On this New Year's Eve, Kong Youde was like a thief. After disguising himself, he secretly went out of the back door and went to a remote house under the guidance of Kong Yong'an.
When they arrived, there was some movement, but when Kong Youde entered the main room, he saw that the people inside were just sitting quietly, drinking hot water, as if they were at home, without any tension, and even more No precautions.
When Kong Youde saw this situation, he was a little surprised and also felt touched by being trusted.
He naturally recognized this person, Geng Zhongming's confidant Chen Shaozong.
At this time, as soon as Kong Youde entered the door, Chen Shaozong stood up, clasped his hands in his fists instead of kneeling down, and said in a low voice with that long-lost feeling: "General Kong, Happy New Year!"
After taking off his cloak and bamboo hat and throwing them to Kong Yong'an behind him, Kong Youde responded with his fists clasped: "You are so brave, aren't you afraid that I will sell you out?"
The topic of Happy New Year was a pain in his heart, so he simply ignored it.
"Haha, I do have this little bit of self-confidence!" Chen Shaozong said with a smile, "General Kong Shen is not the kind of person who betrays his brothers!"
Kong Youde himself sat down at the table opposite Chen Shaozong and said casually: "That's not necessarily the case. You don't know my current predicament, but if I have your head, it will definitely be improved. To be honest, Yes, this temptation is not small!"
After finishing speaking, when he saw Chen Shaozong sitting opposite him, he asked with a hint of curiosity: "The Emperor of Ming Dynasty is willing to spend such a high price to save your mother. Logically speaking, you should have the Sacred Heart of Emperor Ming Dynasty very much." Now. Why do I have to send you to Tieling to take such a big risk?"
"Wrong!" Upon hearing this, Chen Shaozong immediately became serious and denied it categorically. Then he clasped his fists and cupped his hands towards the capital, and said with an extremely serious attitude, "Your Majesty, your Majesty is kind-hearted, because my mother and I are dependent on each other. Therefore, I was allowed to go to the capital with my mother to serve as an official. However, I refused myself. It is a matter of eating the emperor's salary and being loyal to the emperor. How can I flee Liaodong when Liaodong is not yet settled!"
Having said this, he looked into Kong Youde's eyes and continued: "I took the initiative to request the governor to come to see General Kong this time. Firstly, it was to continue to weaken Jianlu, and secondly, it was also to provide support to General Kong. There is a way out, don’t die with Jianlu! This is my intention, and it can also be regarded as an explanation to Lieutenant General Geng!"
In Geng Zhongming's suicide note, he was asked to take care of Geng Jimao. However, it is estimated that when Geng Zhongming wrote his suicide note, he did not know that his son would betray his father to that extent. Anyway, as far as Chen Shaozong is concerned, it is definitely impossible to kill Geng Jimao with a thousand knives and still take care of him!
This time, after Jianlu reoccupied Jinzhou, they also crushed Geng Zhongming's bones and raised ashes. Chen Shaozong naturally blamed Geng Jimao for this crime. Therefore, this time, after Jianlu retreated, Chen Shaozong personally went to Geng Jimao's tomb, made a new kneeling bronze statue with his own hands, and still knelt in front of Geng Zhongming's tomb.
Although he did these things, Chen Shaozong always felt that he owed Geng Zhongming something. Therefore, after much consideration, he proposed this trip to Tieling to Lu Xiangsheng.
If we can instigate Kong Youde to rebel, we can strike another blow at the Jianlu hinterland. It can also intensify Jianlu's distrust of all surrendered Han people and further undermine Jianlu's combat effectiveness. Of course, as he said, if Kong Youde could die a good death, in his opinion, it would be an explanation to Geng Zhongming.
At this time, hearing what he said so straightforwardly, Kong Youde couldn't help but fall silent.
To be honest, he did not intend to betray Chen Shaozong. Even though he had already guessed Chen Shaozong's purpose when he came here, he was still a little surprised when he actually heard Chen Shaozong explain his purpose. It also reminded him of his good brother Geng Zhongming.
The Qing Dynasty is now in decline, it's not like he can't see it. Just before he came, he looked up at the night sky and had already thought about this.
However, when he was really asked to make a choice and return to the Ming Dynasty, he hesitated.
Kong Youde is a person who values loyalty. It is also for this reason that after he surrendered to the Jianqi, there are historical records that he "every time he talked about the current affairs of General (Mao), he was always in a state of sex."
Therefore, no matter what, Huang Taiji took him in when he was desperate and made him a king with a different surname. For this, he was very grateful. Although Huang Taiji is dead now, he is still a little hesitant to betray the Qing Dynasty.
Furthermore, if he really wanted to return to the Ming Dynasty, what would be the attitude of the Ming Emperor? Also, Tieling is far away in the hinterland of Liaodong, what should this family do? There are so many things to consider!
Seeing him like this, Chen Shaozong couldn't help but asked in a low voice: "General Kong, do you really want your Kong family to be buried with Jianlu? Even after death, the people of Liaodong will remember them and call them traitors. After death, How can you explain it to your ancestors?"
Upon hearing this, Kong Youde couldn't help but be shocked. As Han people, we all attach great importance to our ancestors. Of course, not to mention those who forget their ancestors too many times. Kong Youde emphasized loyalty, so naturally, let alone those who attach great importance to their ancestors.
In the past, I had no choice but to surrender to Jianlu. Because of this, he has always kept the matter of meeting his ancestors after death deep in his heart and does not want to think about it. Later, after hearing what happened to Shang Kexi before his death, both he and Geng Zhongming were shocked.
At this time, Chen Shaozong brought it up again, and his psychological pressure increased.
In addition, the whole family died serving Jianlu and would be cast aside by the Han people in Liaodong after death. This was something he could not accept.
Thinking of this, Kong Youde raised his head and looked at Chen Shaozong, but hesitated to speak.
Seeing him like this, Chen Shaozong immediately asked: "Can't General Kong not see that the emperor did not want to have too many casualties, so he did not completely annihilate the Jianlu? Otherwise, with the emperor's wisdom and martial arts, do you believe that next year Can we regain Liaodong?"
"Next year?" Kong Youde couldn't help but be surprised when he heard this.
The foundation of the Qing Dynasty has not been damaged. The cavalry alone has as many as 50,000 or 60,000. What's more, if it fights in Liaodong, the Qing Dynasty still has its own local advantages. The Ming army comes from afar, so how can it be so easy to attack? Aren't you afraid of repeating the Battle of Saarhu?
Seeing that he didn't believe it, Chen Shaozong sneered and said: "The so-called regent of Jianlu now is the emperor's defeated general. The reason why he is still alive is because the emperor didn't bother to kill him and only released him to give the original Huang Taiji a warning. . Do you think Jianlu can’t do it in the hands of Huang Taiji, but can do it in the hands of Dorgon?”
After a pause, and before Kong Youde could speak, Chen Shaozong continued: "The most important point, I might as well tell you that the emperor has a decree that the Dongjiang Army should also worry about Jianlu's food problem. What do you think of Jianlu's food problem? No matter how many soldiers there are, will they be useful? Is it possible that we can go to the Ming Dynasty to rob them again? If the army goes to war and there is no food, how can we fight?"
As soon as he heard this, Kong Youde was struck by lightning and was completely stunned.
Yes, it is indeed the food problem that is the most deadly! Although the prince himself is not favored by the Qing Dynasty, he is still the prince of the Qing Dynasty! However, now that even white flour steamed buns and meat are no longer affordable, the food problem of the Qing Dynasty can only be imagined!
Yes, what's the use of having many people? Food is in short supply, and the more people there are, the more food is in short supply. Where else can food come from? With the Dongjiang Army here, the army cannot leave Liaodong at all, not to mention that Gaizhou has now fallen into the hands of the Ming Army. Also, the imperial guards of the Ming Dynasty were so powerful. How could the Qing army gain more favor by entering the pass?
These things flashed through Kong Youde's mind. After his face turned pale, he had to admit that the Qing Dynasty was likely to perish much sooner than he thought!
Speaking of which, he originally had some hopes of luck, but now, they have all been shattered.
At this time, Kong Youde thought of his family, and he clasped his fists at Chen Shaozong and said, "Thank you for waking me up. I wonder what Kong should do?"
"It's very simple. Gather more people from the Ming Dynasty and try to keep them alive. It's best to take over more of Jianlu's grain growing business, and then wait until next year's harvest to find an opportunity to destroy them all." Chen Shaozong said quickly, "Waiting for your reply, the Governor will take advantage of this period to ask the Emperor to ask Guan Ning's army to help General Kong's family and as many Ming people as possible escape back to the Ming Dynasty from the grassland side!"
Hearing this, Kong Youde couldn't help but take a breath of air. This idea can be heard as Lu Xiangsheng's idea. He is adding a pinch of salt to Da Qing's wounds. No, it is not salt, but poison. He is giving Da Qing another hard blow on his life gate. What a cruel plan!
But he could also tell that Lu Xiangsheng's cruelty was for Jianlu. Because in Lu Xiangsheng's plan, he was still thinking about saving more lives for the people of the Ming Dynasty. This shows that he is indeed a good official! How come such a good official was not discovered before!
Moreover, Lu Xiangsheng not only wanted to help his family, but also wanted to help the people of the Ming Dynasty, which meant that Lu Xiangsheng was definitely not fooling him, but really wanted to do this. Realizing this also made him feel relieved.
This time, he no longer hesitated, immediately clasped his fists, and responded solemnly: "Okay, Kong will do his best. After returning to the Ming Dynasty, his guilty body will be left to the emperor's disposal without any complaints!"
When Chen Shaozong heard this, he immediately smiled and shook his head and said: "Don't worry, General Kong Shen. As long as you go back sincerely and make great achievements this time, the emperor will never deal with you! Maybe in the future, the glory of our ancestors will be yours." It’s just a thought!”
When he heard the word "Guangzong Yaozu", Kong Youde suddenly felt a little confused. Could he really be able to Guangzong Yaozu and live under the sun again?
He quickly came to his senses, became obviously much more positive, and took the initiative to discuss the details with Chen Shaozong.
Finally, Kong Youde said to Chen Shaozong: "There is no pen and paper here. Wait until I go back and write a letter to the Governor."
No matter what, a statement of allegiance must be made, after all, there is no basis for words.
Unexpectedly, after Chen Shaozong heard this, he shook his head and said: "Although the chance of being caught by Jianlu when I go back is very small, just in case, I still don't bring the letter from General Kong. As long as I can go back alive, Lord Governor Of course I believe it.”
Hearing this, Kong Youde was moved by this feeling of trust again. After a while, he said: "If there is no letter from Kong as proof, how can the Governor report to the emperor to request Guan Ning's army to send troops here?"
Hearing this, Chen Shaozong couldn't help but laugh, and immediately replied: "General Kong Shen didn't know something. When it comes to the emperor's most trusted feudal official, we, the governor, are the only one. This kind of thing, as long as we The Governor-general’s petition to the Emperor will definitely be accurate. You don’t have to worry about this!”
Hearing this, Kong Youde couldn't help but feel a little dumbfounded. The difference between the Dongjiang Army before and now is really huge!
But when he came back to his senses, he asked with some worry: "It's a good thing that the emperor trusts the governor. But after all, it involves Guan Ningjun. Doesn't Governor Ji Liao have any objections? Also, the DPRK Central Committee Those censors and officials won’t cause trouble?”
"Haha!" After hearing this, Chen Shaozong couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, as if he had heard something funny, and he said with a bit of pride, "The emperor is wise and powerful, who dares to deceive the emperor? The crime of deceiving the emperor will be punished, but I’ve picked several.”
Having said this, he reached out and patted Kong Youde's shoulder, and said with some emotion: "Don't talk about the previous impression. When you go back, go see it with your own eyes. It's different. It's completely different! To be honest, Although I haven’t been back yet, my mother has written letters back and forth, and after the Liaodong war is over, I will definitely go to the capital to see it.”
When he said this, Kong Youde couldn't help but look forward to it. Is Daming really going to be unrecognizable to him?
Afterwards, they didn't speak any more. After Chen Shaozong took a short rest, he said goodbye to Kong Youde and left at the arrival of the New Year, which was the 17th year of Chongzhen.
Kong Youde didn't sleep all night, but he was in good spirits. After returning to his study and sitting for half an hour, he began to write the memorial.
He didn't tell anyone about the New Year's Eve, including his wife and children. Only the housekeeper Kong Yong'an knew about it.
…………
In the Chongzheng Hall of Shengjing, there is an extra seat below the little emperor. Sitting there is Dorgon, who became the regent. It can be said that he is in pain and happiness.
The little emperor was just a decoration and didn't care about the affairs at all. The Queen Mother didn't understand military affairs. Under his strength, she rarely spoke. In the Qing Dynasty, it was finally time for him to have the final say.
However, this was also a troubled time in the Qing Dynasty. There were so many troubles that he didn't have much time to rest. Even late at night, he was handling government affairs in Chongzheng Palace. For this reason, sometimes he would rest in the palace.
Of course, I definitely haven't gone to the harem to rest, at least not yet.
