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

Chapter 347 You're quite vicious, so go to Liaodong and wreak havoc on the Jurchens!
Of course, Luo Rucai would never dare to do such a thing!
Because if we really did that, it would be like forcing Chongzhen to forgive us. Even if Chongzhen didn't say anything to our faces, he would definitely be holding a grudge, and that grudge might burn him to death one day.

Besides, the reason these people are missing limbs is all because of him. If someone complains to Emperor Chongzhen, wouldn't he be finished?

Therefore, bringing these ordinary farmers to Beijing was the most appropriate thing to do, as it would neither seem deliberate nor imply any coercion of Emperor Chongzhen.

With this in mind, the group finally arrived in the capital.

The moment they stepped into the capital, they were quickly awestruck by its prosperity.

You should know that the most bustling place these people had ever been to before was Xi'an Prefecture. In their minds, Xi'an Prefecture was already a very prosperous city.

However, the capital city was countless times more prosperous than Xi'an, with shops lining both sides of the street, displaying a dazzling array of goods that were overwhelming to the eye.

In addition, it was the end of the year, and the streets were bustling with people. Men, women and children were all dressed in new clothes, their faces beaming with joy. Various hawking cries filled the air, creating a lively symphony.

In addition, the roads in the capital city also shocked them.

The road was wide and flat, much easier to walk on than those bumpy cobblestone paths, and the carriage traveled very smoothly on it.

Looking at everything before him, Luo Rucai felt a mix of emotions.

As for the group of farmers sitting in the carriage behind him, they were already stunned by everything around them.

She looked just like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

After entering the capital, Luo Rucai and his party were settled in an inn to rest.

After all, their identities were somewhat special, being both prisoners of war and military officers of the imperial court. The Imperial Guards who came to meet them didn't know how to settle them, so they could only let them rest at the inn and be ready to receive the emperor at any time.

Soon, news of Luo Rucai's arrival in Beijing reached Zhu Cilang.

Upon learning this news, Zhu Cilang also became somewhat interested.

After all, in the original history, Luo Rucai should have died at the hands of Li Zicheng, who then completely seized control of the peasant army and eventually overthrew the Ming Dynasty.

However, unexpectedly, Luo Rucai betrayed Li Zicheng, causing nearly 100,000 casualties to Li Zicheng and forcing him to flee to Sichuan.

It must be said, this is truly a "talented person".

Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang gave the following instructions:

"Bring him to the East Palace this afternoon; I wish to meet him."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard who came to report the news quickly bowed and said:
"My minister obeys."

He then took his leave.

Soon, Luo Rucai on the other side also learned of this news.

When Luo Rucai learned that he was about to meet not the emperor, but the crown prince, he was somewhat bewildered.

However, he quickly regained his composure, knowing full well that one must proceed with caution in the capital.

After quickly tidying his clothes, he followed the Imperial Guards out the door and headed straight for the Eastern Palace.

After entering the East Palace, a young eunuch led Luo Rucai to a garden.

However, it was winter, and the garden was in a state of decay, appearing quite desolate.

The young eunuch led Luo Rucai to a pavilion and then said:

"Please have a cup of tea here, Your Highness. His Highness the Crown Prince will be here shortly."

Luo Rucai quickly expressed his gratitude:
"Thank you, father-in-law."

The young eunuch nodded slightly, then turned and left.

After the young eunuch left, Luo Rucai was somewhat uneasy. His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the stone table, and his eyes wandered.

There was nothing he could do, because he had never learned anything about the crown prince, and didn't know what the crown prince's personality was like, or whether the crown prince would have any bad opinions about him.

Just then, Luo Rucai's gaze was suddenly drawn to something to the side.

And this thing was none other than the greenhouse that Zhu Cilang was researching.

The greenhouse was constructed of bamboo and covered with a layer of transparent grease, which shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Luo Rucai didn't recognize the thing; he just found it somewhat novel. His eyes were fixed on the greenhouse, trying to figure out its secrets.

Suddenly, two boys emerged from the greenhouse. They were covered in dust and dirt, with bits of grass still clinging to their hair.
Luo Rucai only glanced at them and then paid them no further attention, because judging from their attire, they could not possibly be the Crown Prince; they were most likely just lowly eunuchs from the Eastern Palace.

Thinking that he was about to meet the Crown Prince, Luo Rucai quickly sat up straight again. He straightened his back, placed his hands on his knees, and waited for the Crown Prince's summons at any time.

It was at this moment that the two boys also noticed Luo Rucai and walked over.

One of them asked:
"You are Luo Rucai?"

Luo Rucai looked up and saw that the speaker was one of the boys he had seen earlier.

He didn't know why the other person asked that, but he still quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"My name is Luo Rucai. How are you, young master?"

Upon hearing this, the boy suddenly burst out laughing, as if he had heard something extremely funny.

The other boy next to him also changed his expression upon hearing this, and immediately shouted:
"What nonsense are you spouting, you blind fool? How dare you mistake the Crown Prince for a eunuch! Are you out of your mind?"

That's right!

At this moment, what appeared in front of Luo Rucai was not a little eunuch at all, but Zhu Cilang and Ma Bao.

After instructing the Embroidered Uniform Guard to bring Luo Rucai here, Zhu Cilang then began to busy himself with the greenhouse project.

However, the clothes he wore before weren't quite suitable for this kind of work, so he asked Ma Bao to get him a set of clothes that were appropriate for working.

He never expected to run into Luo Rucai as soon as he came out, and he never expected that he, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, would be mistaken for a little eunuch by Luo Rucai.

At the same time, Luo Rucai was stunned when he heard Ma Bao's reprimand. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes were wide like copper bells, and his face was full of disbelief.

Because the image of the boy in front of him was completely different from the image of the crown prince he had in mind. In his imagination, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty should be dressed in gorgeous clothes and have a noble and extraordinary temperament, not like the boy in front of him, who was covered in dust and dressed in simple clothes.

Just then, Zhu Cilang waved his hand and said:
"Alright, alright, stop scaring him. With me looking like this, it's no wonder he'd misunderstand. Besides, he doesn't even know me. Ignorance is no excuse."

Upon hearing this, Ma Bao could only shut his mouth in embarrassment.

In an instant, Luo Rucai finally realized what was happening!
What an idiot I am! How could anyone dare to impersonate the Crown Prince within the Eastern Palace?

Thinking of this, Luo Rucai immediately knelt down, his body trembling, his forehead pressed tightly to the ground, and he said in a shaky voice:
"This sinner pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince! Long live Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

After saying this, Luo Rucai slammed his forehead heavily against the cold stone bricks, making a rather crisp and loud sound.

Zhu Cilang saw his expression but didn't say anything, as if he was thinking about something.

Just then, a eunuch brought over a basin of hot water and a towel. Zhu Cilang washed his hands, dried them, and then looked at Luo Rucai kneeling on the ground and said:

"Alright, get up. I already said ignorance is no excuse, so stop kneeling."

Upon hearing this, Luo Rucai dared to get up tremblingly, but at this moment he was still extremely nervous.

You know, he originally thought that he must make a good impression on the Crown Prince and the Emperor after arriving in the capital, but he didn't expect to mistake the Crown Prince for a eunuch as soon as he arrived. What's going on?
At this moment, Luo Rucai was so nervous that he was sweating profusely.

Zhu Cilang sat upright at the table, taking in all the changes in Luo Rucai's expression.

He knew that for a commoner like Luo Rucai, it was only natural to feel fear in the face of imperial authority; it would be abnormal to remain calm and composed.

Just then, a palace maid carefully carried a teacup over. Ma Bao quickly reached out to take it and then presented the teacup to Zhu Cilang with both hands.

"Your Highness, please have some tea!"

Zhu Cilang took the teacup, gently lifted the lid, and a faint aroma of tea rose up. He took a small sip before slowly speaking:

"I have heard everything that General Luo did in Shaanxi."

"You single-handedly dealt a heavy blow to the rebel leader, stabilizing the situation in the Northwest for the imperial court. This is a great achievement."

Upon hearing this, Luo Rucai felt a huge weight lifted from his heart and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that although his actions were advantageous from the court's perspective, they had caused the deaths of 100,000 civilians.

So if we really get to the bottom of this, even if he had ten lives, it wouldn't be enough to kill him.

But now, hearing Zhu Cilang personally acknowledge his contributions was like a reassurance, finally calming his anxious heart.

The next moment, he hurriedly bowed and said with a hint of excitement in his voice:

"Thank you for your wise judgment, Your Highness. I am willing to serve the court with my life."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Luo Rucai for a moment before he continued:
"Given your current status, it would be inappropriate for you to stay in the capital or in places like Shaanxi or Henan. After all, the conflict between you peasant armies and the local officials and people is too deep, and a slight misstep could ignite a prairie fire."

"So let's stick to the previously planned route to Liaodong."

"When the time comes, you will go to Liaodong as a military officer and make good use of your talents to deal with the Jurchens."

As for Luo Rucai, Zhu Cilang still intended to send him to Liaodong as planned.

After all, this guy does seem quite ruthless, and he must be quite capable of dealing with the Jurchens, so let's go to Liaodong and "plague" the Jurchens!

Whatever schemes or tricks they may have, just use them on the Jurchens.

Luo Rucai knew, of course, that with his background and past, it was impossible for him to remain in the capital as an official. Those court officials were all arrogant and looked down on the peasant army as a monstrous threat. How could they allow him to establish himself in the capital?
Therefore, he had already made plans to go to Liaodong.

What's more, Zhu Cilang actually appointed him as a military officer, which is a third-rank official position!
In the official system of the imperial court, the third rank was already a high position, which meant holding real power and being very prestigious. What more could Luo Rucai possibly want?
Immediately, Luo Rucai knelt down, his forehead slamming heavily against the floor, and said:

"Your subject obeys. I will certainly live up to Your Highness's high expectations and vow to make great achievements in Liaodong."

Zhu Cilang nodded again, then seemed to remember something, and asked with a smile:

"I heard you brought more than ten peasant soldiers with you to Beijing this time. What are you planning to do?"

Luo Rucai originally did not intend to tell anyone about his plans, but the person in front of him was the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, the future ruler of the Ming Dynasty. He dared not hide anything and could only truthfully express his inner thoughts:
"Your Highness, I am aware of my grave sins and fear Your Majesty's wrath. Therefore, I brought these people here to let Your Majesty know why we peasant soldiers embarked on the path of rebellion."

"Previously, natural disasters occurred frequently in Shaanxi and Henan, and the people lived in poverty, unable to eat or clothe themselves. However, the government levied exorbitant taxes and showed no compassion for the people."

“We were forced to rebel in order to survive. Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and willing to accept us. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for what I did before.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

"You're quite clever; you didn't lie. If you had dared to utter even a single falsehood, you'd be in big trouble today."

"Although I am young, I am not unreasonable. Since you are sincere, His Majesty will surely forgive you."

Upon hearing this, Luo Rucai was startled, as if struck by lightning, and broke out in a cold sweat.

But he still tried to remain calm and quickly said:
“How dare I lie before His Highness the Crown Prince? Every word I have said is true. If there is even a single falsehood, I am willing to be struck by lightning.”

That's all there is to say.

Zhu Cilang then added:
"Alright, go and get some rest. His Majesty will probably summon you in the next day or two."

"At that time, just do what you want. You are a smart person and should know how to handle things properly."

Luo Rucai kowtowed again and said:

"Your subject knows, and will certainly not fail His Highness's teachings."

"Alright, go and rest."

Zhu Cilang waved his hand, signaling Luo Rucai to leave.

Talking to smart people isn't that complicated. Just get to the point and you're good to go. There's no need to go into too much detail; the other person will understand the deeper meaning.

Luo Rucai then stood up and left, led by a young eunuch.

After leaving the East Palace, Luo Rucai was drenched in cold sweat. A gust of cold wind made him shudder, as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.

At this moment, he had a completely new understanding of this Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty!
(End of this chapter)