Another year's new spring arrives

  As expected, Chen Yonghua's memorial on immigration to Taiwan sparked debate in Zhu Jin's administration. Opponents cited the current implementation of the Mao Ding policy on the mainland as a reason to argue that Chen's suggestion would harm local tax revenue. Some Zheng army generals also worried about their land holdings in Taiwan being affected. However, considering Chen Yonghua's overwhelming prestige accumulated during the development of Taiwan, and given that Taiwan was after all the foundation of the Zheng regime, this request was still accepted by Zhu Jin.

  In the twelfth month of the 29th year of Yongli, the first batch of over 300 mainland refugees who had fled to the Zhangzhou-Quanzhou area to escape the war were sent to Taiwan, marking the beginning of the longest migration movement during Zhu Yigui's rule. By the time Zhu Yigui was defeated and withdrew from Siming four years later, more than 19,000 households and nearly 80,000 people from Fujian and Guangdong provinces as well as Hakka communities had crossed the strait to Taiwan, resulting in the addition of two new counties, Zhulu and Fengshan.

  As Zhu Jin and tens of thousands of officials and soldiers were still on the mainland, the New Year's Day in the 30th year of Yongli was as dull as last year. However, this year Zheng Kezang did not escape the responsibility of presiding over the New Year's ceremony - according to the edict transmitted by Zhu Jin last month, he would represent Zhu Jin and accept the congratulations of the officials of Dongdu.

  Because Zheng Kezang had to accept the court officials' worship and also stay for a banquet, it was already very late when he returned to the inner court to attend the family dinner hosted by Empress Dowager Dongguo. The entire Zheng clan was waiting for him, and Zheng Keshuang, who was so hungry that his stomach was growling, even pouted.

  But compared to the dissatisfaction of the children, Zheng Kuan's extremely jealous face made people feel uncomfortable: "Oh, Qīn Shè is back? The feeling of sitting in the Silver Palace is not bad, I wonder why you didn't want to come back. But Qīn Shè, it's not the Sixth Uncle who said that, if you want to sit firmly in this position, you may have to wait a few more years."

  Zheng Kezang, however, seemed to ignore this and went straight to the front of Dong Guotai, bowing down respectfully: "On New Year's Day, it is a time for family reunions. The grandson was unfilial and made his grandmother wait for a long time. Whatever scolding the grandmother has, the grandson is willing to take it all."

  As soon as this was said, not only did Zheng Kuo's whole body tremble with anger, but even Chen Zhaoniang beside him was somewhat worried. However, Dong Guotai ignored Zheng Kezang's somewhat offending words and merely said calmly: "Your father the king is not here, you taking on the duties of the feudal lord is also what all the officials wish for, how could your grandmother blame you? Alright, get up."

  Zheng Kezang thanked and was about to return to his mother Chen Zhaoniang's seat, but Dong Guotai stopped him: "Forget it, now that your status is different, don't sit in the back anymore. Sit next to Grandmother like Qin She."

  Zheng Kezang noticed that Chen Zhaoniang was unusually happy, while Tang He Nang in the first row clenched her fists. The faces of Zheng Kuan, Zheng Yu and Zheng Wen were extremely ugly. On the other hand, Zheng Cong, who had partnered with Zheng Kezang, and Zheng Ming, Zheng Zhi and Zheng Rou, who had once acknowledged Zheng Kezang's favor in the matter of encroaching on official land, all looked calm.

  When Zheng Kezang took his seat, the banquet officially began. Dong Guotai only ate a few mouthfuls as usual and stopped, occasionally picking up a few dishes for Zheng Kesong, who was enthusiastically eating with his cheeks bulging. Although Zheng Kezang didn't pay much attention to this kind of joyful and affectionate scene between his grandson and great-grandson, it was impossible not to feel envious.

  Just as Zheng Kezang was secretly lamenting, Dong Guotai rushed to him and ordered: "Wait a minute and come to Grandma's room."

  Zheng Kezang was still in a daze when he saw Dong Guotai dragging away Zheng Kesong, who was reluctant to leave the delicious food. Zheng Kezang thought for a moment and perhaps thought this was the best opportunity to get rid of Zheng Kuan's cold ridicule, so he stood up and followed Dong Guotai all the way to the North Garden Villa.

  Zheng Kezang and Dong Guotai left, Tang He's mother couldn't sit still anymore, stood up and took a deep look at Chen Zhaoniang, then immediately showed an expression of not being bothered with her, and only bowed to Zheng Cong and others: "Uncles please continue drinking, I'm not feeling well today, I'll take my leave first."

  Elder sister-in-law is like a mother, and Tang He's daughter comes from an official family, so Zheng Cong and others naturally stand up to return the courtesy. After Tang He's daughter left, Chen Zhaoniang, who felt that staying behind was dull, also bid farewell, but her treatment was much worse. The Zheng brothers didn't even look at her straight in the eye, and the other sisters-in-law pretended she wasn't there. However, Chen Zhaoniang was already used to this and didn't feel unhappy, but because she was worried about the conversation between Dong Guotai and Zheng Kechang, she left with a distracted heart.

  Zheng Cong didn't have much to talk about with his brothers either. As soon as Chen Zhaoniang left, he also wanted to get up and leave. Just then, Zheng Yu suddenly slammed down his wine cup and loudly cursed in front of the astonished gazes of several brothers: "This little bastard Qin Shu! Now he's actually risen above us, it's really true that good people don't live long while troublemakers leave behind a legacy for a thousand years!"

  "Exactly!" Zheng Wen also chimed in. "Sixth Brother asked him a question and he didn't even bother to respond, really thinking he's already become the Crown Prince."

  "Even if Qīn Shě can't be the crown prince, it's not Six Brother's turn anyway." Lǎo Jiǔ Zhèng Róu looked at the two of them with disdain, curling her lip. "Why are you looking so eager? Don't you even look at your own moral character? You still want to be the master of Taiwan and have beautiful dreams?"

  "Lao Jiu, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that you've taken a bribe from Xiao Jian and are willing to let him trample on our brothers' heads?" Zheng Yu's eyes widened, his tone somewhat menacing. "And as for Er Ge, San Ge, Wu Ge, have you all been bought off with some petty gains?"

  "That's enough!" Zheng Cong could no longer bear to listen, and in a fit of rage, he threw down his chopsticks. "Lao Liu, Lao Qi, Lao Ba, have your brains been stuffed with dung? What kind of masters are you? Are you worthy? If Big Brother were to hear this, what would he think? Have you all forgotten why Fifth Uncle surrendered to the Qing?"

  Zheng Kuan and others were suddenly speechless. No, there are bloody examples of the struggle for the highest power in the Zheng family, Zheng Shi and Zheng Tai are their precursors, whoever dares to covet, whoever must be prepared for life or death or exile.

  After a half-day of silence, Zheng Yu still couldn't hold back: "Can, can, it's not possible to let a bastard inherit the fiefdom, is it?"

  "What has a woman with the surname Tang promised you, that you dare to be so reckless?!" Zheng Ming glared at his two brothers. "This is big brother's family matter, and Second Brother and I are trying to extricate ourselves as quickly as possible. You're not satisfied with just watching from the sidelines, but want to personally take part in this - isn't that just asking for trouble?! Listen to Third Brother, it's fine to be more careful with money, but as for other things, it's best not to have any improper thoughts!"

  "It's all right, it's all right." Zheng Zhi also advised. "Now the big brother is just like Ming Shu Yang Wang who raised us as pigs, since that's the case, why bother going against his wishes and getting into trouble? Just focus on making money. Besides, Qin She still knows how to take care of her relatives, if you don't take advantage of this opportunity to make a profit, when will you?"

  Looking at Zheng Cong and the others with a sincere and anxious expression, Zheng Kuan and the others couldn't help but fall into silence. Seeing that they were all speechless, Zheng Cong stood up: "Alright, alright, go back and think carefully about what to do next. Good fortune and misfortune are not something you can seek out, don't take a path that leads to your own destruction. Let's disperse for today."

  On this side of the conversation, Zheng Kezang naturally wouldn't know at first, but facing Dong Guotai, he didn't relax in the slightest: "Is Grandmother asking her grandson about the way to govern? Her grandson is only turning 14 this year and hasn't even finished reading a few classics by the sages. Is it not too early for Grandmother to ask her grandson about the way to govern?"

  " Gan Luo was only twelve when he could bow to the emperor, and the young emperor on the other side of the river was able to take back imperial power from the powerful minister Ao Bai at the age of fifteen. This shows that age has nothing to do with how one grasps the way of ruling as a monarch." Dong Guo's voice was soft, but her words fell like heavy hammers on Zheng Kezang's heart.

  "You may not understand military affairs and battles, old woman that I am, but I can see clearly when you use tactics like strict discipline in the children's camp. This is not something a twelve-year-old boy could come up with. To say that you are mature beyond your years is no exaggeration."

  Zheng Kezang was at a loss for words, but Dong Guo continued.

  "Snow sugar, water cement, and the migration policy implemented through Chen Yonghua - each of these may seem insignificant on its own, but when strung together, it's not just an old woman like me who can see clearly."

  It has come to this, and Zheng Kezang cannot help but explain: "Grandmother, the grandson was just mistaken and not intentional. Moreover, Mr. Chen's eyes are like torches, and there are many wise men gathered around Father Wang. If the grandson wanted to do something unfavorable to Dongning, how could they not stop him?"

  "No one said you did anything detrimental to Dongning, nor did anyone say you were intentionally designing it." Dong Guotai still had a leisurely expression. "As for you being able to find the secret method in the book and put it into practice, the old woman also thinks it's a good way to integrate knowledge and action. The old woman wants to remind you that miscellaneous learning may be useful, and the writings of saints are not entirely useless either. What is meant by 'kingly' or 'hegemonic' depends only on one's heart; if one becomes too cunning, perhaps it's not a good thing."

  ??”

  Is it too flexible? Does Dong Guotai mean to tell himself to insist on doing things? Zheng Kecang was a little confused, but the article of the sage and the words of Wang Ba were for what? Is it to remind oneself that the current way of doing things is too cunning, not the style that a person who inherits the master should have?

  Yes, yes, Zheng Kezang understood. Dong Guotai's meaning was roughly that suggestions like immigrating to Taiwan could be straightforwardly proposed to Zhu Jin, but after many detours and paving the way, using Chen Yonghua's memorial as a means of transmission was too lowly, really not like the demeanor a provincial governor should have.

  However, the old lady's advice was also overly optimistic. Zheng Kezang was very clear that, for example, the suggestion to move to Taiwan would not have the same result as Chen Yonghua's memorial to the throne. He had already learned this lesson several times before.

  Of course, Dong Guotai's words were actually kind and not intentionally provocative to put himself in the forefront as a target for others. So Zheng Kecang thought it through and immediately knelt down: "Grandmother's teachings, grandson understands!"

  "Really understood?" Zheng Kezang nodded heavily. "Grandma knew that Qin She was a clever child, okay, go rest, go rest!"

  "Is that all, grandson?"