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

Chapter 115 Hong Chengchou, Cao Bianjiao and Guanning cavalry enter Beijing!

I saw these ten thousand cavalrymen, each man riding three horses, running, raising dust that covered the sky and the sun, as if the world was shrouded in a thick yellow fog.

Like a surging torrent, it surges endlessly and is unstoppable.

Their war horses were strong and powerful, their hooves pounding the ground, stirring up clouds of dust, like yellow dragons dancing in the air.

The armor on his body gleamed brightly under the sunlight.

As the war horses galloped, the armor on their bodies made a "clang clang clang" metal collision sound from time to time, like the beating of war drums, stirring everyone's heartstrings.

After receiving the news, the Beijing camp quickly took action, thinking that the Jiannu were attacking.

Of course, these were definitely not the Jiannu, but the 10,000 Guanning cavalry led by Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao!
That's right!

The Guanning Iron Cavalry has finally arrived!

In fact, according to the speed of the Guanning Cavalry, they should have arrived five days ago.

As for why he came so late, it was because Hong Chengchou was afraid that something bad would happen on the Jiannu side during his absence.

So before leaving, he organized an army to launch an attack on the Jiannu.

This time, he chose the location of the attack at night and specially selected a group of soldiers who were not night blind to carry out the raid.

In the past, wars between them were all fought during the day, and there had never been a night attack, so the Jiannu were completely unprepared and were killed in an instant.

In this raid, the Ming army directly chopped off the heads of more than 800 Jiannu soldiers, which was considered a small victory.

Then all the heads were salted on the spot and taken to the capital.

In Hong Chengchou's opinion, he should at least bring some gifts, right?

The heads of the Jiannu are the best gift.

At this time, Li Banghua happened to be in the Beijing camp.

As Zhu Cilang's close confidant, he naturally knew about Zhu Cilang's mobilization of the Guanning Cavalry, so after comforting the soldiers, he immediately went to meet Hong Chengchou first to avoid any trouble.

Hong Chengchou was not a fool. He stopped when he was ten miles away from the capital.

He then ordered the troops to rest in place, and then went to the capital alone with Cao Bianjiao, several personal soldiers, and the eight hundred heads.

Soon, Hong Chengchou caught a glimpse of a figure slowly approaching from a distance. He was startled and urged the horse under him to gallop away.

When he got closer, he finally saw who it was.

"Brother Meng An? Why is it you?"

There was a hint of surprise and confusion in Hong Chengchou's tone.

Of course, he knew Li Banghua. Not only did they know each other, but they also had a deep friendship.

But as far as he knew, Li Banghua should be in Nanjing at this moment, so how could he suddenly appear in the capital?
Li Banghua laughed heartily upon hearing this and said:
"Yan Yan (Hong Chengchou's pen name), you still remember me? That's rare!"

Hong Chengchou also laughed and said:
"How can you say that? We've known each other for a while, how could I possibly forget?"

As they talked, the two of them closed the distance again.

Li Banghua then explained:

"To be honest, His Majesty transferred me from Nanjing to the capital some time ago, and I am now serving as the Minister of War."

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he was slightly startled, then he hurriedly bowed and said:
"Congratulations to Brother Meng An!"

Li Banghua waved his hand.

"Yan Yan, you two shouldn't be so polite. We are all working for His Majesty, so there's no need for formalities."

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou said nothing more.

At this moment, Li Banghua suddenly noticed the carriage behind Hong Chengchou and the boxes on it, and asked curiously:
"What are these?"

Hong Chengchou laughed and said:
"To be honest, Brother Meng An, these are the gifts I brought to His Majesty."

"Before coming here, I organized a surprise attack on the Jiannu people and chopped off more than 800 of their heads. These are their heads."

"Good good!"

When Li Banghua heard this, his face was also full of excitement.

In his opinion, nothing could be more exciting than these gifts.

The current Ming Dynasty really needs such gifts to boost morale.

Then the two of them drove side by side towards the capital.

As he walked, Li Banghua suddenly thought of something and said:

"By the way, I have two things to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Hong Chengchou said sternly:

"Brother Meng An, please speak. I am all ears."

Hong Chengchou also knew that a lot of things had happened in the month since he left the capital, so he was eager for Li Banghua to tell him what had happened recently.

So that he can prepare in advance and avoid any trouble.

After all, this is the capital city. If something really goes wrong, who knows how big the trouble will be!
Li Banghua didn't waste any words and said directly:

"The Duke of England should have told you something when he came to see you."

"What I'm going to say is pretty much the same. In short, the Crown Prince is now the Regent, so the Crown Prince's opinion basically represents His Majesty's opinion."

"Also, Your Majesty has previously discovered that the Shanxi merchants in Xuanfu have been secretly supporting the Jiannu. They have been continuously supplying them with food, ironware, cotton, pig iron, tea, salt, and other supplies."

"It has been going on for more than ten years, and some civil and military officials in Xuanfu and some officials in the imperial court are involved."

"what?"

Before Li Banghua could finish his words, Hong Chengchou became angry.

His face was full of anger, his eyes wide open, and he shouted:
"How dare these damn guys do this? This is outrageous! The soldiers on the front lines have been fighting bloody battles, but these parasites are collaborating with the enemy and selling out their country. Damn it! Damn it!"

Hong Chengchou was really angry.

He has not been defeated yet, so he is still a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty.

As a loyal minister, how could he not be angry when he heard this?
Even Cao Bianjiao behind him couldn't help but feel his blood boiling, his eyes wide open with anger, and he shouted:

"How dare these thieves do this! If I catch them, I will definitely kill them!"

Upon hearing this, Li Banghua quickly comforted the two of them, and then continued:

"Relax, both of you. His Majesty has already personally visited Xuanfu with the Crown Prince, and then sent people to raid the homes of those merchants. Now, all of them have been confiscated and their families have been exterminated."

"To be honest, we killed over 5,000 people this time!"

"That scene, just thinking about it makes my back cold."

"In addition, a full 120 million taels of silver and countless grain, salt, pig iron, tea and other supplies were confiscated."

When they heard this, Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao fell silent.

Killed five thousand people in a row?

And they also confiscated 120 million taels of silver?
And countless grains, salt, pig iron, and tea?
No, why do these words sound like a dream?
It's not that they don't understand Chongzhen. No matter how they look at him, Chongzhen doesn't seem like a man with such great courage.

Besides, when the Duke of Ying went to Liaodong, didn't he tell them that the emperor was seriously ill? Why did the emperor go to Xuanfu again for no apparent reason?
Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao were suddenly overwhelmed.

Seeing Hong Chengchou's confused look, Li Banghua roughly knew what he was thinking, and then explained in a low voice:
"I can't say the specifics, but there's a rumor circulating in the capital right now that His Majesty hasn't actually been sick!"

"He simply felt that he had been deceived before, so he was unwilling to meet with the ministers. He then hid in the harem, letting the crown prince act as regent and controlling everything in the court through him."

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he suddenly understood and thought to himself:
Isn’t this the same as what Emperor Jiajing did back then?

Although she was in the harem and had no business dealings with the government, she still had a firm grip on everything.

But the Chongzhen of today is much more cruel than Jiajing, he would confiscate property and exterminate clans at any time.
In this way, after chatting for a while, the group finally arrived in the capital.

But at this moment, Hong Chengchou keenly discovered that some people around him were holding something that looked like a court bulletin and flipping through it, and everyone's reaction was different.

Some people looked frowning, while others burst into laughter as they watched, which made Hong Chengchou a little confused.

"Brother Meng An, what are these people looking at?"

Hong Chengchou looked at Li Banghua beside him with some curiosity and asked.

Li Banghua took a quick look and then explained:
"What they are reading now is called a newspaper. It has recently become popular in the capital and is published by His Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"To put it simply, it's something similar to the Imperial Gazette and the Beijing Gazette, but it records important national events."

"All recent events in the capital are recorded there."

"And you came at the right time. Today is the day the monthly newspaper is released."

"Well, first find a restaurant to rest, then wash up. I'll have someone send you two copies of the Damingyue Newspaper."

"After you finish your bath, we'll go see His Royal Highness together. I also have something to see His Royal Highness."

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he couldn't refuse and immediately bowed.

"Thank you, Brother Meng An!"

Immediately afterwards, the two parted ways. Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao found a restaurant to take a bath first.

After all, they have traveled all the way and are smelly. They can't just go to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince like this, right?
This is so rude.

After the two of them finished washing up, Li Banghua also sent someone to deliver the Daming Monthly News.

Unlike the Daming Daily, the Daming Monthly was published by integrating the previously daily Daming Daily. Each issue of the newspaper is more than 30 pages thick.

Li Banghua sent one copy each to Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao.

Hong Chengchou took the newspaper and began to read it while sipping tea.

But soon, his brows were furrowed tightly.

By the time he had finished reading all the newspapers, his expression had become very complicated.

He never imagined that such earth-shaking changes would take place in the capital city after he had been away for only a month.

Chongzhen not only raided the homes of the powerful and wealthy, but also raided the homes of the civil officials. In total, he seized more than 150 million taels of silver!

He had previously thought that Li Banghua was exaggerating. After all, this amount of silver was beyond his imagination!

I didn’t expect this to be true!
Hong Chengchou was never a fool. He actually knew very well that although the emperor of the Ming Dynasty did not have much money at this time, he could not collect taxes.

But the civil and military officials in the court and the powerful people must have a lot of silver hidden in their homes. If they just reveal some of it, they can save the Ming Dynasty from its current predicament.

However, he couldn't say this out loud, otherwise he would offend everyone.

Moreover, Chongzhen probably knew that these people came from wealthy families, but he had always been helpless against them.

Because he only cares about face and lacks courage!

But now, no one knows what happened, Chongzhen actually took action?
Moreover, the method was so superb that even he was impressed. Is this really a method that Chongzhen could use?

Hong Chengchou shook his head, always feeling that there was something fishy behind this matter.

It’s not that he didn’t believe in Chongzhen’s ability, but based on his understanding of Chongzhen, Chongzhen should not do such a thing.

Could it be that the prince did all these things?
It doesn’t seem right either!
It's not like he hasn't seen the prince before. The prince is only thirteen or fourteen years old this year, still just a child. Where does he get such sophisticated scheming and methods?

Hong Chengchou thought about it over and over again, but still couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up thinking about it.

I plan to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince first.

Just then, the guard at the door came to report that Li Banghua was already waiting at the door, ready to go with them to see the prince.

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he quickly calmed down, packed up his things and went out.

At the same time, Cao Bianjiao from another room also went out, but his expression looked a little strange at this moment.

It was obvious that he had also finished reading the Daming Monthly Report.

It has to be said that what has happened in the capital in recent times has caused them a great shock.

At the same time, the East Palace.

Zhu Cilang had also long known the news that the Guanning Iron Cavalry was entering the capital.

After all, Hong Chengchou is not a fool. It is impossible for him to lead 10,000 cavalry straight to the capital without even saying hello.

Whenever he arrived at a place, he would send a soldier to report.

In addition, there were spies of the Jinyiwei everywhere in the capital, so Zhu Cilang had already learned the news before he arrived in the capital.

But at this moment, Zhu Cilang was not idle either, because Xue Guoguan came.

Zhu Cilang felt helpless.

"Can we talk about it later? I'm busy meeting with Hong Chengchou!"

Xue Guoguan felt a little embarrassed when he heard this, but he still said:

"This matter is not difficult for me. It will only delay Your Highness for a moment."

"It's about the cabinet ministers and the six ministers. His Majesty has previously killed three cabinet ministers and two ministers, and these positions are still vacant."

"So I want to ask, who should be promoted?"

"After all, the three of us old guys have been really busy lately."

Xue Guoguan had no choice but to accept this.

Zhu Cilang directly fired three of the five cabinet ministers and two of the six chancellors. Now these positions are vacant and people have to be found to replace them.

Otherwise, these three old guys really couldn't hold on.

Zhu Cilang thought about it and felt that this was indeed a problem.

When he was about to say something, Ma Bao came and reported:

"Your Highness, Hong Chengchou, Cao Bianjiao, and Li Banghua are outside seeking to see you."

Zhu Cilang was slightly stunned, as if he didn't expect them to come so quickly.

Xue Guoguan, who was standing by, knew it was time for him to leave when he heard this, and immediately bowed and said:
"Since His Royal Highness has something important to attend to, I will come again next time."

Zhu Cilang waved his hand and said:

"You don't have to leave. Just listen to my plan for Liaodong."

After hearing this, Xue Guoguan had no choice but to stay.

After a while, Hong Chengchou, Cao Bianjiao and Li Banghua were brought in.

"Old ministers Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao pay their respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao hurriedly bowed and were about to salute.

Zhu Cilang didn't wait for the two to bend down, he went forward and helped them up, then said with a smile:

"You two are both meritorious officials of the Ming Dynasty. There is no need to be so polite."

Zhu Cilang naturally likes Cao Bianjiao, a tough guy, from the bottom of his heart.

After all, in history, he was the man who almost killed Huang Taiji with his own hands, and eventually died for his country!
But Zhu Cilang had some opinions about Hong Chengchou who was standing next to him.

But of course, it was just some opinion. He actually had no other thoughts about Hong Chengchou now.

In recent times, he has adjusted his mentality.

As long as this person has not done anything detrimental to the Ming Dynasty or betrayed the Ming Dynasty, he will not regard this person as a traitor to the Ming Dynasty.

For example, Zuo Liangyu before, Hong Chengchou now, and Wu Sangui.

In Zhu Cilang's view, with his arrival, the history of the Ming Dynasty has changed, and the original historical events will no longer happen.

So there is no need for him to look at these people with prejudice.

If he traveled through time and space but still couldn't change the outcome of these people betraying the Ming Dynasty, it would be his own fault.

At the same time, Hong Chengchou and Cao Bianjiao were somewhat moved by Zhu Cilang's humility.

After all, the person in front of them is the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty and the future emperor. They feel extremely honored that he treats them with such courtesy.

Then, Zhu Cilang spoke again:

"Master Hong, let's first talk about the battle situation in Liaodong."

Although Zhu Cilang already knew the specific situation in Liaodong, some things would be more appropriate for the commander-in-chief Hong Chengchou to say.

After all, history is sometimes inaccurate.

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he did not refuse and quickly said:

"Your Highness, please rest assured. Although the Jiannu have completely surrounded Jinzhou City so far."

"But just before I arrived, they launched another surprise attack on the Jiannu, opened a gap, and then transported a batch of food and fodder into Jinzhou City."

"This batch of food and fodder is enough to sustain Jinzhou City for more than three months."

"After March, I will find a way to raid the Jiannu and then transport food and fodder."

"According to my estimation, by early October at the latest, the Jiannu will choose to retreat due to insufficient supplies."

"Then the crisis in Jinzhou City will be resolved."

Now Hong Chengchou still sticks to his defense plan. He wants to use the Ming Dynasty's logistical supplies to wear down the Jiannu.

In his opinion, the Jiannu's logistical supplies were not enough, and now Chongzhen had raided the homes of Shanxi merchants, completely cutting off their source of food, so they would not be able to hold out for much longer.

Zhu Cilang naturally understood that this was the safest way to deal with the Jiannu.

But it is obvious that if it were just like this, it would be a waste of his plan.

The next second, he smiled and said:

"Actually, regarding Liaodong, I have always had an idea, and this idea has been gradually implemented."

"Now, can you please help me see if this idea is feasible?"

After saying this, Zhu Cilang clapped his hands.

Immediately afterwards, two young eunuchs who had been prepared came over carrying a screen.

On the screen was a map, the same map that Zhu Cilang had used when he was negotiating with his good father-in-law Zheng Zhilong of the Ming Dynasty.

When they saw the map, everyone present didn't know what Zhu Cilang wanted to say and looked curious.

Zhu Cilang's fingers slid lightly across the map, as if he was commanding thousands of troops.

The finger finally fell on the location of Tianjin Port.

Then, Zhu Cilang spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful.

"You all know that because Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenlong without authorization, the Jiannu were able to develop their own navy. They have been lingering in Ming waters for a long time, constantly harassing the Ming!"

"Although the Ming navy is also fighting back, the Jiannu navy also originated from the Ming and is familiar with our tactics, which makes our counterattack ineffective."

Having said that, Zhu Cilang's eyes became more determined.

"But now, I have decided to completely destroy this Jiannu navy."

"Once successful, we will be able to open up sea transportation from Tianjin to Jinzhou. At that time, food and fodder can be transported directly from Tianjin Port to Jinzhou, and we no longer have to rely on land transportation."

When everyone heard this, their expressions varied, some were surprised, some were confused.

After all, in their opinion, it is too difficult to open up this sea transport.
Zhu Cilang seemed to see through their thoughts and smiled slightly.

"I know what you are worried about, but your worries are unnecessary!"

"Because I have already persuaded Zheng Zhilong, he will send 80,000 troops, plus 1,000 warships, plus the existing navy, a total of 140,000 troops and 1,800 warships to launch a general attack on the Jiannu navy."

"With such a large force, destroying the Jiannu navy is a sure thing."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present looked incredulous.

Even Xue Guoguang and Li Banghua looked confused. It was obvious that they knew nothing about this matter before.

It was obvious that Zhu Cilang did not tell them about this matter in advance.

But there was nothing that could be done about it, because Zhu Cilang knew in his heart that if these people knew that he was planning to sell his body to win over Zheng Zhilong, they would definitely object!
After all, the prince of the Ming Dynasty marrying the daughter of a pirate is something that not everyone can accept.

For the sake of the overall situation, he chose to conceal it temporarily.

Ignoring everyone's confused looks, Zhu Cilang continued to explain his plan.

"Once sea transportation is fully opened, the next plan will be divided into two steps."

"The first step is to transport grain from Tianjin Port to Jinzhou to ensure the food and fodder supply of the Ningjin Defense Line!"

"Step two, send troops from Tianjin Port to invade Liaodong!"

Having said this, Zhu Cilang's voice suddenly turned cold, revealing an unprecedented confidence and dominance.

"In the past, it was the Jiannu who came to plunder the Ming Dynasty. Now it's their turn to be plundered!"

"I will use the warships of the Ming navy to transport 10,000 Guanning cavalry to the rear of the Jiannu army to carry out massacre and plunder!"

"Wherever the Guanning Iron Cavalry passes, not a blade of grass will be left!"

"I will rob them of their property, cattle, sheep, and women, and burn their farmland and pastures, leaving this area barren!"

"I will destroy the Jiannu people!"

(End of this chapter)