Late Ming Dynasty: From the Defeated Soldiers at Daling River to Ascending the Throne

Qianqing Palace, Warm Pavilion.

The candlelight illuminated the vast hall, and Emperor Chongzhen sat behind a mountain of memorials and petitions, his brow furrowed.

He held a memorial in his hand. Hong Chengchou had basically suppressed the bandits in Shaanxi, but the bandits had entered Gansu and Shanxi and were showing signs of growing stronger.

"Rebel against the government...seek a way to survive..." Chongzhen murmured, his voice revealing an indescribable weariness.

He put down the memorial and picked up another one.

This was a military report from Jinzhou. He glanced at it, and the wrinkles between his brows finally relaxed a little.

Huang Taiji has withdrawn his troops, and the siege of Dalinghe has been lifted.

Zu Dashou and Sun Chengzong are on their way to the capital and should arrive in the next two days.

Emperor Chongzhen put down the military report and breathed a sigh of relief.

The fighting lasted for more than three months, with over 70,000 deaths and countless expenditures of food and supplies... but it has finally come to an end.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his aching temples.

"Your Majesty," Deng Liangfu's voice rang out from outside the hall.

Emperor Chongzhen opened his eyes, sat up straight, and said, "Come in."

Deng Liangfu bowed and entered, then knelt before the imperial desk and saluted, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand, "Get up. Have they arrived in the capital?"

Deng Liangfu stood up, bowed his head, and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has already settled Chen Feng in Longfu Temple."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "What do you think of this person?"

Deng Liangfu hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words, "Your Majesty, Chen Feng is... young, somewhat capable, and his subordinates all have great faith in him. However..."

He paused.

"Just what?"

Deng Liangfu said, "They're just a bit ungrateful."

Emperor Chongzhen frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Deng Liangfu then recounted the events of the day the imperial edict was announced.

"...I was also angry at the time and scolded him a few times. Later, Zhang Lan smoothed things over and said that he could send his subordinates to handle it, and then he gave up."

After listening, Chongzhen remained silent for a while. "He's going to collect the remains of those soldiers?"

"Yes."

"Were those soldiers his men?"

"Yes, he said that the bones of the soldiers who defended the country should not be eaten by wild animals."

Emperor Chongzhen remained silent, his gaze drifting as he looked at the pile of memorials on his desk.

Deng Liangfu cautiously added, "At the time, I thought he was reckless and didn't know his place. But... thinking about it afterward, he was actually a man who valued his troops."

"Reluctant to part with troops..." Emperor Chongzhen repeated these two words.

Countless soldiers died in Ningyuan. These soldiers were just a simple number on the memorials, but they became the bargaining chips for the border generals to ask the court for compensation.

But Chen Feng was thinking of collecting their remains.

Emperor Chongzhen took a deep breath and said, "Two days later."

Deng Liangfu was taken aback: "Your Majesty?"

"Let him come to see me in two days."

Deng Liangfu bowed and said, "Yes."

........................

Longfu Temple.

It was getting late, so Chen Feng dismissed the eunuch who had come to deliver the message.

He stood in the courtyard, looking at the dark night sky, feeling a tightness in his chest.

In two days I will meet Chongzhen, the emperor known in history as diligent, suspicious, stubborn, and harsh.

He didn't know what awaited him.

He then took out the invitation from his pocket and looked at the last two characters, "Tian Wan".

This was delivered by a well-dressed butler shortly after Hao Dadao and his group returned in the afternoon.

Chen Feng didn't know who Tian Wan was. After inquiring with the monk in charge of the reception, he learned that Tian Wan was the father of the current emperor's favorite concubine, Consort Tian, ​​and was now the Right Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Because Consort Tian was deeply favored by Emperor Chongzhen, Tian Wan thrived in the capital. He especially enjoyed collecting famous courtesans and beauties, and established the "Tian Family Dance and Music" in his mansion in Tieshizi Hutong, where he frequently hosted banquets for ministers of various departments and generals of border garrisons.

Tian Wan sent the invitation less than two hours after Chen Feng arrived in the capital, which shows that he was well-informed.

Faced with this invitation, Chen Feng dared not refuse, after all, he was the kind of man whose daughter could whisper sweet nothings in the emperor's ear.

Chen Feng glanced at the sky; the sun was already setting, but Meng Changgeng had not yet returned.

He could only instruct Zhao Sheng to lead a search party in the surrounding area, while he himself took Hao Dadao to Shaanxi Alley.

When Chen Feng appeared in Shaanxi Alley with Hao Dadao, it was already dusk, and the entire alley was illuminated as brightly as day by red lanterns.

The two men were dazzled by the sight of all the beautiful women in the brothels and taverns.

The air was filled with the scents of perfume and wine, making one feel slightly dizzy.

This scene finally convinced Chen Feng that the "red-light district" of later generations originated in China.

Hao Dadao's eyes widened in astonishment.

He walked along, looking around, his neck turning like a rattle drum.

As he passed a three-story pavilion, he looked up at its ornately decorated and brightly lit facade and murmured, "My mother... wouldn't it cost at least five taels of silver to sleep here for one night?"

A young nobleman passing by overheard this and scoffed, muttering to his companion, "Where did this bumpkin come from? Five taels? That's just for tea, and he wants to stay the night?"

Hao Dadao's face turned bright red, and he wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out.

Chen Feng patted him on the shoulder, said nothing, and continued walking forward.

The two arrived at Chunyuan Hutong, where the entrance was filled with all kinds of luxurious cars and sedan chairs, and young women were constantly escorting glamorous noblemen in and out of the buildings.

Chen Feng stood at the doorway, looking up at the four-story building.

The gate was vermilion, with a gilded plaque. Four women dressed in flamboyant attire stood at the entrance, rushing towards anyone who entered.

"Sir, please come in..."

"Hey, sir, you look familiar. Have you been here before?"

"My lord, would you like me to have a couple of drinks with you?"

Chen Feng ignored the girls soliciting customers and found a clever-looking servant boy. "My name is Chen Feng. Master Tian invited me here."

Upon hearing the name of Master Tian, ​​the servant bowed and said, "So it's Young Master Chen. Master Tian has been waiting for a long time. Please follow me."

Chen Feng was led up to the third floor by the servant. Unlike the bustling front hall on the first floor, the third floor was very quiet. There were girls playing string and wind instruments in the corridor, seemingly to cover up the noise in the private rooms.

Chen Feng was led by a servant into a private room in the back. The room was not large, but it was decorated in an extremely luxurious manner.

The room features rosewood tables and chairs, carved window frames, calligraphy and paintings by famous people hanging on the walls, and exquisite pastries laid out on the table.

A middle-aged man sat in the main seat, holding a wine glass and playfully teasing the beautiful woman in his arms.

The man was in his forties, with fair skin, three long wisps of beard, clear features, and wearing a dark purple brocade robe.

From Chen Feng's perspective in his later years, this person should be the kind of father figure that young girls would like.

When Tian Wan saw someone enter, he immediately pushed away the beautiful woman in his arms, and his expression became slightly solemn.

When he saw that it was a servant leading a young man in, a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Is this General Chen?!"

Chen Feng bowed and said, "Junior Chen Feng pays respects to Master Tian... Master Tian."

Chen Feng initially intended to address him as Lord Tian, ​​but considering that high-ranking officials might be hesitant to address him in such a place of pleasure, he changed his address.

Upon hearing Chen Feng address him in this way, Tian Wan's smile deepened, and he quickly stepped forward to take Chen Feng's hand, saying, "General Chen, it's an honor to meet you! Please, have a seat!"

Chen Feng followed Tian Wan into the house, while Hao Dadao was led by a servant to wait in the next room.

Chen Feng was pulled to sit down in the guest seat by Tian Wan, and he seemed a little awkward.

Tian Wan personally poured him wine, saying, "General Chen, you are a young and outstanding talent! I've heard about your deeds all over the capital! Come, come, have a drink first!"

Chen Feng had no choice but to pick up his cup and drink with him.

Tian Wan poured more water, boasted more, and drank more.

The girl sitting next to him leaned over softly against Chen Feng.

Chen Feng initially believed that without the advancements in technology and cosmetics, it would have been difficult for beautiful women to exist in ancient times, and the women he had seen in Shanhaiguan and the streets of the capital city confirmed his idea.

He didn't know what it meant to be naturally beautiful until he met this woman.

The woman looked to be eighteen or nineteen years old, and her eyebrows and eyes had already opened up.

She nestled in Chen Feng's arms, her eyes lowered and a faint smile on her face. Her eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings, and her gaze, though not directly on him, seemed to wash over his heart like a pool of autumn water.

With that kind of looks, she'd be at least a top-tier girl group member in later generations, probably worth half a million dollars.

"General Chen, my name is Mei Xian. I'd like to offer you a toast." Her voice was as melodious as a wind chime as she raised her wine cup and brought it to Chen Feng's lips.

Mei Xian pressed her entire face against Chen Feng's lips, and a delicate fragrance of plum blossoms wafted over him.

Chen Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he subconsciously shrank back.

He had seen such scenes before in his later life; there were even more unrestrained clubs abroad, but he had never experienced such a beautiful woman throwing herself into his arms.

Seeing that Chen Feng was somewhat resistant, Mei Xian pressed herself even closer, and Chen Feng, unable to resist, could only drink the cup.

Mei Xian's smile grew even more alluring as she pressed herself closer, but this time she offered not a wine glass, but her red lips. "General, you have a good capacity for alcohol, have another cup..."

Tian Wan's smile deepened as he watched this scene. "General Chen, Miss Mei Xian was someone I found at great expense. She's no less beautiful than the top courtesan at Yi Xiang Courtyard; ordinary people would kill for her. Is your refusal to see her because you think she's beneath you?"

Upon hearing Tian Wan speak, Chen Feng quickly pushed Mei Xian aside and said respectfully, "Master Tian, ​​you are too kind. I am just a rough man who has never seen the world. I was afraid of offending the young lady."

Tian Wan laughed heartily, "General Chen, there's no need to be so reserved. Once you're here at Yixiang Courtyard, feel at home. Just relax and have fun."

As she spoke, Tian Wan waved her hand, and Mei Xian stepped back a little, sitting next to Chen Feng and occasionally pouring him wine.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Tian Wan put down his wine glass, his smile fading slightly, replaced by a sincere expression. "General Chen, I have some connections in the army. I know a little about what's happening in Liaodong."

Chen Feng felt a chill run down his spine, but he remained outwardly calm, pretending to listen attentively.

Tian Wan continued, "I truly admire a young hero like the general. He can kill enemies on the battlefield, and he also needs someone to look after him in the court."

He stopped there and didn't say anything more.

But the meaning is already quite clear.

Chen Feng knew how treacherous the factional struggles were at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

The Donglin Party, the eunuch faction, the Zhejiang Party, the Chu Party... all these factions were locked in a life-or-death struggle, and choosing the wrong side meant certain death.

The reason he didn't take sides completely in Shanhaiguan was because of this consideration.

But right now, can he refuse?

He raised his wine glass and respectfully toasted Tian Wan, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Master Tian. However, I am new here and know nothing. If there is anything I do not understand in the future, I hope you will guide me."

I neither agreed nor refused, but simply expressed my gratitude.

Tian Wan understood the implication, but was not angry. "Alright, General Chen is a smart man. If you need anything in the future, just come to the Tian residence to find me."

The two drank it all in one gulp.