When Zhang Mingwei heard what he said, he understood that the prince's grandfather was naturally the biological father of Queen Zhou, who was also known as Zhou Kui in later generations.
Thinking of Zhou Kui's deeds, he couldn't help but look at Zhu Cihong, with a little pity in his eyes, but for a moment, he didn't speak.
When Emperor Chongzhen next to him saw his expression, he remembered what his father-in-law had done, and his heart sank.
Zhu Cixiang didn't think too much, and just urged Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, tell me quickly!"
Zhang Mingwei's expression was serious and he said slowly: "When the capital city fell, Jiading Bo Zhou Kui did not die for his country. This is a certain thing."
Emperor Chongzhen had already seen the temper of his father-in-law during the incident with Marquis Wu Qing. Hearing Zhang Mingwei's words at this time, there was not much surprise. Therefore, compared to Zhu Cixiang, he has no emotional fluctuations.
When Zhu Cixiang heard this, he was stunned for a moment, with a disappointed expression on his face. However, he was still a little unwilling to accept it, so he immediately asked: "What happened next? Is there any uncertain news?"
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei continued to speak seriously: "One thing recorded in history is that after Li Zicheng came to Beijing, he pursued stolen goods to support him. Jiadingbo was forced to hang himself when his wife and daughter-in-law were forced to hang themselves, his eldest son was beaten to death, and he, his second son, and nephew were killed. When he was tortured and almost died, he had to hand over more than half a million silver."
There was another theory that it was more than three million taels of silver. He thought this was too exaggerated, so he chose a smaller amount.
But even so, Emperor Chongzhen exclaimed: "So many?"
After Zhang Mingwei heard this, he turned to look at him and said, "This is what the historical data says."
"Sir, what else is there?" Zhu Cixiang didn't have much idea, so he just asked again.
When Zhang Mingwei heard this, he turned back and looked at him and said: "The second uncertain thing is that when the city was broken, the prince did not escape and was sacrificed by the officials to the intruders. Then Li Zicheng led the prince to conquer Wu Sangui, but unexpectedly Jianlu suddenly appeared, and he was defeated. He fled westward in panic, and the prince's whereabouts are unknown since then."
Hearing this, Zhu Cixiang blinked his eyes, and after thinking about his future in his mind, he asked with some confusion: "Does this have anything to do with my grandpa?"
Zhang Mingwei listened, nodded and said: "Jianlu entered the pass and occupied the capital almost without a fight. Then the famous case of the northern and southern princes in the early Qing Dynasty occurred, involving Jiading Bo and the prince."
After a pause, he saw that both Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Cixi were very concerned, so he continued: "It is said that the prince escaped from the bandit army and returned to the capital to visit Princess Kunxing at Jiading Bo's Mansion. But Jiading Bo did not Dare to admit it, and Princess Kunxing came out after hearing the news. The two held their heads and cried loudly, alarming the neighbors. Jiading Bo then dedicated the prince to Dorgon, the regent of Jianlu..."
When he heard this, Zhu Cixi couldn't help being dumbfounded and couldn't understand, how could this be possible? That's my own grandfather!
Emperor Chongzhen clenched his fists again, very angry, but still trying to suppress it.
"...At that time, Jianlu entered the country under the pretext of avenging His Majesty, and suddenly a prince appeared. It is only right that Jianlu should help the prince ascend the throne." Zhang Mingwei continued, "But this is obviously impossible! So, Dorgon summoned the ministers of the Ming Dynasty to identify them, and the prince talked eloquently and recounted old things, but the ministers were too embarrassed to admit it. Dorgon also asked Jiadingbo to identify him, but Jiadingbo said he was a fake. But there were still others who said , the prince is real. In the end, Dorgon imprisoned the prince in prison, and later died in prison."
"Impossible, this is impossible..." Zhu Cixiang couldn't believe it when he heard this, so he shouted.
Originally, he was expecting his grandpa to celebrate the National Death Day, but when he didn't, he was already hit hard. What he didn't expect was that his grandpa actually betrayed him, which made him really feel guilty for a moment. Unable to accept it!
Seeing him like this, Zhang Mingwei really felt a little sympathetic, so he comforted him and said, "I just said that this matter is not certain. The official history only records the prince's affairs on the day when the capital was invaded by thieves. Of course. , this official history was also compiled by Jianlu."
Although he said this, Emperor Chongzhen didn't think of anything unreasonable, and he immediately became even more angry. When he heard Zhu Cixiang still shouting, he shouted: "That's enough!"
Zhu Cixiang was startled by what he said, and immediately shut up and did not dare to shout any more.
When Emperor Chongzhen saw it, he turned to look at Zhang Mingwei, sighed and said: "The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the rough wind knows the honest minister. However, there are some people, even if they are not that good, I probably know it in my heart!"
What he meant by this was obviously Zhou Kui. But Zhang Mingwei could probably guess that Emperor Chongzhen probably didn't expect Zhou Kui to be so inferior, so he was angry before and sighed now.
Hearing what Emperor Chongzhen said, the smart Zhu Cixi understood what he meant, but he still found it a bit unbelievable, so he asked Emperor Chongzhen: "Father, is this true?"
"It doesn't matter whether it's true or not, son..." Emperor Chongzhen comforted him lovingly, then glanced at Zhang Mingwei, and then continued to say forcefully: "My husband and I will revive the Ming Dynasty, and we will not let such a thing happen again. of."
While speaking, seeing Zhu Cixiang's very depressed mood, he tried to persuade him: "Actually, I was dissatisfied with him before, and he actually helped Marquis Wu Qing to fool me, which made me a little confused as to why he was doing this. ? Thinking about it now, he is afraid that if Wu Qinghou opens his mouth, he may also lose money! "
Zhu Cixiang, who was standing next to him, heard this and understood in his heart that since his father had said so, he was probably right. However, despite this, his mood never got better, and he seemed a little unwilling to believe it.
Seeing him like this, Zhang Mingwei said, "After more than four hundred years, it's not always possible to know whether it's true or false. Why not, Your Majesty might as well borrow money from Jiading Bo and see what Jiading Bo says?"
Historically, the incident where Emperor Chongzhen borrowed money and Zhou Kuina made a fool of himself would not happen until the beginning of the 17th year of Chongzhen's reign.
Hearing what he said, Zhu Cixi couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart. What if?
To be honest, even Emperor Chongzhen had this idea of his. So, Emperor Chongzhen nodded immediately and said, "Okay, I will find a reason to give him a try early tomorrow morning."
After all, he is the prince's grandfather, the queen's biological father, and the head of the Ming Dynasty. You can't convict him just because of what may happen in the future.
Emperor Chongzhen thought of something when he said this, and said sternly to Zhu Cixiang: "This matter must not be leaked. If the news is reported in advance, it will not be tried, you know?"
"My son, I understand!" Zhu Cihong quickly replied after hearing this. Even Princess Kunxing in the side hall agreed.
After hearing their answers, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly thought of something, and his expression immediately became serious.
