Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 359 The reunion of monarchs and ministers

The fireworks rose into the sky and could be seen within a radius of ten miles. After a while, several more fireworks rose into the sky. Different from the first one, the latter ones were all distress signals sent by the Qing soldiers of Ziguangguan.

The main force of the Qing army in Guangze County naturally also noticed this change. Zhang Cunren was shaken awake from his sleep, and was about to be furious, but the left and right said anxiously: "My lord, there are several fireworks going up in the direction of Ziguang Temple to ask for help. I'm afraid Things have changed."

Zhang Cunren was shocked when he heard the words, he searched the mountains and entered the forests in northern Fujian, it took so much effort to catch Emperor Longwu, how could he allow any mistakes.

At this time, he was worried, and while he was wearing his official uniform, he asked someone to invite the commander Du De. After a while, when the two met, Zhang Cunren said anxiously: "Tonight, there will be fireworks in Ziguang Temple. If you are being besieged by bandits, please Zhang Jing to lead the [-] Banners to reinforce immediately, and make sure not to let the bandits take Emperor Longwu away. If there are too many bandits to resist, then kill Longwu immediately. Send the head to Fuzhou for meritorious service."

Dould hurriedly led 1000 troops to set off. Halfway along the road, a trumpet sounded suddenly in the woods on both sides, and hundreds of troops rushed out from the left and right sides. Suddenly there was a scuffle in the dark night.

At this time, it was getting daylight, and the sky in the east was pale. After Zhang Cunren dispatched Durd, he felt a bit more at ease. Banner, there is basically no opponent in northern Fujian, but shortly after Dude set off, a Qing army reported in a flustered manner: "My lord, something is wrong, a large number of Ming troops suddenly appeared in the direction of Shanguan , killing in the direction of the light~"

"How is it possible?" Zhang Cunren said in disbelief, "How could there be Ming troops in the direction of Shanguan?"

"My lord, the news came from the sentry. The Ming army is only seven or eight miles away from Guangguang, and they will kill them in half an hour!"

Zhang Cunren's heart that had just settled down suddenly became turbulent. He didn't understand why the Ming army appeared in the direction of Shanguan, but the Sentinels would never lie.

"How many troops does the Ming army have?" Zhang Cunren asked calmly.

"It's not yet dawn, and the patrols can't see clearly, but the Ming army stretches along both sides of the Beixi River, and there must be tens of thousands of them!"

The distance between Shanguan and Guangguang is more than 40 miles, and now the Ming army has walked seven or eight miles away from the county seat, that is to say, the Ming army started marching around the middle of the night.

Although the moonlight was very bright in the sky, tens of thousands of horses could travel long distances at night, which also showed that this army was not simple, and must be very elite. Naturally, Guangguang Town could not stick to it. Zhang Cunren quickly made a judgment.

Zhang Cunren, an old thief, was incorporated into the Xianglan Banner after he surrendered to the Qing court. He has made great contributions to the Qing court many times. The killing must have been carefully planned. He is obviously no match for the prepared Ming army when he stays in Guangze.

Zhang Cunren immediately made a decisive decision: "Order the army, take the carts, and retreat southward quickly."

In the face of his own life, Zhang Cunren made a decisive choice, and he didn't even care about Emperor Longwu in Ziguang Temple. After all, even if he lost the credit for capturing Longwu, he still had hundreds of carts of gold, silver and jewelry.

Immediately after Zhang Cunren sent someone to notify Durd, he led eight or nine thousand troops and quickly evacuated from Guangze County. A large number of carts were pulled out from the gate of the city, and countless Qing soldiers fled south to protect their looted property. .

Zhang Cunren's decision was very wise. Not long after the Qing soldiers left Guangze, Wang Yan arrived in Guangze County. A cavalryman ran up to Wang Yan and reported: "Report to the Duke, the Qing soldiers have withdrawn to the south, and Guangze County has become an empty city." .”

"Old fox, your sense of smell is really keen~" Wang Yan immediately smiled and said in a cold voice, "Where is the Deputy General Superintendent?"

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Shixiu immediately responded with clasped fists: "The last general is here! Please give me your orders~"

"According to Huang Ting's account, Thief Zhang searched and robbed a lot of property in northern Fujian, you go and help the governor get it back." Wang Yan pointed at the south with his whip and said: "Remember, just take back the property, don't chase too far , We are not familiar with the terrain in northern Fujian, so as not to be ambushed."

"No~ Duke, don't worry!" Wang Shixiu clasped his fists again, and then waved his hand. The chess and card officer behind him immediately issued an order, and a burst of drums sounded. Nearly ten thousand supervising cavalry immediately chased south.

The reason why nomadic regimes waged wars frequently, but the Central Plains dynasty was very cautious about wars, and even said that "the important affairs of the country are the sacrifices and the soldiers", such words are because the cost of launching wars by the Central Plains dynasty is high.

Nomads fight wherever they go. Soldiers don’t need military pay or food. The cost of war is extremely low, and they can basically earn money in wars. However, the Central Plains Dynasty needs food and pay, and they pay pensions when they die. The places destroyed by wars It is not worthwhile to spend money on reconstruction and relief.

Although the Manchu Qing Dynasty had transformed from half-fishing and half-hunting to farming, its style of conduct was still burning, killing, and looting. Therefore, Nanming was naturally at a disadvantage financially and needed a lot of money, but it had no source of tax revenue.

Wang Yan knew that Zhang Cunren had robbed a large amount of property, so naturally he couldn't let it go.

At this time, the sky was completely bright, and Wang Yan watched the superintendent cavalry go south, so he waved his horsewhip and said boldly: "Generals, go with the superintendent to welcome the holy cavalry down the mountain."

The brigade of the Ming army headed towards the direction of Ziguangguan. After walking for five miles, they met Yuan Zongdi, who attacked [-] Eighth Banner soldiers with [-] elite soldiers. When the battle was in full swing, Du De learned that Zhang Cunren had withdrawn to the south. Then he hurriedly left the battle and led his troops to flee south.

At present, a group of people was mighty, the dust covered the sky, the golden drums were beating together, and the soldiers raised the banners and put up a guard of honor to welcome the emperor down the mountain.

Everyone passed through the rugged mountain road and came to Ziguang Temple. The battle inside the temple was over. Qin Feng was waiting at the door, and Wang Yan then asked a little uneasy: "Is your majesty ever well?"

"Reporting to the Duke, Your Majesty has been frightened for several days and suffered some frights. His body is a little sick, but it is not serious." Qin Feng saluted.

"Where are the queen, prince, Zuoge department and many ministers?"

"The empress, the crown prince, and the old man are all well, and the Duke doesn't have to worry!"

Hearing this, Wang Yan felt relieved, "It's really the luck of the Han family to protect you from previous emperors!"

Qin Feng said: "However, in the chaos, King Quyang, King Xihe, King Songzi, and many ministers and clans were still killed by the Qing soldiers. The protection of lowly positions is not good, so I ask the Duke to punish them."

"If you can keep His Majesty safe, you will make a great contribution. As for the martyrs and ministers, it is not your fault. The governor will let people have a good burial, so you don't have to take it to heart!" Wang Yan patted Qin Feng's shoulder, and then said in a warm voice: "Take this governor to see His Majesty~"

After Emperor Longwu set off from Fujing, he ran all the way. He was chased by the Qing soldiers without a chance to breathe. He ran around in the mountains and forests. He was originally weak because of the state affairs. After all this tossing, he went on a hunger strike Begging to die, the nearly 50-year-old body naturally collapsed immediately.

At this time, in the room, Emperor Longwu was lying on the bed, Empress Zeng was waiting on him, Dai Zhifan was standing on the side, and an official reported outside: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Chu has arrived."

When Emperor Longwu heard the words, he asked Empress Zeng to help him stand up, and said excitedly, "Hurry up and announce Wangqing to come in~"

Wang Yan grabbed the hem of the official robe with one hand, and trotted in. Looking at the pale-faced Emperor Longwu, who was dressed in single clothes, he hurriedly bowed in front of Longwu's bed, and said with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, the minister is late. Let Your Majesty suffer, and I deserve to die for my sins! I have been favored by the country, and I am eager to repay it. Today, Zheng Zhilong rebelled against the Ming and surrendered to the Qing, and put His Majesty in a dangerous situation. The crime is full. I have [-] elite soldiers. Your father's revenge!"

(End of this chapter)