N-A-A Chapter 636 Zhu Cilang's Birthday Celebration!
Chapter 636 Zhu Cilang's Birthday Celebration!
That night, the soaring "divine fire" in the western suburbs of Beijing was vaguely noticed by the residents living in the western part of the city.
The rumors spread like wildfire, one person telling ten, ten telling a hundred, and the discussions about "firearms institute lighting sky lanterns" and "whether it's sorcery or a miracle" rolled through the streets and alleys of the nine cities like thunder on a summer night.
The next morning, the gates of the Firearms Research Institute were almost broken down by the crowd.
A host of nobles, including Duke Zhang Weixian of Yingguo, Duke Zhu Chunchen of Chengguo, and Duke Xu Yunzhen of Dingguo, disregarded their official status and personally visited the mansion.
They don't care about the principles, they only care about two things:
Is it worth buying this? How much does it cost?
There's no way around it! This thing is just too amazing; it can turn night into day. Who wouldn't be curious?
Bi Maokang had already received Zhu Cilang's instructions, and he remained calm and composed in the face of this group of astute "big clients."
"Gentlemen."
Bi Maokang stroked his beard, his voice steady.
"This is a sacred artifact of 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature,' personally designated by His Majesty, named 'Electric Lamp.' Currently, the workshop's production capacity is limited, producing only a few dozen sets per year. As for the price…"
He held up three fingers, then added two more:
"A complete set, including a steam engine, coils, lamps, and wiring, costs five thousand taels of silver."
"If the house is too big, you'll need two or more!"
Five thousand taels?
The nobles gasped in astonishment; this was enough to buy a sizable estate.
"Mr. Bi, isn't this extortion?"
Another person, skeptical, shouted.
Bi Maokang smiled slightly, unhurriedly:
"My lords, this lamp does not burn oil, does not emit smoke, shines as brightly as day, and poses no risk of fire. How prestigious it would be to hang it at the gate of your mansion or in the main hall! How many families in the capital can afford to do that? First come, first served; those who are late may not even be able to see it."
The nobles exchanged glances.
Five thousand taels was not a small amount for them, but it was certainly not something they couldn't afford.
They value face and novelty more than real gold and silver. What a grand display it would be to hang this "Heavenly Fire Lamp" in their own hall!
"I want two sets!"
"Save me one!"
"Old Bi, if it's settled, when can we start the installation?"
In the blink of an eye, the quota for dozens of sets of equipment was snapped up.
Bi Maokang accepted the deposit with a smile, thinking to himself: His Majesty's "hunger marketing" tactic is indeed a mastery of human nature.
The claim of producing dozens of sets per year is just that; in reality, at least several hundred sets are produced annually!
However, this thing should naturally be reserved for the imperial palace. It can't be that the emperor hasn't enjoyed it yet, but other nobles have already enjoyed it, right?
Therefore, the next day, the Firearms Research Institute sent craftsmen to the palace to prepare for the installation of electric lights.
The first place to decorate was naturally Zhu Cilang's bedroom.
But Zhu Cilang refused outright, and a new order was quickly issued:
"Fix it for the Emperor Emeritus first."
The craftsmen went straight to Chongzhen's palace.
However, the construction work inside the palace was far more complicated than expected.
Challenge 1: Noise and vibration.
Steam engines are extremely noisy and vibrate intensely, so they must never be placed next to the emperor's bedroom.
Problem 2: Insufficient power.
One generator unit is not enough to illuminate the vast palace.
The artisans of the Ministry of Works demonstrated astonishing "ingenuity in traditional methods".
They installed the steam engine unit at the former site of "Xiefangzhai," a place deep within the Imperial Garden that had long been abandoned and surrounded by water.
This place is a certain distance from the main palaces such as Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace, and is surrounded by water on all sides, which can effectively block some of the noise.
In addition, the craftsmen wrapped the core of the steam engine with several layers of wet cotton quilts, piled sandbags around it, and filled the inside of the walls with hollow bricks and slag.
This "combination of traditional and modern methods" reduced the noise by more than half.
Several days later, night fell.
Inside the residence of the retired Emperor Chongzhen, Empress Zhou, the concubines, and several princes had already been summoned.
The little princess was also held in her mother's arms, looking around curiously.
Emperor Chongzhen was dressed exceptionally formally today, in a casual outfit, with a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation in his expression.
He looked at the huge, specially made chandelier in the hall, inlaid with countless crystal prisms, his eyes full of curiosity.
This thing is actually what we now call a "lampshade".
Zhu Cilang stood beside his father and nodded slightly.
The foreman in charge of the project took a deep breath and closed the simple guillotine in his hand.
"Fuck-"
A faint sound of an electric current breaking through the air.
Immediately afterwards, the huge crystal chandelier in the hall, with its hundreds of light-emitting units, burst forth with a dazzling light that was impossible to look at directly at the same time!
"what!"
A collective gasp of surprise erupted from inside the hall.
Most of the palace maids and eunuchs prostrated themselves on the ground, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" They had never seen such a bright, daylight-like scene without any fire.
Empress Zhou covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief. The princes excitedly tried to chase the light and shadow, but were held back tightly by their nannies.
Emperor Chongzhen stood frozen in place, the dazzling light causing him to squint slightly.
He looked at the brightly lit palace, almost blindingly so, and at his daughter's face, which appeared angelic in the light, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Within half a month, the lighting project for the main palaces of the royal palace was completed.
As night falls, the Forbidden City is no longer pitch black, but dotted with stars. The brightest spots, like eternally burning stars, herald the beginning of a new era.
Under the impetus of Zhu Cilang, the Ming Dynasty stepped into the threshold of the "electrical age." Although it was still immature and clumsy, the light had already been lit.
This autumn has arrived exceptionally crisp and refreshing.
On the first day of the ninth lunar month, a refreshing autumn breeze swept through the air. The five-colored soil on the Huangji Hall Square, washed by the drizzle, gleamed with a moist and solemn luster.
Although several months have passed since his ascension to the throne, the festive atmosphere in the capital has not dissipated.
In particular, today's birthday celebrations have brought the new dynasty's spirit to a new climax.
Zhu Cilang originally strongly advocated for simplification.
After all, he's only nineteen years old this year, what kind of birthday celebration is he having!
He had never formally celebrated this ceremony even when he was the crown prince.
However, the Minister of Rites submitted memorials several times, saying that "the Emperor's birthday is the first birthday after he ascends the throne, which is related to the prosperity of the country and should not be taken lightly. If it is too simple, the world may think that the new dynasty does not value etiquette and law, and it will also make the vassal states and overseas envoys look down on the majesty of the Celestial Empire."
Grand Secretary Hong Chengchou also personally advised: "Your Majesty, although the world is at peace now, the people's hearts have just settled. This birthday celebration is not for the joy of one person, but to show the world that the Ming Dynasty has restored the dignity of Han officials and is now flourishing. I request Your Majesty to follow the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty' of Emperor Taizu and the old precedents of the Yongle era and perform the rites accordingly."
Faced with the almost unanimous petition from the entire court, Zhu Cilang knew that this was no longer a matter of personal preference, but a necessary ceremony for the new dynasty to establish its authority and appease the people.
He stopped insisting and only wrote one sentence:
"Yes, but it must not be extravagant or disturb the people."
Thus, Zhu Cilang celebrated his first birthday!
The grand banquet had been in preparation for more than two months, and all the ministers, vassal kings, and envoys who were supposed to attend were present, making it an incredibly grand event!
Unlike the solemnity and dire need for reconstruction during the coronation ceremony, or the simple joy of the Emperor's birthday celebration, the Hall of Supreme Harmony today is filled with a special atmosphere of abundance, confidence, and hope.
Outside the palace, the ceremonial guards fluttered, and the golden maces and axes gleamed coldly.
Inside the hall, officials in their bright court robes stood respectfully, members of the imperial family and princes stood at attention, and foreign envoys stood solemnly.
The air is filled not only with the noble fragrance of ambergris, but also with a subtle sense of certainty that "a golden age has arrived."
As soon as the official of the Court of State Ceremonial shouted, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rose up like a tidal wave.
Zhu Cilang sat upright, accepting the ceremonial tribute from all nations.
After the ceremony was completed, he began to announce the imperial decree, his voice carrying throughout the hall through the tassels:
"I have inherited the mandate of Heaven and ascended the throne. Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the hard work of you all, the world is now at peace and the granaries are gradually filling."
"A special imperial edict is hereby issued:"
"First, reward civil and military officials in the capital by giving each of them two pieces of silk, two shi of top-quality rice, and ten jin of fresh meat."
"Second, a general amnesty shall be granted to all minor offenses punishable by caning or less, and those punishable by penal servitude or exile shall be reduced by one degree."
"Third, the autumn grain tax for this year will be exempted by 30% in the capital region and all prefectures and counties in Zhili."
After the decree was read, a low murmur of barely suppressed cheers and gratitude rose in the hall.
In this era, rice, meat, and silk are the most tangible blessings.
In particular, the "30% exemption from autumn grain taxes" directly benefited millions of farmers, which meant that the imperial treasury was full and that Zhu Cilang's statement that "the Ming Dynasty has no worries about famine" was not an exaggeration.
The hall was still bustling with activity as Zhu Cilang's gaze slowly swept across the room.
He saw Grand Secretary Hong Chengchou, who was calmly adjusting his sleeves, his brows showing both the satisfaction of successfully assisting the new emperor and the planning for the future.
He saw Li Banghua, the Minister of War. Although he was old, he was upright and talking quietly with Sun Chuanting beside him, seemingly discussing the winter training of the Beijing garrison.
He saw Ni Yuanlu, the Minister of Revenue, stroking his beard, looking at the list of rewards in his hand, a shrewd smile on his face as he calculated the national treasury surplus for the year.
He also saw in a distant corner that representatives of several overseas vassal kings were looking up at the throne, their eyes filled with both awe for the central imperial power and anticipation and trepidation for the long voyage they were about to embark on.
Behind the throne, the outline of the palace can be vaguely seen through the open doors.
That was the area around the Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace, where electric lights had only been installed not long ago. Even during the day, one could imagine how brightly lit it would be at night.
As night fell, the grand banquet of the Emperor's Birthday gradually faded away amidst the clinking of glasses and the praise of "the prosperous age of Tianwu".
Zhu Cilang dismissed his attendants, dressed only in his everyday clothes, and climbed alone to the top of the palace wall. The evening breeze carried a chill, stirring his dark robes.
Beneath my feet lies the entire city of Beijing.
Although the bustling streets in the south of the city are not yet fully electrified, the demonstration area around the Firearms Research Institute, as well as the palace and several important noble residences, have already been lit up with scattered electric lights.
It was no longer the dim yellow light of flickering candlelight, but a stable, cool, yet highly penetrating white light, outlining an incredible transformation taking place in an ancient capital city against the backdrop of the pitch-black night.
Further away, there was a dark, open field.
That was the Jingji Plain, the north-south artery under construction with cement roads, and the first railway to be laid from Beijing to Tianjin, which was about to begin construction.
At the end of that darkness lies Liaodong, Korea, and the vast ocean that Zheng Zhilong's fleet is sailing towards.
Zhu Cilang leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, his eyes passing over the myriad lights of homes and landing on that unknown and alluring darkness.
He withdrew his gaze, turned around, and walked towards the brightly lit Qianqing Palace, which was as bright as day.
The young emperor walked with a steady gait, his back casting a long shadow in the light of the palace lanterns.
.
……
In September, the Imperial Garden is filled with a refreshing autumn breeze and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.
Although it was late autumn, the capital region had just experienced a bumper harvest, and the festive atmosphere of the Emperor's birthday celebrations had not yet dissipated. The eunuchs and palace maids in the garden all walked briskly, with rare relaxed smiles on their faces.
Inside the Cuifang Pavilion, several exquisite yet unpretentious home-style dishes were laid out on a stone table. Zhu Cilang was not wearing a dragon robe, but only a dark blue casual dress. Not far away, Zheng Zhilong was walking quickly towards him.
"Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."
Just as Zheng Zhilong was about to lift his robe and bow, Zhu Cilang reached out and gently supported him.
The young emperor wore a gentle smile and lightly pressed his fingertips together:
"Yesterday was a state banquet, which focused on the etiquette between ruler and subject; today is a family banquet, which focuses on family etiquette. If you, Father-in-law, were to perform such a grand ceremony again, it would be too formal."
Zheng Zhilong stood up, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He had spent half his life navigating the seas and witnessed the hypocrisy and deceit of officialdom, but never before had he felt such respect from the imperial power.
He stole a glance at Zheng Xiaomei, the daughter sitting below Zhu Cilang.
Zheng Xiaomei was carefully serving her father food with a silver spoon, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy.
Although she was a concubine, in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, she temporarily shed the restraint of her palace attire and acted like an ordinary wife, taking care of her father.
Seeing the calm, even slightly naive expression on his daughter's face, Zheng Zhilong finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.
It seems his daughter is doing well, and the couple is harmonious; this is the greatest foundation of the Zheng family.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zheng Zhilong finally sat down, looking much more relaxed than when he arrived.
"How have you been lately, Father-in-law? I've been busy with matters on the coast and haven't seen you for a long time."
Zhu Cilang picked up a piece of crab meat lion's head with his chopsticks and placed it in Zheng Zhilong's bowl, then naturally turned the conversation to the main topic.
Zheng Zhilong quickly replied:
"Thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings, I am well. However, although the coastal areas are at peace, I dare not slacken my efforts. In accordance with Your Majesty's decree of 'taking the sea as the border,' I have been supervising the expansion of the Fujian Navy. Since last year, we have added 30,000 soldiers and 500 warships. Now, the Fujian naval force alone has a total strength of over 130,000. We are ready to set sail for the open sea at Your Majesty's command."
"130,000..."
Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Good, very good. I knew that entrusting this matter to my father-in-law was the safest option."
He put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, transforming the tone from casual conversation to a private discussion:
"Soon, the princes of the capital will set sail to their fiefdoms. Such an important event cannot be left unprotected. Father-in-law, I hereby order you to select the most elite fleets from the naval forces of each garrison to form an 'escort fleet' to escort them all the way to their designated fiefdoms."
"The minister obeys the order!"
Zheng Zhilong agreed without hesitation; it was just a small favor for him.
However, Zhu Cilang's next words sent a chill down Zheng Zhilong's spine.
"This escort mission is both an act of loyalty and an opportunity for cleanup."
Zhu Cilang's gaze was deep, and he asked pointedly:
"Father-in-law, are there still some old generals in the navy who are disobedient and arrogant? They can't be dismissed or dealt with properly; they've become a hot potato." (End of Chapter)