The Ming Dynasty: A bookstore sells the history of the Ming Dynasty, leaving Emperor Chongzhen bewil

Lu Xiang-sheng was commended and ordered to go to the capital immediately to report to the emperor.

Emperor Chongzhen's decision once again stunned his ministers.

The Emperor is completely unpredictable now. After the winds of change, not only did he not punish him but he also rewarded him. Instead, he directly summoned him to the capital to report on his duties. This is clearly a prelude to giving him an important position or even promoting him exceptionally.

hiss--

Why did today's morning court session feel so hasty, even a bit childish? Decisions were made one after another without in-depth discussions between the emperor and his ministers?

No, who exactly is this person who doesn't understand politics and is manipulating the emperor behind the scenes?

While the court officials were still full of questions, Emperor Chongzhen stood up abruptly and said, "Alright, that's it for today's morning court session. Court adjourned!"

……

platform.

This is a small to medium-sized stepped plaza, also known as a platform, located behind the right rear gate of the Jianji Hall in the Forbidden City. Don't underestimate this platform; the emperors of the Ming Dynasty often summoned their ministers here.

Located between the inner court and the outer court, this place was relatively convenient and more casual than formal occasions. It was precisely because it looked so casual that it was clear that the person summoned by the emperor was extraordinary and the matter discussed was urgent.

The last time Chongzhen met here was with Yuan Chonghuan, but this time it was with Lu Xiangshan.

Lu Xiang-sheng was a native of Yixing County, Changzhou Prefecture, Southern Zhili. He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the second year of the Tianqi reign. At only twenty-nine years old, he was already the prefect of Daming Prefecture, so he could be considered a promising young man.

He is currently in the accumulation phase of his long-term development process.

Upon hearing that the emperor had summoned him to the capital to report on his duties, Lu Xiang-sheng was puzzled, but he still rushed to the capital overnight.

"Your subject Lu Xiang-sheng pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Chongzhen looked at the man before him and saw that he had a face like jade, eyes like bright stars, fair skin, and a tall and slender figure. He was a handsome scholar.

It's hard to imagine that this was a fierce general who could wield a sword and ride a horse to kill enemies on the battlefield, and who was known as "King Yama Lu" in fear of his enemies.

However, several of the Ming Dynasty's most valiant generals were all Jinshi graduates: Sun Chengzong, Yuan Chonghuan, Hong Chengchou, Sun Chuanting, and now Lu Xiangshan.

If Lu Xiang-sheng surrenders to the Qing, wouldn't Da Yu'er be directly flooded?

What are you thinking about?

Emperor Chongzhen quickly banished the chaotic thoughts from his mind and personally helped Lu Xiangshan up.

"Minister Lu, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Lu Xiang-sheng was flattered and quickly expressed his gratitude.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Lu Xiangshan and said, "I have heard that you have done a good job in Daming Prefecture. Your performance in collecting taxes from Liaodong was particularly outstanding, with the highest collection rate among all prefectures."

Lu Xiang-sheng had already heard about the Emperor's handling of the Liaodong military expenditure, which involved stopping the additional expenditure and using two million taels of imperial treasury funds. To be honest, he genuinely admired the Emperor's actions. When the Emperor brought up the Liaodong military expenditure again, Lu Xiang-sheng did not panic but calmly replied, "It is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "I've also heard that you've gathered able-bodied men and trained local militia to form the 'Tianxiong Army'?"

"That is indeed true."

Lu Xiang-sheng remained calm and replied, "Bandits are rampant in the Taihang and Hengshan areas. I trained the 'Tianxiong Army' precisely to deal with these bandits, prevent their spread, and protect the safety of the people."

Emperor Chongzhen pondered for a moment, then said, "Minister Lu, if I wanted you and your Tianxiong Army to join the fight against the Manchus, would you be willing?"

Lu Xiang-sheng, who had been calmly handling the situation, was suddenly stunned.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned. "What, you're unwilling?"

Lu Xiang-sheng suddenly knelt down excitedly: "To be honest, Your Majesty, I have admired ancient generals and famous ministers since childhood, and longed to have my name inscribed on Yanran Mountain. I have always cherished the desire to serve my country, but my qualifications are still shallow. If Your Majesty trusts me, I will gladly die for you!"

In fact, Lu Xiang-sheng was speaking from the heart. When he was young, the Ming Dynasty was at peace. At that time, his classmates focused on preparing for the imperial examinations, but he alone paid attention to the "strategies of ancient generals and ministers, and the rules of military and national systems" in the classics and history.

Whenever he read about the deeds of Zhang Xun and Yue Fei, Lu Xiang-sheng exclaimed, "I would be content to be like them!"

Therefore, becoming someone like Zhang Xun or Yue Fei has always been Lu Xiang-sheng's dream, and he has been working hard towards his dream. Forming the Tianxiong Army was also part of his dream. He never expected that the emperor would notice him so soon.

"good!"

Emperor Chongzhen was equally excited. He grasped Lu Xiangshan's hand and said, "Then you shall come with me to Liaodong!"

Go to Liaodong?

Lu Xiang-sheng was stunned upon hearing this: "His Majesty is going to Liaodong?"

"good!"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said resolutely, "I wish to personally go to Liaodong to inspect the border with the general, to examine the strategies, the allocation of funds and provisions, and the deployment of troops."

……

Soon, Emperor Chongzhen summoned his ministers to the platform and announced his departure for Liaodong, which immediately caused an uproar among the officials.

Previously in the court, the emperor said that he would personally deliver military pay to the soldiers. They thought that the emperor would personally supervise the delivery to prevent any misappropriation of military pay. Now the emperor is telling them that he will personally go to Liaodong.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty!"

Grand Secretary Han Kuang collapsed to his knees on the cold, gold-brick floor with a thud, his forehead touching the ground. His voice trembled with despair as he cried out, "Your Majesty! You mustn't! How can the Emperor, the supreme ruler, venture into such a dangerous place? Liaodong is a den of tigers and wolves, a place rife with war. Your Majesty's fate is tied to the fate of the nation. If even the slightest mishap occurs, we, your subjects, will be condemned to death!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Qian Longxi also knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Like dominoes falling, the crimson waves on the platform receded one by one, the sound of kowtows echoing, mixed with anxious, tearful remonstrances.

"Your Majesty! Your health is of paramount importance!"

"A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof! Your Majesty, how can you follow the example of Emperor Wuzong!"

"With so many important matters of state to attend to each day, how can one leave the capital?"

A wave of sound surged up, filled with fear mixed with an incredulous horror.

The emperor is leaving the capital?

To personally go to the frontier?

Since Emperor Yingzong's capture in the north, when has the emperor of the Ming Dynasty ever set foot on a real battlefield again?

This is insane! This is absolutely insane!

Emperor Chongzhen slowly stood up, the hem of his dragon robe brushing against the imperial desk. His face was expressionless, showing neither excitement nor anger, only a deep, still calm.

"My mind is made up."

Chongzhen's voice was not loud, even somewhat flat, yet it clearly overwhelmed all the noise. These four words were like four pieces of iron, smashing onto the gold brick ground and striking the hearts of every minister.

"My ministers, during my trip to Liaodong, the affairs of the court will be temporarily handled by the Grand Secretariat in conjunction with the Directorate of Ceremonial. Major military and national matters will be delivered to the imperial court by express courier at a speed of 600 li."

"After I leave the capital, martial law will be imposed in the capital, and the nine gates will be guarded by the Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian. Anyone who makes false statements, causes disturbances, or disturbs the peace will be considered a traitor and executed."

"Wang Chengen".

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Chengen replied hastily.

"Issue an imperial edict to Sun Chengzong: I will be traveling east soon. Instruct him to prepare the route and refrain from any extravagant welcome."

"Then I issue an edict to Mao Wenlong, the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou and commander of Dongjiang Town, that I will travel by sea, passing through Pi Island, and order him to prepare a naval force to meet me and to report on the affairs of Liaodong."

"Yes!" Wang Chengen quickly accepted the order.

"Alright, everyone, step back!"

Emperor Chongzhen gave no one another chance to speak, turned away with a flick of his sleeve, leaving behind a resolute silhouette.

The courtiers were dumbfounded.

Who on earth came up with the idea of ​​personally going to Liaodong?

Left with no other option, Han Kuang and his entourage had to request an audience with Empress Zhang and Empress Zhou...