Chapter 138 Zheng Zhilong's Conditions
Fang Xinyu was already quite old, and one of the concubines Zhao Xiaofei had given him had given birth to a daughter. He was too embarrassed to marry someone else.
But seeing Qin Liangyu's attitude, if he didn't agree, it would be difficult to deal with it in the future. So Fang Xinyu said, "Of course I agree, but I'm afraid that the young lady will look down on me. After all, I already have a concubine!"
"Do you have any children?" Qin Liangyu asked.
"I only have one daughter, and she's almost two years old this year!" said Fang Xinyu.
"It's okay as long as there's no son! That's settled then. I'll have someone choose a good day tomorrow to hold your wedding!" Qin Liangyu said happily.
Fang Xinyu was so embarrassed! Just now, he had simply called Ma Wanchun "Brother Ma"! But when they went out, he would change his tone to "Father-in-law". However, Fang Xinyu said, "Grandma, your great-grandson-in-law greets you!" and then kowtowed to Qin Liangyu.
Seeing Fang Xinyu kowtow, Qin Liangyu burst into laughter and said to the outside, "Come here! Clean up the room for the new son-in-law! Our Ma family is going to hold a wedding!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Wanchun, Ma Wannian and Qin Yiming all came out to congratulate him. Ma Wanchun walked over and said, "Oh, Brother Fang, change your words now!" The others laughed.
Fang Xinyu's old face flushed, and he whispered, "Greetings, father-in-law!"
After Fang Xinyu finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter. Ma Xiangling was standing at the door at this time, looking at Fang Xinyu shyly. Fang Xinyu walked over and said to Ma Xiangling, "Miss Ma! Don't you mind my age? And the fact that I have concubines?"
"As long as you treat me well, that's all that's fine! Also, just promise me that you won't marry again in the future!" Ma Xiangling said.
"Hey! I promise! I promise!" Fang Xinyu said quickly. How could he not agree? He couldn't afford to offend Qin Liangyu. Besides, Ma Xiangling was pretty, except for her black spots. Those long legs, just thinking about that picture in bed at night, it was so beautiful!
Qin Liangyu and Ma Wanchun finally breathed a sigh of relief. People in that era really didn't like women who were too tall. Marrying this girl off had become a source of worry for their family. Ma Xiangling was already 20, definitely an old maid in that era. But they couldn't let her become a concubine, so they kept dragging it out.
Fang Xinyu's arrival was perfectly timed. That day, Ma Xiangling saw him training the soldiers he had brought with him. This piqued Ma Xiangling's interest. It was the first time she'd seen soldiers other than her own White-Pole Soldiers, and she saw that Fang Xinyu's training methods were completely different from her own.
The soldiers marched in formation, their movements perfectly aligned. Their training was different from that of their own White-Pole Soldiers. The entire team was more energetic and vigorous.
Later, whenever Fang Xinyu was training soldiers, whether it was his own or helping train the gunners, Ma Xiangling would observe. These actions naturally did not escape Ma Wanchun's notice. Ma Wanchun then reported her daughter's situation to her grandmother, who was delighted. She sent someone to inquire about Fang Xinyu's situation and learned that, while he had concubines, he had not yet married a wife. This satisfied her. Furthermore, considering that he was a subordinate of the newly promoted Duke of Kenan, Zhao Xiaofei, she decided to marry her granddaughter to him.
While Fang Xinyu was busy sending a telegram announcing his marriage to his wife in Shizhu, the Nanjing court was busy holding the coronation ceremony for the new emperor. Zhao Xiaofei objected, as it had already been held in Tianjin. Why waste money? Zhao Xiaofei could pay for the rest of the money, but he told Ni Yuanlu to find a way to cover the coronation ceremony himself.
He was very disgusted with this kind of formalism, but he could not go against the unanimous opinion of the cabinet and the officials staying in Nanjing. Moreover, news came from the capital that the crown prince Zhu Cilang had been killed. Prince Yong and Prince Ling were also killed. Just when Li Zicheng left the capital. Empress Dowager Zhou looked at Prince Ding ascending the throne and burst into tears. On the one hand, she was happy that her son ascended the throne and did not let Chongzhen's family line end without an heir. On the other hand, she was sad that her eldest son had lost his life. I heard that the body was taken away by the Jianlu, and no one knew where it was buried. Would she have a chance to go back to the capital to take a look?
After the elaborate coronation ceremony, Zhao Xiaofei and the cabinet arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity in Nanjing. Several people sat downstairs, with the emperor in the center and Empress Dowager Zhou to the left.
Now they were discussing whether to negotiate peace with the Qing and then encircle and suppress Li Zicheng's forces. Zhao Xiaofei objected, saying, "My Lords, the Qing and Li Zicheng are the same, both rebels! Back then, Nurhaci was merely the commander of the Jianzhou Guards of the Ming Dynasty! If we acknowledge the Jianlu's status, we'll be encouraging other rebels to rebel. They'll also think that if they rebel and gain territory, they can also be crowned kings like the Jianlu!"
"But now we have no money and no soldiers, what can we do? Even if we recognize the status of Jianlu, it will only be a delaying tactic!" Li Banghua said.
"Yes! We only have so many soldiers now, and all the capable generals are dead. Our top priority now is to hold on to half of Jiangnan!" said Ni Yuanlu.
"I paid the money, and the court must return it to me with interest in the future! As for the generals, Huang Degong can lead the troops to defend Jiangnan, and promoting Feng Dunhou, Yan Yingyuan and Chen Mingyu will be enough!" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Aren't these three too inexperienced? They've already been promoted exceptionally! If they're promoted any further, I'm afraid the other officials will resent them!" Li Banghua said. He thought to himself: Do you think the court belongs to your family? Aren't you promoting too many people?
"Sir Li, this is an extraordinary period, and the capable should be given the position." Zhao Xiaofei said.
At this time, Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Lord Kenan, these three are too inexperienced. A hasty promotion would risk criticism. It would be best to consider further promotions later!" Empress Dowager Zhou was no fool; she understood the importance of balancing matters at court. Zhao Xiaofei was now powerful, a cabinet member and a subordinate of General Kenan. He was also wealthy. What if he rebelled? What would become of his widow and orphan? Even if he didn't rebel, what would his subordinates think? Even if he didn't rebel, what about his son? Who could guarantee that? Therefore, Empress Dowager Zhou had to oppose it.
Zhao Xiaofei was opposed by Empress Dowager Zhou and had to step aside. It was useless to talk too much, but the court had no money and could not do anything. At worst, he could bypass the court and do it on his own.
Minister of War Zhang Huangyan then spoke up, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Nannan, Zheng Zhilong, has proposed heading north to reinforce the Yangtze River defenses."
"Oh! Did he put forward any conditions?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.
"Zheng Zhilong hoped that his son Zheng Sen could come to Nanjing Imperial College to study," said Zhang Huangyan.
When Zhao Xiaofei heard this, he was like, "How could Zheng Zhilong have no conditions? Who would believe it?"
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