Chapter 344

The news of the Tatars' surrender had spread throughout Jingcheng and across all regions of the Great Ming days ago.

The common people hung lanterns and decorations, setting off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate.

Today would be the day the Tatars were escorted into the capital to beg for surrender.

The rarely bustling market was empty!

Even the vendors were few.

The common people gathered on both sides of the road, waiting to watch the Tatars surrender.

Some had even specially prepared rotten vegetable leaves, stinky eggs, and broken stones to give them a proper welcome.

Fortunately, soldiers from the Wucheng Military Office stood on both sides of the road maintaining order.

Ordinary commoners dared not charge recklessly.

"They're coming, they're coming..."

Someone shouted, and the common people stretched their necks to look.

Soon, Cao Bianjiao and other Liaodong soldiers entered everyone's view first.

"It's General Cao! These are the Liaodong troops!"

"Behind them are the Tatars!"

Boom!

Upon hearing "Tatars," the common people erupted.

Those with sharp eyes spotted Dorgon's pigtail at the back of his head, and the rotten vegetable leaves and stinky eggs in their hands were thrown at him.

There!

That bath was washed in vain.

Dorgon had no time to dodge and was struck directly on the temple by a stinky egg.

The broken yolk of the stinky egg ran down his face, nearly making him vomit from the stench.

He turned his head, glaring angrily, wanting to identify who had thrown it at him.

The common people were initially startled by his fierce gaze.

Then they came to their senses.

He was now just a captive, a wretch begging for mercy.

He was no longer that arrogant and domineering Jianzhou Jurchen chieftain.

Crack, thud...

Dorgon was immediately pelted into a wretched state.

Someone even threw a sharp stone, slicing a small cut across his cheek.

Blood flowed out, causing the crowd to pause for a moment.

The other Tatars were equally miserable, having been viciously pelted by the angry common people.

Even many of the Liaodong soldiers responsible for escorting them were accidentally injured.

Outside Wumen!

On the high city walls, Zhu Youjian and the civil and military officials stood.

Su Qiao stood beside Zhu Youjian, so he didn't have to squeeze for space with those ministers.

He was quite curious what Dorgon looked like.

Did he really have a green melon skin and a money-rat tail braid?

At the stone stele for dismounting, Cao Bianjiao flipped off his horse, then walked to a spot dozens of paces before the Wumen gate and knelt on one knee.

"Your subject Cao Bianjiao has escorted the Jianzhou Jurchen captives into the capital, totaling three thousand four hundred and ninety-eight people; the roster is here. Your subject requests to submit the report!"

Zhu Youjian looked at Cao Bianjiao's imposing figure below with great appreciation.

He nodded with a smile and said, "My dear minister has worked hard. I have heard of your bravery in Liaodong; my heart is greatly comforted. I will not fail the Great Ming's meritorious servants."

"Your subject dares not claim merit!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said:

"Enough. We will discuss the rewards after Hong Hong Chengchou returns; there is no rush. Which one is Dorgon? Let him come up."

"Yes!"

In the group chat, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Cao Bianjiao and couldn't help but show appreciation.

"This Cao Bianjiao looks like a tiger general; Zhu Youjian has many capable generals behind him as well."

Zhu Di also agreed.

"Although he looks young, if trained and nurtured, he might well become a commanding talent in the future!"

Emperor Sizong Lie: "Great-Grandfather, rest assured, I will definitely train him."

Zhu Yuanzhang, unusually, offered him earnest instruction.

"Cultivating your own base is beneficial. Have you seen any emperor of great vision and strategy with only a handful of underlings? If they cannot share your burdens in the court, what use are they! If you are the emperor but your words lack weight in the court!"

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, his tone grew heavier again.

Zhu Youjian trembled and quickly agreed:

"Yes, yes, yes. Sun Chen understands."

Previously, the court lacked personnel, so they could only send old hands like Sun Chuanting and Hong Hong Chengchou.

But there were no more talents.

Now Cao Bianjiao had entered his field of vision.

Grandfather was right—we should cultivate talent ourselves.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian cast another glance at Su Qiao beside him.

Fortunately, Grandfather had sent Su Qiao to his side; he was certain he could lead Great Ming to renewed prosperity!

199—decapitation!

Su Qiao was puzzled by Zhu Youjian's glance.

He wondered what idea had come to him now.

But there was no time to ponder so much now.

The sky had grown dark and was swept by fierce winds, as if rebuking and roaring at the Jian~nu.

Robes and the Great Ming dragon banner flapped violently in the wind.

Dorgon, clad in a thin blue robe, was brought forward by two Captains.

In his arms he still clutched a brocade box.

The rotting vegetable leaves in his hair had been plucked away; he wiped the egg white from his face with a careless sweep of his robe.

Dorgon was now in a pitiful state, his face pale.

His tall frame somehow gave off an impression of frailty and loneliness.

"Criminal minister Dorgon humbly begs surrender to the Great Ming Emperor, and presents the Aisin Gioro sword…"

Dorgon fell to his knees with a thud; the brocade box finally left his arms, lifted high above his head.

Silence!

Deathly silence!

No one dared speak or interject.

All waited silently for Zhu Youjian to decide.

Whether to accept Dorgon's surrender was Decided by a single word from Zhu Youjian.

Dorgon knelt in place, the brocade box held above his head, waiting for a response—but dared not move a muscle.

He comforted himself.

The Great Ming Emperor was venting his resentment on purpose.

If he could just endure this, his clan would have a chance at survival.

For the sake of his clan and his elder brother's dying wish, Dorgon knelt motionless before Wumen—the gate of Great Ming.

Zhu Youjian and the civil and military officials stood motionless, not a word spoken.

Su Qiao, standing nearby, felt the atmosphere was strangely tense.