Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty
Chapter 809 Beating
Chapter 809 Beating
Zhu Shencui took the towel and wiped his sweat. At this time, the eunuch who brought Zhang Xianzhong came forward and reported softly. Zhu Shencui turned around and looked at Zhang Xianzhong. When his eyes fell on Zhang Xianzhong, the hairs on Zhang Xianzhong's back stood up, as if he was being stared at by a wild beast in the wild.
This feeling lasted only for a moment, and Zhang Xianzhong even wondered if it was an illusion. Before Zhang Xianzhong could react, Zhu Shenzui's gaze had already passed over him. He gave an order to the eunuch and then walked towards the wing room not far away.
"Are you Zhang Xianzhong?" Wang Jinwu was beside Zhu Shenzhui, so he naturally heard the eunuch's report. After Zhu Shenzhui left, Wang Jinwu walked towards Zhang Xianzhong and looked at him with interest.
"I am Zhang Xianzhong... May I know who you are, sir?" Zhang Xianzhong didn't know who Wang Jinwu was, but he heard the conversation between Zhu Shenzhui and Wang Jinwu clearly and understood that Wang Jinwu's identity was definitely not simple. Moreover, he was wearing a dragon robe, which was not something that ordinary nobles could wear. It was already amazing to be granted a bullfighting robe. Generally, the most they could be granted was a flying fish robe. For example, the flying fish robe Zhang Xianzhong was wearing today.
"I am Wang Jinwu!" Wang Jinwu grinned, and Zhang Xianzhong was even more surprised. He didn't expect that the tall man standing in front of him was actually the famous Wang Jinwu. Although Wang Jinwu became famous late, his current status is extremely high. He is not only the cousin of the regent Zhu Shenzhu, but also the hereditary earl of the Ming Dynasty. In addition, Wang Jinwu is the general of the Beijing camp, the commander-in-chief of the new army, the left governor of the Ming Dynasty, the general, the upper pillar of the country, and the prince's guardian.
Although his title was earl like Zhang Xianzhong, the latter's earldom was hereditary while Zhang Xianzhong's was a temporary title. Moreover, Wang Jinwu's military rank and titles were both of the first rank. He was the number one person in the military of the Ming Dynasty and had a large number of troops under his command. How could Zhang Xianzhong compare to him?
"It turns out to be Marshal Wang. I have long heard of your name. It is my great honor to meet you today." Zhang Xianzhong saluted Wang Jinwu with a smile on his face, and kept flattering him, acting humble.
"Hahaha!" Wang Jinwu laughed and patted Zhang Xianzhong on the shoulder twice. "I've always heard that you were in the Central Plains. I originally planned to ask the regent to let me lead the troops to the Central Plains, but the regent didn't allow it. It was really a pity, but I didn't expect you to come to the capital. Haha, not bad, not bad. Since you have turned over a new leaf and returned to the court, you should work hard in the future and cut off the past. The court will naturally not treat you unfairly, do you understand?"
"I know, I understand... I will turn over a new leaf, serve the court, live up to the kindness of the Regent and the Marshal, and repay the Ming Dynasty!" Zhang Xianzhong nodded his head like a chick pecking at rice, and agreed repeatedly.
Seeing that he was so understanding, Wang Jinwu didn't say anything more. He looked at him deeply and left with a smile. After Wang Jinwu left, Zhang Xianzhong waited there for a while, and then was taken to a side room by the eunuch who had brought him here just now.
When he entered the room, he saw Zhu Shencui, who had changed his clothes, sitting at the top. He was wearing a Taoist robe and had his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. He had a kind face and smiling eyes. He did not have the sharpness that came from his martial arts training just now. Instead, he looked elegant and graceful.
"Your humble servant Zhang Xianzhong, kowtows to the Regent. May the Regent live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!" After Zhang Xianzhong entered the room, he knelt down with a plop and kowtowed several times to Zhu Shenzhui. After kowtow, his butt was raised high. He did not dare to raise his head and just lay there.
Looking at Zhang Xianzhong's attitude, Zhu Shenzhui couldn't help but sigh that Zhang Xianzhong was not simple. If Zhang Xianzhong just bowed to him and acted neither arrogant nor humble, Zhu Shenzhui would think that Zhang Xianzhong was a great man, but that was all.
But Zhang Xianzhong was so respectful and humble to him now, which made Zhu Shenzhui look up to him. A real man can bend and stretch. A hero like Zhang Xianzhong would never be a cowardly and ignorant villain, let alone a flatterer. You should know that when Zhang Xianzhong was at his peak, he had more than 100,000 troops under his command. He was a hero with strong soldiers and horses, and he was a hero. But how could he be the same as the Zhang Xianzhong he imagined?
But he did it anyway, and he did it so sincerely, almost as good as the eunuchs in the palace. Why? Because Zhang Xianzhong was a smart man. He knew that since he decided to go to Beijing, he would have no way out. If he wanted to survive and preserve his wealth and glory, the only thing he could do was to keep a low profile and completely dispel Zhu Shenzhu's concerns about him.
What integrity, what neither arrogant nor humble, these things are shit! If he swaggers and puts on the airs of the Eight Great Kings, this is the way to death. Why would Zhang Xianzhong do this? Besides, don't hit a smiling person, and there is also a saying that the more courtesy, the less blame. The more humble and low-key he behaves, the more likely Zhu Shenzhu will let him go. What is face in front of life? Saving life and wealth is the real thing.
"Zhang Xianzhong!" After taking a deep look at Zhang Xianzhong, Zhu Shenzhui spoke.
"I'm here!" Zhang Xianzhong still didn't look up and replied while lying on the ground.
"Get up, and take a seat!"
"Your humble servant bows to thank the Regent. May the Regent live a thousand years!" Zhang Xianzhong did not stand up immediately. He kowtowed three times to Zhu Shenzhui before getting up from the ground.
After standing up, Zhang Xianzhong's forehead was clearly red, which proved that he had kowtowed very hard just now, otherwise such a sound would not have been made.
Zhu Shenzhui offered him a seat, so Zhang Xianzhong naturally had to sit down, but he only dared to sit carefully for one-third of the seat, leaving most of his butt empty. After he sat down, he placed his hands on his knees and lowered his head slightly, not daring to look at Zhu Shenzhui. Zhu Shenzhui didn't care how he sat or what his posture was, and immediately said, "Zhang Xianzhong!"
"Wei Chen is here."
"I know that you surrendered to the court out of helplessness. If you were not defeated by Lu Xiangsheng first and then by Qin Liangyu, with more than 100,000 troops under your command, it would be impossible for you to surrender voluntarily."
"Your humble servant... I..." Zhang Xianzhong was shocked. He didn't expect Zhu Shenzhui to say such words right away. He quickly stood up, kowtowed, apologized, and defended himself.
"Please sit down. I don't like being interrupted when I'm speaking, and I'm even less used to people kowtowing or talking to me." Zhu Shenzhui said this calmly without waiting for Zhang Xianzhong to kneel again.
Zhang Xianzhong's expression froze. After hesitating for a moment, he saluted to Zhu Shenzhui and then sat back down.
Zhu Shenzhui continued, "I also know a little about your life story, Zhang Xianzhong. You were able to serve as an officer in the frontier army as a constable, and then you were dismissed and returned to your hometown, and then you gathered people to rebel. You traveled across several provinces and had hundreds of thousands of soldiers. You were considered a figure among the bandits."
"It's not an exaggeration to call a person like you a hero. If you were in the Red Turban Rebellion at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, it would not be much worse. If there is no wise ruler in the Ming Dynasty and the world continues to be in chaos, you may have the opportunity to compete for the throne amid internal and external troubles. Even if you can't ascend the throne, it's more than enough for you to rule a region..."
Hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong's forehead was covered with beads of sweat. He didn't expect Zhu Shenzhui to say this. Could it be that entering the palace today was a trap? Zhu Shenzhui was planning to kill him? But this was wrong! If Zhu Shenzhui wanted to kill him, wouldn't he have just issued an order to let the Jinyiwei go to the palace to arrest him? Why make it so complicated and let him enter the palace?
Zhu Shenzhui ignored Zhang Xianzhong's anxiety and continued, "If I were you, I would not surrender to the court if I had the chance. You know the principle of preferring to be the mouth of a chicken rather than the tail of an ox. Living under someone else's roof, even if you have wealth and glory, is not as good as being the master of your own way. So what you think is not too much, and I can understand it."
"Originally I thought that after the imperial edict arrived, you, Zhang Xianzhong, would refuse to enter the capital. Today I will tell you the truth. If you do not enter the capital, I will definitely not let you stay. Not only you, but also your subordinates will not be kept. This is not because I am cruel, but for the safety of the Ming Dynasty, I have to do this."
Zhang Xianzhong was sweating profusely and his face turned pale. At the same time, he was secretly glad. Fortunately, he did not hesitate too much when he received the imperial edict, and made the best decision after weighing the pros and cons. If he really refused to enter the capital, or even rebelled again as his adopted son Ai Nengqi said, he and his four adopted sons, including all his subordinates, might have been dealt with long ago.
Since Zhu Shenzhui had thought of this, he would not fail to consider the backup plan. He had already made all the arrangements at that time. Once Zhang Xianzhong showed signs of disloyalty again, they would be massacred.
Zhu Shenzhui continued, "You, Zhang Xianzhong, are a smart man and have made the best choice. Since you have given up those ideas and come to the capital in person, I, as the regent of the Ming Dynasty, will not disobey your promise. I know you are capable, but I will never use you to lead the army, let alone let you have the opportunity to leave the capital. But I can make you a promise. As long as you, Zhang Xianzhong, stay in the capital honestly, abide by the law and don't think about other things, I will ensure that you will be rich and prosperous for the rest of your life. Do you understand?"
"Your Majesty understands. I thank you for your kindness as regent. I swear to be loyal to the court from today onwards and never rebel. If I disobey, I will be killed without a burial place!" Zhang Xianzhong finally breathed a sigh of relief at this time. He quickly stood up and bowed, kowtowing and swearing to Zhu Shenzhui.
Zhu Shenzhui smiled and raised his hand to let him stand up. At the same time, he told him that he would not believe the so-called oath. There are too many oaths made by people in this world. God is very busy and has no time to take care of so many people's oaths. Therefore, no one can prove whether the oath comes true or not.
Zhu Shenzhui said that what would happen next would depend on Zhang Xianzhong's attitude and performance, and only his actual actions could determine whether his oath today was true or not. Zhu Shenzhui also told him that his every move in the capital would be watched by someone, and he would not be given any chance to take advantage of. However, as long as Zhang Xianzhong was obedient and had no evil intentions, then his other methods would naturally not be used on him.
After all, Zhang Xianzhong was not an ordinary person. As the strongest force and leader of the rebel army, his surrender to the imperial court was of great significance. Even if Zhu Shenzui offered a fortune for his horse's bones, he would not treat him unfairly. Moreover, he did not treat Zhang Xianzhong unfairly. He not only gave him the title but also an official position. As long as he behaved himself, he would never lack wealth and glory in his life.
(End of this chapter)
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