Riot breaks out

  In the twenty-eighth year of Yongli, Ming Dynasty, and the thirteenth year of Kangxi, Qing Dynasty, which corresponds to March 1674 in the Western calendar, although a long and intense war had already broken out on the mainland due to the Qing court's reduction of vassals, the Taiwan Strait under the gentle spring light seemed still to be in a state of tranquility far from the war.

  At this time, two Zheng army fast scouts departing from the White Sand Island Water Fortress were patrolling along the route twenty miles west of the Penghu Islands --- due to the abandonment of Jinmen and Xiamen, the Fujian Qing army's ambition to further spy on Taiwan had grown, so these Zheng army officers could not help but be vigilant at all times, waiting for the enemy ships sent by the other side to spy.

  They soon discovered the first target of today's cruise, a three-masted carvel-built galleon with a colorful ensign flying from its mainmast that indicated it was a Spanish armed merchantman out of the Philippines, and judging by its low freeboard and windward course, had just finished trading at Nagasaki.

  The red barbarians on the ship also discovered Zheng's fleet at this moment, and in a short while, the portholes on one side opened, and groups of smoke rose up, followed by thunderous sounds. However, don't get me wrong, the other side is not showing off to the small fry in their eyes, but firing a salute, as a tribute to the Zheng family's navy, which has an undisputed dominant position in the Northeast Asian waters.

  In response to the other party's show of goodwill, Zheng He's fast ship didn't have a bit of courtesy. The thirty-two oars on both sides of the boat moved up and down, the speed was like an arrow leaving the string, flying quickly over the opponent at an extremely close distance. Even the first ship once used its only bow gun to pretend to aim, but then sailed away in the opponent's shocked gaze.

  ??

  "Sir, northeast direction." The Zheng army's fast warship continued to sail north for more than half a watch, when the lookout on duty suddenly sounded an alarm. "There is a large Fujian ship with a yellow dragon flag, it's a Tartar Fujian naval vessel."

  As the deputy leader of the first fast patrol boat, he immediately took three steps and made two strides to climb up the mast, carefully distinguishing for half a day before sliding down the mast, his face heavy with confirmation: "Sir, Ding Er Gou didn't see wrong, it's indeed a Qing army's thousand-liang (note: in this text, one liang = 60KG cargo) large ship."

  The helmsman of the ship hesitated for a moment; "Take a closer look and see if there are any other Qing ships behind this big one."

  "No." The deputy leader with a mustache gave a definite answer. "I saw it very clearly, there is absolutely no second Tartar warship within the five waters."

  "Is there only one ship? What kind of ghost idea is this? Don't tell me you think one ship can sneak in without being detected?"

  The commander, still stroking his chin in thought, was suddenly interrupted by the lookout on the mast shouting: "Sir, it seems the Tartars have also spotted us! Wait, no, that's impossible... Sir, look quickly, the enemy ship opposite has suddenly lowered its sails!"

  "Has she struck her colors?" The head and deputy leaders looked at each other in dismay, knowing that in this era of naval warfare, speed and control of the wind were paramount. Once a ship lost its speed, no matter how large it was or how many cannons it had, it could only be slowly tortured by the enemy.

  "Signal to Liu Su 11, get ready to turn around," After a moment of hesitation, the leader made a decisive decision. No way, the opponent was already in a state of being slaughtered, but he himself was too afraid to move forward. Whatever the case, it was unacceptable. Even if it was a trap, they had to step on it and try. "Let's go take a look, right? Let Liu Su 11 take a good look too. If it's a trick by the Tartars, don't worry about us, hurry back to Penghu Anfu to report."

  ??”

  "Is this a rebirth?" Lying on the solid wood carved bed, Fang Ming asked himself, smelling the faint scent of wood. "This can't be fantasy, right?" As soon as he thought about the words that echoed in his mind before his consciousness dissipated, Fang Ming couldn't help but shake his head. "Is there really a master who can control fate and reverse time in this world?"

  But whether he believed it or not, at this moment, he was lying on a magnificent bed that would be considered a treasure in the future, quietly listening to the night rain with the body of an ancient youth from hundreds of years ago. It was an indisputable fact. Instead of entangling himself in distinguishing how he came here, and instead of lamenting and yearning for everything in his past life, it would be better to seriously consider the path ahead in this life.

  As soon as he thought of this, Fang Ming immediately began to recall the memories left behind by his own lost youth, but his face suddenly elongated: "What the hell, how could it be Zheng Kezang that unlucky devil, God, are you playing tricks on me again?"

  Zheng Kezang, the grandson of Zhu Sheng and son of Zhu Jin, was originally supposed to be the successor of Ming Zheng in Taiwan. However, he was assassinated due to the plotting of a powerful minister. After his death, he left behind a eulogy that read: "When my husband dies, I die; when my lord is lost, Ming is lost."

  Lenovo had searched for the term on Baidu in his previous life when he was writing, and Fang Ming couldn't help but laugh and cry. With the Qing dynasty outside and the corrupt officials inside, it's indeed a heaven-defying move to seize the throne. However, having managed to reincarnate, Fang Ming, no, Zheng Kezang naturally didn't want to live for only six years, and for his own life, he would also struggle to the end.

  ??

  Zheng Kezang was still making a silent vow when the door creaked softly and a sharp, rooster-like voice came in: "Qin She, it's time to get up. Wu Shifu is already waiting for you at the martial arts arena."

  "This is Jin Shijiu, serving as the chief eunuch." A group of memories flashed in Zheng Kezang's mind. Although the Qing court still formally referred to Zhu Jin as the son of the Ming Dynasty's Grand General, this did not prevent Zhu Jin, who had already been called the King of Taiwan by the British, from using eunuchs within Anping Castle just like the Ming and Qing courts.

  "Qin She, get up." Seeing no movement in the house, Jin Nineteen called out again and immediately heard a rustling sound. Jin Nineteen straightened his waist and nodded at the small inner servant behind him, who then led the way, followed by several other servants walking quietly inside. "Qin She, come and wipe your face first, then put on your outer clothes."

  ??”

  As the eldest son of a powerful family, 12-year-old Zheng Kezang had a lot of homework to do every day, one of which was to practice martial arts in the early morning. In the past, a sleepy child would naturally want to sleep in, but now, knowing that his future was uncertain, Zheng Kezang would not give up any opportunity.

  "Qin Shuo is in high spirits today." Looking at the little arms and legs of Zheng Kezang, not only did he complete the predetermined training volume with a lot of sweat, but also took the initiative to do leg raises and frog jumps. The martial arts master who was responsible for teaching Zheng Kezang couldn't help but praise him. "Take a break, have a drink of water, wipe off your sweat, rest for a while before continuing to practice."

  "Thank you, Shifan." Zheng Kechang bowed his hands in gratitude, this unusual action made Shifan feel delighted and suspicious at the same time.

  After finishing the cold white open, Zheng Kezang practiced for a while, and Jin Jiu came to pick him up to have breakfast at He Yuan where his mother Chen Zhaoniang lived. Although Zheng Kezang was Zhu Jin's eldest son, his mother Chen Zhaoniang was not Yanping Junwang Zhu Jin's legitimate wife or concubine, but only the wet nurse of Zhu Jin's fourth brother Zheng Zhi.

  Since she had once been Zheng Zhi's wet nurse, it can be imagined that Chen Zhaoniang originally should have had a husband and childbirth history. However, at the time, 19-year-old Zhu Jin still fell in love with this woman despite the accusations of his generals and the anger of his father, Zhu Chenggong, which can be inferred that she must have possessed stunning beauty.

  However, apart from her outstanding appearance, Chen Zhaoniang's gentle affection was also lacking in Tang He Nang, the legitimate wife of Zhu Jin and daughter of Tang Xianyue, the Minister of War of the Longwu Dynasty. As a result, she monopolized most of Zhu Jin's favor, which accumulated a large amount of discontent within the Zheng family. These grievances, although unable to be avenged due to Zhu Jin's support during his lifetime, became one of the fundamental reasons for Zheng Kezang's downfall after Zhu Jin's death. As a reborn person, he naturally had a clear understanding and deep insight into this matter.

  "It seems that in the next few years, the primary goal is to grasp a armed force that directly listens to oneself."

  As he walked to the Imperial Court, Zheng Kezang made up his mind that as a twelve-year-old boy, he couldn't just rely on himself to make all the generals surrender with a single move. In an era where having soldiers was everything, even the old ministers who had followed the Zheng family for three generations were not easily swayed by the current Zheng Kezang, and another approach was needed.

  The journey from Yanwuping to Heyuan was quickly completed in Zheng Kezang's thoughts. As soon as Zheng Kezang stepped into Heyuan, a majestic middle-aged man appeared before his eyes. It was none other than Zhu Jin, also known as Zheng Jing, the master of Dongning and Zheng Kezang's biological father in this life.

  Zheng Kezang immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, your son has come to pay his respects."

  "Qin Shuai is here, get up." Zhu Jin looked at his beloved son with a joyful expression. "Come, sit down." The father and son had just sat down when the sound of tinkling jewelry came from inside, and a slender woman walked out, seeing this woman, Zhu Jin's face became even more delighted. "Zhao Niang, why did you take so long to wash up?"

  Zheng Kezang couldn't be as arrogant as Zhu Jin, so he immediately stood up and paid his respects: "Your son has seen you, Mother!"

  "Qin Shu, why is there so much sweat on your head? Someone, quickly bring a handkerchief to wipe the young master's face." Chen Zhaomang glared at Zhu Jin. "It must be your father who made you rush here all the way, without even caring about his son."

  Although Chen Zhaoniang's questioning seemed a bit unreasonable, her tone was filled with tender affection. Zhu Jin immediately cooperated and made a show of being deeply moved, which couldn't help but make Zheng Kecang lower his head in amusement. At the same time, he also felt a kind of inexplicable warmth.

  A brief interlude passed quickly, and after a few people had eaten breakfast, Zheng Kezang was preparing to leave the house to prepare for Lv Fuzi's lesson. Suddenly, an imperial attendant rushed in, who was Zhu Jin's personal attendant: "Your Majesty, military news is urgent, several officials have arrived at the outer hall."

  Military urgent report? The father and son both furrowed their brows at the same time.

  Zheng Kezang calculated and thought it was time for the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, when Geng Jingzhong invited Zheng Chenggong to send troops. As soon as he thought of this, Zheng Kezang suddenly grabbed Zhu Jin's hand: "Father King, are we going to war again?"

  Chen Zhaoniang also covered her mouth and listened to Zhu Jin's reply. Zhu Jin glared at the palace attendant with displeasure, and said warmly to Zheng Kezang: "Don't know yet? It won't be fought all the way to Taiwan."

  "Is Father King going to the mainland then? Will Qin She be unable to see Father King for a long time?"

  "This is not easy to say!" Zhu Jin patted Zheng Kezang's head and turned to give Chen Zhaoniang an apologetic smile. "His Majesty wants to listen to the opinions of several senior officials before deciding whether or not to go to the mainland."

  After much effort, Zheng Kezang finally managed to steer the conversation in his direction and, suppressing the wild beating of his heart, asked in a childish tone: "Can my son come listen too?"

  "Stop it!" Chen Zhaoniang, fearing that Zhu Jin would get angry, hastily pulled her son back. "Military and national affairs will be handled by your father the king; you're just a little kid, what are you doing getting mixed up in this commotion?"

  "Qin She thought it was nothing to go." Zhu Jin, however, did not think Chen Zhaoniang's reaction was appropriate. "In the future, this Taiwan will eventually be handed over to him, so it's good for him to listen in." With that, Zhu Jin instructed, "Tell Mr. Lü to take a break from today's lesson, Qin She, let's go, your father is taking you to the palace to meet someone."

  ??”