Chapter 49 The City Gate

  "Is it Master Feng who has arrived?"

  After waiting for a while in the Shou Huang Hall, a eunuch named Li Jiye who was in charge of the East Palace affairs came riding on horseback... These days, everyone in the East Palace was dark and thin, exhausted to the point of being disfigured. Li Jiye's face was also pale and haggard. He looked at Li Jiye and said in a sharp and urgent tone, "Young Master doesn't have time to come for the inner drill now, go wait at the Hou You Gate."

  "Yes, Lord Shi has summoned you."

  "Nonsense, what's the point of saying this!" Li Jiye forced himself to lift his spirits and smiled at Feng Kechang, then said: "In a few days, I'll still have to rely on you, so please take care of me then!"

  One sentence woke up Feng Kechang, no wonder this eunuch was so enthusiastic and polite today. The vanguard of the rebel army had already reached Juyongguan, known as the throat or lock of Beijing. From Juyongguan to Changping, it would only take two or three days for the city of Beijing to be under attack. By now, even the stupidest person knew that they either had to defend themselves or prepare to leave.

  Li Jiye was the most powerful eunuch by the Crown Prince's side. Although this group of people, including Feng Kezhang, had no good feelings towards him, they also knew that at this time, they couldn't do without their support.

  At this time, Mang rushed to Li Jiye and smiled: "It is the duty of a subordinate to serve his superior, why do you say these things when you are someone by my side?"

  "Alright then, let's go home."

  The palace was indeed in a state of chaos, normally, when walking in the palace, one had to maintain a dignified demeanor, and no one dared to ride horses back and forth like Li Jiye, with a reckless and arrogant attitude... But now, everywhere you looked, there were eunuchs running around with pale faces, even the usually gentle and careful palace maids were also hurrying along, holding up their skirts as they ran.

  Although no one shouted or cried, the panic and tension that comes with disaster looming over their heads was fully revealed in their actions and expressions!

  This really opened Feng Kechang's eyes!

  Everything before one's eyes is a standard and unadulterated picture of an apocalyptic imperial palace...

  It was just seen in books before, but now it's being presented right in front of me without any discount... Feng Kechang shook his head and sighed bitterly... He really didn't want to open this kind of perspective!

  According to Li Jiye's instructions, they arrived at the Houyou Gate boundary.

  Originally, it was not possible to walk around so freely in the Forbidden City. The imperial guards who patrolled and the eunuchs who were in charge would question, direct or supervise, but now everyone looked like they were facing a great disaster... Who the hell still cared about these things?

  He himself went all the way to his destination, fortunately, after a while, he saw Zhu Ciwen and several people walking over from afar.

  Feng Kai Zhang hastily paid his respects: "Your servant has seen the Crown Prince."

  Zhu Ciwen looked at him and said, "Oh, you get up, wait!"

  "Yes!"

  Feng Kui Zhang knew that the crown prince must have something important to ask, so he followed closely behind. The people in front of him included a middle-aged man in his mid-30s, wearing a qilin-patterned robe and a jade belt, who was none other than Gongyang Yonggu, the imperial son-in-law most trusted by the emperor, known for his loyalty and simplicity.

  Next to Gong Yonggong was Xinyue Marquis Liu Wenbing, who among the imperial relatives was also a loyal and honest man with a reputation similar to that of Gong Yonggong.

  The two imperial relatives should have just descended from the sedan chair, both with very unpleasant expressions. Beside them were probably servants and attendants who had entered the palace to wait on them, originally coming forward to greet them from a distance, but upon seeing the crown prince arrive, they also bowed their heads and stepped aside.

  "How is Father Emperor? What did he say to you?"

  Zhu Ciyan also happened to meet these people here. Since the last time Chongzhen was furious because of the delay in mobilizing the Guanning army, he smashed the dragon chair in front of the group of ministers, and Chongzhen's emotions have become more and more out of control. Except for a few close relatives and trusted officials, Chongzhen rarely says anything or is able to think clearly anymore.

  Listening to the prince's question, the two imperial relatives looked at each other and saw the bitter meaning in each other's eyes.

  Gong Yong replied: "Your Majesty summoned me to ask whether I have a household guard, and whether in times of crisis I can personally lead them to protect the imperial carriage..."

  "Oh?" Zhu Ciwen's lips curled up in a wry smile as he asked, "What did you say?"

  Gong Yonggong shook his head in extreme pain and replied: "According to the ancestral system, neither meritorious officials nor imperial relatives are allowed to keep household troops in the capital, learn archery, horse riding, and shooting. Therefore, even if there were twenty or thirty strong men in my mansion, they would not be trained for battle formation and would be of no use."

  Liu Wenbing also chimed in, sighing: "It's the same situation in my own household. When His Majesty heard about it, he was extremely disappointed and instructed me to take good care of Old Lady Tai. As for other matters, they were not brought up again."

  When Li Zicheng's army approached Changping to the outskirts of Beijing, Chongzhen had already felt that something was amiss. He made up his mind to die for the country and at the same time, he unconsciously had a desire to survive.

  No wonder, one of the most difficult things in the world is death. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, people will generally yearn for life.

  It was just Chongzhen's response to being at a loss, losing people's hearts. The two imperial relatives in front of him were not only firm supporters of the Southern Campaign, but also actually helped Chongzhen make arrangements in the south. However, Chongzhen was misled by rumors and did not listen to their advice. Now that he is at a loss, he thinks of asking his imperial relatives for help, but what can these two people do at this moment?

  "Please rest assured, Your Highness!" Kong Yongguo said in a low voice, "As the emperor's relative, I will definitely not bring shame to the country. Besides this, there is nothing else I can do to serve the nation."

  Liu Wenbing also said: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will not bring shame to our country."

  "Hmm, I believe the two imperial relatives." Zhu Ciwen nodded repeatedly, his expression also extremely solemn. He looked at the two of them and said seriously: "But there is still something that can be done for the country..."

  Having said this, he turned to Liu Wenbing and asked: "Recently, have Shi Kefa and Zhang Guowei sent you any letters?"

  Liu Wenzhen's aunt was the birth mother of Chongzhen, so he and the emperor were cousins. Chongzhen's paternal grandmother, Madame Yingguo, lived in the Liu household, so among the imperial relatives, his relationship with the royal family was extremely close.

  If it were in a small family, Zhu Ciwen would have to ask for peace and well-being when he saw Liu Wenbing, but every word and every sentence of the crown prince was related to politics, even if Liu Wenbing had a broad heart, listening to the crown prince's questions still scared him.

  "Hey, don't be afraid!" Zhu Ciwen said: "When the Marquis of Xinyue went south to sacrifice at Fengyang, he praised these two men for their loyalty and strategic thinking, capable of defending the region and eliminating the bandits... Can it be that national affairs have reached this point, and neither of them has contacted you?"

  "No!" Liu Wenbing was surprised that the Crown Prince knew about his secret memorial to the Emperor, because royalty should not interfere with state affairs, and a figure like Shi Kefa from the Donglin Party needed a good reputation... Although Shi Kefa's appointment had much to do with the support of various forces... At this time, Liu Wenbing just shook his head and said: "Royalty cannot interfere in politics, these two gentlemen and I all cherish our integrity... We would never have any private dealings."

  Zhu Ciwen asked him, just wanting to know what was going on in the south now, whether Shi Kefa's so-called "Northern Expedition" had made any progress.

  At least during his escape to the south, if Shi Kefa could have launched a northern expedition in advance or made a bigger show of force, it would also be a good strategy.

  Who would have thought that these upright imperial relatives and high officials were still as unreliable as they had been throughout history? Gong Yonggong was in charge of defending the Chongwen Gate, but he didn't have any family servants or soldiers from the capital garrison to help him. He also didn't have enough money to pacify the righteous volunteers on the city wall. As a result, he and his son put on their armor and personally took up arms when the bandits entered the city, shooting and killing dozens of people. However, as more and more bandits arrived, Gong Yonggong simply went home and killed himself.

  Xinle Marquis was also a brave and resolute person, with considerable political foresight. He had his own opinions on the arrangements in the south and the appointment of officials, but unfortunately, he was too bound by the law, so he did not play a greater role in both court politics and military affairs... Not long after Gong Yong's martyrdom, this Xinle Marquis also died with his entire household.

  At this time, Zhu Ciyan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but he also knew that Chongzhen's thoughts were complicated now, and it was a small gain. Last time in the Qianqing Palace, father and son had a heart-to-heart talk, Chongzhen gave him some freedom of action, but the relationship between father and son still couldn't reach the point of true trust. Zhu Ciyan didn't believe that Chongzhen really had any plans or actions, while Chongzhen was the emperor's mind... The more capable the crown prince was, the more uneasy he felt!

  As a result, over the past three months, Zhu Ciyan's power has become more and more solidified, while Chongzhen still hasn't made any major changes. History has still progressed to this point today...

  He rallied his spirits and said to the two imperial relatives, "There is still something that can be done for the country. The two of you must have a heavy responsibility to guard the city gate. You should be on high alert at all times and not easily leave the city. If you can control some, then it's some... Promise me, okay?"

  The crown prince was not the first to communicate with them during this period, but these two imperial relatives were too stubborn and conservative, so other ministers like Zhu Ciwen could have been won over or brought under their command long ago. However, it took until today for these two to be able to say such words.

  Two imperial relatives were also at a loss, the emperor had given up hope, but the crown prince was still making an effort here...... The eyes of both men also gradually revealed a hint of emotion, and for the time being, they just nodded heavily and said: "As long as we two are here, the city gate is secure."

  "Even if the enemy troops enter the outer city, you must not abandon your posts and return to your homes, understood?"

  "Very well, we will comply."

  ……

  ……

  Sending off the two royal relatives, Zhu Ciyan's expression also showed a few points of tension. Recently, as the final showdown approached, his previous arrangements were not insignificant, and on the position of Crown Prince, he was afraid that no one could do more.

  But whether it has any effect, or can change the predetermined course of history... who the hell knows?

  Heaven has placed him at this time, it's really made him pay out thousands of times more effort and heart's blood...

  "Take this and give it to Wang Shilang."

  Time was pressing, and he didn't have time to socialize with Feng Kui-zhang either. He simply instructed Feng: "I've made arrangements for Wang Jia-yen to guard the Chaoyang Gate as Vice Military Governor of the Ministry of War. Tell him that from today on, unless I personally appear at the gate, even if there's an imperial edict, he cannot hand over the defense of the Chaoyang Gate to anyone else... did you hear me?"

  "Yes, I understand!"

  At this point, Feng Kai Zhang deeply felt the tension of the final moment. He took a deep breath, raised his head and puffed out his chest, responding: "I will also be waiting for Your Highness at Chaoyang Gate, please arrive early!"

  "I will." Zhu Ciwen stared at Feng Kechang fiercely and said again: "I must."