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墨書 Inktalez
In early spring, the streets of Shanhaiguan were still biting with cold winds. The midday sun shone painfully on his bleeding back, but Zhu Tianyou, who had already endured excruciating pain, continued to persevere. He was determined to gain the support of the remnants of the Ming Dynasty; only then could their plan to deal with Wu Sangui be better realized.
"It's just a personal grudge, nothing compared to the kingdom's stability," Zhu Tianyou said, his face flushed, possibly from the sunlight or perhaps from shame.
The ancients valued their reputation, and Zhu Tianyou was not someone with a big heart who could withstand being surrounded by others without feeling ashamed. However, he still made up his mind to wait until late at night today, determined to be allowed into Wang Dongming's mansion. Whether it was for the sake of his reputation or because he was truly moved, Wang Dongming would eventually meet with him; it was just a matter of time.
The sunlight gradually tilted, and the afterglow of the setting sun slowly descended. Most of the onlookers around grew bored and left, but Zhu Tianyou remained outside the residence.
Wang Dongming initially planned to take a short nap in bed, but unexpectedly found his mind in chaos, unable to fall asleep for a long time. After finally waking up, Wang Dongming pondered his strategies while still in bed. What exactly was Wu Sangui's scheme? Could it really be that Jiang Tianyou felt guilty and came to apologize and seek forgiveness?
I don't know how long has passed, the steward outside the door finally couldn't help it and came to the inner door, loudly reporting: "Master, are you awake? That fellow has been waiting outside for nearly three hours. If you really don't intend to see him, I will go and drive him away."
Wang Dongming took a deep breath and said, "Let him in."
Zhu Tianyou waited outside, feeling bored and repeatedly thinking about how to confront Wu Sangui, and what to do if Wang Dongming was unwilling to meet him and whom he could seek for help.
Hearing news finally coming from the Wang residence, Zhu Tianyou felt a surge of excitement.
He stood up straight and was about to leave, but unexpectedly, due to kneeling for too long, he stumbled and almost fell on the threshold of the royal mansion. The steward quickly helped up Zhu Tianyou, while Wang Dongming, who was peeking from a distance, saw everything.
The steward originally intended to take Zhu Tianyou to the side room, but unexpectedly, upon entering the main hall, they saw their master sitting there and gesturing for Zhu Tianyou to take a seat. At that moment, Zhu Tianyou's intuition kicked in, and he quietly turned and left.
For the first time in a relatively relaxed atmosphere, Zhu Tianyou saw Wang Dongming.
Wang Dongming straightforwardly said, "If you were sent by General Wu to persuade me to come out of seclusion, then please leave. I only want to live leisurely at home now and do not want to worry about national affairs anymore."
Zhu Tianyou replied, "Even if it concerns the national affairs of the Ming Dynasty, General, you still wouldn't want to get involved?"
Wang Dongming flashed a hint of doubt in his eyes and asked, "What do you mean by 'national affairs'? Isn't there still national affairs in Shanhaiguan?"
Zhu Tianyou understood his meaning, and he was indeed a famous loyal minister in the military. He had extraordinary courage, no wonder he was being alienated and suppressed.
Zhu Tianyou also did not want to beat around the bush with Wang Dongming, and said directly, "General, do you hate me for taking away your troops?"
Wang Dongming shook his head and sighed, "I only hate that the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty do not think of being loyal to the country, only seeking their own safety in troubled times, sighing for the impending fall of the Ming Dynasty and the scattering of people's hearts."
Zhu Tianyou saw that there was a chance, so he confessed, "Although I am not talented, I have the blood decree of Emperor Ming, and I want to take over the Guanning Army to support Shun Tian and ensure that our Ming Dynasty kingdom does not fall. I am here to sincerely ask for forgiveness and hope to get the general's help in order to restore the world and continue the legacy for another two hundred years."
Wang Dongming stared wide-eyed. He had not expected that this new participant with an unknown background would turn out to be a Ming Dynasty patriot, now seeking to contact him in order to recall the Guanning Iron Cavalry and defend Shun Tian.
Wang Dongming thought for a moment and said, "I must see the blood decree of Emperor Ming."
Zhu Tianyou understood Wang Dongming's meaning as soon as he heard it, and within Shanhaiguan, the seemingly calm sky had a slight breeze.
Since then, Zhu Tianyou successfully contacted the Ming Dynasty's patriots and stabilized the army obtained from Wang Dongming, and began secretly contacting other patriots inside Shanhaiguan.
The next day, Wang Dongming publicly announced his forgiveness of Zhu Tianyou and met with the Third Prince under the pretext of returning to Jiangfu.
Wang Dongming met with The Third Prince and saw the blood decree of Emperor Ming, feeling puzzled - the content on it instructed him to be cautious in the world, to rescue Ming Dynasty if there is an opportunity, and to be careful and survive in troubled times if there is no chance.
Leading troops into the pass, but not getting a single penny!
Wang Dongming's confusion was met with The Third Prince's response: "Emperor Ming has left behind three blank edicts, all sealed and ready for us to fill in with our blood. We can then take command of the Guanning Army and order them to return to Shun Tian. At this critical moment for the Ming Dynasty, the most important thing is how to deal with Wu Sangui."
Wang Dongming agreed wholeheartedly, pulling Zhu Tianyou away. The two returned to the street, embracing each other as if they were long-time friends. Wu Sangui had successfully bridged the internal divide, setting the stage for a celebratory feast for their newfound bond.
Unexpectedly, this beautiful thing will soon become a beautiful memory.
Wang Dongming asked Zhu Tianyou for a solution on the way after the banquet.
Zhu Tianyou said, "We can first distribute wealth to win over some officers, and then, along with loyal patriots of the Ming Dynasty, control the soldiers under our command. We can issue a blood edict during the military council to force Wu Sangui to submit. If he dares to resist, I will personally subdue him."
Wang Dongming pointed out the flaws in the plan— it was overly idealistic and too simplistic. Especially since Wu Sangui was not an ordinary person, capturing him easily would be difficult. Even though Zhu Tianyou was exceptionally brave, there were many guards and deputy generals in the camp, making it hard to resolve the situation quickly. In Wang Dongming's view, Zhu Tianyou's martial prowess was still insufficient.
Zhu Tianyou actually felt uncertain in his heart and asked, "So, Wang Dongming, do you have a solution?"
"I don't have a solution, but I can train you in a short period to enhance your abilities and increase the chances of capturing Wu Sangui alive."
"Okay."
That night, the Third Prince sat alone in front of the oil lamp. Gritting his teeth, he picked up a small knife and made a cut on his wrist to draw blood for writing an edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The world is in chaos. Wu Sangui, as the General of Liaodong, has seized control of Shanhaiguan and refuses to come to the capital to rescue the Emperor. Therefore, I hereby appoint Zhu Cihuan, the third son of the Prince, to carry this blood edict and designate Zhu Tianyou as the new General of Liaodong, commanding all troops to return to Shun Tian..."
Zhu Cihuan was still young after all. After writing a few dozen words, he fell unconscious and collapsed in front of the desk. The inner palace spies quickly pulled The Third Prince away, while the women took the prince back to bed to rest and receive treatment.
The three spies had originally planned to personally draw blood and continue writing the secret decree. However, unexpectedly, The Third Prince trembled and said in a weak voice, "Let me rest for a while before writing again. You are not of the Zhu family royal bloodline, and cannot write imperial edicts. Otherwise, I will..."
Zhu Tianyou also waved his hand, signaling the undercover agents in the inner palace to step aside. He steeled himself and, with determination, drew a small knife to cut open his left arm, causing blood to gush out.
In the dim night, the deep red blood faintly emitted a golden light, slowly merging with Zhu Cihuan's blood. Zhu Tianyou personally continued writing the blood decree of Emperor Ming.
"…The soldiers of Guanning should naturally comply, granting amnesty to all idle individuals under Wu Sangui. Those who enter the palace to defend the king will be promoted three ranks and rewarded with countless riches. Those who conspire against the throne or resist orders can be punished by extermination of their nine clans."
Wang Dongming silently witnessed everything from the side. After a long while, blood stained the table, and Zhu Tianyou's spirit also began to wane.
Wang Dongming pondered, "There is General Li Decai, Lu Mingji, and my brother-in-law Wang Zhicheng whom I can rely on..."
Seemingly to avoid suspicion from Zhu Tianyou, Wang Dongming continued, "Even so, only about one-tenth of the soldiers can be guaranteed. The remaining thirty percent are die-hard loyalists of Wu Sangui, while sixty percent are likely to remain spectators; they should also consider Emperor Ming's blood edict."
Zhu Tianyou said, "It's okay, at this moment, we must promote the capable without avoiding relatives, but we must ensure the information is kept strictly confidential..."
"It must succeed!"
In the sky of the Ming Dynasty, the star of the Greedy Wolf gradually dimmed, while the light of the Purple Star regained its brilliance. This is Tianyou of my Ming Dynasty, surely a sign of good fortune.
Zhu Tianyou, with the help of Wang Dongming, began a half-month special training to help him control his powers so that he could successfully manage Wu Sangui to execute the plan.
Wang Dongming said, "First, try to defeat ten Guanning Army soldiers in hand-to-hand combat without relying on strength. Then I will teach you more advanced combat experience and martial arts tactics."
Zhu Tianyou initially thought it would be an easy task, but each Guanning Army soldier was well-trained in martial arts, having practiced for several years at least. Their skills clearly surpassed Zhu Tianyou, who was unable to use brute force and thus repeatedly hit a wall.
Many times being beaten into a pig's head, Zhu Tianyou still persists. In the continuous battles, Zhu Tianyou discovers that he can be said to be a martial arts genius. Not only does he have an extraordinary physique that can quickly recover, but he can also quickly grasp techniques while being beaten. In just three days, he went from being able to fight only two Guanning Army members undefeated to directly defeating ten people without injury.
Wang Dongming is also amazed by this and says that he will teach Zhu Tianyou the true secrets of war tactics next...
Wang Dongming A previously unseen seriousness appeared on his somewhat aged face.
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