I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

"Wang Chengen!"

Wang Chengen hurriedly stepped forward: "This servant is here!"

"Summon Luo Yangxing, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Wang Dehua, Director of the Eastern Depot, to the palace!"

Zhu Youjian's face was gloomy, and murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Seeing this, Wang Chengen cautiously asked, "It's getting late, the palace gates will be closing soon..."

"By imperial decree, the palace gates shall not be closed tonight!"

"As you command!"

Wang Chengen dared not hesitate and hurriedly went out to deliver the message.

Seeing the situation was dire, Miao Gang said, "I will immediately send my family back to the capital and surrender all my wealth to the national treasury. I hereby promise Your Majesty that my entire family will live and die with the capital!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand: "Your affairs aren't urgent. First, follow me and pull off a big heist!"

Miao Gang asked疑惑地问道：“His Majesty is preparing to…”

"What would have happened if Li Ruolian hadn't arrived in time, and these people and the money had fallen into the hands of the thieves?"

Miao Gang's expression changed, and he said, "With this money, the bandit leader can recruit soldiers and horses, which will greatly increase his strength."

"That's only one aspect!"

Zhu Youjian sneered and said, "If you were Chen Yan, and your family and property fell into the hands of the rebel leader Li Zicheng, what would you do?"

"This, this..."

Miao Gang wiped his sweat, and only then did he realize the enormity of the mess he had made!

If Liu Fangliang receives money from Chen Yan and the families of others, he will use it to blackmail them and force them to comply.

Perhaps Chen Yan will surrender with his 200,000 troops!

"I ask you again, what will they do if these people and their money fall into my hands?"

Miao Gang felt a chill run down his spine and was speechless for a long time.

When Emperor Chongzhen solicited donations at court, Chen Yan and others vied to plead poverty, eventually donating only a few hundred taels, with the largest amount being no more than one or two thousand.

Now that such a huge amount of money has suddenly appeared, isn't that a crime of deceiving the emperor?

Not to mention sending family members out of the city. Weren't you the ones who shouted the loudest against moving south in the court back then?

Now Chen Yan commands an army of 200,000. If the imperial court were to punish him, what would be the consequences?

Therefore, whether the fleet falls into the hands of Liu Fangliang or His Majesty, it is not good news for the court.

I never imagined that my mistake would lead to such a huge disaster!

Thinking deeper, I realized that I had already embarked on the path of deceiving the emperor from the moment I accepted this job.

Whether Chen Yan surrendered to the rebel army or rose in rebellion, he bore responsibility for his actions.

Zhu Youjian slowly said, "It seems I have no choice but to go myself!"

Miao Gang was shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "No, absolutely not! Your Majesty must not take this risk!"

"If I hadn't gone in person, this matter would have been very difficult to suppress."

"But if Chen Yan acts rashly, His Majesty might be in danger!"

Zhu Youjian, however, disagreed, saying, "With the Warriors Battalion protecting us, there's nothing to worry about."

At this moment, Wang Chengen rushed in: "Your Majesty, Luo Yangxing, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Wang Dehua, Director of the Eastern Depot, request an audience!"

"Announce!"

Wang Chengen shouted from the doorway, and two figures immediately stepped in.

Your subject, Luo Yangxing, inquires of Your Majesty's well-being!

"This humble servant, Wang Dehua, inquires after His Majesty's well-being!"

The two men arrived hastily after being summoned, and were still panting heavily.

Zhu Youjian said, "I am well, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two stood up and awaited instructions.

Zhu Youjian beckoned to Wang Chengen: "Wang Chengen, come here too!"

Wang Chengen nodded: "Yes!"

"I need to go to Baoding!"

"what?"

Wang Chengen was shocked. Why was he suddenly leaving the palace, and going to Baoding no less!

There's a war going on in Baoding Prefecture!

Zhu Youjian continued, "Immediately draft three imperial edicts. First, after I leave the capital, I appoint the Crown Prince to oversee the state. All matters of state, large and small, shall be discussed by the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries. Before any decision is issued, it must be approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial. You, as the Grand Eunuch, must take responsibility!"

Wang Chengen knelt down with a thud and said, "This servant will certainly assist His Highness the Crown Prince wholeheartedly!"

Zhu Youjian added, "Secondly, I order Duke Zhang Shize of Yingguo to strengthen the city's defenses. If any troops come to the capital to defend the capital, I order him to garrison outside the city until I return, at which point we can make further plans."

Thirdly, the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant Gong Yonggu was appointed to take charge of the military command of the Five Cities and strengthen daily patrols.

Zhang Shize and Gong Yonggu were their own people. The Five Military Commands were responsible for the city's defense, and the Five City Garrison was responsible for patrolling the city. With these two people around, it could be ensured that nothing would happen in the capital.

Wang Chengen nodded repeatedly: "This servant will remember it and will go to draft the decree now."

Zhu Youjian then looked at Luo Yangxing and Wang Dehua and said, "The Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard shall each select five hundred elites to accompany me to arrest people."

Luo Yangxing asked, "Whom does Your Majesty intend to arrest?"

"The situation is urgent. I'll explain in detail on the way. Now, gather the troops and leave the city tonight!"

Luo Yangxing asked in surprise, "What matter is so urgent that Your Majesty must leave the city overnight?"

Zhu Youjian sighed and said, "It is indeed quite urgent. Delay could lead to unforeseen circumstances. Let's set off tonight!"

Luo Yangxing did not ask any further questions, but bowed respectfully and said, "In that case, I will immediately go and gather the men!"

Wang Dehua then said, "This servant will also go."

Before his departure, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang rushed from the Eastern Palace.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Get up!

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Zhu Cilang stood up and asked, "Why has Your Majesty summoned me to an audience so late at night?"

Zhu Youjian said, "I need to leave the capital temporarily. This is the edict for regency; please take it carefully!"

"Where...where is Father Emperor going?"

"Don't ask so many questions."

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and continued, "When I am not here, all matters of state, large and small, should be discussed with the cabinet, but we cannot listen to them entirely. You are already fifteen years old; you must have your own opinions, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang's expression turned solemn. Although young, he already understood the importance of priorities and immediately replied, "Your subject understands and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"besides……"

Zhu Youjian, with a worried expression, said, "Remember to pay your respects to your mother every day."

Zhu Cilang asked, "Is Father Emperor worried about my maternal uncle and maternal grandfather's affairs?"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "I have imprisoned the Zhou family father and son in the imperial prison. Although your mother doesn't say anything, she cries every day. How could I not know that?"

Zhu Cilang said, "Please rest assured, Father, I understand."

In fact, Zhu Youjian was also helpless.

Zhou Jian, that spendthrift son, was one thing, but his father-in-law, Zhou Kui, was really too much.

Despite possessing immense wealth, he only donated five hundred taels of silver when the imperial court faced difficulties.

Empress Zhou couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she gave him five thousand taels of silver notes to donate, but two thousand were still withheld from him. Is this something a human being would do?

What's even more infuriating is that, as the father-in-law of the current emperor, he actually colluded with the enemy!

It's one thing for others to collude with the enemy, they're just looking for a way out, but you're the emperor's father-in-law!

Don't you know that when Li Zicheng enters Beijing, he will kill your whole family first?

I really don't know what's in this person's head, is it mush?