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

Wang Chengen silently followed behind the sullen Chongzhen Emperor, and only after entering the Qianqing Palace did he finally speak:

"Your Majesty, we have just received news that Wu Sangui has relocated hundreds of thousands of people from Ningyuan into the pass. They are still several hundred miles from the capital and may not arrive in the capital region for another four days..."

The meaning is clear: by the time Wu Sangui's Guan Ning army arrives, the capital will already be surrounded by bandits. For the safety of the emperor and the crown prince, the only way out is to head south...

Emperor Chongzhen remained silent for a long time, recalling the words of Crown Prince Zhu Cilang. What Emperor Hongwu had said now seemed to make perfect sense.

One or two coincidences might be considered a coincidence, but when everything aligns perfectly, how can it still be a coincidence? It seems that Emperor Hongwu really did summon Zhu Cilang...

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Wang Chengen assumed that Chongzhen was angry, so he hurriedly knelt down and confessed his sins:

"Your Majesty, I am guilty of speaking out about state affairs, but the ministers are all turning a blind eye, and I have no choice but to speak out!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said:

"No, you are right. They are all ministers of a fallen kingdom, but I would rather be the ruler of a fallen kingdom than a prisoner of it. Summon the Crown Prince to see me."

"As you command!"

In this vast court, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't even find a minister to consult with, and he was truly all alone. At this point, he could only ask the Crown Prince if he had any solutions.

……

"Bang bang bang..."

Zhu Cilang was helpless; Emperor Chongzhen wouldn't let him go south, so he could only lead a few dozen men to practice three-row volley fire...

Today is already March 16th. Tomorrow, the bandits will surely besiege the capital. At that time, there will be no chance to escape.

Fortunately, he knew that Li Zicheng would not kill him, so he would still have a chance to escape. However, his cheap father was unwilling to live, so he was doomed.

He had just awakened a transmigrator artifact, a military museum, but he couldn't mass-produce troops, which Zhu Cilang found very regrettable.

The museum has various science and military books, as well as many old weapon samples, with only one of each type.

With the current skill level of Ming Dynasty craftsmen, forging flintlock and rifled guns is no problem at all. For now, forging rifles is a bit more difficult, but it may not be impossible in the future...

Zhu Cilang was well-versed in military history, but had no knowledge of science and engineering.

With the gun manufacturing techniques found in museums, he could potentially build an invincible army in the future, but his current advantages are completely useless to him...

Zhu Cilang envied those transmigrators with amazing systems, but he also understood that some readers didn't like systems...

"Young master, the Emperor summons you!"

At this moment, Wang Chengen stepped in.

Zhu Cilang knew that Chongzhen had no one to consult with at this point, and had finally remembered him again.

Zhu Cilang followed Wang Chengen to the Qianqing Palace, and upon seeing the sorrowful-looking Chongzhen Emperor, immediately bowed in respect.

"Greetings, Father Emperor!"

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Zhu Cilang and nodded slightly.

"No need for formalities, please have a seat!"

"Thank you, Father Emperor. May I ask why you have summoned me?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen sighed softly:

"Your son's prophecies have all come true; you must find a way to head south immediately!"

Emperor Chongzhen regretted not sending the crown prince south earlier. His first words upon meeting Zhu Cilang were to order him to go south.

What's the point of Zhu Cilang heading south now? He might be arrested as soon as he leaves the city. He could only say helplessly:

"Thank you for your concern, Father. I will not leave unless you and I travel south together."

Seeing that Zhu Cilang was unwilling to leave, Chongzhen hesitated again, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

In the second year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, the capital was besieged. The army that came to the aid of the emperor arrived and successfully lifted the siege of the capital.

During the Zhengtong and Jiajing reigns, the capital was besieged three times. The Tumu Crisis was particularly devastating, with even the emperor being captured, but the capital ultimately emerged unscathed each time.

Was Zhu Youjian so unlucky that Li Zicheng, leading a motley crew, was able to breach the high walls of the capital?

After a moment of contemplation, Chongzhen said:

"They are merely traitors. The capital may still be defensible. Since my son is unwilling to leave, I will not force him. Do you have any suggestions for the defense of the capital?"

Zhu Cilang cupped his hands and said:

"Father, a severe plague has broken out in the city. We are short of soldiers and generals, and the garrison commander is incompetent. We must hand over military power to a reliable person."

The prince suggested that the newly established Earl, Xian Tong, be in charge of the city's defense. He also decreed that all household servants of civil and military officials and nobles in the capital must be stationed on the city walls for defense; those who disobey would be executed without mercy!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen hesitated.

"That's not appropriate. The servants are their private property. If I forcibly conscript them to defend the city, my ministers will surely criticize me again..."

What kind of time is this? Chongzhen is still worried about his image. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. When the capital falls, no one will be safe.

He decided to let the facts speak for themselves, and bowed, saying:

"Father has never left the palace and knows nothing about the situation outside. Your son dares to ask Father to go out of the palace to inspect and see if it is necessary to summon the officials and servants for defense."

This time, Chongzhen agreed very readily:

"Very well, I have the same idea. Wang Daban, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Great Han General prepare, I am leaving the palace!"

Zhu Cilang, upon hearing this, was both amused and exasperated, and hurriedly advised:

"Father, we must not leave the palace in a grand manner; only by going quietly can we see the true situation."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen nodded:

"Alright, as my son says, take fewer people out of the palace. You make the arrangements."

"As you command!"

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Zhu Cilang immediately summoned Fang Zhenghua and Gao Wencai, ordering them to lead their troops to protect him.

Soon, Fang Zhenghua and Gao Wencai came to report:

"Your Highness, everything is ready. When shall we depart?"

"How many men?"

Gao Wencai:

"Fifty-eight elite members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Founderization:

"Twenty-five agents from the Western Depot."

Zhu Cilang nodded; these people could be considered his close associates.

As they were talking, Emperor Chongzhen appeared behind them in full armor. Fang Zhenghua and Gao Wencai hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Chongzhen nodded:

"No need for formalities. The Crown Prince and I are leaving the palace; you must ensure our safety!"

"As you command!"

Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Cilang left the Qianqing Palace and mounted their horses outside the gate.

Don't underestimate Chongzhen. Before he ascended the throne, he was skilled in archery and horsemanship. Although he had never participated in battle, he was not a weak scholar.

The same was true of Crown Prince Zhu Cilang; riding and archery were his favorite pastimes besides reading, not to mention that his soul came from a special forces soldier from a later generation.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, eighty-three fully armed guards sat astride their horses, with embroidered spring knives at their waists, looking imposing and majestic.

Upon seeing this, Chongzhen's eyes lit up, but when he realized there were only a few dozen people, his gaze dimmed again...

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, everyone immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee:

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

……

Chongzhen nodded:

"No need for formalities, I will follow the Crown Prince's orders!"

"Here you go!"

Dozens of people hurriedly answered in unison.

Zhu Cilang waved his hand:

"Mount up and let's go!"

"Here you go!"

Gao Wencai led the Imperial Guards in the lead, Fang Zhenghua led the Western Depot agents in the rear, and Emperor Chongzhen and Crown Prince Zhu Cilang were in the middle. The procession quickly left the imperial city...

The vast capital city was deserted and devoid of pedestrians due to the severe plague. The procession quickly arrived at Yongding Gate.

The Ming Dynasty's Beijing city had nine inner city gates, seven outer city gates, four imperial city gates, and four palace city gates.

There are four corner towers, three water gates, 172 watchtowers, 11038 crenellations, and a moat 30-60 meters wide outside the city.

During the thirty-second year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, an additional 28 li of city wall was built, bringing the total length to forty-eight li.