Chapter Thirteen: The Minister Entrusted with Guardianship
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Boom!
A projectile slammed into the city, carrying immense kinetic energy. It struck several Ming soldiers, instantly reducing them to mangled flesh and blood—nothing but a bloody pulp. The vivid red splattered before the eyes, causing those soldiers who witnessed it to panic wildly. They shouted orders and scattered in all directions...
“Duke Cheng, I’ve observed the situation outside. Indeed, the Ming troops can no longer hold. Several comrades also think your proposal makes sense—to offer the Crown Prince to the Rebel King. However, none of us wish to serve the Rebel King; we only want to flee southward to avoid the chaos of war.”
“Ah, you are a young hero whose talents remain unfulfilled, a true pity. I will explain everything to the Rebel King on your behalf. I plan to immediately contact my subordinates and the Rebel King. The glory of surrendering the city must not be seized by others!” Zhu Chuncheng said with a smile.
Surrendering so easily, without any burden—it was clear that calling him a scoundrel was too polite; he was utterly heartless!
Gu Zhenhua said, “Your Grace is eager to become a subject of the Great Shun; I won’t stand in your way. But I do have a request. Since our brothers intend to go south, we need some capital to settle and make a living. Would Your Grace be willing to help?”
“Ah?” Zhu Chuncheng was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly said, “No problem! I am willing to give Mr. Gu thirty thousand—ah, no, one hundred thousand taels. How’s that?”
“Ha ha ha!” Gu Zhenhua laughed heartily. “A hundred thousand might only be enough to buy one of Your Grace’s legs. Want me to help you chop it off?”
“You!” Zhu Chuncheng was shocked and terrified but dared not argue. He could only feign ignorance: “My assets aren’t on hand; I really can’t provide it now.”
“No money? No problem. Doesn’t Your Grace have land? I heard you exchanged with the Shanxi merchants for one million acres of fertile farmland. Our brothers could become great landlords once we reach the south. One million acres! That’s enough to feed generations for a lifetime!”
“You brat, don’t push your luck!”
Land is the foundation of a large family’s survival. Zhu Chuncheng was unwilling to part with it.
Gu Zhenhua smiled faintly. “Your Grace, I understand it’s hard to part with wealth. How about this: I kill you, take all the credit, and whatever land Li Zicheng is willing to grant me, I accept without complaint.”
As he spoke, Gu Zhenhua drew a dagger from his boot. Cold sweat poured from Zhu Chuncheng as he hurriedly said, “Mr. Gu, I agree, isn’t that enough?”
Without hesitation, Zhu Chuncheng pulled out a land deed—one million acres of rich southern paddy fields—and gave it to Gu Zhenhua. Though it pained him deeply, he reasoned that if he aligned with Li Zicheng and gained power, he could reclaim the land eventually.
Gu Zhenhua tucked the deed proudly into his bosom and laughed, “Your Grace, no time to waste. Go quickly and contact the Rebel King!”
Zhu Chuncheng stood, took a step outside, then paused. “Mr. Gu, can I trust you to go like this?”
“Of course. Your Grace will surely keep your word.”
Hearing this, Zhu Chuncheng laughed boisterously. “Mr. Gu, await good news!”
But as he spoke the last word, his features twisted with pride. He considered Gu Zhenhua a money-loving fool, blinded by greed. Once he got outside, he would rally the Ming troops and kill Gu Zhenhua first, keeping the land for himself!
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Striding out the door, Zhu Chuncheng felt like a bird freed from its cage. Outside, a squad of soldiers waited. He arrogantly commanded, “Ming troops, obey orders! Kill the traitors inside this house and these scoundrels who betray their lord—cut them to pieces, leave not one alive!”
With a wave of his hand, Xue Biao and the others inside were immediately sentenced to death. But before he could revel in his victory, a sinister laugh echoed.
“Well said, Duke Cheng. I now understand what it means to reverse black and white. How dare you accuse others of betraying their lord? Have you forgotten the Emperor’s last orders?”
The shout terrified Zhu Chuncheng so much he nearly collapsed. An elderly eunuch appeared, supporting a boy about fifteen or sixteen years old, followed by palace guards brandishing swords, eyes blazing with fury.
This elderly eunuch was none other than Kou Gui, Superintendent of the Imperial Stables. Within the Ming inner court, the Imperial Stables was second only to the Directorate of Ceremonial in real power. Initially responsible only for the emperor’s horses, it later gained military authority, commanding the elite Four Guards and protecting the palace.
Emperor Chongzhen was no fool. With Li Zicheng’s forces approaching the capital, escape was impossible. Thus, he placed his hopes on the Crown Prince. He tasked Kou Gui with protecting the prince and gave him the finest soldiers of the Four Guards to escort the prince in a planned escape from the city.
When Zhu Chuncheng suggested surrendering the Crown Prince to Li Zicheng for wealth and honor, Gu Zhenhua grew wary. Not only did he not want to associate with Li Zicheng, but staying with Zhu Chuncheng would bring no good outcome. If history repeated itself, Li Zicheng would kill Zhu Chuncheng, and Gu Zhenhua would suffer as well. If Li Zicheng spared Zhu Chuncheng and favored him, Gu Zhenhua’s life would still be miserable—he did not believe Zhu Chuncheng had forgotten the humiliation of being held hostage!
After much contemplation, Gu Zhenhua found the best solution. Before leaving, he sought out the elderly eunuch Kou Gui and revealed Zhu Chuncheng’s plans to betray the Crown Prince.
This terrified Kou Gui. The Emperor entrusted the Crown Prince to Zhu Chuncheng; if he were an ungrateful traitor, the prince would be in grave danger!
Kou Gui quickly sent his attendant Xie Bin to follow Gu Zhenhua and hear Zhu Chuncheng’s words firsthand. Xie Bin reported everything to Kou Gui. When Zhu Chuncheng tried to sentence Gu Zhenhua to death, he was unaware that someone was already plotting to kill him.
With a wave of his hand, Kou Gui’s loyal guards surged forward and surrounded Zhu Chuncheng.
Cold sweat drenched Zhu Chuncheng’s back instantly. His face turned pale as if he were dead.
“Eunuch Kou, please don’t misunderstand me. I was merely pretending with these rebels. They were sent by Li Chuang to disrupt the capital and held me hostage. I had to deceive them...” Zhu Chuncheng pleaded.
“Hahaha!” Kou Gui laughed sharply. “Now I see what it means to call a deer a horse! Truly astounding! Zhu Chuncheng, you have no shame! After over two centuries of imperial grace, you repay the Ming like this—death is too kind for you!”
Kou Gui looked around. “Men, purge the traitor who has no conscience! Chop him into pieces!”
These men were utterly devoted to the Ming dynasty. Upon receiving orders, they swarmed Zhu Chuncheng, dragged him aside, and without allowing any words, hacked him to death. In a short time, he was reduced to a bloody slurry.
Only then did Gu Zhenhua leisurely emerge from the house. He had promised He Zhonghou that Zhu Chuncheng would live, so he refrained from killing him personally. But dying at the hands of the Ming Crown Prince was a fitting punishment.
As Gu Zhenhua stepped out, Kou Gui hurried forward and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Mr. Gu. Without you, the Crown Prince would have been handed over to the Rebel King by that ungrateful traitor. We owe you our deepest gratitude.”
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Kou Gui was about to kneel, but Gu Zhenhua quickly helped him up.
“Eunuch Kou, the urgent matter is how to protect the Crown Prince. Perhaps the rebels have already breached the inner city. You should decide quickly.”
“A decision?” Kou Gui’s face changed color. He sighed, “Mr. Gu, to be honest, I grew up in the palace and have only left the city a few times on official business. I’m completely at a loss.”
If you have no ideas, then just listen to me, Gu Zhenhua thought.
“Eunuch, there’s no time to waste. I suggest you escort the Crown Prince out of the city as soon as possible. Once in the south, there may still be loyal ministers of Ming, and the prince will be safe.”
“Yes, to the south, to Nanjing, where the Six Ministries and all the civil and military officials remain!” Kou Gui muttered. But then he turned away and said, “Mr. Gu, these days, even leaving the city seems impossible. How can we reach the south?”
“I do plan to escape the capital and have prepared accordingly. But the Crown Prince is key to the empire’s fate, and I cannot guarantee his safety,” Gu Zhenhua said anxiously. Of course, this was a ruse. He had long intended to get the Crown Prince into his own hands.
Kou Gui’s face showed deep worry. At that moment, a thunderous explosion came from the city gate, followed by swirling dust. Soldiers fled in chaos, and someone shouted, “The wall has fallen! Li Zicheng has broken in!”
Kou Gui was terrified. “Mr. Gu, the Crown Prince’s safety is entrusted to you. You must do your best!”
As he spoke, he handed Gu Zhenhua the imperial jade seal and the Emperor’s final edict that had been given to Zhu Chuncheng, leaving no room for objection.
Holding these items, Gu Zhenhua’s heart surged with excitement. With this, he became the regent appointed by the Ming, gaining the righteous authority to command all under heaven and openly partake in the final struggle for the Ming dynasty’s fate.
“Rest assured, Eunuch Kou. I will do my utmost. Let us first head to Chaoyang Gate and exit the city from there!”
As they mounted their horses, the sounds of battle erupted near the city gate. Li Zicheng’s troops had poured through the breach, and the defending commander had surrendered.
“Charge!”
“Kill!”
The shouts filled the air. Gu Zhenhua and the others spurred their horses, racing down the main street. After only ten minutes, they heard the sounds of fierce fighting ahead—two groups battling desperately, surrounded by many wagons.
“Fourth Brother, better go around,” Xue Biao said uneasily.
Gu Zhenhua intended to turn, but then he faintly heard someone shout, “Kill all the rebel soldiers! Don’t let the rebels seize the munitions...”
Hearing this, Gu Zhenhua’s eyes suddenly brightened!