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

"This..." Wang Zheng was a little confused when he heard this. His eyes widened instantly, his eyes full of panic and confusion. He hurriedly asked, "Eunuch, I don't know where this disaster came from?"

"Of course you have offended someone you shouldn't have offended..." Qu Shangzhong sighed and said, his eyes revealed deep helplessness, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he felt extremely embarrassed about what he was about to explain.

"Are you talking about what happened yesterday?" Wang Zheng was stunned when he heard this, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly. He asked hesitantly, "But it was my son who suffered the loss after all. They didn't suffer any losses at all. How can it be considered that I provoked them? Even if we can't afford to provoke them, can't we just hide away?"

His words were full of grievance and confusion, and his voice unconsciously rose a little, with a bit of urgency and unwillingness.

"I don't think this matter is your son's fault at all," Qu Shangzhong shook his head. He hesitated for a moment and continued, "This was premeditated by them, and you are still kept in the dark!"

When saying this, Qu Shangzhong's eyes became deeper, and there was a hint of mystery in his tone. All this was hinting to Wang Zheng that there was a bigger secret behind this matter.

"Premeditated? What do you mean?" Wang Zheng was stunned again. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of confusion. He stared at Qu Shangzhong closely, trying to find the answer from his face.

"Do you remember the two men we saw in the garden when we came out?" Qu Shangzhong said, his eyes revealing a hint of nervousness, and he licked his lips unconsciously, as if recalling that scene made him feel uneasy.

"Of course I remember," Wang Zheng nodded and said, a hint of anger flashing on his face. He gritted his teeth and said, "I heard that he was the one who had the conflict with Cong'er."

"Then do you know his true identity?" Qu Shangzhong asked, his eyes fixed on Wang Zheng with a sense of oppression, as if this question was of vital importance.

"That... I don't know. Could it be that Eunuch Qu has already found out?" Wang Zheng's eyes lit up, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes. He asked, "Who is he exactly? Why is Shi Kefa protecting him so much?"

Wang Zheng's words were full of curiosity and anticipation, and his body unconsciously moved closer to Qu Shangzhong.

"As for him... you should ask everyone else to leave first," Qu Shangzhong said, looking around at the maids and servants waiting on him. He lowered his voice and glanced around warily, fearing that others would hear what he was about to say.

"Eunuch Qu, please stop keeping us in suspense. Who is it?" Wang Zheng waved his hand to let his men retreat and said anxiously. There was an impatient look on his face and his feet kept moving, showing his inner eagerness.

"He..." Qu Shangzhong leaned his head towards Wang Zheng, almost close to his ear, and said in a low voice, "He is the former Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian!"

"Who? Who do you say he is?" Wang Zheng opened his mouth wide, unable to believe his ears. His eyes were wide open, as if they were about to bulge out of their sockets. His face was full of shock, and his entire expression was frozen at that moment.

"He is the Chongzhen Emperor of the previous dynasty!" Qu Shangzhong said word by word. His face was serious, without a trace of joking. There was a hint of fear in his eyes, and his voice trembled slightly.

"But...but didn't Emperor Chongzhen die in the storm?" Wang Zheng said in disbelief. His voice trembled slightly, as if he was trying to digest this shocking news. His body unconsciously took a step back.

"This has been confirmed by the imperial court. How could this person be him?"

"The court confirmed it, otherwise Emperor Hongguang wouldn't have ascended the throne. But has anyone seen his body?" Qu Shangzhong smiled wryly and shook his head, saying, "Emperor Hongguang ascended the throne simply because the Ming Dynasty needed an emperor. Emperor Chongzhen was caught in a storm at sea, but he's not dead yet!"

"This matter of Eunuch Qu is not a joke. Are you sure it's really him?" Wang Zheng asked with a hint of anticipation. There was a hint of hope in his eyes, as if he hoped that Qu Shangzhong was joking and that all this was just a misunderstanding.

"Of course!" Qu Shangzhong said firmly, his eyes firm and unquestionable. "And, following behind him is the eunuch Wang Chengen, the chief eunuch in charge of ceremonies!"

"This..." Wang Zheng couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead. His heart was filled with fear and anxiety, and his hands were trembling slightly.

It was too absurd that his own son had almost come to blows with the former emperor. The horrific scene kept appearing in his mind, and he became more and more panicked.

"Hey, that's not right," Wang Zheng's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had grasped a life-saving straw, and he said, "Shouldn't this Chongzhen Emperor go to Nanjing after returning safely? Why is he here?"

"It would be fine if he went directly to Nanjing," Qu Shangzhong sighed and said, "Think about it, if he went directly to Nanjing, would the current Hongguang Emperor give him the throne? The only fate that awaits him is imprisonment."

"My father-in-law is right, but why did he come here?" Wang Zheng thought for a while and nodded. A pensive expression appeared on his face, his brows were furrowed, and he was trying hard to think about the reasons behind this.

"This is what I am most worried about... Not only did Emperor Chongzhen come to Yangzhou, but Shi Kefa also seemed to be defending him, indicating that he had already joined Chongzhen's camp. Moreover, the three towns gathered in Yangzhou in the past two days. Do you think these three towns have also regained their loyalty to Chongzhen?" Qu Shangzhong's eyes revealed deep worry, and his voice became low and heavy.

"You mean, their meeting this time is very likely to support Chongzhen to ascend the throne again?" Wang Zheng said in surprise. His face turned pale and his body trembled slightly. If this was true, then what would be the outcome if his son had a conflict with the emperor?

"Is there any other reason?" Qu Shangzhong asked back, his eyes revealing a hint of despair, and he shook his head helplessly.

"Eunuch Qu, we salt merchants never meddle in the affairs of the imperial court. Why are you telling me all this?" Wang Zheng's forehead was sweating profusely. He wiped it with his handkerchief, his voice filled with fear and helplessness. These were all secrets, and knowing more was not a good thing. He was filled with regret and uneasiness.

"Master Wang, don't you understand my painstaking efforts?" Qu Shangzhong shook his head, his eyes revealing anxiety and helplessness. "Do you still want to hold on to any hope? You are already in dire straits! Not only you, but your entire family, even the salt merchants in Yangzhou City, are in danger this time!"

"No...impossible!" Wang Zheng said in horror. His body trembled slightly, his legs went weak, and he almost couldn't stand.