Chapter 3 Believe (1)

  Chongzhen Emperor didn't dare to listen anymore, fearing that Zhong Xian would say something disappointing again. His mood was fluctuating greatly, and his heart really couldn't take it. He hastily said: "Alright, I believe you."

  Coming from a technical background, he was straightforward and immediately entered his new working state. Zhong Jinwei said: "Okay, Your Majesty, let's take a look at the first step, I'd like to ask, what year is it now?"

  His experience was too strange, the ups and downs of his emotions were very big, so he completely forgot that he had already told him before, anyway, now he only remembers that it was during the Chongzhen years.

  Chongzhen Emperor was very cooperative and didn't care that Zhong Xian had already sat down, speaking face to face with him in a manner that was rude before the emperor. He said: "The 15th day of the 6th month of Chongzhen's second year."

  Zhong Jinwei lowered his head and thought for a moment, as if there were indeed several big things, but he couldn't remember them all at once. He was anxious, knowing that he would cross over, so he had to memorize them even if it meant rote memorization. Now there was no other way, he could only ask slowly: "This, Your Majesty, I don't remember some specific things very clearly, I want to think about it slowly and ask you a few questions."

  "Good!" Chongzhen Emperor agreed in one breath, hoping that something good would happen.

  Zhong Jinwei asked: "Has Yuan Chonghuan been killed by you now?"

  Chongzhen Emperor was taken aback, "What's going on? Why would I kill my trusted minister? That doesn't make sense." As he thought about it, his face turned cold. He said, "Why would I kill him?"

  Zhong Jingwei didn't notice the change in Chongzhen Emperor's expression and continued according to his own thinking: "Then did Yuan Chonghuan kill Mao Wenlong?"

  Chongzhen Emperor listened, even more unhappy, both are my left and right arms to deal with the Manchu. Even if Yuan Chonghuan wants to kill, I won't let him kill. After a moment of contemplation, he said: "No."

  "How long did Yuan Chonghuan serve as the top official in Northeast China?" Zhong Jinwei only remembered that Yuan Chonghuan served as the top official for just over a year (actually as Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of Ji-Liao), before going to kill Mao Wenlong, and about two months later, the rebel leader built a siege around the capital, which led to Yuan Chonghuan being imprisoned and executed.

  Chongzhen Emperor secretly despised Zhong Xian and patiently replied: "It has been over a year."

  "Ah, Your Majesty, quickly dispatch someone to rescue Mao Wenlong. In history, Yuan Chonghuan will secretly kill Mao Wenlong and then report afterwards. Such a major event, history cannot deceive people." Zhong Jinwei urged anxiously.

  Chongzhen Emperor did not believe it and said, "How is that possible? Mao Wenyong is my left commander-in-chief, wearing the general's seal and holding the Shangfang sword. Don't mention him, according to the law of the Great Ming Dynasty, even ordinary civilians must go through me before being executed."

  "He has a record, he once secretly killed someone who was even higher in position than him. Sun Chongzong knew about it but didn't tell you." Zhong Jiwei immediately explained when he saw that Emperor Chongzhen didn't believe him.

  The Chongzhen Emperor stood up with a "hush" and said, "Are these words true?"

  Zhong Jinwei felt a sense of emptiness in his heart when he saw this situation, and wondered what if history had deceived him? So he said: "History is written like this, I'm telling you, whether it's true or false, major events can't be faked. After Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenyong, Huang Taiji was no longer worried about the rear, so he bypassed the Ningjin defense line, borrowed the Mongolian route, and attacked Beijing City. Then Yuan Chonghuan was also killed for this reason, these are all major events that can't be faked."

  Chongzhen Emperor lost his voice and said, "How is it possible? General Yuan promised me to pacify Liaodong within five years. It's not even four years yet, how can I let the Jurchen Tartars run amok under my very eyes?"

  Zhong Jingwei heard this and said, "Cut it out, he's just bragging to deceive you. Have you ever asked him how he plans to pacify Liaodong in five years? Historical records say someone once asked him, and he just said something vague like 'it's all under control'." The Chongzhen Emperor was stunned, realizing that he had indeed never asked, but had simply trusted him because of Yuan Chonghuan's previous achievements, which were impressive even to the point of killing a slave leader.

  It is unknown whether Nurhaci was actually killed by Yuan Chonghuan, the report just said so, and Emperor Chongzhen believed that Nurhaci was indeed killed by Yuan Chonghuan.

  The Chongzhen Emperor sat silently for a moment before saying: "I understand. Is there anything else you want to say?"

  Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment, then stood up and solemnly said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, my era is over 400 years different from yours, many customs and habits have changed, so some of my ways of speaking and behaving may seem strange or rude to you, I hope you can understand."

  The Chongzhen Emperor said, "Good, I understand." Then, he turned around and beckoned to the crowd in the distance. Wang Chengen saw from afar that the Chongzhen Emperor was beckoning him, and immediately rushed back to the pavilion at a flying pace. Then, with a bow, he said, "Your Majesty."

  The Chongzhen Emperor ordered: "Take Zhong into the Imperial Guard to rest and change clothes in a side hall, wait for me to issue an edict to consult." Wang Cheng'en hesitated upon hearing this and advised: "Your Majesty, he is an outsider, this inner palace..."

  Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Chongzhen interrupted Wang Chengen: "Just do as I say." "Yes," Wang Chengen had no choice but to obey.

  Although the weather is very hot now, it's not comfortable to be wet all over. Upon hearing this from Emperor Chongzhen, he prepared to leave with Wang Cheng'en. Just as he turned around, he thought of something and turned back to Emperor Chongzhen, saying: "Your Majesty, what about these things?"

  Chongzhen Emperor said with an unmistakable tone: "Stay here for now."

  Zhong Jinwei helplessly said: "Alright, but Your Majesty, those two maps are truly priceless treasures in this era, you must keep them well!"

  "Very well, I remember." The Chongzhen Emperor gave a definite reply.

  Wang Cheng'en returned after arranging for Zhong Wen to be stationed, and from a distance he still saw Emperor Chongzhen sitting motionless in the pavilion, with palace maids and guards standing far away.

  His heart tightened and he quickly went over to reply: "Your Majesty, I have already settled Gong Zhongwei in the side hall."

  The Chongzhen Emperor slowly turned his head, with a hint of fatigue and loss, looking at Wang Cheng'en.

  Just as Wang Chengen was being stared at, Emperor Chongzhen said: "Wang Dabang, you're great!" Wang Chengen was suddenly praised out of the blue and his heart skipped a beat with joy, but immediately he felt a chill, fearing it was sarcasm, and quickly replied: "Your humble servant dare not."

  The Chongzhen Emperor ignored Wang Chengen's reply, remained silent for a moment, and then said: "I want you to do two things for me. First, go quickly to Gaoyang to ask Sun Chengzong, Master Sun, whether Yuan Chonghuan has ever privately killed anyone of higher rank than him; second, investigate whether before his departure from the capital last year after the Platform Edict was issued to Yuan Chonghuan, someone asked him how he would pacify Liaodong within five years and what his reply was. The sooner these two matters are settled, the better. As soon as there is any result, report back to me immediately."

  Chongzhen Emperor paused for a moment, then added: "Order the guards present today to guard Zhong Xianwei, and have the palace maids serve him. Avoid contact with others. What happened today is not allowed to be spoken of by anyone."

  "Yes." Just as Wang Chengen was about to bow his head and accept the order, he suddenly stopped and turned around to advise Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, this person is really strange and his words cannot be trusted!"

  The Chongzhen Emperor nodded: "I have a plan in mind, go and do it." Wang Chengen did not hear what the man said to His Majesty, but seeing that the Chongzhen Emperor did not fully believe the strange person, he felt a little relieved, turned around and left with his orders.

  Chongzhen Emperor turned around and stared at the things on the table brought by Zhong Xue, staring and staring, completely disregarding the fact that the sky had already begun to darken slowly.

  Wang Chengen had arranged everything early and called in new palace maids and guards to stand by. Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen seemed to have completely forgotten about the time, he couldn't help but feel a bit worried, so he said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, it's late, it's time for dinner."

  At this time, Chongzhen only discovered that the sky was almost dark. So he said: "Good." After finishing, he stood up and handed over to Wang Chengen: "These things, sent to my imperial study, must not be lost." Wang Chengen bowed his body: "Yes!"

  Zhong Jinwei slowly calmed down his excited heart as he lay on the bed in the side hall.

  He recalled his own sudden disappearance, as an ordinary person with no background, or like a small stone thrown into the lake, which only created some ripples before returning to calmness.

  For my current self, the work, life, family and friends of my past life are no longer possible to possess.

  Zhong Jinwei suddenly felt that he was not doing well enough: some things always wanted to do, but never did; wanted to say love but didn't say it out loud; no matter how many plans were made, they were all shelved indefinitely.

  A famous saying suddenly appeared in Zhong Jinwei's mind: Every day should be treated as if it were the last, and life would have no regrets.

  It's only when you lose something that you realize its value. Since the past is no longer, I must live this life without regret, Zhong Jinwei thought to himself with a sigh, making up his mind.

  Zhong Jinwei felt a pang of sadness for a moment, then immediately started working out, determined to live this life without regret.

  This era is also the one that was often sighed about in past lives. Filled with regrets, the fate of Chinese civilization took a turn for the worse and was led to a low point by countless coincidences.

  Since Heaven has arranged for me to cross over and come to the side of Emperor Chongzhen, I must change this outcome, even if it means being ruthlessly crushed by the wheels of history. At least I can make him deviate from his original course in history. This is at least a duty that a descendant of the Huaxia nation should fulfill.

  What should be done? Manchu, peasant uprising, Little Ice Age, Donglin Party, Yuan Chonghuan, Mao Wenyong, Lu Xiangsheng, Sun Chengzong, Xu Guangqi...; the more he thought about it, the more confused he became, and finally, Zhong Jingwei's mind was a complete mess.

  Suddenly, he slapped his forehead fiercely. Got it, can't think of it, I'll just draw a flowchart then.

  In an emergency, Zhong Jinwei used his old skills. Things that were unclear, after drawing a flowchart, became clear. All programmers understand this.

  He got up and opened the door, only to see two sword-carrying guards standing at the entrance, who were familiar faces, the same two men who had caught him when he came ashore. A man under the eaves cannot help but bow his head.

  Zhong Jinwei squeezed out a smile on his face and said to the friendlier one on the left: "Brother, can you help me get some paper and pen? Thank you."

  The one on the left is called Zhu Guozhong, and the one on the right is Li Li. They are the two Jin Yiwei who witnessed Zhong Jiawei's miraculous appearance, and later became nobles.

  It's time to go home or hang out with friends, but I'm being forced to continue the night shift and take turns with two other colleagues for 12 hours, feeling a bit resentful.

  But today's events are a bit strange, at the beginning, under the long-term imperial power oppression, plus the urgency of the matter, didn't think too much, just went forward and caught. Now my heart is hairy, with a sense of awe for the unexplainable natural phenomenon, secretly guessing whether this person is human, ghost, god or demon...; Suddenly heard Zhong Jinwei talking to himself, Zhu Guozhong was startled, replied: "Yes!" Then turned around and left.

  He had just taken two steps when he came to his senses and walked back, saying: "No, no, I can't leave my post without permission." Li Li, who was standing beside him, hastily added: "Right, right, you want the Four Treasures of the Study, don't you? Wait for Sister Cui to come over and let her report to Master Wang, then she'll bring them to you."

  Zhong Jinwei let out an "oh" and then added another sentence: "Which King Gong?"

  Zhu Guozhong hastily reminded him on one side: "It was the eunuch who was by Your Majesty's side before, Wang Cheng'en, Old Man Wang!"

  "Ah, so he's Wang Cheng'en!" Zhong Jinwei suddenly felt as if he had missed a superstar, because he admired Wang Cheng'en greatly. Among all the officials and eunuchs in the palace, only Wang Cheng'en accompanied Emperor Chongzhen to hang himself.

  Especially in a TV series, Wang Chengen shouted with a crying tone: "See off the great Ming emperor on his way!" This helpless and tragic scene has been imprinted on his mind.