In the Qianqing Palace of the Imperial Palace in Beijing, Chongzhen, dressed in a yellow robe, was reviewing the chapters, and it had been thirteen years since he ascended the throne at the age of sixteen and took over the mess in the hands of his carpenter emperor's brother, the Emperor of the Apocalypse. In the past thirteen years, he has worked hard every day, and he has not dared to relax and rest for a day, because he feels that the Ming Dynasty has been declining, and he has some ambitions, hoping that he can lead the country to revitalize, and he does not want to be the last emperor. He finished reading a piece of music and continued to open the next one, which turned out to be the book of the Ministry of War, Yang Sichang, impeachment of the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, Sun Chuanting, the cause of the matter, to start from the selection of the governor of Jiliao, according to espionage reports, the army of the Manchu Emperor Taiji has signs of violating the border, and at present, the Ming Dynasty is in Liaodong, and all the generals are fighting for themselves, the general soldier Zu Dashou is in Jinzhou, the general soldier Wu Sangui is in Shanhaiguan, and the governor Wu Aheng is in Datong, and the command is scattered, and there is no unified dispatch and a commander is missing. Yang Sichang, who was originally deeply trusted by Chongzhen, suggested that Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of the five provinces, be the commander of the Liaodong defense line as the commander of the Liaodong defense line, and now only he is qualified to suppress these Liaodong generals, especially Zu Dashou, since Chongzhen killed Yuan Chonghuan, the court sent several governors, Zu Dashou just didn't buy it, Chongzhen also had a headache, because Zu Dashou was on the front line of resisting the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and Zu Dashou was good at fighting, very familiar with the tactics of the Manchu army, and won the support of the Liaodong soldiers, and withdrew him back, I am afraid that it will cause a mutiny. Lu Xiangsheng was willing to go to Liaodong, but some ministers pointed out that although Lu Xiangsheng was a victorious general in the battle to suppress the peasant army, the Manchu army was not comparable to the peasant army, and he had never fought on the border, and I am afraid that he would not be qualified for the post of Jiliao Governor. Chongzhen was also a little hesitant, and the later candidate became Sun Chuanting, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, who was good at strategy, and suppressed the peasant army in Shaanxi, Henan and Henan for a long time, and also made remarkable achievements. The ministers of the court and China unanimously agreed that Sun Chuanting could be qualified to serve as the governor of Jiliao, but Yang Sichang proposed that the Shaanxi soldiers "Qin soldiers" who suppressed the peasant army Sun Chuanting should be brought to Liaodong to resist Huang Taiji. Sun Chuanting was very dissatisfied with the transfer of the most capable Shaanxi soldiers, who would suppress the peasant army, and now the number of Li Zicheng's peasant army in Henan has reached more than 100,000, and there are excellent cavalry, and the withdrawal of the Qin soldiers is self-destruction of the Great Wall, so in desperation, he did not want to serve as the governor of Jiliao. Yang Sichang's twist and turn is to impeach Sun Chuanting for supporting the army, self-respect, and fake illness.

Chongzhen was furious when he saw it in the end, "You are Sun Chuanting, you dare not follow the holy decree of the imperial court, do you still take me, the emperor, in your eyes?" Come on, immediately plan to cut off all the duties of Sun Chuanting, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, lock Sun Chuanting, escort Sun Chuanting to the Beijing division for interrogation, and immediately come to Yang Sichang, the secretary of the Xuanbing Department. After Chongzhen issued two decrees, he stood up and paced, thinking about what happened to these generals? Outsiders are really unreliable! At this time, the eunuch Wang Chengen walked in cautiously and whispered: "The little prince of the emperor Guiwang, Zhu Youlang, is here!" Chongzhen's eyes lit up, "Oh-he's here?" Announce him in!" Wang Chengen went out for a while, and led Zhou Renyuan, who was looking around, into the Qianqing Palace, when Zhou Renyuan entered the door, he glanced at the person sitting on the chair behind the desk and wearing bright yellow clothes, and knew that this was Chongzhen, so he learned to meet the emperor on TV, knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Brother Guiwang Zhu Changying's fourth son, Zhu Youlang, to see the emperor, long live the emperor, long live, long live!" I only heard Chongzhen say gently: "Cousin, don't be polite, get up quickly, let me take a good look at you." Zhou Renyuan kowtowed again, "Thank you, Emperor." And he stood up. Chongzhen left the chair and walked in front of Zhou Renyuan, looked at him, and praised: "Sure enough, it is a good son of my Zhu family, who is handsome and healthy!" Haha-" Zhou Renyuan hurriedly said, "Thank you for your praise!" Chongzhen shook his head when he heard this: "Eh? I'm not a fool to praise you, you think, the princes of the vassal kings everywhere are either addicted to wine, or they are drilling for money, how can anyone compare to your dragon spirit and fierce appearance. By the way, sit down and sit down. Wang Chengen hurriedly brought a chair to Zhou Renyuan from the side, but Zhou Renyuan was not polite, and sat down with a butt. Wang Chengen was secretly worried in his heart, why didn't this little prince know the etiquette, and the emperor could only sit on half of it. He looked up at Chongzhen, Chongzhen didn't care, smiled slightly, the young man just wanted to be arrogant, besides, this is his cousin's family, there is no need to talk about so many rules. Chongzhen suddenly straightened up and said to Wang Chengen: "Princess, you and the others will go out first, and I have something to talk to my cousin." Wang Chengen waved his hand to the two little eunuchs serving Chongzhen, withdrew from the Qianqing Palace together, closed the door and closed the door in the palace, leaving only Chongzhen and Zhou Renyuan sitting opposite each other. Chongzhen looked at Zhou Renyuan: "My cousin should be sixteen years old this year, since the second year of my accession to the throne, it has been eleven years since you entered the palace with King Gui for a pilgrimage, and you were only five years old at that time, and you didn't expect to grow so big now." Chongzhen sighed with emotion. "The emperor still remembers the age of his brother." Zhou Renyuan complimented. Chongzhen smiled: "I have so many cousins, but I only remember your age, at that time, you were very popular with the queen, and the queen held you in her arms and said that in the future, I must have a fat boy like you, haha-" Zhou Renyuan also sighed for a while, and he couldn't imagine that this Chongzhen still remembered what happened when Zhu Youlang was a child. "By the way, are King Gui and Shizi's health okay?" Chongzhen continued to pull the family routine. "Back to the emperor, my father and brother are not in good health, but they will get better after a few days of calm rest, thank you for your concern." Zhou Renyuan hurriedly replied. "So all the military and political affairs in Hengzhou are presided over by you, am I right?" Chongzhen suddenly said. Zhou Renyuan hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "The younger brother is afraid and doesn't understand why the emperor said this?" Chongzhen suddenly pulled out a piece of music from the pile of music on the table, held it in his hand and laughed: "Why don't you admit it, do you want to show you this musical?" Zhou Renyuan replied loudly: "The younger brother doesn't need to see the younger brother admit it." "Oh? You-" Chongzhen put it down with the piece in his hand, very curious, "You admit it so quickly?" Please get up and talk back. Zhou Renyuan rubbed his knees, Chongzhen smiled and motioned him to get up: "The younger brother is to protect the people of Hengzhou and the Guiwang Mansion, and take precautions against thieves, and I hope the emperor will see it." Zhou Renyuan replied. You go on! I listened. Chongzhen sat on the chair and took a sip of tea and said. Zhou Renyuan also sat down and pretended to sigh: "Your Majesty, you also know that now there are thieves everywhere in Huguang, Zhang Xianzhong in Huguang, Li Zicheng in Henan, and we in Hunan are sandwiched between these two gangs of thieves, and they will be attacked by both sides at any time, Hengzhou will no longer protect itself, I am afraid that there will be a catastrophe at any time!" Could it be that the emperor, you watched the people of Hengzhou being victimized by thieves, and the people of Hengzhou are also the people of the Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty!" Saying that, Zhou Renyuan squeezed out two tears. Chongzhen's face was ashamed, and when he saw that Zhou Renyuan was crying, he hurriedly comforted: "Eh, cousin, I didn't say that I wouldn't let you protect yourself." Zhou Renyuan heard that there was a play, wiped the tears that he had just squeezed out with the corner of his clothes, and continued: "The courtier's father knew that the imperial court was short of money and could not recruit soldiers, so he spent money to recruit soldiers in Hengzhou

Self-preservation: To tell the truth, the vassal kings in various places are much richer than the King of Gui, such as the King of Chu in Changsha and the King of Fu in Luoyang, but what are they doing? With so much money in their hands, have they considered the difficulties of the imperial court, and have they taken out a penny to defend their respective domains? And the minister's father was said by someone with a heart to support the army and respect himself, the emperor is unfair, and he is the descendant of the Zhu family, why is the gap between him and the son of the Zhu family so big!" After hearing this, Chongzhen nodded with deep sympathy, remembering that a few days ago, King Hui and King Rui of Wuchang each donated 50,000 taels of silver to the imperial court, and the richest King Chu and King Fu didn't even donate a tael of silver, so he stood up, pointed upward, and said loudly: "Cousin, what you said is too right, it is the gap in life." Zhou Renyuan added fire in time: "Please rest assured, the emperor, our soldiers in Hengzhou are all Ming troops, absolutely loyal to the imperial court, loyal to the emperor." "Good! Good! I can rest assured, I am very relieved! Haha-" Chongzhen finally laughed, and suddenly his tone changed, and he stared at Zhou Renyuan in a low voice and said, "But I heard that you are dissatisfied with my killing of Sun Yuanhua a few years ago, right?" As soon as Zhou Renyuan heard that there were also secret agents of the Jinyi Guard in the barracks, he nervously straightened his head, bowed down and replied: "Brother Chen, I don't dare, Brother Chen, I just think it's a pity." "What a pity, what is the pity, what is the pity of a criminal who plots rebellion and trouble?!" Chongzhen was on the verge of rage. "It's a pity that such a good general didn't die on the battlefield in battle, but died at the hands of traitors in the court." Zhou Renyuan replied fearlessly. "What? What did you say? Dead at the hands of traitors?" Chongzhen looked at Zhou Renyuan in surprise: "The emperor has a few questions about Sun Yuanhua's charges against Lord Sun, and since the imperial court said that he was plotting rebellion and trouble, then he always had a purpose for rebellion and trouble, did he want to go to Guanwai and surrender to Huang Taiji?" Zhou Renyuan continued to analyze: "Okay, even if he wants to rebel and want to surrender to Huang Taiji outside the Guan, then why did he stay in Dengzhou, but only sent his general, Kong Youde, to lead 800 cavalry to Liaodong to rescue Zu Dashou, is this common sense?" Your Majesty, think about Dengzhou, but it's hundreds of miles away from Liaodong? Why didn't he personally take this army to Liaodong, deceived Zu Dashou and went directly to Huang Taiji, maybe he could also seize Zu Dashou and give gifts to Huang Taiji, isn't this the easiest way? On the other hand, he didn't go to Huang Taiji, then he rebelled, he wanted to overthrow the Ming Dynasty and become the emperor himself, but why did he see Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming rebelling, and he led his troops to attack them? Why did he commit suicide after being defeated and captured by the rebels? Why did he persuade the rebels to go to Beijing to plead and stand trial?" After hearing this, Chongzhen was suddenly dazed and muttered, "This-this-But all the ministers of this court say that he is the head of the trouble." "Ministers of the court? Hmph - say something that you don't like to hear, the emperor, forget it, the courtiers don't want to offend the ministers of the court by being accused of a vassal king interfering in politics. Zhou Renyuan held his breath and said nothing. Chongzhen was unhappy: "Aren't you already in Hengzhou?" Why don't you dare to interfere in the politics of this court? That's all you dare?" The emperor's ministers and brothers said, ah, the Ming Dynasty is so eventful, the ministers of the court only know that they talk empty in the court, and they don't know what to do, and when they see which foreign civil and military generals have achieved some military achievements outside, they began to be jealous and think about impeaching these people, and they are deeply afraid that one day these people's official positions will be higher than them in the future, and they will be favored by the emperor more than them. Sun Yuanhua was at fault, but his fault was that he trusted Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming was at most a crime of not knowing people and not being strict with his subordinates, and the ministers of the court began to speculate without knowing the situation, and it can even be said that they knew the reason and deliberately distorted the facts to show the emperor that only those in the court were loyal ministers. Chongzhen heard this, and hurriedly shook his hand: "Cousin, you are a punishing word, this is impossible, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty are all sanctimonious." Zhou Renyuan sighed and said: "Your Majesty, although this is a bit too much, but it is indeed a big truth, our first assistant Wen Ti Renwen, you trust you very much." "Of course, Lord Wen has been the first assistant for eight years, and he is very diligent in helping me deal with the affairs of the imperial court." Chongzhen replied. "Yes, it has been the first assistant for eight years, but as far as the ministers know, since the Ming Dynasty had a cabinet, only Zhang Juzheng and Yan Song have been the first assistants for such a long time." Zhou Renyuan lowered his head as if talking to himself. Chongzhen's heart was shocked, and it took a long time to come back to his senses, Zhang Juzheng's generation of famous ministers, Yan Song's generation of traitors, Wen Tiren and Zhang Juzheng, are they not famous, and Dao, this cousin implies that Wen Tiren is the same adulterous as Yan Song? It is impossible for Yan Song to be amazingly corrupt, but Wen Tiren is honest and honest, never accepts bribes, and said with a smile: "Cousin, you won't compare Wen Shoufu to Yan Song, this is too unbelievable." Zhou Renyuan also smiled: "Then may I ask the emperor, Lord Wen, has the first assistant in the eighth year ever proposed a national policy?" What philosophy of governing the country did you suggest to the emperor?" This question hit Chongzhen enough, and he remembered that every morning in the morning, Wen Tiren said the same sentence every time: "The minister knows, the minister will do it." "So he's just my echo worm! It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous, I, Zhu Youzhen, want to revive Heshan, how can I let an echo worm stay in the position of the first assistant of the cabinet for eight years? At this time, Chongzhen was a little disheartened, waved his hand, and said in a low voice: "Cousin, you go to the harem first to greet the queen and concubine, I have some things to think about and think about." Zhou Renyuan took out a piece of music from his arms, held it in both hands, and said: "The emperor's ministers and brothers have a piece of music, and I also ask the emperor to pass by in his spare time, hoping to help the emperor a little." Chongzhen took the fold and put it on the table, nodded and said, "I know, you can go." Zhou Renyuan knelt down for a moment, "Brother Chen, retire." "Bow down and exit the Qianqing Palace.

On the day that Zhou Renyuan and Chongzhen met, in the palace of Shengjing (Shenyang), the capital of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the fifty-year-old Huang Taiji was discussing state affairs with his ministers in the main hall. Huang Taiji has a thin face, since he inherited the throne thirteen years ago, and then changed the Jurchen to the Manchu four years ago, enthroned the throne, called the emperor, and the Jurchen tribe under his leadership developed production, strengthened the army, and conquered Korea in the east and Mongolia in the west, all surrendered to his feet, and now only the Ming Dynasty in the south is still stubbornly resisting his pace. He chose the name of the Qing Dynasty to specifically restrain the Ming Zhou Yili said: "The five elements of the Ming Dynasty belong to fire, and the five elements of the Qing Dynasty belong to water", water overcomes fire, and it is natural and righteous that in the future, the Ming Dynasty will definitely surrender to his feet. He looked at the ministers in the main hall, and when he saw the Han official Fan Wencheng who was already full of white hair, he couldn't help but be a little moved, and ordered the guards on the side: "Give Fan Zhangjing (equivalent to the prime minister) a seat." The elderly Fan Wencheng bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then he sat down, and the other ministers Baylor looked at each other dissatisfiedly when they saw this, how could a Han official be favored by the emperors of the Qing Dynasty? Even if Fan Wencheng works hard, he is a Han after all. Dissatisfaction is dissatisfied, but no one dares to squeak, now is the emperor "sitting alone in the south", the era of the eight kings to discuss politics has long passed, the four major Baylor of the year, except for Huang Taiji as the emperor, the rest of the second Baylor Amin has long been imprisoned, the third Baylor Manggultai because of the quarrel with Huang Taiji, he actually pulled out a knife and was dismissed from his position for a period, and the big Baylor Daishan was also crowned by Huang Taiji with the charge of greed for money and breaking the law, and was idle at home without asking about the government. It can be seen how superb Huang Taiji's political methods are. After seeing Fan Wencheng sit down, Huang Taiji began today's topic: "All the ministers, Beile I, have summoned you today to announce one thing, and I am going to attack the Ming Dynasty in the spring of next year." Only the audience whispered to each other, and a young prince came out of the class, knelt down on one knee and said, "The emperor has this ambition, and Dolgon is willing to be a pioneer." At this time, another prince knelt down and said, "The minister Zilharang is also willing to be a pioneer." Huang Taiji smiled approvingly and said: "The two princes are loyal and commendable, and their military achievements are outstanding, what do you think, the ministers?" Huang Taiji's eldest son, Haoge, couldn't sit still, why every time he went on an expedition, he let these two uncles take the lead, and his military talent has not been reflected, and now is a sensitive period, that is, on the issue of the crown prince and the prince, the Manchu Qing Dynasty did not say that he would establish a long and a successor, only a sage. As the eldest son, he has been presiding over the affairs of the household department, and his ability has also been recognized by the ministers, but the ministers of the Manchu Qing Dynasty did not start by military exploits, as the eldest son of the emperor, he has no military exploits, and he will only rule by others, which will be looked down upon, how to compete for the position of the prince in the future. Thinking of this, he also came out and said: "My father, the emperor, and the ministers are willing to replace the two uncles as the vanguard to attack the Ming Dynasty." Huang Taiji glanced at the eldest son, his eyes were full of satisfaction, and said: "Haoge, you have this heart, I am very pleased, but your household is more important than being a pioneer, as the saying goes, 'the soldiers and horses have not moved, the grain and grass go first', and now it is winter, you have to prepare for the spring next year, the army's grain and grass tasks are more onerous, and the credit is greater than that of the vanguard, is what Fan Zhang Jingzhen said?" Huang Taiji's eyes turned to Fan Wencheng, he knew that Haoge listened to Fan Wencheng's words more, Haoge was arranged by Huang Taiji to learn the idea of Confucianism and governing the country by Fan Wencheng since he was sensible, and he knew that if he could enter the Guannai to govern a country in the future, it would no longer rely on military attack but on cultural governance. Fan Wencheng sat on the chair and nodded: "What the emperor said is extremely true. "Haoge heard Huang Taiji and Fan Wencheng say this, and he no longer expressed any objections, and returned to the court a little unwillingly." The emperor doesn't know where you are attacking the Ming Dynasty this time? Is it still Jinzhou?" Fan Wencheng asked. Huang Taiji stood up abruptly and said loudly: "Yes, Jinzhou, Jinzhou, the throat has blocked my Qing Dynasty's iron cavalry for decades, and if I don't take Jinzhou, my Qing Dynasty is tied hand and foot, how can I still step on the Ming Dynasty?" At this time, a palace maid from the harem came to Huang Taiji's side and whispered a few words, Huang Taiji was dizzy, "Ah-Concubine Chen vomited blood again——?" Hurriedly dispersed, and rushed to the harem