Chongzhen's hands clenched into fists and shrank into his sleeves, but his face remained calm.
"During this period, Jiannu circled the capital and continuously attacked the surrounding counties. In addition to robbing the population, they also looked for materials to make siege weapons. Previously, they spent three days in Zunhua to build ladders and other equipment.
With one go, we succeeded in climbing the city in one morning."
The ministers still didn't know the details of the fall of Zunhua. This was the first time they heard about it. When they heard that Zunhua had not been defended for a day, they became even more frightened.
Chongzhen turned around and asked: "Tushan, Zunhua really fell like this."
Tushan was wearing the clothes of a royal guard and had been accompanying the emperor. At this time, he whispered: "It is indeed true. According to the secret report from Dongchang, Zunhua only guarded Zunhua for two hours before the slaves successfully climbed into the city. The first one to climb was the Zhengbai flag.
"
Yuan Chonghuan turned around and said loudly to the ministers: "The reason why Zunhua fell so quickly was mainly because there was a serious lack of troops in the city. Wang Yuanya deserves death! Previously, I sent 7,000 people to Zunhua to assist them in their defense.
I was afraid that the slaves would enter the customs. But Wang Yuanya was actually kicked back again."
"If Zunhua's defenders and the minister's reinforcements were included, they would never have fallen so quickly."
Yuan Chonghuan looked at the frightened ministers and continued: "Now the capital is in danger. There is a serious shortage of defenders in the city, which is why I rushed to the capital day and night. Now the cavalry has arrived first, with 9,700 people. Follow-up.
There are also more than 32,000 infantrymen coming from Shanhaiguan and other places."
I heard that so many people from the Guan Ning Army came, more than 40,000 in total, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became better. The Guan Ning Army is not the soldiers of the guard camp. It is the most capable fighter in Beizhili at this time.
If the Ning army defends the capital, at least the capital will be safe.
The atmosphere at the scene began to change in the direction of letting Guan Ning's army enter the city.
Previously, the parties were prepared to attack Dong Lin and Yuan Chonghuan. At this time, seeing that the emperor was not protected and their lives and fortunes were at stake, they suddenly changed their stance and began to tend to support Guan Ning's army in entering the city.
In short, their lives are more important, and protecting their own wealth and life is more important first.
This is just like, in modern times, there are always rulers launching wars. This was true in World War I and World War II. The fundamental reason is that no matter whether the war is won or lost, the people at the bottom are the ones who die. These people who initiate wars are not in danger.
The worst result is the loss of their profits.
In today's parlance, this is called the cost of breaking the law being too low, and illegal acts are repeatedly prohibited.
But in the age of nuclear weapons, a world war cannot be fought.
The reason is that in the face of nuclear weapons, there is no difference between the front and the rear. The rulers and the people at the bottom are the same as a group of meat pies under the nuclear weapons. If they fight, they will die together.
At this time, the rulers will stop. Others can die, but he cannot. Therefore, in this case, they dare not start a war. It is impossible for countries with nuclear weapons to start a war.
Today's civil servants believe this. They can tolerate it if slaves kill and rob people. After all, they have not suffered any losses. If slaves conquer the capital, they will be treated the same as the people. They will never agree to it.
For a time, all the factions that had originally planned to take the opportunity to overthrow Dong Lin and Yuan Chonghuan turned to support Yuan Chonghuan. They recognized the reality. If they wanted to defend the capital, the most powerful force was Guan Ning's army.
Their property, wives, daughters, and servants all depended on Governor Yuan.
Suddenly, the officials changed their tune and began to speak favorably of Dong Lin and Yuan Chonghuan.
For a time, Chongzhen was also a little shaken. People all have a herd mentality. Everyone says it is right. At this time, it is difficult for many people to stick to their own ideas.
"Your Majesty cannot agree. If Commander Yuan is allowed to enter the city, who can control the 40,000 to 50,000 Guan Ning troops?" Tu Shan's voice came to my ears.
Chongzhen was suddenly enlightened. The capital was in danger at this time. It would be even more dangerous if Guan Ning's army entered the city. If anyone wanted to follow Dong Zhuo's example and enter the capital, he would really be inviting a wolf into his house.
Yuan Chonghuan felt happy when he saw that the ministers had been persuaded by him. He turned to the emperor and said: "I am so loyal and loyal that I would like to stand on the wall of the imperial capital in person, eat and live together with all the officers and soldiers, and brave artillery and arrows together to build a slave."
If you don't retreat for a day, I won't go to the city for a day."
All the ministers praised him one after another, saying that Governor Yuan was really the pillar of the country.
Chongzhen sneered in his heart, but there was a very moved expression on his face. He saw Yuan Chonghuan wearing a green robe and a cap, and his clothes were very thin. In the cold spring season, he was shivering from the cold.
Chongzhen sighed softly and said, "I already know your loyalty. Thank you for your hard work."
After saying that, he stood up, walked to Yuan Chonghuan, took off his mink coat, and put it on Yuan Chonghuan.
Wen Yan said: "I leave the safety of myself and the capital to Zui Ru."
Hearing the word the emperor called him, Yuan Chonghuan was moved to tears. He knelt on the ground with a bang and cried loudly: "I am guilty. I failed to stop the slaves, so that the army of slaves ravaged the important areas of the capital. Outside the city
Ministers, honorable ministers, the clan’s manor was completely plundered by slaves. The people were displaced and robbed as slaves. This is all my fault. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Woo woo woo!”
Yuan Chonghuan simply confessed all the mistakes he had made during this period and asked the emperor to punish him. While crying bitterly, he kowtowed and beat his chest, unable to control himself with grief.
"It's not your fault. It's not that you don't work hard. It's all your fault that Jiannu is too cunning." Chongzhen turned to Wang Chengen and said, "Go and get the set of golden armor I made newly. I want to give it to you."
Yuan Chonghuan was shocked! This was the emperor's armor, how dare he wear it.
"Ziru, don't be afraid. I will give it to you. You wear this armor as if I were myself. You coordinate the troops outside the city and immediately start a war against Jiannu. Drive Jiannu away from me." Chongzhen said loudly.
"Ah!" Yuan Chonghuan was dumbfounded.
He spent half the day acting in vain, and the emperor had no intention of letting him enter the city.
However, the emperor was so confidant to him that he really couldn't refuse the emperor. Originally, he had a second set of arguments, which was to persuade the emperor to negotiate peace with Huang Taiji, and let the Ming Dynasty give the Qing Dynasty coins and the Qing Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty became a minister.
This can be regarded as a disguised return to the Liao Dynasty in five years.
However, it is impossible to say such words now. At this time, the emperor is treating him like this. If he talks about peace, he will be scolded to death by everyone in the world without the help of his ministers.
What he didn't know was that Chongzhen now had a letter from Huang Taiji in his hand, and the content was basically consistent with his plan. If he told it at this time, he might not be able to explain clearly the charge of collaborating with the enemy.
"Zi Ru, I know all about your hard work. You do your best. When we expel Jiannu and recover Liaodong, I will give you a title."
At this time, a rough voice sounded.
"Your Majesty, my hard work is no less than that of Governor Yuan. If you don't believe me, just look at it."
The ministers were shocked to see Man Gui take off his clothes in front of everyone, and before Wang Chengen could stop him, he was already shirtless.
"Your Majesty, please see that these scars are the result of my bloody battle for the Ming Dynasty over the past twenty years. I have also worked hard."
