My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 615 If you want territory, pay up!

Zhu Cilang calmly took a few steps forward, arrived next to the huge world map, turned around, and faced the crowd.

His figure, as depicted on the map, did not appear particularly tall, but his calm, mountain-like demeanor and all-encompassing authority made him someone no one dared to underestimate.

"My fellow royal uncles."

Zhu Cilang spoke, his voice clear and calm, neither deliberately authoritative nor overly friendly, but in a calm, businesslike tone.

"Father has already given clear instructions. I will explain the specific procedures to you all."

He turned to the side, raised his arm, and pointed to the dazzling map behind him:

"This map is a compilation of the findings of the naval officers and soldiers under the command of Duke Jinghai Zheng Zhilong after years of exploration of the four seas, and also references the nautical charts presented by Western merchants. It was jointly examined and drawn by the Imperial Observatory and the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of War. Although we dare not say that it is perfect in every detail, the general terrain, the outline of the land and sea, and the key places of resources are all based on evidence and are generally accurate."

He withdrew his arm, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:

"The 'contribution' that Father Emperor spoke of refers to how much land, manors, shops, silver reserves, grain reserves, and even salt permits, mining rights, and other industrial rights within the Ming Dynasty that you can hand over. The court will dispatch competent officials from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Palace Attendants, and the Court of the Imperial Clan, together with local officials, to each of your princely uncles' fiefdoms to count them one by one and fairly assess their value. The total amount calculated will be your 'contribution value'."

These words made the "redemption" policy more concrete and operational.

This is not just empty talk, but a formal "asset appraisal" with government agencies and procedures.

Then, Zhu Cilang took a jade staff about four feet long, pure white and lustrous, with a gold band at the top, from the eunuch standing beside him. Holding the jade staff, he turned around and faced the map again.

“With ‘contribution points,’ you can exchange them for fiefdoms.”

Zhu Cilang's voice was steady, but the jade staff in his hand was like a magic wand that could turn stone into gold, sweeping across the prominent marks on the map as he spoke.

The jade staff is first marked in the Andes Mountains region of South America, where there are several striking golden mountain-shaped markers:

"For example, this continent, within its mountains, lies a treasure trove of gold and silver, its mineral resources unparalleled in the world. The legend of the 'Golden Kingdom' of the Western barbarians of the previous dynasty largely originated from this. If one can exploit this treasure properly, becoming richer than a nation is no exaggeration."

The golden mark, when lightly touched by the jade staff, seemed to radiate light, stimulating everyone's eyes.

The jade staff slowly moved eastward, pointing towards the Mekong Delta and Java in Southeast Asia:

"Look here again, the climate is mild all year round, the river is abundant, the land is fertile, and rice can be harvested three times a year. It is truly a granary bestowed by heaven. With this place, there is no need to worry about famine, and we can also store up grain and fodder as our foundation."

The jade staff then turned north, traversing the vast Pacific Ocean, and landed on the expansive plains of central North America:

"This land is fertile and boundless, with abundant water and grass, suitable for grazing cattle and sheep and cultivating farmland. Its vastness is several times that of the Central Plains. Moreover, the climate is suitable for both cold and warm conditions, much like our northern regions. Developing this land is enough to establish a nation for a hundred years."

Next, the jade staff pointed to places like Australia and southern Africa, briefly explaining their unique products, such as Australia's wool and mineral deposits, and South Africa's potential gold and diamond mines and geographical advantages.

His introduction was devoid of flowery language; every sentence went straight to the point—resources, land, climate, and products.

He transformed the cold symbols and lines on the map into tangible wealth and survival capital.

“If you see something you like, you can use your ‘contribution points’ to purchase it.”

Zhu Cilang withdrew his jade staff, turned around and faced the crowd again. His tone remained calm, but the weight of his words was immense.

"The higher the contribution value, the larger the territory you can exchange for. The more fertile the land, the more abundant the resources, and the higher the priority of the location. First come, first served, and the highest bidder wins. This is the general rule."

He paused briefly, giving everyone time to process his words, before continuing, this time with a tone of reassurance and enticement:

"Of course, the court will not ignore you after receiving your 'contributions'. On the contrary, the court will provide you with corresponding ocean-going ships, escort naval forces, elite soldiers, various craftsmen, agricultural tools, grain seeds, and medicinal materials, and even assist you in establishing a preliminary administrative and defense system, based on the amount of your final 'contribution value' and the distance and risks of the selected fiefdom."

This will help you cross the ocean, land, and establish yourselves, and initially defend against potential attacks from natives and cope with the unfamiliar environment.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he said clearly:

"In other words, what you are exchanging your industries in the mainland for is not just a 'land deed' for an overseas fiefdom, but also the imperial court's armed escort, initial construction support, and a certain degree of risk protection. The higher the 'price' you offer, the more substantial this support will be, and the greater your chances of successfully establishing a foothold and building a business overseas will naturally be."

This is practically a "one-stop package"!

From transportation and protection to initial military and production support, the imperial court handled almost everything! This greatly reduced the risks of long-distance voyages and colonization and the difficulty of early survival, making it especially attractive to small and medium-sized vassal kings who had ambitions but lacked the corresponding capabilities and resources.

Those who were initially hesitant began to have their eyes flicker.

Just then, Prince Rui, Zhu Changhao, who had been sitting silently in the corner chair, stood up shakily with the help of a palace attendant.

The eldest prince, his face etched with deep wrinkles, his cloudy old eyes filled with weariness and detachment, laboredly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhu Cilang, his voice aged and hoarse:

"Your Highness, this old minister... is over seventy years old, frail and ailing, and nearing the end of his life. Truly... I cannot bear the hardships of traveling thousands of miles across foreign lands. Moreover, my children and grandchildren are all young and weak, incapable of handling important matters. This overseas fiefdom, though a gift from Your Majesty, is something this old minister... is truly unworthy of receiving, and dares not even hope for."

"Your Highness, may I... allow this old, decaying body of yours to remain in the Ming Dynasty, to live out the rest of my days? This old minister... has no other request."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Prince Rui represented the sentiments of a segment of the imperial clan who were old, frail, complacent, and afraid of change. No matter how desirable the overseas fiefdoms were, one needed to be alive to enjoy them. For them, staying in the familiar Ming Dynasty, even at the cost of some privileges, was better than risking their lives in the unknown wilderness.

All eyes were once again focused on Zhu Cilang.

I want to see how this crown prince will deal with these "unambitious" relatives. Will he force them? Will he strip them of their titles? Or...?

Zhu Cilang showed no displeasure; instead, he nodded slightly to Prince Rui, his tone gentle.

"Uncle, please rise. There is no need for such formalities. Everyone has their own ambitions, and we cannot force anyone. The court is implementing this policy to provide a way out for those relatives who are willing to strive for success, not to force everyone to leave their homes. Since you wish to stay in the Ming Dynasty, the court welcomes you most."

Upon hearing this, Prince Rui and several other princes who shared the same thoughts breathed a sigh of relief, but Zhu Cilang's tone shifted abruptly. While his tone remained calm, the underlying meaning sent a chill down everyone's spine:

"However, Uncle Wang, since you have chosen to remain in the Ming Dynasty, you must abide by the laws of the Ming Dynasty and share the fate of the country. Starting with Uncle Wang and others, in order to show the fairness of the court and for the long-term benefit of the imperial family, the succession of the title of prince should be reduced in order."

He looked at Prince Rui and said clearly:

"While you are here, you will naturally hold the title of Prince, and everything will remain as before. However, your heir will inherit the title and become a Prince of the Second Rank; his son will become a General Who Guards the State; the next generation will become a General Who Assists the State... and so on. This is not a reduction of the power of the princes, but rather an extension of grace. It will ensure that all members of the imperial family, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, have titles and stipends to enjoy and a future to strive for, so that they will not sit idly by, enjoying high salaries and wasting national funds."

In this way, we will not only fulfill Uncle Wang's wish to stay, but also secure a long-term and stable future for our Zhu family descendants. What does Uncle Wang think?

A gentle "decree of grace"!

You can keep it.

However, privileges must naturally diminish with each generation. This is much gentler and more dignified than directly and forcibly reducing the power of the princes, giving these remaining princes a way out and fundamentally solving the problems of the proliferation of royal titles and the heavy financial burden. Moreover, starting only with the next generation does not affect the interests of the existing princes themselves, preventing them from launching a fierce opposition.

Prince Rui, Zhu Changhao, was stunned. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

His cloudy old eyes looked at Zhu Cilang's calm face, then at the various expressions on the faces of the relatives around him. In the end, all his resistance and dissatisfaction turned into a long, heavy sigh.

He bowed again, his voice even more aged:

"This old minister... understands. Your Highness's considerations are thorough, and this old minister... has no objections. Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

He accepted.

This was almost the best option. The other princes who were also considering leaving silently lowered their heads, knowing that this was the price to pay for staying.

Zhu Cilang nodded and said no more.

He concluded by saying, "This is the general procedure here. This map will be carefully copied and sent to the residences of all the princes in the capital. Important resource-producing areas, key transportation hubs, harbors, and river mouths are all clearly marked on the map."

You may take this back for careful consideration, or you may visit the Duke of Jinghai's residence, or consult other naval commanders familiar with the seas, to learn in detail about the dangers of sea routes, the customs and traditions of various places, and the availability of goods and diseases.

"After careful consideration, please provide a detailed list of which fiefdoms you wish to exchange, your estimated 'contribution,' and the scale of support you require from the court. The court will then arrange for a specialist to contact each of you individually to conduct calculations, assessments, and negotiate terms."

"That's all for today. My uncles may return to their lodgings and consider this carefully. If there are any questions or matters that require a face-to-face discussion, you may submit a petition to request an audience at any time."

After saying this, Zhu Cilang nodded slightly to everyone, said no more, held the jade staff, turned around and calmly walked out through the side door where his father had left.

The enormous world map, laden with endless desires and strife, and the vassal kings, their minds churning with anticipation of this earth-shattering deal, were left in the empty and gradually growing desolate side hall.

Inside the hall, no one spoke for a long time.

The only sounds were the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire and the heavy, rhythmic breathing of the crowd.

On the map, the golden mountains, silver rivers, and plump ears of grain, illuminated by the increasingly dim light streaming through the high windows, still radiated an alluring yet chilling glow.

Zhu Cilang's final words about the "Decree of Grace" were like another invisible shackle, hanging over the hearts of those who chose to stay.

An unprecedented gamble involving wealth, power, destiny, and adventure has begun.

The stakes were their nearly three-hundred-year-old family fortune and an unknowable future.

A complex and unfathomable light flickered in the eyes of each vassal king as they began to rapidly calculate, weigh options, and plan.

The summons held in the side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which determined the fate of the imperial family, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. In a very short time, it stirred up towering waves and countless chaotic ripples in all the mansions and inns where the princes of the capital were staying.

The enormous world map, the emperor's golden promises, and the crown prince's clear "redemption" terms, which had been there during the day, had now transformed into an invisible net filled with wealth and ambition, tightly enveloping every prince and nobleman, leaving them sleepless and restless all night.

Almost at the same moment they returned to their lodgings, all the royal palaces and post stations immediately fell into an unprecedented state of busyness and tension.

The chief clerks, registrars, and eunuchs brought from their fiefdoms lit countless candles and worked through the night to conduct an emergency accounting check.

The sound of the abacus beads clicking filled the air like a sudden downpour.

The air was filled with the musty smell of old paper, the fragrance of ink, and a sense of anxiety.

The princes, on the other hand, would often retreat to their deepest studies or secret rooms with one or two of their most trusted advisors, nephews, or other close confidants, and engage in heated debates over the meticulously copied, much smaller but still detailed copy of the world map that had been delivered by palace eunuchs during the day.

"Father, I believe this place should be the first choice!"

The Crown Prince of Chu pointed to the golden marker in the Peruvian region of South America, his eyes shining.

"Mountains of gold and silver! If we could hold them in our hands, how could our nation not be wealthy? Even the Crown Prince said that the mineral resources here are unparalleled in the world!"

Another trusted aide stroked his beard and pondered:

“Your Highness, although this place is rich, it is the farthest away, and the sea is treacherous. Moreover, the Western barbarians have been operating here for many years, and there may be powerful enemies. It would be better to settle for the next best option and choose the fertile land in the central part of the Northern Continent. The land is vast and it is close to the silver mining area of ​​‘New Spain’ that the Crown Prince mentioned. We can plan for it slowly.”

"What good is a lot of land! What we need is real money!"

King Zhu Hua Kui of Chu stared wide-eyed, his finger slamming heavily onto the Jinshan mark on the map.

"What's the distance? The Crown Prince said the court will provide ships and soldiers! As for the Western barbarians? Zheng Zhilong can beat the Dutch to a pulp. With the court's support, why should we be afraid of those red-haired devils? Right here!"

However, the discussion at the Shu Prince's residence was much more cautious.

Prince Zhu Zhishu of Shu stroked the "granary" marker for Southeast Asia on the map, then looked at the gold mines of South America, his brow furrowed.

"Gold Mountain is good, but it's too dangerous and far away. I'm afraid my old body can't withstand that kind of hardship. The South Seas are safer, with three harvests a year. Besides, it's close to the Ming Dynasty, so if something goes wrong, there's more room for maneuver..."

While everyone was frantically calculating accounts and arguing behind closed doors, another flow of people surged toward the Jinghai Duke's Mansion, a place where nobles and dignitaries gathered in the capital.

From the early morning of the second day, carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream in front of Zheng Zhilong's mansion.

A long line of carriages bearing the insignia of various princes and dukes formed.

The visitors were either the prince himself, or the chief secretary of the prince's residence and his trusted son, each carrying a visiting card and lavish gifts.

Zheng Zhilong was fully aware of this sudden surge in visits. (End of Chapter)