At the same time that Chongzhen looked at Pang Gang, Pang Gang was also quietly looking at Chongzhen, the most diligent emperor in the history of the Ming Dynasty, but also the most bumpy and even tragic emperor.

Although it was not the first time to meet Chongzhen, but when he saw Chongzhen, Pang Gang was still slightly taken aback, the change in Chongzhen after not seeing Chongzhen for a few years was huge, and his temples were gray and he didn't look like a middle-aged man who was just thirty-two or thirteen years old, but like a middle-aged man in his forties.

Pang Gang sighed slightly and then spoke: "Your Majesty, you have cleared." ”

A simple sentence of "you have cleared" made Chongzhen's eyes red, almost falling into tears, he sat in this position all these years and trembled, walking on thin ice, in order to regain the glory of his ancestors, but in the end he still failed, of course, there are such and such objective reasons and his own competent factors, but it is undeniable that at least he has worked hard, but in the end he found that all his efforts have become a failure.

Looking at Pang Gang, Chongzhen's lips trembled slightly, and he said after a long time: "Pang Gang, you can talk to me alone!" ”

After speaking, regardless of whether Pang Gang agreed or not, he took the lead and walked to the back, without any eunuchs and palace maids behind him.

And Lu Kuanliang, who was behind Pang Gang, looked at Pang Gang with some worry, this is someone's territory, although he has led his troops into the Forbidden City, but after all, people have been camping here for hundreds of years, and it is too easy to play any tricks, and his own boss is worried about his safety by following others over like this.

But Pang Gang ignored Lu Kuanliang's gaze and immediately agreed.

"Yes!"

Pang Gang followed in Chongzhen's footsteps without hesitation and caught up, looking at Pang Gang's figure gradually moving away, Lu Kuanliang, who was worried about the safety of his boss, shook his head, and the two soldiers immediately followed from a distance.

Pang Gang walked beside Chongzhen, deliberately half a body behind, Chongzhen didn't speak, and he didn't say anything.

After walking for almost half an hour, the two walked to an imperial garden, where dozens of flowers were blooming brightly in the sun. After entering the garden, Chongzhen spoke: "Pang Gang, now that Beijing City and my whole family have fallen into your hands, what are you going to do with me?" ”

After Chongzhen finished speaking, a pair of eyes stared at Pang Gang tightly, and Pang Gang said lightly: "The emperor's words are also wrong, and the question now is not how the ministers want to deal with the emperor, but how the emperor intends to settle himself." The minister dared to ask whether the emperor planned to continue to live in the Forbidden City. Or move out? ”

Although Pang Gang's sentence did not answer Chongzhen's question positively, the content of this sentence has already said the answer.

Listening to Pang Gang's words, Chongzhen stopped, glanced at Pang Gang deeply, and sighed: "Aren't you afraid that I will trouble you again after I regroup?" It must be known that there are still tens of thousands of elite soldiers on the nine sides of the Ming Dynasty, and they are still loyal to the Ming Dynasty. ”

Pang Gang laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you haven't been sitting on that chair for a day or two, or even a year or two, do you think you're doing an interesting job in that seat?" You know the hardships best, and it is not necessarily a bad thing for you to be able to let go of that burden. As for the border troops on the nine sides. To put it bluntly, although in your opinion they are already considered elite, but in the eyes of the minister. It would only take a little more effort to destroy them. ”

Chongzhen was silent, Pang Gang's words sounded very unpleasant, but Chongzhen knew that it was really not difficult for Pang Gang to clean up the border army on the nine sides, and now Yang Guozhu, the chief soldier of Xuanda, had a friendship with Pang Gang, and the remaining new Shanhaiguan chief Wu Sangui was lonely again, as long as the imperial court stopped allocating the salary and silver of Shanhaiguan, it would not take three months, and the soldiers and horses of Shanhaiguan would fall into chaos. I'm afraid that without Pang Gang attacking, they themselves will be in chaos first. …,

With a long sigh, Chongzhen nodded and said, "Okay, you win, I promise you." In a few days, I will hold a ceremony to cede the throne to you, but I still have something to ask you, how have you considered the matter of me marrying you? ”

Pang Gang smiled slightly: "Princess Kunxing is showing off her wisdom, and it is too late for the minister to be happy with this good wife." How dare you refuse! ”

"Well, that's good, Yu Jiao is my most beloved daughter, I hope that after Yu Jiao marries, you can treat her well, and you can't let her suffer any grievances, can you do it?" Speaking of this, Chongzhen's bright eyes stared at Pang Gang, as if he wanted to see something in his eyes.

"The emperor can rest assured, thanks to Princess Kunxing's marriage, the minister will not live up to her!" Pang Gang's words were categorical.

"That's good!"

Speaking of which, Chongzhen never mentioned the incident again, as if the two had never said anything about it, in fact, the marriage was not so much Chongzhen's marriage, but rather that Chongzhen wanted to buy a peace charm for the old Zhu family.

Since ancient times, how can there be a peaceful handover without bloodshed, and the former royal family is even more difficult to escape the pain of that knife, although Pang Gang has promised not to hurt the lives of the Zhu family, but who can say clearly about this thing? Marry Kunxing Princess Zhu Yujiao to Pang Gang, Chongzhen is to tell people clearly, I will marry my daughter to you, I hope you will put our old Zhu family on my daughter's face, and let our old Zhu family be ordinary people.

The meaning of this Chongzhen can't be said clearly, but not only Queen Zhou understands, Concubine Yuan understands, Wang Chengen understands, Pang Gang also understands, so Pang Gang agreed very happily, and clearly told him, not only will I marry your daughter, but you can go wherever you want, and I will not embarrass you.

After listening to Pang Gang's words, Chongzhen's heart that had been hanging was slightly relaxed, and he sighed: "Pang Gang, this daughter of mine has been the pearl of my palm since she was a child, and she is only fifteen this year, if it weren't for me, I would really be reluctant to let her leave my side." ”

At this time, Chongzhen no longer has the image of the king of a country on weekdays, but is like an ordinary old man and father, full of reluctance to the daughter who is about to get married, and desperately instructing his hairy son-in-law to treat his own pearl in the palm of his hand.

Pang Gang understands Chongzhen's mood very well, this princess who was called Princess Changping by later history books, and has appeared in many TV and movies, is indeed very loved by Chongzhen, but Pang Gang also knows that if he does not appear, in another four years, this princess will be cut off by his biological father An arm, and finally married under the arrangement of the Manchu Tartars, and finally died of depression.

Just when Pang Gang was thinking about it, Chongzhen suddenly asked faintly: "Pang Gang, I haven't understood all along, and I am also a promising gentleman when I ask myself." In the more than ten years of being in power, I have been managing the government day and night, but the situation in the Ming Dynasty has become more and more erosive, and it is out of control in the end, what is the reason for this? ”

Chongzhen has been holding this question in his heart for a long time, especially in these years, the Ming court is so poor that he can't even afford the meager income of officials, and sometimes Chongzhen can't even take out the night pot he uses to sell. However, the financial situation has not improved at all. The officials will only stare at the little thing on their plates, and they are just perfunctory about the errand explained by the imperial court, which also makes Chongzhen even more depressed and puzzled, but he has always kept this question in his heart, and never dared to ask others, today, Pang Gang came, and he finally couldn't help but confide in.

"This"

Pang Gang hesitated, Chongzhen's question was too extensive. Where can he finish talking all of a sudden, thinking of this, he raised his eyes and looked at Chongzhen again. found that this guy was showing a trace of confusion in his eyes at the moment, and it seemed that he was also very confused about his ruling process over the years. …,

"Okay, I'll just talk about it myself." Pang Gang thought for a while before saying, "Your Majesty, the minister will talk about it, and you will listen to it." ”

After coughing lightly, Pang Gang said: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the most important reason why the situation in the Ming Dynasty is becoming more and more erosive is that the imperial court has no silver, and the warehouse of the household department should be so poor that he is not even willing to live in a mouse at this moment, right?" ”

Hear here. Chongzhen's old face turned red, but he had to admit that what Pang Gang said was very reasonable, the current imperial court was indeed so poor that it was estimated that he couldn't even take out 100,000 taels of silver.

Pang Gang continued: "But why is the imperial court so poor? Is it true that I don't have any silver? Of course not, you can just go to any official or nobleman's house in the capital and take a look. What is the reason why there is definitely more silver in any of their treasury than in the household? In the final analysis, it was the policy of the imperial court, that is, there was a problem in the formulation of taxes. This was a problem when Emperor Taizu set the tax rate. Why should all the taxes be apportioned among the common people, while the meritorious people do not pay taxes? Why is the commercial tax so meagre? All kinds of things have caused today's troubles, ridiculous, the silver in the household department of a country can't even compare to a Jiangnan salt merchant, isn't this a strange thing? ”

Pang Gang didn't save face for Chongzhen at all, and what he said was unceremonious, Chongzhen blushed even more when he heard it, and hurriedly argued: "Since ancient times, how can the imperial court have the reason to compete for benefits from the people, and the imperial court is also hiding wealth from the people. ”

"That's not right!" Pang Gang said categorically: "Even if the rich are hidden in the people, it is not hidden like this, now the poor people of the Ming Dynasty are the land where there is no cone, but the rich are thousands of buildings, as the so-called Zhumen wine and meat stinky road has frozen bones, which is the portrayal of my Ming Dynasty now." ”

Pang Gang's words pierced Chongzhen's heart, and his face was red and white for a while, but before Pang Gang finished speaking, he continued: "There is a saying since ancient times, there is no business, no treachery, the greed of those gentry and rich families is endless, it stands to reason that even if it is only according to the tax rate of thirty draws of one in the Ming Dynasty, if the tax can be collected normally, my Ming treasury will not be so embarrassed, but as a result, those businessmen are not even willing to pay the tax of thirty draws, is this the result of the imperial court advocating not competing with the people?" ”

"Enough!" Chongzhen finally couldn't help but be angry, he glared at Pang Gang angrily, his chest couldn't help but rise and fall, and shouted: "At least my Daming has enjoyed the national fortune for more than two hundred years, which proves that the ancestors' methods are not all useless, and you can't be slandered here!" ”

Pang Gang sneered-for-tat: "But a mistake is a mistake, if it can't be corrected in time, the result will be annihilation, just like today's Ming Dynasty." ”

Pang Gang's words were like a hammer hammer in Chongzhen's heart, Chongzhen was also completely out of energy like a deflated ball, he sighed heavily, and waved his hand listlessly: "That's it, it's the so-called success and defeat, this time you won, I have nothing to say." ”

Pang Gang also knew Chongzhen's temper, and when he saw that he rarely lowered his head, he was not embarrassed, he also softened his tone and smiled: "Your Majesty, you don't have to be too sad, since ancient times, you must be divided for a long time, how can there be an undefeated dynasty, you listen to people shouting long live every day in the Jinluan Palace, can you really live for 10,000 years if you are difficult to understand?" So, I still have to think about it. ”

"Huh"

Chongzhen smiled bitterly, he smiled a little helplessly: "Okay, I still need you to teach me how to think about it, I also want to open it, even if I don't have you, this country is difficult for me to keep, and if I can get a good death, my ancestors will bless me!" ”

"It's good that the emperor can think so."

Pang Gang saw Chongzhen say this, his expression was calm. It is estimated that Chongzhen said this from the heart, and nodded secretly in his heart, it seems that he really let go, and he doesn't have to do something reluctantly. …,

Seeing that the opinions of the two sides had basically reached an agreement, Pang Gang also proposed: "Your Majesty, let's go back, otherwise someone should be in a hurry, you must know that it has been here for so long." The subordinates of the ministers and the crown princess should also be in a hurry. ”

When Pang Gang and Chongzhen looked calm and came to Kunning Palace, everyone was stunned by the demeanor of these two people, where are these two people's brains? Could it be that these two can really talk about a piece? But Queen Zhou and others, who already knew that Chongzhen wanted to take the Zen position, were not as surprised as others, but showed a relieved look, it seems that the old Zhu family has been saved.

After coming to everyone, Chongzhen whispered to Princess Zhu Yujiao of Kunxing, who was standing behind Queen Zhou: "Emperor, I announce today that I will officially marry you to Pang Gang. From now on, he will be your husband, do you understand? ”

"What?"

Chongzhen's words thundered most of the people around him. The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, and even the soldiers behind Pang Gang were also stunned, but soon their surprised expressions turned into relief, and sure enough, it seemed that their Ming Emperor was going to exchange his daughter for Pang Gang's support.

Compared with others, Zhu Yujiao already knew about her future fate a few days ago, and she did not have much surprise and emotion about this, since ancient times, the marriage of royal children is more involuntary than that of the people, and she also knows. Only when he marries Pang Gang can the lives of his parents and several brothers and sisters be guaranteed, and he himself is the link between Pang Gang and the Zhu family, which has nothing to do with love, but only interests.

Nevertheless. But Zhu Yujiao still didn't mean to resent her father, because she knew that even if there was no Pang Gang, she would marry another person she didn't know, and this Pang Gang looked very tall and mighty. At least he can protect himself and his family, and that's enough.

At this time, Queen Zhou also walked over slowly and looked at Pang Gang carefully for a while. Facing this beautiful woman wearing a Feifeng palace dress, Pang Gang knew that this must be the future mother-in-law Queen Zhou, facing this graceful and luxurious Queen Zhou, Pang Gang's rare old face turned red, and he was a little embarrassed.

Empress Zhou looked at Pang Gang carefully and smiled: "Okay, it is worthy of being able to defeat the thief and defeat the Tartar Junjie, and it can be regarded as her creation if you can have such a husband, so that the palace can rest assured." ”

Pang Gang hurriedly bowed down and said: "Niangniang is polite, if you can marry a princess as a wife, it should be said that it is the creation of a kid." ”

This is not Pang Gang's modesty, but his true thoughts, to marry the princess of Kunxing, Zhu Yujiao, in the future, as the son-in-law of the Zhu family, he will have a lot less unnecessary trouble when he takes over the old Ming forces, and he doesn't want to make his hands so bloody when establishing a new dynasty, the glory of the Zhu family will soon become yesterday's yellow flower, and it is not a big deal for him to give them a way to live, if he is worried that the old Zhu family will regain the throne in the future, it is just a joke, If he is taken away from the throne that he has in his hands, it can only prove that he is too stupid to complain about others.

Queen Zhou saw her husband and Pang Gang come back with a calm face, she knew that the biggest obstacle among them had disappeared, the old Zhu family had lost the country, but they had gained a quiet life, lost the east corner, and harvested the mulberry elm, which may not be a good thing for the Zhu family, at least her husband will no longer have to criticize until dawn in the future, for a woman, what is more important to make the whole family safe and secure together.

Thinking of this, Queen Zhou's eyes became softer and softer when she looked at Pang Gang, and she laughed softly: "Huge man, the word you heard in this palace is called Chaodong, can this palace call you that?" ”

Pang Gang couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart, in the face of the future mother-in-law, could she say no. lowered his head and said: "Of course, it is the honor of Weichen to be able to call the minister like this." ”

In the face of Pang Gang's humility, Queen Zhou nodded with satisfaction, "You're welcome, soon you won't have to call yourself a micro-minister." ”

"Ugh"

Pang Gang was speechless, Queen Zhou, your words are too suggestive, don't forget that your husband hasn't given up to his buddies yet, I'm not in a hurry, you're a big lady, but I'm in a hurry.

Pang Gang, who was a little speechless, took a few steps back and said respectfully: "Niangniang, now that Weichen has just entered Gyeonggi, there are still many thieves still wandering, please allow Weichen to retire for the time being, and then enter the palace to report to the emperor and Niangniang after the ministers have all the thieves and thieves." ”

After saying that, Pang Gang was about to say goodbye to Chongzhen and Queen Zhou, when suddenly a personal soldier rushed to report, "Lord Qi, Cheng Guerrilla came to report, they captured the thief Li Yan and his party alive thirty miles outside the city, and they specially reported to the prince!" ”

"Oh"

Pang Gang was immediately taken aback in his heart