Ming Empire

Chapter 24 Back to Beijing

This night, Cao Yue was as drunk as mud.

The Ming army achieved a great victory in Songshan, the troops led by Cao Yue not only destroyed Shengjing, but also the slave chief Huang Taiji was pissed off to death, so much joy, why not make people laugh?At the celebration banquet, everyone drank too much. Cao Yue, who performed miracles, became the focus of everyone's attention. Every general who participated in the celebration banquet came to congratulate him. Down.

Not only Cao Yue was drunk, but all the generals and officials who participated in the banquet also returned drunk. Even Hong Chengchou, who had always been reserved, was also drunk and needed help to walk steadily.

Although drunk, Cao Yue, who had been in fear for many days, slept very soundly, and didn't even have a dream.

In the next few days, Cao Yue and the more than a thousand troops who followed him in the battle did not care about anything, let go of their stomachs, ate and drank, and rested with peace of mind.Hong Chengchou told Cao Yue that in a few days, the capital must have an imperial edict to let him enter the capital and ask him to prepare well.

In addition to this, Hong Chengchou had spoken with Cao Yue alone many times these days, all of which were heart-to-heart words. Cao Yue knew that Hong Chengchou meant to win him over to become his confidant.

He didn't refuse either, but he didn't accept it explicitly, only vaguely.Seeing this, Hong Chengchou just smiled meaningfully and didn't express anything else.

And Cao Bianjiao has been pestering Cao Yue these days, asking Cao Yue to talk about the process of this raid in detail.

Naturally, Cao Yue would not refuse, and told Cao Bianjiao the whole process of the raid. Of course, some things he did in the palace cannot be told to others.After hearing this, Cao Yue was even more amazed, and became even more admirable for his cousin's courage and strategy.He also had a lot of doubts in his heart, and he always felt that the Cao Yue in front of him was different from the previous Cao Yue, but he couldn't tell what the specific difference was.

Cao Bianjiao didn't have too many doubts. He knew the changes in people's hearts and minds caused by war, especially after many charges or injuries, a person would undergo a reborn change.What's more, Cao Yue was originally a very brave person, similar to his father.

He was very envious of Cao Yue for making such a great achievement, and he was also annoyed in his heart why he didn't think of such a trick?

Hong Chengchou's follow-up Tang Bao soon flew to Chongzhen's desk, and the good news that came again made Chongzhen even more joyful.

"Great, the Chuanguo Yuxi, which has been missing for hundreds of years, has also been found. It is really great, God bless Daming!" For Chongzhen, the return of the Chuanguo Yuxi is more exciting than the pacification of the rogues.

Throughout the dynasties, the most important thing is the legitimacy of the monarchy granted by heaven, and the Chuanguo Yuxi is the best, and it can be said to be the only symbol. If you have the Chuanguo Yuxi, you are the emperor who is "destined by heaven". False names, false words, even false dynasties, false emperors!
After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, he failed to get the Jade Seal of Chuanguo. All the previous emperors of Ming Dynasty felt that they were not well-known in the world. Now that the Jade Seal of Chuanguo has returned in his hands, Chongzhen certainly thought it was the destiny. The ancestors are more confident.

"Cao Yue, it really is Cao Yue, this son is really unusual," Hong Chengchou's Tang newspaper confirmed that it was Cao Yue who attacked Shengjing and recaptured the Jade Seal of Chuanguo, and that Cao Yue had returned to Songshan safely with his troops. Wen Zhao's youngest son aroused great interest.

Without thinking too much, Chongzhen ordered Hong Chengchou to order Cao Yue to escort Chuanguo Yuxi back to Beijing, and he would reward him face to face.

Like Hong Chengchou, Daishan's capture was almost ignored by Chongzhen.

Compared with the release of the siege of Songshan and Jinzhou and the return of the Chuanguo Yuxi, the captive Daishan is really nothing.

After Emperor Chongzhen's edict was sent to Songshan, Hong Chengchou immediately ordered Cao Yue to lead his family troops to escort Chuanguo Yuxi back to Beijing.

Cao Yue originally had about [-] servants, but this time he attacked Shengjing and lost nearly a hundred riders. Zhao Liang, who accompanied him, had hundreds of riders. The head of the Ding army was assigned to Cao Yue, and returned to Beijing with him.

Fearing that something might happen to the escorted Chuanguo Yuxi, Hong Chengchou ordered another 2000 troops to follow Cao Yue back to Beijing.

Chuanguo Yuxi and Daishan are very important among Jiannu people, Hong Chengchou is worried that Jiannu Qingqi will come and rob.No one can tell whether there are spies who built slaves in Songshan City. If the news leaks out and something goes wrong, it will be a matter of killing people.

On the seventh day after returning to Songshan, Cao Yue led 3000 people on the journey back to Beijing.

From Songshan to Shanhaiguan, there are traces of war everywhere, and dead soldiers of the Ming army can be seen everywhere.

The Battle of Songshan lasted for a long time, but the most intense battle occurred after Wang Pu, Wu Sangui, Tang Tong and other generals fled without a fight.Tens of thousands of Ming soldiers died on the battlefield, and their corpses have been lying in the wild without anyone picking up and burying them.

The weather at the end of July was quite hot, and the corpses were already highly decomposed, and the stench of corpses that made people want to vomit could be smelled everywhere.

Looking at the tragic situation along the way, and the almost completely destroyed Tashan and Xingshan, Cao Yue felt very heavy. He felt that he was still too merciful. After capturing Shengjing, he did not adopt the Sanguang policy.But the Jurchens had no mercy at all, they would kill everyone and destroy everything, Cao Yue secretly made up his mind that next time he had a chance, he would definitely kill Jiannu.

People who are not of my race must have a different heart. The words of the ancestors are wise and famous, and the original history also explains everything very well.The establishment of slavery brought serious disasters to China. The Han culture was castrated and destroyed, the blood of the Han people was completely destroyed, and the development of society reversed.

In the future, as long as there is an opportunity, he will find a way to reverse all this. This is Cao Yue's firm belief.

Ten days after setting off from Songshan, Cao Yue's troops finally arrived outside Beijing.

But without Emperor Chongzhen's will, he could not enter the city casually, and had to camp outside the city first, waiting for Chongzhen's call.

Cao Yue led a team of thousands of people back to Beijing. The news was naturally not a secret. When his troops passed through Shanhaiguan, Emperor Chongzhen had been paying attention.Early the next morning after knowing that Cao Yue's troops had arrived in Beijing, Emperor Chongzhen sent envoys out of the city to greet them.

After getting the report of the visitor from the palace, Cao Yue didn't dare to be careless, and immediately went to greet him in person.

It turned out to be an eunuch who came to greet him. Although Cao Yue knew that eunuchs had great power in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen sent an eunuch to greet him, a great hero, which still made him a little uncomfortable.

"I've met my father-in-law," but Cao Yue was not rude, and bowed respectfully to the other party, "Cao Yue, the last general of the Dongxie Army, Cao Zongbing, deputy general Cao Yue, I don't know what to call your father-in-law?"

The middle-aged eunuch looked benevolent, and after receiving Cao Yue's gift with a smile on his face, he hurried forward to help him, "General Cao, you are welcome. It is a great honor for our family to welcome General Cao today. The lone army went deep into the enemy's rear and destroyed the capital of Jiannu in one fell swoop. Huang Taiji, the slave chieftain, died of anger. He also captured Daishan, the prince of Jiannuli, and welcomed back the Jade Seal of Chuanguo. Such a feat is really admirable. Long live the past few days But he praised the general's ability again and again, saying that the general's move is to turn the tide, and saving Daming is in a precarious situation. You know, Long Live Lord has not been so happy for a long time. By the way, Miscellaneous Wang Cheng'en, add to the task of the supervisor of ceremonies! "

"Wang Chengen?" After hearing the eunuch's self-report, Cao Yue's feeling changed instantly.Wang Chengen, isn't this the eunuch who hanged with Chongzhen in Meishan in history?This person has won the trust of Emperor Chongzhen, has a high position and authority, and is also loyal to Chongzhen. He is definitely a person who must not be offended. His weight in Chongzhen's heart may be more important than the chief assistant of the cabinet.

"It turned out to be the popular prince and eunuch next to the Long Live Lord. The general is really disrespectful and disrespectful. Please sit inside, the general is young and has never been in court. When I meet the Long Live Lord, what should I pay attention to? Advice!"

Seeing Cao Yue's politeness and enthusiasm, Wang Chengen's mood immediately improved a lot, and he was not polite, and entered the tent with Cao Yue.

After entering, the two of them had some politeness, and both Cao Yue and Wang Chengen backed away.

Just after everyone around him retreated, Cao Yue took out a small bag wrapped in yellow silk from his arms, and handed it to Wang Chengen: "My lord, this is what the general got in the Jiannu Palace, and I think it's very eye-catching. I kept it privately. It’s just that the last general is a warrior, and he is not good at these treasures and playthings. I thought it would be better to keep them for those who like them. Today I saw my father-in-law, and as soon as I saw it, I borrowed flowers to present Buddha and gave this thing to my father-in-law. "

Wang Chengen didn't expect Cao Yue to be a general at such a young age, but he also knew the way of communication between people. He was in a better mood when he was surprised, but he politely evaded a few times, and finally "reluctantly" I took it.

Under the signal of Cao Yue, Wang Chengen opened it and looked at it, but it turned out to be a jade Ruyi of very good quality. Wang Chengen was very knowledgeable about these treasures, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was an expert. It cannot be bought without hundreds of thousands of silver.

Unexpectedly, Cao Yue gave such a precious meeting gift, and Wang Chengen was very surprised.Immediately, I have a better impression of Cao Yue, and after a few polite words, I also accepted the item, and then I kindly talked to Cao Yue about the current situation in the court. Emperor Chongzhen was relieved of the siege of Songshan and Jinzhou, and Shengjing was destroyed. , Chuan Guo Yuxi's emotion of returning, and preparing a reward for him.

He also said directly that if Cao Yue had any request, he could talk to him first, and he would say something in front of Emperor Chongzhen.

Hearing what Wang Chengen said, Cao Yue knew that his small means had achieved results, so he immediately expressed his gratitude, and at the same time handed over all the property he had obtained in Shengjing. part.How to be a person and how to do things, decades of life in later generations taught him a little bit. To survive in this strange era, he still needs to be more flexible.

After the two chatted for a while, Wang Chengen also indicated that Cao Yue could get up and go to the city. The emperor was waiting to receive him in the palace.

Cao Yue threw down his men and horses, and only ordered Cao Jie to escort Dai Shan, who was in a prison cart, into the city with a dozen of his own soldiers.

I don't know if it was a special arrangement by the imperial court or a spontaneous organization of the people. On both sides of the street entering the city, there are spectators everywhere. Countless people gathered on both sides of the street to watch the hero who broke the capital city and became a prisoner. Daishan, on the other hand, has tasted enough of the smell of rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves and other dirt thrown by the people of Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)