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

Chapter 881: The National Fortress
As time went by, Sun Chengzong's attitude gradually changed. To be honest, he actually had some admiration for Zhu Shenzhui. In his opinion, Zhu Shenzhui was really extraordinary as a mere member of the royal family could eventually ascend to the throne and become the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty in this way.

Moreover, Zhu Shenzhui was not only good at training troops and fighting wars, he also had a set of means and methods to govern the country. In comparison, Emperor Chongzhen was simply a piece of trash. As a veteran of five dynasties, Sun Chengzong knew Emperor Chongzhen too well. This emperor was not even as good as Zhu Shenzhui, let alone his brother, Emperor Tianqi.

You have to know that Sun Chengzong was the teacher of Emperor Tianqi, and he knew very well what his disciple, who he had personally taught, was capable of. Although Emperor Tianqi had a bad reputation outside, and because he used Wei Zhongxian, he did many incredible things, but in fact, Emperor Tianqi was an extremely smart person, and he had no shortage of political means. Everything he did was purposeful, and it was precisely because of his actions that the Ming Dynasty gradually took the initiative in foreign wars. Unfortunately, Emperor Tianqi was too impatient like Zhengde in the past, and the means he used Wei Zhongxian were too vicious, which eventually forced his political opponents to be desperate and make a desperate bet, causing Emperor Tianqi to be careless and fall into the trap, and died at a young age.

Sun Chengzong had deep feelings for Emperor Tianqi, but he was powerless in this matter because it was not something he could stop. Moreover, he was not in the capital when the incident happened, so it was too late when he found out.

But Sun Chengzong had a completely different opinion about Emperor Chongzhen. He clearly knew that Emperor Chongzhen was not a so-called wise ruler, but was the main reason for the decline of the Ming Dynasty. How could it be a blessing for the country if a person who had high ambitions but poor skills, and was self-willed and changeable in character was the emperor?

On the other hand, Zhu Shenzhu was completely different. Although Sun Chengzong, as a literati, was initially disgusted with Zhu Shenzhu's ascension to the throne, as a capable minister loyal to the Ming Dynasty, he also had a faint expectation in his heart. Wasn't this how the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, ascended the throne? Moreover, he created the most glorious Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty, and the continuation of the Renzong and Xuanzong Reign later brought the national strength of the Ming Dynasty to its peak.

If Zhu Shenzhui had Zhu Di's ability, or just half of his ability, the Ming Dynasty might be able to be revived in his hands. This is also the reason why Sun Chengzong never made a formal statement, but rejected Zhu Shenzhui. After all, as an old minister of the previous dynasty, he could not accept the other party's recruitment from reason, but rationally hoped that Zhu Shenzhui could do something to change the situation of the Ming Dynasty. This contradictory mentality was the dilemma in Sun Chengzong's heart, and it was also the main reason for Sun Chengzong's attitude.

However, after Zhu Shenzhui officially became the emperor, Sun Chengzong no longer had to worry about these problems. Because now the Yongming Emperor Zhu Shenzhui has become the true emperor of the Ming Dynasty, even if there are some problems with the means by which he came to power, the fact is the fact. Once the throne is in hand, the so-called situation in the past has been changed. The winner does not need to be blamed. This was the case with the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di, and it is the same with the Yongming Emperor Zhu Shenzhui now.

Not long ago, Zhu Shenzhui once again sent someone to Gaoyang to visit Sun Chengzong, this time bringing the imperial edict from him as the emperor to Sun Chengzong.

In the imperial edict, Zhu Shenzui highly praised Sun Chengzong's contribution and merit to the country, because Sun Chengzong's official position had reached the pinnacle and there was no more title to be given to him, and to confer a title on Sun Chengzong would be not a commendation but a humiliation instead. Therefore, Zhu Shenzui specially favored his descendants in the imperial edict, and promoted his eldest son Sun Quan, the magistrate of Gaoyuan County, to a higher rank, and granted his second son Sun Xuan the title of Chengshilang. Among the other sons, except for the one who had passed away, the other three sons Sun Yao, Sun Ce, and Sun Hao were each granted the title of Digonglang, and his grandchildren were also given the title of Dugonglang.

In addition to these, Zhu Shenzhu specially allocated thousands of acres of fertile land from the imperial farm to the Sun family, and personally wrote a copy to Sun Chengzong. Such generosity can be said to be unprecedented. After receiving the order, Sun Chengzong smiled bitterly in his heart and instantly understood Zhu Shenzhu's intention.

As expected, after reading the imperial edict, the eunuch who announced the edict told Sun Chengzong privately that the emperor hoped Sun Chengzong could go to the capital and wanted to meet him. Taking into account that Sun Chengzong was old and had difficulty walking, the emperor also specially sent a carriage to protect him.

Sun Chengzong was not stupid, he certainly understood Zhu Shenzhu's plan. Moreover, he had declined many times before. If he continued to play dumb and refused to go to the capital to see the emperor, it would be a disaster for the Sun family.

Although Sun Chengzong was a scholar, he was not a bookworm. Although he was a member of the Donglin Party, unlike most of the Donglin Party members, he rarely talked nonsense and paid more attention to practical matters. He could be said to be a rare sober person in the Ming Dynasty court.

Now that the emperor has given him such a face and a ladder, if Sun Chengzong continues to slap the emperor in the face, the meaning will be completely different. Don't forget that Zhu Shenzhu is no longer a regent, let alone a prince or a relative, but the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. All land under heaven belongs to the emperor and all people are his subjects. As a minister of the Ming Dynasty, Sun Chengzong must go to the capital no matter what.

In this way, Sun Chengzong followed the visitor and took a carriage to the capital. On the first day in the capital, Zhu Shenzui had already arranged accommodation for this gentleman, allowing him to stay and rest for two days. On the morning of the third day, Zhu Shenzui sent someone to pick up Sun Chengzong to the palace and meet him in the side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Sitting on the stool, only two steps away from Zhu Shenzui, Sun Chengzong was not unfamiliar with this place and was very familiar with it.

When he was the teacher of Emperor Tianqi, he taught Emperor Tianqi here. Later, he became the governor of Ji-Liao and governed Liaodong's military and political affairs. Every time he returned to Beijing, he was summoned by Emperor Tianqi here. After the Ji-Yi Rebellion, Sun Chengzong was ordered to lead all the troops to expel Huang Taiji. When he returned to the capital, he met Emperor Chongzhen here. So many years have passed in a flash. Now Sun Chengzong is older than before, and the person sitting in front of him has changed to Zhu Shenzhu. It was the first time that Sun Chengzong met Zhu Shenzhu. Although it is not reasonable for a minister to look at the emperor's face carefully when meeting him, there is no such saying when the two sit opposite each other on such occasions. So Sun Chengzong took a close look at Zhu Shenzhu's appearance at the first time, and formed a first impression of the new monarch in his heart.

In terms of facial features, Zhu Shenzui looks more like the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, and also looks very similar to the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di. After all, they are both descendants of the Zhu family and have the same face. In addition, Zhu Shenzui has a broken beard, which makes his face look even more similar.

In contrast, the appearance of Emperor Tianqi and Emperor Chongzhen is somewhat different from their ancestors, mainly because since Emperor Xiaozong, the faces of the Ming emperors have gradually become longer and thinner. But judging by his appearance, Zhu Shenzhu is closer to the portraits of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di. Moreover, Zhu Shenzhu is different from the weak Emperor Tianqi and the stubborn Emperor Chongzhen. He sits there with a smile on his face. Although he behaves casually, he has a sense of majesty and pressure that cannot be ignored.

This has nothing to do with the so-called imperial demeanor. Sun Chengzong had met many emperors during the Five Dynasties, but he did not believe in any imperial demeanor. It was nothing more than the fact that the person in power had been in this position for a long time, coupled with his daily habits and the imperial aura on his body, which was called a mysterious feeling by outsiders.

But Zhu Shenzhui was different. He was very kind to Sun Chengzong, but his aura was very real. Others might confuse these feelings, but who was Sun Chengzong? He was a commander-in-chief of Ji and Liao, and had led troops to fight. He immediately noticed that Zhu Shenzhui's aura was more like that of a general commanding troops. It was clearly the result of fighting in the military formation, not just because of his identity.

When facing Sun Chengzong, Zhu Shenzui was not only kind but also quite respectful. After all, this gentleman was a person worthy of respect and also someone Zhu Shenzui had always wanted to meet.

After meeting Sun Chengzong, Zhu Shenzui did not put on airs at all. He just asked about Sun Chengzong's health in a friendly manner and asked about his recuperation in his hometown.

Sun Chengzong did not hide anything and answered them one by one. After all, these were not secrets. His hometown Gaoyang was not far from the capital, and a fast horse could go back and forth in one day. In addition, Zhu Shenzhu sent people to visit Sun Chengzong every year, and even went there several times a year. He often gave gifts during festivals. With the ability of the Jinyiwei, Zhu Shenzhu must have known Sun Chengzong's situation at home, including what he did, for a long time.

"I have always wanted to meet you, sir. I know you are old and weak, and I should have gone to Gaoyang in person, but I really can't leave. Although the internal troubles of the Ming Dynasty have been resolved, the external enemies are still there. In addition, there have been natural disasters and man-made disasters in the past few years, and the people's livelihood is difficult. I have just inherited the throne, and I should focus on state affairs. I have no choice but to ask you to come to Beijing for a meeting."

"Your Majesty, your words make me feel ashamed. I should have come to Beijing to visit Your Majesty earlier, but I am old and in poor health, so I have to wait until today. I was wrong, and I beg Your Majesty to forgive me." Sun Chengzong replied with a bow, his words very sincere.

Zhu Shenzhui laughed and waved his hand, saying, "No matter what, I am really happy to meet you today. In my opinion, it is because of people like you that our Ming Dynasty has what it has today! The war in Liaodong was extremely critical back then. Everyone was terrified of the war in Liaodong and even tried to avoid it. But you took the initiative to volunteer to go there, which stabilized the situation in Liaodong. In a few years, you built the Ningjin Defense Line and reversed the situation in Liaodong. Your ability is admirable and your contribution is indispensable."

When listening to Zhu Shenzui talking about his past, Sun Chengzong's face did not show any joy, but rather a gloomy look.

Although those years in Liaodong were the most glorious days in Sun Chengzong's life, and it was also because he turned the war situation in Liaodong around, allowing the Ming Dynasty, which had been retreating step by step, to regain a firm foothold in Liaodong, and built a solid Ningjin Defense Line, suppressing Nurhaci who was completely powerless and almost collapsed completely.

Unfortunately, Sun Chengzong failed to complete the last step and left Liaodong for various reasons. The situation in Liaodong changed after he left office. The Ming army, which had originally had the upper hand, was overturned by the Jiannu in an instant. Not only was the carefully built Ningjin defense line in danger, but later an unimaginable thing like the change of one's own nature occurred.

"Your Majesty's words make me feel ashamed. Not only did I fail to do my best, I also recommended the wrong person, which led to the situation getting out of control. This is my fault, so how can I talk about any credit?" Sun Chengzong shook his head and sighed, with helplessness and regret on his face.

(End of this chapter)