Chaos of Ming 1628

Is it Shen Junru?

When Sun Qing thought of her, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his eyes remained gentle.

But he firmly believed in his heart that everything required Shen Junru's willingness.

No one can force her to do it if she doesn't want to.

Thinking back to that wedding day, when she lifted the veil and saw Wang Er's face, Sun Qing smiled bitterly: "It's good that the injuries have healed."

Having said that, he headed towards the post station.

Sun Chengzong quickened his pace, trying to stop him: "The marriage..."

Sun Qing paused slightly, but didn't stop. Her voice held a cool detachment: "Let everything take its natural course!"

Sun Chengzong hesitated, but ultimately remained silent, only letting out a soft sigh.

Three days at the post station.

The capital city was like a huge stew, and it was impossible to tell whether people were human or ghosts.

Night fell on the fourth day.

The imperial decree approving his departure from Beijing has yet to be issued.

In the courtyard of the post station, Sun Chengzong and Sun Qing sat facing each other. Before they could even put down a chess piece, another sigh came from behind them.

"It's been four days. The Emperor won't let us leave, and he hasn't given any instructions on why we should stay. What does this mean?" Sun Chengzong was uneasy and uncertain. The chess piece in his hand wavered and he hesitated to make a move.

Sun Qing had sharp eyes and a basic understanding of Go, though he wasn't an expert. Having some free time these past few days, he decided to delve into the intricacies of Go.

In the first day or two, he was defeated every time he clashed with Sun Chengzong.

It's not that we can make rapid progress in just a few days, but we can be almost certain of success. It's just that Sun Chengzong's mind is in turmoil.

The snow outside the Imperial Study stopped and started falling again. Sun Chengzong had been waiting in the side hall for three days. The tea on the table had gone cold and been replaced again and again, but the door leading to the Imperial Study remained closed.

"Grandfather, there's no need to worry. His Majesty is busy these days. Therefore, this order cannot be issued." He spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

Sun Chengzong frowned, his graying eyebrows furrowing. "Busy? The imperial edicts requesting troop and grain deployments are piling up, and Liaodong is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the commander-in-chief. What is he busy with?"

"Since you have no use for me, then let me return to my hometown!"

"The people who are supposed to be here haven't shown up, so we can't leave either," Sun Qing said calmly. "It seems we'll have to wait."

Sun Chengzong's breathing quickened, and he glanced around warily: "If His Majesty wanted to reinstate me, why wait until now?"

"Sun Qing, you are also from the Sun clan of Gaoyang. If I could be reinstated to my former position, it would be entirely beneficial to you. Unless..."

Sun Chengzhong's words ended abruptly there.

The reason he failed to cause a scene in court was due to the same crucial point. For an old minister to become a veteran of three reigns, he certainly possessed that much ability.

"Sun Qing," Sun Chengzong's tone became serious, and his expression grew even more solemn, "it seems you have already made the Emperor uneasy."

"Don't worry!" Sun Qing said casually, "As long as he can't control Hejian Prefecture, our lives are safe."

Sun Chengzong frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

Sun Qing squinted at the hazy outline of the palace walls in the distance: "The current emperor is someone who wants to control everything. He needs a useful person, but he's also afraid that person will be too useful."

"So, he was also thinking about how to best utilize this person."

Sun Chengzong tightened his grip on the chess piece in his hand, but finally gently placed it down.

He sighed deeply: "Never mind!"

"At my age, what could I possibly be unwilling to do? If one day I could serve the Ming Dynasty, that would be wonderful; if there were someone more suitable, that would also be good."

Sun Chengzong refocused his gaze on the chessboard, suddenly slapped his forehead, and exclaimed, "Hey, you little rascal, you're too cunning!"

"They actually managed to capture so many pieces while I was distracted."

The atmosphere eased again.

fifth day.

An imperial decree arrived that Yuan Chonghuan was coming to the capital. The emperor attached great importance to this and held a banquet in his honor.

Sun Qing was the recommender, and Sun Chengzong was also considered Yuan Chonghuan's mentor; they entered the palace together.

Since the passing of the Tianqi Emperor, the palace has been quiet for a long time, and it is rare to see a trace of joy today.

Although the palace banquet was kept simple in all aspects, it was still not in the style of royalty.

Important officials in the court were also invited. When Sun Qing and Sun Chengzong arrived, everyone was already there.

Upon arriving at the table, Sun Chengzong's gaze immediately fell upon Yuan Chonghuan.

After several years, Yuan Chonghuan was thinner than before, with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes.

"Teacher." Yuan Chonghuan had obviously also seen Sun Chengzong. He strode forward, lifted his robe, and knelt down. "This unworthy student greets his teacher."

Sun Chengzong bent down to help him up, looked him up and down, moved his lips twice, and finally only said five words: "It's good that you're back."

The palace banquet was held in the Wenhua Hall, where all the civil and military officials sat, but their eyes all fell on the two of them.

Yuan Chonghuan sat to the left of Sun Chengzong, holding a wine cup, his face beaming with the joy of being recalled and given a new role.

Sun Qing naturally took his seat as well, and smiled slightly at Yuan Chonghuan's gaze.

Yuan Chonghuan, on the other hand, frowned deeply, his eyes revealing an inexplicable suspicion.

On his throne, Emperor Chongzhen held a wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the singing and dancing in the hall before settling on the three people.

After observing for a moment, he put down his wine cup and asked, "Minister Yuan, do you have a plan for the Liaodong matter?"

Yuan Chonghuan immediately stood up, his voice booming like a bell: "Your Majesty has inquired, and I dare to speak frankly."

His eyes shone brightly, and his words were firm and powerful: "Give me five years, and I will be able to pacify Liaodong."

"The lands beyond the Great Wall should have long ago been returned to the Ming Dynasty's territory. As for the threat of the Later Jin, I am willing to eliminate it for Your Majesty."

He spoke with great conviction, but the faces of the people at the banquet showed fear; such words were far too exaggerated.

Sun Chengzong, in particular, immediately frowned.

Seeing the crowd's reaction, Yuan Chonghuan paused and said, "If it is not accomplished in five years, I will willingly accept the crime of deceiving the emperor and apologize to the world."

Sun Qing simply sat there calmly, quietly drinking the wine in his glass.

Emperor Chongzhen, on the other hand, was filled with excitement and emotion.

Since he ascended the throne, almost all the ministers have been saying discouraging things, but Yuan Chonghuan's words coincided with his own.

The young emperor was also a man with lofty ambitions, and finally someone understood his thoughts.

He had only followed Sun Qing's advice, but he never expected it to be so agreeable. He immediately stood up, stepped down from the throne, and personally helped Yuan Chonghuan up.

His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Alright. I trust you."

He turned around, gestured with his chin towards Wang Chengen, and said, "Bring me the Imperial Sword."

The eunuch stepped forward with the sword, and Chongzhen took the long sword wrapped in bright yellow silk and personally handed it to Yuan Chonghuan.

"With this sword, you can act first and report later. You are free to handle all matters, large and small, in Liaodong as you see fit."

Emperor Chongzhen looked at him intently, "I am generous with the reward of a marquisate, and you have not failed the trust I have placed in you."

Holding the sword, Yuan Chonghuan bowed deeply, his voice hoarse: "Your subject... kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your grace."

Both of them felt as if they had met too late.

Sun Chengzong frowned when he saw Chongzhen's heavy reliance on Yuan Chonghuan.

Sun Qing sat there, calmly drinking his wine. This imperial sword was not only a gift from Emperor Chongzhen, but also a knife he personally handed to Yuan Chonghuan, a tool for suicide.

Emperor Chongzhen's meaning was clear, and everyone could see how much he valued Yuan Chonghuan.

All the civil and military officials in the hall rose to their feet, raised their cups in unison, and offered their praise.

Yuan Chonghuan returned to his seat and sat down, with the imperial sword lying horizontally on his lap.

His gaze, now fixed on Sun Chengzong, was filled with pride: "Teacher, I haven't let you down, have I?"

Sun Chengzong, however, showed no sign of a smile and remained silent.

Sun Qing, however, chimed in, "Commander, strong liquor is good, but don't overindulge!"

This single sentence immediately drew Yuan Chonghuan's attention. He looked at Sun Qing, sizing him up: "Lord Sun, I've long admired your name!"

"I can hold my liquor very well, you don't need to remind me."

As he spoke, he raised his wine glass and gulped down the wine.

Even Sun Chengzong, witnessing this, was displeased: "Alcohol can cloud judgment, Chonghuan, you're probably drunk!"

"Your student is very clear-headed." Yuan Chonghuan stared at Sun Qing and said fiercely, "Your teacher once taught you that to do great things, you must learn to raise a big banner. You have not been in the army for many years. If you do not make a bold claim today, how can you obtain the imperial sword?"

"You're playing with fire!" Sun Chengzong looked at him and sighed softly.

Yuan Chonghuan, completely unfazed, smiled faintly and said, "I'm not afraid!"

"Don't worry, teacher. Since I survived in Ningyuan City, I won't lose my life in the future."

"Moreover, everything I said came from the bottom of my heart, and I know exactly what I'm doing."

As he spoke, he looked at Sun Qing with hostility: "Teacher, I have heard that the Sun family has produced an extraordinary protégé."

"This must be Lord Sun!"

"Teachers should pay more attention to the student rather than the student themselves!"

Sun Chengzong chuckled and said slowly, "Yuan Chonghuan, you probably don't know this, but if it weren't for Sun Qing, you wouldn't have been summoned back by His Majesty today!"