Chaos of Ming 1628

Help Sun Chengzong return to the imperial court!

Sun Qing wasn't incapable of doing it; he simply didn't want to.

Having once enjoyed the trust of the Tianqi Emperor, Sun Chengzong was able to do his own thing without restraint, and even Wei Zhongxian could not stop him.

But now, who can the person sitting on the dragon throne completely trust besides himself and the Emperor Gaozu?

The letter was urgent, but Sun Qing only wanted to delay.

"Young master, did the letter say anything?" Song Xian asked.

Song Xian was a staunch supporter of Sun Chengzong. Even though his attitude towards Sun Qing had changed somewhat, Sun Qing still dared not gamble.

After a moment's thought, he handed the letter to Song Xian.

Upon reading carefully, Song Xian's mood instantly eased, and his face was full of relief: "So that's what it is. This matter is not difficult for you, young master."

"Now, heavy snow has fallen, and everything is frozen over, causing immense suffering to the people."

"Apart from Jiaohe, the rest of Beizhili suffered severe disasters, with many people freezing to death on the streets. Only our Jiaohe County managed to weather the snow disaster safely."

"So far, only one case of a person freezing to death has been reported."

"Let alone this year's sudden snow disaster, who else could have done this in the past?"

"Let alone a snow disaster, even just a normal start to winter, nowhere else would experience such a low percentage of cases."

This is the benefit of the communal dining system. However, given the current situation, it is no longer suitable to immediately engage in commerce and trade to enrich the people.

With the arrival of the Little Ice Age, the priority is survival, not wealth. Once all five bottles are unified and assimilated, true care for the young and support for the old will be achieved.

Everyone has their own things to do, and everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear.

Although life was relatively more difficult, it was only through this mutual help that everyone was able to survive.

Mentioning these matters, Song Xian's gaze towards Sun Qing changed. His eyes were filled with admiration, and he couldn't help but bow deeply: "Young Master is farsighted, having prepared all of this long ago. It's as if you foresaw it all."

"He's practically a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang; you can't help but admire him."

"Since you believe I have the power of foresight, then I advise you to give up on bringing Grand Secretary Sun back to court." After saying this, Sun Qing closed his eyes.

The smile on Song Xian's face suddenly vanished.

Looking at Sun Qing again, he appeared extremely solemn.

The voice was heavy: "Young master, we trust you completely. You mustn't be joking about something like this!"

"According to you, even if I foresee that things won't go well in the future, this matter still needs to be done, right?" Sun Qing's voice deepened.

Song Xian also suppressed his smile: "This matter was ordered by the Grand Coordinator. He was once suppressed by Wei Zhongxian. Now that the eunuch faction has been eliminated, it is only a matter of time before he is purged."

"Now is the perfect time to need capable people, and the return of the Grand Commandant to the capital is just in time!"

They were solely focused on getting Sun Chengzong back to the capital and reinstated, never considering anything else. Sun Qing knew that reasoning with him was futile, and looking at Song Xian, he said helplessly, "Unfortunately, I am powerless to change anything."

"Even Grand Secretary Sun cannot see the Emperor, let alone me?"

"You are the Emperor's man, aren't you?" Song Xian said with absolute certainty. "If you want to see the Emperor, it will be exceptionally easy for you."

Sun Qing was speechless.

He didn't answer these questions directly, but simply said, "Whether I see His Majesty or not is not important. What is important is that the news of saving the people of Jiaohe will surely reach His Majesty's ears."

"Yes! As long as you're willing to talk..."

"But don't forget, the eunuch faction intervened as early as when the plan was first started."

"Even if the matter in Jiahe County can attract the Emperor's attention, will it be our turn?"

Song Xian's gaze darkened, a hint of doubt creeping into his eyes: "Young Master, why are you making such excuses?"

"Could it be that you are truly already in league with the eunuch faction...?"

Song Xianhua had not finished speaking.

He was simply different from Meng Zhaoxiang and the others; he already had someone loyal to him and couldn't fully trust Sun Qing.

Further discussion will not benefit Sun Qing.

He simply gave a wry smile: "When I enter the capital, I will mention this matter to the Emperor."

"As for..."

"I believe you can do it, young master," Song Xian interrupted Sun Qing.

Sun Qing frowned.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the more disastrous the year, the more the benefits of communal dining became apparent.

Most importantly, there was no ambition for grand achievements here, nor was there any need to raise grain to repay debts, and there was already a foundation laid by previously extorting local gentry and wealthy households. Simply settling accounts and helping the people of Jiahe County get through the difficulties was an easy task.

Everything in Jiahe County is running smoothly and there is absolutely no need for Sun Qing to intervene.

He thought he could live a peaceful life, but unexpectedly Yang Qingqing visited again.

He didn't shy away from anyone, but when he saw Shen Junru, his eyes looked a little strange.

He simply said, "The Emperor wishes to see you!"

If an official from outside the capital wishes to escape to meet His Majesty, he must first submit a memorial to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for approval, and then have his credentials checked and his body searched at the Meridian Gate while awaiting further instructions.

Upon arriving at the palace, one must perform the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows, kneeling and responding to the imperial decree.

Fortunately, Sun Qing had already learned about such etiquette and knew that one should not look up at the emperor's face when responding, and should bow and back out of the palace after the matter was over, with strict rules for every step and gesture.

There were no mistakes at all during the entire process.

Similarly, all the civil and military officials were present throughout the process, and Zhu Youxiao did not even ask them questions individually.

Finally, Wang Chengen personally came to invite him to his study.

The Imperial Study in the Qianqing Palace was solemn and quiet, with the fragrance of ambergris wafting through the air and the light inside the hall was cool and refreshing.

The few snowflakes by the window only accentuated the solemn and quiet atmosphere of the room, devoid of any trace of extravagance or relaxation.

Sun Qing bowed and followed Wang Chengen into the warm pavilion. He stepped over the blue bricks with his head down and knelt down at the foot of the steps, saying, "Your humble servant Sun Qing pays his respects to the Emperor."

The mourning period for the late emperor has not yet ended, so Chongzhen can only be referred to as the current emperor, not Your Majesty.

After the ceremony was completed, she raised her eyes and quietly sized up Zhu Youjian.

This man I've learned about countless times from books.

At this time, Chongzhen was only seventeen years old. He had the physique of a young man, but his back was straight and upright, without the slightest sign of laziness or hunchback.

He was born with a slender and handsome face, sharp eyebrows and eyes, and a proper forehead. He was the true dragon of the Zhu family, but he had lost the childishness of a young man and was covered with a tension and melancholy far beyond his age.

His complexion was rather pale.

Historically, it has never been said that Emperor Chongzhen was weak; it seems that this was due to his constant anxiety, lack of sleep, and mental strain.

Emperor Chongzhen, with his imposing presence, raised his head and looked at Sun Qing.

His eyes were clear yet deep, a pair of dark, sharp, cautious, and suspicious pupils that were quietly fixed on Sun Qing, scrutinizing him inch by inch without revealing the slightest emotion.

On the imperial desk, there were no wooden trinkets, no idle books or miscellaneous items, only densely stacked memorials, and neatly arranged writing brushes, seals, and scrolls.

There were no superfluous furnishings on the desk, and the entire imperial study was simple, austere and cold, completely unlike the relaxed and carefree atmosphere of the previous Tianqi era.

Emperor Chongzhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his shoulders and back taut, exuding a sense of oppressive anxiety and isolation.

Upon ascending the throne, the young emperor faced a complex web of internal eunuch factions and constant threats of war on the borders. The turmoil in the court made it impossible for him to feel any ease whatsoever as a new emperor.

He didn't speak, but simply observed quietly. In that brief moment of silence, he exuded an overwhelming imperial aura.

After a long silence, Zhu Youjian finally parted his thin lips slightly, his voice clear and calm, carrying a deliberate restraint and composure, devoid of any warmth:

"So you are Sun Qing, the magistrate of Jiahe County?"