New Ming Calendar, Year 15.
Taipei.
This city was once called San Salvador, a colonial foothold of the Westerners. Later, it was taken by the Gao Family Navy and jointly governed with the Dadu Kingdom, eventually being renamed Taipei City.
"Father!"
Ganza Xia Malu threw himself beside the sickbed, his voice filled with anguish.
Ganza Xia Alami lay on the bed, his body withered, his eye sockets sunken deep, looking at his son with weak and fading eyes.
Ever since Malu went to Dinghai Port in Zhoushan to "study," he had rarely seen his father. He spent his time either learning or traveling, using his own eyes to absorb knowledge from cities across New Ming.
Every so often, he would return to Yizhou Island, teaching what he had learned to the people of the Dadu Kingdom.
Under his leadership, the kingdom had developed decent agriculture and even some basic light industry. The people were growing richer by the day.
Meanwhile, Alami became more and more idle.
After all, this "old king" did not understand any of the new things. He could not grasp them, and he could not contribute even if he wanted to.
But that was fine.
His people followed his son. There was no need for jealousy. The son's achievements were the father's achievements.
So he let go of power, handed everything to his son, and spent more than a decade living happily as a carefree king, eating, drinking, and enjoying life.
But life always comes to an end.
Now, that end had arrived.
Alami raised his thin hand, grasped Malu's, and spoke with great difficulty.
"The Dadu Kingdom… in your hands… I am at ease…"
Malu's voice trembled. "Father, you will recover."
Alami shook his head slowly. "The sun is calling me… This is not something medicine can cure… From now on… you must govern the kingdom well…"
Then, as if remembering something, he let out a heavy sigh.
"I know… you have always wanted… to merge the Dadu Kingdom… into New Ming… I was the one… who opposed it… Now that I am going to the sun… you may… follow your will…"
His hand went limp.
All around the room, the tribal chiefs burst into loud wails.
"Sun King! Sun King! Our most benevolent, most kind, most wise Sun King!"
Malu was overwhelmed with grief.
At that moment, the door to the room swung open.
Zheng Chenggong strode in, rushed to the bedside, and checked Alami's pulse.
"He's not dead. Just unconscious. Good, we're still in time."
Everyone froze.
Zheng Chenggong pulled out a small bottle. "This is a new medicine developed in New Ming, based on chemical principles. Let's try it."
He opened the bottle, forced the medicine into Alami's mouth, and then tucked him back in.
The room fell silent.
…
Three days later, Alami, who had been unconscious, slowly opened his eyes.
He thought he had already reached the heavens. Instead, the first thing he saw was his son, a group of his people, and Zheng Chenggong standing beside his bed.
"He's awake! The Sun King is awake!"
"The medicine Zheng brought is incredible!"
"New Ming is amazing at everything, even medicine!"
Alami looked utterly confused. "What… is going on? Wasn't I dead?"
Malu quickly said, "Father, although you've awakened, your body is still weak. You must rest and recover. Don't speak nonsense and curse yourself again."
Alami stiffened.
That was terrifying.
Having already brushed against death once, he suddenly found himself very afraid of it. He no longer dared to mention dying again.
With great effort, he raised one hand, picked up the rattan staff beside his bed, and handed it to Malu.
Then he spoke to everyone present.
"Although I have awakened… I no longer have the strength to be your king… From today onward… my son, Ganza Xia Malu… will be your king."
The tribal leaders responded in unison.
"Yes!"
New Ming Calendar, Year 15.
Ganza Xia Malu formally ascended the throne of the Dadu Kingdom, becoming the new Sun King.
---
After leaving the room, Malu grasped Zheng Chenggong's hand, too moved to speak. It took him a long time before he calmed down.
"Brother Zheng… I have a request."
"Oh?" Zheng Chenggong replied. "Let's hear it."
"I want to merge the Dadu Kingdom into New Ming and make it one of its provinces."
Zheng Chenggong's eyes flickered. "Are you certain? This throne was not easily obtained. If the two nations merge, you will no longer be a king."
Malu sighed softly. "What is the meaning of being a king of a primitive tribe?"
"My father spent so many years as king and felt quite satisfied with himself. But after going to New Ming, I realized something."
He pointed back toward the room.
"Before you came to the Dadu Kingdom, even as king, my father lived in caves or thatched huts. He ate wild fruits, gathered food, and vegetables. Occasionally, if he had a bit of sugar, he would be so happy he could jump."
"What he wore were rough cloth or animal hides. He never even had a proper set of clothes."
Then he raised the rattan staff in his hand.
"This is the royal staff, the symbol of authority. But I know it is just a cheap object woven from vines. In New Ming, something like this would be sold on the street and might not even fetch five copper coins."
"Yet in the Dadu Kingdom, it is the finest work of our craftsmen, worthy of being the king's staff."
He lowered it slowly.
"To stand before New Ming as such a king… I feel like a child playing house."
Zheng Chenggong did not know what to say, so he simply patted Malu's shoulder.
Malu continued, "I do not want simple trade. Relying on trade alone to enrich the Dadu Kingdom is too slow and too difficult."
"I want to turn the Dadu Kingdom into a province of New Ming. Only then will New Ming fully commit to helping us. Isn't that right?"
Zheng Chenggong nodded. "It is harsh, but yes."
"There is nothing harsh about it," Malu said. "Just a few decades ago, our tribes were still cutting off heads for rituals. For people like that, merging into another country does not feel humiliating. They might even welcome it."
"And New Ming has already treated us well. If it were the Dutch or the Spanish, they would not have been so gentle."
"The Dadu Kingdom is a piece of fat meat. Everyone wants a bite. Sooner or later, we would be destroyed by a more advanced nation."
"If that is the case, it is better to choose voluntarily and join the one that treats us best. That way, there will be no war, and no innocent people will die."
Zheng Chenggong understood.
During his time studying, Malu had truly learned a great deal.
This decision was not made lightly.
"I understand," Zheng Chenggong said. "I will convey your request."
---
New Ming Calendar, Year 16.
King Ganza Xia Malu of the Dadu Kingdom announced that the entire kingdom would join New Ming.
That same year, New Ming incorporated Yizhou Island into its territory, naming it the Dadu Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture, with Malu appointed as its governor.
Year 17.
A small tribe within the prefecture rebelled.
At the time, Liu Maopao was serving as Chief Minister, known for his hardline approach. Upon hearing the news, he immediately ordered troops to be dispatched.
Fortunately, this was the era of collective governance.
Zheng Chenggong submitted a formal objection. After hearing his petition, a large number of officials cast their votes and overturned Liu Maopao's order.
By the end of Year 17, Zheng Chenggong successfully pacified the rebellion through a policy of leniency.
Year 18.
Zheng Chenggong traveled to Nanyang and used the same approach to deal with backward tribes across the islands. One after another, they joined New Ming.
---
The twin pillars of New Ming's navy.
Shi Lang led relentless offensives.
Zheng Chenggong focused on stabilizing and integrating new territories.
Together, they established New Ming's dominance over the seas.