area51novel Chapter 614 The Crown Prince's will is my will!
Chapter 614 The Crown Prince's will is my will!
The symbols marking resources on the map acted as the strongest catalyst, instantly transforming any hesitation or fear they might have felt into an almost fanatical desire.
This map is no longer an abstract "overseas," but a concrete, vivid, and fatally alluring "promised land."
Ambitious individuals saw an opportunity to establish unparalleled achievements and go down in history; among the conservatives, many also began to waver, and faced with such "real benefits," the fear of traveling far away no longer seemed so insurmountable.
Only Prince Rui, Zhu Changhao, remained seated in a distant chair, coldly watching the group of relatives who were crowding around the map, excited like merchants seeing a rare treasure. He curled his lips, revealing undisguised sarcasm, but a subtle, complex emotion also flashed in his cloudy old eyes.
He knew that the appearance of this picture meant that His Majesty and the Crown Prince were serious.
The tide of the times has surged forth, and no one can remain completely uninvolved.
The temperature inside the hall seemed to rise sharply due to the body heat emanating from the more than twenty princes gathered together and the burning desire in their hearts.
That enormous world map stood there silently, bearing witness to the ancient Eastern empire's ambition to truly set its sights on the world for the first time, and reflecting the new and dangerous arena of power struggles that had suddenly opened up for the Ming imperial family.
Just as the twenty-odd vassal kings were gathered around the huge world map, some pointing excitedly, some whispering in shock, and some secretly calculating, their minds completely absorbed in the lands marked with wealth and danger, the two tightly closed, heavy, vermilion-lacquered, carved main doors of the side hall were slowly pushed open by the eunuchs outside.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Two clear and high-pitched announcements, one after the other, carried an undeniable penetrating power, instantly drowning out all the whispers in the hall and waking the princes from their daydreams of a future kingdom like a bucket of cold water.
Like birds awakened by a thunderclap, the excitement on their faces had not yet faded, but their eyes instantly became respectful.
Almost instinctively and hastily, they scattered rapidly from in front of the screen, pushing and shoving each other, and quickly formed two not-so-neat rows on the open ground below the throne, according to their rank and age. Then they all bowed their heads and held their breath.
The once bustling side hall instantly became deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Only their slightly heavy breathing betrayed their inner tension and anticipation.
Footsteps sounded, steady and composed.
The first thing that caught everyone's lowered eyes was a pair of bright yellow cloud-patterned court boots, and a pair of apricot-yellow boots half a step behind.
No one dared to raise their heads; they simply bowed even lower.
Emperor Chongzhen and Crown Prince Zhu Cilang walked side by side into the side hall.
Today, Emperor Chongzhen was not wearing his heavy court robes and crown. He was only dressed in a bright yellow casual robe with a black cloak lined with sable fur. He wore a winged crown on his head and had a relaxed and gentle smile on his face. His gaze casually swept over the bowing and standing relatives, and finally lingered for a moment on the huge world map. A trace of satisfaction and a barely perceptible emotion flashed deep in his eyes.
Crown Prince Zhu Cilang followed half a step behind his father, dressed in the standard apricot-yellow royal robes, with a jade belt around his waist, his posture upright like a pine tree.
He also wore a gentle smile, but compared to Chongzhen's ease, his demeanor was more calm and reserved, and his eyes were clear, as if he could see into people's hearts.
The father and son walked calmly, one after the other, past two rows of bowing vassal kings, toward the high throne.
Emperor Chongzhen sat down on the throne, while Zhu Cilang stood beside it, his posture upright and his gaze calmly looking down.
"Your Majesty—"
Led by Prince Zhu Gongxiao of Zhou, the two rows of vassal kings knelt down in unison, touching their heads to the ground, their voices in perfect unison, displaying a well-trained respect.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Be flat."
When Emperor Chongzhen's voice rang out, it was less authoritative and more casual than usual during court assemblies.
"Today is a family banquet, and everyone invited is a member of our own family. There's no need for such formalities. Everyone, please stand up and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The princes then rose, but still bowed slightly and stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to relax completely.
Chongzhen's gaze slowly swept across the faces of the crowd, lingering particularly long on several of the older princes. His smile remained unchanged as he spoke in a gentle tone:
"You have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. The first important reason for summoning you to the capital is, of course, the Crown Prince's wedding. The nation is celebrating, and our Zhu family will also join in the festivities and add to the joy."
These are just polite words, but when spoken by the emperor himself, they carry a different weight.
Upon hearing this, the princes immediately bowed again, this time towards Zhu Cilang:
"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations on your wedding! May Your Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Princess live in harmony, have many children, and ensure the longevity of our Great Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Cilang wore a polite smile, nodded slightly, and spoke in a clear voice:
"Thank you all for your concern, my uncles. I am deeply grateful for your long journey."
After the necessary pleasantries about the wedding, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to lighten up a bit.
But everyone knew this was just an appetizer. The emperor had summoned them from their fiefdoms thousands of miles away for far more than just a cup of wine at the crown prince's wedding.
Sure enough, Chongzhen's smile faded slightly. Although his tone remained gentle, it became more serious, as if he were discussing matters of state.
"The second thing..."
He paused, his gaze swept over the crowd again, finally settling on the huge map, and his voice clearly reached everyone's ears.
"It is to fulfill my promise from the past."
He sat up slightly:
"Back then, when the nation was in dire straits, beset by internal bandits and external Jurchen invaders, I was overwhelmed with worry. I told you, and our ancestors, that once our Great Ming Dynasty swept across the world and pacified all directions, it would not fail its descendants, the Zhu family, and would find a long-lasting, stable, and glorious path for the imperial family." He raised his hand and pointed to the map, a small gesture, yet it carried an invisible force:
"Now, thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the bravery of our soldiers, Liaodong has been pacified, Korea has submitted, and the southeastern coastal areas have been cleared. It is time."
His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, striking the hearts of every vassal king:
"The vast territory shown on this map, the fertile land beyond the boundless ocean, is the place I leave for you, and also the future foundation that the Ming Dynasty leaves to the descendants of the Zhu family!"
His eyes shone brightly as he looked at the crowd:
"Today, I, by my golden words, hereby make this agreement with you: Any descendant of the Zhu family who aspires to go forth may choose this place on the map, lead their people there, establish their own government, appoint civil and military officials, educate the local people, and govern their own region. As long as you forever uphold the Ming Dynasty's calendar and forever serve as a tributary vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, you will be the rulers of your own country there, and may establish your own kingdom, with your throne being hereditary and perpetual!"
"Establish an independent nation! With hereditary succession!"
These eight words, like the most powerful thunderclap, exploded once again in the hearts of the vassal kings who had already been shocked by the map! Although they had expected it, the fact that the emperor himself made the promise on such a solemn occasion made it all the more significant!
This is no longer a vague rumor, but a confirmed national policy! It is a real opportunity to be granted territory and become a king with real power!
In an instant, all doubts and hesitations in everyone's hearts were swept away by this enormous temptation, leaving only burning ambition and excitement.
Prince Zhu Gongxiao, as one of the most senior and influential princes present, suppressed his overwhelming joy, took a deep breath, stepped forward on behalf of the crowd, bowed, and asked, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, extending to the imperial family. We, your subjects... are deeply grateful and will never forget it! However..."
He raised his head, his face displaying just the right amount of confusion and respect, and asked the most fundamental and practical question on everyone's mind:
"Your Majesty, the territory on this map is so vast, with varying degrees of fertility, abundance, and distance. We are foolish and do not know how to distinguish these fiefdoms, who goes where, and what criteria to use to determine the order of priority and ownership of fertile and barren lands. We beg Your Majesty to enlighten us."
This is also the most crucial issue of profit distribution.
The emperor has drawn a picture of a cake, but how will it be distributed? Will it be based on age? Relationship? Or will it be divided by lot?
Emperor Chongzhen seemed to have anticipated this question. Far from being displeased, he laughed heartily, leaning back slightly. His demeanor was less like discussing national policy with his ministers and more like negotiating a business deal with a family member. His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone carrying a peculiar blend of imperial authority and the bluntness of a street merchant:
"A good place is naturally desirable. There's only so much fat, and everyone wants the fattest piece—it's human nature. I've discussed this with the Crown Prince, and the order of priority, the allocation of fat and lean meat, will not be based on age or kinship, but on one thing—the size of the contribution!"
"contribute?"
The princes exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether the question referred to loyalty to the court or past achievements.
Emperor Chongzhen seemed to see through their doubts, his smile widening, but his eyes sharpened as he spoke clearly, word by word:
"To put it more bluntly—this fiefdom isn't given away for free. It's something you have to exchange for your assets in the Ming Dynasty!"
"Land, manors, shops, gold and silver stored in warehouses, grain reserves accumulated over the years... and those privileges and profits you cannot take with you from your fiefdoms, which were also granted by the court! Calculate all of these and hand them over to the court, and that will be your 'contribution'!"
Whoever contributes more will have a greater 'contribution' and will be given priority in choosing larger, wealthier, and better-located fiefdoms! Whoever contributes less will be relegated to the back of the queue or choose some peripheral lands. Fair trade, no deception of the young or old!
"Using mainland assets to exchange for overseas territory?!"
This earth-shattering "redemption" policy was like a bucket of ice water, or a bolt of lightning, instantly freezing all the vassal kings who had just been filled with enthusiasm in place, their faces displaying a variety of expressions! Their ecstasy and excitement froze instantly, replaced by astonishment, bewilderment, disbelief, and a rapid mental calculation.
They would rather exchange their tangible, real wealth and land, which they had enjoyed for hundreds of years, for a distant overseas fiefdom that was merely marked as wealthy on a map but was ultimately unknown.
This...this is simply unheard of!
His Majesty is... going to confiscate our property? No, not confiscate it, it's a "transaction"... but this transaction is too...
Some people felt this was blatant plunder, an attempt by the emperor to seize the wealth of the imperial family; others quickly realized that it might actually be a "fair" deal—the wealth and land in the interior were certainly desirable, but they couldn't be taken with them, and if the court really wanted to take them back, there were plenty of ways to do so. Now that they were willing to offer overseas fiefdoms in exchange and even promised military support, it seemed... not so unacceptable.
In particular, wealthy vassal states with countless fields and shops, such as the King of Chu and the King of Zhou, immediately became interested and began frantically calculating the valuation of their own properties.
Emperor Chongzhen gave them no chance to carefully consider or question the matter.
After announcing this core principle, he stood up directly from his throne, his movements swift and decisive.
"Alright, that's the general outline. As for the specifics of how to calculate the value of land and shops, what the land prices are, how many ships, soldiers, craftsmen, and grain the court needs to provide, those are the details..."
He waved his hand and looked at Zhu Cilang beside him, saying:
"The Crown Prince will explain things clearly to you and discuss them thoroughly. I am old and lack energy, and I am not patient with these petty squabbles. You are all family, so just discuss it with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince's words are my will."
Having said that, he didn't even glance at the other princes again. He simply nodded slightly to Zhu Cilang, who was standing to the side, his eyes filled with unquestionable trust and entrustment. Then, surrounded by Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and several personal eunuchs, he turned around and walked briskly and without any hesitation, leaving the side hall through the side door.
He left the palace full of vassal kings with their own differing thoughts and the enormous world map entirely to the crown prince.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, respectfully bid you farewell!"
The princes seemed to wake from a dream, and hurriedly bowed again, their voices somewhat disordered.
Only after Chongzhen's figure disappeared through the side gate did they straighten up, look at each other in astonishment, their faces filled with a sense of unreality.
The emperor... just left like that?
He set the tone for this momentous matter concerning the future fate of all members of the royal family and involving astronomical sums of money in just a few words, and then dumped it all on the Crown Prince.
This is... this is way too much of a "hands-off" approach!
But after the initial shock came a quick calm and thoughtful reflection.
The emperor's attitude was crystal clear: the crown prince was fully responsible for this matter.
The Crown Prince's words were the final solution. They were no longer facing an emperor they could perhaps persuade or appeal to through family ties, but rather this young heir known for his decisive methods and meticulous thinking.
All eyes involuntarily turned to the side of the throne, to the figure who remained calm and composed throughout, as if he had anticipated everything that was happening before him—Crown Prince Zhu Cilang.
Chongzhen's departure seemed to strip away the last trace of the casual atmosphere that belonged to the "patriarch" in the palace.
The air grew heavy and solemn again, even more so than when the emperor was in the room.
Because standing before them at this moment is the de facto arbiter who will determine the future map of their kingdom and control the rules and pricing power of "transactions".
Zhu Cilang remained calm, seemingly oblivious to his father's attempt to shift blame and the complex, focused gazes of the various princes. (End of Chapter)