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

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang blurted out "Holy crap!"

His original intention was to say "Holy crap, I'm free!" but he realized he had misspoke and quickly held it back!

Mr. and Mrs. Li Yan were immediately taken aback:

"Holy crap? What does Your Highness mean?"

Zhu Cilang gave an awkward smile and hurriedly offered a pretext:

"Hehe, holy crap, I'm really shocked. I didn't expect to go to Changping. Why is that? Can you tell me?"

"That day, I beheaded the soldiers who were harming the people, that old Taoist priest..."

……

While Li Yan was still organizing his thoughts, Hong Niangzi cut to the chase and recounted the whole story.

Extremely angry, her chest heaved as she spoke. Zhu Cilang glanced at her, then quickly looked away.

Seeing Zhu Cilang deep in thought, Li Yan tentatively asked:

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

"I feel good about going to Changping. Niu Jinxing is targeting me everywhere, and Chuang Wang is biased and easily misled. He will be harmed by him sooner or later if he stays in the court for a long time."

Li Yan nodded:

"Yes, I share that thought, but my wife is deeply troubled!"

Seeing that Hong Niangzi was very excited, Zhu Cilang seized the opportunity:

"Why are you still so upset? I have said it before: the rebel leader was short-sighted and lacked ambition. He couldn't even hold onto half of the country. You should think about your way out."

Upon hearing this, Hong Niangzi hurriedly asked:

"Where is my way out? I really don't want to stay in this godforsaken place anymore."

Seeing this, Li Yan stopped interrupting and quietly watched the conversation between the lady and the crown prince.

Zhu Cilang looked around and said in a low voice:

"There are some things I'm not sure if I should say. I am the crown prince of a fallen kingdom, and I have long since become indifferent to life and death. I fear that I might implicate you all and turn you into sinners."

"It's alright, Your Highness. Please speak freely. Whatever you say, your wife and I will not complain, nor will we allow anyone to harm you."

Li Yan put down his teacup, making his stance clear.

Hong Niangzi looked at Zhu Cilang eagerly, waiting for him to speak.

Zhu Cilang's gaze swept across the two faces. Deciding to take a gamble, he coughed lightly and whispered:

"How about going to the southwest to live a carefree, hermit-like life?"

Li Yan shook his head:

"It's easier said than done. The capital region, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Shandong and other places are already under the actual control of the Shun army. There are only 10,000 of us. We can't escape even if we grow wings."

"It's not feasible now, but when the Jurchens enter the pass, we can easily head south."

Li Yan stared at the young crown prince in shock, saying in disbelief:

"If Wu Sangui hadn't surrendered to the Qing, would the Jurchens have still entered the pass?"

Zhu Cilang nodded firmly:

"Li Zicheng was almost completely unprepared. Regardless of whether Wu Sangui surrendered or not, the Jurchens would inevitably take the opportunity to enter the pass."

Hong Niangzi was very disappointed in Li Zicheng. Hearing Zhu Cilang's resolute tone, she suddenly asked:

"Your Highness, are you resigned to this?"

Zhu Cilang was taken aback and looked at Hong Niangzi. Seeing her serious expression, it seemed that she was not testing him.

Zhu Cilang countered with a question:

"Sister-in-law, why do you ask such a question?"

Hong Niangzi and Li Yan were greatly surprised and quickly stood up to bow:

"Your Highness, you mustn't! You've punished my wife and me!"

Despite the fall of the capital, the dignified Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty still had vast territories in the south.

Li Yan was a scholar, and Hong Niangzi was from the lowest social class. Although they were doing well in Da Shun, they still respected the Crown Prince very much.

The Li Yan couple felt they couldn't bear the sudden use of this form of address by Zhu Cilang.

Seeing the two of them like this, Zhu Cilang was delighted and quickly gestured for them to sit down:

"Thank you for taking care of me for so many days. I have long regarded you as my elder brother and sister-in-law."

"Thank you for your high regard, Your Highness! I am deeply grateful!"

The two sat down, and Li Yan answered the question for Hong Niangzi:

"Your Highness, on behalf of the Lady, I would like to say that the Rebel King is about to declare himself emperor, Zhang Xianzhong has established the Great Western regime, and the Jurchens want to take over the Central Plains. If the opportunity arises, would Your Highness not wish to ascend the throne?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang slowly stood up. He looked out the window, remained silent for a moment, and then said in a resolute tone:

"To be honest, I do not wish to travel south to ascend the throne."

"The gentry, powerful families, civil officials, and wealthy merchants have seized land and controlled the government; they are rotten to the core."

"If I were to go south and succeed to the throne, I would be sidelined. I refuse to be complicit with them. I want to start afresh and completely change this cannibalistic world..."

"I know this is extremely difficult, but I am not afraid. To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations—I will die without regret!"

Zhu Cilang's words once again shocked Li Yan and his wife.

The two felt a surge of passion; this was exactly what they had been pursuing.

He had thought Li Zicheng was a good man, but today he realized he had followed the wrong person and hurriedly knelt down in front of Zhu Cilang.

"If Your Highness does not abandon us, my wife and I are willing to follow you to the death. We will go through fire and water without hesitation, as long as Your Highness gives the order."

Zhu Cilang was overjoyed, his heart pounding with excitement:

"Yay! With Niu Jinxing's divine assistance, we've finally dealt with Li Yan. Great things are on the horizon!"

With a weight lifted from his heart, Zhu Cilang stepped forward to help Li Yan and Hong Niangzi up, and then made a grand promise:

"Sir, sister-in-law, please rise!"

"I've long heard of your great talent, sir, and your wife's heroic spirit. How could I possibly look down on you? With our combined efforts, we're sure to achieve great things, and we can expect to bring honor and prosperity to our wives and children!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The two thanked them and said they should rise, tears welling in their eyes.

Despite Li Zicheng's capture of the capital and his impending ascension to the throne, in people's hearts, Zhu Cilang was the legitimate ruler.

Before the fall of the capital, Li Yan and Hong Niangzi, given their status, did not even have the right to meet Zhu Cilang.

Having successfully won over Li Yan and his wife, we will head to Changping tomorrow.

For the three of them, it was better to stay away from the capital, so they could develop their own power and quietly build an invincible army.

An agreement was reached that Zhu Cilang would be the leader of this team.

However, it is not easy to expose them at present. They are still led by Li Yan, and the Eastern Palace Guards are dispersed to serve as officers in various battalions, which makes it easier to strengthen their training.

……

Second day

Before setting off, Gu Jun'en arrived as ordered.

Upon seeing Gu Jun'en arrive, Li Yan felt very nervous, worried that Gu Jun'en would take Zhu Cilang away.

After exchanging greetings, Gu Jun'en whispered in Li Yan's ear:

"General Zhi, His Majesty has decreed that you and your wife keep a close watch on Prince Song. If anything goes wrong, you will bear the consequences. His Majesty has promised that after he ascends the throne, General Zhi, you will return to the court."

After Gu Jun'en finished speaking, he left with his men, coming and going in a hurry.

Returning to court, he was given a slap followed by a treat, but unfortunately, Li Yanxin was no longer in favor...

When the army entered Changping, Zhu Cilang moved into the backyard of the county government office, while Li Yan and his wife lived in the courtyard next door.

In order to better take care of the Crown Prince, Hong Niangzi sent several female soldiers to serve him, but Zhu Cilang politely declined.

A twenty-one-year-old soul, a fifteen-year-old body; although capable of that, he didn't want a woman to affect his speed in drawing his gun!

The excuse is grand, but with great things yet to be accomplished, how can one have a home?

The matchmaker was very touched, but Li Yan wanted to laugh.

The excuse is too weak. It's just warming the bed, not getting married. Is it wrong to do anything in that way?

Chongzhen 17th year

三月二十七日

The envoy of Da Shun arrived in Fengrun, where Wu Sangui temporarily set up camp.

He was in a dilemma. He dared not continue his march toward the capital, nor could he return to Liaodong, which had already been occupied by the Jurchens.

Upon hearing of the arrival of the Da Shun envoy, a commotion immediately erupted in the central military tent…

Wu Sangui sat at the head of the table, listening to his subordinates' discussions, his heart pounding with anxiety...