My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 238 Chongzhen: He trained his body to resemble a crane's, so he was not afraid of palace maids strangling him!

Summer nights in Beijing are like a giant steamer, with the scorching heat penetrating everywhere, filling the streets and alleys with sweltering air.

The inn where Liu Wenxiu and his companions stayed was just an inconspicuous little shop in the capital. Its walls were mottled and dilapidated from years of neglect, and it exuded a rotten smell, as if telling the story of the vicissitudes of time.

His room was small and cramped, like an airtight box. The dim candlelight flickered in the draft, like a faint star that could be swallowed by the darkness at any moment.

Some mosquitoes, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, swarmed around the candlelight like a frenzied invader, buzzing irritatingly and occasionally landing on Liu Wenxiu's face.

Liu Wenxiu's brows were furrowed so tightly they looked like a knot. She impatiently waved her hand to shoo away the mosquitoes while pacing rapidly around the room. The old wooden planks under her feet creaked under the weight of the creaking.

After a long while, Liu Wenxiu finally stopped.

After weighing the options repeatedly in his mind, he finally decided to go and discuss with his companions what to do the next day.

dong dong dong.
However, before he could even step out of the room, a series of urgent knocks suddenly sounded.

Liu Wenxiu strode forward and opened the wooden door to the room, which creaked as he pushed it.

The people who appeared at the door were none other than their companions.

The candlelight inside the room flickered and shone on them, illuminating their faces.

Everyone wore a solemn expression, their brows furrowed, and their eyes revealed deep worry, clearly indicating that they had something extremely important to discuss with him.

Liu Wenxiu knew in her heart that what they were going to say must be related to tomorrow's events.

He then remained silent, simply stepping aside to let everyone into the house.

Just then, one of his companions suddenly spoke up:
"Go and call Dingguo here too! This matter might not succeed without his involvement!"

After hearing this, Liu Wenxiu slowly shook her head, her tone low yet resolute:

"No need, I will speak to Dingguo myself later."

Liu Wenxiu knew that Li Dingguo had not yet expressed his opinion, and at this sensitive moment, in order to avoid affecting everyone's determination, he could only temporarily exclude Li Dingguo.

After hearing Liu Wenxiu's words, the group exchanged glances, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes, and ultimately said nothing more.

A moment later, the group sat around a dilapidated wooden table. Those who couldn't fit on the table stood aside.

The candle flames on the table were weak, as if they could be swallowed by the darkness at any moment. The dim yellow light danced on everyone's faces, reflecting their solemn expressions.

Liu Wenxiu cleared her throat, breaking the silence in the room. Her voice was deep but carried an undeniable firmness.

"Brothers, now that things have come to this, I won't say anything more."

"We all know that given the current situation of the peasant army, it's only a matter of time before they are wiped out by the imperial court."

"Therefore, surrendering to the imperial court is our only way to survive."

“I propose that we go and see the Crown Prince Zhu of the Ming Dynasty first thing tomorrow morning to express our determination to surrender.”

"To show our utmost sincerity, let's follow the example of the ancients who carried thorns on their backs to apologize. What do you all think?"

The group looked at each other, but no one spoke, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

Only the hissing of the burning candle and the buzzing of mosquitoes intertwined to create an unsettling symphony.

After a long while, a burly man frowned and hesitated before speaking:

"Wenxiu, do you think the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty will genuinely accept our surrender? Or is he planning to lure us to Liaodong and then wipe us out in one fell swoop?"

Hey!
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxiu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, before speaking earnestly:

"Brother, you're overthinking it!"

"He is the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. If he really wanted to take our lives, would we still be sitting here now?"

"If he has such intentions, we will all die in an instant!"

"Furthermore, don't you see the current situation? If you don't surrender, you'll only face death. If you surrender, you might have a chance to survive."

After listening, everyone nodded thoughtfully and finally reached a consensus.

That means they will go to the East Palace gate early tomorrow morning to apologize with thorns on their backs.

After everyone left, Liu Wenxiu went downstairs with a feeling of trepidation.

Before he could take two steps, a cold voice suddenly rang out in the darkness.

"What are you up to in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Immediately, a ball of fire lit up, and a group of Imperial Guards dressed in plain clothes appeared in front of Liu Wenxiu.

Liu Wenxiu quickly clasped her hands in a fist and bowed, speaking sincerely:

"Gentlemen, we have committed an unforgivable mistake, and we deeply regret it now."

"Therefore, we wish to emulate the ancients who carried thorns on their backs to apologize, and express our most sincere remorse to His Highness the Crown Prince. We hope that you, sir, can help us obtain some thorns."

The leading Jinyiwei commander, with eyes like an eagle, sized up Liu Wenxiu. Seeing that his face was full of sincerity and did not seem to be fake, his expression softened slightly.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded in agreement.

"You should go back to your room and wait. The things will be delivered shortly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxiu quickly bowed in thanks and then obediently returned to her room.

Sure enough, not long after, a member of the Imperial Guards knocked on his door with a pile of thorny branches.

After Liu Wenxiu opened the door, the Imperial Guards handed him the items and said:
"Since your attitude seems sincere, take these and use them to apologize to His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Thank you!"

Liu Wenxiu thanked him and accepted the thorns with both hands. The thorns on the thorns pricked his palms slightly, but he didn't care at all, and was thinking about his plans for tomorrow.

After placing the brambles inside the house, Liu Wenxiu arrived at Li Dingguo's residence with a mixture of anticipation and unease.

The door was not closed, but ajar. Liu Wenxiu knocked gently, but no one answered.

He then pushed open the door and saw Li Dingguo standing quietly by the window, gazing at the dark night sky outside.

The moonlight, like water, shone on his resolute face, outlining his strong features, and the shadows cast made his expression even more unpredictable.

Liu Wenxiu took a deep breath and then told Li Dingguo everything that everyone had just discussed.

After listening, Li Dingguo remained silent for a long time, neither nodding in agreement nor refusing.

Liu Wenxiu could only try to persuade him again:
"Dingguo, the situation is extremely precarious. This is our only way out. Don't let your momentary impulse drag our brothers down with you."

Li Dingguo then turned to look at Liu Wenxiu and said in a calm tone:
"Don't worry, I know what to do!"

Hearing this, Liu Wenxiu didn't know what else to say and could only silently leave the room.

The next day, before dawn, the capital was still shrouded in a hazy night.

Under the hazy moonlight, the glazed tiles of the East Palace gleamed with a cool light, resembling a majestic beast, quietly lying dormant there.

Li Dingguo and his entourage had already arrived at the gate of the East Palace.

Even at this time of day, the sweltering heat of the summer night showed no signs of abating, and the air was thick with a scorching atmosphere that made it difficult to breathe.

Liu Wenxiu and the others, carrying bundles of thorns on their backs, slowly knelt on the stone slab in front of the East Palace gate.

The sharp thorns on the brambles were like tiny knives, piercing their soaked clothes and digging deep into their skin. Blood dripped slowly down the vines, staining the stone slabs like blooming red plum blossoms.

Only Li Dingguo remained standing upright, like a pine tree standing out among the crowd, appearing out of place.

Liu Wenxiu raised her head and looked at Li Dingguo, her eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"Dingguo, stop acting rashly. Quickly kneel down and apologize, and you'll have a bright future."

"Even if you don't think about us, you should at least think about your family!"

But Li Dingguo, with his keen insight, ignored Liu Wenxiu's advice.

Actually, after what happened yesterday, he already knew what to do, but before that, there was one thing he needed to confirm.

Seeing this, Liu Wenxiu shook her head helplessly and stopped talking. She then continued to kneel at the door with the others, waiting for Zhu Cilang to appear.

After a long while, when it was already broad daylight, the gates of the East Palace slowly opened with a dull thud.

Then, Zhu Cilang walked out surrounded by the crowd.

Liu Wenxiu instantly sensed Zhu Cilang's arrival, immediately prostrated herself on the ground, her hands pressed tightly against the scorching stone slab, her body trembling slightly with excitement and nervousness, and cried out:

"Your Highness, we are willing to surrender to the court. We hope that Your Highness will forgive us and accept us."

“We committed unforgivable sins in the past. Today, we are following the example of the ancients who carried thorns on their backs to apologize and beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”

"We are willing to go to Liaodong to expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty, even at the cost of our lives!"

Upon seeing this, the people behind Liu Wenxiu all kowtowed, their foreheads striking the stone slab with a dull thud.

Their hair was already soaked with sweat, strands sticking to their faces, and their backs, covered in brambles, were now a bloody mess, with bloodstains even beneath them.

However, Zhu Cilang was not surprised when he saw this scene, because the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already informed him last night that Liu Wenxiu wanted to plead guilty with a bundle of thorns on his back.

Although imitating the ancient story of carrying thorns to apologize might seem like a show, they were indeed very sincere.

But then again.

Li Dingguo's attitude still left Zhu Cilang somewhat puzzled.

If he agreed to surrender, why were Liu Wenxiu and the others kneeling on the ground with thorns on their backs, while he stood there upright?
If he did not agree to surrender, why did he come to the Eastern Palace?
Was he trying to prove his resolve by dying in front of me? To show that he was determined not to surrender under any circumstances?

Zhu Cilang frowned, thinking to himself, if that were the case, then he would have no choice but to kill Li Dingguo just like Zhuge Liang did when he wept as he executed Ma Su!

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang's gaze fell on Liu Wenxiu and the others, and then he said with a smile:

"It is wonderful that you have such awareness."

"Don't worry, once you arrive in Liaodong, you will be treated the same as the local soldiers. I will definitely not mistreat you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxiu and the others knew that the situation was settled, and they hurriedly kowtowed again in excitement.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Immediately, Zhu Cilang turned his gaze to Li Dingguo and asked:
"So, Li Dingguo, what will you choose?"

Li Dingguo's gaze was fixed on Zhu Cilang, and after a moment he suddenly said, "I want to ask you a question first."

"go ahead."

Zhu Cilang responded calmly.

Seeing that Li Dingguo was still so rude at this point, neither kneeling nor using honorifics, Li Hu, Zheng Chenggong and others around Zhu Cilang immediately changed their expressions.

If they hadn't known that Zhu Cilang valued Li Dingguo highly, they would have already gone up and killed him!
At that moment, Li Dingguo finally spoke.

"Can you really make sure that everyone in the world can afford to eat?"

Li Dingguo asked.

Zhu Cilang was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Li Dingguo to ask such a simple question.

After a brief moment of surprise, he grinned, his eyes radiating unwavering determination and confidence.

"Of course! If I can't do it, then I'll rebel against the Ming Dynasty myself, without anyone else having to rebel."

"My lifelong wish is to ensure that all the people in this world can afford to eat and wear clothes, and that no one will freeze or starve to death."

"If you don't believe me, just wait and see!"

After listening to Zhu Cilang's words, Li Dingguo fell silent again.

Although the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty before him was young and inexperienced, he possessed an extremely powerful aura, which gave him an involuntary feeling.

Everything he said will eventually come true!
If that's really the case, then I have no other desires in this life!
The next second, Li Dingguo slowly turned around, took a thorny branch from Liu Wenxiu beside him, then knelt down with both hands holding the branch, and said with sincere admiration:

"This humble subject, Li Dingguo, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince. This humble subject is willing to surrender."

"This humble subject has offended you greatly in the past, and I hope Your Highness will punish me!"

Upon hearing Li Dingguo's words, Liu Wenxiu and the others finally felt relieved.

After all, they had been brothers for so many years, and they really didn't want to see Li Dingguo die.

At the same time, seeing Li Dingguo kneeling before him with sincere admiration, Zhu Cilang could no longer suppress the smile on his face.

Because it was so fulfilling for him.

The next second, Zhu Cilang reached out and took the thorny branch from Li Dingguo's hand, casually tossed it aside, and then personally helped him up.

"There's no need to bring up the past again. I'm not a petty person!"

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang instructed the people behind him:
"Don't just stand there, quickly go and fetch the imperial physician to treat their injuries."

Subsequently, Zhu Cilang led Li Dingguo into the East Palace, and Liu Wenxiu and others, with the help of the guards, removed the thorns binding their bodies.

The thorns pulled at their wounds, causing them to wince in pain.

However, compared to their future, this pain is nothing at all.

After everyone's wounds were treated, Zhu Cilang summoned them and then discussed their resettlement.

Zhu Cilang planned to appoint others as commanders of garrison troops to manage the peasant armies that had previously surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, and to place them near the newly demarcated border with the Jurchens.

Although this seemed somewhat dangerous, given that the Jurchen territory was nearby.

But this is not actually the case, because there are no fewer than 30,000 border troops and garrison troops stationed near the border.

In other words, if war were to break out, they wouldn't need to be at the forefront.

Of course, if these people become restless after arriving in Liaodong, then they will become the vanguard.

As for Li Dingguo and Liu Wenxiu, Zhu Cilang planned to let them first follow Zu Dashou for training and grant them the position of guerrilla general. As for what happens next, it would depend on their own fate.

Everyone was overjoyed to hear Zhu Cilang's arrangement.

After all, they transformed from bandits into Ming Dynasty military officers in an instant, with the lowest rank being fifth grade. What else could they possibly complain about?
As for Liu Wenxiu and Li Dingguo, they were both fourth-rank military officers.

So everyone stood up and thanked Zhu Cilang profusely once again.

Ultimately, Zhu Cilang decided to let Li Dingguo and the others rest for two days before setting off for Liaodong immediately.

After all, the princes and members of the imperial family from various regions have already arrived in the capital, and it is really not appropriate for them to continue to stay in the capital.

In fact, at the beginning, Zhu Cilang had no intention of informing Chongzhen about the surrender of Li Dingguo, Liu Wenxiu and others.

However, considering that Li Dingguo, Liu Wenxiu, and others may have massacred members of the imperial family when they were in Henan, it would be unreasonable and morally wrong not to let Chongzhen know about this.

Therefore, Zhu Cilang ultimately decided to first greet Chongzhen.

Although this action has the appearance of acting first and informing later, it is the only way to proceed now.

Whether Chongzhen agrees or not, it won't change Zhu Cilang's plan!
Since returning from Liaodong, the relationship between father and son had become completely harmonious, so Zhu Cilang no longer kept Chongzhen in the harem.

Therefore, during the day, Emperor Chongzhen mostly stayed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was first built in the sixteenth year of the Jiajing reign. It is located within the Forbidden City, west of the Qianqing Palace in the inner court, and is a palace building with an independent layout.

The palace covers an area of ​​5,000 square meters and has an overall layout in the shape of the Chinese character "工" (gong). The front hall and the rear hall are connected by a passageway, complementing each other.

The front hall is well-organized and spacious, serving as an important place for the emperor to handle state affairs, while the rear hall is quiet and private, with exquisite and elegant furnishings, serving as the emperor's sleeping quarters for rest and daily life.

During the reign of Emperor Jiajing, in his pursuit of immortality, he built the Hall of No Beams in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation for the purpose of refining elixirs.

As soon as Zhu Cilang stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a rich sandalwood fragrance wafted towards him, the wisps of smoke filling the entire palace and creating a mysterious atmosphere.

After taking a few more steps forward, Zhu Cilang was speechless.

Inside the palace, Emperor Chongzhen was dressed in a Taoist robe covered with scriptures, which gave him an air of mystery in the setting.

He even styled his hair like a Taoist priest, and was currently having an enthusiastic conversation with Taoist Master Chongxu.

For some reason, upon seeing this scene, two sentences involuntarily popped into Zhu Cilang's mind:

"Practice until your body resembles a crane's, and you won't be afraid of palace maids strangling you!"

Upon seeing Zhu Cilang enter, Chongxuzi quickly rose and respectfully bowed, saying:
"This humble Taoist greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

However, Zhu Cilang's attention was completely drawn to Chongzhen's strange attire, and he didn't pay any attention to Daoist Chongxu for a moment.

Just then, Chongzhen also saw Zhu Cilang.

The next second, Chongzhen looked at Daoist Chongxu and said:
"Daoist Master, let's stop here for today. You may leave now. I have something to say to the Crown Prince."

Master Chongxu understood that this was not a place to stay for long. After bowing to Emperor Chongzhen, he quietly and lightly departed.

After Master Chongxu left, Zhu Cilang finally came to his senses. He looked Chongzhen up and down again, but his expression was even more speechless.

Just now, he almost thought that Emperor Chongzhen had been possessed by Emperor Jiajing!

Then, he couldn't help but ask:
"Father, why are you dressed like this?"

Emperor Chongzhen's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a smile as he said:

"Isn't it obvious? I intend to cultivate immortality and seek the Dao."

Zhu Cilang was speechless again, because he clearly remembered telling Chongzhen that mortals could not cultivate themselves into immortals, so how come Chongzhen still went down this path?

Before he could ask again, Chongzhen explained first:
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten what you mentioned before, and I don't really want to cultivate immortality."

"I did this only to mislead my officials and make them think that I am obsessed with cultivating immortality and neglecting state affairs."

"In this way, when you come of age, I will be able to pass the throne to you smoothly, and they will not have any objections at that time."

"After all, a young and capable emperor is more to their liking than an emperor who cultivates immortality and neglects state affairs."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang instantly understood Chongzhen's good intentions.

So it turns out that the reason Chongzhen did this was to make it easier for him to pass the throne to Chongzhen in the future!

And upon closer examination, it is indeed a good idea.

After all, Emperor Chongzhen was only in his thirties at the time, and even if Zhu Cilang came of age in another three to five years, Chongzhen would only be forty years old.

Forty years old is not young for an emperor, but it is still considered to be in his prime. If he were to suddenly announce that he would pass the throne to the crown prince at this time, it would inevitably arouse suspicion among some people.

However, if this emperor is obsessed with cultivating immortality and neglecting state affairs, then his abdication would seem quite reasonable.
However, this would damage Chongzhen's reputation.

Zhu Cilang never expected that Chongzhen would be willing to use self-degradation to pave the way for his future.

For a moment, Zhu Cilang felt somewhat moved.

Then he walked over, slowly sat down beside Chongzhen, poured Chongzhen a cup of tea, presented it to him with both hands, and respectfully said:
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Father.

Emperor Chongzhen smiled slightly.

"I am not only thinking about your future, but also about the future of the Ming Dynasty."

"You are more suited to be emperor than I am, and this is the only thing I can do for you!"

"As for those empty titles, now that I think about it, they weren't that important!"

After saying this, Chongzhen took the tea, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Then Chongzhen put down his teacup, looked at Zhu Cilang, and asked:
"What brings you to me today?"

Zhu Cilang then remembered his purpose and began to speak:
“Father, Zhang Xianzhong’s subordinates and adopted sons have entered the capital one after another, but I do not intend to kill them, and they are willing to surrender to the court.”

"Therefore, I plan to settle them all in Liaodong to manage the peasant armies that have surrendered to the Ming Dynasty."

"It's just that they followed Zhang Xianzhong in the rebellion and may have massacred members of the imperial family, so I felt it was necessary to come and tell you."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen frowned slightly, as if he were considering something.

Although Chongzhen was initially angry when he learned of this, he later felt it was unnecessary.

After all, the relationship between those members of the imperial family and Emperor Chongzhen was far too distant.

Moreover, without their sacrifices, the Zhu Family Army of the Ming Dynasty would have been difficult to form.

All these factors combined have led to Emperor Chongzhen no longer being very concerned about the peasant army's massacre of members of the imperial family.

(End of this chapter)