the Hongmen established by Zhu Chenggong to form the so-called precursor of the Tiandihui.

However, when it comes to Feng Xifan, one should not measure him by the standards of an ordinary guard. In fact, he is the commander of Zhu Jin's personal troops and is involved in the planning of significant military affairs. His power is so great that even the first-class guards in the Qing court cannot compare. If one were to find a position of equal rank, perhaps only the Grand Minister of the Inner Guards in the Qing dynasty could be mentioned in the same breath.

"What is there to fear when surrounded by enemies on all sides?" Chen Shengwu chimed in. "Aren't we also surrounded by enemies on all sides now? Moreover, with the Tatar army in front, I do not believe that Geng Jingzhong and Shang Zhixin would dare to neglect their own safety. Furthermore, even if we were to retreat to Taiwan, with the vast ocean as a barrier, would we still fear that they would pursue us?"

The son of the minister understood. Zheng Kezang nodded. Several officials were discussing whether to take the opportunity to send troops to attack the Tartars

"Your Majesty, what Lord Yang has said is somewhat biased." Hong Lei clearly disagreed with Yang Ying's statement. "Although Geng Nizheng is loyal and wishes to have Your Majesty take risks for him, this is nonetheless a good opportunity for our army to return to the mainland. Moreover, after the Eight Banners troops entered the pass, their combat effectiveness sharply declined. The ability to capture Jiangnan, Huguang, and Yungui relies on the strength of the Three Feudatories. Now that the Three Feudatories are united in rebellion, I anticipate that the Tartars will find it difficult to sustain themselves. Rather than watching them succeed, it would be better to seize a share of the spoils now."

The courtiers were in an uproar; it was already quite disrespectful for Zhu Jin to allow a teenager to enter the court, and now he was asking for the opinion of a mere child. Was it possible that matters of state needed to be discussed with someone still wet behind the ears? However, everyone present was astute, and since the official responsible for maintaining order in the court was absent, despite the murmurs of discontent, no one dared to confront Zhu Jin for an explanation.

All of these are dressed in purple. As for Zheng Shengying from the Chengxuan Division, Chen Tingzhang from the Chayan Division, Feng Xigui from the Tushen Division, Li Jing from the Shangxun Division, Xu Mingting from the Central Secretariat, as well as the supervisors and military overseers from various garrisons, and the officials from the six departments, due to the significance of the matter, they were not to be informed this time. However, Feng Xifan, the guard standing at the palace gate with a sword, took the opportunity to squeeze into the ranks of the high officials.

Beside Yang Xian were the judge Ke Ping and the ceremonial official Ye Heng. Both of these individuals also hailed from military backgrounds and had maintained a good relationship over the years. However, Ye Heng's health had deteriorated significantly in recent years, and Ke Ping was already over fifty. Therefore, it was anticipated that their departure from their positions could occur at any moment. The only reason they remained in office was due to the leniency shown by Zhu Jin towards the elderly.

Although Dongdu Mingjing Chengtianfu is considered the true capital of Taiwan, in fact, Anping Town, where the Zheng family resides, is the real political center of Taiwan. At this moment, the Silver Luan Hall within the ancient fortress, which was rebuilt from the castle of the Dutch official Helan Zhe during the colonial period, is already bustling with people, with almost all the civil and military high officials of the Ming-Zheng regime gathered here.

The position opposite Chen Yonghua was originally held by Zhou Quanbin of the Five Armies. However, Zhou Quanbin had to surrender to the Qing court due to Zhu Jin's lack of composure in handling the Zheng Tai incident, leaving this position vacant. As for who could occupy this position, the generals from various Zheng military garrisons were eagerly vying for the opportunity.

Zhu Jinyi thought that there was indeed some truth to it. He then looked towards the military officials and saw Liu Guoxuan and others frequently shaking their heads. Thus, he made a decision: "Liu Guoxuan and Chen Shengwu, you two shall first draw a hundred warships from the naval forces and the various town fleets to be prepared for use, and additionally, select a thousand soldiers to accompany me on a future date to cross the river and join Geng Jingzhong for a hunt at Jinsha..."

"Wu Sangui is advancing from Yunnan and Guizhou to attack Sichuan and Huguang, while Shang Kexi and his son Shang Zhixin can attack Jiangxi. Geng Jingzhong is plotting against Zhejiang. I would like to ask Lord Hong, which territories can our army seize in the west, and what share can we expect?" Ke Ping retorted in this manner. "Those who change their minds like the shifting of the morning and evening are merely trying to leverage our military strength, yet they may not be willing to cede any territory."

In response to the unexpected silence, Zhu Jin merely smiled and then invited Zheng Kezang to sit beside him. Once he saw his son settled, Zhu Jin, dressed in a light yellow robe adorned with five dragons, sincerely inquired with an air of humility: "Gentlemen, you have all read the letter presented by the envoy Huang Yong from the Geng fief. What do you think would be the best way for me to respond?"

Your Majesty, Geng Rijing, compelled by the strategy of the Tatar chieftain Kangxi's young son to reduce the fiefs, had no choice but to ally with Wu Nix San Gui to rebel. The so-called restoration of the Ming dynasty is merely a pretext for their desire to establish a separate rule. Your Majesty must not be misled into taking risks for their benefit.

"Doesn't that just allow the Tartars to benefit as the fishermen?" Ye Heng also found this quite unacceptable. "Moreover, when the time comes, we will be surrounded by enemies on all sides. Has Lord Liu considered this thoroughly?"

Beside Chen Yonghua was the official Hong Lei (Note: equivalent to the Deputy Minister of Personnel). Hong Lei is the son of Hong Xu, a general under Zhu Chenggong. Hong Xu had once rendered significant service in protecting Zheng Jing, and thus, benefiting from his father's influence, Hong Lei can today be regarded as a central figure among the Ming-Zheng officials.

Upon hearing Chen Yonghua mention the order of sealing the borders, Yang Ying, who was in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, also changed his original viewpoint: "In that case, deploying troops seems inevitable; however, it would be best to first establish contact with the Five Mountains and Five Seas"

"It is merely fear that we will benefit as the fisherman, and a stab in the back is all it amounts to." Ye Heng scoffed dismissively. "If he truly wished to unite with our army, why has he not shown any intention of personally coming to the platform to pay respects to the regent?"

The first to stand on the left was Chen Yonghua, who would later be revered by the people as the founder of the Tiandihui. He held the titles of Tongfeng Dafu, Ziyi Canjun, and Jianjun Yushi. However, compared to the popular image of Chen Jinnan as a man of both literary and martial prowess, the nearly forty-year-old Chen Yonghua appeared more like a scholarly Confucian. Moreover, the reason Chen Yonghua was respected as the 'Zheng family's Zhuge Liang' was merely due to his proficiency in internal affairs; in fact, he had no connection to the military strategies of the Ming Zheng faction.

Regarding Ye Heng's gaffe, Zhu Jin, who was thirty-three years old at the time, responded with a magnanimous smile. At this moment, he was ambitious and showed no signs of the despondency that would later come after repeated defeats. After a light laugh, he turned his gaze towards the military officials and said: "Liu Qing, He Qing, please share your opinions."