Chapter 1, At the End of the Road

What does 'the holy carriage' mean? Should I bring strong servants and carry horses and equipment to the Imperial Horse Monitoring Office to stand by? Is it intended to summon the servants of officials and nobles in the capital to forcefully break out?

Accompanied by a sharp voice, a figure entered Zhu Gaoyuan's line of sight

Therefore, the first thing to do now is to gather personnel and prepare for an armed breakout

Wang Daban. This name naturally slipped from his lips, infused with fragments of memories from Chongzhen, "How many usable personnel are still left in the palace?"

Wang Cheng'en, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Secretariat, was the only eunuch who accompanied him on his journey

However, Wang Cheng'en's words also awakened Zhu Gaoyuan

That sharp sound rang out again, pulling Zhu Gaoyuan's thoughts back.

"Where are we going?" Zhu Gaoyuan was momentarily taken aback by the words, but soon realized it was a suggestion for him to hang himself. His face darkened immediately, and he exclaimed, "To hell with it!"

... ...

Gong Yonggu wrote the eight characters "The world receives the grace of the nation, one must not be dishonored" on the wall with a flourish, and then casually discarded the brush worth a hundred gold pieces on the ground

Half an hour later, at the Duke's residence.

Suddenly turning back, one saw a young eunuch in blue hurriedly entering.

Watching Wang Cheng'en depart, Chongzhen turned his gaze towards the distance, believing that there was still time.

"Kill the bandits!" Wang Jiayan shouted loudly, causing the eunuchs, who were sprawled in disarray on the city wall, as well as the local militia and the imperial troops, to panic and rise in confusion, hastily grabbing their weapons.

Based on the color of the sky, it should be around the time of Maozheng (6 o'clock). If historical records are accurate, Liu Zongmin led his troops into the inner city of Beijing through Zhengyangmen, Chongwenmen, and Xuanwumen at the beginning of Si (9 o'clock)

It is better than doing nothing at all, hiding at home and waiting for death to come. Even if I must die, I will take a few bandits down with me, so as not to waste this great head and six-foot body!

"I accept the decree." Wang Jiayan bowed again before rising.

He Zhu Gaoyuan is certainly not Zhu Youjian

One could see that this person had a pale face without a beard, was dressed in a python robe, and wore a three-mountain hat. What kind of style is this

This is not a difficult choice; Chongzhen made his decision in an instant

Only now do I think of breaking through? Do you not feel that it is too late

Seeing that it was a eunuch and not a bandit who had ascended the city tower, Wang Jiayan finally breathed a sigh of relief

Thus, Chongzhen no longer pondered and followed down the mountain

And my treasured sword and armor

"It is a bit lacking, but it is barely sufficient." Chongzhen replied with an acknowledgment and added, "You should quickly descend the mountain to gather these personnel; I have important matters for them to attend to."

However, as a seasoned veteran who came from the border defense forces and had studied for three years at a military academy, he knew that at this moment, Chongzhen was far from being at the end of his rope.

However, before the words were finished, he was interrupted by a young eunuch, who said: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I know nothing at all. I must hurry to deliver the imperial edict to the residence of Elder Fan. I take my leave now."

Zhu Gaoyuan turned his head in a somewhat dazed manner, looking towards the man in white not far away

Even if I die in battle, I will not hang myself

Heavens, my surname is indeed Zhu, but my name is Zhu Gaoyuan, not Zhu Youjian, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I should not bear this blame. What kind of nonsense is this

Wang Cheng'en adjusted his attire and knelt before Zhu Gaoyuan, respectfully saying: "I humbly request Your Majesty to commence your journey."

Gong Yonggu hurriedly knelt down and respectfully said, "I humbly wish the Emperor peace and safety."

Chongzhen immediately exclaimed in anger: "Why are you not going quickly!"

Where am I

After getting up, Gong Yonggu again pulled the young eunuch and said, "May I have a word with you in private?"

Ascending the throne in haste at the age of seventeen, he was under the shadow of Wei Zhongxian, as if treading on thin ice

As a fan of the Ming Dynasty history, he is quite certain about the time when the Dashun army entered the city

During childhood, I lived in the Ciqing Palace, where my safety was constantly at risk

Wang Cheng'en looked at Chongzhen with a bewildered expression

"Um, this old servant obeys your command." Wang Cheng'en hurriedly left

The world believed that at this moment, Chongzhen had reached the end of his road, and even Chongzhen himself thought so; otherwise, he would not have been filled with despair, leading Wang Cheng'en to Coal Mountain to hang himself.

Who made him the Chongzhen Emperor now

Chongzhen? Zhu Gaoyuan lowered his head to glance at the dragon robe on his body, looking utterly bewildered. Have I traveled back to the Ming Dynasty? And have I taken over the body of Emperor Chongzhen?

Another young eunuch hurried up to Desheng Gate

Watching the young eunuch dash out of the prince's residence, Gong Yonggu was momentarily taken aback.

There is an endless sense of sorrow, indignation, and unwillingness

Because the Dashun army is about to enter the city, there is no way to hide.

Hanging is not a possibility

It seems that someone was preparing to hang themselves, and then the yellow silk broke

In a daze, Wang Jiayan heard the sound of footsteps and was suddenly startled awake

"Your Majesty, peace be upon you." The young eunuch bowed towards the Forbidden City and then shouted, "Duke of the Imperial Guard, Gong Yonggu, you are to select the strongest servants from your household and bring all your horses and military equipment to the Imperial Horse Monitoring Office for inspection."

Assistant Minister of the Beijing Military, Wang Jiayan, has been ordered to guard Deshengmen and has steadfastly held his position on the city wall for two consecutive days and nights. It was only this morning, as the assault from the bandits slightly eased, that Wang Jiayan was able to take a brief nap.

After making arrangements for his funeral, he ascended Wansui Mountain with Wang Cheng'en and took his own life by throwing himself into the ring

"Spare my life!" the young eunuch cried in terror, "Have mercy!"

By the time Wei Zhongxian was eliminated, the mess of the Ming Dynasty had left him in a state of utter disarray

But how can we save it now? It is already March 18, and the Guangning Gate has likely been opened for a long time. The bandits must have already invaded the outer city of Beijing, and they will soon be advancing into the inner city!

This scene looks somewhat familiar

Where are you hiding

He lived frugally and devoted himself wholeheartedly, reviewing memorials until the early hours of the morning, his diligence in governance not inferior to that of the founding emperors of the Ming Dynasty. However, the national strength of the Ming continued to decline, visibly deteriorating day by day

With the issuance of the wanted notice featuring his portrait, Zhu Gaoyuan could simply carve a few cuts on his own face, and along the way, officials, gentry, and common people would still be able to identify and capture him.

During my youth, I was filled with trepidation within the residence of Prince Xin

Zhu Gaoyuan opened his eyes in a somewhat dazed manner

Reporting will be highly rewarded

I was just making a verbal statement, I never intended to take practical action

The treasured sword and the precious armor were also brought over.

He and his comrades have specifically discussed this possibility

Having finished speaking, the young eunuch turned around and ran outside

Makeup escape? It is also a delusion

"I obey the command." Although Gong Yonggu was filled with doubts, he still accepted the order

... ...

At least the opportunity to break through truly exists

There is no longer Zhu Gaoyuan in the world, only Chongzhen

This place is not suitable for staying long; it is imperative to leave Beijing as soon as possible

At last, the bandits have invaded the capital city

The housekeeper quickly brought over Gong Yonggu's BMW

Therefore, he still has one and a half hours to prepare for the breakout, which includes gathering people

just as Zhu Gaoyuan felt confused and bewildered, countless fragments of memories suddenly flooded into his mind, accompanied by these fragments of memories

At that moment, a sharp voice came through: "There is a decree!"

Had it been a year or a year and a half earlier, Emperor Chongzhen might have been able to salvage the situation

North of the Huanghuai region, half of China has already fallen under the control of the Dashun army

Gong Yonggu closed his eyes and was about to take action

However, on the other hand, dying on the battlefield and being wrapped in horsehide is not an unworthy end

Isn't this a bit too harsh?

Wang Jiayan furrowed his brows, yet he still knelt before the city wall and said: "The old minister respectfully wishes the Emperor peace and prosperity."

Is that so

The young eunuch wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and then shouted in a high-pitched voice: "There is an imperial decree."

At this point, the memory is interrupted; the memories belonging to Emperor Chongzhen come to an end here

The coal mountain has already been hanged, what else is there to play with

Yes, from now on he is Chongzhen!

I was merely visiting Jingshan when I remarked, if I were Chongzhen, I would absolutely not commit suicide by hanging, but would certainly find a way to escape to Nanjing and restore the Ming Dynasty. And then, out of nowhere, I find myself blacking out and transmigrating into Chongzhen? Moreover, I have just hanged myself at Meishan? Heaven, this is not how one plays!

Deshengmen, Xizhimen, and Fuchengmen are the main attack directions of the bandits, among which Deshengmen has suffered particularly fierce assaults

It was not until the sound of thunderous cheers echoed from outside Zhengyang Gate that Gong Yonggu finally made up his mind; such a rare and extraordinary steed, even if it meant killing, could not be left to the bandits.

The Weaving Bureau has truly become increasingly outrageous, even daring to pass off inferior quality yellow silk, which is reserved for the imperial family. However, Your Majesty can rest assured, this time I will combine the two pieces of yellow silk into one, and it will certainly not be torn again

Those with strong psychological resilience are not just a few

What was that guy shouting just now? Long live? What long live? Is he shouting at me

At this moment, do you expect me to traverse through time and turn the tide when it is already in turmoil

Wang Cheng'en stated: "Previously, there were still dozens of people, but at this moment, there are probably only a little over ten people available."

Your Majesty, the yellow silk is ready

"Your Majesty, peace be upon you." The young eunuch bowed towards the direction of the Forbidden City and then called out, "Wang Jiayan, the Deputy Minister of War and the Assistant to the Capital Garrison, is hereby ordered to abandon the defense of Deshengmen and lead his troops, the palace guards, and the local militia to the imperial stables for inspection and coordination. This is an imperial decree!"

The first thing that catches the eye is a crooked old locust tree, with a half section of yellow silk rope still hanging from the protruding branch. The frayed end of the yellow silk is uneven, as if it had been severed by a heavy object

Citywide manhunt

Bring my BMW over

Gong Yonggu's expression was one of despondency; everything had come to an end

Gong Yonggu drew his treasured sword and pointed it at his beloved horse, yet he could not bring himself to strike it down after a long while