Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

In Nanjing, Gao Jie, Liu Zeqing, and Liu Liangzuo were demoted. Although Chongzhen didn't kill them, they were not happy. Although they had enough food and clothing, they no longer had the kind of support they once had, and the loss they felt was immense.

During this period, people came to visit them from time to time. Naturally, most of these people were their former subordinates. These people were either expelled from the army or marginalized within the army. They no longer had the glory they once had. However, Gao Jie and others knew what was going on and did not think much about it.

However, in recent months, a voice has slowly spread throughout Nanjing.

"Marshal, have you heard that the current emperor is not the previous Emperor Chongzhen, but a man who looks similar to him," Chen Shouting looked around and said in a low voice.

"How is this possible?" Liu Liangzuo frowned and said, "How could I not recognize Emperor Chongzhen? I have seen him with my own eyes, so it cannot be fake."

"But they all said that. How could Emperor Chongzhen's personality have changed so drastically?" Chen Shouting asked. "And what he said and did made him look like a completely different person? How could Emperor Chongzhen possibly say something like 'Long live the people'?"

"If you put it that way, that's true," Liu Liangzuo nodded. Recalling his meeting with Chongzhen, a cloud of doubt rose in his heart. "I was surprised to see Emperor Chongzhen so uncomfortable. Now that you've put it that way, it really feels like he's a different person. Could he really be a different person?"

"Who knows?" Chen Shouting said with a smile. "This matter has spread like wildfire now. Many people are discussing it privately."

"No," Liu Liangzuo shook his head and said, "Do you know where this story came from?"

"I don't know about that," Chen Shouting thought for a while and shook his head.

"This matter is a bit strange," Liu Liangzuo stood up suddenly and said, "Shou Ting, don't mention this matter to anyone else from now on, remember!"

"Why?" Chen Shouting asked blankly.

"I suspect someone is secretly spreading this news," Liu Liangzuo shook his head and said, "If that's true, then the person behind this is definitely plotting something big..."

"As expected of Marshal Liu," someone suddenly spoke from the window outside the house at this moment.

"Who is it?" Liu Liangzuo and Chen Shouting were startled when they heard the voice and shouted loudly.

"Don't panic, you two. I was sent by an old friend of Marshal Liu to visit him," the door was opened from the outside, and a masked man in night clothes walked in leisurely.

"Old friend, which old friend?" Liu Liangzuo asked vigilantly.

"Lord Zuo, Marquis of Ningnan!" The man removed his mask, revealing a middle-aged face. He bowed and said with a smile, "I, Zuo Yin, greet Lord Liu."

"Hiss, Zuo Liangyu..." Liu Liangzuo took a breath and was silent for a moment before saying, "What does he want from me?"

"This is a handwritten letter from the Marquis to you. Please read it!" Zuo Yin smiled slightly and handed a letter to Liu Liangzuo.

Although Liu Liangzuo was a little skeptical, he still took the letter. After opening it, he found that it was indeed Zuo Liangyu's handwriting. Although the two had not had much contact over the years, they had exchanged some letters and documents, so he still recognized Zuo Liangyu's handwriting.

Zuo Liangyu's letter did not mention anything, but only said that Zuo Yin was his subordinate. This looked like a letter proving Zuo Yin's identity.

"What does this mean?" Liu Liangzuo frowned and asked.

"Your Excellency knows that you are always cautious. This letter can be regarded as proof of my identity," Zuo Yin said with a smile. "Your Excellency asked me to come here just to ask you a question. Do you want to live like this from now on?"

"Hmph! What does it have to do with him?" Liu Liangzuo felt unhappy when he heard this and said in a cold voice.

"There are rumors everywhere in Nanjing City now. Has Lord Liu heard about it?" Zuo Yin did not get annoyed when he heard it, but asked instead.

"What rumors? I never go out on weekdays, so how would I know what rumors there are?" Liu Liangzuo said coldly.

"Yes, Lord Liu never leaves his house, but due to your high prestige, people always come to you. How could you not know?" Zuo Yin said with a smile, "If you can't remember, then I can remind you that it is a matter of the identity of the current emperor..."

"Are you saying Chongzhen isn't a real person?" Liu Liangzuo was shocked and asked, "Did you spread this story?"

"This matter is not groundless. The current Chongzhen Emperor may not be the real Chongzhen Emperor..."

"Even if this is true, what can we do?" Liu Liangzuo sneered, "Our emperor's reputation is at its peak now. Bringing this up will do him no good."

"But what if our General Zuo raises an army?"

"What? Zuo Liangyu dared to lead an army to attack Nanjing? How is this possible?"

"Of course, we can't take Nanjing City by ourselves, so we need the help of Lord Liu," Zuo Yin said. "I heard that Lord Liu's former subordinates are not very successful in the army now..."

"Now Chongzhen has more than just my army. Even if I am willing, I am unable to do so." Although Liu Liangzuo was somewhat tempted, he still had doubts.

"Of course," Zuo Yin nodded, smiled mysteriously, and said, "But you are not the only one in Nanjing who thinks Chongzhen's identity is questionable!"

"You mean..." Liu Liangzuo stared at Zuo Yin and asked inquiringly.

"That's right!" Zuo Yin nodded and said with a smile, "Your Excellency will know when the time comes."

"Okay!" Liu Liangzuo gritted his teeth and said, "Then when will we do it?"

"Sir, please prepare as soon as possible. I will inform you when to take action. Goodbye!" Zuo Yin didn't waste any words. After he finished speaking, he turned around and left.

"Sir, can you believe what this person said?" Chen Shouting said in a low voice after Zuo Yin left.

"That's pretty close," Liu Liangzuo pondered for a moment, then said, "Emperor Chongzhen's attitude toward Zuo Liangyu has been strange since he ascended the throne. Logically, Zuo Liangyu, stationed in Wuchang and commanding a large military force, should be someone he could win over. Furthermore, Zuo Liangyu has close ties to the Donglin Party, so he could also be won over. Yet, our emperor has completely ignored any interest in this matter. What does this indicate?"

"What does it mean?" Chen Shouting said.

"This shows that Chongzhen has some issues with Zuo Liangyu," Liu Liangzuo said. "If Zuo Liangyu had chosen to bow down, Chongzhen might have expressed some reaction. But Zuo Liangyu commands a large army, so how could he be willing to bow down to Chongzhen?"

"That's true," Chen Shouting nodded and said, "But why is he doing this now?"

"During this period, Emperor Chongzhen has been vigorously expanding his army and training new troops. Their strength is now far superior to what it used to be. In addition, Li Zicheng is now being defeated by the Qing army and is likely to turn to attack Wuchang. If attacked, Zuo Liangyu will be attacked from all sides and his situation will be worrying." Liu Liangzuo smiled slightly and said, "To escape this situation, he must either surrender to Chongzhen, or... hmph..."

After all, Liu Liangzuo was a veteran general in the army, and he had a very clear understanding of Zuo Liangyu's situation, so he was very receptive to Zuo Yin's visit.

"Is he planning a rebellion?" Chen Shouting said in surprise.

"Rebellion? Humph!" Liu Liangzuo shook his head and said, "Don't underestimate him. I was wondering why there have been so many rumors about the emperor's identity being in trouble recently. It turns out the root of this is..."