Chapter 69: The Imperial Guards

  Unlike those old children who took exams, Sun Chengzong was talented and had a reputation for being well-read. Logically speaking, he should have been successful at a young age, but he ended up wasting half his life.

  After passing the imperial examination and becoming a jinshi, Sun Chengzong was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, which was a stepping stone to entering the cabinet. However, fate seemed to have played a trick on him, and he remained in this position for thirteen years, by which time he had already reached the age of fifty-six.

  At this age, Sun Chengzong's good fortune seemed to have arrived, as he entered the Zhan Shi Fu, teaching the then still crown prince Taichang Emperor to read. It was thought that once Taichang Emperor ascended to the throne, he would be able to rise through the ranks and fulfill his ambitions, but fate seemed to play another joke on Sun Chengzong.

  Tai Chang Di had just ascended to the throne for a month when he passed away, and Sun Chengzong thus lost another opportunity.

  Until the second year of Tianqi, this man over fifty years old won the first peak of his career. He became the Minister of War and finally became a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet as he wished. At that time, Sun Chengzong was the governor of Liaodong, establishing the Ningyuan defense line, preparing to show off his ambitions.

  But at this time, fate remembered Sun Chengzong again. He had only spent four years in such days when Sun Chengzong finally caught the attention of someone - Wei Zhongxian. Finally, this old man did not fight against this nine-thousand-year-old and was driven back home.

  The days of idleness at home continued until the second year of Chongzhen, when Yuan Chonghuan was imprisoned, and it seemed that people had forgotten about this old man. Sun Chengzong was appointed as the governor of Liaodong to defend against Huang Taiji. At that time, Sun Chengzong was already 65 years old, for his own ambitions, for his own beliefs, this old man once again took to the battlefield.

  But Sun Chengzong was disappointed again, two years later, when the situation in Liaodong had just stabilized, this old man was ostracized by the Donglin Party and was driven back home again, at which time Sun Chengzong was 67 years old.

  This time, Sun Chengzong seemed to have really lost hope. He began to sort out his belongings at home and wrote them all into books. Perhaps in the heart of this old man, this was the last way he could fulfill his ambitions, the last thing he could do for the empire. At this time, this old man who had been battered by fate did not give up on his ideals either.

  Until the 11th year of Chongzhen, this old man was remembered again and was transferred to the front line to resist Dorgon. At that time, Sun Chuantang was already 76 years old. For his own faith and dreams, this old man resolutely walked onto the battlefield. In the battle to defend Gaoyang, six sons, two nephews, twelve grandsons and great-nephews of Sun Chuantang died for their country, with more than 40 family members encountering disaster.

  This seventy-six-year-old elder fell on his own road of resistance. Looking back at the history of the late Ming dynasty, we may think that Yuan Chonghuan died unjustly. After his death, he was even labeled as a traitor to the Han people, and until the Tianqi Emperor's time, there was still no conclusion to the controversy surrounding Yuan Chonghuan.

  In the eyes of Tianqi Emperor, the history of the late Ming dynasty was a tragic one. From Xiong Tingbi to Yuan Chonghuan, countless famous generals died unjustly. They did not die in battle, but mostly due to internal sabotage and betrayal by their own people, such as Zu Dashou, Man Kui, and Cao Wenzhao. Perhaps we have complained about Wu Sangui being a traitor, but have you ever thought about how the emperors of the Ming dynasty treated these loyal generals who gave their lives for the country? It's just a matter of "the cunning rabbit dies, the walking dog is cooked", or so it seems.

  At the end of the Ming Dynasty, who was the most active in surrendering? It was those rich merchants and officials from Jiangnan, it was the Donglin Party with their mouths full of grand righteousness. After Emperor Chongzhen's death, Wu Sangui did not even think about surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, he wanted to find Li Zicheng. Perhaps in his eyes, although Li Zicheng had overthrown the Ming Dynasty, he could also be considered a forced rebellion by the people, and there was some justification for it.

  He and Li Zicheng are considered to be of the same clan and origin, but what did Li Zicheng do? He seized Wu Sangui's wife and captured Wu Sangui's parents. At that time, what could Wu Sangui do?

  Perhaps when condemning these people, we can think about why they did this. And Sun Chengzong, it can be said that he is the most tragic among the ministers of the late Ming dynasty.

  In the eyes of Tianqi Emperor, the Ming Dynasty originally still had hope, but because of those selfish Donglin Party members and the incompetent emperors of the Zhu family, these generals all died with grievances on the battlefield. Or when they died, they still held a heart for the country and the people, perhaps the resentment in their hearts was also very deep.

  Looking at the aged Sun Chengzong in front of him, or thinking about this minister's experiences, Emperor Tianqi felt deeply moved. Such a person who could save the country had to spend his whole life without being able to fulfill his ambitions, and it was indeed a sorrow for an era.

  He suppressed his turbulent emotions, and Emperor Tianqi poured a cup of wine for Song Chengzong. In Song Chengzong's bitter smile, he drank a cup with this old man. This may be Emperor Tianqi's slight apology to the old man, and a slight apology for these emperors of the Zhu family.

  "Son Ai Qing, I have been thinking about a problem these days. How can the great Ming Dynasty be revived? Can I still revive this country?" Looking at Sun Chengzong, Emperor Tianqi revealed his weakness for the first time and doubted his own faith for the first time.

  "Your Majesty, I believe you can do it." Sun Chengzong thought highly of the Tianqi Emperor at this time. He was absolutely a wise ruler who could clearly recognize the current situation and was the best emperor. He was not blinded by superficial things and would not be shaken by others' words. As long as he adhered to his own beliefs, he would definitely be able to do it.

  "I hope so!" After taking a light sip of wine, the Tianqi Emperor put down the cup in his hand and said: "I want to rectify the Imperial Guards. The troops of the Ming Dynasty are now weak and feeble. However, the border armies are beyond my control, so I can only start with the Imperial Guards first. Does Sun Aiqing have any good opinions?"

  Sun Chongzong did not expect the Tianqi Emperor to ask such a question, but he was very much in favor of the emperor's opinion. The country had too many deep-seated problems that could not be solved overnight and needed to be addressed gradually. Starting with the military was essential, as only by grasping control of the army could other matters be easily handled. And starting from the Imperial Guard was also an excellent choice. At this point, Sun Chongzong became even more convinced that this Tianqi Emperor would be able to restore the greatness of the Ming dynasty. Being by the side of such a wise and capable ruler, he would definitely have the opportunity to fulfill his own ambitions.

  He hesitated for a moment, then slowly said: "Your Majesty, the troops in the capital are numerous, but the number of soldiers who can actually fight is not that many. Based on my understanding over the years, the main problems within the army are just these few points."

  Today is the fifth update, a small explosion, hoping for everyone's support, and there will be another update in two hours!

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