After listening to Chongzhen's analysis, Wang Chengen hurriedly apologized: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I oversimplified the matter."
"It's okay," Chongzhen waved his hand, "I don't blame you, because this is human nature!"
"Then...then I will think of a way to deal with Wu Sangui." Wang Chengen volunteered.
"Take your time to think about it. I really haven't thought of a better way yet." As Chongzhen spoke, his eyes returned to Wang Yongji's memorial.
He looked at Zheng Chenggong's name and asked, "In Wang Yongji's plan to dispatch troops, whether they are divided or combined, Zheng Chenggong must be dispatched, right?"
"Your Majesty has looked carefully, and it is indeed so." Wang Chengen replied.
"Then let him send out his troops!" Chongzhen ordered: "After the New Year, when the north wind is a little weaker, order Zheng Chenggong's navy to go to the Haizhou Port in Korea and the Pi Island where Mao Wenlong was stationed in the past."
"Kill the enemy if there is one, and treat it as a military exercise if there is none."
The news was first sent to the Ministry of War.
The Ministry of War believed that there was no problem with Chongzhen's will, so it agreed and informed Zheng Chenggong in Shandong, asking him to prepare to send troops.
At the same time, a message was sent to Wang Yongji in Liaodong, ordering him to dispatch the Guanliao Dengjin navy to find a way to cooperate with Zheng Chenggong in the battle.
The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month of the twenty-fourth year of Chongzhen, New Year’s Eve.
It's time to stay up all night again.
Chongzhen, who was born in the 38th year of Wanli, will be in his forties after tonight.
Not being confused means being able to make clear judgments without doubt when encountering things.
The ancients said that the wise are not confused, the benevolent are not worried, and the brave are not afraid.
(From The Analects of Confucius, Zi Han)
Chongzhen was not sure whether he had mastered this ability, but he knew what to do at the age of forty.
In addition to pacifying Liaodong, we must also find a way to deal with the interest group in Jiangnan.
This matter is even more important than pacifying Liaodong.
"Your Majesty," Empress Zhou slowly walked to Chongzhen and bowed gently, "I have a favor to ask."
"Please speak, Queen." Chongzhen said very politely.
"Prince Ding and Prince Yong are already old and have reached the age to get married. Please, Your Majesty, step down and choose concubines for them in the five cities and two counties of Shuntian Prefecture." Queen Zhou said in a pleading tone.
(The five cities refer to the capital's East City, West City, South City, North City and Central City, corresponding to the Five City Military Commandery. The two counties refer to Daxing and Wanping, two counties affiliated to the capital.)
Chongzhen did some calculations.
Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong was born in the fifth year of Chongzhen and was twenty years old after the new year.
Prince Yong Zhu Cizhao was born in the sixth year of Chongzhen and was nineteen years old.
In the Ming Dynasty.
The marriage age stipulated in the Ming Dynasty Law is 16 for men and 14 for women, otherwise they cannot get married.
Interestingly, Taoist priests and monks can also get married as long as they are of the required age.
In addition, the Ming Dynasty Code prohibits child marriage.
Since: All marriages between men and women have their own time, and those who indicate intimacy by pointing at the belly or cutting the collar of the shirt are prohibited.
"Approved," Chongzhen patted Empress Zhou on the shoulder, "After tomorrow, I will have the Ministry of Rites send an order to Shuntian Prefecture to let them select a suitable woman from the people. However... Prince Ding is in Liaodong and may not be able to return in a short time, so we can't get married after the selection of the concubine."
In the Ming Dynasty, it was not the prince's turn to choose his concubine.
The elders have the final say.
When Chongzhen chose his concubine, he was still a vassal king.
Since his father, Ming Guangzong Zhu Changluo, had passed away, his biological mother and stepmother (his legal wife) had also passed away.
It is said that the eldest brother is like a father and the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother.
So the task of selecting a concubine fell into the hands of Empress Zhang, the wife of the then Emperor Zhu Youxiao.
Shuntian Prefecture provided seventy-seven women, and after layers of selection, three people finally entered the finals.
Among the three, Empress Zhang took a liking to Zhou Kui's daughter at first sight.
What no one expected was that within half a year of marriage, this woman would go from being a concubine of a vassal prince to becoming the Empress of the Ming Dynasty.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your permission. As long as we choose the right person, the marriage can be postponed." Queen Zhou was extremely happy.
Seeing Queen Zhou's happy expression, Chongzhen felt very relieved.
Since last year, Queen Zhou has rarely smiled.
There are two reasons why I don't laugh much.
One was that they were worried about the safety of Zhu Cijiong, who was fighting in Liaodong with the Ping Liao army.
The second reason was the influence of her father Zhou Kui.
It is true that Chongzhen had taken away a lot of money from Zhou Kui before.
But with the formation of the Liaodong Iron Cavalry, Zhou Kui not only made up for his previous losses, but also accumulated millions of assets.
Maybe it's because business is too tiring, or maybe it's because I don't have the time to enjoy myself.
Zhou Kui has been bedridden since last year.
Chongzhen first sent imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat him, and then went to visit him in person.
However, after more than a year of treatment, the condition not only did not improve, but became more serious.
Queen Zhou rarely laughed because of this.
"Is the father-in-law's illness better now?" Chongzhen asked with concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My father's illness has improved a lot. Before, he could only drink some porridge, but now he can eat half a steamed bun for each meal."
"That's good." Chongzhen picked up the wine glass and clinked glasses with Queen Zhou.
Putting down the wine glass, Empress Zhou said again: "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoren has reached the age of marriage. I want her to return to the capital to choose a prince consort for her."
Zhaoren was not a title, but was named after the palace where she lived in the capital was called Zhaoren Palace.
On the issue of Princess Zhaoren, Chongzhen rarely shook his head.
Queen Zhou thought Chongzhen did not agree, so she immediately knelt down and begged for mercy.
Chongzhen stopped him, saying, "Princess Zhaoren is indeed old enough to get married, but... there is no need to return to Beijing to get married, otherwise the prince will feel lonely staying in Nanjing."
Chongzhen knew that Princess Zhaoren was indeed old enough to get married.
Queen Zhou wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
Taking advantage of Princess Zhaoren's marriage, he also recalled Crown Prince Zhu Cilang to the capital.
After all, the crown prince is both the heir to the throne and Princess Zhaoren's elder brother.
Is there any reason not to attend my sister's wedding?
but...
The prince would be of great use if he stayed in Nanjing, so Chongzhen could not agree and could only refuse.
Seeing that her little trick had been seen through by Chongzhen, Queen Zhou immediately lowered her head.
She thought for a while with a red face, and under the influence of alcohol, she became bolder and bolder.
After a moment, she raised her head, looked at Chongzhen lovingly and asked, "Your Majesty, I want to know why you left the prince in Nanjing and did not let him return to the capital?"
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