How many times have I told you not to call this General 'Little Marquis'?" Zheng Jing said with some dissatisfaction. "This General is not yet the Heir Apparent.
The deputy general beside him thought to himself that since he was the eldest son of the Marquis of Yanping and had once again achieved military merit, wouldn't his position as the heir apparent be set in stone once he returned?
However, since Zheng Jing said so, he simply admitted it was a slip of his tongue; in any case, that wasn't the main point.
Zheng Jing looked at the Russian soldiers rushing from the distance and said, "Who knows what madness has taken them? How much more supply and cannonball do we have left?"
The deputy general calculated for a moment and said, "The grain and fodder are enough to last for about ten more days, but the cannonballs are running low."
Zheng Jing pursed his lips and said, "The fifth anniversary military parade is about to begin, this year it coincides with His Majesty's twenty-fifth birthday, so it will certainly be a grand event. If we miss it, we might have to wait another five years. We should speed up our progress and send A-Dong and the others to launch a surprise attack on the Kamchatka Peninsula."
“Ah?”
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: I feel like the new generation is also a bit reckless. Cat nodding in satisfaction. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 305
The Kamchatka Peninsula is a Russian military base in the Far East; because the area is prone to many volcanoes and earthquakes, it has very few permanent residents and serves essentially only as a military base.
This time, Tsarist Russia also launched its troops from the Kamchatka Peninsula to contest the Kuril Islands with Japan.
Zheng Jing sending people to launch a surprise attack on the Kamchatka Peninsula could be considered following in his father's footsteps. When his father was alive, he had launched a surprise attack on Heliao Port; although the circumstances were different, he was following the same pattern.
The deputy general asked with some unease, "But.. General, that is already Tsarist Russia's territory. Won't this be quite troublesome?"
What's wrong with Russian territory? Russia knows perfectly well that Japan is a vassal state of our country, yet they still dare to attack. Before, they even wanted us to cede Lake Balkhash and the Ili River basin. If we don't teach them a lesson, they will dare to invade Sakhalin next time.
Zheng Jing had his own agenda as well. No matter how great the achievements made here in Japan, they wouldn't amount to much; one only had to look at the people His Majesty had sent to know that the Imperial Court did not hold Japan in high regard.
Many of the people who came this time were just like him, coming here to gild their resumes, simply waiting to return home to take up official posts or inherit family businesses.
Zheng Jing felt somewhat unwilling; he was fifteen years old this year, at the age when one is ambitious and eager to establish a great reputation and career.
Whether or not he becomes a prince can be set aside for now, as his brothers pose no great threat to him, but returning like this still felt like something was missing.
It would be truly impressive if he could conquer the Kamchatka Peninsula.
However, Zheng Chengzhi was no fool; he had no intention of acting recklessly. He first took stock of the grain and military equipment, only after confirming the possibility of a successful surprise attack did he send men to carry it out.
The deputy general could not persuade him; instead, he was persuaded by Zheng Chenggong, thus he agreed as well.
Not only Zheng Chenggong, but all the remaining young generals became excited at the mention of a sneak attack on Tsarist Russia; they gathered together to discuss it for a long time before finally deciding on the tactics for the ambush.
Not only did Tsarist Russia fail to seize the Kuril Islands from Japan, but its own Far East military base was also ambushed, with more than half of its deployments there destroyed.
Alexei Mikhailovich had held great power in recent years, combined with the sufficient strength of Tsarist Russia, he had never suffered such a setback. In a fit of rage, he dispatched even more men to the Kamchatka Peninsula.
At this stage, even if Zheng Jing wanted to hide it from the Imperial Court, he would no longer be able to, because Tsarist Russia was not only deploying troops on the Kamchatka Peninsula, but was also simultaneously attacking the Ili River basin.
By the time the Imperial Court received the news, Zheng Chenggong was scared out of his wits and immediately entered the palace to confess his crimes.
There was a military parade this year, the date was set for the Emperor's birthday. Zheng Chenggong originally held heavy responsibilities, but since his son had caused trouble, what else could he do but go to the palace to confess his guilt?
However, after hearing this, Zhu Ci clicked his tongue and said, "These brats certainly have a lot of nerve."
Zheng Chenggong paused after hearing this, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. The Emperor was only twenty-five years old this year, the generals sent out this time were said to be young, with the oldest being thirty.
Zhu Ci raised his hand and said, "Rise, Marquis of Yanping. You should be very gratified to have such a son."
Zheng Chenggong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, while his mind simultaneously began to race.
Judging by the Emperor's tone.. it seems he has had designs on Tsarist Russia for a long time, so was Zheng Jing's success merely a stroke of luck?
Zheng Chenggong suddenly remembered that the Ministry of War had previously mobilized a large number of troops to the border of Russia. Later, because Tsarist Russia shifted its focus to Japan, no fighting broke out, but the mobilized troops seemed to have never moved, it appeared they had been continuously developing that area over the years.
Setting aside everything else, many parts of Mongolia have already become grain-producing regions with granaries established, experimental bases for new weapons have also been arranged there.
If all of this is connected.. it is impossible to say that the Emperor has no designs on Tsarist Russia; in fact, it is possible that the Emperor has been eyeing Tsarist Russia covetously for a long time.
Zheng Chenggong did not understand what appeal Tsarist Russia held for the Emperor, but as long as Zheng Jing would not be held accountable, that was all that mattered.
The war between the Great Ming and Tsarist Russia broke out suddenly and ended just as abruptly.
No matter how unwilling Alexei Mikhailovich was to accept it, it was true that the weaponry and equipment of Tsarist Russia had fallen far behind that of the Great Ming.
No matter how brave the soldiers of Tsarist Russia were, they were no match for guns and cannons, let alone the fact that the Ming people were far more numerous.
Alexei Mikhailovich could be considered a remarkable man; he knew when to yield and when to advance, upon realizing he could not win, he immediately sent people to seek peace talks with the Great Ming.
However, he clearly lacked any sincerity, for his initial stance was actually: let us stop fighting, as if nothing had ever happened; Tsarist Russia will recognize the Ming Kingdom's rule over Japan and also recognize Korea as a vassal state of the Ming Kingdom, provided that you return our lands.
Zhu Ci??
Do you admit that I'm using you?
The land has already fallen into my pocket, you still want it back? Not a chance!
Never mind Zhu Ci, even the most steady-minded officials in the imperial court expressed that the Russian envoys should be driven away.
Not long after the Russian envoys had departed, a second wave arrived, this time they had finally learned to bow their heads.
Obviously, Aleksei Mikhailovich knew very well that the Ming Kingdom could not agree to his previous condition; the reason he had sent people to maintain that attitude was merely to test the waters.
This time, Zhu Ci personally led his men to the border for the peace negotiations, the talks lasted for half a month.
During the negotiations, Zhu Ci remained extremely firm, refusing to back down on the demands that Tsarist Russia must cede territory, pay reparations, provide annual tributes.
Well, he added that last clause himself.
Zhu Ci did not use any special diplomatic rhetoric, simply saying one sentence very bluntly: "If you do not agree, then we will continue to fight."
Of course, he did not make no concessions in the end; at least regarding the reparations, he was slightly more lenient, but he demanded that they be paid in gold or other rare and precious items.
The final result of the peace talks was that the entire region south of Lake Baikal would belong to the Great Ming; at the same time, border markers would be erected, neither the armies nor the civilians of both sides were permitted to cross the border markers privately.
After the negotiations concluded, Zhu Ci immediately brought the Tsarist Russian envoys all the way to Beijing.
It was already September 25th, Zhu Ci's birthday happened to be on the first day of the tenth lunar month.
The Russian envoy had originally come bearing great humiliation, but on the first day of the tenth lunar month, when he saw the soldiers in uniform marching in perfect unison down Chang'an Street, he was completely stunned.
Especially when the various firearms demonstrations began later, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation.
He couldn't help but look at Zhu Ci and ask, "Are these the most advanced weapons your country has today?"
Zhu Ci glanced at him and gave a light laugh. "How could that be? The truly advanced ones won't be shown to you."
Because of this grand ceremony, the envoys who came were not just from Tsarist Russia, but also from countries such as Korea, Ryukyu, Annam, Siam, Nanzhang, Burma, the Sultanate of Sulu, Khunlun, Bhutan, others.
These are only the countries surrounding the Great Ming; even further away, the Netherlands, Spain, England, France have all sent representatives, though they did not send official envoys, as they are simply too far away, the Great Ming did not invite them in the first place.
The expression on the Tsarist Russia envoy's face instantly became quite colorful. If this wasn't even the most advanced, then.. just how far had the Ming Kingdom's firearms developed?
At this moment, Zhu Ci stood atop the city wall; although he was somewhat tired, he felt a sense of pride in his heart as he looked down at the envoys below, whose expressions were all so varied.
The entire celebration lasted from day until night. After the military parade concluded, performances would continue on Chang'an Street, while at this time, the Emperor and his ministers would lead the envoys to dine.
During the meal, Zhu Ci noticed that the expressions and gestures of those envoys had become much more restrained, their speech had become cautious as well.
Why hold a military parade? Does he truly think he has nothing better to do and has too much extra money?
Of course, it was to show off his muscles.
To make the vassal states behave, to make those powerful nations be more cautious as well.
The Great Ming had indeed declined before, but she still stands at the pinnacle of the world, there is only one nation at this pinnacle of the world, that is the Great Ming!
On a night that should have been pitch black, the ground was brightly lit, with fire dragons and fire lions weaving through the lights, while the sky was filled with all sorts of magnificent fireworks.
Zhu Ci stood on the newly built star-gazing platform, listening to the commoners below shouting "Long live!" in unison, asked with some confusion, "Didn't I say not to do this?"
He did not need the commoners to shout "long live" for him; ten thousand years from now, he wouldn't even know where he'd be. He only hoped that in the future, the history books would scold him a little less.
Of course, it seems like no one curses him anymore; the scholar-officials who used to curse him most harshly now open their mouths only to praise the Emperor's wisdom.
Fu stood by his side and said softly, "This is the common people expressing their gratitude to His Majesty spontaneously; the Ministry of Rites did not arrange this segment."
Zhu Ci's expression softened considerably upon hearing this, while behind him, Huang Daozhou said with great pride, "His Majesty is a heroic ruler rarely seen in a thousand years; how could the Tsar possibly compare?"
Behind them, a Joseon envoy whispered, "His Highness the Prince of Yue.. why is he standing by His Majesty's side?"
Zhu Yujian said calmly, "His Majesty and the Grand Secretary are a sage monarch and a virtuous minister, paragons of a prosperous age; what is there to find strange about it?"
Zhu Ci stood at the front, turning to exchange a smile with Fu.
The later "Records of Allusions" states: In the autumn of the tenth year of Guanglie, the nation celebrated the Emperor's birthday and the Day of Longevity on the same day. Upon jade-paved terraces and within palaces of glazed tiles, exquisite silks were cut into cloud-like patterns and gauze was fashioned into pavilions; the brilliance of vermilion and emerald was intertwined, making its splendor impossible to describe. The sound of flutes and pipes rose to the heavens, the ringing of bells and drums filled the Purple Imperial Palace. The court and the common people rejoiced together, the four seas rejoiced together, all nations offered congratulations, praying together for the Emperor's longevity and the eternal stability of the mountains and rivers.
End of Main Text
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: 520 says goodbye, isn't that super romantic~ Love you all~ Cat wink heart. jpg
Next update tomorrow morning at six o'clock~
The main story has concluded. The upcoming side stories will feature some infrastructure building and romantic daily life content. For those interested, you can choose to subscribe selectively~
Thank you, dear ones, for accompanying me all this way. Mao and her Grand Secretary are going to spend the summer vacation! Chu~
PS: Recommending the upcoming book, "Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Forcibly Seizing the Protagonist," those interested can head directly to the author's column or announcements. The synopsis is below↓:
Ya Chuixing had transmigrated into a book, a historical novel set in the late Southern Song Dynasty, becoming one of the minor cannon fodder wiped out by Long Aotian in the early stages of the story.
Long Aotian's Qin Shize is the son of an exiled official from the Southern Song Dynasty, a man of both literary and martial talent, who relies on his extraordinary skills to drive out foreign invaders and restore the nation.
Now, Ya Chuixing is faced with only two options:
1, follow the original plot and eventually become one of Long Aotian's experience packs.
2. Lead the tribe to become larger and stronger, then become a massive experience pack for Long Aotian.
Ya Chuixing: Is there no option where everyone survives? I choose 3!
Kidnap him, then survive in this chaotic world.
The first time Qin Shize saw Ya Chuixing, it was a fleeting glance that haunted his dreams.
The second time he saw Ya Chuixing was on the day of his wedding, when the youth stood holding a scimitar, blocking his horse's path.