Ming Dynasty entry: I am Chongzhen, the greatest emperor of all time!

Chapter 62: Duke of Ji
Wu Xiang and Wu Sangui stayed in the mansion for more than two hours.

It was not until after half past the hour of Si that he put on armor, hung the Emperor's Sword on his waist, and rushed to the Forbidden City with Wu Xiang.

On the way, Wu Xiang kept reminding them, "Remember, don't mention the bitter cold in Liao. Just explain that we mourned the loss of our cavalry. Whether our Wu family can rise again depends on this imperial banquet at noon!"

Wu Sangui nodded repeatedly. Just two hours ago, Wu Xiang told him all the changes that had taken place in the emperor in recent days.

He already had an idea in his mind.

In his opinion, the emperor was completely driven to the extreme by the rebellion. Under the threat of national destruction, he finally stopped thinking ahead and caring about his reputation and face.

On the contrary, it achieved good results.

After recalling the Jinyiwei and the thousands of elite soldiers who might have been trained in private, he had some confidence to confront the ministers.

These are completely incomparable to the 30,000 elite cavalry he brought.

If you don't care about fame and face, then just focus on something practical.

A million Liao Xiang must be owed.

Although Wu Xiang told him that the emperor had confiscated the homes of many ministers and nobles.

But Wu Sangui wondered how much silver could be found in the confiscation of property? These ministers and nobles were better at hiding than rats.

At most, they could confiscate one million taels of silver, but it would be difficult to raise 50,000 new troops with that amount of silver.

It is not enough to support Liao Xiang.

Since the imperial court has no money, the initiative is back in his hands.

If I don't feed my Wu family, it's hard to say whether these 30,000 cavalrymen will rebel.

Wu Sangui followed Wu Xiang out of the mansion with full confidence when several Jinyiwei climbed out from the courtyard wall and rushed towards the Forbidden City.

The early spring sun shines on the glazed tiles of the Qianqing Hall.

Zhu Youjian looked at the empty seat for the generals hanging under the Danchi, his fingers unconsciously stroking the ring.

When the noon watch drum sounded for the third time, the sound of iron armor scales rubbing against each other was finally heard outside the hall.

"General Wu Sangui of Guanning and Governor Wu Xiang of the Capital Defense Commander--"

Twelve Jinyiwei strongmen stood on both sides of the imperial road, and Wu Xiang and the other man entered the palace together.

Just as he was about to bend his knees, he heard the crisp sound of metal clashing coming from the direction of the dragon throne.

"Changbo is wearing armor, so there's no need for formalities." Zhu Youjian tapped the table with his fingertips. "Come here, please take a seat."

According to the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, military officials had to lay down their swords and remove their armor when meeting the emperor. However, at this moment, the imperial sword on Wu Sangui's waist was flashing coldly in front of the emperor.

But neither of them noticed.

When the young eunuch led the two of them to the front of the military generals' seats opposite Ni Yuanlu.

Wu Xiang was actually a little frightened and didn't dare to sit down, but Wu Sangui didn't think much of it.

Although he and Wu Xiang's titles and ranks are not high, they have soldiers!

In these troubled times, having soldiers is the bottom line!
As soon as the two sat down, Zhu Youjian raised the wine bottle and looked at Wu Sangui with a smile.

"Zhang Bo has endured a long and arduous journey, ignoring dangers and obstacles. He arrived in five days on a ten-day journey. He is truly a role model for all generals. We should drink this cup."

Wu Sangui had no choice but to stand up quickly, raise the glass, and repeatedly say he dared not, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Before he could sit back in his seat, Zhu Youjian spoke again.

"Changbo first drove the Jiannu outside the Great Wall and then saved the capital from disaster. He deserves a generous reward for his merits. I wonder if Changbo would like to request anything?"

Hearing this, Wu Sangui knew that his opportunity had come.

He stepped out of his seat and knelt in the center of the hall.

"Loyalty to the emperor is the duty of a subject. How can I ask for a reward if I have not done anything meritorious? However, I do have one request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it!"

"Oh? What does Changbo want?" Zhu Youjian asked pretending to be confused.

"While I was stationed in Ningyuan, the Jiannu launched a massive attack on the city, leaving nearly ten thousand men dead and wounded. My families, young and old, have no one to support. Yet, the Ministry of Revenue has been in arrears with Liao military pay from last year, and I'm unable to even pay my soldiers' pensions!" "Furthermore, heavy snow in Liaodong last year froze over four thousand war horses to death. The two hundred thousand soldiers of the Guanning Army couldn't even afford winter clothing, so they could only stuff their coats with straw and hemp to defend the city."

"I only ask the Ministry of Revenue to send the Liao Xiang so that everyone in Liaodong can make a living."

Zhu Youjian hasn't spoken yet.

Cheng De, the head of the Ministry of War, suddenly sneered, "I remember the military report from Ningyuan last year, which showed that only 800 war horses froze to death."

"The Ministry of War received twelve customs clearance documents for caravans, claiming they were transporting soybeans to the Guanning Army, but they were actually transporting Jiangnan porcelain!"

"What do you mean, Master Cheng?" Wu Sangui's eyes suddenly grew cold. "Could it be that the bloody battles fought by my men of Guanning are worth less than a few carts of bean fodder in your eyes?"

Fan Jingwen clapped his hands and laughed, "What a bloody battle!"

"Last month, the Military Affairs Department inspected the military farms at Sanshili Fort outside Shanhaiguan. When did it become the horse ranch for the Fanji Trading Company?"

Wu Sangui's pupils suddenly shrank. This was the thank-you gift he gave to Shanxi merchant Fan Yongdou last year.

"You are going to chill the hearts of the soldiers!"

Seeing Wu Sangui speechless, Wu Xiang quickly spoke up, tears streaming down his face as he cried, "My son was so busy defending the country that he couldn't even see his mother before she passed away. Why do you want to slander my father and me like this?"

At this point, he pretended to tremble as he pulled out half a jade pendant and a piece of silk cloth from his bosom, "This is what my wife left behind before she died."

Wang Chengen presented the silk cloth and jade pendant, with the four words "Don't forget loyalty and filial piety" particularly prominent.

Zhu Youjian said calmly, "I remember that Madam Wu was granted an imperial decree in the 48th year of the Wanli reign? Wang Chengen, issue an order to posthumously confer the title of First-Rank Lady of Chastity, and to enshrine her in the Martyrs' Shrine."

Wu Xiang's weeping came to an abrupt end.

This seemingly great reward actually cut off the possibility of him using family affairs as a threat again.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Prime Minister Ni Yuanlu echoed and defined the incident.

"Prime Minister!" Wu Sangui stopped pretending and stood up suddenly. "Could it be that the Guanning Army is no longer the imperial army of the Ming Dynasty?!"

"How dare you!" Jin Xuan suddenly slammed the table. This usually mild-mannered head of the Ministry of War now had his hair and beard standing on end. "Holding a sword before the emperor, are you trying to emulate Sima Zhao?"

Twelve imperial guards immediately sealed the palace gate, and the cold light reflected from their heavy armor made Wu Sangui's face turn pale.

Only then did he realize that his sword was still at his waist. From the moment he stepped into the Qianqing Palace, he fell into a carefully designed crisis.

Zhu Youjian chuckled and waved his hand, "Changbo has not yet taken off his armor, so there is no need to blame him harshly."

He walked down the stairs slowly, came to Wu Sangui's side, and said softly, "The court's finances are in trouble, and it's really wronged that Changbo has suffered."

"But regarding the smuggling of Shanxi merchants, do you think I should hand it over to the East Factory for investigation?"

"I will immediately reorganize the Guanning Army!"

"No need for that. Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes will be punished." Zhu Youjian waved his hand, walked back to the dragon throne, and spoke loudly to the ministers in the hall.

"Wu Sangui, the Marquis of Pingxi, was rewarded with the title of Duke of Ji and the commanding officer of the Five Cities Military Command for his meritorious service in rescuing the emperor."

"Wu Xiang, the governor of the capital's defense, was promoted to the rank of Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion for his meritorious service in defending the city, and was given the responsibility of managing cabinet affairs."

All the ministers kowtowed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Wu Sangui and Wu Xiang felt deeply powerless.

His title was indeed promoted, and he is still a Duke, but being the commander of the Five Cities Military is a bit too much!

Ever since the emperor proposed the reorganization of the Ministry of War, the Wucheng Bingmasi has completely become an ordinary government office.

No, it’s not even as good as the government office, because the Wucheng Bingmasi has no law enforcement power.

And the Grand Secretary of the Dongge was even more excessive. Wu Xiang was just a military leader, and when he entered the cabinet full of people loyal to the emperor, wouldn't he be suppressed to death?
Wu Sangui quickly knelt down again and kowtowed heavily, trying to struggle with the help of his 30,000 cavalry. "But 30,000 soldiers have been stationed at the border for a long time. If they suddenly change their commander,

The meaning is very clear. If you withdraw me, be careful of the rebellion of 30,000 cavalrymen.

Zhu Youjian acted as if he didn't understand and said nonchalantly, "This is easy. General Huang Degong of Luzhou just sent a message that he will arrive in the capital at midnight tomorrow."

"So, Uncle Chang should just be content to be the Duke of Ji and enjoy a peaceful life."

(End of this chapter)