Chapter 1075: Does He Want to Live Anymore?
In the autumn of the ninth year of Chongzhen's reign, the Qing army retreated and returned beyond the pass.
Although their initial advance had been unstoppable, leaving the Ming court utterly helpless, their final achievements were far from perfect.
Ajige's strategy of "luring the enemy into pursuit" had been "deciphered" by Datong Regional Commander Wang Pu, resulting in the rescue of over a hundred thousand enslaved people captured by the Qing army within the pass. More than half of the stolen valuables and livestock had also been recovered by Wang Pu.
After swearing to "definitely kill Wang Pu," Ajige returned in a fury.
Meanwhile...
Wang Pu was grinning foolishly.
The rescued tens of thousands of common folk were hailing him as their "benefactor" with mountain-shaking cheers, roaring so loudly that Wang Pu felt quite embarrassed, his face flushing slightly.
Bai Mao, Wang Er, and Ma Shouying exchanged glances, then said to Wang Pu: "General Wang, our Shanxi relief army is heading home first. We're exhausted and just want to go home and collapse. As for reporting to the capital and receiving commendations and rewards, we'll leave that to you, General Wang."
Wang Pu replied, "Hey, this was clearly your work! Why are you pushing me to the forefront when it comes to commendations and rewards? This general feels a little... undeserving."
Wang Pu said, "But... I just feel like something's not right."
Zhuge Liang actually offered advice at Xinye, but in this battle, Wang Pu felt he hadn't done a single thing. He had merely followed the Shanxi relief troops everywhere. Each time he arrived at a location, before he could even act, news of victory had already arrived from the front.
It was quite awkward!
If he were to brazenly claim credit for someone else's achievements, he would always feel a pang of guilt.
Bai Mao said, "General, don't overthink it. Look, none of my men, nor Ma Shouying and his men, have spoken ill of the general. Everyone believes your leadership was effective."
Wang Pu turned to look at Ma Shouying. He was genuinely a little afraid of Ma Shouying, always feeling that this cavalry commander was difficult to deal with, a formidable character.
But to his surprise, this man truly seemed uninterested in claiming credit, not minding at all that the glory was being handed to Wang Pu.
Wang Pu didn't know what to say. Moved to tears, he said, "My brothers, you've yielded such immense credit to me, not even getting involved in the commendations and rewards. This is simply... too selfless. I, Wang Pu... if I rise in stature in the future, I will certainly not let my brothers down."
And so, the two armies parted ways.
The three generals from Gao Family Village led the militia through the Datong military garrison and returned to Shanxi.
Wang Pu, however, escorted over a hundred thousand common folk back to the capital.
Upon his return to the capital, he learned that Minister of War Zhang Fengyi, due to his ineffective pursuit, had been chastised by the Emperor, savagely impeached by the censors, and had committed suicide by poison, fearing punishment.
Wang Pu was speechless.
As he was sighing, a eunuch rushed over, his face filled with urgency, and reported: "General Wang, His Majesty wishes to see you."
Wang Pu quickly cast aside his scattered thoughts, adjusted his attire, and followed the eunuch into the palace. They went directly to the Imperial Study, where Zhu Youjian was waiting with a joyful expression. Upon seeing Wang Pu, he immediately broke into a smile, his mood as buoyant as if he were riding a jet plane.
"My dear Minister Wang! I have been awaiting you for some time." Zhu Youjian continued, "This time, with the Manchus invading the pass, beacons of war lit up everywhere, and I heard nothing but distressing news day in and day out. Only you, with your constant stream of victories, warmed my heart every time I saw your name."
Wang Pu was overjoyed. "Thank you for your immense favor, Your Majesty."
Zhu Youjian declared, "I shall richly reward you! You shall be handsomely rewarded."
Wang Pu demurred, "Well, Your Subject... truthfully, I didn't do much. The Shanxi relief army was truly capable; it was they who..."
Zhu Youjian interrupted him. "You have achieved great merit, yet you wish to share the credit with others, refusing to boast of your accomplishments. Such a quality is truly rare. I am even more pleased with you now."
Wang Pu was speechless.
Zhu Youjian continued, "I shall immediately instruct the Ministry of War to consider your promotion."
Wang Pu was overjoyed. "Many thanks for Your Majesty's immense favor!"
Cao Huachun, standing nearby, interjected awkwardly, "Your Majesty, Minister of War Zhang Fengyi just passed away. The Ministry of War is currently in chaos, so for now... it's impossible to deliberate."
Zhu Youjian exclaimed, "Ah!"
He was momentarily stumped.
Zhu Youjian had no choice but to change his words. "Then you may return and wait a few days, until the Ministry of War can..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a eunuch rushed in from outside, his face filled with urgency, and reported: "Your Majesty, the Nanyang Prefect has reported that Prince of Tang, Zhu Yujian, has organized a relief army of over a thousand men, and has led them out of Nanyang, heading towards the capital."
"What?!" Zhu Youjian roared, furious. "This is outrageous! Is he trying to 'serve the king' or is he rebelling?"
Wang Pu couldn't help but interject, "Er... he's probably trying to 'serve the king,' isn't he? After all, with only a thousand-odd men, it hardly counts as rebellion."
Zhu Youjian glared at him furiously.
Wang Pu jumped in fright and quickly covered his mouth.
Wang Pu's interruption had momentarily broken Zhu Youjian's anger. As his fury subsided and he calmly considered it, Wang Pu was right. What kind of rebellion could a thousand men stage? It seemed this fellow truly intended to "serve the king," not to rebel.
However, a prince leading troops out of his fiefdom was a grave taboo. If such a dangerous precedent were set, wouldn't the entire realm descend into chaos?
This loophole absolutely could not be allowed!
Zhu Youjian turned to the eunuch and commanded, "Draft an edict. Prince of Tang, Zhu Yujian, is to be stripped of his princely status and reduced to commoner. Send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to apprehend him, take him to Fengyang for proper 'reeducation,' and enthrone his brother, Zhu Yuzhen, as the new Prince of Tang."
Cao Huachun hastily began grinding ink...
Wang Pu stood to the side, watching like a dumbfounded fool, his heart heavy with complex emotions.
Zhu Youjian was likely beside himself with anger, and for a long moment, he'd completely forgotten about Wang Pu. Only when his fit of pique passed did he notice the military general still standing before him. He waved a hand and said, "My dear Minister Wang, you may return and await your reassignment. Once the Ministry of War is able to function, your promotion will be processed."
Wang Pu bowed his thanks and withdrew.
As he exited the Imperial Palace, the joy he had felt upon entering to receive his reward had long vanished. All he could think was: "No wonder the Shanxi relief army was unwilling to claim this credit, insisting I take it all. It seems 'serving the king' is a dangerous task, and if one missteps, who knows what fate awaits them."
For some, if they wished to serve the nation, it was better to do so covertly, without the Emperor's knowledge.
Alas!
Wang Pu strode out of the capital and returned to Datong.
That evening...
In Xi'an, on the large screen at Market Square Intersection, Gaojia News was playing.
Zhu Cunji, as usual, was already in his spot.
"Today, our war correspondent Zhou Daya brings you news from Henan," Gao Yiye said with a faint smile. "Now, we turn the camera to Henan."
As the scene shifted, the beautiful face of former courtesan Zhou Daya appeared on screen. She was actually standing on a battlefield, with countless people fighting behind her.
Zhou Daya smiled faintly. "The two armies clashing behind me, one is the bandit army led by Meng Hu and Du Hu, the other is the relief army led by the Prince of Tang, Zhu Yujian. Zhu Yujian personally funded and organized a Prince of Tang Guard of over a thousand men, preparing to march to the capital to resist the Manchus. His courage is commendable."
Upon seeing this, Zhu Cunji let out a cry of "Ah!" and jumped to his feet, pointing at the screen. "He... he... he doesn't want to live anymore?!"
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