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

Mao Wenlong didn't know why the Emperor wanted to come to Pi Island, but he knew that he couldn't let the Emperor see some of his shady dealings, otherwise the misunderstanding would only deepen.

After receiving the imperial edict, Mao Wenlong had people wait on the watchtower on Pi Island every day to report back at any time.

But after waiting for several days, the emperor's dragon boat still did not appear.

That day.

Although the sun was high in the sky and it was nearly noon, in Mao Wenlong's bedroom, Mao Wenlong was still embracing a beautiful Liaoning woman and making love on the bed...

The Liao woman exclaimed softly, "Marshal Mao is indeed extraordinary! Even at such a young age, his energy is unparalleled; he never tires!"

Mao Wenlong chuckled smugly: "I'm a born war god, and with ginseng, deer antler, and the herb of immortality supporting me, I'm naturally as strong as an ox and as fierce as a tiger!"

He then turned the Liao woman's body around and pressed himself against her...

The Liao woman, who was usually obsequious, gave him a forceful push today, catching Mao Wenlong off guard and nearly causing him to tumble off the bed: "The Great Khan has written several times; what exactly are Commander Mao's plans?"

Mao Wenlong sat up abruptly, fuming, "Didn't we agree not to interfere in state affairs?"

As he spoke, Mao Wenlong angrily shoved the Liao woman's arm away!

The Liao woman was taken aback at first, then stepped forward, hugged Mao Wenlong's neck, and kissed him on the cheek: "What's wrong? Are you unhappy again?"

At this moment, a bodyguard rushed over and called Mao Wenlong out of the house.

"Commander Mao, a fleet has appeared on the sea. Judging from the flags on it, the Emperor must have arrived."

Has the Emperor really arrived?

Startled, Mao Wenlong quickly ordered his personal guards to bring him his armor. After putting it on, he was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned back to his guards, saying:

"That Liao woman..."

With that, Mao Wenlong made a throat-slitting gesture, then hurriedly left...

……

The General's Office of Dongjiang Town.

Mao Wenlong, dressed in armor, led the generals of Dongjiang Town to kneel on the ground to welcome the emperor's arrival.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After completing the formalities of the audience, Mao Wenlong, who had just risen, couldn't help but glance at the emperor, who had been on the throne for two years, out of the corner of his eye.

To be honest, Mao Wenlong had never met the current emperor.

Starting from the Tianqi era, Mao Wenlong established Dongjiang Town on Pi Island. Since then, Mao Wenlong has been stationed here, truly isolated overseas, far from the emperor's reach. No wonder the court was suspicious of him.

Like Mao Wenlong, the people of Pi Island were also very curious about the Emperor.

The emperor was younger than they had imagined; he was tall and thin, with fair skin, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

Emperor Chongzhen had never seen them before. Seeing several military officers surrounding and protecting Mao Wenlong, he smiled and walked over, asking, "Who are you gentlemen?"

Kong Youde stepped forward and greeted him: "This humble general is Mao Yongshi."

Shang Kexi stepped forward: "This humble general is Mao Kexi."

Geng Jingzhong immediately followed suit, bowing as well: "This humble general is Mao Jingzhong."

"This humble general is Mao Chenglu..."

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the group in surprise: "What a coincidence! All of you are surnamed Mao?"

Mao Wenlong quickly explained, "Not at all! They are all my adopted sons and grandsons, so they all take my surname, Mao."

Emperor Chongzhen was taken aback. He didn't say much, but after a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Where is Yuan Chonghuan?"

As expected, the Emperor inquired about Yuan Chonghuan.

Mao Wenlong felt a chill run down his spine. Fortunately, he hadn't done anything to Yuan Chonghuan back then, otherwise he really wouldn't know how to explain himself now.

In fact, Mao Wenlong never intended to kill or imprison Yuan Chonghuan, because in his eyes, a living former Minister of War who owed him favors and was familiar with the central government was a rare commodity.

"Yuan Chonghuan is currently patrolling the coast to combat smuggling..."

Halfway through his sentence, Mao Wenlong realized his mistake and hurriedly said to those around him, "Quick! Go and summon Yuan Chonghuan... no, invite General Yuan here!"

overseas.

A rather dilapidated-looking small boat was rocking in the waves. On board, Yuan Chonghuan stood upright in the damp, cold sea breeze, holding a long halberd, carefully surveying the sea.

At this moment, Kong Youde arrived in his warship and shouted to Yuan Chonghuan from afar:

"General Yuan, the Emperor requests an audience with you!"

The Emperor has arrived?

Yuan Chonghuan was stunned, somewhat unable to believe his ears.

Since arriving on the island, Mao Wenlong had been quite polite to him and hadn't deliberately isolated him, so he had heard a little about the news that the Emperor was coming.

At first he didn't believe it, but he never expected it to be true.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chonghuan's usually stern face couldn't help but reveal a look of excitement...

……

Inside the General's Mansion.

When Yuan Chonghuan arrived, Mao Wenlong was introducing the situation of Pi Island to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Dongjiang Army has 28,000 soldiers, all of whom are remnants of Liaodong. A little over 10,000 of them are truly capable of fighting. The rest are old men, half-grown children, and wounded soldiers with missing hands. Why should I not dismiss them? They are all men from Liaodong. They have lost their homes, and their parents died at the hands of slaves. If I do not take them in, they will be forced to flee to all corners of the country."

"The Dongjiang River has not been breached for eight years, which is not due to my ability, but because the Han people of Liaodong cherish this narrow strip of water and still look westward for the royal army."

Emperor Chongzhen listened silently, offering no comment.

Yuan Chonghuan, who had just arrived, did not interrupt. He waited quietly to the side until Mao Wenlong finished speaking before stepping forward to bow.

"Your humble servant, Yuan Chonghuan, pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Stand up and speak."

After Emperor Chongzhen helped Yuan Chonghuan to his feet, he looked at Yuan Chonghuan, whose face was noticeably more weathered, and asked, "Minister Yuan, how have you been on Pi Island these past six months?"

Yuan Chonghuan replied, "Your Majesty, I am doing very well! Only after arriving at Pi Island did I realize how formidable General Mao is!"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "You are all important ministers of the state. You should put aside past grievances and work together to resist the enemy. If you two each give way, the enemy chieftain will retreat ten cities."

Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong nodded in agreement.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside the government office.

"Commander Mao, an envoy from the Jin Dynasty requests an audience!"

A shout, clearly tinged with a Jurchen accent, froze everyone in the General's Office in place, as if struck by a spell.

Emperor Chongzhen's face darkened instantly...