Late at night on the seventh day of July in the thirteenth year of Chongzhen
There is a quite large courtyard in an ordinary courtyard in a slum area in Beijing. The courtyard is filled with hundreds of civilians dressed in ordinary people's clothes. If you think about it carefully, you will find that these people are all young and strong young men.
, and there was a hint of violence on the faces of these people, at least they didn't look good. They vaguely surrounded a house in the yard, as if there was something important inside.
At this moment, in this house, Li Zicheng, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and others, who were nowhere to be found by Pang Gang and others, were sitting at a dilapidated low table. A dim oil lamp illuminated the frowning faces of several people.
His face was particularly gloomy. It turned out that Li Zicheng had deceived Liu Zongmin and others during today's breakout. Li Zicheng, who had been hiding with the Ming army for more than ten years, knew very well that under the siege of a hundred thousand troops outside the city,
, if he led thousands of pro-troops to break out, the chance of him being able to break out was too small, so he led Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and hundreds of pro-troops to hide in a remote private house. The original owner
They had all been killed by him and the others long ago. Li Zicheng estimated that considering such a remote and poor place, even if he stayed here for ten more days and a half, there wouldn't be any problem.
After a long time, Li Zicheng asked in a low voice: "Commander Song, what's the situation outside the city? Have the brothers we sent out to find out the information haven't come back yet?"
Song Xiance shook his head: "Forgive me, King Chuang. Pindao sent out three groups of spies to find out the news, but only one group came back. The remaining two groups probably fell into the hands of the Zhou army. But it is estimated that there are rumors from outside.
The news came that General Liu, General Li, and General Hao were all in trouble, and Mr. Li and his Henan camp were nowhere to be found. As for Mrs. Gao... At this point, Song Xiance couldn't help but pause.
"How is my wife? Tell me!" Li Zicheng was anxious. He and Mrs. Gao had been husband and wife for so many years, and their relationship was still very deep. Now when he heard Song Xiance's hesitant tone, he immediately became anxious.
Niu Jinxing on the side saw that Li Zicheng was really anxious, and hurriedly comforted him: "King Chuang, don't panic, Mrs. Gao and the female camp spies under her command have not received the news. It must be that the lucky people have their own destiny, and they will definitely
It’s safe and sound.”
Li Zicheng didn't want to listen to Niu Jinxing's comforting words, but he also knew that it was useless to be anxious now. He was now a mud Buddha crossing the river - he couldn't protect himself, and there was no way to take care of others. Li Zicheng suppressed the anxiety in his heart, his face
He showed an apologetic look and said to Song Xiance: "Song Military Advisor, Gu Shicai was a little worried and lost his words. Please atone for your sins. I wonder if you have any clever ideas to help Gu escape from Beijing?"
Looking coldly at Niu Jinxing and Li Zicheng who showed a flattering look to him, Song Xiance shook his head and said: "I have no other choice at the moment. The Zhou army has just occupied Beijing today. Their defense must be very strict these days.
, let’s wait a little longer, until their defense is a little looser and then we can find a way to get out.”
"That's the only way." Li Zicheng also knew that Song Xiance's words made sense, so he had no choice but to lower his head.
Today, Niu Jinxing and his son Niu Shuan were also separated. He was also very worried about his precious son and always wanted to find out about him. But seeing the appearance of Li Zicheng and Song Xiance, he also knew that he should go out to look for him now.
It's unrealistic. The streets and alleys are full of Zhou troops now. I'm afraid he will be arrested as soon as he goes out.
After thinking about it, Niu Jinxing said: "King Chuang, Military Advisor of the Song Dynasty. There are many refugees in Beijing now. We can pretend to be refugees and leave the city tomorrow. What do you think?"
Li Zicheng thought about it and thought it made sense at first, then shook his head and said: "No. You don't know the virtues of the refugees outside. Let alone us, even the brothers outside, which one of them looks like a refugee?"
Niu Jinxing thought about it, and it was right. All the refugees were so hungry that they were skinny and skinny. They didn't look like people suffering from long-term malnutrition. Moreover, those people in the guard camp outside were all murderers.
If those people outside who are also born as Bing Gege see this unblinking thing, their secret will definitely be exposed. Alas... let's wait a little longer.
There was no words for a night. The dark night slowly passed, and the sun slowly spread on the earth. The residents living in Beijing discovered that the army occupying Beijing had changed again today, the flag with a white tiger flag on a black background.
It was so strange to them. Some brave residents inquired and found out that people from the Shandong Zhou Army had come over. Not only did they annihilate all the bandits who had occupied Beijing these days, but even the city of Beijing was destroyed by them.
Damn it, people under the emperor's feet have been the most sensitive to this kind of things since ancient times. After getting this news, they came to their senses as soon as they thought about it. Is this world really going to change?
However, no matter what these ordinary people thought, the armies of the Zhou Army marched in in large numbers. One by one, the energetic troops, wearing black armor and black armor, entered the city of Beijing and began to march inward.
The city came together.
There is one thing in Beijing that is very famous, and that is the nationally famous Big Bowl of Tea. Big Bowl of Tea is one of the Chinese characteristic tea cultures, especially popular in the old Beijing area. There are two types of tea, one is Sencha, which is
The tea leaves are put into boiling water and simmered directly; there is also a unique type of tea, which is filled with brewed tea in a large bowl and covered with glass to wait for thirsty pedestrians passing by.
When drinking tea, a group of five people are given a large tea bowl. Generally, a bowl costs two cents. Drinking a large bowl of tea in a teahouse in midsummer can not only quench your thirst, but also satisfy the needs of the people who are rooted in the imperial city to talk about the mountains.
It is considered a major feature of Beijing.
At this time, in the teahouse of a restaurant in the city, many tea drinkers gathered in the teahouse, watching the troops and horses passing by in groups downstairs, and talking about it.
A middle-aged man with a big black mole under his right eyebrow and wearing a white coat shook a big cattail leaf fan, looked at the endless army downstairs, and said in an excited tone: "Hey, I'm telling you,
Young and old men, our city in Beijing has not been so lively for a long time. These days, those military officers are coming in one after another, and then they are beaten into a pot of porridge. We, the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, the intruders of the Dashun Army, and those from Shandong.
All the Zhou troops on the side are inside, good guys, they have all caught up with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms!"
"No!" A middle-aged man wearing a gray shorts suit, with eyes like copper bells and blue veins on his hands, also shook his head and said, "I feel dizzy just looking at it. The world is in chaos, and the business of our escort agency is not going well."
"Huh? Mr. Chu, the world is not peaceful. You are good at martial arts. The business of your bodyguard agency should be better. Why is it so hard to do it?" At this time, an inexperienced person around asked.
.
This man's words were met with blank stares from the surrounding people, and some people scolded: "Shopkeeper Chu, in these troubled times, do you think that Chu Biaotou can beat the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, or is he a bandit? Or is it the army of the Zhou Dynasty? You are still our Lion Alley.
The old man doesn’t even understand this. He has such a big trick for nothing!”
Everyone was talking about everything, and finally an old man in his sixties with a goatee shook his head and said: "You guys, don't even guess. According to me, the world may be about to change."
."
This old man's surname is Xu, and he is known as Mr. Xu. He was a scholar during the Shenzong period and was also the most educated person in the civilian area in this area. Therefore, everyone likes to ask him for advice on big and small matters. Now when he opens his mouth,
Everyone looked at him.
Shopkeeper Chu on the side said: "Mr. Xu, please tell us, we have all been confused these days. When will this back and forth fighting end? It is all the common people like us who are suffering!"
"What do you know?" Xu Cai opened his eyes and was about to speak when the sound of "thump thump thump" footsteps was heard downstairs. A young waiter ran up with a notice and shouted.
He said: "Everyone, everyone, the military commander outside is putting up notices. I also asked for one. Mr. Xu, please take a look at it and see what it is saying!" After the boy finished speaking, he quickly posted the notice.
He handed his hands to Shopkeeper Xu who was sitting beside him.
Probably because he felt that it was time to show off his level. Mr. Xu sat up and looked at the eyes all around him looking at him. He felt an indescribable sense of superiority in his heart. He picked up a big bowl of tea and drank it.
After taking a sip, he slowly put it down, coughed slightly, then slowly picked up the notice and said, "In that case, I will tell you all about this notice."
After saying that, Mr. Xu slowly began to read... If you find any trace of a bandit, you can quickly report it to any part of the Zhou Army. If there is any truth, the Zhou Army will definitely reward you. If you catch an ordinary bandit, you will be rewarded with two taels of silver.
The sentry commander will be rewarded with five taels of silver, the captain will be rewarded with ten taels of silver, the mighty general will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver, the system general will be rewarded with five hundred taels of silver, and the power general will be rewarded with one thousand taels of silver. If Li Zicheng, the leader of the bandits and bandits, is discovered, report it to the Zhou army.
The Zhou army was rewarded with five thousand taels of silver... Wow... when I read this, the people around me were shocked, and everyone started to get excited.
"Five thousand taels, the reward for finding Li Zicheng is five thousand taels!" Chu Chu's face flushed with excitement, and he kept rubbing his hands, "Old fellows, if we find any trace of Li Zicheng, all of us here will make a fuss.
What a windfall, there are hundreds of taels of silver spread over everyone’s heads, and this money is enough for us to live on for several years!”
"Bah...just go ahead and dream!" Someone around laughed and said unceremoniously: "If you, Mr. Chu, had such shitty luck, your ancestral graves would have been filled with smoke.
Why do you want to sit here with us and drink this big bowl of tea?"
In the face of everyone's ridicule, Chu Biaotou remained silent, his eyes darting around... The news that the Zhou army's troops had entered the city soon spread to the inner city. In the Forbidden City, he had been living in the city for the past two days.
Chongzhen of Kunning Palace was stunned for a long time after hearing the news from Wang Chengen, and finally sighed: "It seems that it is God's will. Big companion, order someone to open the city gate and let Pang Gang enter the city!"
The inner city gate, which had been closed for several days, was finally opened. The heavy city gate wrapped in thick iron sheets made a creaking sound and was pulled back. The heavy thousand-jin gate was also pushed by ten soldiers on the city wall.
Pulled it up with the winch.
Pang Gang, who was riding a red horse and escorted by thousands of soldiers, slowly came to the city gate and looked inside silently. At this time, an old eunuch slowly walked from the inside with hobbling steps.
Walked out.
He came to Pang Gang and asked softly: "May I ask if this is Pang Gang?"
Pang Gang stared at the old eunuch. This eunuch was about fifty years old, with gray hair and a slight stoop. If it weren't for the glint that flashed from his cloudy eyes from time to time, Pang Gang might have died.
He would be ignored. Looking at the old eunuch, Pang Gang said: "Exactly, I wonder what I call my father-in-law?"
The old eunuch smiled faintly and said, "I don't dare to be a helper to a disabled person. Your Majesty will take care of me. My name is Wang Chengen. I have been ordered by the Emperor to wait for you again!"
"Wang Cheng'en?" Pang Gang was startled and looked at him again. Is this the eunuch who accompanied Chongzhen to hang himself from the crooked neck tree in Meishan in history?
Although Pang Gang didn't like eunuchs very much, he still admired this man who could accompany his boss to hang himself. After all, not everyone has the courage to die generously, let alone an eunuch.
Thinking of this, Pang Gang's eyes softened even more. He said warmly: "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch-in-law. In this case, please trouble me to lead the way. I haven't seen the Emperor for a long time!"
Wang Chengen looked at the young general in front of him. Although he looked calm on the surface, he was very surprised in his heart. This was the first time he saw this traitor who used to make the emperor hate him. He always thought that he was holding someone hostage.
He came with a great victory and held an elite army in his hands. He must be a arrogant and arrogant master. Unexpectedly, he was actually kind to a disabled person like me.
However, Wang Chengen is also a well-informed master. Although he was shocked, he still lowered his head calmly and said respectfully: "My lord, please move!"
Pang Gang did not refuse, and walked towards the majestic palace under the escort of his own soldiers.
As the palace city of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts: the "outer court" and the "inner court". The outer court is located in the front of the Forbidden City, consisting of ** - Duanmen - Meridian Gate - Hall of Supreme Harmony -
Zhonghe Hall-Baohe Hall is composed of a central axis and pavilions and verandas on both sides of the central axis. The outer dynasty is also where the emperor receives his ministers, and few people can enter the inner court.
The inner court is located at the rear (north) of the Forbidden City, including the Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace, Kunning Palace and other buildings. This is where the concubines, princesses and underage princes live.
It stands to reason that if Chongzhen wanted to see Pang Gang, he should meet him in the outer court. But after passing through the outer court, Wang Chengen did not stop, but went directly to the inner court. Anyone who is seriously ill may be suspicious.
Wang Chengen had some conspiracy, but Pang Gang relied on his army and was not afraid of any tricks he might do, so he didn't say anything and just followed him.
After passing through the inner court, Wang Chengen led Pang Gang to Kunning Palace. Along the way, he saw palace maids and eunuchs coming and going, looking at Pang Gang and the expressionless sergeant behind him. There was a trace of panic on their faces.
.
When he arrived at the entrance of Kunning Palace, Pang Gang saw Emperor Chongzhen standing at the entrance of the palace supported by dozens of palace maids and eunuchs. Behind him were two beautiful women in their thirties wearing palace clothes.
Next to the two beautiful women stood five young men and women.
Seeing Pang Gang marching with a large number of elite soldiers behind him, Chongzhen felt very complicated in his heart. This traitor who he once hated so much that he gritted his teeth was now standing in front of him. He had saved his life, but he was also...
He wanted to take away the country left by his ancestors. Therefore, at this moment, Chongzhen looked at Pang Gang with very complicated eyes. The person showing complicated expressions could not help but Chongzhen, and even the Queen Zhou, Concubine Yuan and the surrounding maids.
This is the case for the eunuchs. For them, Pang Gang's attitude towards Chongzhen is of vital importance, and it is also related to their fate.
Pang Gang strode to the front of Chongzhen, without any hesitation, he knelt on the ground with one knee and said loudly: "My lord, Pang Gang has met your Majesty, may my emperor live long live!"
Pang Gang's kneeling shocked everyone around him, and everyone's eyes showed an expression of disbelief. At this time, Pang Gang was no better than before. Now he has 200,000 elite soldiers and controls five people.
He saved more than 30 million people. Looking at the Central Plains at this time, who could stop his army? I didn't expect that after meeting Chongzhen, he would still behave respectfully and as a minister.
"You... Chongzhen's lips trembled slightly, wanting to say something, but he held back.
Time passed little by little, but Chongzhen still didn't respond. Pang Gang was still kneeling on the ground. Now someone was anxious. Which of the eunuchs and maids following Chongzhen was not a thoughtful person? Seeing that Chongzhen was silent,
He couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart, and said to himself: "My emperor, please look at the time when you are putting on a show. Thousands of his elite soldiers are standing behind him. Why are you, a bare emperor, putting on airs?"
Thinking of this, the eunuchs and maids seemed to see the murderous look in the eyes of the sergeants behind the huge man getting heavier and heavier, and they kept beating in their hearts, fearing that the huge man would suddenly stand up and kill them all.
However, someone finally relieved Chongzhen. Empress Zhou gently came behind Chongzhen, pulled his sleeves and said: "Your Majesty, Panda is still kneeling on the ground, why don't you hurry up and get him straight!"
"Oh oh... Chongzhen oh oh a few times as if awakening from a dream, quickly raised his hand and said: "Aiqing, please get back on your feet quickly!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Pang Gang stood up.
Pang Gang stood up and looked at Chongzhen like this, the look in his eyes was as calm as the sea, and he didn't have the slightest dissatisfaction because of Chongzhen's trouble just now.!~!
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