Chapter 187
The city of Beijing has seven gates in the outer city, nine gates in the inner city, and six gates in the palace city. There are a total of twenty-two gates, and each gate has a different function.
Andingmen is located to the east of the north wall of the inner city of Beijing. After the Ming army conquered Dadu of the Yuan Dynasty in the early Ming Dynasty, they retracted the north wall of Dadu by five miles to build the north wall, and changed Dadu to Beiping. Anzhen Gate, the east gate to the north of the capital in the Yuan Dynasty, was moved to the south and built as the new east gate to the north of Beiping City. After sending troops to defeat the bandits and returning in triumph, it gained the meaning of stability for the dynasty and the country, so it was named Anding Gate.
According to the theory of "Book of Changes", Andingmen is also called "Fengmen", which means the gate of abundance.
Anding Gate was used by the emperor to review the victorious troops and boast about their achievements. However, since the middle of the Ming Dynasty, civil servants have been dominant and military generals have been suppressed. Such grand events as showing victory and glory have never happened again.
Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty is in decline, with external and internal troubles. Even the important areas of the capital have been looted, and people are panicked. I heard that the Ming army had won a great victory in Liaodong, and the emperor was going to review the victorious army. Everyone was naturally excited, and came with the help of the old and the young. It’s fun to watch.
When Cheng Shijie saw that the government had actually organized government officials to distribute steamed buns to the people attending the ceremony, he thought of Lu Xun's "Diary of a Madman". In this article, he wrote a story in which the teahouse owner helped his son who had tuberculosis. The story of buying steamed buns with human blood to use as medicine.
He thought these people were preparing to eat steamed buns dipped in human blood.
Cheng Shijie knew that human blood could not be used as a medicine to cure diseases. On the contrary, blood contained all kinds of people and all kinds of diseases. The total number of slave captives sent to the capital was 6,067. In fact, There were more prisoners, but some died of illness, some were beaten to death, and some were frightened to death. Only more than 6,000 people were left alive to reach the capital.
Cheng Shijie asked someone to inquire about it, and then he found out that these people were not bringing steamed buns to dip in human blood to cure their illnesses, but because Emperor Chongzhen was worried that the civil servants would cause trouble with him, so he deliberately prevented the people from coming to participate in the prisoner sacrifice ceremony. Using his own money, he purchased flour, made more than 100,000 steamed buns, and distributed them to the people who came to attend the ceremony.
Many people actually don't care about great victories or prisoner presentation ceremonies. They just come here for the steamed buns. After all, when you go out, you can get one steamed bun for free. Children or the elderly can get two. Each steamed bun weighs half a catty, which is enough. Last for a day.
At this time, Cheng Shijie noticed that most of the people on the street had shabby clothes and many patches. There were scholars with Confucian crowns and folding fans and noble merchants wearing gold and silver. If you didn't look carefully, you wouldn't be able to find them. their figures.
Emperor Chongzhen held this prisoner presentation ceremony very resolutely against all opinions. For the people, it was good, it could inspire the morale of the army, but for the civil servants, this was a very bad start. Zhang Fengyi, as the Minister of the Ministry of War, actually had no merit at all.
This made Zhang Fengyi very unhappy. Why?
He is the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty. Whenever the army wins a battle, isn't it because of his wise leadership?
Not only did he have no merit, but he was shunned because of the impeachment of Cheng Shijie. Not only did he get into a lot of trouble, he lost his holy family, and his prestige and status in the court almost fell to the bottom. Even his disciples secretly complained that his eyesight was so poor that they didn't know if they would be able to get ahead if they followed him.
Hou Xun was also very unhappy. As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he controlled the country's money bag. For him, which civil and military official would not smile when he saw him?
Just like Zuo Liangyu, he was originally the captain of Cheyouying in Liaodong.
In the first year of Chongzhen (1628), a mutiny broke out in Ningyuan Guards. Governor Bi Zisu committed suicide and lost his official position because of this incident. In the third year of Chongzhen's reign, he met Hou Xun, who was the right minister of the Ministry of War at that time. He was promoted along the way and became the commander-in-chief of a town in just two years. Such a rapid rise is really jaw-dropping.
Cheng Shijie was promoted quickly. He led Ning Haijun to get him. But Zuo Liangyu was different. He got promoted quickly. Otherwise, how could he get the nickname Zuo Xiaoshou?
Hou Xun lowered his voice and said to Zhang Fengyi: "This grand ceremony should be over as soon as possible... It is a waste of people and money, and it is of no use. It has no use except making those military leaders proud!"
Zhang Fengyi said with sadness: "Isn't it true! Those military leaders just got a tragic victory by luck, so the Holy One wants to boast about their achievements, which is really inappropriate!"
"There is something wrong!"
Hou Xun said gloomily: "A general soldier died, more than 30,000 elite troops were lost, and it was actually boasted as a great victory. What kind of victory is this? Finish it early, send them home early, and stay in the capital for one more day, the Ministry of Household Affairs It will waste a lot of money on food!"
When more than 6,000 Jiannu prisoners were brought to the streets, each Jiannu prisoner was guarded by two soldiers from the Beijing camp. At this time, as the sound of the salute stopped, the ceremony officially began.
Fu Zonglong began to read out the imperial edict. Since there was no loudspeaker, although Cheng Shijie had one, he did not give it to Emperor Chongzhen for use. In this case, even if Fu Zonglong shouted at the top of his lungs, only a few dozen people could hear his voice.
The Ming Dynasty had the method of the Ming Dynasty, which was to form the bodyguards of the Jinyiwei around Emperor Chongzhen. These Jinyiwei were composed of generals, lieutenants and warriors. The general was originally named "Tianwu", but in Yongle he was renamed "General of the Han Dynasty". Those with majestic appearance and courage were selected to serve as palace guards. The school captain and the strongman are selected from among the people who are healthy and have no criminal record. The school captain is in charge of the book and umbrella cover, and the strongman holds the golden drum and flag.
Fu Zonglong said in a measured tone: "The slave chief Nurhachi was ambitious. He didn't think about repaying the favor he received from the emperor, so he started a rebellion. The Ming Dynasty accidentally took advantage of him and lost Liaodong. Most of the four million Han people in Liaodong were plundered. The massacre was brutal. , appalling.”
More than a thousand guards and soldiers also shouted: "His son Hong Tai is even more ambitious and crazy. He has broken into the capital and is running amok in the capital. He is killing without calculation, arrogant and scornful!"
Fu Zonglong continued: "Fortunately, our Ming Dynasty is united and united. The soldiers outside the pass fought bloody battles. In the first battle at Haizhou and in the Second World War at Bali Bay, they repeatedly defeated the Jiannu soldiers. Today, they defeated the Jiannu soldiers in Liaoyang and beheaded 19,400 people. On the 34th, I beheaded Jia La's forehead to the tune of fifteen, Niu Lu's forehead to his true score of more than one hundred, beheaded the leader of the red flag, Beile Manggurtai, Beile Degelei, and captured the leader of the white flag, Abatai, alive. He captured a lot and killed the enemy. There are so many people who have never heard of it, and the shame of breaking the news has now been a little washed away. This is truly an extraordinary achievement!"
The guards and soldiers continued: "I was ordered by Heaven, and received the mercy of Heaven. I have achieved a great victory, and I am extremely happy. I am now reviewing the triumphant army at Anding Gate..."
After the imperial edict was recited, the whole place was in an uproar. Thousands of soldiers and civilians shouted long live. The shouts were like a tsunami, almost overturning the Anding Gate.
Cheng Shijie thought that these slave-building captives would be treated as horse bones and properly placed. However, Cheng Shijie thought too much. If anyone thinks that Ming Dynasty is kind, you can only say that you are too naive.
Many people think that Chinese dynasties have always respected Confucianism and treated their enemies too leniently. People who hold this view simply do not understand history.
In fact, the Chinese dynasties were not polite to losers. They were either assimilated or slaughtered. Sending captured prisoners to the palace as slaves has been a practice that has been used for thousands of years. How about you? Do you really think that such a vast territory is given away by charging phone bills?
Many people screamed and angrily tried to push away the officers and soldiers who were maintaining order, and rushed forward to tear them apart. In the Battle of the Gap, the Jiannu have been wreaking havoc in the important areas of the capital for several months, killing without calculation. The children and relatives of many people present were tragically killed by their butcher knives. It can be said that the hatred is as deep as the sea, how can they calm down now!
Fortunately, with the efforts of the government, these captives, who had been beaten all over by the common people, were escorted and paraded around the city. While parading, they were inevitably hit hard by stones, bricks, mud and other objects. Whether they survive or not depends entirely on their luck.
Even if they survived, they would eventually be dragged to the banks of the Yongding River and beheaded.
As the prisoners were beheaded and loaded into carts and taken into the city again, the whole scene became even more frenzied.
When Cheng Shijie saw this scene, he couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder they say he is a tough guy, prosperous, and wise!"
At least the children present were not afraid when they saw the bloody heads. There were also many children who smashed the heads with stones.
The Wenchen Group finally won. The first army to enter the capital and parade through the streets was none other than the fiery red Guan Ning Army. The horses of the Guan Ning Army officers were shiny, tall and strong, with hoofs and saddles inlaid with gold and silver. The knights on the horses wore The iron armor, the blades of the armor are as bright as mirrors, the armor is dazzling, and the aura alone is scary enough.
With Zu Dabi, Zu Dale, Zu Kefa and others in front, there were more than 3,000 Guan Ning Army cavalry behind them, and behind them were Wu Sangui and more than 2,000 Guan Ning Army cavalry under his command. The more than 5,000 cavalry were terrifying. people.
As the five thousand Guanning Army cavalry passed by, the Tianxiong Army came next. Lu Xiangsheng rode a white horse and held the Qinglong Yanyue Sword (Pu Dao). Behind him were more than 6,000 Tianxiong Army soldiers. Each of these Tianxiong Army soldiers Wearing a brand new mandarin duck battle coat, the morale is high...
When it comes to parade formations, Guan Ning's army and Tianxiong's army are not bad. They performed extremely well. This is because the Ming army trained a formation. Unless it was a guard soldier, the Ming army also stood in a military posture and practiced formation. It's just that the marching rules and gestures are slightly different from Ning Haijun's.
However, they can all be uniform. They have been training since Cheng Shijie arrived in the capital for half a month. As an elite unit, they can conduct assault training for half a month and take them out for a walk. There is absolutely no problem.
Regarding Ning Jun and Tianxiong Jun in the front, Ning Haijun, who appeared last, is not so eye-catching.
On the surface he was defeated, but Cheng Shijie secretly benefited from it. He had people advertise around the capital: "The situation in Liaodong has stabilized. Landless people can go to Liaodong to open up wasteland on their own, and the government will provide agricultural tools and seeds!"
This is a great thing. There has never been a year without drought in Shaanxi and Beizhili in recent years. More and more farmers are going bankrupt, and there is less and less wasteland to cultivate. They can hardly live anymore.
I heard that the land in Liaodong is very fertile and there are few people. Opening up wasteland there might be a way to survive.
In this way, the victory of the Ming army is directly linked to the interests of the people. The more battles the army wins, the more benefits they gain. How can they not be fanatical?
After the ceremony, Cheng Shijie attended the banquet. However, he always thought that he was invisible until the banquet was over, and then he followed Gao Qiqian into the inner palace.
In Nuan Pavilion, Queen Zhou was holding Princess Kunxing.
The little princess watched Emperor Chongzhen, Gao Qiqian and Cheng Shijie come in. She stood up and said sweetly: "My son, Kunxing, pays homage to my father!"
Emperor Chongzhen pointed to Cheng Shijie behind him and said, "Come here and see Duke Hai!"
Princess Kunxing bowed: "Kunxing has met Duke Hai..."
Before Princess Kunxing could finish speaking, Cheng Shijie bent down to pick up Princess Kunxing, reached out and pinched Princess Kunxing's face...
This scene frightened Gao Qiqian. Can you touch these golden branches and jade leaves?
However, Emperor Chongzhen and the Queen had no intention of blaming Cheng Shijie, and he was somewhat relieved.
In the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, Cheng Shijie was a minister and a family member. After all, he was his brother-in-law.
Sure enough, as if by magic, Cheng Shijie took out a panda doll from the bag. Cheng Shijie bought it for Cheng Jiayue when he went back last time. When he bought it, he felt that Princess Kunxing was as cute as little Jiayue when he was a child.
Although Princess Kunxing liked this doll very much, she did not dare to accept it, but looked at Queen Zhou.
Empress Zhou smiled and said, "Why don't you thank Duke Hai soon!"
Princess Kunxing smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Duke Hai!"
Cheng Shijie touched Princess Kunxing's little hand and said, "Oh, your little hand is so cold, isn't it very cold?"
Princess Kunxing nodded slightly.
Cheng Shijie thought for a while and said, "Eunuch Gao, let someone go to my house and get the hand warmer!"
Emperor Chongzhen was slightly startled: "Hand warmer, what is it?"
"It's just a hot water bottle. Just put the hot water into it and you can warm your hands!"
Cheng Shijie smiled and said: "It's much colder over there in Liaodong than in the capital. Without hand warmers, the soldiers' hands will be frozen, and they can't draw their bows or hold their swords!"
Chongzhen then ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to put out the food and drinks one by one.
When he saw this dish, Cheng Shijie frowned slightly, "Why is it such a shabby dish again? Your Majesty, you are too stingy!"
But Chongzhen said with a scoundrel look on his face: "I have spent almost all my money, and I can only afford such food and wine. Eat it if you like it, but you will be disappointed if you don't."
Cheng Shijie waved to Cao Huachun: "Eunuch Cao, I brought some seafood back from Liaodong. Please send someone to help get it!"
Cao Huachun's expression changed slightly. The emperor personally hosted a banquet for you. Even if you are asked to eat uncooked rice, you should wolf it down. After eating, you should thank the Lord for his kindness. How can you be so picky and look disgusting? It’s really too long to live!
Cao Huachun looked at Emperor Chongzhen tremblingly, but saw Chongzhen's eyes shining and said impatiently: "Go quickly, go quickly, get what he prepared! Also, bring Concubine Tian and Concubine Yuan too Please come over, they are in for a treat tonight!"
Queen Zhou smiled and said: "I heard that you brought back three ships of things this time. I wonder what they contain?"
"There are so many things! In addition to abalone and sea cucumbers, there are also seafood such as lobster and tuna!"
Cheng Shijie smiled and said: "By the way, this time I brought back a gadget from Liaodong!"
"What a gadget!"
"You can see it later!"
What Cheng Shijie calls a gadget is actually a portable barbecue grill that can be folded up and is as thick as a book, like the one sold on a certain store. This is a good thing for home or travel.
The Ming Dynasty was different from later generations. In later generations, domestic demand for RVs was actually not that big. After all, no matter where you go, it is very convenient to choose a hotel to stay. No matter how luxurious an RV is, it is not as comfortable as staying in a hotel. If it is really The hotel is not clean, so you can bring your own sheets and bedding.
It was different in the Ming Dynasty. There were very few inns in the Ming Dynasty. Except for counties and towns, some towns did not even have inns. Not all travelers had servants. It was not easy to make a fire in the wild for cooking.
But this kind of portable stove can burn charcoal as long as it is turned on, or you can pick up some firewood from around, grill meat, boil water, put a pot on it, or stir-fry vegetables.
Dongzhimen is not far from the Forbidden City. The high-flying divers and Cao Huachun's people walked back and forth and came back together. There were more than a dozen trucks pulled by Guangdong. Some of the seafood was in fresh seawater, and some were directly frozen. Got ice cubes. In addition to food, there are also some useful things, such as woolen cloth, fine furs, precious medicinal materials, etc.
A group of imperial chefs simply brought the guy to the imperial garden, slaughtered and cooked the seafood in front of Emperor Chongzhen.
Cheng Shijie first took out the hand warmers and gave one to Princess Kunxing, then filled another one with hot water and gave it to Emperor Chongzhen. Then Gao Qiqian directed the eunuch to pour seven or eight hand warmers in one go.
Emperor Chongzhen put his hands in the hand warmer and felt very comfortable. He did not enjoy it to himself, but said: "Wang Cheng'en!"
"The slave is here!"
"Send the hand warmers to Concubine Li Kang and Princess Le'an!"
Emperor Chongzhen then loaded two large carts with several bolts of woolen cloth, cotton cloth, cotton, seafood and other items.
Cheng Shijie then took out the folding stove, asked someone to put the charcoal in, lit the charcoal, placed the iron plate, and started to cook the iron plate squid...
Emperor Chongzhen said: "I remember you hit a pair of bear paws. Where are the bear paws? I have never eaten bear paws in the past few years since I came to the throne!"
Cao Huachun was so cold that he was sweating. Cheng Shijie was actually instructing Emperor Chongzhen to skewer mutton skewers. Aren't you afraid of losing your head if you are so presumptuous? What made him sweat the most was that not only did Chongzhen not mean to blame, he also changed his clothes, rolled up his sleeves and started skewering the mutton skewers seriously.
Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was causing trouble, Queen Zhou washed her hands and began to take over Emperor Chongzhen's work. Concubine Yuan marinated mutton and prepared seasonings for Cheng Shijie, while Concubine Tian started to handle the tuna happily.
Cheng Shijie and the emperor have become like a family. You are really capable!
Of course, Cheng Shijie and Emperor Chongzhen were really a family. After all, a brother-in-law who was not married was still a brother-in-law.
Looking at Emperor Chongzhen who eagerly opened his mouth to eat the squid before it was cooked, Gao Qiqian finally understood that Cheng Shijie was now deeply involved in Emperor Chongzhen's heart. As long as Cheng Shijie did not rebel in his life, he would definitely be extremely valuable.
The reason why Chongzhen likes Cheng Shijie is actually very simple, that is because Cheng Shijie flatters him.
In the Battle of the Breach, Emperor Chongzhen had just ascended the throne and his buttocks were not yet hot. Huang Taiji led 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers and horses to the gates of the capital. This was like a slap in the face to Emperor Chongzhen.
Emperor Chongzhen went back thinking of revenge, and then forced Sun Chengzong to launch the Battle of Daling River. This time, he did not regain his position, but was slapped again by Huang Taiji, losing 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers and horses, and losing the country. Linghe City.
Until Cheng Shijie appeared...
After eating 80% full, Cheng Shijie began to brag about how he killed Mang Gurtai and Derge Lei on the battlefield, captured Abatai alive, commanded the army to rebuild slaves, forced Huang Taiji to retreat, etc. , talking about the thrilling part, Concubine Tian and Concubine Yuan were so frightened that they exclaimed repeatedly, and even the little princess’s eyes widened.
In this way, the monarch and his ministers did not talk about state affairs, but just ate large pieces of meat, drank large bowls of wine, and chatted all over the world.
…
Forbidden City, Renshou Palace.
This was originally the palace of the imperial concubine of the Ming Dynasty. Although Concubine Li Kang did not fall into the title of imperial concubine, she occupied the palace of the imperial concubine. To say that Emperor Chongzhen was happy was definitely a joke.
Who allowed Concubine Li Kang to occupy the title of righteousness? Emperor Chongzhen was raised by her. If Emperor Chongzhen was disrespectful to Concubine Li Kang, it would be extremely unfilial.
In the side hall, Princess Zhu Weiti of Le'an was busy making her wedding dress. Her marriage to Cheng Shijie, if nothing else, was already confirmed.
As a woman, there are not many opportunities to change her life. In later generations, women can rely on their own efforts, such as Queen Gewang, who is not outstanding in appearance, and the founder of Laoganma... But the problem is that in the Ming Dynasty, There are only three ways for women to change their destiny.
The first is good birth, the second is good marriage, and the third is good birth.
In the Ming Dynasty, women were still the vassals of men. There were only three ways: women were valued by their fathers, women were valued by their husbands, and women were valued by their children.
Zhu Weiti's background can already kill 99% of people instantly. Her father is Zhu Changluo, who became Princess Le'an and the sister of Emperor Chongzhen.
But the problem is that princesses born in the royal family, especially the princesses of Zhu Ming, are actually very miserable. They cannot control their own marriages. Even if they are betrothed to others, they have no way to make progress. Generally speaking, if they are capable and capable A person like this would never let the princess become the consort.
Rich and powerful families are not willing to marry the royal family and marry back an ancestor.
Zhu Weiti's fate was pretty good. She waited until Cheng Shijie.
Just when Zhu Weiti felt a little tired and was about to take a rest, Gu Ziyi hurriedly said: "Ouch, what kind of wind has brought the prince over, my servant..."
"Sister Ziyi, don't say that, we are just an errand boy!"
Wang Chengen is actually very smart. Zhu Weiti's life is so good. Emperor Chongzhen wants to win over Cheng Shijie. She is the only marriageable princess. He doesn't know that a woman is more valuable than her son, but a woman is more valuable than her husband. Zhu Weiti took advantage of it.
(End of chapter)
