The ruthless emperor in the late Ming Dynasty forced Chongzhen to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 19
Although Zhu Cilang transferred both Tang Tong and Zhou Yuji back to the capital, the wheels of history are still rolling.

In the 17th year of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty, on March [-]th, the soldiers of the Chuangjun approached Juyong Pass, and the generals guarding the pass surrendered without a fight.

The next day, the vanguard of the army crossed Changping and arrived at Shahe. The magistrate of Changping and the gentry in the city knelt down to welcome him.

On the [-]th, the army passed Gaobeidian and reached the western suburbs of the capital in mighty force. Outside Xizhimen, they immediately set up cannons and there was a burst of bombardment.

Immediately, the sound of rumbling cannons resounded over the entire capital.

The people in the city were so frightened that they fled to their homes in panic. In a short time, only Jin Yiwei and Dongchang Fanzi were left on the street to maintain order.

At this moment, on the tower of Xizhimen, Zhu Cihong and a group of honorable generals looked at the bandit army coming densely in the distance outside the city, all of them looked dignified.

"Zhou Aiqing, can you estimate the general strength of the bandit army?" Zhu Cihong felt his throat a little dry.

The scene outside was really too shocking, the people and horses were so overwhelming that you couldn't see the end at a glance.

"Returning to Your Majesty, if you want to make an accurate estimate, you have to wait for the bandit army to set up camp before you can roughly calculate the number of troops."

Zhou Yuji cupped his hands and replied calmly.

"Ok!"

Zhu Cihong nodded. He estimated that Lao Li probably had a million troops. Even if he didn't have one when he set off from Chang'an, he probably didn't have much difference now.

"Your Majesty, the thieves just fired artillery to demonstrate, and they will not rush to attack for the time being. Your Majesty can go back to the palace first."

"All right!"

Zhu Cihong took a few more glances, then led the people back to the palace, and the others also left one after another, performing their duties.

When they returned to Qianqing Palace, Zhou Hou and Zhang Yan had been waiting for a long time, and beside them stood Princess Kunxing Zhu Yu, Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong and other three brothers.

Obviously they all heard the gunfire from the west just now.

"Brother Huang, there are rumors in the palace that intruders are calling, is it true?"

Princess Kunxing, who was only 14 years old, asked nervously, her delicate face looked a little pale.

The two empress dowagers and the three princes also stood up, with nervous and worried expressions on their faces.

"Don't be afraid, imperial sister, the imperial brother will definitely be able to guard the capital, repel the intruders, and protect you well."

Zhu Cihong patted her head lovingly and comforted her.

The demeanor has never been gentle.

For this imperial sister who is one year younger than himself, the Princess Changping in history, she may have been influenced by the TV drama Nine Girls, and Zhu Cihong has taken special care of her this year.

It hurts to see her scared right now.

"Well, Brother Huang is the most powerful. I believe that Brother Huang will be able to defeat the intruder and rejuvenate Daming."

Auntie Zhu nodded, and pursed her mouth at the end, the nervousness on her face gradually dissipated.

"Lang'er, are the intruders really here?"

Queen Zhou and Zhang Yan were not underage, they still asked nervously.

"Well, we've already arrived outside Xizhimen, mother and aunt, you don't have to worry, the baby has already been arranged."

Zhu Cihong could only smile and comfort the two girls.

But looking at the worry in their eyes, I also felt the burden on my shoulders.

These are the people he wants to protect, and he will never let the tragedy in history happen again.

"Lang'er, since you have arranged everything properly, before it's too late, how about..."

"Yes, Hong'er, your father has fully recovered. To be on the safe side, you'd better take your wife and them away..."

The two women persuaded again, and Empress Zhou even had a hint of pleading on her face.

But Zhu Cihong waved his hand and interrupted: "Okay, queen mother, auntie, don't try to persuade me any more. If I leave at this time, once word spreads, the army's morale will be in chaos, and it will really be over."

"Don't worry, Zhou Yujinai is not a famous general, my boy believes that with his command, he will definitely be able to defend."

"What's more, I left Chaoyang Gate unblocked. If the real thing can't be done, I can let the imperial forest army escort us from Chaoyang Gate to the south at any time."

"Oh, okay!"

The two girls let out a long sigh, and did not persuade them any further.

However, the atmosphere still seemed a little dignified.

After a long while, Empress Zhou said again: "Then Hong'er, is there anything else I need your mother's and your aunt's help for?"

The two women helped manage the money and food these days, counting the money until their hands cramp, which really saved Zhu Cihong a lot of worry.

Originally, Empress Zhou just asked casually, but who would have thought that Zhu Cihong nodded with a serious face.

"Since the queen mother wants to do her part, that's fine. The queen mother organizes some court ladies and eunuchs in the palace to be responsible for cooking food for the soldiers every day, and then transport them to the city walls. If the soldiers know about it, they will be grateful and brave to kill the enemy." .”

"Okay, the matter of the food will be left to the queen mother." Queen Zhou immediately nodded and agreed.

"Lang'er, I'll do my best to help your mother too!"

"And my brother..."

"Brother Huang, I can help you fight the enemy."

After Zhang Yan finished speaking, Auntie Zhu and King Ding also shouted.

"Hehe, third brother, you are still young. Since you want to contribute, you can help the queen mother. As for the aunt, I have another job."

Zhu Cihong chuckled.

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Yan was curious and doubtful. Apart from cooking and managing money and food, she didn't know what else she could do.

"I have vacated the former Duke of Cheng's mansion and several other marquis' mansions. I gathered all the doctors and imperial doctors in the capital there. The wounded will be sent there for treatment. Auntie can pick some maids to help. .”

In fact, there is no need for Zhang Yan to be responsible for anything, he just needs to do a show once a day, and he will also find time to do a show at that time.

I believe that after those wounded recover, they will definitely be the staunchest supporters of the old Zhu family and him, the emperor.

"it is good!"

Zhang Yan also did not refuse, and happily agreed.

Immediately, Zhu Cihong ordered someone to pass on the meal, and prepared a reunion dinner for the whole family, just in case.

As for Chongzhen, he resolutely refused to come.

Obviously, Chongzhen was more superstitious than Zhu Cihong, especially at this moment.

That night.

Zhu Cihong was having a reunion dinner in the palace, and the burglar camp outside the city was also brightly lit and extremely lively.

In a large tent in the center, Li Zicheng sat at the head seat, and the civil servants and generals on both sides could hardly fit.

It's really huge and powerful.

"Everyone, it's been [-] years since we raised the flag on our own. Over the years, we have fought here and there, with ups and downs..."

"Now that the city of Beijing is close at hand, the false emperor, father and son and all the treacherous officials have already become frightened birds. They are only one step away from overthrowing Baoming. Do you have a good plan to break the city?"

Li Zicheng thought that he fled into the deep mountains with only eighteen riders left, and now he has reached the capital in just three months, first he was moved with emotion, and then he looked at the people in the tent.

All the people in the tent were also very excited for a while, some were gearing up, and more were grinning foolishly.

But when King Chuang asked about the best way to break the city, they all fell silent again, obviously they all knew that this capital city was definitely the toughest bone to crack.

(End of this chapter)