Ming Empire

Chapter 23
The Forbidden City, Huangji Gate, and the court meeting are in progress.

Historians once said that Emperor Chongzhen was the most diligent of all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. He was not one of them. During the more than ten years he was an emperor from the time he was enthroned to the time when he was hanged on Meishan Mountain when he was desperate, he never missed a morning court. The founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was not as diligent as him.

As soon as the sun was shining, hundreds of officials lined up in a long line, led by the servants, and slowly entered the Huangji Gate. When the officials entered, Emperor Chongzhen was already sitting on the dragon chair, staring blankly at the ministers who came in.All the officials shouted long live three times, knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, and retreated to the train, waiting for the emperor to speak.

Everyone's heart is very heavy. Liaodong Jiannu besieged Songshan and Jinzhou, and the imperial court was unable to rescue them; the bandits in the Central Plains were rampant, and the world was suffering from continuous severe drought.It is really a national crisis, and the Ming regime is on the verge of collapse. At this time, no one in the court will feel relaxed.This is especially true when facing the emperor with a face full of bitterness and hatred. Everyone can't wait to shrink their heads into their necks, so as not to be seen by the emperor and call out the train to inquire about countermeasures.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned. During this period of time, he was in a very bad mood. There was almost no good news in the Chaozuo he saw every day.How could Chongzhen, who was worried about the world, be in a good mood.

However, all the officials shrank and shrank, and they were unwilling to touch him, and no one stood up to make a right, so the respect for the emperor was very angry.

In the end, he held back his anger and asked Chen Xinjia, Minister of War standing in front of the squadron, "Chen Aiqing, how is the battle in Songshan going?"

Seeing that his name was being called, Chen Xinjia hurriedly went out to play and said: "Long live Qizuo, Songshan is still besieged by Jiannu, I... I have arranged for reinforcements to go out, but... the towns of Jingying, Jizhou, Xuanfu, Miyun, and Datong The entire army was withdrawn, and the minister only gathered less than [-] reinforcements."

"Absurd, how can such a small number of reinforcements break the siege of Songshan?" Chongzhen couldn't help being furious.

Chen Xinjia was so frightened that he could only kneel and knock on the ground, not daring to say a word.

At this time, a eunuch shouted from a distance outside the hall: "Report, Songshantang report..."

Then the voice became clearer and clearer. Although the eunuch's voice could not conceal the joy, the ministers in the palace looked blank. The news from Songshan was all depressing news, and no one wanted to listen to it. When the situation is critical, there is news that a large number of reinforcements are needed.

The little eunuch who delivered the report ran directly under the imperial steps, fell to his knees with a plop, and cheered up the pond report in his hand.The eunuch Wang Chengen, who was standing by the side, quickly took the pond newspaper and presented it to Chongzhen's imperial case.Emperor Chongzhen sighed slightly. He also knew that the Tang newspaper sent back must be worrying news, but he opened the Tang newspaper in front of all the ministers and read it expressionlessly.

But after reading a few lines, his expression suddenly changed. He stood up suddenly from the dragon chair, the corners of his mouth began to twitch, and his body trembled violently.

Chongzhen's appearance immediately touched the ministers of His Royal Highness. Many ministers were wondering whether the emperor was so excited because Songshan fell.
"Okay, that's great!" Chongzhen's face was already flushed, he slapped the pond newspaper on the imperial case vigorously, and said incoherently: "That's great, that's great, hahaha, that's great!"

Seeing that the emperor lost his composure, all the ministers were surprised. Those who shrank their necks stretched their heads, trying to figure out what happened, so that the emperor behaved abnormally in front of so many ministers.

"Songshan Hong Aiqing sent good news, saying that a Ming army took advantage of the chaos to protrude from Songshan, attacked Shengjing and succeeded, and completely destroyed the city of Shengjing. After hearing the news, the slave chief Huang Taiji vomited blood and died. Jiannu can only go from Songshan and Jinzhou withdrew troops, taking advantage of the confusion of Jiannu withdrawal, Hong Aiqing and Cao Bianjiao took the opportunity to lead their troops to chase and kill more than [-] Jiannu, and the siege between Songshan and Jinzhou was relieved. Hahaha!"

Emperor Chongzhen was in a good mood, and once again laughed out of composure in front of all his ministers.

The words of Emperor Chongzhen were like a heavy bomb detonating, causing waves of waves, and the officials were in an uproar.

"Long live, my Ming Dynasty actually has such a strong general, and even went deep into Jiannu's hinterland alone, and captured Shengjing?"

"Your Majesty, who has such courage?"

"Your Majesty, my Ming has never won such a brilliant victory since the war in Liaodong. It is really gratifying to congratulate. I must tell the world about this as soon as possible. The chances of becoming a slave will soon be exhausted!"

"Your Majesty, did Master Hong ever say who led the army to raid Shengjing?"

Finally, Chen Xinjia, the minister of the Ministry of War who was standing nearest, called the Emperor Chongzhen back from his ecstasy. He didn't blame all the officials for losing their composure, and rushed to the front of the hall in order to read the pond newspaper.Holding the pond newspaper, he walked slowly in front of the ministers, and said in a very joyful tone: "Hong Aiqing is still not sure who led the army to raid Shengjing, but according to his guess, it should be Cao Aiqing, the former governor of the left and the prince's Taibao Cao Wenzhao." The youngest son Cao Yue did it. On that day, Cao Yue and Cao Bianjiao led troops to counterattack Jiannu. After entering the Jiannu camp, they lost contact and disappeared. Cao Yue fought bravely, was brave and resourceful, and would not lead his army to escape. , Hong Aiqing believes that it must be what he did."

"It's really a tiger father without dogs!" Someone immediately praised Cao Wenzhao and Cao Yue.

"Dare to go deep into the hinterland of Jiannu alone, Vice-General Cao is so courageous, really admirable!"

"Your Majesty, this son must be rewarded heavily. Vice-General Cao saved my Ming army in Liaodong from fire and water!"

"Hahaha, okay," Emperor Chongzhen still grinned from ear to ear, "I will tell the world about this according to what Qing and others said. I will reward the generals who have made great achievements in battle. If it is confirmed This is what Cao Yue did, and I will reward him heavily."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Chongzhen managed to suppress his smile, and immediately ordered the eunuch Wang Cheng'en, who was holding a pen, to say: "Immediately draw up an imperial edict and tell the world about this matter."

"Yes, Your Majesty, the servant obeys the order."

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When Emperor Chongzhen received Hong Chengchou's pond report and Long Yan was very happy, Cao Yue's more than a thousand troops were lucky enough to escape the investigation of Jiannu Rangers and returned to the outside of Songshan City with difficulty.

About ten miles away from Songshan City, Cao Yue's troops encountered Cao Bianjiao's troops who were patrolling to search for remnants of the enemy.

Cao Bianjiao's subordinates of course recognized Cao Yue, and immediately stepped forward to meet and report to Cao Bianjiao.

Guessing that the surprise attack on Shengjing was done by Cao Yue, but Cao Bianjiao, who had no way of confirming it, couldn't help being ecstatic when he heard that Cao Yue had appeared, and immediately went to greet him with his own soldiers.Cao Bianjiao was very excited, he rushed to Cao Yue first, dismounted quickly, and hugged tightly with Cao Yue who also dismounted to meet him. "Fifth brother, you led your troops to attack Shengjing and succeeded, right?"

Of course Cao Yue would not be modest, and nodded to admit: "Cousin, it was my younger brother who did it. Shengjing was destroyed, Huang Taiji vomited blood and died, Jiannu had to retreat, and the siege of Songshan and Jinzhou was lifted, right? Haha, little brother didn’t expect it to have such an effect.”

"It's really what you did? That's great, haha, Brother Wei thought you died in battle, but I didn't expect you to make such great achievements. It's really amazing. Haha, haha, what a boy, it's impressive. !" Cao Bianjiao felt like weeping with joy, and when he punched Cao Yue on the chest, he shouted: "You boy, you are getting more and more promising, even better than your uncle back then. Let's go, let's go to the city quickly, Governor Hong The master must be very happy to know that you have returned safely and made such a great contribution, and will definitely ask the imperial court for your contribution!"

"Cousin, this time my little brother also brought back a treasure. He took back the Jade Seal of the Kingdom from Jianu. Also, Jianu's Prince of Li, Dai Shan, was also captured by the way. This guy has quite a lot of influence in Jianu. big!"

"Really?" Cao Bianjiao stared at the boss with startled eyes, and immediately burst out laughing, "Fifth brother, I originally thought that your contribution is very great, maybe the imperial court will directly mention you as the chief soldier, but now it seems , The credit you have made is really beyond the imagination of ordinary people, brother Wei thinks, the reward you can get is far more than that, maybe you will soar into the sky, haha, go to the city quickly."

"This is due to my cousin. Without my cousin's support, the troops led by my younger brother would not have been able to break out of Jiannu's encirclement!"

"Let's go into the city and meet Governor Hong!" Cao Bianjiao said, pulling the reins with his hand, galloping his horse, and Cao Yue quickly followed.Soon a group of people galloped into Songshan City, heading straight for Hong Chengchou's camp.

Hearing what Cao Bianjiao and Cao Yue said, and confirming his inference, Hong Chengchou was also overjoyed. He couldn't help but stepped forward and patted Cao Yue's shoulder vigorously, and praised sincerely: "Vice General Cao, you are so amazing, you are truly amazing!" Father style, I will report to the imperial court immediately, and ask for credit for you, and for all the soldiers who have made great achievements in battle. The governor will also have his own rewards. Haha, you have turned the tide from the crisis! Tonight, I The governor will hold a banquet for you to celebrate, and we will not rest until we get drunk."

"Thank you, Governor Hong!" Cao Yue immediately thanked him, and at the same time untied the package containing the jade seal, and presented it to Hong Chengchou, "Master Hong, this is the imperial jade seal that has been lost for hundreds of years. Come back!"

"Chuan Guo Yuxi?" Hearing that it turned out to be this treasure, Hong Chengchou's mouth widened in shock. He took the package with trembling hands, and opened it solemnly. wrap up.

Prince Daishan of the Qing Dynasty was captured and brought to Songshan, but Hong Chengchou automatically ignored him.

After he raised his head and thought about it seriously, he said solemnly to Cao Yue: "Deputy General Cao, the governor will expedite this matter to the imperial court at six hundred miles, and at the same time ask for credit for you. I believe the imperial court will definitely let you enter the capital and accept the reward , this Jade Seal of the Chuan Kingdom, you will bring someone to escort it to Beijing."

Hearing what Hong Chengchou said, Cao Yue was of course overjoyed, and hurriedly agreed: "Yes, Lord Supervisor, I will finally take the Chuanguo Yuxi from Jiannu intact, and I will definitely send it to the capital intact and hand it over to Your Majesty." .”

Hong Chengchou patted Cao Yue's shoulder hard again, and said meaningfully: "Vice General Cao, you have outstanding strategy and courage, and you will definitely do a lot in the future. Wang Pu, the general soldier of Datong, fled because of cowardice, and has been arrested. If the imperial court arrests you, you will surely die, and the post of Datong Commander-in-Chief is vacant, and this governor is going to recommend you to be the commander-in-chief of Datong, what do you think?"

Cao Yue was taken aback by these words, but he immediately reacted, "Thank you, Governor Hong, for your love. I'm afraid the general is not qualified enough to be qualified for this position!"

"You led the army to break through Shengjing, destroy its city, and regain the Jade Seal of Chuanguo. Who dares to say that you have no ability or qualifications? I believe His Majesty will agree and give you more rewards. You must seize the opportunity!" Hong Chengchou It is meaningful.

"Thank you, Supervisor Hong, I will remember your instructions in the end!"

(End of this chapter)