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

After marching for many days, the city wall of Nanjing finally came into view on the distant skyline.

From afar, the afterglow of the setting sun gently casts a shadow over Nanjing's city walls, resembling a sleeping dragon draped in a resplendent robe, resting peacefully across the vast landscape. The wheel of time has mercilessly left its marks, leaving a variegated pattern on its massive form. Yet, far from diminishing its majestic grandeur, these marks only enhance its historical weight and depth. The tightly stacked bricks resemble pages in a history book, chronicling past glories and vicissitudes, silently telling the story of time.

"General, we have reached Yingtian Prefecture." Zheng Longfang urged his horse forward and reported respectfully.

"Good!" Liu Zeqing gazed at the endless, towering city wall from afar, a look of joy on his face, and said loudly, "Tell everyone to work harder. We will set up camp inside Nanjing tonight!"

"Yes!" Zheng Longfang answered loudly with high spirits, his tone overflowing with excitement and anticipation.

"Longfang, arrange your troops properly. Once you enter Nanjing, take over the city defense immediately." Liu Zeqing grabbed Zheng Longfang, who was about to turn around and pass on the message, and solemnly instructed him, "Remember, once we control Nanjing, no other troops will be allowed to enter!"

"Marshal, I understand!" Zheng Longfang nodded heavily, his eyes revealing firmness and determination.

Liu Zeqing looked at Zheng Longfang's back as he walked away, and nodded slightly with satisfaction in his heart.

Prior to this, Liu Kongzhao sent an envoy to inform that he had contacted Emperor Chongzhen and that Emperor Chongzhen approved of their plan.

As long as he could successfully enter the city in the name of serving the king and take over the city defense with the close cooperation of Xincheng Earl Chen Zhilong, then the credit for making the decision would belong to him.

By then, the city of Nanjing will be in his own hands, and his position will be as solid as a rock, and no one can shake it.

Of course, he did not act in an attempt to become a powerful official like Dong Zhuo, but because of his suspicious character, he was just trying to find a way to save his life.

But just when he was filled with joy and pride, Zheng Longfang came riding towards him, sweating profusely, like a gust of wind.

"Longfang, what happened? Why are you so flustered?" Liu Zeqing was displeased when he saw Zheng Longfang so flustered. He frowned and scolded him, "You are the leader, but you act so rashly. How can you convince others?"

"Marshal..." Zheng Longfang gasped for breath, trying to calm his disordered breathing. His face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm. He said, "The gates of Nanjing are closed. The gate officer has made us camp outside the city and won't let us in!"

"Hiss..." Liu Zeqing was shocked when he heard it, and his brows were tightly furrowed into a lump.

"Didn't you tell them that we were here to support the king?" Liu Zeqing asked anxiously.

"I told him I was coming to defend the emperor at the behest of the current emperor," Zheng Longfang said helplessly with a wry smile. "But the gatekeeper said they were just following orders and wouldn't dare open the gate without orders from above."

"Fuck, is that old bastard Ma Shiying kidding me?" Liu Zeqing was immediately furious and shouted, "Let's go and take a look."

Nanjing's Yingtian Prefecture had thirteen city gates. Three gates were located in the west: Sanshan Gate, Shicheng Gate, and Qingliang Gate. Liu Zeqing and Ma Shiying had agreed to enter the city through the Shicheng Gate, but they never expected it to be closed, barring any passage.

Just as Liu Zeqing and Zheng Longfang arrived at the front of the army, a sentry officer led a man hurriedly in. The man was dressed in the uniform of a Beijing camp officer, with an upright posture and a vigorous gait.

"Reporting to the commander, this person said he was sent by Lord Ma to see you..."

"Oh? Who are you?" Liu Zeqing frowned slightly and thought to himself, why did Ma Shiying send someone to see him at this time? Could it be that something happened in the city?

"I'm Chen Cheng, a captain under the command of the Earl of Xincheng," the visitor said. He was a young man in his early twenties, of medium build, exuding a fierce aura. Upon seeing Liu Zeqing, he remained respectful, yet neither servile nor overbearing. He held his head high and spoke loudly, "I'm here by order of Lord Ma Shiying to see the Marshal!"

"Oh, what does Lord Ma want you to come for?" Liu Zeqing was angry because he was stopped outside the city, so his tone of voice naturally sounded a little impatient.

"There are too many people here, could you please move aside, Marshal?" Chen Cheng looked around vigilantly, looking embarrassed, and said.

"You can speak freely," Liu Zeqing said with a cautious look in his eyes, staring closely at Chen Cheng, "Everyone here is my trusted confidant!"

"Alright," Chen Cheng hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Recently, someone in the city has colluded with Yangzhou, intending to surrender the city. For the past two days, the gates of Yingtian Prefecture have been closed, and the entire city has been under martial law. Your Majesty is also very cautious. Today, he specifically instructed Lord Ma that all troops, regardless of their origin, must be stationed outside the city!"

"Hmph!" Liu Zeqing snorted coldly, his face filled with resentment. "I came all this way to support the king, but they won't even open the city gates for me. What kind of logic is this?"

"Your Majesty has already issued an order, and Lord Ma dare not disobey it," Chen Cheng hurriedly explained. "Lord Ma was afraid that the Marshal would misunderstand, so he asked the Earl of Xincheng to arrange for someone to wait here. The Earl of Xincheng was worried about the others, so he asked me to wait here for Your Majesty."

"Then when can I enter the city?" Liu Zeqing said with a slightly relieved expression, but still with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

"I have sent someone to inform Lord Ma of the Marshal's arrival. I believe Lord Ma will give you news soon," said Chen Cheng.

"Hmm..." Liu Zeqing was still unhappy, but since things had come to this, he could only leave it as it was for now. He sighed and said, "Hurry back and report to Lord Ma. We're here to support the king. Isn't he afraid that doing this will chill the hearts of the soldiers?"

"Yes, yes, I will return and report immediately," Chen Cheng hurriedly bowed, his attitude extremely respectful. "For the time being, I can only inconvenience you to camp outside. As soon as I have any news, I will report it immediately to you."

"Go!" Liu Zeqing thought to himself. Given his understanding of the Hongguang Emperor, Chen Cheng's explanation made sense. It seemed Chongzhen's anti-rebellion manifesto had indeed frightened him.

Liu Zeqing shook his head helplessly, muttering softly, "Everything is so scary, and everything looks like an enemy. He's really a hopeless case."

At the same time, in a military camp inside Shicheng Gate, the Prime Minister Ma Shiying, the Minister of War Ruan Dayue, the Lingbi Marquis Tang Guozuo, and the Chengyi Earl Liu Kongzhao, the backbone of Ma Shiying's party, heard that Liu Zeqing's army had arrived at the city of Nanjing. They were immediately anxious and hurried here.

"Lord Xincheng, Lord Liu's army has arrived. Why don't you open the city gate?" Ma Shiying was extremely anxious. He pulled aside the curtain of the central army tent and rushed in angrily.

"Oh, all the gentlemen are here," said Chen Zhilong, the Earl of Xincheng, who was chatting happily with a young man in his tent. Seeing Ma Shiying and his men rush in, his face lit up with joy and he said loudly, "I was waiting for you all."

"Are you waiting for us?" Ma Shiying was stunned when he heard this. He looked around the tent and saw that it was full of officers in neatly dressed uniforms. A young man was sitting upright in the center. When he saw Ma Shiying come in, he remained seated motionless. This situation immediately gave Ma Shiying a bad premonition.

"Master Ma, it's not Master Zhao who is waiting for you, but I am." The young man looked at Ma Shiying calmly, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a row of white and neat teeth, and said with a smile.

"You? Who are you? Why are you waiting for me here!" Ma Shiying's heart sank and he shouted sternly.

"My name is Zhu Ge, and I'm here waiting for you to fall into my trap." Zhu Ge slowly stood up, his face instantly darkening like a gathering cloud. He shouted, "Ma Shiying is controlling the government and causing chaos. My men, take him down!"