King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 672: Family Sacrifice, Don't Forget to Tell Your Father

The tone of the fight has been set, and the next thing to do is to plan.

Although planning is just two words, it is not complicated when you look into it in detail, especially since the battlefield is on the sea and the opportunity to fight is fleeting.

Because of the division of troops at the front and the losses in the attack on Chaotian Port, the Spaniards became much more cautious.

The Spanish fleet stationed in the Far East had been fighting asymmetric battles for at least twenty years, such as the previous attack on Luzon.

Today, in terms of paper strength, the Ming navy has surpassed the Spanish fleet in Luzon, and the latter must also make careful deployment if it wants to win.

Both sides were more cautious afterwards, especially the Ming Dynasty, which focused on defense and strengthened the coastal defense of Quanzhou Port to ensure the safety of the military port.

This confrontation lasted for another two months.

The warships of both sides fought more than a dozen small-scale naval battles, with the Ming Dynasty losing more than it won and suffering greater overall losses.

But in Zhu Jinghong's view, the time for a decisive battle has come.

The main reason was that after two months of confrontation and fighting, the Spanish fleet had consumed a lot of food and ammunition, and its ability to sustain high-intensity combat had been weakened.

The Ming Dynasty's fleet is always fully loaded and manned, and this time the advantage is truly on my side.

On October 27th of the 14th year of the Zhengtong reign, on a Class A battleship in Quanzhou Harbor, all the officers above the rank of Qianlong who were stationed in the harbor gathered on the deck.

They each sat on a stool, looking at the empty chair in front of them with serious expressions.

These generals all knew why they were summoned here today, so they all looked serious.

There's going to be a war, there's going to be a war, a naval battle that has almost never been fought before...

Although there were many warships, although the training was solid, and although the whole army was united...

But can this defeat the Western barbarians?
This is the doubt in everyone's mind, and they are not sure enough to give a positive answer.

It is precisely because of the uncertainty in one's heart that one will feel anxious, which will in turn lead to a lack of confidence, and eventually pessimism may spread...

When the atmosphere on the deck was solemn, a series of footsteps were suddenly heard, and everyone sat up straighter, with a solemn expression and did not look away.

"stand up!"

As Zhu Jinghong appeared, dozens of generals present stood up at the call of a deputy general.

"See Your Highness!"

At that time, Zhu Jinghong, accompanied by two admirals, had already arrived in front of his position.

As soon as Zhu Jinghong sat down, he took off the black gauze Yishan crown on his head, and Yu Hai behind him took it on his own initiative.

"Everyone get up!"

After hearing this, all the generals stood up, and the two admirals followed them to stand in the train.

At Zhu Jinghong's gesture, everyone sat down again.

"A war is about to break out, a war of unprecedented magnitude..."

Looking at everyone, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "But I see that you all look solemn and uneasy. Are you afraid of the enemy?"

The further he spoke, the more hostile Zhu Jinghong's tone became, making everyone present feel uneasy.

The next moment, Zhu Jinghong stood up from his chair and walked towards the generals.

He came in front of a commander and stared at him for a few seconds, causing beads of sweat to appear on the latter's forehead.

"Your Highness..."

The man was about to stand up to explain, but Zhu Jinghong pushed him back.

Then he walked among the crowd and said slowly, "Do you think I came here today to beat you up first?"

"No... The first thing we have to discuss today is more important than your fear of the enemy!"

All the people present had some fear of the enemy in their hearts, and when this was revealed, they all looked ashamed.

If someone else said this, it would surely alienate everyone, but Zhu Jinghong's prestige was indeed high enough to make everyone reflect on themselves.

Of course, everyone present was also confused at this time, wondering what could be more important than their fear of fighting.

It was at this moment that Zhu Jinghong took out a letter from his sleeve and held it high to show everyone.

Then, questions popped up in their minds: Is this a letter? Who wrote it? What does it say? Is it related to today's meeting?

Zhu Jinghong certainly saw everyone's doubts, and then he slowly said, "Everyone, the war is about to begin, and our navy must go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and fight to the death!"

Zhu Jinghong said the word "fight to the death" in a sonorous and powerful voice, like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart, making them all cheer up.

"I've fought so many battles. I can't say I've fought hundreds of them, but I've fought dozens of them. But this is the first time I've encountered such a strange thing..."

A strange thing? What strange thing? Is it related to the current situation?

Walking towards the main chair, Zhu Jinghong continued, "There is a noble lady who has great magical powers!"

A noble lady with magical powers... This is a very novel definition, but it makes it easy for everyone to understand the meaning.

So a new question arose in their minds: who could this noble lady be?

The next moment, Zhu Jinghong turned around and said angrily, "Amazing, she is amazing!"

This sentence aroused everyone's curiosity even more.

Zhu Jinghong's expression became more serious, and he continued, "She actually had the ability to deliver a letter to my Pingyi headquarters from thousands of miles away!"

"Why did she come to deliver the letter? She asked me to take care of her son and to transfer her son back to the rear when the war was about to start!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was furious, thinking that this man was extremely stupid, having taken the back door to get to Zhu Jinghong.

"Who is her son?"

After hearing Zhu Jinghong's question, everyone present was very curious about what kind of coward and fool would do such a thing at this time.

When Zhu Jinghong glanced over, the generals whose mothers were still alive at home all became nervous, fearing that this was a scandal happening in their own family.

Everyone was waiting for Zhu Jinghong's answer, but the latter had already sat back in his chair and picked up a teacup from the side.

After taking a sip of tea and slowly putting down the cup, Zhu Jinghong straightened his robes, sat up straight, and said calmly, "Her son... is me!"

"This letter... is the imperial decree of the current queen!"

For a moment, everyone present was shocked, and then began to speculate Zhu Jinghong's intentions.

"The Queen's decree is for me to hide in the rear alone and watch you go to the battlefield!"

This result was acceptable to everyone present, and even they themselves felt that there was no need for Zhu Jinghong to go to the sea with them.

A son of a wealthy family should not sit idle in the hall!

Standing up again, Zhu Jinghong said solemnly: "But today I intend to disobey the order and go to the sea with you to defeat the enemy and defend our Ming Dynasty!"

It has been more than four years since he traveled through time, and this is the second time Zhu Jinghong has made a dangerous decision.

The last time was when he had just traveled through time to Yingshi. He only took thirty guards out of the city without armor, and was surrounded and killed by the White Lotus Sect on the way.

Last time he was not aware enough, this time he was aware of the danger, but still made the decision.

The whole army had no confidence in defeating the Spanish fleet. Only he, the commander-in-chief, had the indomitable spirit to inspire everyone to build up confidence and give them the opportunity to defeat the enemy with all their strength.

Zhu Jinghong walked towards the crowd slowly, and said calmly: "Everyone, this time, our Ming Dynasty has more warships and more artillery shells than the Western barbarians. They have traveled a long way, and we are waiting for them to tire themselves out..."

He actually wasn't very sure, but he could act as if he was sure and thereby inspire everyone's confidence.

"In this battle... I am fully confident that I can defeat the Western Barbarians in one fell swoop!"

"Among them... what you need to do is very simple. Just operate the warship according to your daily drills and fire the shells!"

Stopping between the crowd, Zhu Jinghong raised his voice again and asked, "Can you do it well?"

His encouragement worked, and then everyone stood up and almost shouted, "Yes!"

Zhu Jinghong, a prince, risked his life to go to the most dangerous front line, so everyone present also risked their lives.

Since they have made up their minds, they will become extremely courageous. At this time, they dare to do anything. "Very good!" Zhu Jinghong smiled for the first time.

Motioning for everyone to sit down again, Zhu Jinghong continued, "It is said that the Western barbarians have strong ships and powerful guns. They are the best in the world!"

"I tell you, I, Zhu Jinghong, fought against the elite. The Junggars, the Zasaks, the Koreans, and the Japanese pirates... They all claimed to be the elite, but I defeated them all!"

"We were able to win before, and this time as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to beat them!"

Zhu Jinghong's pre-war mobilization officially began, and he then gave an impassioned speech.

He talked about all aspects, from the interests of the country and the family to personal interests and honor and disgrace, and his purpose was still to mobilize the enthusiasm of everyone.

As the meeting ended, the navy in Quanzhou Port began to move and sailed out of the port at nightfall.

Zhu Jinghong also boarded a Class A ship and followed the army out of the port and to the sea. At dawn the next day, there were still many "warships" parked inside, which were a decoy set up by Zhu Jinghong.

While Zhu Jinghong was leading his army across the sea, the emperor was accompanying the retired emperor at his bedside in the imperial palace in the capital, thousands of miles away.

At this moment, Zhu Xianming looked extremely serious, and he looked at his sleeping old father with worry.

If the old man died at this time, it would be such a bad time... Zhu Xianming secretly groaned in his heart.

The reason was that a great war at sea was about to begin. If the retired emperor died, Zhu Jinghong, as the legitimate grandson, would have to come back, and the overall situation in the southeast would become unstable. Zhu Xianming was worried about this.

As early as twenty days ago, Zhu Xianming received Zhu Jinghong's report and approved his request to organize a decisive battle.

So he estimated that the war might have already begun, and letting Zhu Jinghong come back would be a death sentence.

Otherwise, let him take away my feelings...

But when this idea came to his mind, Zhu Xianming himself felt it was ridiculous. In the world, there was only the saying of officials seizing love, but it was unheard of for the royal family to seize love.

"Fourth..."

Zhu Xianming was just thinking about it when the emperor's sudden call brought him back to his senses.

"Dad...you should take a good rest!" Zhu Xianming comforted him.

He had never been so afraid that his father would pass away as he was now.

"Old Four...I can't hold on any longer!"

"I have... two things to tell you. You... must gather... the princes... of the royal family..."

"There are also... six ministries... and nine ministers coming!"

Even though his father was about to die, Zhu Xianming still became wary when he heard that his father was going to gather these people together.

"Dad, just rest and recuperate. There's no need to..."

"Fourth Brother, my...father is going to die!"

Zhu Xinkan widened his eyes and stared at his son, his chest heaving and his breathing rapid.

"Why did you call them?" Zhu Xianming asked, not moved at all.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xinkan smiled and said, "Just for..."

After Zhu Xinkan explained the reasons, Zhu Xianming immediately issued an edict, summoning all the princes and ministers from the six ministries and nine departments, as well as the generals from the Five Military Commanderies in Beijing, to come to the Ningshou Palace for an audience.

Half an hour later, these civil and military officials gathered in the Ningshou Palace, which included the East Palace and the two princes' palaces.

Coincidentally, both Prince Rui and Prince Xiang were not at home, so the two princesses came instead and were accompanying the queen at the moment.

As for other princes and princesses, they could only kneel in the main hall according to their rank, and those with lower ranks could only kneel outside the hall.

Even the queen had to kneel in front of the emperor's bed at this moment, with two princesses supporting her on her left and right, and Zhu Yunsheng was sitting at the back.

The Crown Prince and Yuanchun were a little further away, also kneeling obediently at this time. Only the Emperor was sitting in front of the Emperor's bed.

The three cabinet ministers were kneeling outside the bedroom, and they could see the emperor sitting on the couch.

At Zhu Xinkan's request, the emperor personally helped him sit up.

Many people saw the emperor for a long time only to find that he had very little hair, and to put it bluntly, he didn't even look like a human.

"My dear ministers..."

Hearing the hoarse voice of the Emperor, everyone present kowtowed again and said, "Your Highness, I bow to you!"

"I...will...not live long. What I am worried about...is the unrest in the world. Therefore, I have summoned you all now...just to announce two orders..."

Zhu Xinkan spoke incoherently, like a candle in the wind, which made everyone present feel worried.

"First, my dear ministers...you should do your best to complete your tasks and help...help the emperor to stabilize the country!"

"Second..."

After coughing several times, Zhu Xinkan took a while to calm down before continuing, "Second, King Xiang Jinghong is in charge of the overall situation in the southeast. After I die, you don't have to rush to the funeral. Follow my will and strike hard at the bandits!"

"When they return victorious and offer sacrifices to me at the mausoleum, I will smile in my grave!"

After saying this, Zhu Xingan felt relieved.

Little Thirteen, grandpa can only help you to this point... Zhu Xinkan thought secretly.

His first decree was relatively normal, but the second one really shocked the ministers present.

Baochai, who was kneeling in front of the couch, was also deeply surprised at this time.

When the royal army conquers the Central Plains in the north, don't forget to tell your father about the family sacrifice... At this moment, she thought of this poem.

The emperor was about to die, and she thought Zhu Jinghong would be in a dilemma, but she didn't expect things to develop like this.

Follow the instructions of the retired emperor and continue to command the war, and no one else can say anything.

When offering sacrifices to your parents at home, don’t forget to inform your parents. Others should not only not make gossips but should acknowledge that this is the true filial piety.

Not commanding the battle and returning to attend the funeral is disobeying the order and being unfilial.

The emperor was very happy about this, but the queen felt very uncomfortable. She actually hoped that her youngest son would come back.

However, in this situation, it was impossible for Yang Qingyin to make trouble and embarrass the emperor and the retired emperor.

"Did you all...understand?"

As he said this, Zhu Xinkan's body was already shaking. The effect of the medicine was about to wear off and he could no longer hold on.

"Your Majesty obeys your order!" Prime Minister Zhao Yushan was the first to respond.

Following his response, the other ministers also bowed down, and the matter was finalized.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Zhu Xinkan felt relieved and then collapsed. Fortunately, Zhu Xianming was there to support him.

"The emperor needs to rest, you all should leave!" Zhu Xianming said.

The so-called "you" refers to everyone except him, including the queen.

Everyone retired one after another. The crown prince and a group of princes and grandchildren did not leave the palace directly, but stayed in the side halls of Ningshou Palace.

Yuanchun, Baochai, Chen Zhi and Zhu Yunsheng accompanied the Queen back to Kunning Palace, and they waited until dark.

After all, what was abnormal was that the emperor's breathing became calmer, which made the tense atmosphere inside and outside the palace relax a little.

"Don't keep going, go back and rest!"

In Kunning Palace, the Queen gave these instructions.

There was no certainty about this kind of thing, it could happen in one day, three days, or five days, so the Queen ordered Baochai and others to go back, as it was not a good idea to stay in Kunning Palace all the time.

As for the prince and others, they all obeyed the imperial edict and returned to their homes.

"Yes!"

Everyone accepted the offer without hesitation and said goodbye, except for those at Donghua Gate who were met by people from the government office. Then they returned home in cars or sedan chairs.

(End of this chapter)