In the city of Beijing, a troop of cavalry galloped through the streets, forcing pedestrians to quickly retreat to the sides at the sound of hooves.
A great victory at Yizhou, the rebel chieftain Huang Taiji captured alive!
A great victory at Yizhou, the rebel chieftain Huang Taiji captured alive!
A great victory at Yizhou, the rebel chieftain Huang Taiji captured alive!
The cavalry, bearing the news of victory, sped towards the imperial palace without slowing their horses, shouting the contents of the victory report as they rode.
The common folk, who had initially been annoyed by their reckless gallop through the streets, were stunned into silence.
They had actually captured Huang Taiji?
A great victory, one not seen in decades!
"Shopkeeper, cut me another two pounds of pig's head meat. Today calls for a good celebration!"
"Hahaha, those damn Tatars! They even had their emperor captured. Let's see how they dare to flaunt themselves now."
"Indeed. Let them be so arrogant, and now they've reaped what they sowed."
Despite the court's continuous increase in taxes and forced conscription for the Liaodong campaigns, the people remained simple. As long as they had food to eat, they hoped for the Ming Dynasty to prosper day by day.
Now that Huang Taiji had been captured, it meant that the war in Liaodong had a glimmer of hope.
Once the situation there was pacified, the border troops would be free to deal with the bandits within the passes.
With the war concluded, the court would no longer need to impose additional levies, and life would become easier.
A peaceful era was within reach.
This was the sincere hope of the common people, who knew nothing of the Little Ice Age.
Inside the Huangji Hall, Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, listening to the Grand Secretariat report on state affairs.
Zhu Youjian, shamelessly, squatted on the ground, clenching his fists and helping Li Shimin massage his legs. This scene was incredibly comfortable, giving the impression of a grandfather and grandson enjoying family time.
In the past two days, he had enjoyed unprecedented relaxation. All state affairs were handled by Li Shimin, while his only duty was to receive a beating every half-hour. The cotton armor he wore provided excellent defense.
Although being beaten was embarrassing, it also depended on who was doing the beating!
That was the Emperor Taizong. In all of the Great Ming, only he, Zhu Youjian, was worthy of the Emperor's personal discipline.
Just then, a Jianwei (Imperial Guard) officer rushed into the hall, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in salute.
"Report~~~ Your Ancestor, a victory report from Yizhou! Rebel chieftain Huang Taiji captured alive!"
With a swish!
The gazes of the thirteen Grand Academicians in the hall instantly turned towards the officer.
This victory report was almost unbelievable. Huang Taiji, the puppet emperor of the Qing, captured alive?
Even Zhu Youjian, who was playing the role of a masseur, was startled. After regaining his senses, he quickly said, "Where is the messenger? Bring him in quickly!"
Soon, the messenger sent back by Zu Dashou was summoned to the hall. He knelt on the ground, holding the victory report with both hands. Before he could speak, Zhu Youjian interrupted him.
"Garlic cloves, quickly, bring them to me!"
Wang Chengen was already numb to this appellation. Ever since Emperor Taizong had started it, even his own master now called him that.
Garlic cloves were fine. He had heard that common folk liked to eat them with pig's head meat.
Garlic and pig's head, a perfect pairing!
Heh heh heh heh~~
He walked over to the messenger, took the victory report, and respectfully handed it to Zhu Youjian.
Just as Zhu Youjian was about to open it, he suddenly remembered something and quickly offered it to Li Shimin.
Li Shimin, however, disdainfully waved him away, "I won't look at this thing. With Wang Xuance and the others, plus those five tanks, anyone with sense knows this war couldn't be lost!"
Zhu Youjian grinned. He was already accustomed to such remarks.
He opened the document and read its contents word by word.
Huang Taiji captured!
Daishan surrendered!
Jirgalang surrendered!
Fan Wencheng, Geng Jingzhong, and other surrendered officials all captured alive!
The entire Zhenghuangqi (Plain Yellow Banner) annihilated, over ten thousand Qing soldiers captured!
Every piece of news excited him immensely.
"Slap!" He involuntarily slapped his thigh. "Good, good, good!"
"Bang!"
Li Shimin, his face contorted, kicked him away.
"You scoundrel! If you want to slap, slap yourself. How dare you slap my thigh so hard? Zhu Youjian, are your hands itching for a beating?"
"Heh heh heh heh, my Ancestor, please forgive me. This junior emperor got a bit too excited."
Zhu Youjian skillfully got up from the ground, lightly slapped himself in the face, and then smiled apologetically at Li Shimin.
Seeing that Li Shimin had no intention of pursuing the matter further, he said to Wang Chengen, "Quickly, let the esteemed Grand Academicians review this memorial!"
Upon seeing the contents of the document, Fan Cuicui and the others exchanged glances, then all knelt on the ground.
"Taizong Ancestor, wise and mighty. Strategizing with brilliance, pacifying the barbarians!"
"Hiss~~" Li Shimin was so pleased by this flattery that he inhaled sharply. Then, he winked at Fang Er, his meaning clear: See? I told you to flatter, and you didn't. Now there are plenty of people to do it!
Hiahiahiahiahia~~
It felt great, giving him a sense of psychological climax!
Seeing his ministers showering praise upon Li Shimin, Zhu Youjian felt no awkwardness. He jogged over to Li Shimin.
"My Ancestor is mighty, heroic, and benevolent. May your reign last for ten thousand generations, uniting all under heaven!"
"Hahaha, good! It seems I didn't dote on you in vain!"
Li Shimin was so delighted that his nose seemed about to bubble. He extended his rough hand and stroked Zhu Youjian's face.
Zhu Youjian did not dodge; instead, like a kitten, he nuzzled into the touch, his eyes narrowed in a look of intoxication.
Fang Er, watching from the side, was utterly bewildered. "Good heavens, did Jin Yong write Ding Chunqiu so domineeringly after reading historical records?"
"And these two, could they have developed a relationship beyond friendship?"
"This is utterly preposterous!"
But the next moment, he heard a crisp sound.
"Slap!"
Li Shimin, who had been gently stroking, suddenly slapped Zhu Youjian across the face.
This time, not only Fang Er but everyone in the hall was stunned.
Li Shimin looked at Zhu Youjian with a mixture of disappointment and anger, saying, "Now you lack neither gold nor silver, nor loyal ministers and brave generals."
"If you still accomplish nothing, the next time I come, I shall have your head!"
Zhu Youjian then understood why he was being beaten. This slap was purely a loving warning.
"My Ancestor, please rest assured. This junior emperor will do his utmost to let the Yongle prosperity reappear in the Great Ming!"
Hearing his grand pronouncement, the Grand Academicians repeatedly praised him.
"Our Emperor is sagacious. Your humble servants are willing to dedicate themselves to this ambition, offering our hearts and efforts with utmost diligence!"
In an instant, the Huangji Hall was filled with the image of a wise emperor and virtuous ministers.
Thinking back to the years when he had to be wary of his officials, and comparing it to the present situation, Zhu Youjian was deeply moved, and two lines of tears involuntarily streamed from his eyes.
He stood up and walked towards the Grand Academicians, helping them up one by one, and said emotionally.
"My esteemed ministers, it was I who failed to recognize talent in the past. From now on, let us, emperor and ministers, unite in heart and strength to forge a Chongzhen prosperous era and revitalize the Great Ming!"