The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 798: Destiny Transfer
On May 31, the fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, Zhu Youjian led his main force back to the capital, fleeing overnight. Before fleeing Beijing, the Ming army looted government offices and official residences within the city. To prevent the capital from falling into the hands of the Qi thieves and to prove himself the true ruler of the world, the time traveler ordered the destruction of the capital he once held.

On June 1, Zhu Youjian ordered fires to be set everywhere in the capital, and ordered the border troops of Xuanfu and Datong to cover the rear. Then he personally led 10,000 soldiers from the capital camp, trusted ministers (ministers who were unwilling to move south had been executed), palace maids and eunuchs, tens of thousands of newly recruited men, and thousands of carts of gold, silver, jewelry, and food supplies, to hunt south in a hurry.

Of course, the external announcement was that the capital was moved to Nanjing.

Later, when historians discussed this period of history, they always sighed and lamented. Many people slapped their thighs and said indignantly that if Emperor Chongzhen had not moved the capital during the Jingnan Campaign, but had chosen to hold on to Beijing, leading his elite soldiers to fight the Jingnan Army to the end, delaying Qi Meng and waiting for the elite troops from the nine borders to surround him, the outcome would have been unknown.

In any case, the time traveler moved south with the elite army he had built, his concubines, and his heart full of disappointment and resentment.

This gave the people of the capital an opportunity to exact revenge on the lagging Ming Jinyiwei. As more and more Jingnan troops appeared on the outskirts of the city, the people of the capital grew bolder and bolder. They began to hunt down the stragglers in droves, throwing them into the blazing flames, laughing and dancing as these imperial lackeys were reduced to flames. Those soldiers of the Beijing camp injured in the Battle of Shanhaiguan and unable to advance south were beheaded by the people as a token of their loyalty to the city's new conqueror.

"The people's hearts can be used! The army should enter the city immediately." An intelligence officer lurking in the capital reported to the spy chief Zhang Chao.

The people of the capital, who were accustomed to the world, were not unfamiliar with the change of dynasties. Some people were even preparing to present congratulatory messages to the Grand Marshal and support this military man to become emperor.

Upon hearing that the flags of the Jingnan Army were all red, every household in Beijing hung red ribbons in front of their doors.

The people were nervously waiting for the Grand Marshal to enter the city. Those who had once been powerful in the Chongzhen Dynasty and were now unable to escape for various reasons were trembling with fear and silently waiting for the punishment from Wu Sangui and Qi Meng.

~~~~~~
Entering Beijing, like entering the customs, is full of uncertainty.

From Qi Meng's perspective, the city of Beijing in the fourth year of Chongzhen was undoubtedly a huge burden. The food and clothing of one million people all depended on the canal. Even the coal used by the people for heating and making fire had to be transported from Shanxi, Hebei and other places...

"Marshal, Zhu Youjian has escaped, saying he's going to Jiangnan to hunt."

The Grand Marshal's headquarters arrived at Yongding Gate, and the vanguard cavalry had begun to take over the city, but Qi Meng was hesitant and refused to enter the city.

Zhang Chao found several notices with wet ink in the city, and only then did he know that Zhu Youjian had escaped last night.

Qi Meng took the notice, glanced at it, crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the moat.

"He should have hanged himself on the crooked tree on Coal Hill, but unexpectedly he escaped."

He is not a qualified time traveler.

Qi Meng thought for a while, then looked up at the black smoke rising everywhere in the city, his brows furrowed.

"This bastard stole everything, set it on fire, and ran away, leaving this mess to me. How despicable!"

Zhang Chao hurriedly said, "Marshal, Deng Changxiong and Pu Gang have already sent people to pursue them."

Qi Meng didn't say anything after hearing this, but just stared at the plaque on Yongding Gate in silence for a long time. He certainly didn't expect to kill Zhu Youjian so easily.

Having said that, it's a good idea to leave a way out for a future reunion. As a fellow time traveler, as long as Zhu Youjian can realize that their common enemy is the Tengman Company, not each other, Qi Meng will still give him a chance to live. - Although it seems difficult to do so at the moment.

Horsemen in red armor and with red flags on their backs kept passing by. A crackling noise echoed through the city. Zhang Chao was startled and instinctively wanted to draw his sword. Qi Meng said calmly:

"It's the people of the capital who are welcoming the royal army."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of loud gongs and drums rang out in the city.

Zhang Chao smiled awkwardly: "Marshal, it's time to go into the city."

Qi Meng slowly got off the carriage under the protection of the guards, and suddenly deafening shouts of victory were heard all around.

Under the encouragement of the chief instructor, Sen Ti, tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison: "Ten thousand victories!"

"Wan Sheng!"

Qi Meng jumped on his horse and raised his hand to signal the people around him. The crowd burst into even louder shouts, and the cry of victory reached the sky.

Qi Mengchao glanced behind him and saw tens of thousands of soldiers looking at him. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the six-year-old prince Zhu Zimiao, wearing a dragon robe, surrounded by sixteen Jinyiwei generals, slowly walked to the front of the Grand Marshal.

Qi Meng hurried forward, knelt on one knee facing Zhu Ci Miao, and said loudly: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I cannot wear armor, so I will only greet you with military salute!"

The big Han general closest to Zhu Zimiao whispered a few words in front of the prince. Zhu Zimiao waved the sleeves of his dragon robe and spoke in a thick Sichuan dialect:
"Lord Liaoyang, please rise quickly! You and the other soldiers, armed to the teeth, will avenge your father and kill the traitor Zhu Youjian. This will rid the country of this great threat. The court will reward you handsomely!"

The Han general whispered a few more words into Zhu Zimiao's ear, and the little prince continued:
"Appoint the Earl of Liaoyang as the King of Liao. He does not need to be named when praising or bowing, does not need to rush when entering the court, and wears a sword and shoes when entering the palace..."

On behalf of the court, Zhu Zimiao read out a long list of names, including the main generals who participated in the Jingnan Campaign and Wu Sangui's subordinates. It was no problem for them to be promoted. After he finished reading with great difficulty, the surrounding soldiers fell silent.

Qi Meng looked around and said loudly, "Thank you, His Highness!"

Tens of thousands of soldiers knelt down in unison, shouting:

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace!"

"Soldiers, please stand up!"

The soldiers didn't move.

Qi Meng waved his hand: "Everyone get up!"

The officers of each battalion then waved their flags and ordered the soldiers to stand up.

The Han general escorted the prince slowly into Beijing City. The young Zhu Ci Miao opened his eyes wide and looked at the densely packed soldiers around him with a blank face. Finally, he turned around and looked at the aggressive Liao King Qi Meng, who was intimidating without being angry.

~~~~~~
At noon on June 1st, under the protection of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Guard, Qi Meng supported Zhu Ci Miao and slowly climbed up to the Wuying Palace where the embers were still burning.

At this time, the Wuying Hall was already crowded with Chongzhen's old ministers who came to seek refuge. There were five or six thousand officials in the city, some of whom were taken away by Zhu Youjian, and some died in the chaos. There were at least three thousand survivors who were eager to serve the Grand Marshal.

Qi Meng led the prince past the civil and military officials. All the officials knelt for a long time, with their buttocks raised high.

After entering the palace, Qi Meng looked down at the ministers, then leaned over to Zhu Ci Miao and said with a pleasant expression:
"The most urgent task is for Your Majesty to ascend the throne as soon as possible and inherit the throne. To do this, they must elect officials who understand the etiquette of enthronement."

Zhu Zimiao nodded and said, "I was just a cowherd boy, and overnight I became the son of Emperor Tianqi. I don't understand these things. All state affairs are decided by the King of Liao."

Qi Mengwang looked at Li Mingrui, the editor of the Hanlin Academy, and politely asked him to serve as the new Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and organize the officials of the Ministry of Rites to plan the new emperor's enthronement.

Li Mingrui banged his head on the ground, weeping bitterly, "I am old and weak, I am afraid I am not up to the task."

Qi Meng was furious: "Zhu Youjian murdered his brother and stole the throne. I led a million soldiers to support the royal family. The late emperor's spirit is watching over you. The prince will ascend the throne next month. You sons of bitches, you always talk about loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, but now that I need you, you are here making excuses!"

Li Mingrui was deeply terrified and kowtowed repeatedly to accept the appointment.

(End of this chapter)