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

Qianqing Palace

Upon seeing his father, the Emperor, Zhu Cilang immediately stepped forward and bowed in respect.

"Greetings, Father Emperor!"

"No need for formalities!"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and waved for Wang Chengen and the eunuch to leave.

He then stared intently into Zhu Cilang's eyes, trying to discern something from them. Zhu Cilang's eyes were very clear, showing no sign of panic or avoidance.

After a long pause, Zhu Cilang felt cold sweat breaking out on his back before Chongzhen finally spoke:

"I trust you this once. I've already informed the Empress and the others that they will be leaving the capital tomorrow to head south. What should we do next?"

Zhu Cilang was overjoyed upon hearing this. The capital was bound to fall in a few more days. He was not a god and was powerless to reverse the situation. He could only do his best to save his mother and the others.

As for his father, Zhu Cilang knew very well that he couldn't save him. Perhaps the best outcome for Chongzhen was to die defending the country and be remembered for eternity...

Persuading Chongzhen was only the first step; they still needed someone to protect them along the way. There weren't many people available, so Zhu Cilang could only rely on those who had served the Ming Dynasty loyally in history.

He hurriedly cupped his hands and said:

"Thank you for your trust, Father. Mother needs protection on her journey south. Li Ruolian, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is trustworthy. Father can have Li Ruolian select a few trusted confidants to secretly escort Mother and the others south!"

"Li Ruolian?"

Emperor Chongzhen was taken aback. Li Ruolian was the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He wondered why Zhu Cilang would choose this person. Were they very familiar with each other?

However, recalling the words of the founding emperor, he began to imagine that it was the founding emperor's arrangement. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded in agreement:

"Approved. You're in charge of arranging this."

"Thank you, Father Emperor. I take my leave!"

Chongzhen nodded and said:

"Go ahead. If you need anything, just go to Wang Daban. Your father has bestowed upon you a secret decree and an imperial sword, so that you may act as if I were personally present in any matter."

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Zhu Cilang was overjoyed and hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial sword with both hands...

He did not expect Chongzhen to be so decisive this time, which was completely different from the stubborn and suspicious Chongzhen Emperor in history.

Why did Emperor Chongzhen trust Zhu Cilang so much?

Because he had no choice, he had just received a battle report that the bandit army had already reached Juyong Pass, once again proving "the words of Emperor Taizu".

Upon returning to Zhongcui Palace, Zhu Cilang immediately summoned Li Ruolian, Gao Wencai, and the senior eunuch Fang Zhenghua.

All three of them died in battle when the capital fell. In addition to them, several hundred eunuchs in the palace also died in battle, and more than three hundred palace maids committed suicide.

Compared to the scholar-official class who were cowardly and sold out their masters for personal gain, the palace maids and eunuchs were more loyal. Of course, several hundred Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) also died in battle.

The Crown Prince had not yet attended court and had never interacted with the three of them before. They were all somewhat bewildered when they suddenly received the notification...

The three dared not delay and hurried to Zhongcui Palace...

Upon seeing the Crown Prince, they hurriedly knelt and bowed:

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Zhu Cilang stepped forward and helped the three of them up:

"Please rise quickly, no need for such formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The three hurriedly thanked the emperor and rose, standing respectfully with their hands at their sides!

Zhu Cilang didn't waste any words and directly showed them the imperial sword and the emperor's secret edict:

"My father has bestowed upon me the Imperial Sword; there are tasks he needs you to perform!"

Upon seeing the imperial sword and the secret edict, the three hurriedly knelt down again:

"Please give the order, Your Highness. I will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire for you!"

Zhu Cilang helped the three of them up and said solemnly:

"I have an important task for you to do, so please be careful and cautious."

"Lord Li, select a few loyal men to escort the Empress south to Suzhou tomorrow morning. Take you, Lady Gao Wencai, and your child with you. Once in Suzhou, do not reveal your identities. Remember, you must remain anonymous and lie low for now. I will send someone to fetch you later..."

"what……"

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. Please rest assured, as long as I have a breath left, I will protect the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Li Ruolian was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and hurriedly bowed to accept the imperial decree...

Zhu Cilang nodded and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Ruolian, saying:

"Lord Li, you've worked hard. I entrust the safety of the Empress Dowager to you. Please ensure their safety..."

The Crown Prince suddenly bowed to him, which startled Li Ruolian, who quickly knelt down.

"Your Highness, I cannot accept this!"

As officials of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Li Ruolian and Gao Wencai were well aware of the current precarious situation in the capital!

However, as the emperor's personal servants, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were determined to live and die with the capital, and they would certainly do everything in their power to fulfill the Crown Prince's important mission.

After Li Ruolian left, Zhu Cilang said to Gao Wencai:

"Go back and gather manpower, not too many, twenty Imperial Guards will suffice. They must be loyal to the royal family and be available at a moment's notice."

"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured, I will never let you down and will be ready to serve at any time."

"Go ahead, I have something to discuss with Grand Eunuch Fang!"

"This subordinate takes his leave!"

Gao Wencai bowed to the Crown Prince and withdrew from Zhongcui Palace...

Zhu Cilang looked at the chief eunuch Fang Zhenghua. Although Fang Zhenghua was a eunuch, he was tall and strong, and also a martial arts master.

After the fall of the capital, he single-handedly killed dozens of bandits before being besieged and killed. He is currently in charge of the Western Depot.

The head of the Eastern Depot was Wang Dehua, a surrenderist, so Zhu Cilang could not use the eunuchs from the Eastern Depot.

"Fang Daban, how many agents does the Western Depot have? The kind who know martial arts?"

Fang Zhenghua knew that the Crown Prince needed someone, so he hurriedly bowed and reported back:

"Reporting to you, young master, the Western Depot has over twenty agents, all loyal servants, and all skilled in martial arts. They are the elites left behind when His Majesty abolished the Western Depot!"

Zhu Cilang was overjoyed:

"Very good. Tomorrow, I will send five people to accompany the Empress Dowager south. The rest will be on standby at any time. I intend to give them important positions."

"yes!"

……

After giving instructions to Fang Zhenghua, Zhu Cilang immediately went to Kunning Palace.

Upon seeing Zhu Cilang arrive, Empress Zhou hurriedly stepped forward and took his hand:

"My son, you've finally arrived. Your mother will be leaving the capital tomorrow. You and your father must take care of each other then..."

As she spoke, Empress Zhou was already in tears...

Zhu Cilang took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away his mother's tears:

"Mother, Your Majesty has come for this very reason. After you arrive in Suzhou, you must live in seclusion. No matter what happens, do not show your face in public. Let Li Ruolian handle any matters."

Once things are settled, my son will surely send someone to fetch you. Remember, no matter what happens, Prince Ding and Prince Yong must not leave Suzhou. If necessary, their freedom may be restricted.

Although Empress Zhou did not understand the affairs of Prince Ding and Prince Yong, she would listen to Zhu Cilang's advice and go to Suzhou to work incognito and keep a low profile.

Strangely, Empress Zhou noticed today that her fifteen-year-old son seemed to have suddenly grown up. She had a feeling that listening to her son wouldn't be a mistake...

Not long after Zhu Cilang left, Emperor Chongzhen came to Kunning Palace. On the night before Empress Zhou left, Chongzhen wanted to spend some quality time with his wife...

March 14th

Before dawn, Li Ruolian led a dozen or so Imperial Guards and agents from the Western Depot to protect Empress Zhou and her entourage as they quietly left the city through the gate guarded by Earl Wang Xiantong.

Wang Xiantong, the Earl of Xinjian, was a descendant of the sage Wang Yangming. He died in battle when the capital city fell and was sacrificed to Li Zicheng's flag. He can be trusted completely.

To make their journey easier, Empress Zhou and her entourage dressed entirely in men's and women's clothing. They traveled by carriage to Tongzhou and then took a boat south along the Grand Canal...

The route that Empress Zhou and her entourage took south was carefully planned by Zhu Cilang, and it would avoid the watchful eyes of the bandits.

If Li Ruolian encounters difficulties from the Ming army, he will reveal his principles and the Jinyiwei token.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard is in its twilight years, most people still dare not provoke it.