Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

"Hahahaha!"

All the soldiers around pointed at Kong Youde's hand and laughed loudly.

Kong Youde then took a look at the wooden handle in his hand and was dumbfounded again.

The extreme tension had made him lose his proper judgment, so that even though he was a veteran in many battles, he didn't even think there was anything wrong with the quality of the knife.

"I guessed you wouldn't dare to commit suicide, you idiot, you keep talking about loyalty to the emperor and the country, but you don't even dare to die.

Your subordinates are really unlucky to have followed you." Zhang Shikang continued to taunt.

Then he shouted to the tied guys:

"Did you see that? This guy is afraid of death and doesn't care about your lives at all.

He just wants to survive, and as long as he can survive, he doesn’t care if he sells all of you out.”

These words were extremely hurtful. The group of bound captives, who originally had some respect for Kong Youde, now began to glare at him angrily.

Kong Youde felt extremely aggrieved, but he had never thought of committing suicide. His death would have been in vain.

He knew very well that he was doomed this time, but he suddenly calmed down.

Anyway, he would die anyway, and there would be no benefit in dying for those subordinates. If he could kill the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty and die, Huang Taiji would definitely treat his family well when he knew about it.

Thinking of this, Kong Youde no longer hesitated and flew towards Emperor Chongzhen.

But... as soon as he flew up, he was kicked several steps away by Zhang Xiuqing, the newly promoted imperial guard who had been watching him from the side.

After finishing, Zhang Xiuqing looked nonchalant, as if the action just now was as simple as breathing.

Zhang Shikang smacked his lips and thought that martial arts masters are different.

"Capture him!" Zhang Xiuqing gave his subordinates a cold order.

Immediately, several guards stepped on Kong Youde and tied him up.

"Traitor! Incompetent ruler! I will not let you go even if I die!

Sooner or later, the Qing cavalry will crush you all, hahahaha!"

Kong Youde was completely hopeless and began to grow furious.

Zhang Shikang laughed and ignored Kong Youde's words at all.

Kong Youde was scolding him, but his subordinates were also scolding Kong Youde, and even many Mongolians were mumbling strange words that he could not understand.

Zhang Shikang felt so happy when he saw these captured soldiers hating each other.

Happiness is indeed built on the suffering of others.

Not only killing people, but also destroying their hearts. Although it is a bit cruel, it is very satisfying!

"Shikang, are you planning to take Kong Youde to the capital to be executed by lingchi?" Emperor Chongzhen asked for the sake of conversation.

No matter what, the war was won, and Emperor Chongzhen was naturally very happy.

"That's too much trouble and a waste of food. Why don't we just skin him tonight in the military camp?" Zhang Shikang said casually.

But after he finished speaking, he thought about it and changed his words.

"No, I will cut him in front of the soldiers who died today."

Emperor Chongzhen did not refute, but he still felt it was a bit hasty, so he said:

"As far as I know, the punishment of lingchi should be carried out by a professional executioner."

Lingchi was the most severe punishment in all dynasties, and its execution was subject to strict requirements. For example, if the emperor ordered lingchi to be cut a thousand times, the executioner had to ensure that the criminal was alive before the thousand cuts were completed.

If this is not done, not only will the executioner be punished, but his reputation in the industry will also be greatly affected.

There are certain rules for deciding where to cut first, where to cut later, and how to cut.

For example, Liu Jin, the eunuch of the Zhengde Dynasty, was sentenced to death by slicing, but Comrade Zhu Wannian was a bit exaggerated and actually issued an order to cut him 3,600 times.

Most people wouldn't dare to take this job, and finally the Ministry of Justice gave the order to pick out an unlucky guy to carry out the execution.

It was not known whether Liu Jin had strong vitality or the executioner was truly skilled, but it took three days and three nights, and more than 3,300 cuts, before Liu Jin died.

How could Zhang Shikang know so much? Besides, he was not a cruel person. He was just curious.

“There must be some butchers in the army.

I think that the butcher and the executioner both cut meat, so they should be similar. "

Emperor Chongzhen: "..."

……

Beijing City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

All the cabinet members were standing outside the hall, arguing with Fang Zhenghua, the chief steward of the Imperial Stables.

"Your Majesty has not attended court for three consecutive days. This has never happened since Your Majesty ascended the throne.

I would like to ask Chief Steward Fang, what is wrong with His Majesty?"

Cabinet Chief Liu Yuliang frowned and questioned Fang Zhenghua.

Fang Zhenghua held a whisk in his hand and stood outside the palace gate and replied:

"Master Liu, I have said it many times. The emperor has a headache. As you all know, headache is the most difficult disease to cure."

The Minister of Personnel Zheng Sanjun did not believe it when he heard it.

"If it is as the eunuch said, then why does His Majesty not even allow us to visit?

What is the reason for this? "

"That's right, since Your Majesty is not meeting us, you should handle government affairs.

Over the past three days, memorials submitted from all over the country have piled up like a mountain, waiting for Your Majesty's review.

Now, His Majesty not only refuses to see people, but also doesn't care about government affairs. How can this be justified?" Liu Yuliang took over the conversation.

"My Lords, how can you see others when you are sick? Wouldn't that damage the majesty of heaven?

Besides, the emperor is the emperor, if he doesn't want to see anyone, does he need your consent? "

Fang Zhenghua still had a cold face. He had always been like this. Except in front of Emperor Chongzhen, he never showed any emotion to anyone.

His words were sharp, but the cabinet ministers were no pushovers either.

Liu Zongzhou immediately said angrily:

"The country is in such a predicament, yet Your Majesty still cares about the so-called majesty of heaven?

Is it possible that the Ming Dynasty's country and people are not as important as his face?"

As he was about to force his way into the palace, Fang Zheng tried to stop him and also got angry:

"What do you mean, Lord Liu? Do you know what the crime is for trespassing into the emperor's bedroom?"

"I naturally know this, and you don't need to remind me. Government affairs are urgent, and we must see His Majesty today!

Everyone, come with me into the palace!"

After Liu Zongzhou finished speaking, the others seemed to have discussed it beforehand and wanted to force their way into the hall past Fang Zhenghua.

"Who dares?" Fang Zhenghua pushed Liu Zongzhou, making him stagger, and said angrily.

At the same time, the two guards next to him also drew their knives.

But unexpectedly, when the guard drew out his knife, Liu Zongzhou and others were not afraid, but became even more united in their hatred of the enemy.

Six or seven cabinet ministers, along with the chancellors of various ministries, crowded into the hall.

The guard knew that these ministers were important officials of the court, so he dared not draw his knife. He was surrounded by several old men and even had his face scratched.

Although Fang Zhenghua was skilled in martial arts, he did not dare to use too much force. He knocked Liu Zongzhou and Liu Yuliang to the ground in a few moves, but he had no time to take care of others.

The Minister of Personnel Zheng Sanjun immediately strode into the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.

He walked in for a dozen steps, but didn't dare to be too presumptuous, so he stopped outside the warm room.

Zheng Sanjun knew that trespassing into the palace was a serious crime, so he immediately knelt down in front of the warm room and apologized:

"Your servant Zheng Sanjun has something to report, and I have just committed this act of treason. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

No sound came from the warm room.

Zheng Sanjun thought the emperor was asleep and didn't hear, so he repeated loudly:

"Your servant Zheng Sanjun has something to report, and I have just committed this act of treason. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

There was still no sound in the warm room.

Zheng Sanjun stood up doubtfully and walked towards the warm room bravely.

He looked towards the warm room and was stunned.

……