The night of March 17 in the 17th year of Chongzhen. Ｘ

Beijing, Jinyi Weibei Town Fusi, Imperial Prison.

Shen Yan pressed the handle of the embroidered spring knife with his hand and walked through the prison. In the huge Beizhao Prison, there is only the neat footsteps of this team of brocade guards at this time.

Outside the prison gate of Zeng Ying, the former governor of Denglai, Shen Yan said softly: "Old man, there is a holy decree. ”

"The leather clerk Zeng Ying took the order."

Shen Yan sighed and read out the holy decree to release Zeng Ying.

In the Battle of Renwu, Jianzhou swept through Beizhili and Shandong, although Zeng Ying tried his best to defend the palace, but the impatient emperor still took Zeng Ying as a scapegoat afterwards and was imprisoned in Beizhao Prison. But it was locked up, and there was no torture and no sentence.

For this kind of feudal officials who were locked up by the emperor, Jin Yiwei actually didn't dare to offend, who knows if they will recover. Today, the emperor detains people, arrests people, kills people, and releases people all according to his mood. There is an example of Sun Chuanting, and Zhuyu is in front, and Jinyiwei is still serving Zeng Ying with good food and drink.

This morning, the imperial history Wu Luzhong asked the emperor for instructions, and the release of the system forbade the ministers to pay for redemption, and Dong Xiangheng, Zheng Eryang, and Zeng Ying were imprisoned.

The holy purpose of reading out the release of the minister was a difference in the past, and he could take the opportunity to get in touch with the feudal officials. This kind of good thing will definitely not be the turn of a small official like Shen Yan on weekdays. But today is different. The yamen in Beijing were almost empty, and only a few people went to the emperor to solicit ministers to discuss matters. The internal officials were also very confused, saying that there were all kinds of news, and the eunuch who delivered the decree threw the decree to Shen Yan and ran away.

After Shen Yan read the holy decree, Zeng Ying got up from the ground, and Shen Yan hurriedly took two steps forward to help the old man who was over the age of six.

"Where's the rogue?" Zeng Ying asked.

For a moment, Shen Yan seemed to feel that the temperament of the commander of the border army appeared on the old man in front of him again. He bowed his head and said, "Back to the old man's words, I went against the burning of the Twelve Tombs yesterday, and today I have besieged the capital." ”

"Who is the commander of the capital?"

"Governor Jingying, Xiangcheng Bo Li Guozhen."

"Only Jingying? Isn't there a border army king? ”

Shen Yan shook his head, "Only Tang Tong brought eight thousand people, and they have already rebelled at Juyong Pass." The rest of the border troops did not arrive. ”

"Wu Pingxi didn't come either?"

Shen Yan lowered his head, "I didn't come." ”

Zeng Ying scolded, "The Jingying is completely unusable, and it's still a ghost, where are the emperor and the prince now?" ”

"This ...... I really don't know about the humble position, and I think it should come to the big one. ”

Zeng Ying stomped her feet, "The cabinet ministers have mistaken the country!" If you don't persuade the holy driver to move south, the disaster of the Ming Dynasty is coming. ”

Shen Yan has tried his best not to think about the possibility of losing the country these days, Zeng Ying said it directly, which made Shen Yan and his subordinates Jinyiwei's faces change, and no one dared to answer.

The surroundings quieted down, and Zeng Ying noticed that it was a brocade guard who was preaching the decree in front of him. "What about your commanders and pacifiers, and what about the thousand households? Where have they gone? ”

Shen Yan showed a trace of resentment on his face, "The Shangguan have not arrived at their duty today, and the entire Beizhen Fusi will be left with a humble position." ”

"A bunch of bastards." After Zeng Ying finished scolding, she felt a little evil, "Why don't you run?" ”

"The world is blessed by the country, I will stand on the last shift."

Zeng Ying bowed slightly, "You are very good, what's your name?" ”

"Shen Yan, the words are obscure." Shen Yan said, "I don't know where the old gentleman is going after he is released from prison, the streets of the capital are in chaos now, I will send two people to protect you." ”

yes, where to go? Zeng Ying sat back in the wooden chair and thought. He is a native of Xiajiang County, Jiangxi Province, and his relatives and grandchildren are all in his hometown. This Beijing city must not be able to stay, and we must leave as soon as possible.

"The old man has no place to live in Beijing, so he has nowhere to go. If Shen Baihu doesn't dislike it, how about the old man temporarily live in this edict? ”

Shen Yan smiled bitterly, I have never seen the minister take the initiative to apply for the edict prison, it was definitely not possible before, but now in extraordinary times, all the rules have disappeared.

"Of course you can, just follow the old gentleman."

Shen Yan instructed his subordinates to prepare a few side dishes and get some wine. Several people went to Shen Yan's room, lit a charcoal brazier, and put wine and food on it.

Zeng Ying beckoned Shen Yan's brothers to sit over, and everyone chatted while eating. He is a civilian official who leads troops all the year round, and his personality is not as arrogant as that of ordinary civilian officials, so it is easy to get along with Qiu Ba.

"Old sir, your friend Qu Shiyun is now in Nanjing, and he has also been reinstated as an official of today's will." The gossip that Shen Yan heard today.

Zeng Ying sighed, this is good news for him.

In the late Ming Dynasty, there were many ministers who believed in Catholicism, or because of the knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and geography brought by Catholic missionaries. Qu Shiyun is one of them. When Zeng Ying was serving as a military commander in Fujian, she often participated in the astronomical symposia of Julius, the vicar of the Jesuit diocese of southern China, and established a deep friendship with him. During the Fujian Teaching Case, the Ming Dynasty had a network of officials, from cabinet ministers to magistrates, to protect missionaries such as Julius. Qu Shiyun wrote a letter to Zeng Ying at that time, imploring him to participate in the rescue. Zeng Ying, as the deputy envoy of Fujian, played a vital role. He and Qu Shiyun also became a life-changing friendship.

Going to Nanjing, Zeng Ying made up her mind.

Zeng Ying asked Shen Yan, "Is the siege of the capital tight?" ”

"The old gentleman wants to go out of town?" Shen Yan understood as soon as he heard it.

The news of Jinyiwei is very well-informed, Shen Yan said that there are rebellious cavalry outside the city gate, and the city of Beijing is so big, the siege is definitely not strict. But Li Zicheng had already divided his troops to the south to plunder the land. Many prefectures and counties in Beizhili surrendered when they saw the edict of rebellion, and even in the western part of Shandong, there were puppet officials who took office. Zeng Ying wants to leave, but it will definitely not work to go south.

Zeng Ying thought for a while, "Shen Baihu, is the chief soldier of Tianjin Town still Cao Youyi now?" ”

"It's Cao Zhen."

Everyone knows that the Beijing camp is neither good to look at nor useful, and in addition to Tangtong around the capital, Tianjin Town has the most complete combat effectiveness.

"There is no need to worry about the Liukou of Zhili and Shandong, Tianjin Caozhen once worked under the old man, and I have a good relationship with him. I don't have to go south by land, I can just go to Tianjin to join him. ”

When Shen Yan heard this, he became a little interested, "As long as you get to Tianjin, you can get on the boat." ”

Shen Yan's previous desperate mentality was due to the fact that the road was cut off, even if he ran out of Beijing, it would be difficult to survive, he didn't want to surrender, and planned to fight to the death in Beizhen Fusi and Chuangwei after the city was broken.

Zeng Ying saw that Shen Yan's expression was different, and her heart moved, "Shen Baihu, what are your plans now." ”

Shen Yan poured a big sip of wine, "Old man, I am humbling to escort you to Tianjin." ”

Zeng Ying was overjoyed, now that the war is in chaos, it is too unlikely that an old man in his 60s can get to Tianjin safely.

Shen Yan's Jinyi guard said, "Now the major gates of the capital are closed, and unless the wall comes out, you can't get out at all." ”

"The commander who guards Andingmen is always my brother-in-law, and we will go out of the city from there." Shen Yan smashed the wine glass, "Brothers, without further ado, if you want to leave, come with me." ”

There are 12 people in Shen Yan's team of brocade guards, everyone look at me, I look at you, and finally 6 people stood up, "I am willing to follow the Lord of the Hundred Households." ”

The 6 people who chose to stay, Shen Yan knew that there were old and young people in their family. Hugging them one by one, Shen Yan said, "Brothers, there will be a period later." ”

There was no time to delay, so Shen Yan asked the people who were going to leave to go to the arsenal to get crossbows and daggers and other equipment, each of them brought 4 days of dry food, and immediately rushed to Andingmen.

At midnight, Shen Yan said goodbye to the goalkeeper, "Big brother, are you really not leaving?" ”

The general sighed, "Brother, my wife and children are all in the capital, and they are no more alone than you." ”

Shen Yan shook to the ground, "Big brother, say goodbye today, I don't know when we can see each other again, please accept the younger brother." ”

Helped Shen Yan up, "Brother, if you go to the south, you can't embarrass the men in the north." ”

There were already tears in the corners of Shen Yan's eyes, and he nodded heavily, "Definitely, big brother take care." ”

"Take care."

Shen Yan took off his flying fish suit and stroked it for a long time.

Several people changed into the clothes of the common people, descended from the city, and disappeared into the night.

On March 19, Chongzhen's son collapsed in the coal mountain.

On the night of March 20, Tianjin. Running all the way, Zeng Ying and others found the Tianjin Town Military Camp.

The news of the fall of the capital has spread to Tianjin, the whole city is in a depression, Tianjin Daoyuan Yuzong set up a big yellow flag at the head of the city, and wrote "Tianbi people". Every household in Tianjin City also pasted pieces of paper from Shunmin on the door panels.

Cao Youyi asked the old boss in the hall, "Lord Zhongcheng, what should we do?" ”

Cao Youyi was reluctant to surrender.

Zeng Ying only said two words, "Grab the boat." ”

Yes, the dignified Tianjin town commander is now going to grab the ship. The Tianjin town battalion soldiers were in arrears for four months in a row, and they were all pulled away by Yuan Yuzong yesterday. Cao Youyi can't be trusted by anyone except for his family now.

"That's all there is to it." Cao Youyi still has 500 Jianding, and the relationship is like that of father and son.

Summoning his own soldiers, wearing mountain pattern armor, fastening his phoenix-winged helmet, grabbing the carbine, Cao Youyi turned over and got on his horse.

The road was opened by the general army, followed by 500 families, and the brocade guards escorted Zeng Ying, all the way to the port.

Yuan Yuzong led the battalion soldiers to intercept in the middle of the road, these battalion soldiers were quite in awe of Cao Youyi, no one released guns and arrows, and after a wave of symbolic resistance, Cao Youyi rushed out. Yuan Yuzong sighed, stopped what he meant, and could give Li Zicheng an explanation, and it was not necessary to work hard.

The port was in chaos, and tens of thousands of people who had fled gathered here in search of ships to get out to sea. Some boats are already full of refugees boating on the sea. Seeing this, Cao Youyi personally led dozens of horsemen to open the way and went straight to the camp of the sailor. The defenders dispersed.

Cao Youyi selected 8 best-maintained warships, untied the cables and hoisted the sails, and left Tianjin before the pursuers arrived.

Now that the south wind is rising, these civilian ships on the sea can't run at all, and their speed is very slow. Cao Youyi can only keep fighting the wind.

"Zhongcheng, where are we going?"

Zeng Ying withdrew her gaze from Tianjin, "Go to Dengzhou." ”

Golden City, Senate.

The new Senate was designed by Gucci, the mayor of Jincheng City, and has just been put into use after a year and a half of construction. A sculpture of Captain Bellamy holding his sword stands in the square in front of the Senate, with the Confederate Star Bird flag flying behind it.

The New Senate was a Roman palace-like building, with a high base followed by nine two-story columns, and arcades adorned with naval guns and laurel crowns. Under the soaring dome, the Senate Grand Chamber can accommodate up to 400 people.

The news of China's upheaval was sent to Jincheng by the clippers against the wind regardless of the cost. The Senate convened an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures. Many people think of the prophecy of the order a few years ago, and their hearts sank.

Jincheng's maritime trade is highly dependent on Chinese products. Silk, ceramics, ironware, etc., China can produce the best civilian goods in the world. The country's development is booming, and no one wants to make a difference. But the upheaval that is taking place in China has cast a shadow over the hearts of the elders.

"The collapse of the Ming Dynasty regime is a challenge for us, but it may also be an opportunity to accelerate development." The orderly voice on the podium was loud.

The senators were talking, and someone in the front row stood up, "May I ask Your Excellency the Archon, what is the opportunity you are referring to." ”

"More, cheaper immigration. Especially those high-end talents that we have been longing for, silk and dyeing workers, porcelain craftsmen, skilled blacksmiths. ”

"Your Excellency, you are quite right. This is indeed our opportunity, but we do not want to be involved in a war on the East Asian continent for these reasons. ”

“aye，aye。” There was a chorus of echo all around.

"Your Excellency, we should carefully observe the changes in Chinese mainland and not show our attitude until the dust settles." The louder echo showed that this was the mainstream opinion of the Senate.

Shou Xuan nodded, "Elder Philby, you're right, we can't say anything until the dust settles. But that doesn't mean we have to sit on the sidelines. I believe that Batavia, Manila, and Macau will not sit idly by and watch the changes in China, and if we are to gain greater benefits in China, we need to take a closer look at and assess the situation in China. ”

Philby consulted with the people around him for a while, "Your Excellency, we agree with your suggestion of contact. But we believe that such contact cannot be war. ”

"There will be no war, but I apply to the Senate for the necessary right of self-defense."

"How do you define the right to self-defense?"

"In the process of acquiring people and goods, if there is resistance, we will act in self-defense."

Philby smiled and shook his head, "Your Excellency, of course it is okay to defend yourself if necessary. But for your operation to the north, I advise not to carry more than 150 army soldiers from the Golden City. ”

Three companies that are not satisfied with the formation, the elders thought.

Seeing that there was no objection to the order, the Speaker struck the gavel, "Now vote on the proposal of Elder Philby." ”

Majority passed. Allowing Shou to lead a limited expedition to engage with Chinese mainland was intended to acquire talent and more hard currency to alleviate Jincheng's current financial crisis.

In the evening, Shou Xu met Philby at the official residence, "You did a good job. ”

Fearing that his proposal to go north would be rejected by the Senate, Shou ordered to play a double play with Philby.

"Thank you, sir. But my lord, wouldn't 150 soldiers be too little? ”

Shou Xuan said with a smile, "Now the standing army brigade in Jincheng is not yet full, and there are less than 2,000 people in total. No matter how many people are drawn, the chances of the proposal being passed are not very likely. ”

"My lord, I don't understand. The Navy doesn't send a single cruiser, and the Army has only 150 people, so there's only so much you can do. ”

Shou Xuan smiled and picked up his glass, "Philby, you have all forgotten about Taiwan. ”r