Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 109 Nothing More Than Death to Repay the Emperor's Grace

From Huang Taiji's perspective.

This newly enthroned Ming emperor did indeed undertake some diligent and effective measures to govern the country.

But Huang Taiji really didn't take him seriously.

After all, it doesn't matter which angle you look at it from.

He has no chance of influencing the situation on the North Korean side.

If that's the case, then what's there to worry about?!

Let alone Huang Taiji.

Even Fan Wencheng, who was always cautious, didn't pay much attention to Chabahai's words at this moment.

The bag can't possibly have any problems, okay?!

Think of this.

Huang Taiji did not hesitate any longer and immediately summoned one of his trusted generals, Wu Nag.

"North Korea has already reached an agreement with our Later Jin, and they have agreed to let us pass through their territory to send troops."

"In a few days, you will take three thousand elite troops and their attached slave soldiers to annihilate the entire Dongjiang Town, and then lead your troops to garrison there."

"As for the follow-up arrangements, I will inform you after discussing them with Mr. Fan."

Wunage knelt on one knee, his expression hardening: "This servant obeys the decree!"

Huang Taiji nodded: "Remember, you must be cautious in battle and never underestimate the enemy or advance rashly, lest you fall into an ambush."

"Slave understands!"

Wunage completely ignored his master's final instructions.

no way.

If you are facing an enemy.

The feedback you get from him is always "win, win, win!"
How could one possibly have any sense of vigilance towards it?
Moreover, Vunage has extremely rich experience in attacking islands.

Tens of thousands of Ming Dynasty soldiers and civilians on Juehua Island last year.

They were slaughtered without any effort by him and his several thousand elite troops.

Dongjiang Town? Just another Juehua Island.

The thought that it wouldn't be long before he could wantonly slaughter Ming soldiers and rape and plunder without any restraint filled Wu Nag with excitement.

He licked his lips with an almost morbidly excited expression, then strode away.

Huang Taiji watched Wunage's retreating figure and nodded in satisfaction.

His beloved general was good in every way, except that he loved killing too much.

In particular, after successfully capturing a city from the Ming Dynasty, they would always carry out massacres of the inhabitants.

However, this is precisely why Huang Taiji sent Wunage to carry out this mission.

Dongjiang Town no longer needs to exist.

Then naturally, they must be slaughtered.

This will allow him room to maneuver in his subsequent plans.

While Joseon and Later Jin were plotting to eliminate Dongjiang Town.

At this moment, the entire town of Dongjiang is bustling with activity.

Several of Mao Wenlong's main generals stood solemnly on the city wall, gazing into the distance, their faces showing deep sorrow.

There is no other reason.

More than a month has passed since head coach Mao Wenlong went to Beijing to meet with the emperor.

Logically speaking, the person should have returned long ago.

But to this day, no one has heard a single word about the head coach.

No one is seen alive, and no body is seen dead.

How could they not have doubts?
A sense of oppression pervaded the atmosphere.

General Geng Zhongming spoke first: "We still haven't heard a word from the commander-in-chief. I'm afraid he has already met with some misfortune."

"Either he would be executed on the spot by the new emperor after arriving in the capital, or he would be placed under house arrest."

Upon hearing this, Mao Wenlong's adopted son, Mao Chenglu, clenched his fists, his expression filled with resentment.
"I told the commander-in-chief not to go to the capital! The attacks on Dongjiang Town by the court and its officials have never stopped."

"That little emperor must have just ascended the throne and was thinking of using the general's life to establish his authority! That's why he went and posthumously conferred the title of Yao Fumin!"

"Next... it seems we'll be next soon!!"

As the two spoke.

At this moment, all the generals and officers in Dongjiang Town were filled with righteous indignation and echoed his sentiments.

Damn the imperial court!
We have sacrificed so much for the Ming Dynasty over the years. How many families of our people died on the way to fight against the Jin?
It's bad enough that the imperial court doesn't pay us our salaries and wages, but now they're even going to treat us like dirt, discarding us after we've served our purpose!

Hold! ! !
Without us, who will defend Dongjiang Town?!

Who would want to come to this godforsaken place?

And Dongjiang Town is gone.

What chance did the Ming Dynasty have against the Later Jin?!

The generals were practically spitting fire with rage.

He wished he could grab his sword and rush into the capital right now and wipe them all out.

This anger.

It continued for quite a while before it subsided after Deputy Commander-in-Chief Chen Jisheng intervened.

After everyone calmed down a bit...

Kong Youde, standing in the crowd, sighed again and said:

"We just received intelligence from North Korea that they have agreed to the Later Jin's request to pass through their territory."

"It will probably take at least half a month, or at most a month, for the Later Jin army to arrive at Dongjiang Town."

"What did you say?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd instantly went from anger to panic.

Then a sense of despair spread through everyone's hearts.

Kong Youde was the general in Dongjiang Town who was specifically responsible for liaising with North Korea. He said that if North Korea had given him this intelligence, it certainly wouldn't have been unfounded.

With the coach's fate uncertain and morale low, a formidable enemy is on the horizon.

What will become of Dongjiang Town?

Don't even think about it!
Although the Later Jin were contemptuously called the Jurchens, their strength was not to be underestimated.

Juehua Island last year is the best example.

The current situation in Dongjiang Town may not even be as good as that of Juehua Island before.

If the Later Jin were to launch a full-scale invasion, Dongjiang Town would likely face annihilation in an instant!

now.

All eyes turned to Deputy Commander-in-Chief Chen Jisheng.

Before the warlord left, he designated him as his successor.

The people tried to find a glimmer of hope in him.

Chen Jisheng remained silent for a long time under everyone's gaze before finally looking at Kong Youde:
Is there any room for de-escalation on the North Korean side?

Kong Youde shook his head: "The voices within Korea supporting our Great Ming are growing weaker and weaker."

"This intelligence is the last bit of help they can offer."

"They could neither stop the Later Jin from sending troops nor provide support to us."

There was another moment of silence.

Chen Jisheng then said as if resigned to his fate, "Things have come to this. Those of you who want to leave can leave. I will stay in Dongjiang Town and defend it to the death."

The group exchanged glances, their expressions filled with sorrow.

go?
Where to go?

Despite such harsh conditions, everyone has guarded Dongjiang Town for so many years.

It would be a lie to say there were no feelings involved.

What will happen to the soldiers and civilians in the city after they leave?
If we take them with us, they will surely be slaughtered by the Ming Dynasty's soldiers.
A sense of despair began to grow wildly in everyone's hearts.

Just when everyone was in despair, Kong Youde spoke up again: "Or... how about surrendering?"

Upon hearing Kong Youde's suggestion to surrender, the crowd merely glanced at him without uttering any criticism.

They can't fight back, they can't run away, and now they don't even have a leader to rely on.

What can they do?!

Chen Jisheng waved his hand helplessly: "Let's wait a bit longer and discuss it again tomorrow."

Everyone remained silent, their faces deathly still.

Another day has passed.

Mao Wenlong finally approached Dongjiang Town with a large amount of supplies and provisions.

That's why it took so long to get back.

This is because Mao Wenlong did not return from Liaodong, but instead chose to take a slightly longer route through Shandong.

no way.

The same amount of silver could buy a completely different amount of grain in Shandong and Liaodong.

Every year, a number of people starve to death in Dongjiang Town.

With this batch of supplies, Dongjiang Town will be able to get through this winter without worrying about food and clothing.

As the outline of Dongjiang Town drew ever closer, a smile involuntarily appeared on Mao Wenlong's face.

And at this time.

The generals of Dongjiang Town were discussing the impending invasion of the Later Jin in their tents.

no way.

Although I was already feeling hopeless, the situation was still there, and it didn't cease to exist just because I didn't face it.

In any case, we need to come up with a solution.

In the midst of a deathly silence, the generals began their discussion.

Most people disagreed with surrendering to the Jin dynasty.

They were able to hold on for so long despite being isolated and helpless in Dongjiang Town, which shows they still have some sense of patriotism.

Despite their desperate resistance, they failed to gain support.

After all, no one wants to die in vain.

It seems that surrendering to powerful families in the mainland is not a good option either.

Those people will slowly devour them completely.

finally.

After some discussion, the remaining generals of Dongjiang Town reached a consensus: Since their commander-in-chief had been killed by the emperor, they might as well just rebel!

They rushed to the mainland to secure large quantities of grain and supplies.

Then they can come back and defend Dongjiang Town to the death; that way, they might still be able to fight for a glimmer of hope!
Just when everyone was about to make a decision on the matter.

Suddenly, a soldier stumbled and crawled in through the door, shouting, "The commander-in-chief is back! The commander-in-chief is back!"

"what?!"

The group suddenly stood up, exchanged glances, and hurriedly ran towards the city gate.

When the group of generals arrived at the city gate, they indeed saw Mao Wenlong's figure.

Everyone was surprised and delighted.

Everyone initially thought the general had been killed by the new emperor.

As a result, I not only saw the commander-in-chief again.

Moreover, the commander-in-chief seemed to be in much better spirits than before he left.

the most important is.

The commander-in-chief also brought back a large amount of grain and supplies!
Looking at the group of people behind them who seemed to have come from the capital, the group couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

What exactly happened that led the General to the capital?!

To everyone's surprise.

Mao Wenlong's adopted son, Mao Chenglu, was the first to approach, and whispered with a mixture of joy and excitement:

"Father! We thought you had been harmed by that brat emperor and wouldn't be coming back..."

The words are not finished yet.

Mao Chenglu was slapped to the ground by Mao Wenlong.

"If you dare to disrespect His Majesty again, I'll skin you alive!"

Everyone was startled by the slap.

But then, looking at the supplies and provisions behind him, he seemed to understand something.

Dongjiang Town definitely doesn't have the money to buy it.

Could these things have been brought to Dongjiang Town by the new emperor?

For a while.

Everyone stared in stunned silence at the sight of the grain and supplies.

Even said.

Even the two most important events—Mao Wenlong's return and the impending invasion of the Later Jin—were temporarily forgotten.

Because the shock was just too great.

The imperial court hasn't given anything to Dongjiang Town for several years.

And now, so much is being spent in one go?
What exactly happened?!
A huge question occupied everyone's mind at that moment.

Mao Wenlong smiled slightly as he looked at the astonished expressions on everyone's faces.

However, he didn't waste any more time.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered all the generals to return to their tents and wait for the meeting to begin.

After all, he hadn't been back for so many days, and there were still many things waiting for him to arrange in Dongjiang Town.

He also planned to take advantage of this winter to launch a major attack on the Later Jin.

Soldiers then came out to move the supplies.

Mao Wenlong and a group of generals from Dongjiang Town also arrived at the tent where the meeting was to be held.

Mao Wenlong originally planned to discuss the upcoming battle arrangements in Dongjiang Town.

But once he sat down, he began to recount his experiences in the capital.

What emperor was so wise and powerful?

The emperor had only just ascended the throne when the Ming Dynasty took on a completely new look.

The emperor's ruthless methods silenced corrupt officials, leaving them too afraid to even raise their heads.
When the emperor said, "What the Ming Dynasty owes Dongjiang Town, I will repay slowly," it was mentioned that...

The people inside the tent were speechless with astonishment.

The contrast before and after is simply too great.
After all, previous emperors had done things like "distributing pay at the drill ground without the need for armor."

The sudden arrival of this emperor left everyone somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Therefore, it took quite a while.

Chen Jisheng was the first to react, and hurriedly said:

"General! We have just received intelligence that the Later Jin will soon launch an attack on our Dongjiang military town via Korea!"

"Could you immediately request aid from His Majesty? If His Majesty is willing to send troops to support Dongjiang Town, then we might be able to ensure that these people from the Later Jin never return!"

Mao Wenlong was taken aback: "The Later Jin and Korea have colluded?!"

Kong Youde also quickly stepped forward and explained the matter in detail to Mao Wenlong.

Upon hearing this, Mao Wenlong also frowned.

His Majesty instructed him to cultivate good relations with Korea while he was in the capital.

But he never expected that such a huge change would occur in such a short period of time.

Should we ask His Majesty for help?
The problem was that Mao Wenlong heard on his way back to Dongjiang Town that His Majesty had left the capital for disaster relief in Shaanxi.

Although Mao Wenlong did not know the exact situation in Shaanxi, it was clear that the situation there had become so serious that His Majesty needed to go there in person.

It will take at least two or three months, or even half a year, to see any results.

Therefore, it is impossible for His Majesty to arrive in time.

Moreover, His Majesty has only recently ascended the throne, and the only people he can rely on are his confidants in the capital.

It's even more impossible to get His Majesty to keep issuing edicts ordering troops from other places to support Dongjiang Town.

Think of this.

Mao Wenlong shook his head at the group of generals: "His Majesty is in Shaanxi and cannot spare the time to deal with the affairs of Korea and Dongjiang Town."

"Dongjiang Town can only be defended by us."

The generals were somewhat disappointed upon hearing this answer.

But the initial despair in my heart had already disappeared.

Anyway.

With a leader in charge, plus the provisions, supplies, and pay, they were able to secure their position.

Dongjiang Town can't be defeated in one blow!

Think of this.

After exchanging glances, the group said in unison:
"General, we have been in Dongjiang Town for so many years, why should we fear fighting the Jurchens to the death?!"

"We are willing to defend Dongjiang Town to the death with you!"

Mao Wenlong looked at everyone, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded:

"Then we should immediately pay the troops and boost their morale!"

"Yes!"

The group left.

Mao Wenlong sat alone in the tent, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Can these people hold Dongjiang Town?

Mao Wenlong lacked confidence in this.

Even if they manage to hold on, it will likely be an extremely tragic and Pyrrhic victory.

But they have to guard it, and they have to hold it!
Whether it was for the sake of the more than 10,000 people in Dongjiang Town or to repay the emperor's favor.

While in the capital city.

Mao Wenlong knew that Korea played an extremely important role in His Majesty's plans.

Therefore, Dongjiang Town must not be lost.

North Korea is now tantamount to a defector.

Once Dongjiang Town falls back into the control of the Later Jin, the difficulty of taking over Korea will increase several times over.

Moreover, this also posed a huge threat to the Liaodong and Shandong regions of the Ming Dynasty.

Think of this.

Mao Wenlong immediately wrote a secret letter and sent it to the capital.

In his letter, Mao Wenlong mentioned the collusion between Korea and the Later Jin, urging Zhu Youjian to deal with the matter as soon as he had time, and not to delay it.

He will lead the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town to fight with all their might to resist this attack by the Later Jin.

But if the Later Jin continued to send reinforcements, he would be powerless to reverse the situation.
After finishing the letter, Mao Wenlong closed his eyes in pain, his expression sorrowful and fearful.

It was to be expected.

Even if they managed to hold off the first wave of attacks, it was inevitable that the Later Jin would send troops to support them.

Since they have already successfully colluded with North Korea, it would be a simple matter for them to increase their troop presence through North Korea.

For Mao Wenlong, death was the only fate awaiting him at that time.

Mao Wenlong was not afraid of death.

He even said he wasn't afraid that his childhood dream of being ennobled would remain unfulfilled, leaving him to die with regrets.

What truly pained him was...

After his death, Dongjiang Town was lost.

The Ming Dynasty had just begun to improve because of the emergence of a wise ruler, but now it was as if it had taken one step forward and three steps back, and was once again dragged into the quagmire.

But what can His Majesty do?!

The situation in Dongjiang Town is critical, but does that mean the situation in other places isn't critical?
The deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty were truly too profound.

Mao Wenlong couldn't think of a way to break the deadlock.

They could only hope that His Majesty would strengthen the army in the capital and reclaim Dongjiang Town as soon as possible.

We could even say we should completely exterminate North Korea, that traitorous bastard!
But unfortunately.

Mao Wenlong felt he was destined not to see this scene...

Even if His Majesty possessed extraordinary abilities, he couldn't arrive in time to handle this matter.

Even if His Majesty acts swiftly after this letter is sent, it will probably take one or two months for it to arrive...

He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and his expression changed from fear and trepidation to determination.

There's time to be sad.

Instead, we should think about how to strengthen the city's defenses.

At that time, we might be able to hold off the Later Jin for a few more days, buying His Majesty more time.

Mao Wenlong wiped his face, no longer hesitated, and strode out of the tent.

(End of this chapter)