Prince Chongzhen

Chapter 12 Reading
It is said that people’s hearts can be used, but they can also be deceived.

The words "use" and "cheat" here reveal the essence of it.

In history, perhaps someone had "used" the people's will to force the prince to enter the palace and ascend the throne, but now Zhu Cilang "bullied" the people with just a few words, leaving them with no reason to stay outside the yamen.

After all, the sun still rises as usual and everyone still has to live, right?

Just like the butcher Zhou Xiancai, would he really be willing to let the unsold meat go bad?

When Zhu Cilang returned to the lobby of the Ministry of War, the tutor Ji Qingyuan, whom he had been thinking about for a long time, had been waiting for him.

Speaking of this person, he was extremely reckless. He was originally a minor official and had no connection with Nanjing Yingtian at all.

Under such circumstances, he rushed to meet Zhu Cilang as soon as he received the news that he had entered Yingtian, and was then quietly imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.

Perhaps Hongguang had some concerns and did not kill him directly like he did those eunuchs, which is why he lived to be rescued.

There is no need to mention the scene of their meeting. In short, Ji Qingyuan cried bitterly and kept cursing Hongguang for usurping the throne.

Xu Yu on the side was naturally extremely embarrassed, but what could he say?

"Mr. Ji, let's go in and talk."

"Your Highness, I haven't seen you for a long time. I'm sure you have a lot to say."

While Xu Yu praised the prince for his sensible attitude in his heart, he asked someone to pull Ji Qingyuan up. He only felt relieved after the two of them entered the back hall.

After finding a room in the back hall, Zhu Cilang pushed open the door and walked in.

After sitting down, Zhu Cilang looked at Ji Qingyuan who was still wiping tears and said directly: "I hit my head while being tortured in prison, and now I don't remember you at all."

Zhu Cilang had thought of this excuse beforehand, and he had even planned to call Wang Fuping to testify if Ji Qingyuan had any doubts.

After all, Ji Qingyuan had already recognized this body, so even if he had some doubts about the amnesia, he would not think it was fake.

"Rebel!"

Ji Qingyuan's loud shout startled Zhu Cilang.

Is my relationship with him that close?
"How dare you torture the bloodline of the late emperor! I am incompetent! I am incompetent!"

Zhu Cilang breathed a sigh of relief, and then began to comfort Ji Qingyuan. After Ji Qingyuan calmed down, he dared to ask tentatively, "Since when did Mr. Ji accompany me to study?"

"I have never read with Your Highness."

Zhu Cilang had mixed feelings in his heart, but he didn't know where to start. After a while, he asked again: "What about you, the tutor?"

"I am a reader in the Hanlin Academy, not a reader in the Eastern Palace. There is no reader in the Eastern Palace in this dynasty."

"Then how do you know me?"

"Lord Wu has asked me to follow him several times when he taught His Highness."

"Any news about Lord Wu?"

"Lord Wu died for his country when the city fell."

Having said that, Zhu Cilang had nothing more to say.

Although he didn't know why Ji Qingyuan was sure that he was the prince, it was a good thing to have such a person around.

After chattering for a while, Zhu Cilang returned to the lobby.

At this time, Xu Yu in the hall also put down the airs of a high-ranking official in a red robe and was chatting with Chen Si, Wang Fuping and others.

Seeing Zhu Cilang return, Xu Yu stood up and saluted, and the others followed suit. He called Chen Si to his side and asked him about sneaking into the Xincheng Earl's Mansion, but Chen Si saluted respectfully before answering, "Your Highness, the brothers in front have already gone in. I will take the rest of the people to the back door when night falls."

Zhu Cilang was surprised by Chen Si's attitude. He didn't know what kind of love potion the old man had given him in such a short time.

Having an old person in the family is like having a treasure. The ancients were right.

"The meeting place is either the study or some other private place. I think the possibility of the study is greater. Do you have a way to get there?"

Many things happened one after another today, and there was no time to consider many things carefully. Fortunately, Zhu Cilang had some time to think about it, and then he realized the omissions.

"Your Highness is truly a master of foresight. The place Zhao Zhilong has chosen is the study."

Seeing Zhu Cilang's puzzled expression, Chen Sicai explained, "We are very familiar with the people in the kitchen of the Xincheng Earl's Mansion."

Although it was a meeting, fruits and snacks were indispensable, so it was not surprising that the people in the kitchen knew the news.

"The study is an important place. Can you go there?"

After hearing the question, Chen Si, who was originally full of confidence, became hesitant.

"It's not difficult to get in. There aren't many people walking around in the mansion after nightfall. There are only servants waiting in the study courtyard. If we go in, we will definitely be discovered. But it's not safe to stay outside the courtyard for a long time." Chen Si paused and continued, "Why not wait until everyone arrives and then we rush in!"

Chen Si gave his own solution, but before he finished speaking, Xu Yu's voice was heard.

"Absolutely not. How can we convince the people by doing this? Besides, if we don't distinguish who advocates war and who advocates surrender, won't it sow the seeds of disaster?"

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly. Although Yingtian City surrendered easily, there must be many people who just went with the flow. If he failed to have a reason and evidence when seizing the military power, it might cause resentment among neutral people.

Besides, people’s hearts are hidden, so if we can take this opportunity to identify each person’s position, it will be of great benefit in defending the city.

But what should we do?

Zhu Cilang began to pace again.

If this problem cannot be solved, let alone preventing the Tartars from entering Yingtian City, these people would be better off packing up and running away overnight to save Zhao Zhilong from having to deal with them later.

If nothing works, we can only see if the two Dukes have any solution.

However, if he did so, the initiative that he had worked so hard to gain would fall into the hands of others, and he would be much closer to the human-shaped seal.

"Where is the nearest place?" He finally spoke when everyone was getting anxious.

"The courtyard next to the study was originally where their old lady lived. It has been vacant since she passed away. Although the two courtyards are connected, how can we know when to start?"

Since ancient times, things like breaking cups as a signal could only be done if one occupied an advantageous geographical location.

It is precisely for this reason that if Zhu Cilang’s plan can be successfully implemented, it will definitely achieve unexpected results.

But there are too many obstacles here. If it weren't for the help of Chen Si, the local tyrant, just the act of sneaking into the Bo's Mansion would be enough to kill Zhu Cilang.

"This is easy. You can just take action as soon as you hear any noise in the study."

"Your Highness, if you wait until you hear something before taking action, I'm afraid it will be too late for you and me."

Chen Si had some doubts in his heart. No matter how close they were, they were still two courtyards. If the noise was so loud that it could be heard in the courtyard next door, wouldn't it mean that only the other party had taken action?
Is it still too late?

"Don't worry, you will definitely make it in time."

Zhu Cilang spoke with certainty, but Chen Si couldn't completely let go of his worry. However, things had come to this point, and what else could he do but to go all the way?
He thought to himself: I was the one who caused the trouble. If anything goes wrong I will take full responsibility and I cannot let my brothers get implicated.

(End of this chapter)