My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 102: Hong Chengchou’s doubts: Was this imperial edict really issued by Chongzhen?

After arriving at the room, Zhang Zhiji took out an imperial edict without waiting for Hong Chengchou to speak.

"Hong Chengchou accepts the order!"

Hong Chengchou hurriedly knelt down.

"Your Highness, Hong Chengchou, accepts the order!"

Zhang Zhiji didn't waste any words and directly handed the imperial edict to Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou respectfully opened the imperial edict and then examined it carefully.

But in the next second, his expression became strange.

After reading the specific content of the imperial edict, his expression became extremely strange.

After a moment, Hong Chengchou closed the imperial edict and respectfully put it aside. Then he looked at Ying Gongdao:

"Duke Ying, I have a question for you. It may be a bit disrespectful, so please don't mind it."

The Duke of England nodded and said:

"No problem, just speak up. All the public officials in this country will speak out."

Hong Chengchou then said:
"May I ask, Duke Ying, is this imperial edict truly from His Majesty?"

It is no wonder that Hong Chengchou had such doubts. Before he set out from the capital, Chongzhen had repeatedly urged him to fight quickly and decisively because the Ming Dynasty could not afford to delay.

If it takes too long, even the food supply may not be able to be met.

However, the content of this imperial edict was completely opposite to Chongzhen’s previous attitude.

In this imperial edict, Chongzhen actually instructed him to proceed steadily and not to act rashly, and highly praised his plan to drag the Jiannu army to death.

He even asked him to go back specifically to discuss with him in person how to deal with the Jiannu.

When you go back, you must bring 10,000 Guanning cavalry with you!
To be honest, all of this left Hong Chengchou a little confused.

Because the contrast between before and after is too great.

Therefore, Hong Chengchou really doubted whether this imperial edict was really issued by Chongzhen?

This is completely different from Chongzhen’s personality before!

When Zhang Zhiji heard this, he naturally knew what Hong Chengchou was worried about, and then he said:

"Governor Hong, you don't know that a lot of things happened in the Ming Dynasty during the time you were away!"

"The emperor is seriously ill right now, so the crown prince is acting as regent."

"Although this imperial edict was issued in the name of the emperor, it actually came from the prince's intention."

what?
When Hong Chengchou heard this, he couldn't help feeling a little surprised. He didn't expect that such a big thing would happen in the court less than a month after he left the capital.

He never expected that the prince would fully support his plan.

If he remembered correctly, the prince seemed to be only thirteen or fourteen years old?

After a moment, Hong Chengchou finally nodded, then sighed:
"It seems that a lot of things have happened in the court during this period."

"By the way, I wonder what illness Your Majesty has? Is it serious?"

Zhang Zhiji nodded and said:

"Don't worry, His Majesty is doing well. Maybe we can meet again after you return to the capital!"

When saying this, Zhang Zhiji sighed silently in his heart.

I thought that not only something big had happened in the court, but it was a complete upheaval!

After all, the prince has rebelled!
Of course, he didn't dare say these words out loud.

After the two chatted for a while, Hong Chengchou said:
"Duke of England, please follow me outside."

Now that the polite words are over, it’s time to get down to business.

Zhang Zhiji nodded, and then the two of them walked out together and came in front of the generals.

These generals didn't know what Hong Chengchou was discussing with Zhang Zhiji just now, and they didn't really care. What they cared about now was how to divide the two million taels of silver.

Especially the Mongolian generals, they were even more excited at this time.

Hong Chengchou glanced at everyone and then said:

"Where is Xia Chengde?"

The next second, a middle-aged general walked out from the crowd and said with a bow:
"The subordinate is here!"

It was Xia Chengde.

Hong Chengchou's eyes turned cold and he scolded:
"Take it!"

Everyone was stunned when they heard this, and had no idea what it meant.

But the next second, two soldiers came in and controlled Xia Chengde.

"Sir, what are you doing? What have I done wrong? Why are you treating me like this?"

Xia Chengde shouted loudly.

Hong Chengchou sneered.

"Xia Chengde, was your son captured by the Jiannu? Are they using him to threaten you, asking you to be their accomplice?"

When Xia Chengde heard this, his face changed immediately. He never thought that Hong Chengchou would know such a secret matter.

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard Hong Chengchou continue to scold:
"Yes and no?"

Xia Chengde was startled and said tremblingly:
"Yes Yes……"

"Then there's no need to say more."

Hong Chengchou waved his hand.

"Drag him down and chop him off."

At that moment, the two soldiers stopped talking and dragged Xia Chengde away.

And Xia Chengde is still struggling.

"Sir, sir, that is my only son!"

"Besides, I haven't agreed yet!" However, Hong Chengchou didn't want to pay any attention to him at all.

Just like that, Xia Chengde, who had been a traitor to the Jiannu army and opened the city gate to surrender during the Battle of Songjin, was killed by Hong Chengchou!

At the same time, all the generals present also recovered from their shock.

It turned out that Xia Chengde's son was captured by the Jiannu, and the Jiannu used this as a threat, wanting to make Xia Chengde their undercover agent!

Although there are reasons for this, I have to say that this guy really deserves to die!
For a moment, no one cared about dividing the money and everyone became solemn.

Hong Chengchou glanced at everyone's faces and felt proud.

In fact, he had already taught these guys a lesson, because although these guys were good at fighting, they were too arrogant.

Unexpectedly, the prince gave him an opportunity, allowing him to use Xia Chengde's head to intimidate these arrogant soldiers.

Especially those Mongols.

But now that we have the silver in hand, those Mongols should not make trouble anymore.

After all, the Mongols actually had a deep hatred for the Jiannu.

Because when the Jiannu destroyed the Mongolian Empire ten years ago, these Mongols were unwilling to submit to the Jiannu, so they joined the border army.

As long as the Ming Dynasty can provide sufficient military pay, they will naturally be willing to serve the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, Xia Chengde's head was brought to everyone.

Looking at this fresh human head, everyone was silent.

As the saying goes, one blow leads to another. After shocking everyone, the next step is to appease them.

Hong Chengchou then continued:
"Now each of you should count the soldiers under your command and then go directly to collect your wages."

When everyone heard this, they were instantly delighted, thanked Hong Chengchou one after another, and then left.

At this moment, Hong Chengchou spoke again:

"Cao Bianjiao stays."

Then, a middle-aged man with a rather sturdy build stayed behind, with a look of curiosity on his face, as if he didn't understand why he was asked to stay.

After everyone had gone away, Hong Chengchou finally spoke:

"Cao Bianjiao, His Majesty has an important task for you to do."

When Cao Bianjiao heard this, his expression instantly became serious and he quickly knelt on the ground.

"I will never give up even if I die."

Hong Chengchou continued:
"His Majesty has ordered you to lead 10,000 Guanning cavalrymen to accompany this Governor to the capital. Please go down and make preparations. We will set off in three days."

"My minister obeys."

Cao Bianjiao quickly agreed, but he was quite confused.

You know, we are currently in the midst of a war with the Jiannu, so why would we suddenly dispatch 10,000 Guanning cavalry to the capital?
Isn't this a disguised way of weakening their combat effectiveness?
But since it was an imperial decree, Cao Bianjiao naturally did not dare to disobey.

And just like that, the matter was settled easily.

The reason why it was so easy was that the border situation of the Ming Dynasty had not yet deteriorated to the point where the emperor could not control it.

After all, at this time, the Battle of Songjin had not yet been lost, and the emperor of the Ming Dynasty still had the power to mobilize troops.

All the soldiers are loyal only to the court and the emperor, not to individuals!

If it had been delayed for a few more years, until after the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Songjin, Wu Sangui might not have obeyed even the imperial edict issued by the emperor himself.

But fortunately, there is still time.

the other side.

Three days later, Qin Liangyu and Zhu Cilang finally arrived at a place less than twenty miles away from Xuanfu.

After several days of running around, Zhu Cilang deeply felt the pain of riding a horse. At this moment, he felt as if his butt no longer belonged to him.

Everyone stopped to rest. Zhu Cilang drank some water, then looked at Qin Liangyu and said:

"General Qin, I will be leaving first."

Qin Liangyu responded with a bow:
"Your Highness, upon arriving in Xuanfu, please be careful. If you encounter any emergency, please come to me first."

On the way to Xuanfu, Zhu Cilang told Qin Liangyu that when they were about to arrive in Xuanfu, he would go into the city first.

After all, his identity needs to be kept secret, and he cannot enter the city with Qin Liangyu.

Although Qin Liangyu was somewhat worried about Zhu Cilang's safety, she had to reluctantly agree in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan.

And after spending the past few days together, she was surprised to find that although this prince was young, he was extremely experienced in dealing with people and things, and his insights in some aspects were even better than hers.

Of course, even so, she would not let Zhu Cilang enter Xuanfu alone.

In addition to Zhu Cilang's own selected personal soldiers and Jinyiwei, hundreds of white-pole soldiers who have changed into regular uniforms will also follow Zhu Cilang into the city.

They would disguise themselves as ordinary pedestrians or businessmen, hide around, and protect Zhu Cilang's safety at all times.

In addition, there were hundreds of Jinyiwei sent by Zhu Cilang in Xuanfu City.

With the protection of experts like Fang Zhenghua and Li Ruolian, nothing should go wrong.

After the two sides said goodbye, Zhu Cilang immediately led his men straight to Xuanfu.

At this moment, he had changed into casual clothes, and he looked like a rich young man in fine clothes and a handsome horse.

Fang Zhenghua and Li Ruolian, who were accompanying him, pretended to be his two servants.

Soon, a magnificent ancient city came into their sight.

I saw that the ancient city had towering walls and tall arrow towers, and it looked quite solid.

On the city walls, flags are flying and armor is heavy. The patrolling figures of the soldiers are like a flowing Great Wall of Steel, demonstrating the majesty and power of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the charm of Xuanfu goes far beyond this.

It is also a trading city full of exotic customs, attracting merchants from all over the world.

Walking into Xuanfu is like stepping into a world full of exotic customs.

(End of this chapter)