"What, reinforcements?"

Everyone couldn't help but be surprised, Chongzhen's eyes also lit up, but then they dimmed again, and said with a long sigh: "Big companion, you don't need to comfort me, I know that you are kind, but now there are no reinforcements." ”

Chongzhen is indeed disheartened, throughout the Ming Dynasty, the border army is still resisting the Qing soldiers, even if they want to send back, there is no silver, and there is no news about the reinforcements in Jiangnan until now, and I don't know what is going on, and there are no reinforcements outside of this.

Seeing the obviously disbelieving look on Chongzhen's face, Wang Chengen didn't care about wiping the snot and tears on his face, and said busily: "Your Majesty, what the slave said is true, the slave has already sent someone to ask for reinforcements last night, and the slave knows that there is a support soldier who is heading towards the capital, but once this support soldier arrives, no matter how ferocious the thief is, he will definitely be wiped out!" When he said this, a trace of resentment appeared on Wang Chengen's face, and it was obvious that this resentment was directed towards the thieves outside the city.

"Who the hell is this reinforcement?"

Chongzhen saw that Wang Chengen swore by him, and asked a little strangely: "As far as I know, our Ming Dynasty has no soldiers and horses who can rush to the rescue." ”

Wang Chengen's lips squirmed for a long time, and then he hesitated and said: "Emperor Qiqi, it is Pang Gang's people!" ”

"What is Pang Gang!"

Wang Chengen's words hit everyone's hearts like a thunderbolt, Chongzhen's body shook twice, and he almost fell out of the chair, but fortunately, Queen Zhou and Prince Zhu Cihong on the side supported him.

"How could Pang Gang be Pang Gang?" Chongzhen's face not only did not look happy, but turned white all of a sudden, and muttered: "Could it be that Pang Gang is also here to ask for my life?" ”

Seeing Chongzhen's pale face, Wang Chengen choked and knelt on his knees and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, the slave maid thinks that Pang Gang is a great rebellion to call himself the king without authorization, but no matter how you say it, Pang Gang is more reliable than those thieves, at least Pang Gang will not destroy the Zhu family's Fengxian Palace after entering the city, and the bloodline of our Zhu family will not be severed. ”

Chongzhen smiled miserably and said: "Sit back to the common people, big companion, you are still too naïve, everyone in the Ming Dynasty can become ordinary people, but it is impossible for me to be the only one, in vain you have followed me for so many years, don't you even understand this?" ”

After listening to Chongzhen's words, the faces of Empress Zhou and Concubine Yuan, who had just shown a hint of joy on their faces, also dimmed, yes, there are all the dynasties and dynasties, and the royal family that has been taken away can have a good end? The first thing the new authorities did was to exterminate them in order to prevent a resurgence, and this was the most correct thing for those in power to do.

Seeing that Chongzhen and everyone had a look of distrust on their faces, Wang Chengen couldn't help but hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, what the slave and maid said is true, the messenger sent by Chongzhen found the slave and maid, and they and the slave and maid made it clear that after they captured Yanjing, as long as the emperor ordered the Zen throne and ordered the soldiers of the Nine Sides and Hong Chengchou and others to surrender to him, he guaranteed the safety of the Zhu family's bloodline, and also allocated a sum of silver every month to support your family, so that you can live for a long time." If you don't like to settle in the capital, he is not reluctant, you can come and go freely! ”

After listening to Wang Chengen's words, Chongzhen did not speak immediately, but closed his eyes, inhaled gently, calmed the excitement in his heart, and then said slowly: "Big companion, you have been in contact with Pang Gang a long time ago, right?" ”

Although Chongzhen's tone was very calm, how could Wang Chengen, who had been with Chongzhen for decades, not hear the faint murderous intent in Chongzhen's words, but Wang Chengen did not panic, but shook his head calmly and said: "The emperor has wronged the slave and maid, and the slave and maid did not have any contact with Pang Gang, but someone found the slave and the maid a few days ago, and handed over Pang Gang's letter to the slave and maid, so that the slave and the maid could tell the emperor." But the slave saw that the emperor was in a bad mood recently, so he did not dare to report to the emperor, last night the slave saw that the situation was urgent, so he sent someone out of the city overnight and the Pang Gang connected to the head, the messenger sent by Pang Gang said so, the right slave and the maid is to convey Pang Gang's words to the emperor, if the emperor thinks that the slave and the maid have done wrong, please ask the emperor to give the slave and the maid a death! ”

After speaking, Wang Chengen kept his head on the ground, looking at Wang Chengen, who was already gray-haired in front of him, Chongzhen couldn't help but feel sour in his heart, and the kindness between him and Wang Chengen's master and servant for decades instantly appeared in his mind. When he was young, Wang Chengen knelt on the ground to give him a horse to ride, when he was young, Wang Chengen accompanied him to marry Queen Zhou into the palace of King Xin, after he ascended the throne, Wang Chengen stood silently behind him to assist him in dealing with family and country affairs, for decades his relationship with Wang Chengen is very master and servant and like father and son, Chongzhen has always believed that even if everyone in the world abandons him, Wang Chengen will not betray him.

But today, is Wang Chengen's actions still worthy of his trust? Chongzhen was a little confused at the moment, looking at Wang Chengen, there was a trace of doubt, a trace of heartache, and a trace of sigh in his eyes.

"Ome, get up." Chongzhen sighed, raised his hand lightly, and motioned for Wang Chengen to get up, he stared at Wang Chengen and said, "Big companion, since you said that Pang Gang took the initiative to send someone to find you, where have Pang Gang's men been now?" ”

"Emperor Qi, Wang Chengen's men and horses have arrived in Tianjin the day before yesterday, and it is estimated that they will arrive in the capital today, as long as they arrive, the thieves and the thieves will be wiped out." When he said this, a trace of hatred appeared on Wang Chengen's face, obviously he had a strong hatred for Li Zicheng.

Chongzhen closed his eyes and was silent, his chest couldn't help but rise and fall rapidly, it was obvious that the ideological struggle in his heart was very fierce at this moment.

I don't know how long it took, Chongzhen opened his eyes and asked slowly, "Big Companion, should I have the disaster I am talking about today?" He deliberately avoided the word "ruined country".

Wang Chengen had already stood up at this moment, bowed his head and said: "The emperor is a saint, all the ministers are guilty of misleading the country!" ”

mentioned that the ministers misled the country, and Chongzhen felt a deep hatred in his heart. He deeply hated that since Wanli, the civil servants only talked about the door, attacked each other, regardless of the safety of the country, regardless of the people's suffering, plus no officials are not greedy, no officials are not inferior, he hates even more that some people have obstructed his proposal to increase commercial taxes, and those civil and official groups headed by the Donglin Party, although they have prevented him from opening new water, but intentionally or unintentionally instigated him to increase agricultural taxes...... The more he thought about him, the more angry he became, he stood up suddenly, kicked the stool to the ground, and then quickly walked to the side of the imperial case, sat on the dragon chair, his eyes shot a fierce light, and said angrily: "Wenchen has misled the country, and hundreds of officials should be killed!" ”

Just when Chongzhen was angry, Wu Xianggang, the deacon and eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, walked in, and was startled when he saw the firewood outside and Chongzhen's appearance, but he had already come in, so he had to bow down to the emperor and say:

"Playing the emperor, the slave maid has something important to do to play Your Majesty."

Chongzhen didn't pay attention to Wu Xiang's words, and continued to train of thought just now, and said angrily:

"I'm going to kill, I'm going to kill, but it's too late! It's late! ”

Wu Xiang quickly knelt down and said, "Please calm the emperor's anger, please allow the slaves and maids to face Your Majesty." ”

Chongzhen didn't hear Wu Xiang's words clearly, looked at Wu Xiang who was prostrate on the ground, and saw Wang Chengen also come to the front and kneel behind Wu Xiang. He asked:

"What's the matter? What is the situation in the city? ”

Wu Xiang said: "Back to the emperor, the situation in the city is unknown. The slave and maid have something to do to face the emperor. ”

Chongzhen asked, "What's the matter?" ”

Wu Xiang said in a trembling voice: "The thieves outside the city shot a letter to the city, and they said in the letter that they would let the emperor immediately take the jade seal, the edict of surrender on his head, and take the civil and military officials and harem concubines, and all of them walked out of the city to open the door and kneel to surrender, otherwise they will open artillery to attack the city, and you will die without a place to bury!" ”

"Bang!"

As soon as Wu Xiang's words were finished, Chongzhen, who stood up in anger, kicked him in the face, Wu Xiang stood unsteadily, and the whole person fell to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, Chongzhen's roaring voice sounded in the hall.

"You go and tell those traitors that even if I die without a place to be buried, I will never surrender to him, and even if the bloodline of the Zhu family is cut off because of this, I will not do such an insulting thing to dishonor the ancestors!"

Wu Xiang, who was kicked by Chongzhen, lay on the ground on his back, unable to move for a while, or Wang Chengen couldn't look past it, and helped him up, and the two knelt on the ground collectively, Wu Xiang's face was already swollen, and his mouth was about to speak, but he spit out two front teeth first, and said with a leaky mouth: "The slave and maid borrow (this) and continue (go)!."

After speaking, Wu Xiang quickly got up and ran out of the hall.

Seeing Wu Xiang go out, Chongzhen seemed to leave all the strength in his body, and collapsed on the chair at once, and muttered in his mouth: "The thief dares to deceive me like this, the thief dares to deceive me like this!" ”

At this time, the people next to him, including Queen Zhou, Concubine Yuan, and the crown prince, all cried, and there was a cry in the hall for a while.

"Alright, stop crying!" Chongzhen, who was already anxious, was even more upset by the crying, and said angrily: "I'm not dead yet, why are you crying." ”

After reprimanding everyone, Chongzhen gritted his teeth and said to Wang Chengen: "Big companion, is Pang Gang's words really credible?" ”

To be honest, Wang Chengen didn't know the bottom of his heart about this matter, but now he can only bow to Chao Chongzhen and say: "Only a genius knows, but according to the slave maid, although Pang Gang is unruly, he has always been trustworthy, he said that if he can protect the ancestral temple of the Ming Dynasty and the bloodline of the Zhu family, then he should not break his word, otherwise he can ignore us, and just kill him directly at that time, why bother to do it many times." ”

After Wang Chengen said this, even Queen Zhou and others looked at Chongzhen with blank eyes, and whether the old Zhu family is dead or alive depends on Chongzhen's attitude.

And Chongzhen's heart at this time is like turning over the river and the sea, although he is very reluctant to admit it, but he also knows in his heart that up to now, it is estimated that it is difficult to keep the Ming dynasty, and now the question is whether to be buried with the Ming dynasty or retain the bloodline of the Zhu family. If you lose the country, how can you see the ancestors and ancestors underground after you die, but if the old Zhu family is cut off from you, it will be even more unscrupulous, thinking of this, Chongzhen only felt an unprecedented entanglement.

As if seeing the hesitation in her husband's heart, Queen Zhou pulled her husband's sleeve and sobbed: "Your Majesty, the concubine and you have been husband and wife for so many years, and have never interfered in national affairs, but today the concubine wants to persuade you, our Zhu family has enjoyed nearly three hundred years of national fortune, and it is enough, just ask which dynasty and generation in this world can really last forever?" Besides, you have also been the Son of Heaven for more than ten years, and you know better than anyone the hardships of sitting in this position, so why not let it go and spend the rest of your life with your concubines and children! ”

Chongzhen was still silent, and only sighed after a long time: "That's it, big companion, you go and tell the messenger, just say that I would rather [***] be loyal to the whole royal family, but since that Pang Gang sent people to persuade people and couldn't bear to suffer from the misery, I can't consider it for the sake of his dedication to the people, but beyond the conditions he agreed, I have one more thing, as long as he can agree, I will promise to give him the throne!" ”

Wang Chengen said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please command." ”

Chongzhen stared at Wang Chengen and said word by word: "I want to marry Princess Kunxing to him!" ”

"Ahh

Princess Zhu Yujiao of Kunxing couldn't help but let out an exclamation, and then covered her small mouth with her Qianqianyu hand, her face was full of surprise, shyness and anger!

There was silence in the hall, no one made a sound, compared with Zhu Yujiao, although Wang Chengen and Queen Zhou and the others were also slightly startled, but then they returned to calm, as if this matter was normal to them.

Just when everyone was silent, there were several dull loud noises outside, Chongzhen knew that it was the sound of artillery as soon as he heard it, his face changed slightly, and Wang Chengen on the side also lost his voice: "It's not good, the thieves have begun to attack the city!" ”

Chongzhen's face also changed, and he immediately said to Wang Chengen: "Big companion, I expect that the outer city wall may not be able to resist the thieves, you immediately take my hand Zhao to transfer the inner servant to the inner city, as long as we can hold out until Pang Gang arrives, we can only be saved." ”

"Yes, slave and maid are going!"

After receiving the order, Wang Chengen hurriedly ran out of Kunning Palace

Just when Chongzhen's family was honestly afraid, outside Yanjing City, Li Zicheng also took 200,000 people to surround Yanjing City, Li Zicheng, who was riding an oolong horse, stood majestically less than five hundred steps away from the West City Gate, holding a clairvoyant mirror captured from the official army to observe the situation in the city, and behind him were Liu Zongmin, Li Yan, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Li Dingguo, Yizi Li Shuangxi and other dozens of generals!

Looking at the majestic Yanjing city wall, Li Zicheng was proud, pointed to the city and said with a smile, "Lonely from a peasant family, a shepherd boy at a young age, a post pawn at an early age, immoral and incompetent, you have to have today, it all depends on the strength of your civil and military forces." Lone now asks you, how should you enter the city after you capture this city, and what palace should you live in when you enter the Forbidden City. After we have agreed, we can pass on the message and hurry up and prepare separately. Jie Xuan, you are the first general of the post, the first of the military attachés, what are the arrangements for how to enter the city in Ming? ”

Although he quarreled with Li Zicheng two days ago, Liu Zongmin said that he had returned to normalcy today, and he said: "King Chuang, I have told Dingguo that as long as the inner city is broken, he must personally lead a thousand soldiers to enter the Qing Palace in the Forbidden City as soon as possible. First, send troops to guard the four gates of the Forbidden City, strictly prohibit entry and exit, do not allow palace maids and eunuchs to escape, strictly prohibit robbery of palace property, strictly prohibit fire, and do not allow anyone among the eunuchs to hide weapons. All the palaces, in the corners and corners, are carefully inventoried. After Li Guo's battalion of 5,000 men and horses, he was stationed on all sides of the imperial city and was responsible for defending the imperial city. If there is a mistake, he is the only one who asks. ”

Li Zicheng asked again: "Where are Li Guo and Shuangxi's 3,000 imperial battalion troops stationed?" ”

"The Imperial Battalion is stationed within the Imperial City. The gates of the imperial city were guarded by the imperial army. When Li Guo led a thousand men and horses to clear the palace, the imperial camp was led by Li Qiang, except for Shuangxi who led 500 soldiers to drive, and followed Li Guo's troops into the city and stationed in the imperial city. Later, the 500 pro-army led by Wu Ruyi and Shuangxi were stationed in the Forbidden City and took on the heavy duty of guarding. In order to familiarize Wu Ruyi with the situation in the Forbidden City, I ordered him to lead a small number of soldiers to clear the palace with him. That's all I have in mind, as for where the emperor said he would enter the city and where he would live in the palace, this is the matter of the prime minister and the military advisers, please ask your majesty about them. ”

Seeing Liu Zongmin's answer in an orderly manner, Li Zicheng nodded with satisfaction, patted Liu Zongmin's shoulder with a smile and said, "Jiexuan, you know Lone's temper, don't take what happened yesterday to heart." ”

With Li Zicheng's current status, it is rare for him to say such a thing to Liu Zongmin, but Liu Zongmin grinned and said: "King Chuang is serious, and when his teeth bite his tongue, can he still pull out his teeth because of this?" I've long forgotten about it. ”

"Hahaha" Li Zicheng looked at the surrounding civil and military generals and said with a smile: "Look at it, Gu said it earlier, Jie Xuan is a happy person, and his feelings have long forgotten about it, which made Gu worry all night last night." ”

Seeing Li Zicheng so happy, everyone also laughed with face. Niu Jinxing took the opportunity to compliment again: "King Chuang, once we capture the inner city and destroy the Pseudo-Ming Dynasty, you can officially call the emperor and command the world. ”

"Prime Minister, you are talking nonsense again, Lone has already said that Lone raised troops so that the people of the world can have something to eat, how can you ever have selfishness, if you say Lonely, you will be punished?"

Although Li Zicheng kept pretending to be angry and said that he would punish Niu Jinxing, but when everyone looked at it, his eyes and eyebrows were so smiling that he couldn't see his eyebrows, who didn't know his mood at the moment, not to mention that everyone had followed him as a thief for more than ten years, and now he could have the opportunity to be a real official, who wouldn't be happy, so they all changed the law in line with Niu Jinxing's words.

However, although most of the people are contributing to the trouble, there are also people who are frowning, and this person is Li Yan.

Looking at everyone's flattering appearance at this time, Li Yan was very unhappy in his heart, and was about to say a few words, but he was pulled by his sleeve and pulled his hand and walked away.

It was only after walking dozens of steps away from King Chuang that this person put down his hand, and the person who pulled Li Yan away was Song Xiance, the deputy military division.

I saw Song Xiance say to Li Yan a little anxiously: "Master Li, you and I have known each other for several years, respect each other, and have nothing to talk about. Today, it is said that the outer city of Yanjing has been broken, and the destruction of the inner city is just a matter of Gu Ji. After years of hard fighting, we are now victorious. Now not only King Chuang is very happy, but also the civil, military and soldiers of the whole army are also happy, you often have insight into the current military affairs, which makes Poor Dao very admired. But Li Gongzi, at present, our army has entered the outer city of Yanjing, and it is said that the outer city and even the inner gate will be broken in the next day, so King Chuang and the soldiers of the whole army are happy, and the three armies are jubilant, which is a matter of course.

Before the Xi'an Mansion was dispatched, you and I among the ministers and Li Dingguo, among the military generals, both advocated taking it seriously, taking the consolidation of Shaanxi and the people as the top priority, and postponing the march to Yanjing after occupying Shanxi and Henan, which was a foolproof strategy. However, King Chuang and Jie Xuan were determined to go east, and the newly retained ministers from the dragon were eager to break Yanjing as soon as possible and destroy the Ming Dynasty, and they all played the Shunfeng banner, and at this time, almost all the whole army agreed with the voice of the Northern Expedition to Yanjing. The emperor was quite reluctant to listen to our opinions, and although he did not say anything, he thought in his heart that our suggestions were scholarly views and obstructed the plan. At that time, King Chuang's face was very unhappy, and he was about to have a seizure, and when Poor Dao saw that the situation was not right, he quickly persuaded you not to talk anymore, do you remember the situation at that time? ””

Li Yan nodded lightly and sighed: "I naturally remember, but at present, although my army has come to Yanjing, although the outer city seems to be strong, it is very simple for me to wait for it to be broken, and even the attack on the inner city is just a matter of concern, but we suggest a slow strategy, not necessarily wrong." ”

Song Xiance said: "Li Gongzi! You and I have empty worries, and advocate that the occupied provinces should be consolidated first, the government should be set up to manage the people, the exiles should be restored, and the agriculture and mulberry should be restored. The people have been suffering from war for more than ten years, and they have become hopeful. The immediate task of our new construction is to enable the people to enjoy the joy of recovery and to build a solid foundation for the country. But at this time, it is the time when the great cause of the king will be completed and the ambition will be complacent, and in the praise of the ministers, you must be careful when you speak. ”

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Brother Song's golden and jade words, how can Li not know." But the sage once said: Human affairs, victory and defeat, blessing and misfortune, joy and sorrow, are like the principle of yin and yang, mutual restraint and mutual growth, and as Lao Tzu said: 'Misfortune and fortune are relied upon, and fortune and misfortune are lurking.' 'Now it seems that our Dashun army is the most majestic, but in fact it is also the most dangerous time, although we have an army of 200,000, and our combat strength has also grown greatly compared to previous years, but our enemies are also getting stronger and stronger. Don't say anything else, let's just say that Pang Gang, the king of Zhou in Shandong, has always acted arrogantly and domineeringly, but this time we marched into Yanjing, this person didn't react at all, isn't it strange? Moreover, some time ago, the outpost I sent in the direction of Shandong has not yet returned at this moment, which also makes me worry about hurrying, if he suddenly arrives when we attack Yanjing City, the consequences will be unimaginable! ”

Song Xiance was silent for a long time before he said: "Having said that, don't you know that it is easier said than done!" ”

"No matter how difficult it is, someone has to admonish King Chuang, otherwise what do you want our courtiers to do?" Li Yan said categorically: "Brother Song, look, we haven't broken through Yanjing City yet, and someone is instigating King Chuang to prepare for boarding, can't it even be delayed for a few days?" It's still so tempting that people can't wait. Besides, there are still tens of thousands of elites in the nine borders of the Ming Dynasty, and although they are all waiting and watching at the moment, King Chuang already thinks that he will inevitably submit to us, which is really ridiculous! ”

"Shh Rao is Song Xiance has been walking the rivers and lakes for so many years, and his courage has been practiced extraordinary, and when he heard this, he was so frightened that he covered Li Yan's mouth, and then watched left and right before he whispered: "You don't want to live anymore, you must know that trouble comes from the mouth, you are quiet!" ”

Looking at Song Xiance's nervous face, Li Yan sighed lightly and stopped talking

At this time, Li Zicheng's voice came from a distance, "Li Gongzi, Song Junshi, come here, I'm looking for you alone!" ”

"Oh, here we are!" Song Xiance hurriedly pulled Li Yan and walked towards Li Zicheng.

Li Zicheng's interest was obviously very good, and after seeing the two of them coming, he smiled at Song Xiance and said: "Master Song, yesterday you said that when you stay in Yanjing City, you have to explain your opinion to Gu Zheng about these things." Now, say it. ”

Song Xiance said: "King Chuang, if it is as the poor road, today it is said that the outer city will be captured, and if the inner city can be broken, the minister thinks that he should start from the Diaoyutai at two o'clock in the morning, enter the Forbidden City at three o'clock, and receive the congratulations of the hundred officials who came to Beijing with him in the palace at noon. ”

Li Zicheng asked: "I heard that when you enter Fuchengmen from Diaoyutai, there is a straight east-west street to the imperial city. Will it take us two hours to ride into the Imperial City?

"Yes, King Chuang. When you enter Yanjing, the situation is different from when you enter Xi'an. Although King Chuang has not held a grand ceremony now, he is actually like the founding king of the Dashun Dynasty, and he must be vigilant along the road, the guard of honor is leading, and the ministers are obedient, and the reins are slow. Moreover, King Chuang did not enter the city through the Fucheng Gate, but entered the city from the Desheng Gate, and then ...... south from the Desheng Gate."

Li Zicheng felt strange: "Why don't you take a shortcut and take a detour to enter the city through Desheng Gate?" ”

Song Xiance said: "Deshengmen is in the Qianfang of Yanjing City, and Qianren is the image of a king. Your Majesty, Yanjing is the capital of the Ming Dynasty, and Yanjing is the world, so Your Majesty enters the city from the Qianfang, and the party is auspicious. The Book of Changes makes it clear that Qidong and Lin Quan must both remember it. He looked at Niu Jinxing and Li Yan, and then said: "'Great Qianyuan, the beginning of ten thousand materials, is the ruler of the sky. The clouds travel and the rain is shined, the quality of the flow line, the end of the Ming Dynasty, the six times become, and the time is multiplied by the six, especially in the sky. The main road changes, and each is the surname. This is the words of the sage Confucius, written in the "Book of Changes" of the "Words", all of which say that the king of the world has first won the world. Therefore, Weichen respectfully suggests that His Majesty does not have to take the shortcut road of Fuchengmen, and it is advisable to take a detour to Desheng Gate to enter the city. ”

Although Li Zicheng's words to Song Xiance were like a toad jumping into a well - puff (I don't understand), since Song Xiance, a person who is proficient in the Book of Changes, said so, he must not be wrong, so he nodded and said: "Okay, according to what the sergeant said, but we have to take down this outer city gate first, Jiexuan, it's up to you!" ”

Liu Zongmin, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time, said loudly: "King Chuang, our old Liu has been waiting for your order for a long time, come here, open artillery to attack the city!" ”

Soon, amid the rumbling cannons, the Dashun army began to attack Yanjing City

(To be continued)