Volume 2 Southern Part Chapter 66 Hot Blood (9)

  Tianjin, in the Ming Dynasty was Tianzi Jin Du, according to folklore, it was during the campaign of Yan Wang to quell the Jingnan Rebellion, when he saw the bustling scene of masts and sails like clouds, and crowded ferries near the Hai River and Sancha River, that he changed the name from Zhigu to Tianjin, to show his appreciation.

  Of course, folk rumors are not to be believed, but Tianjin was indeed very important in the early Ming dynasty when it still had sea transportation. Not to mention the establishment of the Wei, the commander's gate of the Brocade Guard was also set up in Tianjin. In the early mid-Ming period, it is true that the streets of this garrison city were filled with soldiers and special agents.

  By the end of the Ming Dynasty, due to various restrictions on sea transportation, such as not exceeding 200 tons and not allowing double masts, coupled with the rise of commercial ports like Quanzhou and Guangzhou, Tianjin, this port city was gradually forgotten by people at that time.

  If it weren't for this, Chongzhen in history would not have thought of maritime transport at all, and would have given up the best way to escape, which is really frustrating.

  Now, of course, it is different from the original historical track.

  Zhang Empress and Zhou Empress, two empresses arrived one after another with a difference of half a day.

  The eunuchs and palace attendants who accompanied the emperor were not many, but because they took a leisurely route, there were still quite a few when they arrived in Tianjin. There were over 100 large vehicles, and more than 300-400 palace attendants and guards. When entering the city, all officials, gentry, and common people heard the news, and many rushed to the city gate to welcome them. In the city, there must have been tens of thousands of people lining the streets to pay their respects.

  With such a grand procession, the Tianjin authorities and gentry were naturally very tense. The commander of the Tianjin Garrison dispatched several hundred soldiers, in addition to the yamen runners from the prefecture and county governments, who either held knives or stood at attention with guns, or used water hoses or whip-flower maces to drive away those onlookers who got too close.

  As they approached the previously prepared residence, more and more people rushed to hear the news, it was crowded with people, almost suffocating. Even many young women were squeezed in the crowd, wanting to see the excitement of the number one event under heaven. Many rascals also mixed in, either with "three hands" or with their hands up and down, taking advantage of the situation.

  The sound of scolding, crying and shouting was so loud that it made people dizzy. The yamen runners and soldiers, totaling over a thousand, had been instructed beforehand to only persuade and not to engage in a fierce fight in front of the two empresses, making it especially difficult to maintain order.

  When the queen and others got into their carriages at the entrance of the residence, there were probably several hundred pairs of shoes trampled in the whole city.

  This fortress has been bustling for several hundred years, and these few days are the most lively time.

  Jing Youzi, Wei Zuizi, this is the Qing dynasty's phrase, but at this time it is also roughly the same atmosphere. The two empresses, plus the Crown Prince Ding, arrived one after another, and immediately the entire Tianjin city was filled with all sorts of strange rumors, among which eight or nine out of ten were worthless rumors, but there were also several people who could see the key points, and what they discussed was able to hit the nail on the head.

  Tianjin is not the capital, and the rules are not very strict. Right next to the residence of the empress dowager, there is a wine tower that is over four stories high. In the elegant room on the top floor, the dishes on the table had hardly been touched. Five or six middle-aged men were leaning against the window, watching with their own eyes as the two empress dowagers and the palace staff entered, but after that, they couldn't see anything else. Only then did they turn around, nod to each other, and sit down together.

  Seated in the center is a scholar-official, wearing a hat and a Taoist robe, looking elegant and refined, which was the standard attire for a successful scholar-official at that time.

  There were only a few people, either wearing a turban, a gauze hat or a felt hat, and a five-claw shirt. Although they looked beautiful and luxurious, they were all dressed as merchants. In the past, these merchants, although dressed in expensive clothes and with an extraordinary demeanor, would not have had the qualifications to sit at the same table as this gentleman. However, at that time, the power of the merchants was increasing, and they could even influence the imperial court, bribing officials to speak on their behalf. Tianjin being a port city, the power of the sea merchants was even greater, so this situation of sitting opposite the officials was not unusual at all.

  Listening to the man's words, the merchants also looked at each other in dismay, and after a long while, one of them smiled and replied: "The emperor may still have a mind to hold on, but since the crown prince has not come out, I really can't understand."

  "Yes, I heard that originally, it was to respond to the young master's southern migration" someone started, and the conversation opened up. Someone responded: "Is Lord Feng Junmen, the governor, doing well? This time, he is desperately seizing ships, and any ship over 200 tons is not allowed to pass. Now, in the Tianjin harbor, there are probably over a thousand large and small ships. The trade routes between north and south have already been cut off."

  "If this matter is delayed like this, we can only jump into the river."

  "Although His Excellency the Governor is for the country, we cannot let our families be broken first, can we? One must understand the feelings of the people and do things in a reasonable and fair manner."

  The gentry who presided over the matter also had shares in the ports and ships, and had the backing of some big gentry and officials in Tianjin and even Beijing. Feng Yuanlong, in order to support the imperial family and officials' escape to the south, recklessly seized ships, and even beheaded a few troublemakers who refused to obey when someone caused trouble, only then barely maintaining the current situation. The governor was so ruthless that the gentry and those with power behind them discussed it among themselves, thinking that such a large-scale migration of the Ming court would either have the emperor leave or the crown prince leave, which could lead to a situation like the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Since this was the case, they didn't dare take the first step, so to some extent, they still took a cooperative approach as their main strategy.

  As for the reception of recruits along the way, the military pay for more than 2,000 people was all counted in the comfort label. For the current situation where the military pay was lacking, Tianjin was able to achieve such a situation, and the efforts and support of the Haishang merchants and scholars were also not small.

  Feng Yuanlong presided over Tianjin, after all, he was a man of high moral character and prestige, and the Feng family and many officials from the Southern faction also had considerable influence. He had practical ability and spirit, which is why he was able to unite with others to suppress the merchants and create the current situation.

  But a merchant's patience is extremely limited, and once he finds that things are not going well, he will think of getting out of the situation at the first opportunity.

  At this gathering, most of them are powerful sea merchants. After a few words, everyone's intentions were revealed without a doubt.

  "Alright, the student union will find a way to inform the Governor, for now, let's ask everyone to continue maintaining order."

  "This naturally goes without saying." Someone replied coldly: "But it's better to have a deadline."

  Speaking to the officials in such a manner as a merchant was also extremely rude, but the leading official's expression did not change, and he still smiled and said: "The students are also very anxious, your words will certainly be told to Governor Tong, please bear with it for the sake of the country, can you wait two more days?"

  "Good." The many merchants stood up one after another, looked at each other and all replied: "Then please, let's make it two days."

  "Two days later, students came to give you an answer."

  Everyone agreed on the matter, and of course, they didn't want to linger any longer. They bid each other farewell immediately. However, just as they were about to part ways, a merchant turned back to the scholar-official and said: "What's the point of having only one Ding Wang appear? I think our silver, grain, and ships will be wasted."

  "Isn't it? Anyway, I had already spoken before, and there is another branch in Taiwan. As for me and other shareholders with humble numbers, we will absolutely not agree again."

  "My humble opinion is also the same."

  "The emperor's grain tax has already been fully paid, and repeated levies are really unbearable."

  At this point, the face of the gentry who presided over the matter was also very unsightly, but he had a good temperament and besides, he himself had many interests in business, so these businessmen's words might not necessarily represent his own views.

  Anyway, telling them the urging words to Feng Yuanfei is how to respond, naturally it's up to the governor's idea. The key is that he and many officials in the city have a general view, not to mention Ding Wang, even if the prince comes out, it won't be of much use. The emperor didn't personally conquer the south, I'm afraid it's difficult for the Ming dynasty to govern across the river.

  It's better not to make a fuss then. Otherwise, it would be difficult to survive in the new dynasty.

  Li Kuang has been through a hundred battles for seventeen years. The capital is already in the bag, and this new dynasty's atmosphere is solemn and severe. This crucial point can also be grasped.

  In fact, if it weren't for the Ming dynasty still covering up the south, these major industries would all be in the southern seas, and if they could be controlled, that would truly be a ghostly sight.

  At that time, everyone was in a state of confusion and scattered, but this gentleman did not return home, instead he ran to the governor's mansion to gather information.

  ……

  ……

  When everything outside is in a state of turmoil, what was originally planned as "journeying" within has also become a scene of gloomy clouds and mist.

  The capital side is constantly having flying messengers coming over to deliver messages, the rebel army has elite cavalry troops rushing down to the outer city's news, and it was also transmitted at the first time.

  But as for what happened to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, whether they had left the city or not, there was still no news. Inside the "temporary palace", people were naturally anxious and unable to feel at ease.

  "I beg to take my leave of the two Queens and Your Majesty, may you have an early rest." Under the eaves of the corridor, the two Queens were separated by a screen, while Tianjin's governor, inspector, commanders, magistrates, judges, and dozens of other officials, dressed in red and green, knelt on the steps according to their ranks, military and civil. After kowtowing, Governor Feng Yuan, who was over 60 years old but still looked spirited and had a refined complexion, began his report: "There is news from the capital, I will dispatch someone to inform you at the earliest opportunity."

  He finished speaking and knocked his head on the ground. If there was nothing else to say in the court, all the officials could naturally withdraw.

  But a woman's voice came from inside the screen, sounding crisp and neat, and it was unclear which queen said: "We sisters have nothing to say, but we must ask, are there any more troops in Tianjin?"

  Feng Yuanfei hastily knocked his head and replied, "Reporting to the two empress dowagers, the Tianjin Garrison City should have a considerable number of troops according to regulations, but up until now..."

  "The soldiers of the Wei camp are now useless, we know." Still a crisp voice, without any impatience, but interrupting Feng Yuan's words, directly saying: "Ask your pacification troops and horses, how many can still be used?"

  Feng Yuanlong replied, "I have recruited over 2,000 soldiers. Except for those who have been sent to the vicinity of the capital and some who are guarding ships at ports, less than a thousand people have been dispatched near 'Xingzai' as guards."

  "We sisters have decided that we don't want any guards," the woman's voice inside the screen said calmly but firmly, in a commanding tone: "There are enough eunuchs and palace guards brought out from the palace to suffice, please dispatch all the remaining troops to the capital."

  Feng Yuanfei originally had this intention, but he didn't dare to be careless with the phrase "Xing Zai" here. Otherwise, these nobles would have fallen into thought, and he himself would have been guilty of a crime without any merit.

  Now that things have come to this pass, there's no need to hesitate; I'll accept at once.

  "Hurry up"

  "I know," Feng Yuan said with a clear understanding in his heart, "Tianjin and the capital are just a stone's throw away, please be at ease, Your Highnesses, I will dispatch all our elite troops to welcome His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and all the princes."