Chapter four hundred and seventy-two fearful Chongzhen
After saying that, Liu Zongmin walked out of the hall resolutely and strode with an indescribably firm attitude. When he saw Liu Zongmin going out, several lieutenants in the hall also followed him out.
"Arrogant and domineering, too arrogant and domineering!"
Li Zicheng, who was sitting in the first place, was so angry that he was trembling with anger. No one dared to persuade him.
Finally, it was Niu Jinxing who tried to persuade him: "King Chuang, General Liu is an upright man. He was just confused for a moment. You don't remember the faults of villains, so please forgive him for once."
"Hmph, Jiexuan is too violent and disobedient to discipline. If he still has such a temper in the future, he will inevitably suffer a big loss." After all, Li Zicheng and Liu Zongmin have been brothers for many years, and after Niu Jinxing's persuasion, he gradually lost his temper.
Most of them were eliminated, so he took advantage of the situation and stopped talking. On the other hand, the counselor named Guo who got into trouble by flattering him was so frightened that his face turned pale at the moment. Liu Zongmin was the most prestigious among Li Zicheng's men.
A general with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses under his command, how can he be compared to a person who relies on words to make a living with King Chuang. If he offends Liu Zongmin now, he will probably suffer a lot in the future.
Li Zicheng sighed, leaned back on the chair and closed his eyes. Seeing that Li Zicheng was not in high spirits, Song Xiance rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "Even if this matter is over, let's discuss how to enter the capital and ascend the throne.
Pindao thinks that it is better to ascend the throne in Beijing. Although Chang'an is an ancient capital for thousands of years, Beijing is the capital of the Ming Dynasty for three hundred years, and the accumulated dragon energy is also very important. Therefore, Pindao thinks that it is very suitable to ascend the throne in Beijing."
Although Li Zicheng still had some grudges about Liu Zongmin's departure, Song Xiance's words really scratched the itch in his heart, so he couldn't care less about being modest and turned around and said: "Xiance, tell me this truth.
Let everyone listen!"
Song Xiance said with a smile: "I will obey my orders!" Then he turned to his colleagues below and continued: "In previous years, when Xiance did not meet God, he wandered around the world and sold divination to the capital. Occasionally, on a beautiful day in the spring and autumn, the clouds were clear and the wind was clear, and we were together
Shutong. He traveled as far as the Diaoyutai area and as far away as Yuquan Mountain and Xishan Mountain, such as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Biyun Temple, and the red leaves of Xiangshan Mountain. He had enjoyed the scenic spots and had tea and gossip with friends from other places. From the perspective of offering advice,
Eight hundred miles from the Taihang Mountains to the West Mountain of Beijing, there are caves, so the West Mountain is lush and green. The king's energy is very strong, and the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty has been exhausted, so it cannot maintain this heaven-given king's energy. My emperor is entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the dragon is prosperous in the western land, so the "Prophecy" says
: "Eighteen children Dui Shang Si". The reason why Ding Ding Chang'an is now located is not only because Shaanxi is the birthplace of the emperor and has dangerous mountains and rivers, but it also answers the prophecy of "Dui Shang Si". Diaoyutai is geographically connected to Yuyuantan, just on the Dui side of the capital.
The holy driver is stationed here, which also means "sitting on Dui Shang". Moreover, the Qi of the King of Xishan was very strong, and the fortune of the Ming Dynasty was declining. He could not enjoy it, but the Dashun Yishi came from the west, and this gloomy and green Qi of the King of Xishan returned to our country.
Go with everything.”
Everyone discussing matters in front of Li Zicheng all boasted of their ability to serve the dragon. They all smiled respectfully and nodded, thinking about how much benefit they could gain after entering the capital.
Especially Li Zicheng, his face was full of joy and he nodded frequently, but just when he was extremely happy. Looking around everyone, he inadvertently saw that everyone was very happy, except Li Yan. Although he was also smiling, he was smiling.
It was also done with reluctance. It was clear that he had other intentions.
This made Li Zicheng recall that two months ago, when he was in Xi'an to discuss the decision to march to Beijing after becoming king, although Li Yan was not the only civil and military official who advocated launching an army from Shaanxi to Beijing and did not agree to an immediate expedition to Youyan, but
However, Li Yan's remonstrance at that time was the most resolute. This incident once made Li Zicheng very unhappy. This is why Niu Jinxing appointed Prime Minister when Li Zicheng became king and appointed officials, while Li Yan only became a sergeant in name only.
.
Originally, Li Zicheng planned to make Li Yan concurrently the Minister of the Military Government, but later Li Zicheng changed his mind and only appointed him as a sergeant in the newly established Military Advisor Office. However, although he was a full-time official, his actual authority was under Song Xiance.
At this moment, Li Zicheng thought of this unpleasant past event again like lightning, and couldn't help but secretly thought in his heart:
"Strange! Our Dashun Army has been victorious all the way. Now it has arrived outside Beijing. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are all rejoicing. Why does Li Yan have other ideas? Isn't he happy that I will ascend the throne as soon as possible?"
However, Li Zicheng had a rather deep character. Although he was very dissatisfied with Li Yan, he did not show his dissatisfaction at all on his face. He then looked at the military advisor and said:
"Come on, you haven't finished your good suggestions yet. Keep talking, keep talking."
Song Xiance continued: "Besides, in the area around Diaoyutai and Yuyuantan, not only spring water gushes out from the ground, hence the name Yuyuan, but water from Yuquan Mountain and other places also flows here. With rippling blue waves and lush vegetation, it is a place close to the city.
It's rare. It would be most appropriate if King Chuang were to stay here."
"good!"
Everyone praised him one after another, and the flattering words poured out as if they were free of charge. Li Zicheng shook his head in joy.
Li Zicheng asked again: "Everyone, just now everyone is talking about which palace should Gu Ruo live in after settling in the Forbidden City. Some people believe that it is natural for Gu Ruo to live in Qianqing Palace, while others suggest that he should live in Wenhua Palace inside Donghua Gate.
In response to the sign of purple energy coming from the east, my suggestion is to live in Diaoyutai. What do you think?"
"Ah...this..."
The rest of the people looked at each other. Although they like to flatter each other, but now this matter has been involved in the dispute between the two military advisors and Prime Minister Niu. If any of them dares to lie, it may be a big disaster.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Zicheng couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, and asked in a deep voice: "Why, aren't you talking?"
After a long time, Li Yan bowed and said: "King Chuang, in fact, according to my humble opinion, where you will settle after entering the city is a trivial matter. The most important thing now is to draw up a charter after entering the city, to restrain the soldiers and not to kill anyone in the city without permission.
The people and officials are not allowed to plunder the property in the city, this is the most important thing."
Li Zicheng was very unhappy and said: "Li Yan, Gu has treated you and your wife well. Why are you not happy when civil and military officials are cheering for victory? When you were in Xi'an, you insisted on taking charge and remonstrated to prevent Gu from becoming king. Fortunately, Gu did not listen.
After admonition, I insisted on proclaiming myself king. What now? As expected by Gu Zhi, I responded to the great fate of Longxing, heaven and man returned, and conquered the country of Ming Dynasty like a ruin, and successfully arrived at the gate of Beijing today. If I had listened to your advice.
, wouldn’t it miss the important event of Gu!”
After being reprimanded by Li Zicheng, Li Yan just bowed his head and remained silent, obviously still insisting on his opinion. Li Zicheng was even more unhappy when he saw it. He lost his mood and immediately stood up and walked to the back hall with his sleeves rolled up, leaving only the one who was still there.
Everyone was in a daze.
That night, after Li Yan returned to his room, his married wife Tang saw her husband in a bad mood and couldn't help but stepped forward to ask. Li Yan told what happened today, and Tang couldn't help but persuade her: "Husband.
Now that you are the military advisor of Dashun, you naturally have to think about Chuang Wang in everything. It is a good thing for Chuang Wang to become the king. Why do you want to dissuade him? Today, everyone is urging Chuang Wang to ascend the throne and become emperor. Why are you the only one who wants to dissuade him?
The king wants to restrain the soldiers and strengthen military discipline. Aren't you giving everyone eye drops? No wonder King Chuang reprimanded you."
Li Yan's wife, Tang, was born in a wealthy family in Qixian County. She was knowledgeable, courteous, virtuous and virtuous. She was a beautiful and intelligent lady. Li Yan usually respected her very much. But today Li Yan said angrily
: "What do you know? You don't even look at what's going on today. Although we in Dashun have arrived at the gates of Beijing, the main force of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army is still on the Xuanda, Shanhaiguan, and Guanning lines. If Chongzhen transfers those soldiers and horses back
Fight to the death with us, who will win is yet to be determined!
Moreover, there is Pang Gang who is eyeing the area in Shandong and Henan. He occupies the rich lands of the five provinces and does not dare to ascend the throne. Our Dashun has only found a foothold in the barren place of Shaanxi. King Chuang can't wait to get it.
If he ascends the throne and proclaims himself emperor, wouldn't it make others laugh if word spreads about it? He is too eager to become king!"
When Mrs. Tang heard this, she thought it made sense, but she didn't know how to comfort her husband, so she could only sigh softly. She said to Li Yan: "Husband, I am just a daughter's family. I don't know about the important affairs of the family and the country, but I do know one sentence."
There is a saying there: "When you are proud, you should look back early, and when you don't let go, you don't let go." Another saying is: "Favours are always harmful, so when you are happy, you have to look back early; when you are defeated, you may succeed, so when you are unhappy, don't let go."
Mr. Chuang, you have always been highly valued by King Chuang, but I don’t know how many people you have incurred the jealousy for, Mr. Sir, let’s retreat bravely!”
The implicit meaning of Tang's words just now was to persuade Li Yan to leave Li Zicheng as soon as possible, either to find another Ming master, or to simply retreat to the mountains and forests. Even though Li Yan was always known for his boldness, he was frightened for a while.
Li Yan stared at Mrs. Tang in shock and fear and shouted: "Madam, you can just say this to your husband, but you must not let others hear it, otherwise we and you will be in great trouble!"
"
Not to mention Li Zicheng's majestic preparations to attack Beijing, Chongzhen in the Forbidden City of Beijing felt as if he was facing an abyss. Whether inside or outside the city, the news that came from him almost made him despair.
On the evening of July 1, the 13th year of Chongzhen's reign, Chongzhen sat in front of the Dragon Table in Nuanxiang Pavilion, looking at the secret memorials sent from inside and outside the city. He felt miserable in his heart. He never imagined that he would be the capital camp of the Great Wall.
All of them dispersed within a few days. Wang Chengen, who had been ordered to inspect the city defense of Beijing, came to report that all the more than 100,000 soldiers in the Beijing army had disappeared. The city defense of Beijing now relies entirely on thousands of eunuchs and Beijing's youth.
Zhuang came to the defense. This news was no less than a bolt from the blue for Chongzhen.
"Is the city's defense really so unbearable?"
Chongzhen's voice was like the voice emerging from a lonely grave in the dark night, so eerie.
In front of the Dragon Case in Chongzhen, Wang Chengen knelt on the ground and kept kowtowing to him. He choked and said: "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. There are no troops left in Beijing at this moment!"
"Hahaha........."
Chongzhen laughed several times and burst into tears, "The hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the capital cost the court hundreds of thousands of taels of silver every year, but in the end they all ran away. Are these the soldiers of our Ming Dynasty?"
"Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body!"
After a long time, Chongzhen suddenly asked: "Where are Cao Huachun and Hong Chengchou? Is there any news about them?"
Wang Chengen shed tears silently and shook his head gently. Chongzhen said sadly: "In the second year of Chongzhen, the Tatars invaded and came to the suburbs of Beijing. It was so critical. But as soon as Yuan Chonghuan received the edict from King Qin, he left some troops to guard Ningyuan.
He led Man Gui, Zu Dashou and other generals as well as 20,000 to 30,000 elite troops, quickly entered the pass, marched day and night, quickly arrived at the capital, and camped outside Guangqu Gate, turning the city of Beijing from danger to safety. Taking Yuan Chonghuan as an example, Hong Chengchou knew that the capital was in danger, so he
Leading the elite troops from the south of the Yangtze River, it only takes six or seven days to take a boat from Nanjing to Beijing. Some of them will defend the city, and some will be stationed outside the city to fight against the rebels. Beijing will be foolproof. Do you think that Hong Chengchou and Cao Huachun can arrive in Beijing in six or seven days?
Will guilt come?"
When it came to Yuan Chonghuan, Wang Chengen fell to the ground and did not dare to answer. In recent years, due to the increasing collapse of the Liaodong War, more and more people in the government and the public in Beijing were talking about Yuan Chonghuan privately. They all said that Yuan Chonghuan was a rare talent. Chongzhen first listened to the court officials.
He then fell into the enemy's counter-intentional plan, killed him in vain, and destroyed the Great Wall. He knew that the emperor had also heard a little about the enemy's plot in recent years from the secret reports of Jin Yiwei and Dongchang and private discussions between the government and the public.
He was counter-intuitive and regretful. But he refused to admit that he killed Yuan Chonghuan by mistake, so he never had any intention of clearing up Yuan's injustice.
Chongzhen saw Wang Chengen bowing his head and said nothing, and asked: "Do you also think that Yuan Chonghuan died unjustly?"
Wang Chengen kowtowed and said: "I dare not speak nonsense. I heard that this discussion has been discussed among the government and the public for a long time. Hong Chengchou is indeed a capable person, but in terms of loyalty and strategy, he cannot compare with Yuan Chonghuan. But I have also heard that another person has discussed it.
Yuan Chonghuan, what he said is somewhat different from what others said."
When Wang Chengen said this, Chongzhen said curiously: "Oh, who is it?"
Wang Chengen kowtowed and said, "I dare not say anything."
"Say, I forgive your innocence!"
Wang Chengen said tremblingly: "Yes... Pang Gang said it."
"Pang Gang!"
At the mention of this name, Chongzhen fell silent. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of Pang Gang's power, the name Pang Gang has increasingly become a taboo for Chongzhen. No one dares to speak in the palace, whether inside or outside the palace.
He was mentioned in public, but now Wang Chengen said it in front of Chongzhen.
Chongzhen didn't get angry. He just stayed silent for a while and then whispered: "Da Mian, tell me the truth. How did Pang Gang evaluate me and Yuan Chonghuan?"
Wang Chengen lowered his head and said in a trembling voice: "That Pang Gang said... He said that Yuan Chonghuan is a lunatic. He dared to promise to the emperor that the Liaodong problem would be solved within five years, and the emperor is a fool.
, actually believed it, and finally the madman broke his promise. So the fool got angry, and finally killed the madman."
After saying that, Wang Chengen knelt on the ground and cried loudly, crying very sadly with snot and tears.
Chongzhen rarely got angry. He just asked in a low voice: "Can you go and inspect the defense situation in the city?"
Wang Chengen cried and said: "Your Majesty! Now that things have happened, the servants have no choice but to risk their lives to fulfill the promise. There are only three thousand eunuchs in the city, and not many ordinary people and old and weak soldiers from the three battalions come to the city. Only one person can spread out on three battlements.
The people guarding the city were only given a few coins every day, and could only buy a few sesame seed cakes to satisfy their hunger. It was very cold in the city, and everyone was hungry and cold. They complained and had no intention of guarding the city."
"Will those traitors attack the city tonight? If so, how will we deal with it?"
"The rebels are coming from afar. Today they are coming to the city one after another and have surrounded the capital. However, I estimate that they are still deploying their troops. According to my estimation, the rebels will attack the city tomorrow. It can still be safe tonight, but we must be careful.
There are changes in the city."
Chongzhen laughed sadly and said: "Does the Ming Dynasty really want to die in my hands?"
Wang Chengen knelt down and cried again: "Your Majesty, this is luck and the destiny of the country. Your Majesty, there is no need to be sad."
Chongzhen choked up and said: "Although it is the destiny of the country, if it were not for the traitorous ministers who misled me, how could the destiny of the country have come to this! It can only be said that in the twenty years from the Apocalypse to the present, the country has never had talents or generals. It is all because most of the people in the court have hindered the function.
They deceive their lords, obstruct their plans, and frame up loyal and good people, so that talents are not only often unable to be used, but also unable to die. Starting from Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong of the Tianqi Dynasty, to Lu Xiangsheng and others of this dynasty, they all failed to realize their ambitions.
A group of people came together to attack the Great Wall, causing the imperial court to destroy the Great Wall, which led to today's disaster. I am not a king who has subjugated my country, but if I encounter the situation of subjugation, I will not die with my eyes in peace!" After saying this, another burst of tears welled up, and he covered his face and sobbed.
Chongzhen cried bitterly there. Wang Chengen knew that the disaster of ruining the country was imminent and that the city would only fall in a day or two. He couldn't help crying on the ground, but he didn't know what to say to comfort the emperor. The eunuchs who were waiting aside also shed tears.
, some of them wiped their tears secretly, and some walked away gently and went to cry elsewhere.
After a long time, Chongzhen slowly said to Wang Chengen: "That's all. Since God is going to destroy our Ming Dynasty, what's there to say? You all should step back and let me be quiet."
Just as Wang Cheng'en was retreating, he heard Chongzhen's faint sigh: "Unexpectedly, I worked hard all day long and worked hard all day long (from the Book of Changes, which means working hard all day long and not daring to slack off.), and I worked hard for thirteen years.
Years ago, we ended up like this!"
After listening to Chongzhen's words, Wang Chengen's heart felt like a knife. The refreshing cool breeze in summer was blowing on him now, but he felt as if it was as biting as the cold wind. At this moment, he only had one thought, that is, he must not let this person...
He had watched the emperor who grew up die since he was young, and he wanted to preserve the bloodline of the Zhu family even if he was shattered to pieces.
Wang Chengen returned to his room where he was held in custody. After lighting the oil lamp, he put a pen on the desk and wrote a letter in a hurry. He wrote very quickly and finished the letter in less than two cups of tea.
He hurriedly put the letter into it and sealed it with vermilion lacquer. Then he called a strong eunuch and whispered a few instructions and handed him a letter of money. The eunuch understood and quickly opened the envelope after taking it.
After checking into the security room, he disappeared in the dark night. Looking at his confidants disappearing into the dark night, Wang Chengen murmured in a low voice: "Your Majesty, even if I die, I will not let you be humiliated by those thieves...
..."
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