The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the twenty-fifth year of Emperor Chongzhen.
As the end of the year approached, the atmosphere in Nanjing grew increasingly festive. On the main streets of the city, vendors had set up stalls everywhere—selling rice, flour, oil, couplets, and firecrackers. Amidst the clamor of their hawking, various rumors spread just as quickly.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"His Majesty held court for the first time in five months, but he collapsed right there on the throne."
"What happened to His Majesty?"
"What do you think? He was furious! He’s been trying to orchestrate everything from the Capital, yet one disaster after another keeps erupting here in Jiangnan. First, word got out that the nobility were privately minting Great Ming Dynasty currency, then came news of Zheng Zhilong smuggling and colluding with the enemy, and now... now there’s talk that the Crown Prince himself is involved in smuggling and treason."
"That can't be true, can it? How could the Crown Prince..."
"True or not, it’s weighing heavily on His Majesty."
"What do you mean?"
"If it’s true, it means the Crown Prince is a traitor, and His Majesty is heartbroken and enraged. If it’s false, it means someone is targeting the Crown Prince, and His Majesty is anxious and enraged."
"I see!"
Chapter 1210