Before the rebel army had gone far, the Tatars entered the pass. The entire capital was shrouded in gloom and mist. The common people were in panic all day long. The wealthy gentry frowned and went around to inquire about news. Some even started to pack their bags. Although the Tatars had twice come to the city before and attacked. The city has not been broken, but there were heavy troops in the capital at that time. Although they could not fight, they could scare people, but now there is nothing in the capital.
Of course, there is also a group of people who maintain an excited mood at all times. They spit and push their chests and feet in teahouses and restaurants, discussing the current situation, how to resist the Tatars, and how to march and fight. At the end, they mainly curse a few words about the court. Incompetent, yes, they are the keyboard warriors and literati of the Ming Dynasty!
The keyboard warrior can make all the difference with his words, but in the face of the national crisis, there are still loyal and patriotic people who cheer for him and call for the unity of the army and the people to resist foreign humiliation. Among them is the Octopus Chamber of Commerce. This newly established imperial businessman joined forces to count the numbers in the afternoon. Ten merchants launched a fund-raising campaign in the capital, and hundreds of people took to the streets to hold banners and chant slogans, doing their best to protect their homes and country.
At the same time, almost all the noble houses in the capital received a post. Wu Mengming, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, raised funds in his own name. He said: "Everyone has a responsibility when facing a national crisis. After all the kings are heroes, they must take the lead and contribute money." If someone eats the emperor's salary and fails to do something loyal to the emperor, Wu Mengming will fight to the end.
Not surprisingly, all the honorable people who received this post were yelling at home, asking them to donate anything that belongs to them, but Ling Ran couldn't refute the high-sounding and righteous words of this guy, and some of them were thinking. Was it a play directed by Emperor Chongzhen from behind? So these nobles began to visit each other and inquire about what was going on.
Whether it was Emperor Chongzhen’s intention or Wu Mengming’s personal behavior has not been determined for a while, but each servant brought explosive news. Wu Mengming set up a stage on Qianmen Street, saying that the Tatars were approaching the city and saw that the lives of the people were in ruins and even the capital was in danger. The commander of the Jinyi Guard should share the worries of the king. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, he should do his best. He is willing to spend all his wealth to help the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty kill the enemy. He also said that he has called on the nobles in Beijing to donate money and food. If those nobles do not donate, they are heartless and without conscience. Wu Mengming will fight to the end and scold him from house to house... Suddenly the people cheered and cheered one after another. If you want to boo and scold him, it will be a textbook for future generations to force donations.
Wu Mengming's so-called wealth is three thousand taels of silver and the land deed of an old house. His behavior naturally attracted a lot of good impressions. For a while, cheers spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital. Everyone said that the commander of the Jin Yiwei had both loyalty and justice. Compared with Those distinguished families are simply worlds apart.
Damn it, you just donated it yourself, why do you want to drag us into trouble? After hearing the news, many nobles scolded them. Wu Mengming's move was absolutely amazing. He used the situation of the Tatars approaching the city to create public pressure and get them to donate money. And there are thousands of them in one mouth, which is simply bad.
But if you don’t donate, you will really be spit on and drowned. In the future, people will point their noses and curse, so and so, and they still have nothing to do when the national crisis hits. Why does the court keep such white-eyed wolf trash... I’m afraid even the emperor will look at it in the future. If he is no longer worthy of him, he might find an excuse to give up his title someday.
However, people who are interested have smelled a conspiracy. They don't believe that Wu Mengming is so righteous. He keeps saying that he is launching a fundraiser in his own name. Who knows if it is to take the blame for that person. He is the commander of the Jin Yiwei.
So the three princes communicated with some big shots in the cabinet in a very short time, and then jointly requested to see Emperor Chongzhen. Wu Mengming's messy behavior would make the capital, which was already panicked, even more chaotic. Although There is nothing illegal in soliciting donations, but it is unethical if you force them to donate.
Emperor Chongzhen saw him unexpectedly, and then said coldly: "Everyone is responsible for the national crisis. The common people and some merchants in the city actively donated money and food. You have received so much kindness from the emperor, shouldn't you donate? Can't you?" Do you want to donate, or don’t you want to donate?” He also stated that this matter was Wu Mengming’s personal behavior and had nothing to do with him or the royal family. He would not interfere or stop it, and even felt that such an act of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism should be rewarded.
Emperor Ninth Five-Year-Old insisted that the matter had nothing to do with him and everyone believed him. Although they were ridiculed by Emperor Chongzhen, they were still a little relieved because of their thick skin. If it was just Wu Mengming's personal behavior, then it would be a shame. It's easy to handle. If he doesn't do it in the name of Jin Yiwei, he won't be tolerated. If he does it in the name of Jin Yiwei, he will be beaten to death by the civil service group. Even Chongzhen can't get rid of it. As for now, donating is necessary, but you have to donate. Thousands of people go ahead and dream.
But where did Wu Mengming, a guy who usually only cares about money, get such courage and righteousness? There must be someone behind him. Since it's not the emperor, then... the little eunuch of Dongchang.
Everyone couldn't help but shudder. They were afraid of Chang Yu from the bottom of their hearts. After all, there were too many people in Xungui who were tricked by him. The last time he investigated the private use of the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp, it was 80% certain. All the nobles and nobles were robbed by him, but later someone actually hired someone to assassinate him. He almost ended up in Dongchang and was imprisoned. In the end, he lost all his money and was left with only skin and bones.
As the saying goes, a biting dog never barks. The little eunuch has always looked harmless to humans and animals, and has never been arrogant. Compared to Wei Zhongxian back then, he could be said to be terrifyingly low-key. But just like this, everyone's fear of him was far greater than the disaster back then.
Because at least the scourge back then still had something to use against him, and the Donglin Party Group could still find fault with him to fight with him, but the little eunuch never showed up when he did bad things, and there was no way to catch him, and it gave people the impression that he was focused on other things. Leading troops to fight is an awesome thing, and the battle will be won. Now not only are many courtiers praising him, but the common people even regard him as the God of War, and his reputation is extremely good.
I'm afraid, the little eunuch is ruthless and won't give anyone face, so I better offend him less. Besides, now that the Tatars are coming, they have to rely on him to defend against the enemy. But then again, he is so busy coming back from the south in a hurry, he really has time. Did you give Wu Mengming this crazy idea?
No matter what, Wu Mengming also said that in his own name anyway, judging from how many methods he can use, as long as he dares to use the power of Jinyiwei, he will be considered to have a handle.
A group of people came out of the palace with their own thoughts. It was already dusk. Just when the city gate was about to close, the officers and soldiers who were training outside returned to the city. The people had already spread the rumor that the officers and soldiers had gone to fight the Tatars. After hearing that, they returned People in the city crowded around to watch, wanting to see whether they were defeated or victorious.
Wang Jiayan had not slept for two days and one night. His eyes were bloodshot and his face looked tired but he had a smile on his lips. As soon as he entered the city and entered the military camp, a fast horse came rushing towards him. Emperor Chongzhen summoned him to the palace to meet the emperor.
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