Prince Chongzhen

Chapter 15: Traitor
Zhu Cilang naturally knew the correct procedure for seizing military power.

Haven't eaten pork and never seen a pig run?

But how dare he enter the military camp with any of the nobles here?

It is true that the military power of Yingtian is in the hands of Zhao Zhilong, but which noble family does not have several nephews, nieces and relatives making a living in the army?

If Zhu Cilang was so foolish as to join them in the military camp, who knows who would end up holding the military power.

A moment later, Chen Si returned to the study carrying an old servant.

The old servant was trembling with fear at first, but when he saw Zhao Zhilong lying on the ground, he suddenly started to fight with Chen Si.

"How dare you murder the nobles of the imperial court! I will fight you to the death!"

"He's fine, he just fainted."

The old servant was stunned when he heard this, but when he noticed that Zhao Zhilong's chest was rising and falling, he changed his attitude and knelt on the ground begging.

"Please spare my life, my family has been noble for generations, we can afford you any amount of money you want, please only spare my master~~!"

Zhu Cilang didn't know whether Zhao Zhilong was a good person or a bad person, but judging from the old servant's attitude, he didn't think he could be that bad.

From the perspective of the Zhao family, there was nothing wrong with what Zhao Zhilong did. After all, the Zhu emperor ran away without even saying a word. Why should the Zhao family be allowed to defend the city to the death?

But Zhu Cilang had traveled through time after all, and he knew what would happen in the next few hundred years if the Tartars were allowed to take over the world.

A civilization that had been glorious for thousands of years had cut itself off from the world, and when he traveled through it, it was still surrounded by powerful enemies and struggling hard.

In fact, personally speaking, Zhu Cilang has no particular preference for which family should be in power.

However, the world is a cycle of cause and effect, and retribution is inevitable. The way each dynasty will perish is doomed from the moment it is established, just like the Han, Tang, Song and Ming dynasties. The Qing Dynasty was destined to perish from the moment it was established because of its vigilance against the Han people.

He once thought in his heart whether he would be able to avoid being left behind by the barbarians if a Han dynasty replaced the Qing Dynasty, but the final outcome was unknown.

But no matter what, he has come here. If he just feels at ease and becomes the Duke of Anle, he will still not be able to get over the hurdle in his heart.

Zhu Cilang's thoughts were in a mess, but the old servant didn't even dare to breathe.

"I have something for you to do now. Your master's life depends on how well you do the job."

Although he felt pity in his heart, he could deceive the old servant Zhu Cilang without blushing or feeling nervous.

Zhao Zhilong’s life is certainly in danger, otherwise where would the legitimacy of taking away his military power come from?

"Have someone clear out a courtyard with more rooms, and have someone send a message to the army, saying that the lords couldn't come to a conclusion and wanted the commanders to come and make their statements in person."

The old servant nodded in agreement, and Zhu Cilang said to Chen Si, "Fourth brother, send a more careful brother to go with him."

"Your Highness, let me go."

"Alright."

Xiang Rensheng on the side volunteered, and Zhu Cilang agreed casually. After the two left, he walked towards Zhao Zhilong lying on the ground, as if to check his injuries.

After a while, Zhu Cilang stood up again, but seemed to be hooked by something, and he pulled hard to get free.

Then he turned and looked at Xu Yu.

"Mr. Xu, please write a letter for me."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yu fetched the pen, ink, paper and inkstone from the inner room, and after setting them up, he asked, "May I ask who you want to write to, Your Highness?"

"Ningnan Hou Zuo Liangyu."

Everyone in the room was feeling nervous at first, but when they heard the name, they pricked up their ears.

"Uncle, it has been several years since we last saw each other in the capital.

Due to many troubles over the past few years, we have no chance to meet again.

Now I hear that my uncle has come from afar to rescue me, and I am also happy to be in charge of Yingtian alone.

But there were always people whispering in my nephew's ears that his uncle had ulterior motives and that he should send troops to resist him.

My nephew is deeply disgusted, but my uncle’s reputation is of great importance, so I must ask him. Now I have written to my uncle and only ask: Do you remember what I said when I gave you the pendant?

After finishing speaking, Zhu Cilang placed a jade pendant on the table. After Xu Yu finished writing, he was ready to let Chen Si send the letter out. However, Xu Yu hesitated and asked:

"Your Highness, do you need any polish?"

Zhu Cilang's letter was half-literate, showing that he had used up all his life's learning. However, in Xu Yu's eyes, it was not as good as the one written by a six-year-old child, which was really embarrassing.

"No need, my uncle is generous and won't care about it."

At this point everyone in the room had already acknowledged that this young man was the true prince.

There are details, physical evidence, and more importantly, there is a witness who has hundreds of thousands of troops under his command. How can you not believe it?
Then they all looked at Wang Duo with great contempt, as if they had forgotten their previous behavior.

"Your Highness, the Ningnan Marquis is being held back by the Jingguo Department. If we don't send someone to coordinate, it may be difficult for the Ningnan Marquis to be rescued."

Xu Yinjue knew that this was the reinforcement Zhu Cilang had mentioned, so he reminded him, but Zhu Cilang looked up at the roof before replying:
"No, I've already sent someone."

Before he finished speaking, Zhu Guobi, Xu Yinjue, and Chen Si all had the same thought in their minds: His Highness actually has more manpower!

He didn't have any manpower, he was just calculating the time.

Zuo Liangyu is dead, and the remaining troops should be running around like headless flies on the Yangtze River. When they really have no way out, they will surrender as they did in history.

It would take at least five or six days for my letter to reach the left army, and at least another eight or nine days for them to pack up and prepare to leave.

By that time, Duke Jingguo Huang Degong would have probably died for his country, so how could he stop the left army?
"Huang Degong must have felt desperate when he saw Hongguang."

Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang's mood suddenly became depressed, and he no longer had the energy to comfort these people personally.

"Your Highness, you can't fight!"

Just when Zhu Cilang was immersed in his own emotions, a wailing sound brought him back to reality.

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Qian Qianyi kneeling towards him.

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang was puzzled: Does he still want to convince himself to surrender to the Qing Dynasty?
Zhu Cilang took two steps back, but Qian Qianyi was still coming towards him. Zhu Cilang took two more steps back before saying, "If you have anything to say, get up and talk."

"The city is short of food and grass, and the Beijing troops are not well trained. Your Highness! We really can't win."

"I have a way to solve the problem of food and fodder. If you are short of training, you can practice while fighting."

Upon hearing this, Qian Qianyi stood up suddenly, and what he said next made everyone present open their eyes wide in shock.

"Since Your Highness has made up his mind, I will accompany Your Highness even if I have to risk my life!"

And this kind of operation?

Zhu Cilang didn't know whether to scold or praise him. He could only force an awkward smile on his face and stood there, not knowing how to reconcile.

"Extremely shameless!"

Perhaps God didn't want the situation to remain stuck here. Wang Duo on the side seemed to see through Qian Qianyi's thoughts and started scolding him.

"How can I be shameless? When Prince Fu fled, the people lost their hearts. How could we defend this city?! But now, Your Highness has a plan. Even if we can't defend it, we should fight to the death!"

Seeing that Qian Qianyi was too lazy to even address him as "Your Majesty", Wang Duo was so angry that he was speechless, but Qian Qianyi had no intention of letting him go.

"Eunuchs like you are truly shameless for supporting such a scoundrel just for your own positions! You even framed the bloodline of the previous emperor just for the sake of your position. In the thousands of years of China, there has never been a traitor like you!"

Qian Qianyi's words were well-reasoned and righteous. If Zhu Cilang had not known that his scalp was itchy and the water was too cold, he would probably have believed it.

"Wang Duo is treacherous and vicious. I ask that he be punished for deceiving the emperor!"

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

Before Qian Qianyi finished speaking, all the nobles and civil officials present knelt down immediately.

(End of this chapter)