I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

After Zhu Youjian finished speaking, he turned around and looked at the rebels beside Zhu Chunchen.

"The bandit leader Zhu Chunchen has confessed his crimes and surrendered. Do you still wish to continue resisting?"

Having just been routed by musket fire with countless casualties, the crowd dared not resist any longer. They immediately threw down their swords and bowed in worship.

Zhu Chunchen knew that the situation was hopeless, but he was still unwilling to accept it.

"Your Majesty's skill is superior; this old minister has been defeated. However, I still have a question in my mind. I wonder if Your Majesty could answer it?"

Zhu Youjian coldly replied, "Speak!"

"Yesterday His Majesty called on all officials to donate. I remember that a total of 20,000 or 30,000 taels were donated... Never mind, whether it's 20,000 or 30,000, it doesn't matter."

Zhu Chunchen waved his hand and continued, "Does Your Majesty know that when officials cry poverty in court, each claiming to be penniless, how much wealth do they actually possess?"

Zhu Youjian replied, "Of course I know. Take the Earl of Jiading as an example. Luo Yangxing and Li Ruolian, you two come forward!"

Upon hearing this, the two stepped forward.

"Tell Duke Cheng how much silver was found in the Earl of Jiading's house?"

Zhu Chunchen was taken aback. Just now, Emperor Chongzhen said that the Earl of Jiading was not testing him, which meant that he was indeed suspected of colluding with the enemy and had even arrested people, but he did not say that the Zhou family was confiscated!

They even raided the Empress's family home; that's too ruthless!

Luo Yangxing gave Li Ruolian a wink, and Li Ruolian nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, the Jiading Marquis's residence has been seized, containing 530,000 taels of silver, as well as land deeds, precious jewels, silks, antiques, and paintings, enough to fill five large carts. The value of these items has not yet been estimated."

Zhu Youjian nodded, then said to Zhu Chunchen, "I know what you're trying to say. You're trying to tell me that there aren't many good people in the court of my Great Ming Dynasty, aren't you?"

"Are you also wondering if I can kill all these people?"

"Let me tell you, today is just the beginning. Those who deserve to die will not escape!"

Zhu Chunchen said incredulously, "If this continues, won't it result in rivers of blood?"

"Then let the blood flow like rivers!"

Zhu Youjian's expression was resolute as he said, "So what if that bastard Zhang Jinyan just called me a foolish and tyrannical ruler?"

"If I can prolong the Ming Dynasty's reign, I might as well be a foolish, tyrannical ruler!"

"Conversely, if I stand by and watch Li Zicheng march into Beijing and the Manchus enter the Central Plains, what use would it be if I were recorded in history as a wise and benevolent ruler throughout the ages?"

"Your Majesty's ambition is a blessing to the Ming Dynasty. This old minister will take his leave first!"

Zhu Chunchen slowly bowed and then came to Luo Yangxing.

Over the years, I thought I had figured out His Majesty's temperament and character.

Only now do I realize that I was wrong, terribly wrong.

His Majesty today is so unfamiliar; his every move is strange.

But then I thought about it again, and it didn't really matter, since he was a descendant of the founding emperor.

The four major cases in the early Ming Dynasty involved tens of thousands of people. Those founding heroes were all decorated with numerous military achievements, such as Prime Minister Hu Weiyong, Duke of Liang Lan Yu, and Duke of Han Li Shanchang. Who could escape the fate of anyone that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to kill?

Among the imperial relatives, such as the Imperial Son-in-Law Ouyang Lun, they could be killed at will!

The Zhu family are all ruthless; the ability to kill is ingrained in their very bones.

Luo Yangxing waved behind him, and two captains stepped forward and put chains around Zhu Chunchen's neck.

Zhu Youjian suddenly said, "Duke Cheng, do you regret things now that things have come to this?"

"Regret? Hahaha..."

Zhu Chunchen burst into laughter and said, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. Since we've taken this step, there's nothing to regret. The Ming Dynasty is beyond saving. Staying in Beijing is certain death. Why not try another way out?"

Then he added, "On the contrary, this old minister sympathizes with Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian asked, "Sympathize with me? Do I need sympathy?"

Zhu Chunchen smiled and said, "Whether it is Li Zicheng's Great Shun Dynasty or Dorgon's Great Qing Dynasty, the world always needs someone to govern it. What they need are your ministers, not Your Majesty."

"It seems you're convinced the Ming Dynasty is doomed!"

"Both Li Zicheng and Dorgon are keeping an eye on Beijing. No matter who attacks, His Majesty will not be able to hold it."

"So you mean I have no choice but to surrender?"

"Your Majesty is joking. We, as your subjects, still have a way out, but Your Majesty has no way to retreat."

"Who said that?"

"Because Your Majesty is the ruler..."

Zhu Youjian interrupted, "Did I tell you I definitely couldn't defend it?"

"Even if I truly cannot defend Beijing, so what?"

"I can move the capital to Nanjing to temporarily avoid the enemy's advance, and then wait to regroup my forces before engaging them in a decisive battle."

Zhu Chunchen shook his head and said, "Your Majesty is wrong again. The entire court will not agree to Your Majesty moving south!"

"It has been more than two hundred years since Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Beijing. The two capitals, the North and the South, have long since formed their own family power."

"The high-ranking officials in Beijing have their own businesses in the north. If Your Majesty abandons Beijing, the wealth they have accumulated over generations will vanish overnight."

"Moreover, Nanjing has a very complete official system, with all six ministries and nine ministers. If officials from Beijing were to move there, how would their positions be allocated? Would one ministry have two ministers and four vice ministers?"

"Your Majesty has already seen it. In the court, whenever someone proposes moving the capital south, even more people jump out to oppose it. For them, the losses from moving south are too great. They would rather have a change of dynasty, simply by submitting to the emperor, and still enjoy high positions, rich salaries, and luxurious living. Why should they follow Your Majesty south?"

Zhu Youjian listened quietly, then said, "As you say, those who suggested moving the capital south are the loyal ministers, while those who prevented me from doing so are the true traitors!"

Zhu Chunchen shook his head and said, "That's not how it works. Some of those who suggested moving south might be loyal to His Majesty, but most are just afraid of death. After all, even if they surrendered to Li Zicheng, they might not necessarily end up well."

Zhu Youjian then asked, "Is there not a single official in the entire court who is truly loyal to me and to the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Chunchen said, "Of course they exist. Aren't the Embroidered Uniform Guards around Your Majesty very loyal? But what's the use? Your Majesty can't expect these Embroidered Uniform Guards to defeat Li Zicheng, can you?"

Zhu Youjian looked into the distance and said, "If the Ming Dynasty is to perish, I will kill all the disloyal subjects before the fall of Beijing, but you will not be able to see it."

"Since Your Majesty has said so, this old minister will take his leave now and await you on the road to the Yellow Springs!"

Zhu Chunchen wore a mocking expression, as if he could already foresee the day when the Ming Dynasty would perish.

"Issue my decree!"

"Your Majesty, we respectfully receive your imperial edict!"

Luo Yangxing, Li Ruolian, Zhang Shize and others stepped forward one after another.

Zhu Youjian's face was ashen as he slowly said, "Duke Cheng, Zhu Chunchen, has committed treason. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, the mastermind shall be executed by slow slicing, his entire family shall be exterminated, and his head shall be displayed above the city gate!"

"His rebel troops should have been executed, but considering that you were misled and surrendered, you are hereby pardoned, expelled from the army, and never to be employed again!"