Chapter 173: Hey! Great Ming!

Jing Shi, Guang Ning Men.

Among the many city gates of Jing Shi, Guang Ning Men was the only outer-city gate opening to the west.

Zhu Chunchen, Grand Duke Cheng, who oversaw military affairs of the Jing Camp, was at this moment resting with eyes closed inside the luxurious carriage within Guang Ning Men.

The beautiful maid inside the carriage gently stirred the incense in the incense burner.

Zhu Chunchen, eyes closed, grunted, "What time is it?"

The other maid looked at the standing clock fixed in the corner.

"Grand Duke," the maid's voice was soft, sweet, and clear, "it is past noon by one quarter."

"Hmph."

Zhu Chunchen opened his eyes, habitually raised his wrist, glanced at his wristwatch, "This Wu Sangui, what a grand show."

The Diligence King Army of the Guan Ning Army rushed toward Jing City, swift as wind and lightning.

The decisiveness of their mobilization and the speed of their action far surpassed the previous ten-plus years of repeated delays and obstructions.

According to the earlier agreement, they should have arrived around the si hour, but unexpectedly they dragged on until now and still had not appeared.

The reason they did not go to Guang Qu Men but came to Guang Ning Men was naturally because Guang Qu Men was too close to the rebel forces outside Tong Zhou.

Conversely, there was no trace of rebel forces outside Guang Ning Men, making it the only one among the seven outer gates of Jing Shi that had not yet been closed.

One maid skillfully took out a bottle of Snow-Falling Glazed Red Amber, while the other took out a crystal-clear crystal cup.

She poured more than half a cup of red wine and respectfully presented it before Zhu Chunchen.

After drinking two sips, the slightly strange taste suited the mindset of these meritorious nobles like Zhu Chunchen, who sought a feeling of being different.

"Grand Duke~~~"

Outside the carriage, the steward of the residence reported in a low voice, "The Grand Minister of War has arrived."

Zhu Chunchen slightly furrowed his brow, then relaxed it.

He put down the crystal cup, rose, and got out of the carriage.

"Grand Minister of War~~~"

"Grand Duke Cheng~~~"

Minister of War Zhang Jin Yan stepped forward to pay respects to Zhu Chunchen.

This man, in the history books, was truly a house slave of three families and three surnames.

Serving as Minister of War of the Great Ming Dynasty, when Li Chuang came, he actively offered to surrender the city gate.

After Li Chuang's defeat, he first fled back to his hometown, and later surrendered to the Tartars.

Many years later, he was arrested due to a ridiculous literary inquisition, exiled to Ning Gu Ta, and eventually died there.

In fact, within this city there were many, many people like Zhang Jin Yan.

"Grand Duke Cheng."

Zhang Jin Yan skillfully took out a box of vanilla, took out one, and handed it over.

On this side Zhu Chunchen was not polite either; after taking it, he took out an enamel bamboo-pattern silver fire starter, lit the fragrant leaf, and the two smoked together, exhaling clouds and mist.

"That Pingnan Bo, I suppose he is about to rise to prominence."

"If we can defend Jing Shi this time, I suppose his title can still be raised a level."

"Without heroes in the age, upstarts gain fame."

"These military commanders are all arrogant and overbearing, not respecting the court's orders; once the world is at peace, we naturally should clean them up."

"Grand Minister of War speaks extremely well."

The two were arranged by the Emperor to welcome Wu Sangui, but the person they were waiting for was late.

Their status was so exalted that they actually had to wait here for a minor military commander; their words were naturally full of complaints.

Fortunately, at the third quarter of noon, Wu Sangui's people finally arrived.

The mighty cavalry, estimated to be several thousand.

The household servants leading the way were all clad in iron armor, imposing and extraordinary, truly deserving of the famous Guan Ning Iron Cavalry.

Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jin Yan exchanged glances, straightened their official robes, and stepped forward to stand inside the city gate to welcome them.

By rights, they should have gone outside the city gate to welcome them.

But since Wu Sangui came too late and made them wait bitterly, they simply would not give him this face.

The mighty cavalry formation surged into the city through the city gate.

Wu Sangui and the other generals dismounted one after another, coming before Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jin Yan to pay respects.

"Grand Duke Cheng~~~"

"Commander Sir~~~"

Wu Sangui, beaming with smiles, repeatedly apologized, "There were some delays on the road, so we are late; I hope Grand Duke and Commander Sir will forgive us."

He waved his hand, and a household servant stepped forward, holding gifts.

"The Blue Sea Like-Intention Self-Ringing Clock from Ju Bao Lou."

"Hope both of you will accept it with a smile."

Exquisitely crafted, beautifully decorated, indeed a good thing.

It is just this giving of a clock~~~

Zhang Jin Yan was a commander, considered the proper authority.

At this time he still put on airs, saying, "Pingnan Bo, military matters first value keeping time."

"If military affairs are delayed due to procrastination, that is a crime!"

This was the traditional skill of civil officials, dismounting to show authority.

First manipulate these military commanders a bit, only then can they be well commanded in combat.

Otherwise, if the military commanders act arbitrarily and ignore military orders, major trouble will ensue.

Since Yu Qian, the Great Ming has begun to rule the military through civilians.

Battles are commanded by amateur civilian officials, so it is no wonder the Ming Army frequently suffers defeats.

On this side, Zhu Chunchen furrowed his brow.

His gaze swept over the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry continuously entering through the city gate, "Pingnan Bo."

"His Majesty's intention is for the Guan Ning Army to station outside the city."

"Pingnan Bo may bring only a few household servants into the city."

Zhang Jin Yan also sensed something amiss and hurriedly spoke, "His Majesty is receiving an audience on the platform, waiting for Pingnan Bo."

"It would be best to quickly order the troops of all departments to leave the city."

The smile on Wu Sangui's face faded, "Why be so clever?"

"Hmm?" Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jin Yan's hearts tightened in unison.

"Since you have seen through it, then no more pretense."

Wu Sangui looked at the two with a half-smile, "I ask both of you to behave yourselves and not harm the harmony."

At this moment, his household servants had already surged forward, surrounding Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jin Yan on all sides.

The two were shocked and angry, "Pingnan Bo, what is the meaning of this?!"

"You know what it means." Wu Sangui shook his head, "Why pretend not to know?"

Cries of battle rang out as the Guan Ning Army entering the city rushed onto the city tower, hacking down the Jing City troops guarding the tower.

"You... you... you~~~"

Zhang Jin Yan, his face as white as snow, pointed a trembling finger at Wu Sangui, "You dare to rebel?!"

"Not rebellion."

Wu Sangui shook his head and corrected him, "It is joining the bandits."

"Pah!" He hurriedly waved his hand, "It is restoring order and correcting wrongs! Seeking merit by following the new dynasty!"

Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jin Yan were simply stunned.

The long-awaited Diligence King Army has actually joined the bandits?

This... this... this~~~

Zhu Chunchen suppressed his shock and anger, earnestly advising, "Elder Brother Chang Bo."

"You are a hereditary meritorious noble of the Great Ming."

"That Lin bandit, it is said, is a scholar-official of the local gentry, and he spares not a single meritorious noble."

"If you submit to him, you will not have a good ending."

"If you wake up now, it is still not too late. We will say nothing more, just pretend this never happened, how about it?"

"Grand Duke." Wu Sangui looked at him with a half-smile, "Jiangnan is gone, Hu Guang is gone, Beizhili is also gone."

"Liangguang, Yunnan, Fujian are all isolated a thousand li away."

"The Central Plains and Guanzhong have all fallen into the hands of the rebel bandits."

"How many more days can this Great Ming last?"

"How many more days can the hereditary meritorious nobles of the Great Ming live?"

"I still know the difference between one full meal and full meals every day."

Zhu Chunchen's face was bitter.

Because what Wu Sangui said was all true.

Of the thirteen provinces of the Great Ming, most have already fallen into the hands of the bandits.

The remaining ones are far away at the ends of the earth and cannot play any role at all.

The Emperor's Imperial Edict is only of some use within Jing City.

The last field army corps of the Great Ming has also joined the bandits at this time.

This Great Ming is finished.

"Pingnan Bo speaks truly!" On this side, Minister of War Zhang Jin Yan suddenly spoke with a stern expression, "The Son of Heaven is unjust and brings calamity to the world!"

"At this time of the sun and moon changing their appearance, there will naturally be a True Dragon Son of Heaven who follows the Heavenly Mandate and replaces him!"

"This humble official is not talented, but is willing to devote his dog-and-horse service to the True Dragon Son of Heaven~~~"

"I hope Pingnan Bo will recommend me on my behalf."

Wu Sangui and Zhu Chunchen were both stunned.

This scholar-official changes his face so quickly~~~

Seeing that things cannot be done, he immediately turns against and jumps ship.

He even speaks of the sun and moon changing their appearance, truly shameless.

"Elder Brother Chang Bo."

On this side, Zhu Chunchen also responded with a stern expression, "What the Minister of War says is true; I also think so."

"Although I am not talented, I also command the Jing City troops."

"Willing to lead the Jing City officers and soldiers to surrender to a wise lord!"

Wu Sangui fell silent.

After a moment, he laughed hehe.

The laughter grew louder until he threw back his head and laughed loudly.

"Great Ming~"

"Hey! Great Ming!"

Lin Dao rode his horse, surrounded by numerous personal guards, and gradually arrived outside Guang Qu Men.

Wu Sangui and the others had already been waiting outside the city for a long time.

"Wu Sangui~"

"Zhu Chunchen~"

"Zhang Jin Yan~"

"Chen Yan~"

"Wei Zao De~"

"Gong Yu~"

"Zhou Zhong~"

"Zhao Yu Sen~"

"Wang Sun Hui~"

"Zhang Qi~"

There were too many people; Ming Dynasty officials wearing official robes, coming out of the city to welcome this traitor of theirs — how could there be merely hundreds or thousands!

"No wonder the Emperor's suicide note bore such great resentment toward the hundred officials."

Lin Dao on horseback gave a wry laugh and shook his head: "All are disloyal and unjust scoundrels."

The entire Ming Dynasty's court officials, the vast majority are disloyal and unjust scoundrels; no wonder the Ming Dynasty went step by step toward extinction.

Lin Dao reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping over the crowd kneeling on the ground: "Where is the Emperor?"

Wu Sangui hurriedly shouted: "The End Commandant searched the Imperial Palace, but has not yet found any trace of the Emperor."

After he entered the city, he immediately rushed to the Imperial Palace without stopping to arrest the Emperor.

Unfortunately, he was blocked by the Imperial Horse Supervisor's men and horses, and fought a fierce bloody battle.

Only with great difficulty, with the help of Eunuchs, did he enter the palace, but the Emperor's trace was already gone.

Right now he is in a state of anxious unease.

Afraid that Lin Dao would think he handled matters poorly, and take the opportunity to wipe out the Guan Ning Army top to bottom.

This Commander Lin truly possesses such strength!

"Oh."

Lin Dao thought to himself: 'Most likely he went to Mei Shan.'

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he asked again: "Were there any who died for the Ming Dynasty?"

Everyone's hearts tightened; what does the Commander mean by this?

Although the civil officials are all adept at fathoming people's hearts, at this moment they also understood the Commander's thoughts.

Wei Zao De, eager to step forward, replied loudly.

"This official Wei Zao De replies to the Commander: there were some ministers and meritorious nobles who died for the Ming Dynasty."

"This official invites the Commander to bury such people with honors."

Everyone looked at Wei Zao De.

The duller ones, ignorant and unknowing, still did not understand what Wei Zao De meant by such words.

But the smart ones secretly cursed in their hearts: 'Dog traitor, your move is truly fast!'

Wei Zao De is gambling.

Gambling that Lin Dao is one who cherishes his reputation; burying with honors those who died for the Ming Dynasty also counts as a good-sounding reputation.

If he gambles right, he naturally enters the Commander's favor; even if not a meteoric rise, at least the Commander will remember him.

If he gambles wrong, he can only leave it to fate.

This really is: as long as one's guts are big, the future fate can be grasped in one's own hands.

Lin Dao understood his meaning, and looked over with a half-smile.

The Ming Dynasty court never lacks smart people; pity that their cleverness is all used on ruining the Ming Dynasty!

"Hey~"

"Ming Dynasty!"

(End of Chapter)