Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Fall

  －－

  By the way, my VIP has been opened, but I will still release public chapters in the next few days because I promised to pass 200,000 words publicly.

  Next Sunday after midnight, VIP will be transmitted, and I hope everyone will subscribe and support at that time.

  I will open another chapter on Sunday.

  Incidentally, I would like to thank all friends who have been supporting me, especially special thanks to my deputy Xiao Li.

  －－

  "Open beauty, how many watches?"

  In the dark of night, apart from a few large white lanterns hanging on the city tower, there was only a faint moonlight to illuminate. The moonlight was like a thin layer of gauze, hazy and unclear, making it hard for people to see clearly.

  On Chaoyang Gate, more than 400 people were divided into three shifts. Li Banghua and Wang Jiayan were both old, so when the shifts were arranged, everyone put them in the first shift. After a while, they were coaxed by their sons, nephews, and subordinates to sleep inside the city tower.

  Of course, the two old men in their sixties couldn't sleep... It wasn't that the bedding was bad, the younger generation and subordinates took good care of them, with thick grass mats covered with blue flowered cotton quilts, lying inside, the windows on the city wall outside were empty, the night wind howled, but they felt warm and comfortable.

  They couldn't sleep, with heavy hearts... Both were profound and learned men of great wisdom, one was the Left Censor-in-Chief, Grand Coordinator of Taiyuan, and the other was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Vice Director of Military Affairs.

  They are all top-notch figures in the government, at this critical moment of upheaval, how can they really sleep soundly without a care?

  "Oh, Meng Lao, wait a moment." Wang Jia Yan responded with a sound, got up and took a look, waited for a while, then smiled: "Used to Westerners' clocks, it's really hard to calculate the time again."

  "The Western clock is indeed convenient, our timing method is not as good as others, we have to admit it. If theirs is better, then use theirs, there's nothing wrong with that." Li Banghua also sat up halfway and said calmly: "What does our great Ming dynasty mean by 'civilized country'? It means having the heart to admit when one is inferior... Kai Mei, let's just say the Western clock is good too!"

  Wang Jiayan quietly waited for him to finish, and his eyes also flickered with ripples, not knowing what he was thinking. The clock in front of him was small and delicate, much more convenient than the rough and large clocks at that time... but this was not a Western-style clock, but rather a miniature imitation made by skilled craftsmen from Jiangnan region.

  Not only brought over, but also more exquisite, beautiful and stronger in craftsmanship!

  "Now it's the scene of the three o'clock bell in the Western Suburbs...". Wang Jia Yan first replied with a smile, and then continued: "A student's casual remark has caused Old Meng to make quite a fuss... I think, perhaps there is more to what Old Meng has in mind?"

  "Yes!" Li Banghua threw off his clothes and sat up, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Wang Jiayan and said: "I was thinking, does the Emperor know whether or not to personally lead the expedition to Nanqian?"

  "It's mostly unwilling." Wang Jiayan said: "The emperor still thinks this city can be defended... As a minister for many years, I understand the emperor's temperament and personality. Now, if we advise him to leave, the emperor is afraid on one hand and wants to leave, but on the other hand, he feels that things are not hopeless yet, and escaping would be too humiliating... After thinking about it later, whoever advises the emperor to leave may still suffer a great reversal of fortune."

  "Yes, yes!" Li Banghua nodded repeatedly and lay down again, saying: "The prince will not fail to see this point, but the prince is in a precarious position. Until today, what can be done? Alas, the future of the country will depend on the prince's hands!"

  "If only it could be entrusted to the Crown Prince's hands, that would be good enough." Wang Jia Yan knew that the other party had unspoken words, so he simply replaced the old man in front of him and said, "The Southern faction is actually the Donglin Party, and even more so, the Fushe Society's territory. These people are fond of grandiose talk, controlling the ruler, if the Emperor were here, they would be able to suppress them. The Crown Prince... We know that the Crown Prince is a true and wise ruler, with both literary and military talents, full of wisdom and strategy, and also has determination..." Speaking until the end, Wang Jia Yan only sighed bitterly, saying: "I have already risked my life to promote him, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince is too young, only fifteen years old. If he were eighteen or nineteen years old, it would be much better..."

  "Alas, don't mention it, don't mention it!"

  As soon as this was mentioned, the two senior officials both looked somewhat displeased, and the room fell silent for a moment. Just then, footsteps were heard outside.

  Someone pushed the door open and brought in the cold air from outside. Before Wang Jiayan could ask, the person had already reported: "Reporting to Lord Zhengzheng, the Crown Prince and several other princes have arrived."

  "Oh, okay, okay!" Wang Jiaxun hastily replied, fortunately without taking off his clothes. He and Li Banghua rushed up together, their footsteps echoing as they climbed the city wall, where Zhu Cixuan was already waiting.

  "Your humble servant requests an audience with Your Highness."

  "What's the point of this courtesy?" Zhu Ciyan looked at the two senior officials in front of him with a somewhat depressed expression, shook his head and said: "The Emperor is not willing to leave, and I have received intelligence that the rebel troops have sent elite cavalry rushing towards the capital, they may arrive under the city walls at any moment. The two of you, the city cannot be defended, come with me to the south."

  At the time of the suitable reply, for some reason, both high-ranking officials had an idea in their minds, which was to stay in this place and also die in this place.

  Listening to Zhu Ciwen's words, both of them smiled and then shook their heads together.

  Wang Jiayan smiled and said, "If the emperor personally led the expedition, as a minister I would follow him wherever he went, no need to say anything. Since the emperor is not going, willing to die for the country, how can his subordinates say they cannot go?"

  "Yes, I am also willing to die defending this city, it's just right, and it will help Your Highness escape as well." Li Banghua's face was filled with a smile, and he said with a chuckle: "If Your Highness doesn't escape, I won't be able to close my eyes in death. If Your Highness escapes, I'll follow the Emperor to die for the country, what a wonderful thing!"

  "Alright, I won't advise you!" Zhu Ciwen also saw the true meaning of the words "literary elegance" on the two ministers in front of him, and at this time he just nodded, then turned around and went downstairs.

  Under his feet, Yong Wang and Huang Wu Zi also crossed the city gate and began to move forward towards the dark place in the south.

  Thirty miles south of the capital's suburbs, there is a relay station with replacement horses and more than 100 guards. Feng Kechang is also there.

  When leaving the city, Zhu Ciwen turned back to look and saw that Wang Jia Yan and other officials were already kneeling on the left side of the city gate, knocking their heads to see him off. He only felt a sourness in front of his eyes, and his heart was also surging with emotions, countless thoughts rushing up, but he couldn't grasp any of them.

  "Never mind, never mind."

  He ordered the large vehicles and heavy equipment to proceed first, while he personally led two battalions of over 200 cavalrymen, patrolling and scouting within a radius of several miles.

  No matter what, leaving Beijing is a testament that more than half a year of hard work has not been in vain.

  ……

  ……

  As Zhu Ciwen and others left the East Peace Gate, heading towards the Chaoyangmen area, in the dark of night, under the clear light of the moon, there was also a large cavalry unit galloping hastily under the moonlight.

  The sound of thousands of cavalry advancing is extremely frightening, the horseshoes ringing out like thunder. If it were daytime, a misty smoke column would rise up, making it impossible to see clearly. Even in this boundless and endless dark night, every few people among the thousands held a torch, and as they ran, the terrain was high and low. If you looked down from a high place, it was an unstoppable torrent; if you looked back from the front, it was a waterfall rushing down!

  No, this is an unstoppable iron torrent, with thousands of horses galloping forward, the seasoned cavalrymen clad in iron armor and wielding long spears seem to be squeezed together! The warhorses neigh, their hooves rumble like thunder, even the crackling sound of burning pine oil on hundreds and thousands of torches can be heard clearly. Amidst such a huge commotion, not a single human voice can be heard!

  Everyone is urging the war horse to gallop, racing at a predetermined speed for each team. Everyone is a partner who has been cooperating for a long time, and in every direction around them, front and back, are familiar partners and superiors. They are knights of Li Chuang's team, the most elite warriors, and also the best among this group of bandits. Moreover, they are the cream of the crop from hundreds of bandit families who have been fighting for over a decade, becoming more refined and braver with each battle.

  "Hu Zi Ge, your troops are getting stronger and stronger. It seems that the good men of our imperial camp may not be able to surpass your battalion!"

  Li Shuangxi was also Li Zicheng's adopted son, just like Zhang Dan. However, Li Shuangxi was in charge of the Imperial Camp cavalry and was also the leader of Li Zicheng's bodyguards, so he was very arrogant all the time, and ordinary generals were not even taken seriously by him.

  But he and Zhang Tai are equally impressed by Luo Hu. In terms of martial arts, Luo Hu is a top-notch hero in the army, and in terms of fighting skills, he is even more impressive to young generals. As for his current military leadership, leading three thousand iron cavalry to their current state is indeed not inferior to the imperial guards, which is why Li Shuangxi has a tone full of admiration and jealousy.

  "You and His Majesty talk about it, and you'll come out to lead the troops too." Luo Hu smiled slightly and said to Li Shuangxi: "Leading troops is hard work, are you afraid?"

  "Hey, even the Imperial Guards have to suffer hardships."

  "That's different!" Luo Hu's posture on the horse was also very beautiful, controlling the reins and galloping with ease. His body merged with the horse's as one, so when the horse jumped and ran, he didn't need to use much waist strength. After running over a hundred miles, he still looked very relaxed and at ease.

  He shook his head at Li Shuangxi, smiling: "The Imperial Army has Brother Li Qiang and General Wu, many people are in charge. Have you gotten up at night to patrol the camp? Have you asked about food? The daily training of soldiers, can you always keep an eye on it? If the military is unstable, will you just use a whip or see what your brothers are thinking?"

  This was a firm decision, and it was also some of the insights that Luo Hu had gained from leading his troops for several years. Although it was only a few words, it hit the nail on the head, so Li Shuangxi listened to it and was very convinced.

  Dang Xiaobian smiled and said: "Brother Hu Zi, in terms of commanding troops, at your age, I'm afraid no one can surpass you!"

  "This is not necessarily true either. Li Mochou's troops were also extremely powerful."

  "Oh, him..." Li Shuangxi didn't like Li Yan, after all, he was an outsider general, not a member of the family. So he just curled his lip, but didn't agree with Luo Hu's words.

  Seeing him like this, Luo Hu still wanted to say a few more words, but a personal soldier rode up behind him and reported: "General, just ahead is Diaoyutai, not far from there are Xuanwu Gate and Yanmen Gate, as well as the West Straight Gate."

  "Ah..." Luo Hu was about to set up the siege, but not far away, Du Xun rushed over. Although he was a eunuch, this time he also gritted his teeth and followed closely, with a fierce determination that earned people's admiration.

  As soon as he saw Luo Hu, Du Xun said to him: "General Luo, if you want to capture the Ming Emperor and the princes, don't bother with the troops at Diaoyutai, or the western gates. Take your troops and head straight for Chaoyang Gate right now!"

  "What nonsense are you talking about!" Li Shuangxi saw that the eunuch was extremely displeased, and coldly said: "The Fishing Platform and the Yan Yi Gate area still have Li Guozhen's remaining troops stationed outside the city. If we don't defeat the enemy in front of us, how can we go around to the Chaoyang Gate?"

  Du Xun hesitated for a moment, but still insisted: "If we don't go to Chaoyang Gate, I'm afraid Ming Huang will rush straight to Tianjin from there. If we're late by half a day, it may be too late to regret."

  "This saying also makes sense, let's take it one step at a time."

  Lu Hu received the order to surround the city and launch a surprise attack, scattering his cavalry in all directions. The Chaoyang Gate direction was also crucial. However, seeing Li Shuangxi's expression of disdain, he had no choice but to compromise: "Let's go forward and take a look first."

  ……

  This turned out to be unexpectedly smooth.

  The vanguard of the rebel army arrived, and Li Guoquan's troops immediately collapsed. The defeated soldiers were chased to the vicinity of Zhengyimen and Xuanwumen, and countless firearms from the Divine Engine Corps were abandoned. Luo Hu's troops and the Imperial Guard cavalry took advantage of the momentum to surge forward, and when they reached the city gate, they happened to see that Zhengyimen was equipped with many red-clothed cannons.

  "My goodness, I can't bear to see so many." Li Shuangxi said: "I'm afraid there are dozens of gates, so many cannons, we don't have the advantage of firearms, and we're cavalry, it's impossible to break into the city."

  "There aren't many people on the city wall..." Luo Hu said with a hint of regret, "If we had cloud ladders and shield carts, battering rams, we could try to see what happens."

  Two men were lamenting, but all they saw was the soldiers on the city wall making a great effort to beat drums and gongs, in a state of utter confusion. From a distance, it looked like a swarm of red and black ants.

  Li Shuangxi and Luo Hu were both shocked, Li Shuangxi lost his smile and said: "What is this..."

  Lu Hu furrowed his brow and did not respond, but heard from the city wall first a few people, then dozens of people, followed by hundreds and thousands of people shouting together: "The great army does not need to attack, we are surrendering under the order of the garrison commander eunuch Wang Xiangyao."

  The words were so lengthy and tedious that Luo Li had to listen several times before they understood.

  "Surrender?"

  Two men were in a state of bewilderment, but seeing the city gate tower again, they saw that the thick and sturdy Zhengyi Gate had slowly opened, and many soldiers poured out from inside the city. The ones at the front seemed to be all high-ranking officials wearing flowered clothes and black hats, even from two miles away, it was possible to see them forming a disorderly line in front of the gate, then they all knelt down together.

  Lu Hu was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said to Li Shuangxi: "Since the outer city has been broken, most of us will enter the city in an orderly manner, and then rush to the inner city to control the capital. Shuangxi, you take 2,000 elite imperial guards to Chaoyang Gate to gather accurate information. If Ming Huang has already escaped to Tianjin, you can decide for yourself whether to control all the city gates or pursue him."

  "I'll go after him!"

  Li Shuangxi nodded proudly on horseback and turned his horse's head towards Du Yun, saying: "Follow me!"

  He was just a young general of about twenty years old, and his status in the army was not high. He shouted at Du Xun as if he were a slave, Du Xun was furious in his heart, and his face was also gloomy. Looking at the situation in front of him, he could only take a deep breath and follow Li Shuangxi to hurry towards Chaoyang Gate.

  Lu Hu then led his own personal soldiers to rush towards the city gate, but within a few dozen riders, the city gate was surrounded by thousands of Ming troops who all lowered their heads and trembled with fear.

  "Eunuch Wang Xiangyao of the Imperial Censorate, at your service. I have come to pay my respects to the General!"

  As E Lu Hu approached, Wang Xiangyao led the way, and hundreds of eunuchs, officials, and generals all knocked their heads to the ground. The heads with black hats heavily knocked on the earth, making a uniform dull sound.

  Next, all the officials held up their hands and said in unison: "Your subordinate, the deputy commander of the Divine Machinery Camp, pays his respects to the General..."

  "A certain official of the Ministry of War, pretending to be a Ming dynasty officer, came to pay respects to the General..."

  "Announcing the arrival of the Grand General of the New Dynasty!"

  "Hurray for the great general!"

  Lu Hu felt dizzy, and in front of him was a sea of red and green robes, with hundreds of officials and military officers kneeling on the ground, holding up large red scrolls, first calling out names, then loudly flattering.

  The whole area in front of the Zhengyi Gate was like a bustling marketplace.

  Behind this farce, countless civilians have already rushed to spread the news and inform each other. On the streets, many people have lit incense and pasted yellow paper on their doorframes with the words "Shunmin" written on them.

  The entire outer city, almost like lightning, spread the news of the rebel army entering the city. In less than two hours, the Xuanwu and Xizhimen gates also surrendered, and the entire western part of the outer city was lost in an instant.

  After hearing the news, Zhengyangmen City Tower finally raised three white lanterns, which was a signal that the enemy had entered the city. At this moment, in the whole city, except for a few people who were preparing to surrender and a few people who were preparing to die with the country, most people just looked at each other indifferently. The common people occasionally remembered the slogan "Welcome Zhuang Wang, no tax", although it was the enemy entering the city, but in the whole city, those who were willing to fight to the death and willing to perish with the old dynasty were really few.

  ……

  "Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong......"

  In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Chongzhen ordered someone to strike the Jingyang Bell outside the Meridian Gate, urgently convening a court meeting. However, he had rarely held morning courts recently, and today was not a regular court date, so there were few officials on duty. The real reason, of course, was that the officials no longer wanted to serve this emperor.

  Soon after Li Zicheng entered the city, more than 800 former officials came to offer their services, an unprecedented scene. At this time, in front of Chongzhen, except for a few scattered eunuchs, not even a single official was seen.

  At this moment, Chongzhen's mind was left with only two words: "despair"!

  "Reporting to Your Majesty," At this time, Wang Cheng'en was even more calm, he said: "Wang Dehua has already rushed to the outer city to surrender, and Zhang Jinyan who guards Zhengyang Gate is also unreliable... If Your Majesty wants to die for the country, I think it's not suitable to delay any longer."

  "Dying for one's country... Haha, dying for one's country!"

  Chongzhen's face was already flushed with madness, his eyes were completely red, and he stared blankly around him. Half a moment later, he suddenly saw the dragon spring treasure sword that had been bestowed by Emperor Chengzu hanging beside his imperial desk.

  He held his sword in one hand, with a face full of murderous intent: "I want to die for the country, but before I die, I also want to clean up the palace!"

  "Your Majesty," Wang Chengen shook his head and smiled, "It's too late. Empress Zhang, the two imperial consorts, Empress Zhou, Consort Yuan, as well as the young master and all the princes have already left the city for Tianjin before last night."

  "What?"

  Chongzhen's hand went limp, and the precious sword in his hand fell to the ground with a "clang".