Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 487 Letters
With the consent of Emperor Chongzhen, Cheng Jiming finally felt relieved. He was afraid that Emperor Chongzhen would not let go of the Guanning Army generals for the sake of face. If this was the case, Cheng Jiming would be helpless no matter what he did. Fortunately, Emperor Chongzhen was not blinded by anger and knew what was important.

Cheng Jiming took the Emperor Chongzhen's order to the Jinyiwei prison to see Yuan Chonghuan. At this time, Yuan Chonghuan in prison looked a little embarrassed. His official uniform had been stripped off when he was imprisoned. He was only wearing an undershirt. It was a cold day and the conditions in the prison were bad. His face was pale and his lips were blue due to the cold.

"Master Yuan..." Cheng Jiming came to the prison door and called softly to Yuan Chonghuan who was sitting on the ground inside.

Hearing the voice, Yuan Chonghuan looked up and saw that it was Cheng Jiming who came. He was slightly stunned. He did not expect Cheng Jiming to come to the imperial prison to visit him. If it was someone else, it would be fine, but Cheng Jiming was the only cabinet minister who helped him to sort out the situation when he was imprisoned. Yuan Chonghuan had resentment towards other people, but his attitude towards Cheng Jiming was not bad. He immediately stood up and bowed to Cheng Jiming, calling him Cheng the elder.

"Open the door!" Cheng Jiming ordered the Jinyiwei who accompanied him. The Jinyiwei, who had received the order from Emperor Chongzhen, quickly opened the prison door. Cheng Jiming looked at the terrible situation in the prison, frowned slightly, and then took the prepared cotton robe from the person behind him and said, "It's freezing cold, and the prison is no different from other places. This robe is for Lord Yuan to keep warm."

"Thank you, Lord Cheng." Yuan Chonghuan said gratefully. Without waiting for him to take it, Cheng Jiming personally put on the brocade robe for Yuan Chonghuan. Then he waved his hand and someone brought in the quilts and other things that had been prepared long ago, in addition to some wine and food. After they were settled, Cheng Jiming did not dislike the conditions here. He sat cross-legged and invited Yuan Chonghuan to drink wine, eat meat and warm himself up.

Yuan Chonghuan was not polite either. He sat down opposite Cheng Jiming, picked up his chopsticks and started eating, drinking wine while eating. After a few glasses of wine, Yuan Chonghuan's complexion looked much better. In addition, he was wearing brocade clothes to keep warm, so he didn't feel as cold as before.

After eating for a while, Yuan Chonghuan looked up at Cheng Jiming and said directly, "I am very grateful to you for coming here. I wonder why you are here? What did His Majesty ask you to do?"

Yuan Chonghuan was very smart. With his intelligence, he knew that Cheng Jiming could not come to see him casually. The reason was simple. This was the Jinyiwei prison, not the prison of the Ministry of Justice. Without the consent of Emperor Chongzhen, Cheng Jiming could not come in casually even if he was a cabinet minister.

Since he is here, then Emperor Chongzhen has nodded his approval, and he probably chose Cheng Jiming to see him because Cheng Jiming had pleaded for him in the palace before, right?
"Master Yuan is worthy of being Master Yuan." Cheng Jiming smiled and nodded. Without beating around the bush, he said, "To be honest with you, Master Yuan, it was indeed His Majesty's will that I came to see you."

"Oh, then what does Your Majesty mean? Are you going to punish me? Haha, this meal couldn't be...?" Yuan Chonghuan picked up the wine cup in front of him and took a sip, then asked meaningfully.

"Haha, Lord Yuan has misunderstood. Of course that's not what I meant." Cheng Jiming hurriedly shook his head. This meal was not a last meal before execution. This must be explained clearly first.

Yuan Chonghuan smiled and said nothing, looking calm. But out of sight, his left hand, hidden under the low table, relaxed and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Cheng Jiming did not want to go around in circles and set an ambush with Yuan Chonghuan. The situation was not good now. Once the Guanning Army withdrew, the pressure outside the city would be extremely great. Once the Eight Banners of the Jiannu army attacked the capital, Man Gui would not be able to handle it alone.

Therefore, recalling the Guanning Army was the most urgent matter now. If they delayed here for one more minute, the Guanning Army would come back one minute late. Cheng Jiming immediately explained his purpose, told Yuan Chonghuan the situation of the Guanning Army, and requested Yuan Chonghuan to write a letter to recall the Guanning Army on behalf of the court to guard the capital.

"Zu Dashou led the Guanning Army to the east? Back to Liaodong?" Upon hearing this, Yuan Chonghuan was stunned. He did not expect Zu Dashou to be so bold, and he did not expect that the Guanning Army would just walk away after he was imprisoned. For a moment, he felt very relieved.

As expected, these were his subordinates whom he had won over and trained for many years. Although Zu Dashou did this to protect himself, it was also to show the court his attitude, that is, he was dissatisfied with being imprisoned and used this to threaten the court.

What is a confidant? This is a confidant! Yuan Chonghuan has regarded Zu Dashou and others as his confidants for so many years, and has established unparalleled prestige and status in the Guanning Army. Now it has finally borne fruit, and Yuan Chonghuan is very happy.

But although he was happy, Yuan Chonghuan also felt a little relieved, and even felt a sense of revenge for what Emperor Chongzhen had done. So what if you are the emperor? You can put me in jail just like that? Now look at the consequences, right? Without me, who can lead the Guanning Army? You are shooting yourself in the foot. Humph, I want to see how you can solve this problem.

"What do you mean by this, Lord Cheng?" Yuan Chonghuan asked with a smile.

Cheng Jiming repeated the last sentence he had said before, suggesting that Yuan Chonghuan write a letter to Zu Dashou and others, summoning them back to the capital to garrison.

"Are you kidding, Lord Cheng?" Yuan Chonghuan said lazily with airs, "I am now a criminal official, and I am no longer the governor of Ji and Liao. How can a criminal official have the qualifications to command the Guanning Army? Besides, there are many important officials in the court. Hasn't your majesty let General Man control all the departments? General Man should be in charge of the Guanning Army. By the way, there is also Lord Shen. He is a soldier. Just ask the Ministry of War to issue a letter to mobilize the army. The Guanning Army is the army of the court. I think once the letter from the Ministry of War arrives, the Guanning Army will definitely return to the capital to support it." Cheng Jiming smiled bitterly in his heart. What nonsense is Yuan Chonghuan talking about? If it can be solved like this, why do we need to come to him for help? The Guanning Army and generals such as Zu Dashou don't even listen to the emperor's orders now, let alone listen to the orders of Man Gui and the Ministry of War.

Cheng Jiming immediately advised Yuan Chonghuan not to act on impulse. Although Emperor Chongzhen had stripped him of his post and put him in prison, the matter could be delayed because of the impeachment of many officials and the fact that the Jiannu army was at the gates of the city. Although Emperor Chongzhen made such a decision in anger and it wronged Yuan Chonghuan, it was understandable.

The emperor is the emperor, the supreme ruler, and as a minister, one must be considerate of the emperor and father. Yuan Chonghuan was a Jinshi, well-read, and should understand this truth. At present, the Jiannu are eyeing the capital covetously, and the capital is in danger. Everything should be based on the overall situation.

Now that he came to Yuan Chonghuan, he was actually giving Yuan Chonghuan a chance. If Yuan Chonghuan could persuade Zu Dashou and the Guanning Army to return, then it would be considered an act of meritorious service. At that time, Emperor Chongzhen might let Yuan Chonghuan go for this reason. Even if he was punished, his merits and role would be taken into consideration.

If Yuan Chonghuan refused to write the letter, it would be tantamount to directly angering Emperor Chongzhen. In addition, Zu Dashou and others had committed a serious crime. If the capital was broken, it would be fine, but how could the capital be broken by the Jiannu? Although the current situation was bad, it was impossible for the Jiannu to take the capital.

Once the troops from all over the country arrive to support the king, the Jiannu will definitely retreat. When the Jiannu are dealt with at that time, the court will inevitably hold the Guanning Army the first target when holding them accountable. As the former commander-in-chief of Ji and Liao, Yuan Chonghuan would not sit idly by and watch the Guanning Army get into trouble, right?

Then, Cheng Jiming took out the handwritten order of Emperor Chongzhen that he had prepared long ago and showed it to him. Yuan Chonghuan took it and saw that it was indeed written by Emperor Chongzhen. The content clearly stated that as long as Zu Dashou and others brought the Guanning Army back, the court would forgive their past mistakes. The handwritten order not only had the signature of Emperor Chongzhen, but also was stamped with the emperor's private seal.

Seeing this, and thinking about Cheng Jiming's words, Yuan Chonghuan suddenly felt a little relieved. Cheng Jiming was right. If Zu Dashou really returned to Liaodong with the Guanning Army, then this matter would be irreversible. Once the Jiannu retreated, the court would definitely take action against the Guanning Army. At that time, not only Zu Dashou, but also the entire Guanning Army would not have a good end.

Yuan Chonghuan had been in Liaodong for so many years, and he had established and supported the Guanning Army. How could he watch the Guanning Army end up like this? In addition, Zu Dashou and others were his right-hand men. If he could keep them and the Guanning Army, it would also be good for him. At least the court, including Emperor Chongzhen, would have some concerns, and it would be very likely that he would be released from prison.

Thinking of this, Yuan Chonghuan nodded silently, indicating that he agreed to write the letter. Seeing this, Cheng Jiming was overjoyed and asked someone to bring writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and personally grind ink for Yuan Chonghuan.

Yuan Chonghuan picked up his pen and thought carefully, and soon wrote a letter. When Cheng Jiming took it and saw it, he was overjoyed. In the letter, Yuan Chonghuan stood on the standpoint of the court and persuaded Zu Dashou and others with the attitude of an old superior, explaining the pros and cons to them, pointing out the key points, and at the same time advising them to return to the capital as soon as possible to garrison.

Finally, Yuan Chonghuan also pointed out that as long as they returned, the court would forgive their past mistakes, and that Emperor Chongzhen had already issued a handwritten pardon, so they should not have any concerns.

Cheng Jiming was very satisfied after reading the letter. After receiving it, he bowed to Yuan Chonghuan embarrassedly and said that the situation was urgent and he could not stay long. He had to send someone to deliver the letter to Zu Dashou as soon as possible, so he had to leave.

Yuan Chonghuan was not surprised. He waved his hand and told Cheng Lao to go on his own. Then he continued to eat the food and wine in front of him, looking calm and composed.

After bidding farewell to Yuan Chonghuan, Cheng Jiming walked out of the Jinyiwei prison with the letter. When he got outside, Cheng Jiming stopped and turned back to give a few words of advice to the Jinyiwei who were accompanying him, asking them to treat Yuan Chonghuan well in the prison and improve his accommodation conditions.

Jinyiwei nodded and agreed immediately, wondering if Yuan Chonghuan would be released soon. After all, the emperor had spoken about this matter, and even the cabinet minister had come to visit him in person. It seemed that Yuan Chonghuan was not destined to die! It was better to be careful.

But the Jinyiwei didn't know that after Yuan Chonghuan was released from the Jinyiwei prison, Cheng Jiming had already regarded him as a dead man. If nothing had happened to the Guanning Army, or if Cheng Jiming had not given this idea to Emperor Chongzhen, perhaps Yuan Chonghuan could have saved his life. But now, regardless of whether this letter had any effect or not, Yuan Chonghuan was doomed to die.

Because no emperor would tolerate someone like Yuan Chonghuan. As an important official in the court, he not only controls a large number of troops, but even the army only listens to him instead of the court. What would you think if you were the emperor?
Therefore, Yuan Chonghuan would definitely not have a good ending. This result was destined when Zu Dashou led the Guanning Army to act on his own. Although Cheng Jiming did not agree to punish Yuan Chonghuan at the beginning, he had completely given up on Yuan Chonghuan under this circumstance. As for what he said to Yuan Chonghuan in prison just now, it was nothing more than a stopgap measure.

(End of this chapter)