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

Feng Kaizhang had been concentrating on figuring out how to get to the beach when he suddenly heard his father scream, startling him. He stood up abruptly, and when he looked closely, he saw his father had already thrown himself in front of the newcomer.

At that moment, in the courtyard of the Feng Mansion, sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting patches of light. A gentle breeze blew by, bringing a slight coolness, but it couldn't calm the turmoil in everyone's hearts.

The man had a haggard face and looked to be no more than thirty years old, but his temples were already gray.

He was dressed in ordinary cloth and looked nothing special at first glance. But when Feng Kaizhang heard his father shouting "Your Majesty", he was shocked to find that the man in front of him was actually the current emperor!

It was truly unimaginable. Beijing had just been captured by the Dashun Army yesterday, and the distance between Beijing and Tianjin was over 200 miles. Yet, in just one night, the Emperor had arrived in Tianjin! Poor Li Zicheng was still searching the city for Emperor Chongzhen, never expecting him to have arrived in Tianjin.

"Sir Feng, please stand up quickly." Chongzhen naturally did not dare to neglect this loyal old minister. He hurriedly stepped forward to help Feng Yuanyang up, holding Feng Yuanyang's arms firmly with both hands.

"I just heard the news from the capital that His Majesty is missing. I didn't expect that you have come to Tianjin. This is really great!" Feng Yuanyang said happily, with excitement flashing in his eyes. He rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Is this the son of Lord Feng?" Chongzhen turned to look at Feng Kaizhang who was standing aside in a daze and asked.

"Your servant Feng Kaizhang pays homage to the emperor. Long live the emperor! Long, long live the emperor!" Feng Kaizhang hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down, his voice echoing in the slightly quiet living room.

At this moment, he was filled with both nervousness and excitement. Facing the Emperor, he felt a sense of awe. He recalled his own journey to the capital, seeking an audience but receiving no referrals. A wave of helplessness and resentment welled up within him. And now, the Emperor's presence seemed to offer a glimmer of hope, yet also fraught with uncertainty.

He bowed his head respectfully and placed his hands on the ground.

Feng Yuanyang hurriedly invited Chongzhen into the living room, and after he sat down, he asked, "Your Majesty, are you planning to stay or leave when you come to Tianjin this time?"

At this time, everyone's eyes were focused on Chongzhen, and the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

Although the previous plan was to go directly to Nanjing, Chongzhen was still somewhat unwilling and still had a glimmer of hope in order to gain a foothold in Tianjin.

"What is the current situation in the city?" Chongzhen did not respond directly to Feng Yuanyang, but asked back.

"Your Majesty, I have ascertained that Tianjin Military Commissioner Yuan Yuzong and Deputy General Lou Guangxian have already decided to surrender to the rebels. If you had arrived a moment later, their surrender notice would have been posted."

"Oh..." Chongzhen nodded slightly. It seemed that things were still developing along the trajectory of history.

At this moment, a few birds chirped outside the window, but it seemed particularly lonely. Chongzhen frowned slightly and tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers.

"Your Majesty, my father has already prepared the ships and wants to ask Your Majesty to evacuate to Nanjing along the coastal route. He sent me to the capital for this purpose. Unfortunately, I visited many adults, but no one introduced me to the emperor." Feng Kaizhang said somewhat angrily, with a hint of helplessness on his face.

He secretly regretted that the officials in the capital were so indifferent at this critical moment, completely unconcerned about the fate of the country. His efforts had all been in vain. Fortunately, His Majesty the Emperor appeared in Tianjin at this time. He shook his head helplessly.

"Lord Feng, you have served the country with loyalty and hard work!" Chongzhen nodded and said, "Is the ship still there?"

"Everything is ready," Feng Yuanyang said hurriedly. "However, due to my poor health, I have not been involved in military affairs for a long time. After learning that the rebels have surrounded the capital, some of the navy officers and soldiers may not obey my command..."

Feng Yuanyang bowed slightly, a look of worry on his face.

"No problem!" Chongzhen waved his hand and said after a moment's silence, "Lord Feng, do you think Tianjin City is defensible?"

Everyone waited in silence for Feng Yuanyang's answer, the air frozen in place. The leaves outside the window swayed gently in the breeze, seemingly worried about this difficult decision.

"It's not defensible!" Feng Yuanyang said firmly, and he waved his hand vigorously.

"Why?"

"Tianjin is too close to Beijing, and the Dashun Army will arrive in no time. Moreover, Tianjin City is not as strong as Beijing City. In addition, the soldiers and civilians in the city are in panic now, so it cannot be defended!" Feng Yuanyang explained with a serious expression and a frown.

"What do you think?" Chongzhen looked at Li Ruolian and Jin Xuan and asked.

"I and others second the proposal. Tianjin cannot be defended!"

"Your Majesty should not stay here, but go to Nanjing to reorganize the army and restore the country!" Feng Kaizhang on the side could not help but say in an urgent tone.

Although he was unwilling, Chongzhen knew that it was not advisable to stay in Tianjin at this time. However, Feng Yuanyang had just asked him whether to leave or stay, and he could not be the first to say that he did not want to stay in Tianjin.

"Since everyone wants to leave, let's go straight to Nanjing!" Chongzhen sighed and said, "But this Tianjin city..."

"We shouldn't be concerned with short-term gains and losses right now," Feng Yuanyang said, bowing. "As long as Your Majesty arrives in Nanjing, the situation in the world can still be salvaged!"

As they were talking, a servant came to report: "Officials are organizing every household to post slogans of "Min Shun". A big banner of "Heaven Blesses Min Shun" has been raised on the city wall!"

"Yuan Yuzong is really impatient." Feng Yuanyang said hatefully, with anger on his face, and he clenched his fists.

At this moment, there was a noise coming from the street outside the mansion, as if reminding everyone of the urgency of the situation.

"Your Majesty, things have come to this point. We can't delay here any longer. We should make plans early!" Li Ruolian stepped forward and advised.

"Okay!" Chongzhen sighed and said.

Even from the perspective of Zhu Youjian's descendants, staying in Tianjin was not advisable. After all, he couldn't hold on to the strong city of Beijing, let alone Tianjin...

If he wants to repair this broken country and turn the tide, he must at least gain a foothold in Nanjing!

"Kai Zhang, pack up quickly, we'll leave right away!" Feng Yuanyang felt relieved when he heard that and hurriedly gave orders.

The Feng family had packed up long ago, so they could leave immediately.

The group, escorted by dozens of servants, hurried out of the city. Feng Yuanyang had been about to prepare a carriage for Chongzhen, but was stopped by him. Chongzhen had demanded that Feng Yuanyang keep his identity strictly confidential, fearing that if his whereabouts were revealed, a large group of pursuers would be on their heels.

As the city gate was in sight, I saw from afar a group of people at the gate strictly checking the pedestrians entering and leaving.

Chongzhen couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in his heart. It seemed that after Emperor Yuzong decided to surrender, he had specially strengthened the patrols at the city gate to prevent accidents.

The sunlight was a bit dazzling at this time, and the armor of the soldiers flashed coldly in the sunlight.

"Where are you going with such a large group of people?" The soldiers guarding the gate stopped the convoy.

"This is the motorcade of Governor Feng. Who dares to stop it?" Feng Chuan, the steward of the Feng Mansion, stepped forward and shouted.

"By order of General Yuan, the city is under martial law. Only entry is allowed, no exit!" A captain stepped forward and shouted, "I don't care whose convoy this is, no one can leave the city without General Yuan's order!"

"Lord Yuan has such great authority! What? Even an old man like me cannot leave the city?" Feng Yuanyang rode forward and said with a gloomy face. He glared at him, and his eyes revealed dissatisfaction.

"This..." The gatekeeper, upon seeing that it was Feng Yuanyang who had spoken personally, hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Sir Feng, this is indeed Sir Yuan's order. I dare not release him casually..."

Although the captain was quite respectful towards Feng Yuanyang, he did not dare to let anyone leave the city. For a moment, the atmosphere at the gate of Tianjin City became tense and solemn.

The soldiers guarding the gate held long spears and stared at Feng Yuanyang and his group vigilantly, while the servants of the Feng Mansion held their weapons tightly and guarded the convoy closely.

The two groups confronted each other, and the air was filled with tension that was about to break out.

"Lord Feng, where are you going?" When the stalemate was just approaching, a group of people came galloping.

The first one, riding a tall yellow horse, was wearing a helmet and armor. He was about forty years old. He had a thin face, high cheekbones, and a pair of narrow eyes that were slightly narrowed, flashing a sinister light.

"It's General Lou." Feng Yuanyang turned around and saw that it was Deputy General Lou Guangxian. He couldn't help but sneer and said, "Do I need to report to you where I'm going?"

"Lord Feng, you're joking. How dare I stop your carriage..." Lou Guangxian bowed from his horse and said with a forced smile, "It's just that the capital has been breached, and the Dashun Army could arrive at any time. To prevent the Dashun Army from attacking the city, the military governor Yuan just issued an order strictly prohibiting leaving the city. Why, Lord Feng, is it bothering these soldiers?"

"Haha, how ridiculous!" Feng Yuanyang said with a cold laugh, "You've even raised the banner 'Heaven Blesses the People' on your tower. Aren't you just waiting to welcome the invaders in? Is Lord Yuan ordering the city closed to force us to surrender to the invaders?"

"Lord Feng, you can't be so harsh." Lou Guangxian's face darkened. "News has come from the capital that the emperor has committed suicide and died for his country. The Ming Dynasty is dead! The civil and military officials in the capital have already opened the gates to welcome the King of Rebellion. All we have done is to obey the will of heaven and welcome the new master!"

"Follow the will of heaven?" Feng Yuanyang's voice rose a few degrees, his eyes filled with anger and disdain. "You are betraying! You are surrendering! You are betraying the Ming Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor!"

Lou Guangxian's face darkened. He said coldly, "Sir Feng, I respect you as an old minister and don't want to argue with you. But please don't force me to do anything."

"Take action?" A hint of determination flashed in Feng Yuanyang's eyes. "Do you think I'm afraid of you? Although I, Feng Yuanyang, am old, I'm not afraid of a traitor like you!"

"Hmph! Everyone listen to my orders. Anyone who dares to break into the city gate will be killed without mercy!" Lou Guangxian looked at Feng Yuanyang and said coldly.