Ming Empire

Chapter 180

On the third day after Sun Chuanting, who was dismissed from the position of the governor of the three sides and came to Nanjing to assist Cao Yue in training troops, Cao Yue received a message that he would act as the governor of the three sides on behalf of Sun Chuanting to put down the bandits. The chaotic Hong Chengchou, because of the cold and the fatigue of the long-distance travel, fell ill in Xi'an and eventually died.

When the news came, Cao Yue was almost stunned.

Didn't Hong Chengchou in history end up being defeated and surrendered to the Manchu Qing, and ended up well?Now, none of this has happened. This famous traitor in history did not surrender to the Manchu Qing, and he is still a pillar-like minister of Ming Dynasty.Cao Yue was still thinking, because of his appearance, the Battle of Songjin was won, would this guy surrender to the Qing Dynasty?But I didn't expect that now Hong Chengchou died because of the wind and cold. Isn't this too unexpected?After receiving the news, Cao Yuehao couldn't recover for a long time.

When the news came, Cao Yue was discussing with Sun Chuanting, who had just arrived in Nanjing. After knowing the news, both of them stayed there. "It's over," Cao Yue and Sun Chuanting exclaimed at the same time.Hong Chengchou died of illness, and Sun Chuanting was relegated to Nanjing by the imperial court. There will be no commander in the Northwest War.After Cao Bianjiao left, there were not many elite soldiers and horses in Shaanxi, Henan, and Sichuan, and there were no strong leaders to lead them. How could they fight against Li Zicheng's peasant army?Both Cao Yue and Sun Chuanting, who had just arrived in Nanjing, knew the seriousness of the situation.

The imperial court dismissed him, and Sun Chuanting felt resentful, but he was not too worried about the situation in Shaanxi and Henan. He knew Hong Chengchou's ability.So he left Xi'an without much concern, but he didn't know that he had only left Xi'an for a few months, but news came that Hong Chengchou had passed away.This is no less than a fatal blow to Sun Chuanting, who has always been worried about the world situation.

It was better for Cao Yue to be calmer. With nearly [-] soldiers in his hands, he immediately made a decision: "Old man Sun, I think that the Nanjing New Army must take action immediately to prevent the rogues from attacking the forces in Shaanxi and Henan. Opportunity. I also want to report to the imperial court, asking His Majesty to reactivate you and let you take up a post in Xi'an to command the troops on the three fronts."

"The old man immediately asked the imperial court to play and go back to Xi'an to lead the army!" Sun Chuanting did not deny Cao Yue's opinion, although he thought Cao Yue was a little impulsive.The two didn't delay, and immediately sent a request to Beijing in the form of an urgent report.

But unexpectedly, Emperor Chongzhen did not listen to the request of Cao Yue and some other ministers, and did not agree to allow Sun Chuanting to return to Shaanxi to serve. Military affairs in Sichuan, Hubei, Shandong and other places.He also issued an edict to refute Sun Chuanting, who wanted to return to the position of governor of the three sides, saying that the imperial court was extraordinarily merciful in not punishing him, and now he wants to take the opportunity to reinstate the officer, which is too whimsical.Emperor Chongzhen reprimanded Sun Chuanting in a very stern tone, and then made him reflect on himself, and wholeheartedly helped Cao Yue train his troops.

Cao Yue's request to lead the new army to fight in Henan and Shaanxi, and to fight against the bandits with the rest of the troops was not approved by Emperor Chongzhen.Emperor Chongzhen ordered Cao Yue to train his troops well, and he would have his will to make arrangements for the Nanjing New Army.Before the imperial court issued the latest decree, the Nanjing New Army was not allowed to leave the defense zone and was not allowed to mobilize privately.

"Old man Sun, Your Majesty the emperor, this is digging his own grave!" After seeing Emperor Chongzhen's reply, Cao Yue smiled wryly and shouted at Sun Chuanting, "The world is in danger, and I don't know how to make good use of it. It's a big joke to come under me and help me train my troops. The nearly [-] most powerful troops under my command will not be used. How can I suppress the rebellion with only those troops that cannot be fully controlled? If things go on like this, Daming will soon be attacked and wiped out by the rogues, and it can be wiped out by the rogues without the power of Jiannu."

Sun Chuanting was also very frustrated. He was not surprised by Cao Yue's bold words, but followed Cao Yue's meaning and said: "Boy, what you said is right. The situation is critical now. If the court doesn't take a strong response, it will soon be over. It’s exhausting. Alas, Cao Yue, there is nothing we can do about it, maybe it’s not His Majesty’s original intention, but the decision made by those guys in the court after taking turns admonishing the emperor.”

After Cao Yue heard this, he was silent, and he could imagine what ministers in the court who only knew how to fight for power and profit, would do in court.It is not surprising that the diligent but fatuous Emperor Chongzhen finally made such a decision.If it weren't for this, in history, the Ming Dynasty would not have been destroyed so uselessly, and Emperor Chongzhen would not have been cornered and eventually hanged himself. When he committed suicide, there was only one Wang Chengen by his side.

"This kind of regime, let him be destroyed. Only by overthrowing everything and starting over again can the Ming Dynasty have hope," Cao Yue sighed softly, and the thoughts he had once rose in his heart, and he quickly adjusted his mentality. , After being silent for a while, he said to Sun Chuanting: "Old man Sun, since the imperial court has made such a decision, we have no power to change it, so let's do our duty well."

Cao Yue's attitude changed in an instant, which surprised Sun Chuanting.

"Boy, why do you say that?" Sun Chuanting was a little annoyed, "Are you just letting Shaanxi, Henan, and Sichuan fall into the hands of thieves?"

"Old man Sun, I have asked the imperial court to lead the new Nanjing army to aid Henan and Shaanxi, but the imperial court disagreed and ordered the new Nanjing army not to be transferred without permission. What else can I do, I can only continue training!" Cao Yue said with a serious look on his face. Helpless, "I don't want to end up like you just because I disobeyed the imperial court's order."

"Boy, don't play tricks with the old man, this is not your intention," Sun Chuanting looked serious, put away the expression of laughter that he often showed in front of Cao Yue, and said solemnly: "You are not such a person, you will not Let the situation get worse without doing anything, tell the old man honestly, is there something on your mind?"

Sun Chuanting would say this, which made Cao Yue's heart tremble, but he did not panic at all, but replied angrily: "Old man Sun, I think I will rebel like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, or I will rebel like Zuo Liangyu, Zhang Xianzhong, etc. Does Liu Zeqing support his own self-respect as well?"

"Do you dare to say that you don't have such thoughts?" Sun Chuanting's eyes became aggressive, but they only lasted for a while, then stopped immediately, and his tone changed, "Boy, don't hide it in front of the old man." What's the matter, if you have any thoughts, you can tell the old man. Don't hide it from you, the old man is also disappointed with the court and His Majesty. If there is no destruction, there is no way to save Daming. Now the only way to save Daming is to move the capital to Nanjing, but His Majesty and the ministers in the court are all disappointed. Not agreeing, that is to say, no one can solve the current crisis of Ming Dynasty."

Cao Yue couldn't accept Sun Chuanting's sudden change of attitude, stared blankly at him for a while, then lowered his voice and said, "Old man Sun, what do you mean, let Beijing be conquered by rogues, and then we will establish a new monarch and move the capital to Nanjing? "

"I didn't say anything, you said it!" Sun Chuanting immediately regained his bad face, ignored Cao Yue, and walked out of the house.Cao Yue was left alone in the room in a daze for a long time.

(End of this chapter)