Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 233 Old Zhu Arrives in Beijing

In the afternoon, the Jurchens completely withdrew from Dongluo City and Weihai City, retreating to Weiyuan City in the north for defense.

Weiyuan City is located at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, northeast of Dongluo City. It is independent of the Great Wall system of Shanhaiguan and has its own city walls and moat, making it impossible for the Ming army to attack along the city walls.

The Ming army did not pursue them.

This time, Zhou An and his team came as a light cavalry operation, carrying only automatic rifles and some hand grenades on their waists. They didn't even have mortars and lacked the ability to attack fortified positions.

After the battle, Zhou An took over the defense of Shanhaiguan.

He summoned his generals and executed several who had later surrendered to the Jurchens, including Wang Chengyin, Jiang Xiang, and Xu Dingguo. He then honored several generals who had fought to the death and died for their country, and subsequently assigned tasks for defending the city.

After he finished doing all this, he immediately reported the matter to Beijing via shortwave radio.

Modern shortwave radios are actually quite small; the main unit of a shortwave radio sold on Taobao for around 5000 yuan weighs only about 900 grams.

Zhu Yunfeng bought high-end models costing tens of thousands of yuan each, with a total weight of only four or five kilograms. Basically, every commander of a thousand men in the Ming army had one, and several major generals also had one.

At the hundred-household level, only those like Zhou An who are out on field missions will be assigned one radio for missions. This is mainly to prevent multiple radios from transmitting signals on the same frequency at the same time, which could cause mutual interference.

If all the hundred-household units of Zhu Yuanzhang's Hongwu army were distributed, and if more than fifty of them encountered an emergency and had to report to Zhu Yuanzhang, communication would become extremely difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the number of these units to ensure communication.

Upon learning of the situation, Zhu Di immediately packed his things, bid farewell to Zhu Yunfeng, and hurriedly left Beijing, heading towards Shanhaiguan.

Zhu Yunfeng had no choice but to let him leave.

Fortunately, they had been in Beijing for more than ten days. Zhu Yunfeng sat in the Qianqing Palace every day to handle state affairs. He had not only finished dealing with the aftermath of the Jia Shen massacre in Beijing, but also recruited new soldiers.

Sun Chuanting preferred the Qin army, which meant that people from Shaanxi joined the army.

However, Beijing now has a large population, including many displaced people, and recruiting them can help maintain order and stability.

Therefore, Zhu Yunfeng instructed Sun Chuanting to use the Qin army as the main force and the new army as a supplement.

The new army numbered approximately 30,000, and with the further expansion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Yunfeng had enough troops to solve his security problems.

of course.

The newly recruited army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were certainly of mixed quality, so the task was left to Sun Chuanting, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Li Ruolian, and the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Wang Guoxing to handle and rectify the situation.

Thus, Zhu Yunfeng currently commands 40,000 troops and over 5,000 Imperial Guards within Beijing, firmly controlling the city's security, intelligence, and defense.

In just over ten days, Zhu Yunfeng became convinced that security comes from within, and that to maintain stability, the first priority was to strengthen the military.

As for other policies and governance measures, they are all empty talk.

At present, the Ming Dynasty has basically only submitted to the south. Zhu Yuanzhang has been killing people in the south for more than half a year. It is estimated that he has killed more than 200,000 to 300,000 people. Only in this way can the south be brought under control.

The situation in the north was chaotic, with Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong and other areas being among the hardest hit during this Little Ice Age. Further ravaged by bandits and the Jurchen Jurchens, the population plummeted, and public order and governance descended into a state of rampant unrest.

Zhu Yunfeng handled the memorials himself, and the local memorials often mentioned the decline of the local people's livelihood in the north.

Many landlords and wealthy people were slaughtered by bandits, and farming could no longer sustain their livelihoods. Some people left their homes, some resorted to robbery and plunder, and some even joined the uprising.

All the kind people are dead; those who survived are not kind at all.

Moreover, given the current climate, the problems in the north cannot be solved simply by redistributing land, killing corrupt officials, and eliminating malpractices.

The fact that canals and many rivers in the south freeze over in winter, while heavy snow falls in the north even in summer, speaks volumes about the severity of the situation.

Therefore, Zhu Yunfeng believed that the most urgent task was to restore production. So he sent a letter to Xu Da in Changsha, asking Ji He to transport more sweet potatoes and potatoes to the north first.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes already existed by the late Ming Dynasty.

However, firstly, these things had not yet been promoted nationwide and only existed in small quantities in the southern regions. Secondly, in the 16th century, sweet potatoes and potatoes had not yet undergone scientific breeding, resulting in low yields.

Therefore, by using readily available high-yield sweet potatoes and potatoes from modern times, and supplementing them with methods for making farmyard manure, it is possible to produce sweet potatoes and potatoes in the north.

In this way, the south could have at least one season of rice cultivation during the summer of the Little Ice Age, while the north could find ways to grow wheat, sweet potatoes, and potatoes in the spring, summer, and autumn, which might alleviate the severe food crisis currently facing the Chongzhen Emperor.

While Zhu Yunfeng was in Beijing as emperor, he continued his slow advance, only just entering Hebei Province and not expected to arrive in Beijing until at least July.

Besides the fact that he was carrying a lot of supplies and was moving slowly, another reason was that he had to deal with the things that Zhu Di had not dealt with along the way.

This included executing officials who betrayed the country and surrendered, killing a large number of landlords and gentry, liberating productive forces, distributing land to the people, using the proceeds from the confiscation of property for disaster relief, and encouraging local refugees to reclaim wasteland and build water conservancy projects, etc.

These things cannot completely solve the existing problems of the Ming Dynasty, but they can simply and directly remove the main root of the problem, and then the minor ailments can gradually be cured.

Therefore, although it cannot completely solve the problem, it can solve most of the problems.

After all, compared to patching up an already dilapidated house and becoming a cement worker, demolishing and rebuilding is obviously much more cost-effective.

Several days later, on June 20th, just as Zhu Di was about to reach Shanhaiguan, Dorgon withdrew his troops.

He suffered heavy losses during this entry into the country.

They fought a protracted battle with the Ming army on the city walls, resulting in the deaths and injuries of three to four thousand men.

This was originally just a minor injury or death.

As a result, Zhou An's troops arrived and almost brutally massacred his garrison at Dongluo City.

Including the two thousand-man squads he annihilated along the way and Dodo's troops, Dorgon's casualties totaled over ten thousand.

Although most of them were Han Eight Banners and Mongol Eight Banners, as well as subordinate troops such as Wu Sangui, the Three Shun Kings, the One Shun Duke, the Outer Mongolian, and the Outer Korea.

However, the Manchu Jurchens also suffered approximately 3,000 casualties.

This was a major blow to the Manchus, whose population was already small. It resulted in the deaths and injuries of almost one-fortieth of the entire Manchu ethnic group, a devastating blow.

If there had been another chance to capture Shanhaiguan, even at a heavy price, it wouldn't have been impossible to continue.

However, the Dongluo City they had painstakingly captured was robbed, and more than a hundred enemy soldiers even came out of the city to provoke them, issuing a challenge to a large-scale battle in the open field.

The morale of the Manchu army was already low, and they had lost the courage to continue fighting after being defeated.

Seeing this, even the most foolish Dorgon would know it was time to withdraw his troops.

During the night, in order to prevent a surprise attack by the Ming army, Dorgon withdrew in batches. The first wave was on June 18, followed by yesterday, and then today, with the last batch leaving.

He ordered Wu Sangui to cover the rear, while he led the main force back to Ningyuan.

Finally, there was a major battle to capture Shanhaiguan, which ended rather anticlimactically.

Time quickly passed and it was already early July.

When Zhu Di arrived at Shanhaiguan, he discovered that the Jurchens had escaped, which greatly disappointed him.

However, Old Zhu forbade him to pursue.

The same question remains: you can easily crush the Manchus with your light cavalry.

However, people need to eat, and a large amount of supplies and provisions were with Old Zhu, including bullets, shells, food, and various other materials.

The storage of drone batteries in Northeast China is also a problem. Although it is summer, the Northeast often experienced heavy snow during the Little Ice Age, and there was hardly any sunshine.

Therefore, Lao Zhu told him to wait until he delivered a large amount of supplies.

In mid-July, Lao Zhu finally arrived in Beijing.

Inside the Qianqing Palace during the Chongzhen reign.

Zhu Yunfeng, dressed in his own princely robes, sat on the dragon throne that Emperor Chongzhen had once sat on.

Below are six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet: Jiang Dejing, Fang Yuegong, Fan Jingwen, Qiu Yu, Ni Yuanlu, and Sun Chuanting; and three Ministers of Personnel: Li Yuzhi, Meng Zhaoxiang, and Lin Yuji. Among them, Fan Jingwen concurrently served as Minister of Works, Ni Yuanlu concurrently served as Minister of Revenue, and Wang Jiayan served as Minister of War in Shanhaiguan.

Therefore, there are currently only nine high-ranking officials in the Ming Dynasty.

Also present was Gao Shiming, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Wang Chengen, as the Grand Secretary, should have been there as well, but he had gone to serve Emperor Chongzhen.

"Your Highness, another batch of disaster relief grain was transported to Shaanxi yesterday. Although tens of millions of taels of silver and a large amount of grain were seized this time, it is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Without income in the long run, we can only sit and eat our savings away."

"Yes, Your Highness. The late Emperor Taizu is still on the river, which is blocking the river transport. Transporting grain by land will be much slower. I don't know if the grain transported from Jiangnan can be delivered on time this year."

"Today we have to transport grain to Shanxi again. I'm thinking of slowing down the shipment and leaving the disaster relief grain from Shanxi in the capital. It's not that we shouldn't send grain to Shanxi, but Beijing consumes countless grains every day, and I'm afraid that the city will be short of food supplies."

"You don't need to worry about that. Emperor Taizu has rectified the south and returned a large amount of land to the people. This year's grain harvest in the south will definitely be many times greater than in previous years."

Upon hearing the appeals of the many ministers, Zhu Yunfeng smiled and said, "The solution to the problem is actually to solve the problem itself. You all know better than I what the problems of the Ming Dynasty are. How many acres of land have been seized by the landlords and gentry in the south? They neither pay taxes nor support the people. A large number of people who own only a few acres of land have to bear high taxes. The Taizu Emperor killed them and gave the land to the people. Everyone pays taxes. Even if many taxes are reduced this year, the grain collected will definitely be more than in previous years. You all understand this."

Fang Yuegong nodded and said, "If that's the case, then I can rest assured."

"Let's stick to the arrangements I made before. There are too many problems in the Ming Dynasty right now. What we need to do is to eliminate the deep-rooted problems and eradicate the bad ones, but before that, maintaining stability is the priority."

Zhu Yunfeng said, "I must ensure that the disaster relief grain is distributed to every disaster victim. Local officials must do their duty and organize the people to cultivate the land and feed themselves. Tell them that when the founding emperor comes, he will not let them run wild like Chongzhen did."

"Yes."

Everyone responded.

Just then, Gao Yushun, the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and concurrently the director of the Eastern Depot, entered, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor Taizu has crossed Xianghe and will soon arrive in Tongzhou."

Zhu Yunfeng laughed and said, "It seems that the Emperor Taizu will arrive in Beijing this afternoon. You should inform Emperor Chongzhen and the Crown Prince to prepare to receive him."

"Yes."

When Zhu Yunfeng, a prince, issued orders like an emperor, no one voiced any objection.

Because Zhu Yunfeng is now the Prince of Wu, appointed by Emperor Zhu himself, to oversee the country.

Emperor Chongzhen was incompetent.

The founding emperor was on his way.

Emperor Taizong went to fight the Jurchens.

As the King of Wu, Zhu Yunfeng rightfully deserved to sit in this position.

At this moment, Old Zhu came over, and Zhu Yunfeng breathed a sigh of relief, but then licked his lips, somewhat enjoying the taste.

Having never been an emperor before, and not particularly interested in the emperor, especially after seeing how exhausted Zhu Yuanzhang was, sleeping only four hours a day, Zhu Yunfeng kept his distance from imperial power.

But now, after serving as the Prince Regent for more than twenty days, he holds the power of life and death over the entire city of Beijing. Whether they are officials, commoners, or powerful figures from all walks of life, they all tremble in fear beneath him.

This feeling is pretty good.

soon.

In the afternoon.

On the canal outside Chongwenmen, countless boats slowly appeared, their numbers obscuring the sky.

The honor guards from both sides of the strait held up signs and led the way in a magnificent manner.

If viewed from above, one would see a fleet of boats floating on the canal and a caravan on the shore stretching for at least twenty miles southwards.

Judging from this display, it seems that Zhu Yuanzhang brought all the grain transport taxes from the entire Jiangnan region for this year.

In fact it is.

The army alone numbered nearly 100,000, including the followers of Zuo Liangyu, Lü Daqi, and He Tengjiao. When the civilians and auxiliary soldiers were added together, the total number exceeded 300,000, a vast and mighty force that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Outside Chongwen Gate, there wasn't even a huge crowd this time, because the Imperial Guards and Beijing Garrison soldiers kept the people away and wouldn't allow them to get close.

It's not that people are not allowed to admire the dignified appearance of the founding emperor, but there are simply too many people. If the restrictions were lifted, millions of people would crowd into the banks of the Grand Canal and the vicinity of Chongwen Gate, which could lead to serious consequences if not handled carefully.

At this moment, Zhu Yunfeng, along with all the civil and military officials, Emperor Chongzhen, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang, Empress Zhang, Empress Zhou, and others, were already waiting at the dock.

The imperial ship at the very front slowly came to a stop. The old Zhu, with his graying temples and gray hair, but still exuding a majestic aura, slowly disembarked from the ship wearing a dragon robe from the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. His gaze swept across the entire scene like that of a fierce tiger.

"The founding emperor has arrived!"

Han Zanzhou, the eunuch in charge of Nanjing, accompanied Zhu Yuanzhang to Beijing and temporarily played the role of the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, holding a whisk and shouting loudly.

"Your subjects Jiang Dejing, Fang Yuegong, Fan Jingwen, Qiu Yu, Ni Yuanlu, and Sun Chuanting pay their respects to Emperor Taizu. Long live Emperor Taizu!"

All the civil and military officials knelt down and kowtowed.

Zhu Yunfeng cupped his hands and said, "Grandson Zhu Yunfeng pays respects to the Great Ancestor."

Only Chongzhen's family seemed at a loss. Empress Zhang, Empress Zhou, and Crown Prince Zhu Cilang also knelt down, while Chongzhen stood there without saying a word.

"Get up."

Old Zhu walked forward with his hands behind his back, looked at Zhu Yunfeng and said with a smile, "Yunfeng, I heard you're the emperor in Beijing."

Zhu Yunfeng rolled his eyes at him and said, "Didn't you appoint me as regent?"

"How is it now?"

Old Zhu asked again.

Zhu Yunfeng briefly recounted the administrative matters he had handled over the past few days, and then said, "That's basically it."

"Hmm, well done. No rushing, no impatience. Haste makes waste, this is just right."

Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction and said, "You've done a great job as emperor. Why don't you continue to serve for a while longer?"

"really?"

Zhu Yunfeng chuckled, "Oh dear, Ancestor, you've really put me in a difficult position! How could I possibly want to be emperor?"

Old Zhu was amused and laughed, "You're still so unserious."

After saying that, he glanced at Chongzhen, who was standing to the side like a lackey, and frowned, saying, "You are Chongzhen?"

Emperor Chongzhen reluctantly cupped his hands and said, "Yes, it is I."

"I, I, I, dog-foot I."

Old Zhu punched him right in the eye, knocking him to the ground, then kicked him twice, scolding, "Our ancestors entrusted the country to you, and look at what you've done! Even the descendants of Yunfeng, who have never been emperors, know how to eliminate corruption step by step, how to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty, and how to trust those they employ and not employ those they distrust. Yet you have repeatedly gone back on your word, been stubborn and self-willed, and shifted the blame to your ministers. With someone like you, which minister would dare to serve you sincerely?"

Emperor Chongzhen was beaten and lost face. His anger rose, and he still shouted, "Yes, yes, it's all my fault. It's my fault that the world is in such chaos. It's my fault that there are corrupt officials everywhere and that taxes can't be collected. It's my fault that those princes have so much land and the court still has to give them salaries every year to support them. It's my fault that the gentry in Jiangnan and all the civil and military officials are dragging the country down."

Old Zhu was taken aback, then squatted down and looked at him closely, saying, "You know where the problem lies, but can you solve it? Sometimes you have to use force. What's so hard about killing officials? Even if you kill them all, there will still be plenty of people to become officials. If you can't kill them, if you can't eliminate them, then it's your fault. If you slaughter the gentry of Jiangnan, you'll have land, money, and grain. At worst, you can just reduce the power of the princes again. You are the emperor, the emperor of our Great Ming, my descendant. You're not afraid of losing your country or hanging yourself, so why are you afraid of slaughtering a million soldiers in Jiangnan?"

Emperor Chongzhen was taken aback, and in the end, he could only say, "Our ancestors' teachings are correct, your grandson knows he was wrong."

"It's too late, it's too late. Let's go to Fengyang to guard the tomb."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, looked at the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang beside him, beckoned him over, and said, "During this time, I'll keep the Crown Prince by my side. You're no good as emperor, and you're even less good at teaching your son."

With a wave of his hand, the civil and military officials parted to make way, and Old Zhu entered Beijing like a lion surveying its territory!

(End of this chapter)