My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 979 Returning to Beijing
Fan Zhong admitted in front of everyone that he had killed Wang Zhen, which was actually quite risky. After all, Wang Zhen had not been convicted, and there were many Wang Zhen's accomplices in the court. If these people were pursued, If so, Fan Zhong will probably die.

"General Fan, since you killed Wang Zhen, do you know where his body is?"

Kuang Ye asked again, not because he was suspicious, but because Wang Zhen's life and death were closely related, so he had to find out.

"The situation was critical at that time. I hated Wang Zhen for bringing hundreds of thousands of troops to death, so I smashed his head to pieces and threw his body to the ground. Then I protected His Majesty and retreated. The body was probably not found. But I still have a few living brothers, and they all witnessed me killing Wang Zhen."

Although Fan Zhong's voice was a little weak, he still answered firmly.

"I understand. General Fan got rid of the traitor Wang Zhen for the country and the people. He is really a hero of the Ming Dynasty!"

At this time, Kuang Ye solemnly saluted Fan Zhong.

This gift of his showed his attitude, and at the same time, it also clarified that Fan Zhong killed Wang Zhen. It was meritorious and not faulty. After all, someone must be responsible for this defeat. The dead Wang Zhen was The best candidates, as well as Wang Zhen's gang members, will also be liquidated one by one in the future.

Following Kuang Ye's statement, other ministers also expressed their appreciation for Fan Zhong's action of killing Wang Zhen, which made Fan Zhong, who had been determined to die, breathe a sigh of relief.

Fan Zhong's injury was too serious, Zhu Zhanhe quickly asked people to carry him down, and then discussed with Zhang Fu, Kuang Ye and others about withdrawing the troops back to Beijing. After confirming that there were no objections, he asked everyone to retreat.

During this period, except for Cao Ding who mentioned the rescue of Zhu Qizhen at the beginning, no other ministers mentioned Zhu Qizhen's name again. Firstly, they all knew that rescuing Zhu Qizhen was unrealistic. Secondly, in the future, Deep down in their hearts, they also had a lot of complaints about Zhu Qizhen, and even believed that Zhu Qizhen's current fate was entirely his own fault.

Early the next morning, Zhu Zhanhe ordered the army to move out, leave Tumubao and retreat to Beijing. While gathering these defeated troops, Zhu Zhanhe dispersed and reorganized the rebel troops. Now the Han Dynasty has completely taken over the command of this army. .

The Ming army did not reject Zhu Zhanhe, the Han emperor. Firstly, Zhu Zhanhe arrived in time and saved their lives. Secondly, Zhu Zhanhe was originally a member of the Zhu family. Zhu Gaoxu was in the army at that time. The prestige is higher than that of Zhang Fu. Zhu Zhanhe also followed Zhu Di in the Northern Expedition, so for the Ming army, Zhu Zhanhe was originally "one of their own."

A few days later, Zhu Zhanhe led this army to Beijing. The journey was very smooth. The defenders at Juyongguan had already learned the news about the front line and trusted Zhu Zhanhe very much. They opened the city gate happily.

However, when they arrived at the city gates of Beijing, the city gates were still closed. The troops left by Zhu Zhanhe were still blocking the city gates and did not enter the city. Obviously, the people in the city still had great feelings for Zhu Zhanhe. alert.

Zhu Zhanhe was not in a hurry to enter the city. Instead, he camped directly outside Beijing, and then asked Zhang Fu, Kuang Ye, Yu Qian and other important officials of the Ming Dynasty to advance into the city so that they could communicate with the ministers left behind in the city and discuss it before making a decision. What to do next?
As soon as Zhang Fu and others entered the capital, they were immediately taken into the imperial city. After all, the capital was blocked by the Han army during this period, and they knew almost nothing about the situation outside.

In the Wuying Hall, Empress Dowager Hu was sitting behind the curtain. Hu Hui, Wang Zhi and other important ministers were also here. They all looked anxious. It wasn't until there was a burst of noisy footsteps outside that they stood up straight and looked outside.

Zhang Fu, Kuang Ye and others were seen stepping into the palace, taking the lead in saluting Queen Mother Hu, and then they exchanged salutes with Hu Hu and others.

"British Lord, why hasn't your Majesty come back?"

Wang Zhi was the first to ask.

In fact, although the capital was blocked, some news from the outside world still vaguely came in. For example, there are crazy rumors in the capital that Zhu Qizhen was captured by the Wala people, and some even said that Zhu Qizhen died in the battle. These rumors are making the city full of trouble. , but no one is sure these rumors are false.

"I am incompetent and was defeated by the Wala people in Tumu Fort. As a result, Your Majesty was kidnapped by the Wala!" Kuang Ye replied with a sigh at this time.

"What! This news is actually true?"

Wang Zhi, Hu Hui and others were all shocked. At the same time, they immediately realized that the Ming Dynasty might really change.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty was really kidnapped by the Walas?"

At this time, Queen Mother Hu behind the bead curtain also asked with a trembling voice. Although she was a woman, she had little knowledge, but she could still feel that with Zhu Qizhen being captured and the Han army just outside the city, I am afraid that These orphans and widowed mothers are about to face a huge change.

"Queen Mother, the defeat of Tumubao was entirely due to Wang Zhen's insistence on going his own way and commanding indiscriminately, which led to the defeat of the army. Now Wang Zhen has been executed. Although Your Majesty has been kidnapped, there is no fear of life for the time being. The Han Emperor outside the city has already I promise that I will try my best to rescue His Majesty. Maybe Your Majesty will be able to return safely in the future. Please be at ease, Your Majesty!"

At this time, Zhang Fu stepped forward to explain to Queen Mother Hu.

"Then when will His Majesty come back?"

Although Queen Mother Hu didn't understand government affairs, she could tell that what Zhang Fu said later was not credible, so she asked again.

"This one……"

Zhang Fu didn't know how to answer at this time.

Fortunately, at this moment, Hu Xi suddenly interrupted Queen Mother Hu and said with a solemn expression: "Queen Mother, rather than rescuing Your Majesty, it is more important to deal with the current situation, such as how to arrange the Han army outside the city, and the Ming Dynasty's throne. Who should I leave it to? After all, we can’t let the Ming Dynasty’s throne remain vacant if His Majesty doesn’t return for a day, right?”

Although Hu Xi's words didn't sound good, they were very realistic. After hearing this, other ministers in the palace also looked thoughtful.

"Your Majesty has an heir. Now that he is away, it is natural that he will immediately become the prince. We will hold a coronation ceremony for him on a certain day and proclaim him emperor!"

Queen Mother Hu, who was behind the curtain, spoke again.

However, as soon as Empress Dowager Hu finished speaking, Hu Hu immediately objected: "Empress Dowager, the prince is too young, less than three years old now. Our Ming Dynasty is at a critical moment of life and death. If the country does not have an emperor, there will be chaos, so I still Please think twice, Queen Mother, never make a young prince emperor!"

"Hu Shangshu is very right. The throne must not be left in the hands of young children. It is a pity that Your Majesty has no brothers. I think it is better to choose a heroic lord from the royal family to take over the throne!"

At this time, Yang Shan, the envoy who had previously sent an envoy to the Han Dynasty and followed Zhu Zhanhe back to the Ming Dynasty, also stood up and suggested.

As soon as Yang Shan's words came out, everyone in the palace thought of Zhu Zhanhe outside the city. In terms of talent and prestige, no one in the royal family could compare with this Han emperor.

(End of this chapter)