Before the rebel army had gone far, the Tatars entered the pass. The entire capital was shrouded in gloom and mist. The common people were in panic all day long. The wealthy gentry frowned and went around to inquire about news. Some even started to pack their bags. Although the Tatars had twice come to the city before and attacked.
The city has not yet been broken, but at that time there were heavy troops in the capital. Although they could not fight, they could scare people, but now there is nothing in the capital.
Of course, there is also a group of people who maintain an excited mood at all times. They spit and push their chests and feet in teahouses and restaurants, discussing the current situation, how to resist the Tatars, and how to march and fight. At the end, they mainly curse the court.
Incompetent, yes, they are the keyboard warriors and literati of the Ming Dynasty!
The keyboard warrior can make all the difference with just one mouthful, but in the face of the national crisis, there are still loyal and patriotic people who raise their arms and shout for the unity of the army and the people to resist foreign humiliation. Among them is the Octopus Chamber of Commerce. This newly established imperial businessman joined forces to count the numbers in the afternoon.
Ten merchants launched a fund-raising campaign in the capital, and hundreds of people took to the streets to hold banners and chant slogans, doing their best to protect their homes and country.
At the same time, almost all the noble houses in the capital received a message. Wu Mengming, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, raised funds in his own name, saying: "Everyone has a responsibility when facing a national crisis. After all the kings are heroes, they must take the lead and contribute money if they have the money."
If there is money and food, food will come out." If someone eats the emperor's salary and does not do something loyal to the emperor, Wu Mengming will fight to the end.
Not surprisingly, all the honorable people who received this post yelled at home, asking them to donate anything they own, but Ling Ran couldn't refute the high-sounding and righteous words of this guy, and some of them were thinking.
Was it a play directed by Emperor Chongzhen from behind? So these nobles began to visit each other and inquire about what was going on.
Whether it was Emperor Chongzhen's intention or Wu Mengming's personal behavior has not been determined for a while, but each servant brought explosive news. Wu Mengming set up a stage on Qianmen Street, saying that the Tatars were approaching the city and saw that the lives of the people were in ruins and even the capital was in danger.
The commander of the Jin Yiwei should share the worries of the king. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, he should do his best. He is willing to spend all his wealth to help the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty to kill the enemy. He also said that he has called on the nobles in the capital to donate money and food. If those nobles are
Not donating means being ruthless and without conscience. He, Wu Mengming, will fight to the end and go from house to house to scold him... Immediately, the people cheered and started shouting and wanted to follow him in scolding him. This is the textbook for future generations to force donations.
Wu Mengming's so-called wealth is three thousand taels of silver and the land deed of an old house. His behavior naturally attracted a lot of good impressions. For a while, cheers spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital. Everyone said that the commander of the Jin Yiwei had both loyalty and justice. Compared with
Those distinguished families are simply worlds apart.
Damn it, you just donated it yourself, why do you want to drag us into this? After hearing the news, many nobles scolded them. Wu Mengming's move was absolutely amazing. He used the situation of the Tatars approaching the city to create public pressure and get them to donate money.
And there are thousands of them in one mouth, which is really bad.
But if you don’t donate, you will really be spit on and drowned. In the future, the common people will point their noses and curse, so and so, so and so, even when the country is in crisis, why does the court keep such white-eyed trash? I’m afraid even the emperor will look at you in the future.
If I am no longer worthy of my title, I might find some excuse to give up my title.
However, thoughtful people have smelled a conspiracy. They don't believe that Wu Mengming is so righteous. He keeps saying that he is launching a fundraiser in his own name. Who knows if it is to blame that person, who is the commander of the Jin Yiwei.
So the three princes communicated with some big shots in the cabinet in a very short time, and then jointly requested to see Emperor Chongzhen. It was said that Wu Mengming's messy behavior would make the already panic-stricken capital even more chaotic. Although
There is nothing illegal in soliciting donations, but it is unethical if you force them to donate.
Emperor Chongzhen saw him unexpectedly, and then said coldly: "Everyone is responsible for the national crisis. The common people and some merchants in the city actively donated money and food. You have received so much kindness from the emperor, shouldn't you donate? Can't you?"
Do you want to donate, or don’t you want to donate?” He also stated that this matter was Wu Mengming’s personal behavior and had nothing to do with him or the royal family. He would not interfere or stop it, and even felt that such an act of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism should be rewarded.
Emperor Chongzhen kept his word and said that this matter had nothing to do with him and everyone believed him. Although they were ridiculed by Emperor Chongzhen, they were still a little relieved because of their thick skin. If it was just Wu Mengming's personal behavior, then it would be a shame.
It's easy to handle. If he doesn't do it in the name of Jin Yiwei, he won't be punished. If he does it in the name of Jin Yiwei, he will be beaten to death by the civil service group. Even Chongzhen can't escape the relationship. As for now, donation is required, but if
Thousands of people go and dream.
But where did Wu Mengming, a guy who usually only cares about money, get such courage and righteousness? There must be someone behind it. Since it's not the emperor, then... the little eunuch of Dongchang.
Everyone couldn't help but shudder. They were afraid of Chang Yu from the bottom of their hearts. After all, there were too many people in Xungui who were tricked by him. The last time he investigated the private use of the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp, it was 80% certain.
All the nobles and nobles were swindled by him, but later someone paid a murderer to assassinate him. He was almost thrown into Dongchang and imprisoned. In the end, he was left with nothing but skin and bones.
As the saying goes, a biting dog never barks. The little eunuch has always looked harmless to humans and animals, and he has never been arrogant. Compared with Wei Zhongxian back then, he can be said to be low-key and terrifying. But just like this, everyone is far more afraid of him than he was when he was a disaster.
Because at least the scourge back then still had something to use against him, and the Donglin Party Group could still find fault with him to fight with him, but the little eunuch never showed up when he did bad things, and there was no way to catch him, and it gave people the impression that he was just out of focus.
Leading troops to fight is an awesome thing, and the battle will be won. Now not only are many courtiers praising him, but the common people even regard him as the God of War, and his reputation is extremely good.
I'm afraid. The little eunuch is ruthless and won't give anyone the face. It's better to mess with him less. Besides, now that the Tatars are coming, they have to rely on him to resist the enemy. But then again, he is so busy coming back from the south in a hurry. He really has time.
Did you give Wu Mengming this crazy idea?
Never mind him, anyway, Wu Mengming also said that in his own name, considering how many methods he can use, as long as he dares to use the power of the Jin Yiwei, he will be considered to have a handle.
A group of people came out of the palace with their own thoughts. It was already dusk. Just when the city gate was about to close, the officers and soldiers who were training outside returned to the city. The people had already spread the rumor that the officers and soldiers had gone to fight the Tatars. After hearing about it, they returned
People in the city lined the streets to watch, wanting to see whether they were defeated or victorious.
Wang Jiayan had not slept for two days and one night. His eyes were bloodshot and his face looked tired but he had a smile on his lips. As soon as he entered the city and entered the military camp, a fast horse came rushing towards him. Emperor Chongzhen summoned him to the palace to meet the emperor. (To be continued)