Chapter 512

"Alas, I didn't pay much attention before, but now I see, these are the most important things! This country of Japan has abundant mineral resources; it seems I was right to deal with them!"

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell upon the tiny position of Japan as he spoke.

Wang Chengen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Enough, no need to Ma Pi; put the map away first. Zheng Zhilong will arrive at tomorrow's morning court. I want to see what abilities this Zheng Zhilong truly has to warrant Su Qing's recommendation."

"Yes!"

When Su Qiao returned home, Zheng Sen learned of it immediately and sent someone over.

Su Qiao did not hide anything; he directly told him the news that Zhu Youjian would meet Zheng Zhilong during tomorrow's morning court.

Zheng Sen dared not be negligent; he apologized to Su Qiao and hurriedly ran home.

The next morning at court.

Zheng Zhilong, wearing official court robes, waited before the palace gates.

When the morning court began and summoned people to enter.

Zheng Zhilong then followed at the very back, walking in slowly.

Along the way, many officials were somewhat curious about Zheng Zhilong; of course, those officials who were merely curious did not hold major positions.

After all, capable people had access to timely information and all knew what Zheng Zhilong did.

Only those with poor information and no abilities themselves would know nothing.

Although Zheng Zhilong came today to receive rewards for merit.

He maintained a very low posture.

First, his background was poor; second, although he achieved merit, he was an outsider and easily excluded; third, he had better ideas, or ambition.

Thus, what he displayed was an appearance of being harmless to humans and beasts.

Whoever he met, he faced with a smile, adopting the posture of an old good man.

In this way, no one sought trouble with him.

Those who could find fault with the entire Zheng family were well aware that Zheng Zhilong had some connection with Su Qiao; besides, Zheng Zhilong could not affect them...

It was not worth opposing Su Qiao!

Those with no abilities, seeing Zheng Zhilong in such a soft and weak manner.

Felt no aggression and had even less interest.

Anyone able to stand firm in the court was no fool.

Fools had long since returned to the countryside, or had their heads chopped off.

Thus, Zheng Zhilong caused no trouble during today's morning court.

After the main business was concluded, Zhu Youjian, thinking of Zheng Zhilong, ordered someone to summon Zheng Zhilong to the hall.

"Someone, summon Zheng Zhilong to the hall!"

"Summon Zheng Zhilong!"

Zheng Zhilong, standing not far outside the hall, jolted at the sound, quickly tidied his clothes, and then stepped into the great hall.

To be honest, he had long been accustomed to roaming the seas.

As the pirate overlord, the big boss and the second-in-command, he had been free and easy, feeling very powerful.

Now, entering this magnificent and vast hall, under the pressure of the civil and military officials and the person sitting at the very top who brought immense pressure, Zheng Zhilong suddenly felt somewhat insignificant.

Fortunately, being over forty, he controlled his emotions well and stood in place, saying, "Your humble subject pays homage to Your Majesty!"

"Very well, rise. You are Zheng Zhilong?"

Zhu Youjian squinted his eyes, looking at Zheng Zhilong below, and asked.

Zheng Zhilong quickly replied, "Yes, your humble subject!"

"Hmm, previously they all told Your Majesty you were some pirate; did you do that before?"

Zhu Youjian did not follow convention; as soon as he spoke, he inquired about Zheng Zhilong's identity.

Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong's heart skipped a beat; could it be that Your Majesty looked down on him?

His heart was uneasy; forcing himself, he said, "Yes, Your humble subject, back then due to the drought in Chaozhou, had absolutely no way to survive, so could only lead fellow villagers outside to seek life; later, I became a pirate."

"Hehe, then why did you accept amnesty afterwards?"

"Because Your humble subject is a subject of the Great Ming; previously I wanted to survive, but later I did not wish to remain a pirate forever, tarnishing my family's reputation, so I was willing to accept amnesty!"

"Your Majesty, Your humble subject's loyalty to the Great Ming is evident! Although Your humble subject was a pirate back then, I almost never attacked the merchant ships of our Great Ming's people!"

Zheng Zhilong's desire to survive was very strong.

366, Zheng Zhilong's generous rewards!

Hearing Zheng Zhilong's words, Zhu Youjian chuckled.

"Hehehe, very well, I have no intention of blaming you, my dear minister; regarding your past affairs, I have heard from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and investigated; however, those were all seen in memorials, told by others, cold and without warmth."

"Now that I have finally seen the real person, I am simply curious and asking more questions; my dear minister, please do not mind."

Zhu Youjian sat there, smiling, and said.

Hearing these words, Zheng Zhilong's heart, which had been raised, immediately settled.

"Your humble subject dares not!"

"Very well, Zheng, my dear minister, in your previous battles against the Dutch in the Great Ming, you captured the local bandit chiefs, annihilated the Dutch main force, and recovered Taiwan, achieving great merit; how do you wish me to reward you?"

Zhu Youjian had actually already decided in his heart what to reward; now he was merely asking casually.

Zheng Zhilong was also a smart man and naturally understood this routine.

So, he directly knelt and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Whatever Your Majesty rewards me with, your humble subject will be overjoyed!"

"Is that true?"

"Thunder and rain alike are the sovereign's grace! Every word from this subject springs from the heart!"

"How dull. Zheng Zhilong, step forward to receive your decree!"

Zhu Youjian turned his head and gave a glance to Wang Chengen, who stood ready nearby.

"This subject is here!"

Zheng Zhilong quickly took another step forward and knelt in prostration.

Wang Chengen unfolded the imperial edict he held and began to read it aloud.

"Zheng Zhilong, though born among the common folk, your heart remains with Great Ming... As a Mobile Corps Commander of the Fifth Rank, Junior Grade, you faced foreign tribes in naval warfare with composure, utterly defeating the barbarians, sweeping away bandits, and recovering Taiwan... You have Achieved great merit. Henceforth, Zheng Zhilong is promoted to Vice Prefect of the Fujian Fleet and Regional Military Commissioner, granted the title of Earl of Huaiyi, one thousand taels of Bai Yin, and one hundred eastern pearls... Let this be decreed!"

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for this grace!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live ten thousand times!"

Suppressing his inner ecstasy, Zheng Zhilong immediately knelt to the ground once more.

Second Rank, Junior Grade! In one stroke, he had leaped six levels!

Truly, he had gone from a mere lowly Captain to the second-in-command of an entire army!

Indeed, the post of Vice Prefect of the Fujian Fleet and Regional Military Commissioner held by Zheng Zhilong meant that, aside from the main commander of the Fujian Fleet, he was essentially the highest authority, serving as the deputy.

Should the main commander be absent, he would be the absolute commander.

This was entirely different from before.

So how could Zheng Zhilong not be overjoyed!

Zhu Youjian enjoyed bestowing rewards, and Zheng Zhilong enjoyed his promotion.

Yet there were still some who were displeased.

There was no help for it; Zheng Zhilong had nearly ascended to the heavens in one step, leaping six ranks, and was even granted the title of Earl of Huaiyi, a Fourth Rank, Senior Grade position. Although it carried no guarantee of hereditary succession, it still made many envious.

"Same ninth year, why are you showing off?"

Previously, when dealing with the Jianzhou Jurchens and Tatars, Zhu Youjian had struck hard, purging numerous titles.

Those who feared death, embezzled military funds, or filled phantom rolls—various offenses like these—were purged by Zhu Youjian to the extent of four-fifths.

The remaining one-fifth were those who remained because they were willing to serve Great Ming.

And even among those who remained, it could not be said that they would absolutely and securely retain their titles.

Who knew when such a title might vanish?

The nobles and imperial in-laws now behaved with utmost propriety.

Under these circumstances, Zheng Zhilong's title appeared especially valuable and precious.

Thus, envy, jealousy, and similar sentiments from others were entirely normal.

Several court officials in succession stepped forward and declared, "This subject believes this is improper!"