Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 157 The First Whisper
After Zhu Youjian's imperial procession entered Baoding Prefecture, Hebei Province from the capital.

Although he did not specifically publicize it, this action still caused a great uproar among the people.

The main reason is that everyone knows that the capital is currently fighting against various large and small counterfeit emperors from all over the country.

Moreover, just two days ago someone came and spread the word that as long as you don't join the emperor in starting a rebellion, everyone can receive a full ten taels of silver.

However, the emperor's prestige in Hebei was extremely high, and even if the people didn't actually do anything to help him, they would inevitably want to catch a glimpse of his face.

Under the impact and collision of yin and yang, one can imagine the ups and downs of people's hearts.

This resulted in the news spreading rapidly throughout most of Baoding Prefecture almost as soon as Zhu Youjian stepped into Hebei.

At the very beginning.

The people in Baoding Prefecture stayed at home obediently and didn't dare to go out and join the fun.

After all, the emperor hadn't issued any edict ordering them to welcome him or anything like that.

Most importantly, as long as you behave yourself and don't cause any trouble, you can get ten taels of silver, which is quite tempting for everyone.

However, as the emperor gradually entered Baoding Prefecture.

Some people couldn't contain their excitement and chose to leave their homes to follow the procession and catch a glimpse of the holy carriage from afar.

Zhu Youjian did not order the dispersal of these people, and the crowd grew larger and larger over time.

However, these people did not do anything outrageous; they simply followed silently behind the royal procession and kept whispering among themselves.

Some people marveled at the magnificence of the emperor's procession, saying they hadn't seen such a grand spectacle in many years.

Some people are discussing how thrilling the night raid was two days ago.

of course.

Among them were also some people with ulterior motives who spread rumors that were favorable to the aristocratic families, while also monitoring Zhu Youjian's movements.

Not long after.

Sun Chengzong, who was in the city of Baoding, learned that the emperor had arrived in Baoding.

Despite his weathered appearance, Sun Chengzong's face remained largely expressionless. He simply straightened his thin but still robust body, mounted his warhorse, and led the entire Sun family to greet the emperor.

About another hour or two passed.

The grand imperial procession appeared before Sun Chengzong.

Looking at this imposing army, even someone as experienced as Sun Chengzong, who had directly confronted the elite Jin forces, couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

As for the others who came to greet him, there's not much more to say.

Originally, everyone was somewhat disheartened because Sun Chengzong had revealed the bloody gap between them and the aristocratic families that day.

But upon seeing His Majesty's personal guards, everyone couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of excitement.

Almost every one of these men was a fierce soldier capable of taking on ten men.

Furthermore, given their sense of righteousness, they might still have a chance to challenge the powerful families.

Look at the crowd around you who automatically followed.

Although these people have not actually made any statements, they have, to a certain extent, represented the will of the people.

Looking at the vast crowd.

Sun Chengzong was the first to compose himself. After dismounting, he strode forward, knelt down, and kowtowed loudly, saying:

"Sun Chengzong, the former Minister of War during the Tianqi era, has come with 613 righteous men from Shuntian Prefecture to respectfully welcome His Majesty!"

"Furthermore, there are still three thousand soldiers remaining in Shuntian Prefecture, available for His Majesty to use at any time!"

The rest of the people behind him also knelt down in response to Sun Chengzong's actions.

Xiao Hongzi, who was at the front of the group, nodded and rode back to report.

Xiao Hongzi approached Sun Chengzong and helped him up: "Lord Sun, His Majesty summons you to the carriage for an audience. The rest of you will return to Baoding Prefecture first."

Sun Chengzong nodded and glanced behind him. The people who had come to greet him immediately turned around and headed towards the prefectural city.

Then Sun Chengzong silently followed Xiao Hongzi into the imperial procession.

In fact, while Xiao Hongzi was turning back to report, Sun Chengzong was also thinking about how to better deal with the aristocratic families.

Have to admit.

The aristocratic families' move to distribute silver to ordinary people indeed hit the nail on the head regarding the Ming Dynasty's most pressing need for soldiers.

In the past, Sun Chengzong would have felt helpless in the face of this.

But when he saw with his own eyes the large number of people following His Majesty, a little bit of excitement rekindled in Sun Chengzong's heart.

His Majesty's prestige among the people is more solid than he imagined.

In that case, we might be able to use this to recruit a group of soldiers.

Sun Chengzong was cleaning up his family's internal affairs a few days ago.

Besides killing some people who no longer needed to live.

The assets that those people have embezzled over the years have naturally all been confiscated.

The amount of cash alone was several million taels, not to mention the countless other properties and houses.

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

If so much silver were used for military expenses, it would be enough to raise an army.

However, this approach also has a fatal flaw.

That means the powerful families could also use the same method of distributing silver to weaken this army.

Those who win people's hearts with benefits will naturally be defeated by those who win their hearts with benefits as well.

The scale of the powerful families' operations will be far greater than ours.

However, this is the only feasible countermeasure that Sun Chengzong can think of at the moment.

It's far better to give it your all than to do nothing and watch the Ming Dynasty slowly die.

soon.

Sun Chengzong was brought to Zhu Youjian's carriage.

Looking at the imperial carriage so close at hand, Sun Chengzong found himself feeling somewhat nervous.

Logically speaking, Sun Chengzong shouldn't have felt any emotion at all.

After all, given Sun Chengzong's age, he had already met several emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

I can't even remember how many times I've had the experience of meeting the emperor in the Fengtian Hall.

But facing the door in front of him, Sun Chengzong couldn't control his emotions.

After all, all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty over two hundred years combined didn't cause as much of a stir as this one.

At that moment, a eunuch gently opened the carriage door.

Seeing this, Sun Chengzong took a deep breath, bowed his head, and stepped into the carriage. He then knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant Sun Chengzong, humbly request Your Majesty's well-being!"

Zhu Youjian glanced at the old man inside the carriage, then stepped forward and helped him up.

Even with Sun Chengzong's temperament, he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart at this moment.

He was about to decline when he heard His Majesty say to him, "You have done very well. Neither I nor the Ming Dynasty will forget such a loyal subject as you."

Sun Chengzong felt even warmer inside.

Although he did those things for the greater good in his heart, and although he knew that His Majesty was trying to comfort him, everyone needs recognition.

Not to mention that the person who approves of him at this moment is His Majesty, who is wholeheartedly devoted to the Ming Dynasty.

Sun Chengzong knelt down again to express his gratitude, but this time he did not get his wish. Zhu Youjian gently helped him to a chair to the side.

After helping Sun Chengzong sit down, Zhu Youjian didn't exchange any more pleasantries, but continued to speak directly:

"However, I cannot thank you on behalf of the Ming Dynasty for the time being. You know the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, and I have an even more important matter for you to handle."

Sun Chengzong straightened up and bowed deeply. He knew, of course, that the most important thing at the moment was to defend Baoding Prefecture, the only territory outside of the capital.

Only by securing this land can we have the right to continue our struggle against the powerful families.

"Your Majesty's remembrance of me is already enough to make me extremely grateful. Moreover, I have done all this for the sake of my great Ming Dynasty and its millions of people. There is no need to talk about gratitude."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I know what Your Majesty needs me to do, and I will do my utmost to defend Baoding Prefecture and buy Your Majesty time."

There's something Sun Chengzong didn't say.

That meant that the forty-seven members of the Sun family had long been prepared to die.

Zhu Youjian smiled and shook his head: "That's not what I want you to do."

Sun Chengzong was taken aback, then raised his head somewhat blankly.

After entering the carriage, this was the first time he had looked directly at His Majesty.

Sun Chengzong tried to catch a hint of tension in the face of the other man, but Zhu Youjian gave him nothing but calm and collectedness.

It was as if all the current predicaments were insignificant to the other party.

Before Sun Chengzong could react, Zhu Youjian continued, "I want you to continue to supervise the troops at Shanhaiguan and guard the gates of the Ming Dynasty for me."

Sun Chengzong's brows were so furrowed that they almost looked like he was clenching his fists together.

If someone else had said that, he would have thought they were crazy.

With the Ming Dynasty in such a precarious state that even the capital is on the verge of collapse, how can it possibly have the mind to concern itself with border affairs?!

But it was His Majesty who said these words.

His Majesty has proven through various events that he possesses extraordinary abilities.

Could it be that.
Sun Chengzong was suddenly struck as if by lightning; his hands trembled slightly within his sleeves. His lips quivered several times before he managed to utter a weak voice: "Your Majesty...you've already made preparations to wipe out the bandits near the capital?!"

Zhu Youjian nodded.

Sun Chengzong took a deep breath as he watched Zhu Youjian's actions, feeling as if he had been given several mouthfuls of the strongest mint, which instantly chilled him to the bone.

He didn't ask Zhu Youjian how to deal with the aristocratic bandits.

Because he knows it very well.

His Majesty thought of a solution, but he couldn't think of any, which shows that the two are not even on the same level.

Even if His Majesty tells me this, I may not really understand its true meaning, and it might even backfire.

Therefore, what I should do most is to carry out my duties according to His Majesty's instructions.

Sun Chengzong clenched his fists and knelt heavily on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty! Please just give me any orders you may give me!"

"As long as I can fight for a glimmer of hope for my Great Ming Dynasty, I will have no complaints even if I am shattered to pieces!"

"In addition, I have also seized several million taels of silver from bandits in my home these past few days, all of which are at Your Majesty's disposal."

"My entire Sun family of forty-seven members is under His Majesty's command; we would gladly die for it!"

Zhu Youjian helped Sun Chengzong up again and poured him a cup of tea to calm him down.

After Sun Chengzong calmed down, Zhu Youjian slowly spoke:

"What I want you to do is very simple. Take your men back to the prefectural city first, set up a large platform outside the city, and then gather as many people as possible there."

Sun Chengzong was taken aback again.

Was the task His Majesty asked him to do really that simple?
He certainly knew what the platform was for; it was His Majesty's way of criticizing the bandits, explaining the greater good, and stirring up the people's hearts.

But will this trick even work?!
How could that possibly work?!
The money distributed by the aristocratic families is all genuine silver!

Sun Chengzong knew that the words "righteousness" would definitely attract some people, especially young adults.

The problem is that this group is a very small minority.

The vast majority of ordinary people don't really care about matters of principle or morality.

They were more concerned with the ten taels of silver they would receive in the future, enough to buy several months' worth of food.

Even though it's obvious to anyone with eyes that this silver will be stolen soon, they don't care.

It's pitiful, pathetic, but that's just how it is.

Sun Chengzong opened his mouth slightly.

He hadn't originally planned to ask His Majesty how he intended to defeat the enemy.

But now, Sun Chengzong really felt he had no choice but to ask.

He had initially thought His Majesty had some extraordinary strategic plan, but now it seemed His Majesty had fallen into a misconception.

That is, His Majesty seems to genuinely believe that as long as he appears, the people will respond to his every call.

To say something utterly disrespectful...

Sun Chengzong now feels that His Majesty may have been misled by some treacherous officials and villains around him.

Because the higher one's status, the less real information one has access to.

Those people below will rack their brains to say the things you want to hear.

If you hear these things too often, you'll start to believe them.

Sun Chengzong has a deep understanding of this, because he has truly experienced great ups and downs.

In Sun Chengzong's view, His Majesty is most likely in this state now.

Therefore, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, Sun Chengzong risked his life to correct His Majesty's mental state at this time.

Just as Sun Chengzong was about to speak.

But Zhu Youjian continued, "By the way, pile up all the silver we've seized next to the platform. That way we can attract more people."

"Your Majesty." Sun Chengzong's back was already soaked with cold sweat.

However, Sun Chengzong did not expect that Zhu Youjian would smile and gently pat his shoulder at this moment.

"Commander, I know what you're thinking. Go ahead and do it. I won't joke around with the Ming Dynasty."

Looking at His Majesty's face, which remained unreadable, Sun Chengzong ultimately swallowed the words he was about to say.

Perhaps with Your Majesty's abilities, you can indeed recruit some soldiers.

Sun Chengzong still had some hesitation, but in the end he nodded and turned to leave the carriage, leading his group to the prefectural city first.

Not long after.

A platform was set up outside the city, and the silver was piled up into a small mountain as Zhu Youjian had instructed.

The news of the emperor's arrival in Baoding Prefecture was now common knowledge.

So, almost instantly, after Sun Chengzong announced that His Majesty would be arriving in the city, the area outside the city was completely surrounded by people.

Although the emperor in the south said he would only give money if there was no trouble.

But they were just there to watch the fun; they weren't causing trouble.

Moreover, everyone was extremely envious of the mountain of silver inside the cordon.

Some clever people have already figured out that the emperor will definitely distribute silver to them, just like he did to the south, and whoever receives the most silver will be the one they help.

Looking at the chattering crowd, Sun Quan's initial excitement at seeing the emperor's personal guards had completely dissipated, and worry appeared in his eyes.

Sun Quan looked at Sun Chengzong and asked in a low voice, "Father, will this be of any use? Haven't you tried to persuade His Majesty?"

"If Your Majesty truly only intends to replenish the army in this way, wouldn't that be playing right into the hands of the powerful clans?"

"If His Majesty doesn't receive the overwhelming response he envisions later, wouldn't that cause a significant drop in His Majesty's prestige? How will we handle that then?!"

Sun Chengzong remained calm and silent.

When he first stepped out of the imperial carriage, his opinion was actually no different from Sun Quan's at this point.

However, as he kept recalling the conversation inside the carriage, especially His Majesty's face at the end, which revealed nothing about his true nature, he was deeply moved.

Sun Chengzong's mindset gradually changed as well.

Perhaps, the same thing done by different people could have completely different results.

Whether it's anticipation or fantasy.

Sun Chengzong could only console himself in this way at this point.

Just as everyone outside the city was pondering their own thoughts, a breathtaking roar of hooves suddenly came from afar.

Tens of thousands of people outside the city turned to look at the source of the sound.

A formidable cavalry force was rapidly advancing towards them.

If the people hadn't been notified in advance and hadn't shown any weapons, their mere presence would have been enough to scare everyone into scattering and fleeing.

Upon seeing the emperor's dragon banner appear, everyone immediately knelt down in unison, shouting, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

Well, this can't be considered causing trouble for the emperor either; it's just basic etiquette.

No matter which side the emperor comes from, everyone will kneel.

They simply knelt more sincerely in front of the emperor.

soon.

After the Shenwei Battalion's personal guards had completed the most basic defensive and security work.

Zhu Youjian, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, stepped down from the carriage.

With Zhu Youjian's appearance, the previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

Sun Chengzong and the others took a deep breath and fixed their gazes on Zhu Youjian.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhu Youjian walked step by step onto the broad podium.

As Zhu Youjian took action, everyone present was filled with intense emotions.

Sun Chengzong, who was usually composed and never showed his emotions, was now on tenterhooks as His Majesty moved.

He clenched his fists, repeatedly chanting the words "May Heaven bless the Ming Dynasty" in his mind.

Meanwhile, the tens of thousands of people below the stage kept marveling that this was the true emperor of the Ming Dynasty, whose majestic demeanor was unmatched by anyone else.

After all, as the provincial administration office closest to the capital, the people of Hebei saw the emperor the second most often than those in the capital.

By comparing them, it becomes clear who the true Son of Heaven is.

Amidst the restlessness of various people.

Zhu Youjian walked to the center of the podium.

now.

Looking at the solemn imperial soldiers in front of him and the vast, dark mass of imperial civilians even further ahead.

Zhu Youjian unconsciously wanted to raise his right hand.

However, Zhu Youjian ultimately did not do so.

Instead, he did something he was very familiar with, but which surprised everyone present.

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes.

Zhu Youjian walked to the front of the podium, casually pointed to a dark-skinned, withered old farmer, and asked:
When was the last time you had a full meal?

(End of this chapter)