How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 55 Wei Xianzhong and Zhu Xianzhong, one of them must be loyal!

The study of the Xuanfu Governor's Office.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Zhu Zhifeng's flushed, excited old face. He gripped his pen, his hand still trembling slightly. The scene of Wei Zhongxian beheading the Mongol envoy was still vivid in his mind.

"We won...we've won this time...a great achievement!" Zhu Zhifeng murmured to himself.

He suddenly picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote on the paper with almost all his might, the handwriting hurried and messy:

"Your subject, Zhu Zhifeng, Governor of Xuanfu, weeps blood and kowtows! It is an extremely urgent matter! The Hu Dun and Tu Khans have launched a full-scale invasion, their military might is extremely fierce! The troops in Xuanfu are few in number and short of supplies, and morale is wavering, almost leading to disaster! Fortunately, the grain supervisor, Wei Zhongxian, made a decisive decision in the face of danger, confiscating the property of the treacherous merchant Wang Deng, and seizing 600,000 taels of silver, which was used to pay the army and piled up on the city wall! When the soldiers saw the mountain of silver, the mutiny was immediately stopped, and their morale was greatly boosted!"

He paused, then wrote with even greater speed:
"The barbarian chieftain sent the wicked monk Choerji into the city to negotiate peace, but it was actually an act of extortion! He demanded 300,000 taels of silver and 100,000 shi of grain, and even forced the court to execute its own general! Eunuch Wei saw through the treacherous plot and acted decisively, personally beheading this scoundrel at the west gate tower and displaying his head to the public! Although this action angered the barbarian chieftain, it also firmly bound the hearts of the soldiers and civilians of Xuanfu to defend the city to the death!"

"Shortly afterward, Hudun Tu Khan, enraged, raised an army and launched a major attack on the city. Eunuch Wei, sitting atop the city walls, commanded with composure. Our army held firm to the city, firing volleys of breech-loading cannons and muskets, and utterly routed the enemy cavalry! We killed 156 true Tartars in battle, and countless were wounded! The enemy soldiers were terrified, and their offensive faltered!"

Zhu Zhifeng took a deep breath and wrote down his conclusion:
"With Eunuch Wei in command, Xuanfu Town is absolutely safe! However, the enemy chieftain has tens of thousands of cavalry, and they may surround the town and cut off our supply lines. I and General Hou Shilu fear we will have difficulty coordinating the troops outside the city. I humbly beg Your Majesty to quickly dispatch a general to oversee all military affairs inside and outside Xuanfu Town and relieve the siege! I... I deserve to die ten thousand times! I deserve to die ten thousand times!"

"Someone come here!" he shouted hoarsely.

A trusted retainer slipped in: "Your Excellency!"

Zhu Zhifeng folded the memorial with trembling hands and placed it in a sandalwood box. The box was lined with bright yellow silk and engraved with the four characters "Xuanfu Military Council" on the outside. He personally sealed the box with sealing wax and pressed the governor's seal on it.

"You must leave the city tonight," Zhu Zhifeng said, stuffing the box into his servant's arms. "You must personally deliver it to the Juyongguan military commander! Tell him to send the fastest horse on the 600-li express courier directly to the Tongzheng Division!"

At the same time, in Xuanfu Town, the supervising eunuch was on duty.

Wei Zhongxian looked exhausted as he held the official seal of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, his gaze sweeping over Tu Wenfu, who was standing bowing before him.

“Wenfu,” Wei Zhongxian said in a hoarse voice, “write a secret memorial for me… for His Majesty.”

"This servant will obey the orders of the Grand Eunuch!" Tu Wenfu hurriedly spread out the Xuan paper and picked up the brush.

Wei Zhongxian closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then said in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I, Wei Zhongxian, am filled with trepidation and fear. I kowtow a hundred times and weep blood as I respectfully plead my case! This old servant deserves to die! I deserve to die!"

Tu Wenfu's calligraphy flows like dragons and snakes.

Wei Zhongxian gritted his teeth, his words filled with hatred: "I was ordered to govern Xuanfu and uncovered a colossal conspiracy! Some nobles in the capital are secretly colluding with military families in Xuanfu, inciting soldiers to riot and mutini! Their intentions are treacherous!"

He slammed his fingers on the table: "What's even more suspicious is that the enemy chieftain Hudun Tu Khan's army is at the city gates. The timing is so perfect that it's chilling! I suspect that these nobles and military families may have secretly colluded with the enemy, inviting wolves into the house, intending to trap Xuanfu in a deadly situation and disrupt the Ming Dynasty!"

Tu Wenfu's wrist trembled slightly; this accusation was too harsh!

"However, His Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune!" Wei Zhongxian's voice suddenly rose, "I was fortunate enough to confiscate the property of the treacherous merchant Wang Dengku, obtaining 600,000 taels of silver, which was used entirely to pay the army's expenses and stabilize morale! Furthermore, taking advantage of the enemy chieftain sending an envoy into the city, I beheaded their national advisor, Choerji, thus blunting their morale."

He paused, then his tone became resolute: "Hudun Tu Khan is impulsive and easily angered. His Han troops seem formidable, but their actual fighting strength is mediocre! As long as the soldiers of Xuanfu are loyal and courageous, with the strong city and powerful cannons, the city will be safe! This old servant will risk his life to protect Xuanfu!"

He lowered his voice for the last sentence, his tone filled with deep worry: "My only concern is not the wolves and tigers outside the city, but the nobles in the capital! Your Majesty! The capital is a crucial area, and the nobles are entrenched there. Your Majesty... please be extremely careful!"

After the ink had dried completely, Wei Zhongxian personally placed the memorial into a black lacquered wooden box with a gilded copper clasp.

Du Xun knelt down and presented the sealing wax mold from the Directorate of Ceremonial. Wei Zhongxian poured the molten vermilion lacquer into the box and pressed his palm seal heavily onto it, reading "Seal of the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

“Choose two clever lads,” Wei Zhongxian handed the box to Du Xun, “and send them to Juyong Pass on the fastest horses!”

In front of Yihai Hall in Tsinghua Garden.

Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in a black, arrow-sleeved military uniform over a worn cotton armor, was personally tightening his horse's girth. Generals You Shiwei, Sun Zushou, Cao Wenzhao, Zhou Yuji, and Huang Degong stood solemnly in their full armor. The imperial guards stood in a tense, imposing formation.

Emperor Chongzhen patted the horse's neck, about to mount, when suddenly...
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please wait!"

A cacophony of shouts grew louder as it approached! At the end of the official road, several blue sedan chairs and a dozen or so fast horses came galloping towards them. Before the sedan chairs had even come to a complete stop, the Grand Secretary Huang Lijie, the Second Grand Secretary Shi Fenglai, and the other Grand Secretaries Zhang Ruitu, Li Guopu, and Sun Chengzong staggered out of the sedan chairs and knelt on the ground!

Following closely behind were Li Banghua, Vice Minister of War; Qian Qianyi, Vice Minister of Rites; and Zhu Chunchen, Duke of Cheng, as the leading nobles, along with Xu Xigao, Duke of Dingguo; Li Shouqi, Earl of Xiangcheng; Zhu Guobi, Marquis of Funing, and others, all panting.

"Your Majesty! A personal expedition is absolutely out of the question!" Huang Li's extremely fat face was covered in sweat, and his voice was trembling with tears. "A man of noble birth should not sit under a dangerous roof! Your Majesty's precious body cannot lightly tread such a perilous path!"

Shi Fenglai kowtowed repeatedly: "Although the flames of war in Xuanfu are urgent, with Eunuch Wei in charge and General Hou leading the troops, we will surely be able to turn the danger into safety! If Your Majesty personally leads the expedition and suffers a loss, what will become of the nation? How will the world be at peace?!"

Zhang Ruitu and Li Guopu also prostrated themselves on the ground, weeping, and pleaded: "Your Majesty, please prioritize the stability of the country and the well-being of all people!"

Li Banghua stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty! Weapons are instruments of misfortune, and even sages use them only as a last resort! Although there is an alarm in Xuanfu, it has not yet brought about the downfall of the dynasty! Your Majesty, sitting in the central government and strategizing, is the best course of action!"

Qian Qianyi spoke with fervor: "Your Majesty! The disaster of Emperor Yingzong's capture in the north is a stark reminder of the past! How can we repeat the mistake of Tumu Fortress?!"

Emperor Chongzhen reined in his horse, his gaze calmly sweeping over the group of weeping Grand Secretaries and Ministers, finally settling on the nobles in front of him—Duke of Cheng, Zhu Chunchen.

Zhu Chunchen, his fat face plastered with "loyalty and bravery," suddenly stepped forward and knelt down, his voice booming: "Your Majesty! Your subject, Zhu Chunchen, has been favored by the nation for generations. How can I sit idly by in this time of crisis? I am willing to personally lead the elite troops of the Beijing Garrison and the soldiers of Changping Town, escorting military supplies and provisions, to aid Xuanfu! I will surely pacify the army and repel the Tartars! If I fail to defeat the enemy, I will offer my head to you!"

He kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the frozen ground with a dull thud: "Your Majesty, please remain in the capital and await good news! We... will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

Duke Dingguo Xu Xigao, Earl Xiangcheng Li Shouqi, and others also knelt down one after another, and said in unison: "Your subjects are willing to follow Duke Chengguo through fire and water, and die ten thousand times without hesitation!"

Emperor Chongzhen reined in his horse, his gaze calmly sweeping over the group of ministers, some weeping and others roused, before he could speak. The sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar.

"Your Majesty! Urgent report! Xuanfu, 600 li away, urgent!" Xu Yingyuan quickly rushed to Chongzhen with two memorials in hand, panting.

Emperor Chongzhen dismounted, reached out and took the two memorials, glancing at them—one was from Zhu Zhifeng, the governor of Xuanfu, and the other… was from Wei Zhongxian!
Emperor Chongzhen seemingly casually tucked Wei Zhongxian's memorial into his sleeve, then handed Zhu Zhifeng's memorial to Xu Yingyuan, saying, "Read it." Xu Yingyuan was taken aback, but quickly reacted, unfolding the memorial, taking a deep breath, and reciting it:

"Your humble servant, Zhu Zhifeng, Governor of Xuanfu, weeps blood and kowtows! An urgent matter! The Tiger Mound and Rabbit Khan have launched a full-scale invasion, their military might is extremely fierce."

Xu Yingyuan's voice echoed in front of the silent Tsinghua Garden, clearly recounting how Wei Zhongxian confiscated property to raise funds, executed envoys, rallied the army, defeated the enemy troops, and beheaded 156 true Tartars. He also explained the assessment that although Xuanfu Town was currently besieged, it was safe to attack. Finally, he earnestly requested the court to quickly dispatch a general to oversee military affairs outside the city.

As he listened, Chongzhen was filled with mixed emotions: This Wei Zhongxian, when pushed to the limit, even knew to rob silver... His methods were ruthless, and the results were excellent! In contrast, back then, all he knew was to "sit and beg for food," far inferior to him! It seems that Xuanfu Town is indeed secure.

After Xu Yingyuan finished reading, a hint of approval appeared on Chongzhen's face. His voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone present to hear clearly:

"Wei Banban... is both loyal and virtuous! Although he was somewhat greedy, he was able to repent and remain calm in the face of danger, turning the tide! He is truly a trusted minister left to me by the late emperor!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chunchen, kneeling on the ground, froze instantly, cold sweat beading on his back! Wei Zhongxian… loyal and virtuous? A sudden change of heart? Did Wei Zhongxian not know about the things he had done to frame him? If Wei Zhongxian returned in triumph… and Zhu Chunchen hadn't rendered a great service, wouldn't he be…

A chill ran straight to his head! Zhu Chunchen abruptly looked up, his voice even louder, more urgent, and more loyal than before.

"Your Majesty! Eunuch Wei's loyalty and bravery are commendable! However, with Xuanfu besieged, there is no one to coordinate military affairs outside the city, which may lead to unforeseen circumstances! Your subject, Zhu Chunchen, has received the Emperor's favor for generations and is willing to sign a military pledge! I will personally lead the elite troops of the Beijing Garrison to their aid! I will surely lift the siege of Xuanfu and join forces with Eunuch Wei to launch a pincer attack from within and without, annihilating the enemy! If I fail to achieve this, I will offer my head to you! I beg Your Majesty's permission!"

He kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the frozen ground with a loud thud, appearing incredibly "loyal and brave".

Looking at Zhu Chunchen's eagerness to "show loyalty," Chongzhen sneered inwardly: Why don't you save your loyalty for Li Zicheng?

He glanced at the generals below: "The Duke of Cheng's loyalty is commendable. However, killing the Tartars is not something that can be done on paper. It requires real experience and bloodshed."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room like lightning: "Among you gentlemen, who has experience in killing real Tartars on the battlefield?"

Zhu Chunchen's "loyalty and bravery" expression froze instantly, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Slaying Tartars in battle? What a joke!
"Your subject has it!"

"I also have one!"

"I have already executed him!"

The three sounds rang out almost simultaneously. You Shiwei, Sun Zushou, and Xu Qinian stepped forward, heads held high and chests puffed out.

You Shiwei clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice deep and steady as iron: "When I served as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Central Region of the Shanhaiguan, I led my troops in a three-day bloody battle against the Jurchen Bordered White Banner at Daheishan Fort outside Ningyuan City, killing one Jurchen Niru Ejen and taking the heads of three White-Armored soldiers! The records in Liaozhen can be verified!"

Sun Zushou's voice boomed: "Your Majesty, I was fortunate enough to follow you in defeating 6,000 cavalrymen of the Doyan tribe outside the Santun Camp in Jizhou. Afterwards, I led the army out of the Great Wall and recaptured the lands of Kuanhe and Luanhe, where we also achieved some victories!"

Xu Qinian's voice was sharp: "Your Majesty, I have beheaded Shubu, the leader of the Doyan tribe!"

Emperor Chongzhen's gaze swept across the three men's faces, finally settling on You Shiwei: "Good! You Shiwei, listen to my command!"

"Your subject is here!" You Shiwei knelt on one knee.

"I hereby appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Xuanfu and Changping! Immediately lead five thousand infantrymen from Qinghuayuan in Changping, along with your own personal guards, to rush to the aid of Bao'an Prefecture! All camp soldiers, garrison troops, and local militia outside Xuanfu Town shall be under your command!"

"Your subject obeys! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations!" You Shiwei's voice was resolute.

"Sun Zushou, listen to my command!"

"Chen is here!"

"You shall immediately return to Jizhou, prepare your troops, strengthen defenses, and be ready to cross the border at any time to support Xuanfu! I hereby order the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to prioritize the allocation of provisions and military equipment!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

"Xu Qinian!"

"The general is here!"

"Prepare the Imperial Guards to be ready for deployment at any time and to go to the aid of the emperor!"

"The general will get the order!"

After issuing all his orders in one breath, Emperor Chongzhen's gaze finally fell on Zhu Chunchen, whose face had turned somewhat pale: "As for the Duke of Cheng..."

Zhu Chunchen's heart pounded wildly, but he forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, I am here! I am willing to share your burdens!"

"Is that so?" Emperor Chongzhen's voice was calm and unwavering. "Xu Yingyuan!"

"This servant is here!" Xu Yingyuan hurriedly approached.

"Near Yihai Hall, prepare a few clean and warm rooms. Mr. Huang, Mr. Shi, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Li, Mr. Sun, as well as the Duke of Cheng, the Duke of Ding, the Earl of Xiangcheng, and other meritorious officials, will be staying at Qinghua Garden these days. I want to eat and live with you all, sit in the central government, strategize, and overcome these difficult times together!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was shocked!

Upon hearing this, Huang Lijie, Shi Fenglai, and other Grand Secretaries immediately showed expressions of gratitude and tears of joy—His Majesty intends to rely on these veteran ministers to discuss state affairs!

Zhu Chunchen was struck dumb! A warm chamber? Eating and living together? This was clearly house arrest! They were keeping him, the commander of the Beijing Garrison, firmly under the emperor's nose! It was over... He had lost his military power! If Wei Zhongxian came back alive... He was drenched in sweat, his fat face instantly lost all color, his back teeth clenched so tightly that he could barely stand.

Chongzhen seemed not to see it and continued, "Xu Yingyuan, convey my imperial edict again: Zhang Zhiji, the heir apparent of the Duke of Yingguo, is hereby appointed as the temporary governor-general of the Beijing Garrison. All affairs shall be handed over immediately!"

"This servant obeys the decree!" Xu Yingyuan bowed and accepted the order.

Zhu Chunchen felt a sudden darkness before his eyes. He knew that his "loyalty offering had failed," and that he was doomed.
(End of this chapter)