Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

The emperor then shifted the topic to policies for governing the country.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Shiying stepped out of the train and announced loudly:

"Your Majesty, I report that the greatest threat we face today is none other than the roving bandits!"

"Although Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, was defeated and forced to leave the capital, his troops still occupied Shaanxi and Henan; Zhang Xianzhong ravaged Hubei and Hunan."

"If these two traitors are not eliminated, the nation will never have peace!"

His words were as sharp as nails.

"However, to quell this massive banditry, the entire nation's strength is required!"

"However, our dynasty is newly established, military funds are scarce, and soldiers are exhausted. The four garrisons north of the Yangtze River and the left wing of the Chu Garrison all need rest and recuperation, making it difficult to immediately devote all efforts to the western expedition."

The tone then abruptly shifted, taking on a "pragmatic" quality:

"As I observe the situation outside the pass, although the Jurchens are fierce and stubborn, their ruler is young and powerful ministers are in power. Although their desire to take control of the Central Plains is strong, they are not necessarily in a hurry."

"Furthermore, after entering the capital, he also declared that he would avenge the late emperor and punish the 'bandits'..."

The bronze crane incense burner at the corner of the hall crackled and popped, scattering sparks everywhere.

Facing everyone's gaze, Ma Shiying spoke slowly and deliberately, his words like a thunderclap:

"Therefore, I dare to suggest that we should implement the strategy of 'allying with the barbarians to quell the rebellion'!"

"By borrowing the Jurchen army's strength, we can annihilate the two traitors, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong! This is the only feasible solution to relieve the urgent crisis facing our Great Ming Dynasty."

"To unite with the barbarians to quell the rebellion?" On the dragon throne, Zhu Cilang's heart sank.

These words immediately caused an uproar in the court, with murmurs of discussion rising from all sides.

Among the civil officials, several veteran ministers wore complex expressions that mixed with realization and even a hint of agreement.

Ma Shiying's words were like a key, unlocking the window paper that no one was willing to break through, yet which they repeatedly pondered in their hearts.

At this moment, there were still many people in the imperial court who believed that the main enemy of the Ming Dynasty was the bandits (Li Zicheng) rather than the Jurchens.

Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Zongzhou, his beard and hair bristling, stumbled out of the ranks, shouting hoarsely:

"Grand Secretary Ma! This is a theory that will bring disaster to the people and destroy the country!"

He pointed north, his eyes wide with rage:

"Since Nurhaci's Seven Grievances, the Jurchens have raised an army, slaughtering our Liaodong people and occupying our territory. How could their ambition be merely 'revenge'?"

"Their intention is to annex the vast land of China. This is the nature of a jackal and the heart of a tiger and leopard."

"To ally with the barbarians to quell the rebellion? This is tantamount to opening the door to invite thieves in, or drinking poison to quench thirst!"

He turned abruptly and surveyed the assembled officials.

"Gentlemen! Do you still remember the 'Jingkang Chronicles'? Do you still remember the 'Alliance at Sea'?"

"The Song and Jin dynasties joined forces to destroy the Liao dynasty, but in the blink of an eye came the 'Jingkang Incident,' with the two emperors being taken north, the ancestral temples being overthrown, and the gentry fleeing south."

"These lessons learned in blood and tears serve as a stark warning!"

"If we follow this strategy today, how will we face Emperor Taizu Gaozu when we stand before the Xiaoling Mausoleum in the future?"

Ma Shiying's face turned ashen, and he retorted sharply:

"General Liu! You only know how to talk about lofty ideals, but you're completely out of touch with reality!"

"The bandits destroyed our ancestral temples and murdered our late emperor; this is an irreconcilable enmity."

"What the Jurchens want is nothing more than to be granted territory and made a vassal state, and to be subject to annual tribute and control. Weigh the two evils and choose the lesser one."

He turned toward the throne,

"Your Majesty! Where is Hong Chengchou's 100,000-strong army at Songshan? Where are the elite troops of the nine border regions now?"

"Our dynasty has no more troops available to directly attack the enemy's capital!"

"Even if borrowing from the enemy to suppress the bandits is like drinking poison, it is still better than dying of thirst. This is the only chance for the survival of the nation."

On the dragon throne, the young emperor lowered his eyelids, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes.

"I second Minister Ma's suggestion!"

Shi Kefa immediately followed, his tone somber yet firm:

"The hatred for one's sovereign and father is heavier than Mount Tai, and the calamity of bandits is more intense than a raging fire."

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han endured humiliation and hardship when he was besieged at Baideng; Emperor Taizong of Tang made the Wei River Alliance to temporarily avoid the enemy's sharp edge. Both of these were good strategies for expediency and survival of the country."

"Using the enemy's help to quell the rebellion is exactly what we need!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to emulate Su Wu's loyalty and go north to the enemy camp to negotiate a decisive victory, so that my crippled body may buy the court three years of respite."

Liu Zongzhou trembled with rage, pointing his halberd at Shi Kefa:

"Minister Shi! You're so muddle-headed!"

"The alliance between the Han and Tang dynasties was a temporary expedient during a period of strength. Now that our Great Ming Dynasty is severely weakened, inviting wolves into our house is tantamount to cutting off our own lifeline."

He could barely stand.

"Is the Jurchen ruler a trustworthy and reliable one? Once they have wiped out the bandits, their next move will be to march south and overthrow our state."

"At that time, you will all be sinners for all time!"

Before Liu Zongzhou's accusations had even faded, a loud voice erupted from the Xun Gui train:

"Your Majesty! Chief Censor Liu is mistaken! Have you not heard the saying, 'When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits'?"

Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi, suddenly stepped forward, head held high and chest puffed out, as if offering a brilliant strategy for victory.

"Right now, we need to use the Jurchens as a weapon to eliminate this major threat of bandits."

A glint of light flashed in his eyes as he offered an even more tempting "operation plan":

"I have heard that Wu Sangui, the Earl of Pingxi, commands 50,000 Guan Ning cavalry, and also possesses the advantage of firearms from Jianzhou, making him brave and skilled in battle."

"The previous great victory at Shanhaiguan has already demonstrated his ability! Why not use the Duke of Pingxi as bait, promising him great rewards—"

"He was granted the title of 'Duke of Ji' and the additional title of 'Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.' Two hundred thousand shi of rice from the capital granary and five hundred thousand taels of silver from the imperial treasury were immediately allocated to bolster his military prestige."

"Order them to act as liaisons in the middle and lead the elite troops of the Jurchens westward to suppress the bandits."

"With the three armies mobilized in thunderous action, the bandits can be quelled in no time! This is the best strategy to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Wu Sangui...

Upon hearing this name, Zhu Cilang clenched a secret report tightly in his sleeve.

A mixture of anger and a touch of sorrow surged in his chest.

This proposal sparked heated debate among the court officials:

"Brilliant!"

Several officials from Jiangnan nodded secretly. If they could really divert the disaster westward and keep half of Jiangnan at peace, then paying tribute and ceding territory seemed not so unacceptable.

"Lord Chengyi is a wise and capable strategist! This plan is excellent!"

"The Earl of Pingxi (Wu Sangui) is loyal and brave, and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

The Xun Gui and some civil officials, who had just been filled with doubt and uncertainty because of the words "alliance with the barbarians," seemed to have grasped at a straw.

Perhaps due to a lack of information, or out of wishful thinking, some court officials and high-ranking officials like Shi Kefa believed—

The Battle of Shanhaiguan was a great victory for Wu Sangui, who, with the help of the Qing troops outside the pass, defeated Li Zicheng and recovered the capital.

They still believed that Wu Sangui was in control of the war and was planning to transport grain north to support his army, and even wanted to request that he be granted a title and honors.

Little did they know that the news of victory at Shanhaiguan was clearly a death warrant for inviting wolves into their home.

Several whispers of agreement rang out from the train.

Looking at his colleagues filling the hall, Liu Zongzhou sighed deeply.

"Invite the tiger to drive away the wolf, and the wolf will leave while the tiger takes its place."

"Your discussions today will surely lead to a catastrophe in the future! My Great Ming... My Great Ming..."

His voice choked with emotion, and he couldn't speak.

On the dragon throne, Zhu Cilang's five fingers, which were resting on the armrests, suddenly tightened.

—To unite with the enemy to quell the rebellion?

He suddenly raised his hand and slammed the secret report he had been clutching in his sleeve onto the table.

"Well done, Count Pingxi!"

The newspaper rolled off the table with a "thud" and fell to the ground, unfolding itself.

"On the third day of the fifth month, the traitor Wu had already shaved his head and changed his banner in Luanzhou."

"The false edict issued by the barbarian chieftain Dorgon has been sent to the nine border regions, claiming that 'the Prince of Pingxi offers up the majestic passes of the mountains and seas to welcome the royal army.'"

The torn pages of the newspaper revealed the blood-red annotation "Shave your head and change your flag" in vermilion ink.

"Wu, the traitor, has betrayed our kindness and already surrendered to the Jurchens. This barbarian opened the gates to welcome the thieves, allowing the Jurchen cavalry to ravage the capital region."

"That traitorous official brought tigers and wolves into China; his crime reaches to the heavens!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt from the heavens into the Wuying Hall.

The "pragmatic" expression on Ma Shiying's face froze instantly, and all color drained from his face.

His lips trembled violently, and his throat made gurgling sounds, but he couldn't utter a single complete syllable.

Shi Kefa was struck dumb!

His tall figure swayed suddenly, and he staggered half a step before regaining his balance.

The impassioned fervor of his earlier plea to "emulate Su Wu's integrity" has vanished, replaced by a bewildered sense of shattered faith.

He stared intently at the secret report on the ground, finally letting out a barely audible murmur:

"Wu... San... Gui... traitor... ruined the country..."