Chapter 0006: Chongzhen is still a quality asset
If he chooses the former method to escape, Zhu Cilang will have to bear the stigma of filial impiety. In the Ming Dynasty, which placed great emphasis on theoretical morality, filial impiety is indeed a grave sin
Your Highness, these items are..." Bi Jiu City looked at the large pile of documents in front of him, then glanced at Zhu Cilang, whose gaze and tone had become considerably sharper, leaving him somewhat at a loss.
Kunning Palace is the sleeping quarters of the Empress of the Zhou Dynasty, commonly referred to as the Central Palace by the public
Currently, there are two paths before Zhu Cilang. One is to take advantage of Li Zicheng's army surrounding Beijing and slip away to Tongzhou; the other is to break out and escape when the city of Beijing is breached.
The Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty had his own official system, which included four reading attendants and six lecturing officials among the civil officials, as well as two editors and two secretaries. The military officials included the Eastern Palace Guards. The eunuchs comprised the Grand Eunuch, the Attendant Eunuchs, and ordinary palace officials, along with a considerable number of others
Zhu Cilang naturally associated the words of his ancestors that he heard in his dream with the supernatural event of the founding emperor's dream visitation
However, during the Ming Dynasty, the court etiquette was strict. As the prince who had left the palace, Zhu Cilang was theoretically not allowed to attend court without an imperial decree, let alone interact with a number of imperial concubines and empress dowagers. However, Emperor Chongzhen had issued an edict allowing Zhu Cilang to "attend court without inquiry," thus he was able to see his mother, Empress Zhou, frequently
The palace maids are all middle-aged women. Zhu Cilang remembers that he once had two younger wet nurses, but they were dismissed when he left home to study, and only palace maids over the age of fifty remain to serve in the palace.
I, Chen Zeng Jinhua, have paid my respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince. After performing the customary greetings, the divine physician inquired, "Your Highness, do you feel any drowsiness today?"
Eunuch Qiu is a slender man, around thirty-four or thirty-five years old, with a gentle smile always on his face, resembling a scholarly gentleman. However, Zhu Cilang knows that this eunuch is a skilled martial eunuch, proficient in archery and horsemanship. Zhu Cilang has learned to ride horses, shoot arrows, and practice swordsmanship under his guidance—after all, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty is theoretically expected to be well-versed in both literature and martial arts.
Oh. He nodded, looking at his Bijiucheng with wide, round eyes and a peculiar expression, saying: "Bishishu, make sure to keep all these things I wrote safe, and do not let anyone touch them. Additionally, go find some more of those chapters suitable for writing edicts, the more the better!"
Zhu Cilang also said: "Is there anyone in your family in the capital? If there is, you can make arrangements today in the morning. Daba, go fetch ten taels of silver for Doctor Zeng."
Among them, Empress Zhou and Consort Yuan were both selected by King Xin Wang during the reign of Chongzhen, and another candidate, Consort Tian, was also selected. Consort Tian had already passed away in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen's reign
After finishing my morning routine and having a simple breakfast, the sky outside has already brightened significantly
In the eyes of the world, the fall of the capital and the abnormal death of the emperor occurred simultaneously, marking the end of the Ming Dynasty
The divine physician Zeng was taken aback, as it seemed the Crown Prince's words carried deeper meaning... However, he did not delve further into it, for he was from Suzhou, with his wife and children back in his hometown, leaving only a concubine to attend to him.
Having expressed gratitude for the prince's reward, Zeng Jinhua hurriedly went with Huang Dabo to collect the silver, and then rushed to his residence in the outer city to meet with his concubine—at this moment, he was unaware that this parting from his concubine today would mean there would be no chance of reunion in this lifetime
A true prince is far superior to a false emperor
If Emperor Chongzhen were to abandon the capital and flee, his prestige would certainly plummet, but his status as emperor would still remain! If Zhu Cilang could establish a group from the Eastern Palace during the breakout and gain a certain level of military power, then he would not have to fear being regarded as a puppet.
Thus, the women currently serving beside Emperor Chongzhen include Empress Zhou, Concubine Yuan, two princesses, as well as Concubines Liu, Fang, and Shen, along with several unmarried women in their thirties, and there are no others.
"This palace requires three days of rest," Zhu Cilang said directly, "Just do as I wish. Furthermore, I am feeling unsettled and may fall ill at any moment, so starting today, you will follow me closely."
Look at Wang Cheng'en's intention; he is not likely to cooperate with his own early escape, making it very difficult to take a large group of people out of Beijing.
Your Highness, are you heading to Kun Ning Palace?" The Eastern Palace guard Zhu Chunjie, seeing Zhu Cilang come out, hurriedly stepped forward, while also instructing the eunuchs to prepare the russet umbrella and round fan, arranging them in order.
Seeing a large pile of documents on Zhu Cilang's desk, Eunuch Qiu found it somewhat strange, but did not inquire further. He merely reminded, "Your Highness, it is getting late; it is time to have someone assist you with your washing and then report your safety to Her Majesty the Empress."
This individual is a descendant of a prominent family, with ancestors who were meritorious figures in the Jingnan Campaign, specifically Duke Zhu Neng of the Cheng State. However, Zhu Chunjie is not of the direct line, and thus does not qualify to inherit the title of duke. He was appointed as the chief palace guard for Zhu Cilang upon the recommendation of his cousin Zhu Chuncheng
Doctor Zeng adjusted his glasses and looked at Zhu Cilang, who was bent over writing at the desk, and asked, "Your Highness, do you wish to cancel the daily lecture?"
On the morning of March 15 in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen era, the somewhat eccentric Doctor Zeng once again encountered Zhu Cilang.
Certainly, the most valuable "asset" in the capital city is not the officials, eunuchs, or armed forces, but Emperor Chongzhen himself
Ten taels of silver
Zhu Cilang's two companions for reading take turns, and now it is Eunuch Qiu's turn to take up his post
There are some, Zhu Cilang said, "I only feel drowsy and heavy-headed, afraid that I cannot read or practice writing any longer"
After Huang Dabaos sent off the divine doctor Zeng, he returned to the Duanjing Hall accompanied by another eunuch, Qiu Zhizhong, as well as the official Shi Shuguan and the Zhongshu Sheren Bi Jiucheng.
"Yes." Qiu Zhizhong replied, and then he summoned several palace maids and eunuchs to assist Zhu Cilang with washing up and changing clothes
Though they are said to be young, in fact, they are all women in their thirties. Because her father, Emperor Chongzhen, was determined to be a sage ruler, he restrained himself from indulging in beauty, and for many years did not select a single beauty from the palace. It was only a year ago that he selected a few girls for Zhu Cilang, but only three or two were kept, while the others were dismissed.
Of course, postponing the days of escape by a few days has significantly increased the risks
Moreover, it is far better for Chongzhen to abdicate the throne to himself through internal abdication than to be supported by warlords from the four towns in Jiangbei
Zhu Cilang took a breath and said to Zhu Chunjie: "Yes, let's go to Kun Ning Palace"
Moreover, there are still some civil and military officials and eunuchs in the capital who are loyal to the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Cilang can also take them along, thereby expanding the Eastern Palace faction
In addition to these few consorts of Emperor Chongzhen, there was also Empress Zhang in the palace at that time, who was the sister-in-law of Emperor Chongzhen and the empress of Emperor Tianqi. Furthermore, there was also Dowager Li, who was a consort of Emperor Guangzong Taichang.
At this moment, Zhu Cilang, who had not slept all night, was bent over his desk writing an edict. Next to his writing desk, there was a pile of various blank sheets or chapters that had already been completed.
Zhu Cilang then remembered that he still had to deal with Empress Zhou, his own mother
The emperor guards the national gate, and the monarch sacrifices for the state; indeed, this is a display of valor. However, it cannot be denied that this symbolizes the fall of a nation. In this situation, if Zhu Cilang wishes to ascend to the throne, he must rely on the support of powerful ministers and warlords, which inevitably leads to him becoming their puppet
However, his medical skills are still the most outstanding in the Imperial Hospital. He is also diligent and responsible, and being a fellow townsman of Empress Zhou from Suzhou, he has earned the trust of the Chongzhen couple
These individuals all possess status and rank; the civil officials have their students, the military officials have their household servants, and the eunuchs have their adopted sons. Together, they form a considerable faction within the Eastern Palace.
Regarding Zhu Cilang's condition, the judgment of this "divine doctor" is indeed reliable. Zhu Cilang's physical body is indeed sound and very healthy. The reason for his unresponsiveness is that there is a period of adjustment between the newly arrived soul and this physical body
Thus, Zhu Cilang's daily life is quite dull, surrounded by either eunuchs or elderly women, or sometimes by bearded teachers who come to lecture on the principles of the sages. The only time he can see a few younger palace attendants is when he visits his mother in Kun Ning Palace
Moreover, Zhu Cilang, who escaped with only a few guards and eunuchs, found it difficult to assemble a team from within the city of Beijing
Even if Emperor Chongzhen was confused, he was still an emperor
"What is it, you can see for yourself." Zhu Cilang then said to Eunuch Qiu, "Attend to my change of clothes!"
Moreover, Zhu Cilang can also take away an armed force from the capital through a breakout operation. Even if it is only 1,000 people, it is better than running out empty-handed!
Cannot read books or practice writing? Then what are you doing now
Zhu Cilang then led Qiu Zhizhong out of the Duanjing Hall
The Imperial Medical Department's eighth-rank physician, Zeng Jinhua, is a tall and slender man in his thirties, with fairly regular features. However, he is severely myopic and wears a pair of crystal-polished glasses on his nose, which often leads people to refer to him behind his back as "Zeng Four Eyes." He also has another nickname, "Zeng Divine Doctor," not because of any extraordinary medical skills, but rather due to his superstitious belief in Taoism, as he tends to invoke supernatural explanations for difficult and obscure ailments.
The attendant scribe is an official subordinate to the Crown Prince, belonging to the lowest rank within the reading group, typically filled by a servant from the Cabinet's Document Department. This year, Bi Jiucheng, in his early twenties, is one of the two document servants of Zhu Cilang. He is a plump individual with a very cheerful and lively personality, and he is quite informal when interacting with Zhu Cilang. He enjoys sharing intriguing stories from outside the palace with the Crown Prince, which has fostered a good relationship between them. Additionally, he is a newly minted Jinshi from the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen era and has no family in Beijing, making him relatively unencumbered. Zhu Cilang has summoned him to act as a "secretary," as he has a large volume of documents to handle and will inevitably require assistance with the paperwork.
Zhu Chunjie, in his twenties, is tall and sturdy, sporting a full beard that gives him a somewhat menacing appearance. However, despite this intimidating look, he has never even killed a chicken.
Zhu Cilang's tone carried an undeniable authority, and as a mere eighth-rank imperial physician, how could he dare to defy it? He could only respond with repeated acknowledgments.