The Ming Dynasty began in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

Seeing Chongzhen's anger, Zhu Cilang hurriedly bowed again:

"Father, please calm your anger and let your son finish speaking. These are the words of the Hongwu Emperor, not words of treason from your son..."

Emperor Chongzhen was furious upon hearing this and originally wanted to leave, but Zhu Cilang brought up the Hongwu Emperor, putting Chongzhen in a dilemma.

People in ancient times believed in superstitions, but the words of their ancestors could not be ignored. No matter how displeased Emperor Chongzhen was, he had to patiently listen to what they had to say...

He was puzzled as to why the Hongwu Emperor did not summon him directly, but instead had the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang convey the message. Was he blaming him, the emperor, for being incompetent?

Emperor Chongzhen suddenly started to imagine things...

Knowing that the ancients were superstitious, Zhu Cilang invoked the name of the Hongwu Emperor, hoping to awaken the Chongzhen Emperor. Even if the Chongzhen Emperor was unwilling, he would at least listen to a few more words.

As expected, Zhu Cilang made the right bet!

Emperor Chongzhen sighed deeply and asked helplessly:

"The Emperor Gao summoned you? Why didn't he just summon me directly?"

Seeing that Chongzhen had compromised, Zhu Cilang was overjoyed, but he was unable to answer Chongzhen's question.

Yes, why didn't the Hongwu Emperor just summon Chongzhen directly?

Zhu Cilang's mind raced, and an idea flashed into his mind. He cautiously said:

"His father doesn't want to see you, saying you're too stubborn..."

"this……"

Emperor Chongzhen's face turned deathly pale...

If it weren't for conveying Emperor Gao's wishes, Chongzhen would have definitely slapped him. Zhu Cilang was the first person to dare to say that he was stubborn to his face!

After a moment, Chongzhen murmured:

"It seems that Emperor Gao is very disappointed in me. Continue speaking and tell me everything Emperor Gao has said, without omitting a single word."

Zhu Cilang first brewed a cup of tea for his father before continuing:

"After Li Zicheng besieged the capital, he did not rush to attack. Instead, he proposed a condition for withdrawal, demanding that the court provide a million taels of silver to reward the army, establish himself as a king in the northwest, and obey orders but not summons. My father was an emperor of integrity, so naturally he would not agree."

On March 17, the bandit army began its attack on the city. Minister of War Zhang Jinyan and Zhu Chunchen opened the city gates and surrendered, and the capital city fell.

To prevent the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, the Emperor personally killed his younger sister, Princess Zhaoren, wounded his younger sister, Princess Kunxing, and forced his mother, aunt, and others to commit suicide. He then took his own life on Coal Hill…

"puff……"

Emperor Chongzhen had just taken a sip of tea when he heard Zhu Cilang's words, and he immediately spat it out, staring at Zhu Cilang in disbelief, unable to utter a single word.

Zhu Cilang was startled. He didn't even dare to wipe the drool from his face, staring blankly at his father, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse...

After a moment of stunned silence, Chongzhen gradually calmed down. He began to recall what Zhu Cilang had said, and after a long while, he suddenly shouted:

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! I have already ordered Wu Sangui to lead the Guan Ning Army to defend the capital. As long as Wu Sangui personally leads the Guan Ning Army, the bandits will surely retreat..."

Seeing his father's temples turn gray, making him seem ten years older in an instant, Zhu Cilang truly couldn't bear to discourage him, yet he couldn't remain silent:

"Father, Wu Sangui did not arrive in time to defend the emperor. Not long after Li Zicheng entered the capital, Wu Sangui surrendered to the Jurchens. In the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the rebels were defeated, and the Jurchens entered the pass, bringing calamity to China for three hundred years..."

Chongzhen suddenly stood up, grabbed Zhu Cilang by the collar like a madman, and screamed wildly:

"Tell me quickly, what else did Emperor Gao say? Tell me every single word..."

Zhu Cilang suddenly felt short of breath and quickly patted his father's large hand gently, saying:

"Father, let your son get some fresh air..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen released Zhu Cilang, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at him...

"When the Emperor discussed moving the capital south, the ministers, harboring ulterior motives, remained silent. Only a few, including Li Mingrui, strongly supported it, but figures like Guang Shiheng vehemently opposed it, and the plan to move south was shelved..."

When reading the History of Ming, Zhu Cilang hated Guang Shiheng the most. If it weren't for his obstruction, Emperor Chongzhen could have moved south in time and possibly saved half of the Ming Dynasty's territory.

"This matter is too hasty; allow me some time to consider it!"

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen stood there dumbfounded for a long time, and finally left, leaving behind only one sentence, looking utterly dejected...

Watching his father's departing figure, Zhu Cilang hurriedly added a reminder:

"Father, please decide quickly; we cannot disappoint Emperor Gao!"

Upon hearing this, Chongzhen paused, then quickly left, with Old Wang scurrying after him...

……

Back at the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Chongzhen began pacing back and forth again, causing Wang Chengen great heartache.

The Ming Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles. The Emperor was busy with countless affairs of state, and today he was worried about the Crown Prince. He brewed a cup of tea and bowed to present it to Emperor Chongzhen.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. The Crown Prince is blessed with good fortune and will be fine. Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs; please take care of your health!"

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Wang Chengen, saying nothing, but thinking to himself:

"You know nothing! The Crown Prince actually brought up the Hongwu Emperor to intimidate me. I wonder if he actually met the Emperor, or if he's just making excuses to avoid death..."

Of course, Chongzhen could only think these words in his heart; he would not tell Wang Chengen.

After a moment of contemplation, Chongzhen took the teacup from Wang Chengen, slowly sat down on the dragon throne, and recalled what Zhu Cilang had said:

"When the capital fell, my father personally killed my two younger sisters, and then forced my mother and aunt to commit suicide..."

Emperor Chongzhen shuddered. If the capital were to fall to the bandits, he would really do it and would never allow the humiliation of Jingkang to repeat itself!

Taking a small sip of tea, Chongzhen looked at Wang Chengen:

"Wang Daban, do you think the bandits can break through the capital?"

Emperor Chongzhen's question came as a complete surprise, startling Wang Chengen. He immediately knelt at Chongzhen's feet and hurriedly said:

"No, Your Majesty, rest assured, such a thing will never happen. The walls of the capital are high and sturdy. The Jurchens have approached the capital several times, but they have never dared to attack the city."

During the Tumu Crisis, the capital was short of soldiers and generals. Yet, Yu Qian, a mere scholar, was able to lead troops to defend the capital and repel Esen…

When Yu Qian was mentioned, Wang Chengen felt a little guilty and dared not say any more.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but sigh deeply:

"In the Tumu Crisis, Yu Xiaobao helped the Ming Dynasty defy fate and change its destiny. Now, looking across the Ming Dynasty, who has the ability to turn the tide?"

Alas, I truly miss ministers like Sun Chuanting and Lu Xiangshan, but they have all departed, and now the Ming Dynasty has no one capable of shouldering such a great responsibility…”

As Emperor Chongzhen spoke, the most loyal chief eunuch in history was already in tears...

Upon seeing this, Emperor Chongzhen stepped forward and helped Wang Chengen up.

Wang Chengen wiped away his tears and hurriedly comforted him:

"Your Majesty need not worry. You have already issued an edict to come to the aid of the emperor. I believe Wu Sangui and his men will surely be able to repel the rebels!"

Speaking of Wu Sangui, Chongzhen recalled the words of the Crown Prince: when the capital fell, Wu Sangui had just arrived in Yutian and had no time to come to the aid of the emperor. Liu Zeqing, the general of Shandong, also refused to come to the aid of the emperor, citing a fall from his horse and injury.

Tang Tong led only 8,000 men to defend the emperor, but against hundreds of thousands of bandits, Tang Tong's small force was just a drop in the ocean. Moreover, the supervising eunuch had surrendered in advance...

After a moment of calm reflection, Chongzhen decided that for the safety of the Empress, his sister-in-law, and the children, they must be allowed to travel south first, regardless of whether the capital could be defended.

For the sake of stability and his self-esteem, the Empress and the others could not go to Nanjing, lest the lack of a clear direction in the capital give the officials grounds for criticism and cause them to launch another attack against him.

It would be best to send them to the Empress's hometown of Suzhou, where they could stay temporarily under assumed names, and then secretly bring them back to the capital once the situation stabilizes.

As for Crown Prince Zhu Cilang, Chongzhen did not intend to let him go south with him. He suspected that the Crown Prince was afraid of death and that he was using the words of Emperor Taizu to go south to save his life.

Emperor Chongzhen was not afraid of death. If the capital fell, he would live and die with it. Otherwise, how could he face the ancestors of the Ming Dynasty?