Chapter 71: Summoned Back to the Capital

Chongzhen naturally understood this reasoning, but in his heart, Zhu Cilang was merely a child of seven or eight — at such a tender age, how could he have that many schemes, and how could he possibly threaten his throne?

Moreover, the current situation was dire — the Qing army had already reached Zhuozhou and was advancing toward Langfang and other central plains territories to plunder, leaving the capital's surroundings in utter ruin. Given the present circumstances, someone had to step forward to take charge and command operations.

He, as the Emperor, naturally dared not go out himself. Although he usually prided himself on being proficient in both civil and martial arts, if it truly came down to him taking the field, Chongzhen would still silently admit his own cowardice.

So in Chongzhen's mind, the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang was currently the most suitable choice. Though he didn't know how this son of his had managed it, at least the boy had two battle victories to his name — perhaps he was slightly better at warfare than his father.

However, Emperor Chongzhen still worried about the Crown Prince's safety. Empress Zhou had recently been whispering in his ear constantly, saying that war was too dangerous and urging him to recall their son to the capital.

Seeing the Emperor hesitate, Minister of War Zhang Fengyi gritted his teeth and memorialized: "Your Majesty, I beg to be appointed Governor-General of all relief forces, to drive the slave bandits out of the Great Ming!"

Hearing this, several ministers looked at him as if watching a monkey, all thinking to themselves — why was this timid Minister of War so bold today? And volunteering to be Governor-General? Was the old birthday star eating arsenic because he feared his life was too long?

Seeing Zhang Fengyi display such righteousness, Wen Tiren immediately seconded the motion: "Lord Zhang, as Minister of War, is the most fitting choice to command all Regional Commanders as Governor-General."

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Wen Tiren, then at Zhang Fengyi, his eyes full of question marks, as if asking: Can you handle it?

Wen Tiren seemed capable of mind-reading, instantly deciphering the question marks in Chongzhen's eyes. He continued: "I have seen from the battle reports the casualties suffered by the Yongwei Camp. That battle has severely depleted their strength, and they are unfit for further combat. I beg Your Majesty to order the Crown Prince to lead his troops back to the capital for rest and reorganization."

Chongzhen said: "That is true — the Yongwei Camp has fought successive bitter battles with heavy losses and indeed needs to regroup. Issue the edict: summon the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang to lead his army back to the capital this very day for rest. I shall personally welcome the Yongwei Camp's soldiers at Zhengyang Gate upon their triumphant return!"

Hearing that Emperor Chongzhen had already made his decision, Wen Tiren found it hard to object, merely shaking his head secretly. This Emperor was far too protective of his own cub — since when did a father go out to welcome his son?

On the twenty-second day of the seventh month, Emperor Chongzhen ordered that Minister of War Zhang Fengyi be made Governor-General of nine routes of relief forces, with Gao Qiqian serving as army supervisor.

Zhu Cilang, stationed in Liangxiang city, received this news the very same day. Li Tingbiao sent men daily to report the capital's situation to him — everything was well within his grasp.

Zhu Cilang did not resist Emperor Chongzhen's decree. It was time to return to the capital to replenish ammunition and handle the compensation for fallen soldiers.

Zhu Cilang had originally wanted to transport the fallen soldiers' remains back to the capital, but there were insufficient carts, and with the hot weather, the bodies would easily cause plague if left too long.

Therefore, Zhu Cilang set aside a cemetery within Liangxiang city, burying the fallen soldiers' remains on the spot, and built a Loyal Martyrs Shrine before the cemetery with a stele erected to commemorate the Great Battle of Liangxiang.

Throughout all dynasties, sacrifice and military affairs were regarded as the two most important matters of state, governed by a strict national sacrificial system divided into central court sacrifices and local government sacrifices.

The central sacrificial system was divided into grand sacrifices, medium sacrifices, and minor sacrifices; the local sacrificial system covered provincial, prefectural, departmental, and county-level sacrifices.

Zhu Cilang had the Loyal Martyrs Shrine in Liangxiang city conduct sacrifices at the provincial standard. Not only that, he also planned to build a Loyal Souls Shrine in the capital — henceforth, all Yongwei Camp soldiers who fell in battle would be enshrined in the capital's Loyal Souls Shrine and receive sacrifices at the central court standard.

On the day of the sacrifice, nearly all the citizens of Liangxiang came to pay their respects — to Garrison Commander Ding Shiqi and the other soldiers who died defending them, to County Magistrate Jiang Bingcai and the other civil officials who died for their principles, and to the more than a thousand Yongwei Camp soldiers who gave their lives fighting the Eight Banners army to save them.

Amidst the solemn and grand sacrificial music and dance, the chief ritual officer directed the ceremonies as the citizens performed their bows with utmost reverence, all shedding tears.

Within the Loyal Martyrs Shrine, Zhu Cilang led the Yongwei Camp officers in offering incense one by one, bowing several times.

In the square outside the shrine, all Yongwei Camp soldiers performed the saber salute and spear salute, chanting in unison the military song "Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty": War smoke rises, gazing north across the rivers and mountains, dragon banners unfurl, horses neigh long, sword aura cold as frost — how many brothers' loyal souls lie buried in foreign soil, what regret in dying a hundred deaths to repay one's country, enduring sighs, beyond words, tears and blood filling their eyes.

Thousands chanting in unison possessed a soul-stirring, deeply moving power.

Some newly recruited city defense soldiers sighed inwardly: "With sacrifices like this, even dying in battle someday would be worth it!"

Beside the cemetery lay another burial ground — for the warhorses of the Yongwei Camp cavalry that had died in battle. All fallen warhorses were buried together with the Yongwei Camp soldiers.

Zhu Cilang declared: Though warhorses cannot speak, they are like the soldiers — members of the Yongwei Camp, all having died for the nation. They deserve such treatment!

Zhu Cilang's actions deeply moved the Yongwei Camp cavalry. A warhorse was part of a cavalryman — the riders shared profound bonds with their horses, like brothers. The Crown Prince's gesture made the cavalry feel an even greater sense of belonging to the Yongwei Camp.

Soldiers of other units also heaped praise, saying that the Crown Prince showed such consideration for his troops, and that to serve under his command was the greatest fortune of one's life.

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The Forbidden City, Kunning Palace.

The seventh month's summer sun blazed like fire. Kunning Palace was shielded to the front by the Hall of Union and the Palace of Heavenly Purity, surrounded by courtyard walls, leaving it perpetually windless and abnormally stifling.

Emperor Chongzhen arrived at Kunning Palace in high spirits, stopping the eunuch who was about to announce his arrival. When he entered the main hall, he found Empress Zhou dressed in a summer garment thin as cicada wings, washing and combing her hair.

In his excitement, Emperor Chongzhen grew playful — he crept stealthily behind Empress Zhou and teased her hair.

Startled, Empress Zhou swung her hand back in a slap, nearly striking Emperor Chongzhen's face, leaving the lecherous Chongzhen thoroughly embarrassed.

Just then, a eunuch delivering fruits happened to witness the scene. Empress Zhou felt extremely mortified and bowed in apology, while Emperor Chongzhen magnanimously laughed it off without any punishment.

Empress Zhou hurried into the bedchamber, with two palace maids rushing in after her to help her change clothes.

Emperor Chongzhen saw her emerge fresh as a lotus from water — though his interest was piqued, he had no intention of shamelessly following her in to engage in indecent acts in broad daylight. Instead, he sat in the main seat and began flipping through the books beside the armrest.

After becoming Emperor, Chongzhen was extremely fond of reading. Books were placed all around the thrones and seats of every palace chamber, so he could browse them at will whenever he sat down.

When scholars across the realm heard of this, they eagerly spread the tale, and sycophantic ministers even wrote essays praising Emperor Chongzhen's scholarly bearing.

Once praised, a person tends to get carried away — Chongzhen was no exception. Constantly flattered, he felt himself quite extraordinary, floating in the clouds and nearly unable to come back down.

He believed that even if he hadn't become Emperor, he would surely have been a renowned scholar of the realm, easily passing the imperial examinations with distinction.

Empress Zhou was well-educated and quite accomplished in literature, which was why Chongzhen doted on this talented and beautiful Empress, regarding her as his soulmate. The two often lit lamps at night to discuss poetry and prose.

After changing her clothes, Empress Zhou finally came forward to pay her respects, saying softly: "Your Majesty, what brings you to Kunning Palace today?"

Emperor Chongzhen set down the book in his hand, looked her over, and smiled: "Empress, take a guess!"

Empress Zhou thought for a moment, then said gently: "Could it be that the front lines have won a victory?"

Chongzhen asked in surprise: "How did you know?"

Empress Zhou glared at him: "Your Majesty's heart is tied to state affairs, your eyes only on governance. With the slave bandits invading our borders, Your Majesty has not visited the harem for a long time. If not for a victory at the front, how could Your Majesty come to your consort's Kunning Palace?"

Emperor Chongzhen was instantly embarrassed, and laughed: "The Empress remains as brilliantly clever as ever. Indeed — a great victory at the front. The Crown Prince severely mauled the slave bandits at Liangxiang, beheading over seven thousand of the enemy."

Empress Zhou paid no attention to the battle results, asking urgently instead: "How is my son? Was he injured?"

Chongzhen reassured her: "Our son is unharmed. I have already issued the edict ordering him to lead the army back to the capital. Rest assured!"

Hearing this, Empress Zhou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

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