Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 19 Making the Most of Everything

As the Hope slowly entered Lingayen Port, it was nearly noon. Order had been restored in the port, and soldiers in red uniforms stood at attention with their guns. Zhu Jiheng, who had received the news, was also waiting on the dock with his adjutant and several guards.

As soon as the boat came to a stop and they boarded the gangplank, Madam Zheng led her concubines, each holding a child, down the gangplank. She had already learned on the way that Zhu Jiheng had captured Lin Jiayan.

Although she didn't know how Zhu Jiheng had done it, after seeing those armed soldiers, she quickly imagined the reason—

Most likely, they are remnants of the former King Lu's forces left behind in Luzon.

With her feet firmly planted on the ground, Madam Zheng immediately spotted Zhu Jiheng standing out in the crowd. She smiled slightly and quickly stepped forward.

"Your Highness!" Madam Zheng stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Why did you come in person, my lord?"

Zhu Jiheng stepped forward and offered a helping hand, saying gently, "Madam, you must be tired from your journey. We've kept you waiting."

"How can you say you've been waiting? It was you who risked your life, my lord, that kept me worried. Only after learning that you had conquered Lingayan did I finally breathe a sigh of relief."

As she spoke, Zheng's gaze swept quickly across the harbor scene behind Zhu Jiheng, including the Ming army's battle flags flying high and the captured two-masted fast ships in the harbor. Her eyes lit up, and she said, "My lord, this Linjiayan City..."

Zhu Jiheng smiled and said, "As you can see, Lin Jiayan is now under my control. From now on, we are no longer rootless duckweed."

"May Heaven bless my beloved... May Heaven bless the Ming Dynasty!" Madam Zheng murmured excitedly to herself.

"But this is only the beginning," Zhu Jiheng added, taking Zheng's hand and saying, "The Franks will not give up easily, and Manila will definitely react. This place has just been settled, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Madam, please come with me to the government office to settle in first."

"We will leave it to Your Highness's arrangements." Both Madam Zheng and Madam Chen behind her nodded in agreement.

On their way back to the government office, Zheng saw a large crowd gathered in a square that used to be mainly used for public executions. Now, the objects bound on the bloodstained instruments of torture were disheveled Spaniards.

Despite the commotion of the crowd, the officer's voice, faintly piercing through the throng, could still be heard from the execution platform—

"...This man, as a government official of Lin Jiayan, has acted recklessly and lawlessly, condoning foreigners to oppress the good and kind Chinese. His crimes deserve death and are unforgivable. By order of the Prince of Lu, the regent of the Great Ming Dynasty, this criminal shall be executed immediately..."

Before he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer, which included praise for Zhu Jiheng and condemnation of the Spaniards.

Amid cheers from the crowd, the executioners, who were already in position, stepped forward, raised their swords high, and aimed them at the neck of Political Official Lin Jiayan, before forcefully slashing down.

The next second, a flash of light appeared, accompanied by even louder cheers, and the official's head fell to the ground, blood gushing out like a fountain from the severed wound.

Zhu Jiheng noticed that Zheng had been keeping an eye on the execution ground, and took the initiative to explain to her, "That is the Lin Jiayan government official appointed by the Western barbarians. This villain has committed many evils, and countless innocent people have lost their lives because of him. Now that I have taken over Lin Jiayan, I must kill this villain to restore the morale of the people."

Madam Zheng nodded in understanding: "I understand your intention, my lord. Such accomplices should indeed be punished according to the law to serve as a warning to others, and to allow our oppressed compatriots to hold their heads high."

They talked and walked through several streets before finally arriving at the government office. Along the way, Zheng did not ask where so many soldiers came from, which saved Zhu Jiheng the trouble of explaining.

Upon entering the government office, Madam Zheng inquired about the situation in Linjiayan City. Learning that Zhu Jiheng had not yet appointed a new government official, but instead had his adjutant temporarily in charge, she pondered for a moment and then spoke:

"Your Highness has just taken charge of the city, and there are countless military and political affairs to attend to. Deputy Commander Chen has to assist in military affairs and also take care of civil administration. I am afraid that he will be overwhelmed. I have observed that the people in Linjiayan City have just settled down and the order has been established. The most urgent task is to stabilize the people's hearts, restore their livelihoods, and raise military supplies to consolidate the foundation and wait for the Western barbarians to launch a counterattack."

Zhu Jiheng nodded and said, "What you say is very true, Madam. I also had this concern. However, civil administration is trivial and complicated, which is not the forte of rough soldiers. It is difficult to find a suitable person to take charge of the overall situation. Although Lin Lisheng is loyal and capable, and can manage the maritime trade, I am afraid that his experience and vision are not enough to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

Madam Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness need not worry. I have followed my father and brothers for many years. Although I am a woman, I am somewhat familiar with the principles of handling general affairs and personnel allocation. Why not set up the positions of garrison advisor or magistrate in charge of pacifying the people? I am willing to temporarily assume this responsibility and act as a mediator."

"Chief Lin is well-versed in local commerce and can specialize in finances, shipping, and workshops; Lieutenant Chen can specialize in military affairs; as for daily administrative matters such as criminal law, household registration, and pacification, I can organize and recruit literate and respected gentry or scholars in the city to manage these affairs in separate departments and establish regulations. In this way, the military, government, finance, and people will each have their own responsibilities, and everything will be well-organized, so that Your Highness can focus on the grand strategy of the nation and plan against the enemy in Manila."

She paused, her tone becoming even more earnest: "This is merely a temporary measure. Once a more suitable and capable person is found, I will naturally step down and yield my position. Now, everything is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I am willing to share Your Highness's burdens and do my utmost to help."

Zhu Jiheng looked at Zheng Shi and felt a surge of warmth and admiration in his heart. He knew that Zheng Shi came from a prestigious family and had been influenced by the Ming Zheng regime. Her knowledge and abilities were far beyond those of ordinary young ladies. She volunteered not only to lighten his burden, but also because she genuinely wanted to contribute to the cause of restoring the country.

As for the idea of ​​the harem ruling, he hasn't even unified Luzon yet, so thinking about all that is completely pointless.

"Madam's suggestion is excellent." Zhu Jiheng smiled and tightened his grip on Zheng's hand. "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? This position of Assistant Prefect of the Capital is perfect for you. I will immediately issue an order that all newly recruited subordinates be under your command. All matters concerning civil administration, pacification, finance, and public works within the city will be decided by you. I will only set the general direction; the specific implementation will be entirely entrusted to you."

Zheng bowed gracefully and said solemnly, "I will do my utmost to live up to Your Highness's expectations. I will ensure that the people in the city live in peace and that the military supplies are not in short supply, so as to consolidate Your Highness's foundation for the restoration of the Ming Dynasty."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam." Zhu Jiheng patted her hand gently and then shamelessly said a few sweet words, making Madam Zheng's cheeks blush slightly, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

To gain her husband's trust and entrustment was a great affirmation for her. As the daughter of Koxinga, she could only live up to the heroic blood flowing in her veins by being as brave and capable as any man.