SWDnovel Chapter 202 Arrangements for the Zhu Family
Chapter 202 Arrangements for the Zhu Family
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhao Fengnian, accompanied by eunuchs, was lighting candlesticks, gradually illuminating the originally dim hall.
Liu Mu sat on the throne, while seven ministers took turns reporting important matters, mainly concerning the campaign to seize Wu Sangui's supplies and the battle plans along the way.
The southwest region is mountainous and has many rivers. If the war is to be ended within a year, meticulousness is required. If any link goes wrong, it could lead to a protracted war.
After a full day of discussion, the main idea has been finalized. Liu Mu looked at the lights and patted his belly.
"Then it's settled. Except for the Northwest Army and the border troops stationed in Korea, all other armies will march south. I heard that old fellow Wu Sangui has been unable to eat since last year when he heard that I was going to launch a southern expedition, and now he's fallen ill!"
"We mustn't follow his example!"
"Zhao Fengnian, serve the meal!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers all smiled. Wu Sangui's serious illness and the news of his death were good news. It would be best if he died of illness. At that time, with the prestige of the Han Dynasty, it would be easy to win over those generals and civil officials.
Just as Zhao Fengnian was preparing the meal, Pan Feng strode in from outside the hall and handed over a military report.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Xu Chuang of Luzon and Marquis Yin Huasheng of Jilong have conquered Taiwan and brought all the prisoners back to the capital. This is their battle report."
Upon hearing this, Liu Mu felt a sense of relief, because without Taiwan's restraint, Southeast Asia was completely within his grasp, and the fleet could go wherever it wanted.
Even the southwest, which Wu Sangui occupied, would be surrounded by the Han Dynasty, with nowhere else to escape.
But after reading the battle report, Liu Mu's face darkened. This Zhu Jing really was determined to die rather than surrender. He had guts!
Zhu Jing inherited his father's imperial surname, and his act of self-immolation can be seen as drawing the most beautiful conclusion to the Zhu family.
Thinking of this, Liu Mu waved his hand.
"Let them all in!"
They were all waiting outside the main hall. After a while, Xu Chuang and Yin Huasheng led more than a dozen people in, all of whom looked very frightened.
Zhu Shuquan, dressed in the python robe of a Ming prince, was the highest-ranking prisoner and could only step forward first.
"Zhu Shuquan, former king of the late Ming Dynasty, greets His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty! Long live the Emperor!"
Zhu Shuquan was very open-minded; as long as he could leave behind the legitimate lineage for the Zhu family, everything would be worthwhile.
Liu Mu naturally wouldn't touch Zhu Shuquan. He was fighting under the banner of restoring the Han Dynasty, which was nominally to gain a foothold. As long as the people's livelihood was taken care of, he didn't have to worry about rebellion.
However, Liu Mu still hadn't figured out how to deal with them, so he looked at Li Guangdi, who was meticulous in his work and must have a good idea.
When Li Guangdi saw the emperor looking at him, he pinched his increasingly thick beard and pondered for a quarter of an hour before getting up.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu of Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang, rendered great service by driving out the Tartars and restoring the Han people's land. His descendants should be treated well!"
Liu Mu thought so too, but he believed it was better for his subjects to say such things, so he raised his hand.
"You are right, my dear minister. So how should we treat them well?"
Looking at Zhu Shuquan and Zhu Chenggong's descendants with expectant expressions, Li Guangdi cupped his hands in greeting.
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Ningjing holds the title of a prince. Now that the Han Dynasty is in a tripartite balance of power, why not demote him to the Duke of Fengyang and have him guard the tombs of the Zhu family? This would also be considered a contribution to the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty!"
Liu Mu nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Zhu Shuquan, whose face was beaming with joy, and asked, "How is it?"
The Duke of Fengyang had already shown utmost sincerity, indicating that the new emperor truly had no intention of killing him. Zhu Shuquan, no longer daring to nitpick, immediately prostrated himself on the ground. High-energy chapter 202: Arrangements for the Zhu family updated! Read now:
"Your subject, Zhu Shuquan, kowtows in gratitude for Heaven's grace!"
Liu Mu thought for a moment, then waved to Zhao Fengnian.
"Even those guarding the tombs cannot be without a livelihood. One hundred acres of superior land were allocated to the Duke of Fengyang and entrusted to the local garrison for cultivation, from which they could obtain 70% of the harvest each year."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Shuquan was almost overjoyed and wept. The emperor was worried that he wouldn't have the physical strength to farm, so he had someone else farm for him. It was practically free; the tenants would still take 50% of the profits.
Li Guangdi then pointed to Zhu Chenggong's family.
"Zhu Chenggong was bestowed the imperial surname Zhu by the former Ming Emperor Longwu. He was meritorious in driving out the Dutch and recovering Taiwan. This time, his resistance against the court is also an act of loyalty to the former Ming. In order to show His Majesty's benevolence, why not send him back to Quanzhou, restore the Zheng surname, and make him the hereditary Earl of Nan'an!"
Liu Mu nodded upon hearing this, but in his heart he was preparing to relocate the Zheng family to Luzon.
The Zheng family wielded immense influence along the southeastern coast!
Zhu Shuquan and the Zheng family were taken away after expressing their gratitude. They would certainly not be free for a while and would have to return to their fiefdom for observation.
After everyone left, Liu Mu looked at Xu Chuang and Yin Huasheng.
"How are the tasks I entrusted to you being carried out?"
The two exchanged a glance, and in the end, Xu Chuang stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, since the blockade of Malacca, I have strictly prohibited foreign merchant ships from going to Vietnam. They are only allowed to stop and resupply in areas established by our Great Han. Anyone found illegally stopping will be fined, and those who resist will be executed without mercy!"
"The Trinh and Nguyen families of Vietnam, the Toungoo royal family of Burma, and the Siamese royal family are currently facing a dire situation, with their stockpiled goods unable to be shipped out and no strategic materials arriving!"
"I reckon they've already started fighting each other!"
Liu Mu never wanted to fight in the Indochina Peninsula. It was covered with dense forests and plagued by miasma. More importantly, it had a large population and a large army, so fighting there would be a losing proposition.
Now, all they need to do is blockade the coastline first, and after eliminating Wu Sangui, there will be no more business in the Central Plains. I'm afraid even the nobles and merchants in their country will revolt.
Throughout the Central Plains cultural sphere, it's not just the Ming Dynasty that was driven to the brink of collapse by merchants from the southeast; almost all other vassal states were in the same boat.
Thinking of this, Liu Mu looked at the two of them.
"After attending the court assembly tomorrow, you two will gather all the large ships and go to Geoje Island in Korea to retrieve people and send them to Bengal to be handed over to the King of India."
"Sail all remaining warships to Qiongzhou Island, blockade the entire bay, sink all ships, and prevent Wu Sangui from escaping!"
Wu Sangui was nearing his end and would not escape by sea; he would most likely choose to fight a decisive battle with the Han army in Hubei.
Liu Mu's intention was still to stir up trouble in the Indochina Peninsula, forcing them to quickly escalate the conflict. At that time, the Han Dynasty would act as a peace envoy and divide them into more than a dozen countries.
Just as Xu Chuang was about to receive the imperial decree, Pan Feng entered again.
"Your Majesty, the envoys from Burma, Annam, and Siam have arrived outside Zhengyang Gate, and the Ministry of Rites has arranged for them to rest at Zhuangyuan Tower!"
Well!!!
Liu Mu was speechless upon hearing this. He had just been preparing to give them a boost, but he hadn't expected them to arrive ahead of time.
Previously, they were very assertive, saying that they only recognized the Ming Dynasty's legitimate succession, especially the Annamese Zheng family, who even mocked Liu Mu as a Tartar and a barbarian from the grasslands!
Zhou Peigong, one of the planners, smiled upon hearing this and couldn't help but smile.
"Your Majesty, it seems they truly cannot hold on any longer!"
"However, they will not agree to the conditions of our Great Han, so it would be best if Your Majesty did not meet them. Simply send someone to reiterate the gravity of the situation!"