Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 173 Hey! The Ming Dynasty!

The capital city, Guangning Gate.

Of the many city gates in the capital, Guangning Gate was the only one in the outer city that opened to the west, with nine gates in the inner city, seven in the outer city, and four in the imperial city.

Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Cheng, who was in charge of military affairs in the capital, was resting with his eyes closed in his luxurious carriage inside Guangning Gate.

A beautiful maidservant inside the carriage gently stirred the incense in the incense burner.

Zhu Chunchen, with his eyes closed, hummed, "What time is it?"

Another maid looked at a grandfather clock fixed in the corner.

"Lord Duke," the maid's voice was soft and sweet, "it's past noon."

"Humph."

Zhu Chunchen opened his eyes, habitually raised his wrist, and glanced at his watch. "This Wu Sangui, he really has quite the air of power."

The Guan Ning Army's reinforcements arrived in the capital at breakneck speed.

Its decisiveness and speed of action far exceeded the previous ten years of procrastination and delays in mobilization.

According to the previous agreement, they should have arrived around 9:00 AM, but unexpectedly, they have been delayed until now and have not yet appeared.

The reason they didn't go through Guangqumen but came to Guangningmen was because the area outside Guangqumen was too close to the bandit army in Tongzhou.

On the contrary, there was no trace of the rebel army outside Guangning Gate, which is also the only one of the seven outer gates of the capital that has not yet been sealed.

One maid skillfully took out a bottle of Snowfall Glass Red Amber, while another maid took out a crystal glass.

He poured a glass of red wine, more than half full, and respectfully handed it to Zhu Chunchen.

After taking a couple of sips, the slightly peculiar taste suited the mentality of nobles like Zhu Chunchen, who sought a unique experience.

"My lord~~~"

Outside the carriage, the steward of the manor whispered, "The Grand Marshal has arrived."

Zhu Chunchen frowned slightly, then relaxed.

He put down the crystal glass, got up, and got off the carriage.

"Grand Marshal~~~"

"Gong Chengguo~~~"

Minister of War Zhang Jinyan stepped forward to greet Zhu Chunchen.

This person, according to history books, was a true servant of three different families and three different masters.

While serving as the Minister of War in the Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng arrived and voluntarily opened the city gates to surrender.

After Li Zicheng's defeat, he first fled back to his hometown, and then surrendered to the Manchus.

Years later, he was arrested and exiled to Ningguta because of a ridiculous literary inquisition, where he eventually died.

In fact, there are many, many people like Zhang Jinyan in this city.

"Dong Cheng."

Zhang Jinyan skillfully took out a box of vanilla, picked out a single stalk, and handed it over.

Zhu Chunchen didn't stand on ceremony. He took the enamel bamboo-patterned silver firework, lit the incense leaves, and the two of them smoked together.

"Then the Earl of Pingnan is about to prosper."

"If we can hold the capital this time, I think my rank will be promoted again."

"When there are no heroes, even a nobody can become famous."

“These military leaders are all arrogant and domineering, disobeying the orders of the imperial court. When the world is at peace, we will deal with them.”

"The Grand Marshal is absolutely right."

The two men were sent by the emperor to welcome Wu Sangui, but the man they were waiting for was late.

Their status was so noble, yet they had to wait here for a mere military commander; their words were naturally full of complaints.

Fortunately, Wu Sangui's men finally arrived at noon.

The cavalry force was enormous, probably numbering in the thousands.

The guards at the front were all clad in iron armor, looking incredibly imposing, truly befitting the renowned Guan Ning Iron Cavalry.

Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan exchanged a glance, straightened their official robes, and stepped forward to stand inside the city gate to greet them.

Logically, they should have gone outside the city gate to greet them.

But since Wu Sangui arrived too late, making them wait in vain, they simply refused to give him that courtesy.

A vast cavalry procession poured into the city through the city gates.

Wu Sangui and other military generals dismounted and came before Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan to pay their respects.

"Gong Chengguo~~~"

"My lord~~~"

Wu Sangui smiled broadly and apologized repeatedly, "I was delayed on the way and am late. I hope you, Duke, and I will forgive me."

He beckoned, and servants came forward with gifts.

"The Azure Sea Auspicious Self-Ringing Clock of Jubaolou".

"I hope you two will accept this with a smile."

Exquisitely crafted and beautifully decorated, it is indeed a fine product.

It's this clock delivery service~~~
Zhang Jinyan was a soldier, and thus a commander.

At this moment, he was still putting on airs, saying, "Earl of Pingnan, in military affairs, the most important thing is to keep to the time."

"If the military service is delayed, that will be punished!"

This is a traditional skill of civil officials: to intimidate their subordinates.

We need to get to know these military leaders first, so that we can better command the battle later.

Otherwise, if the military leader is arrogant and disobedient, serious trouble will ensue.

Since Yu Qian, the Ming Dynasty began to govern the military with civil officials.

It's no wonder that the Ming army frequently suffered defeats, as the battles were commanded by incompetent civil officials.

Zhu Chunchen, however, frowned.

His gaze swept over the Guan Ning cavalry, the "Earl of Pingnan," who were continuously entering the city through the city gates.

"His Majesty's intention is to have the Guan Ning Army stationed outside the city."

"The Earl of Pingnan can bring some of his servants into the city."

Zhang Jinyan also sensed something was wrong and hurriedly said, "His Majesty is summoning the Earl of Pingnan at the platform."

"It would be best to order all troops to leave the city as soon as possible."

Wu Sangui's smile faded. "What's the point of being so clever?"

"Hmm?" Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan both felt a sudden tightness in their chests.

"Since you've figured it out, then I won't pretend anymore."

Wu Sangui looked at the two men with a half-smile and said, "Please stay here and don't let this ruin our harmony."

At this moment, his servants rushed up and surrounded Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan.

The two were filled with shock and anger. "Lord Pingnan, what does this mean?!"

“You know it,” Wu Sangui shook his head. “Why pretend you don’t know?”

Shouts of battle rang out as the Guan Ning army stormed onto the city walls, cutting down the Jing garrison soldiers guarding the walls.

"You you you~~~"

Zhang Jinyan, his face ashen, pointed a trembling finger at Wu Sangui and shouted, "You dare to rebel?!"

"It's not a rebellion."

Wu Sangui shook his head and pointed, "It's surrendering to the traitors." "Bah!" He quickly waved his hand, "It's restoring order! Seeking merit in joining the new dynasty."

Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan were completely dumbfounded.

The long-awaited army that came to the aid of the emperor has actually defected to the enemy?
This...this...
Zhu Chunchen suppressed his shock and anger and earnestly advised, "Elder brother."

“You are a hereditary noble in the Ming Dynasty.”

"That bandit Lin is said to be a scholar-gentry, and he doesn't even spare the nobles."

"If you give in to him, you won't have a good ending."

"It's not too late to realize our mistake now. We will absolutely not say anything more and will simply pretend that this never happened, okay?"

"Lord Duke," Wu Sangui looked at him with a half-smile, "Jiangnan is gone, Huguang is gone, and Beizhili is gone too."

"Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Fujian were all isolated thousands of miles away."

"The Central Plains and Guanzhong region all fell into the hands of the rebel Li Zicheng."

"How many more days can the Ming Dynasty hold out?"

"How many more days can the hereditary nobles of the Ming Dynasty live?"

"I know the difference between being full at one meal and being full at every meal."

Zhu Chunchen's face was bitter.

Because what Wu Sangui said was true.

Most of the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty had fallen into the hands of bandits.

The rest are far away and have no effect whatsoever.

The emperor's edicts are only of some use within the capital city.

The last field army of the Ming Dynasty also surrendered to the enemy at this time.

The Ming Dynasty is doomed.

“What the Earl of Pingnan says is absolutely right!” Zhang Jinyan, the Minister of War, suddenly spoke up solemnly, “The emperor is tyrannical, bringing disaster to the world!”

"When the sun and moon change their appearance, a true Son of Heaven will naturally emerge to rule in accordance with the will of Heaven and take his place!"

"This humble official, though unworthy, is willing to serve the true Son of Heaven with utmost loyalty and devotion."

"I hope that the Earl of Pingnan can introduce me to him."

Wu Sangui and Zhu Chunchen were both dumbfounded.

This scholar, his face changes so quickly!
Seeing that things were hopeless, they immediately turned their backs and jumped ship.

They even said things like "the sun and moon have changed their appearance," how shameless!

"Elder brother."

Zhu Chunchen replied solemnly, "What this soldier says is absolutely right; that's what I think too."

"Although I am not very talented, I am in charge of the troops in the capital."

"I am willing to lead the soldiers of the Beijing Garrison to serve a wise ruler!"

Wu Sangui remained silent.

A moment later, he chuckled.

The laughter grew louder and louder until they threw their heads back and laughed out loud.

"The Great Ming Dynasty~"

Hey! Great Ming!

Lin Dao rode his horse, surrounded by many guards, and gradually arrived outside Guangqumen.

Wu Sangui and his men had been waiting outside the city for a long time.

"Wu Sangui~"

"Zhu Chunchen~"

"Zhang Jinyan~"

"Chen Yan~"

"Wei Zaode~"

"Gong Yu~"

"Zhou Zhong~"

"Zhao Yusen~"

"Wang Sunhui~"

"Zhang Qi~"

There were so many people, hundreds or even thousands of Ming Dynasty officials dressed in their official robes, who came out of the city to welcome this traitor!
"No wonder Emperor Chongzhen harbored such resentment towards his officials in his will."

Lin Dao, on horseback, shook his head with a chuckle, "They are all disloyal and unjust people."

The vast majority of officials in the Ming Dynasty court were disloyal and unjust, which explains why the Ming Dynasty eventually went down the path of destruction.

Lin Dao stopped his horse and glanced at the kneeling crowd. "Where is the Emperor?"

Wu Sangui hurriedly shouted, "This humble general has searched the palace but has not yet found any trace of the emperor."

After entering the city, he immediately rushed to the palace to arrest the emperor.

Unfortunately, they were blocked by the Imperial Horse Administration troops, resulting in a fierce battle.

With great difficulty, she managed to enter the palace with the help of a eunuch, only to find that the emperor had already disappeared.

I'm feeling very uneasy right now.

Fearing that Lin Dao would think he had failed in his duties, he took the opportunity to wipe out the entire Guan Ning Army.

This Commander Lin truly has the ability!

"Oh."

Lin Dao thought to himself, 'They've probably gone to Coal Hill.'

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he asked again, "Are there any martyrs who died for the Ming Dynasty?"

Everyone's hearts tightened. What did the commander mean by this?
Although the civil officials were all skilled at understanding people's hearts, they also figured out the commander-in-chief's thoughts at this moment.

Eager to stand out, Wei Zaode responded loudly.

"Your humble servant Wei Zaode reports to the Commander-in-Chief: Indeed, some officials and nobles have sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty."

"This humble official requests that the General grant such people a proper burial."

Everyone looked at Wei Zaode.

The duller, the more ignorant, did not understand what Wei Zaode meant by saying such things.

But the clever ones cursed inwardly, 'Those scoundrels, they moved so fast!'

Wei Zaode was gambling.

Du Lindao was someone who valued his reputation, and giving a grand burial to someone who died for the Ming Dynasty was a way to improve his image.

If the gamble pays off, one will naturally catch the eye of the commander-in-chief. While it's impossible to say that one will rise rapidly in rank, at least the commander-in-chief will remember one's actions.

If you gamble wrong, then it's all up to fate.

This is truly true; as long as you're bold, you can take control of your future.

Lin Dao understood what he meant and looked over with a half-smile.

The Ming Dynasty court was never short of clever people, but unfortunately, they used all their cleverness to harm the Ming Dynasty!

"Hey~"

"Ming dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)