Chapter 0008 Fortunately, there is still hue to sacrifice

Wu Xiang and Wu Sanfu were also somewhat baffled. The father and son exchanged glances, both unaware of what had transpired

Zhu Cilang and Wang Cheng'en discussed along the way, and by the time they arrived at the inner training ground, they finally reached an agreement... The major matter of marriage was settled first, and then they would think of ways to handle the affairs of Chongzhen and Empress Zhou.

Early this morning, Wang Cheng'en suddenly visited Wu Xiang's residence and requested him to accompany him immediately to the inner training ground to participate in the city's defense affairs. It is still the morning of the 15th, and no one in Beijing is yet aware that Juyong Pass has fallen, so the authority of the court remains intact. Wu Xiang naturally said nothing further and took his third son, Wu Sanfu, with him into the imperial city

However, compared to the unscrupulous businessmen that Zhu Cilang encountered in the financial sector, venture capital circles, and publicly listed companies in later generations, these two should not be considered particularly cunning

However, it is not sufficient to rely solely on the cooperation of the two honest individuals, Wang Cheng'en and Empress Zhou; at the very least, the cunning and shrewd warlord Wu Xiang must also provide protection.

Upon arriving at the inner school grounds, Wang Cheng'en arranged for the Wu father and son to wait in a hall, while he himself went to the Eastern Palace (Duanben Palace) to find Zhu Cilang

As he was contemplating how to make the old warlord Wu Xiang suffocate for his dreams, Zhu Cilang had already returned to the outside of his Duanben Palace

In order to survive, Zhou Hou will undoubtedly assist Zhu Cilang, and even someone as thick-headed as Chongzhen should not be difficult to persuade. After all, Wu Sangui possesses a formidable army that can save lives

"Your Highness, this is not appropriate, is it?" Wang Cheng'en seemed to have guessed Zhu Cilang's thoughts and quietly reminded him, "It goes against the ancestral family laws... Wu Xiang is a great general, and his daughter cannot enter the palace"

Zhu Cilang raised his hand to signal the two to stand at ease. Before the formal discussion, it was necessary to first address the attendants. Aside from Wu Xiang, Wu Sanfu, and Wang Cheng'en, all other bystanders were ushered outside.

At present, having only a princess consort is not enough to make Wu Xiang wholeheartedly devoted to serving. Perhaps it would have been feasible ten days or half a month ago, but now the city of Beijing cannot be held. The entire Guanning Army must have a good place to go. If they are allowed to remain in the dire situation in the northeast of Beijing, caught between the Qing and Shun forces, the final outcome will certainly be to choose a master to serve.

Wang Cheng'en is currently in command of the military camps both inside and outside, overseeing the nine gates, the internal training grounds, and the stationed troops within the imperial city, as well as the clean troops, all of which naturally fall under his command. Wu Xiang, on the other hand, has a dispatch to oversee the capital garrison, which also comes under his jurisdiction. At least for now, Wu Xiang does not dare to disobey Wang Cheng'en's orders

"There are more than thirty people?" Zhu Cilang was taken aback, "Who are they all?"

In addition to the beauty trap, Zhu Cilang also discussed a set of deceptive lies with Wang Cheng'en to fool people

... ...

Unless Chongzhen no longer desires the city of Beijing, no longer wishes to uphold the legacy of his ancestors, and does not even care for his own life, then what is the big deal about sacrificing the beauty of his son?

Her name is Wu Sanmei, and she is currently 28 years old, Wang Cheng'en remarked with a smile, "She is the youngest daughter of Wu Xiang, and it is said that she is very favored."

Zhu Cilang was observing the two of them. Both were well-built, tall and robust, with distinct facial features and large beards, giving them the appearance of formidable warriors. However, Wu Xiang's face bore a hint of shrewdness, with his eyes flickering unpredictably. In contrast, Wu Sanfu, in his twenties, appeared more straightforward.

However, in order to win over Wu Xiang and his son to work for him, sacrificing a bit of appearance and marrying their daughter could also be considered

In the main hall of the inner courtyard, Wu Xiang and Wu Sanfu were bowing deeply in reverence to the suddenly arrived Crown Prince Zhu Cilang.

The Inner Training Ground is not located within the Forbidden City, but rather in the northeast corner of the Imperial City, situated to the north of the Taiye Pool, adjacent to the northern wall of the Imperial City. It serves as the training and inspection ground for the garrison of the Imperial City and the eunuchs' clean army. If Zhu Cilang wishes to practice archery and horsemanship, he must also go to the Inner Training Ground

Oh. Zhu Cilang nodded, thinking to himself: Aside from Wu Sanfu and Chen Yuanyuan, none of them have a long life ahead. If it weren't for me, they would all be executed by Li Zicheng in just over a month!

Wang Cheng'en and Empress Zhou are both key figures in determining whether Zhu Cilang can safely leave the perilous city of Beijing

Given that this entire family is trapped in Beijing, it is likely that Wu Sangui either did not anticipate that Beijing would fall so quickly, or he truly has no means to compel his thirty to forty thousand soldiers to work for nothing without pay

In addition to Wu Xiang and Wu Sanfu, there is also a daughter of Wu Xiang who has not yet been married, as well as several grandsons and granddaughters of Wu Xiang, along with the wives and concubines of Wu Xiang and Wu Sanfu. Oh, and there is also a concubine of Wu Sangui named Chen Yuanyuan, who is one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai

Zhu Cilang smiled and said: "My ancestors have entrusted dreams to me... Now I have the responsibility to save the world of the Ming Dynasty, so naturally I can wield power."

At that time, Emperor Chongzhen, being stubborn, would not prevent the Crown Prince and Wang Cheng'en from planning an escape. In the original history, did he not also flee in a panic at the end? In fact, fleeing was a "secret intention"; he thought about it in his heart but did not speak it out loud. As a trusted confidant, one should have sensed this. However, he did not have a eunuch like Wei Zhongxian by his side, only the honest eunuch Wang Cheng'en, who was oblivious and did not arrange a proper escape route for him. Thus, he could only go to Coal Mountain to end his own life.

"Do not worry, in two days they will have nothing to say!" Zhu Cilang was very certain, "Wang Banban, when you see Wu Xiang later, act according to my cues and help me secure a major matchmaker!"

Is Wu Sanfu also in the capital? Upon hearing that Wu Sangui's younger brother is also there, Zhu Cilang asked Wang Cheng'en while walking, "Who else from the Wu family is in the capital?"

In response to the esteemed elder, aside from the two brothers Wu Sangui and Wu Sanfeng, most of the Wu family members are present, totaling over thirty individuals. I have also inquired about the number of guards and servants, which amounts to more than eighty. Additionally, one of Zu Dashou's sons resides with them, contributing to a further ten or so guards from the Zu family.

I, the Governor of the Beijing garrison, Wu Xiang (Wu Sanfu), pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince

Wang Cheng'en is indeed the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, possessing a certain degree of skill in gathering intelligence, and is quite well-informed. Wu Xiang has three sons, among whom the eldest, Wu Sanfeng, followed Zu Dashou during the Songjin battle and has now surrendered to the Qing. The second son is Wu Sangui, and the third son is Wu Sanfu, who has now come to Beijing with their father.

"Good!" Zhu Cilang nodded and said to the chief guard Zhu Chunjie behind him, "Go to the inner training ground, go now."

"Does Wu Xiang have a daughter?" Zhu Cilang suddenly asked, "What is her name? How old is she?"

These two individuals have temporarily been deceived by Zhu Cilang, and in fact, it does not require much deception. ... Tonight, the news of the fall of Juyong Pass will arrive, and tomorrow, Li Zicheng's army will reach Changping, with the vanguard possibly already at the outskirts of Beijing ...

If it is possible to continue the relationship with Wu Sanmei, using some tactics of sowing discord, to incite Wu Sangui and the Eight Banners soldiers to engage in a conflict, regardless of who kills whom, he would have no objections.

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng'en surprisingly found it reasonable. Although there was no money, the handsome prince was readily available! For the sake of the Ming dynasty and the common people, what is wrong with the prince sacrificing a bit of his appearance?

Zhu Cilang saw that Wang Cheng'en was still hesitating, so he hurriedly lowered his voice, "Wu Sangui has around 30,000 to 40,000 elite troops from Guanning! We don't have a million, so let's at least give a princess consort! It should have been done long ago... If we give it, perhaps Wu Sangui's troops will arrive. Even if we can get 3,000 elite troops, there would be a chance to defend Beijing. Zhou Yujiji only had 3,000 men at Ningwu Pass, and among them, the elite of the Yongwei Battalion was only 1,000, yet they held out for more than ten days, right?"

Before he even entered the door, he saw Wang Cheng'en quickly coming out from inside, greeting him with a bow. Then, in a lowered voice, he nervously said: "Your Highness, Wu Xiang has already arrived at the inner training ground, and you can meet him at any time"

Has he proposed to her? Zhu Cilang has already set his sights on the young lady from that family... It is not because he is lecherous; he is a gentleman and does not indulge in lustful desires.

Moreover, having Wu Sangui as my second uncle seems quite good... Even if he continues to act as a traitor, Duolun would probably have to be five parts cautious and use five parts of his resources against him, which would diminish the effectiveness significantly

Wang Cheng'en still shook his head, saying, "I am just afraid that the civil officials will talk too much"

Both father and son were somewhat taken aback. They had originally thought they were assisting Wang Cheng'en in fortifying the city, and never expected to meet His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of the Ming Empire.

If he cannot be brought over, then we can only proceed lightly and quietly make our escape. It is possible to run away, but once we are out, we will be in a very passive position