Before leaving today, Chongzhen changed into the regular uniform of the vassal king. This uniform was captured from the Prince Dai's Mansion and was later sent to Chongzhen's residence.
Wearing a black gauze winged crown on his head, a pure white plate collar around his neck, a red dragon robe with five-clawed golden dragon patterns embroidered on it, and a pair of black soap boots on his feet, he raised his hands and feet to show his grace and splendor.
In view of the special nature of these prisoners, Chongzhen specially selected a muddy depression outside the city to imprison them and deprived them of food for several days in order to suppress their spirit.
The camp where the prisoners were guarded was surrounded only by simple wooden fences. The Ming army responsible for guarding the camp had a total number of about five hundred people.
With the abandonment of the guard system, the infantry and cavalry organization of the Ming frontier army also changed, and was changed to the camp sentry system, that is, there are five people in the team, the second team is the team, the third team is the team, the third team is the sentry, and the fifth team is the general. , the five generals were divided into battalions, with each battalion having about 3,000 men.
However, many local forces, including Shunjun, still have the habit of maintaining the establishment of garrison troops, so you can often hear the terms Baihu, Qianhu, Zongqi, Xiaoqi, as well as General Commander, Qianzong, and Sentinel Officer. , the captain’s name.
The chaotic army organization also reflected the fragmentation of Zhu Ming's empire from the side.
When the guard guarding the camp gate saw the visitor, he quickly clasped his fists and saluted. There was no need to kneel down and salute among the Ming army, and there was no such thing as kowtow in the Ming Dynasty etiquette.
Of course, it is not ruled out that some people may wish to express their emotions through actions such as kowtowing and kneeling under special circumstances.
Chongzhen walked into the prison camp under the guidance of the guard. His brand-new soap boots were quickly stained with mud, and even the hem of his robe was stained with mud.
Song Xiance saw this and wanted to remind him, but when he saw Chongzhen's expression, he didn't seem to mind, so he swallowed his words.
The resting place for the prisoners was simply a straw hut, with the ground covered with thatch. All of them lay listlessly on the ground, seemingly suffering a lot.
The accompanying Ming soldiers trotted over and kicked everyone on the ground up one by one.
"Everyone get up!"
"stand up!"
Someone was drinking wine and eating tender meat in a dream, and was woken up by a kick in the butt. The sweet dream was ruined and he became angry. He bared his teeth and wanted to fight with the Ming soldier who kicked him, but his weak limbs and the feeling of hunger in his belly made him angry. He reluctantly gave up the idea.
Seeing these people rustling for a long time and barely standing up, Chongzhen asked the Ming soldiers to stop, then turned to Song Xiance and asked: "Song Military Advisor, is it your turn?"
From the day Song Xiance surrendered to Chongzhen, he told everything about Shunjun in his heart, and talked about everything he knew, hoping to make a good impression in the eyes of the emperor.
Chongzhen did not treat him badly. He let him stay in the palace when he had nothing to do, and often asked him to follow him when he had something to do, which just filled Wang Chengen's vacancy.
After a few days of recuperation, the injuries on Song Xiance's face faded and his complexion became rosy.
The handyman at home gave him a new pair of straight pants, but they didn't seem to fit well, so he had to roll up his trouser legs and sleeves. Considering his appearance, he looked a little funny.
Today, I heard that the emperor said that he wanted to recruit captives from the surrender. Song Xiancai immediately volunteered. This is easy! Could it be tailor-made for me?
Chongzhen just wanted to see his ability, so he agreed.
Seeing the emperor speaking to him, Song Xiance bowed in response and walked towards the prisoners. His expression and posture suddenly changed, turning into that of a superior adult.
Song Xiance stroked his beard and walked among the prisoners, looking at their faces one by one. When he came to one of them, he stopped, lowered his head and said to him: "Humazi, do you still remember me?"
Chongzhen and Yang Boxian looked at each other with great interest. They both wanted to see how Song Xiance could conquer these tough guys.
The man whom Song Xiance called Hu Pock was true to his name. The triangle area between his eyes and nose was covered with pockmarks. He wiped the goo from his eyes, took a closer look, and said in surprise: "Strategist!"
After saying that, he grabbed Song Xiance's calf with his hand. Song Xiance slowly moved back with a smile on his face.
"Since you recognize me, why don't you get up quickly? Do you plan to lie down and talk to me?"
Hu Mazi stood up angrily, surprisingly obedient, rubbed the back of his head and replied: "I haven't eaten for a few days, and I have no strength at all. Don't blame me, military advisor. Don't blame me."
After apologizing to Song Xiance, Hu Mazi asked in a low voice: "I have seen the military advisor today, but I have to wait until King Chuang comes to rescue my brother?"
Song Xiance shook his head and replied: "Chuang... suffered a defeat at Shanhaiguan and retreated to Guanzhong."
"Defeat the battle? How is it possible! Just because of them?" Hu Mazi did not forget to point at the Ming army behind him when he spoke, with a look of disdain on his face.
"It's Jianlu, Jianlu has entered the pass."
Hu Mazi seemed to be a little afraid of the word "Jianlu" and asked, "Do you really mean what the military advisor said?"
"I came from Shanhaiguan, what do you think?"
"This..." Hu Mazi looked around in disbelief. Others who were close to him also stood up. They were from the border army and knew the danger behind the words "Jianlu entered the pass".
"The capital has been occupied by Jianlu."
After Song Xiance said this, he stopped chatting privately with Hu Mazi. He turned around and walked around loudly and said to everyone around him: "I am here today to persuade you and others to surrender on the orders of Emperor Zhengshuo of the Ming Dynasty."
After hearing this, the people around them showed displeasure and gnashed their teeth, saying that these scholars could not be trusted and that King Chuang was really blind.
Song Xiance did not take their indignation seriously and said: "I only have three questions today, and you only need three answers. From now on, whether you die or surrender, I will follow you. How about that?"
Hu Mazi was the leader in the camp, so he had a high status among the prisoners. He had been favored by Song Xiance in his early years. When his benefactor said this, he had no choice but to take the lead and respond: "Ask me, military advisor."
"When you were guarding the Nine Borders, if the imperial court paid you enough, would you still rebel?"
"Then it won't happen."
"of course not."
Seeing that they all said no, Song Xiance nodded and asked again: "Since the government is willing to make up for the salary arrears and promise to pay the salary in full and on time in the future, is it willing to reduce the salary?"
There was silence all around, not even Hu Mazi said a word.
"Okay." Song Xiance clapped his hands and said as he walked.
"Before coming here, Lord Long Live told me personally that you are all good citizens. It was because the imperial court owed you wages that you had no choice but to commit yourself to the thieves. In my opinion, otherwise, even though I obviously owe you money, I don't owe you anything.
He also wants to rebel against his wages, how is he any different from a thief?"
"You are no different from those barbarians outside the Great Wall. You kill for the sake of killing and rebel for the sake of rebellion. You should all die early and be reborn!"
After saying this, Song Xiance left without looking back and leaving with his hands behind his back. There was no need for the prisoners to answer.
"Your Majesty, the common people are back." Song Xiance returned to Chongzhen with a respectful look on his face.
Chongzhen looked at the prisoners looking at him in the distance and asked with a smile: "Is this the end?"
"Your Majesty will only wait until nightfall, and you will be done."
All kinds of strategies are used to attack the heart. If the people in this world could figure out why they are fighting, there would not be so many tragedies.
Chongzhen didn't ask any more questions and led the two of them away. Yang Boxian seemed to be scratching his head along the way. Is this the end?
At night, as Song Xiance expected, Zhang Mazi secretly found the guard and said he wanted to see Song Xiance.
If it were Chongzhen today, he wouldn't believe it even if he said it was ridiculous. These people wouldn't surrender.
Now he just wants Song Xiance to be right. This chapter has been completed!
