Although Zhu Cihong transferred both Tang Tong and Zhou Yuji back to the capital, the wheels of history were still rolling over them.
On March 15, the seventeenth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, the invading army approached Juyong Pass, and the generals guarding the pass surrendered without a fight.
The next day, the advance of the army crossed Changping and arrived at Shahe. The Changping County magistrate and the gentry in the city knelt down in Kaicheng to welcome him.
On the 17th, the army passed Gaobeidian and marched directly to the western suburbs of the capital. Outside the Xizhi Gate, cannons were immediately set up and there was a burst of bombardment.
Suddenly the rumbling sound of cannons resounded over the entire capital.
The people in the city were so frightened that they fled home in panic. In a short time, only Jin Yiwei and Dongchang Fanzi were left on the streets to maintain order.
At this moment, on the Xizhimen Gate Tower, Zhu Cixiang and a group of distinguished generals looked at the densely packed bandit troops coming from far outside the city, all with solemn expressions.
"Zhou Aiqing, can you estimate the approximate strength of the rebel army?" Zhu Cixiang felt that his throat was dry.
The scene outside was really shocking. The people and horses were so overwhelming that you couldn't even see the end.
"Your Majesty, if you want to make an accurate estimate, you have to wait until the rebel army has set up camp before we can roughly calculate the strength of the troops."
Zhou Yuji replied with a calm expression and cupped his hands.
"Um!"
Zhu Cixiang nodded. He estimated that Lao Li probably did have an army of one million people. Even if he didn't have it when he set out from Chang'an, it wouldn't be much different now.
"Your Majesty, the bandit army just fired artillery to demonstrate and will not rush to attack for the time being. Your Majesty can return to the palace first."
"All right!"
Zhu Cixiang looked at it a few more times, then turned around and returned to the palace. Others also left one after another, each performing their duties.
When they returned to Qianqing Palace, Zhou Hou and Zhang Yan had been waiting for a long time. Standing beside them were three brothers including Princess Zhu Ainao of Kunxing and Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong.
Apparently they all heard the sound of artillery that just came from the west.
"Brother Imperial, there are rumors in the palace that an intruder is coming. Is it true?"
Princess Kunxing, who was only fourteen years old, asked nervously, her delicate little face looking a little pale.
The two queen mothers and three princes also stood up, with equally nervous and worried expressions on their faces.
"Don't be afraid, my dear sister. My dear brother will be able to guard the capital, repel the intruders, and protect you."
Zhu Cixi touched her head lovingly and comforted her.
His demeanor was gentler than ever before.
For this imperial sister who is one year younger than him, she is also the historical Princess Changping. Perhaps due to the influence of the TV series Nine Girls, Zhu Cixiang has been particularly fond of her this year.
It was heartbreaking to see her frightened right now.
"Well, Brother Huang is the most powerful. Nao'er believes that Brother Huang will be able to defeat the intruders and revive the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Yasuo nodded, pursed her lips at the end, and the nervousness on her face gradually dissipated.
"Hong'er, is the intruder really here?"
Queen Zhou and Zhang Yan were not underage, so they still asked nervously.
"Well, we have already arrived outside Xizhimen. Auntie, you don't have to worry. The children have already been arranged."
Zhu Cixi could only smile and comfort the two girls.
But looking at the worry in their eyes, I also felt the heavy burden on my shoulders.
These are the people he wants to protect, and he will never let the tragedy in history happen again.
"Hong'er, since you have arranged everything well, before it's too late, why not..."
"Yes, Xun'er, your father has fully recovered. To be on the safe side, you'd better take Nao'er and the others away..."
The two women persuaded again, and Queen Zhou even had a hint of pleading on her face.
Zhu Cixiang waved his hand and interrupted: "Okay, Queen Mother, Aunt, please stop trying to persuade me. If I leave at this time, once word gets out, the morale of the army will be in chaos, and it will really be over."
"Don't worry, Zhou Yuji is a famous general. I believe that with his command, we will be able to hold on."
"Besides, I have left one Chaoyang Gate unblocked. If nothing can be done, we can always ask the imperial guards to escort us from Chaoyang Gate to the south."
"Oh, okay!"
The two women let out a long sigh and offered no further advice.
However, the atmosphere still seemed a bit solemn.
After a long while, Empress Zhou said again: "Hang'er, is there anything else you need help from your mother and your aunt?"
The two girls have been helping manage the money and food for a while now, counting the money until their hands cramped, which really saved Zhu Cixi a lot of worry.
Originally, Queen Zhou just asked casually, but who would have thought that Zhu Cixiang nodded with a serious look on his face.
"Since the Queen Mother wants to do her part, then it would be great. The Queen Mother will organize some maids and eunuchs in the palace to be responsible for preparing meals for the soldiers every day and then transporting them to the city walls. If the soldiers know about it, they will definitely be grateful and fight bravely to kill the enemy. .”
"Okay, let the queen mother take care of the food." Queen Zhou immediately nodded and agreed.
"Hong'er, let me also do my part to help your mother!"
"And my royal brother..."
"Brother Emperor, I can help you go into battle and kill the enemy."
After Zhang Yan finished speaking, Zhu Ayao and Prince Ding also shouted.
"Haha, third brother, you are still young. Since you want to do your part, go and help the queen. As for aunt, I have another errand."
Zhu Cixi laughed.
"What errand?"
Zhang Yan was curious and confused. Apart from cooking and managing money and food, she didn't know what else she could do.
"I have vacated the former Chengguo Duke's Mansion and several other Marquis Mansions. I have gathered all the doctors and imperial doctors in the capital there. The injured will be sent there for treatment. Auntie can choose some maids to go there to help. .”
In fact, Zhang Yan doesn't really need to be responsible for anything. He only needs to go to the show once a day, and he will also find time to put on the show.
I believe that after those injured recover, they will definitely be the staunchest supporters of Lao Zhu's family and him as the emperor in the future.
"good!"
Zhang Yan also did not refuse and happily agreed.
Immediately, Zhu Cihong ordered people to pass on the meal and prepare a reunion dinner for the whole family, just in case.
As for Chongzhen, he decisively refused to come.
Obviously, compared to Zhu Cixiang, Chongzhen was more superstitious about the two dragons not meeting each other, especially at this moment.
It's night.
Zhu Cixi was having a reunion dinner in the palace, and the bandit camp outside the city was also brightly lit and very lively.
In a large tent in the center, Li Zicheng was sitting on the main seat, with the civil servants and generals on both sides almost unable to squeeze in.
It’s really a massive and arrogant one.
"Everyone, it has been fifteen years since I started revolting alone. Over the years, I have been campaigning here and there, with many ups and downs..."
"Now that the city of Beijing is very close at hand, the false emperor, his father, his son, and the traitorous ministers have already become frightened birds. They are only one step away from overthrowing the Ming Dynasty. Do you have any good strategies to destroy the city?"
Li Zicheng thought that he had only eighteen horses left and fled into the mountains, but now he had reached the capital in just three months. He first sighed with emotion, and then looked at the people in the tent.
Everyone in the tent was also very excited for a while, some were gearing up, and even more were grinning.
However, when King Chuang asked about the best way to break the city, they all fell silent again. It was obvious that they all knew that this capital city was definitely the hardest nut to crack.