When brothers meet, they are especially cordial.

The two first looked at each other, and then asked about each other's well-being.

Zhu Cizhuo saw that Zhu Cihong was a little unhappy, and asked, "You should be happy after winning the battle, why are you unhappy, third brother?"

Zhu Cijiong sighed, "Alas, although we won the battle, my brother is nowhere to be found. There is nothing to be happy about."

Zhu Ci Zhao lowered his voice and said, "I heard from the caravan that my elder brother took a ship to the South Seas."

Zhu Cijiong suddenly shuddered and asked in a low voice, "Where did you hear this news?"

"That's what the caravans coming from the south say."

Zhu Cijiong thought about it, patted Zhu Cizhao on the shoulder and assured him: "Don't worry, I will definitely find my brother."

Zhu Cizhuo nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll wait for your good news."

Zhu Cixiong pointed at the people behind him: "These people..."

Zhu Ci Zhao waved his hand and ordered, "Everyone come over to meet my third brother."

A group of Mongolian brothers came forward, saluted, and introduced themselves.

Zhu Cijiong did not look down on them, but greeted them one by one.

After greeting the last Mongolian, Zhu Cixiong asked with concern: "Are you all used to living in the capital?"

One person answered: "Very good."

Another person replied: "I am too used to it. The capital has everything you need. It is much better than the barren grassland."

Zhu Cijiong asked again: "Is everyone's family all right?"

"good."

"good."

"Not very good."

"Oh?" Zhu Cijiong looked at the Mongolian who said nothing good: "Which tribe are you from? What happened at home?"

The Mongolian replied: "Your Highness, I am from the Ordos tribe. Our tribe borders the Khoshut tribe. Recently, the Khoshut people have been encroaching on our pastures and snatching water from us."

Zhu Cixiong frowned and asked, "As far as I know, the Khoshut tribe is a branch tribe of the Oirat tribe. They have been grazing in the west. Why are they suddenly competing with you for pasture? Did a natural disaster happen there?"

"It's not a natural disaster, it's a man-made disaster! Our tribe had a fight with the Khoshut tribe, and both sides suffered casualties. According to the captives, they migrated eastward because they were attacked by the Dzungar tribe, which also belonged to the Oirat Mongols."

Li Dingguo, who was standing next to him, became interested and asked, "Who is the leader of the Junggar tribe?"

"The old leader was called Heduo Heqin, and he died of illness two years ago. He had eleven sons, and before he died he passed the position of leader to his fifth son, Sengge. But his eldest and second sons were dissatisfied, and joined others to challenge Sengge."

"Now the two sides are fighting fiercely, and the Khoshut tribe bordering them has also suffered and has had to migrate eastward to avoid the war."

(The Khoshut tribe had three branches, one in Qinghai, one in Tibet, and one following the Torghut tribe to the lower reaches of the Volga River. The Khoshut tribe here refers to the Qinghai branch.)

Li Dingguo suddenly realized: "This Junggar tribe is quite difficult to deal with, right? Otherwise, the Khoshut tribe would not have migrated so easily."

The Mongols replied: "Yes, the Dzungars defeated the Russians (Tsarist Russia) in the area of the Irtysh River. There was a salt well there. The Russians needed the salt well but could not defeat the Dzungars, so they cooperated with the Dzungars in the form of trade to mine salt."

"The Junggars, who don't know how to make firearms, obtained a large number of firearms from the Luosha. They are good at riding and shooting, and their combat power has been greatly improved after they have firearms. They are very difficult to deal with."

Li Dingguo's expression was solemn: "It's really difficult!"

Zhu Cixiong did not take the Dzungar tribe seriously at first.

However, after hearing Li Dingguo's evaluation of the Dzungar tribe, he realized how powerful the other side was.

But he didn't think too much about it. After all, it was not his turn to worry about such things.

After walking for a while, the team arrived outside Anding Gate.

The team welcoming their triumphant return had been waiting outside the city for a long time.

The welcoming ceremony ended and the team set off again.

Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong was in front.

Prince Yong Zhu Cizhao is on the left and Li Dingguo is on the right.

The main force stayed outside the city, with more than a hundred personal soldiers following behind.

They passed through the Andingmen gate and entered Wengcheng.

The first thing that catches your eye is the Zhenwu Temple.

There are nine gates in the inner city of the capital.

Eight of the city gates have Guandi Temples built inside their barbican walls, but only Anding Gate has a Zhenwu Temple built inside it.

The specific reason is no longer available.

Zhu Cijiong and Li Dingguo dismounted and entered the temple to worship.

After the worship, the team set off again.

After passing through the gate of Wengcheng, Li Dingguo, who had seen countless grand scenes, was still shocked by the scene before him.

People follow the crowd??...

Everywhere I looked, I saw people.

Because there were too many people, the road was blocked.

In order to keep the road open, the Wucheng Bingmasi and the Beijing Camp soldiers worked together to form a human wall to open a road.

Zhu Cijiong coughed lightly, calmed himself and urged his horse forward.

Li Dingguo also coughed lightly and followed.

Amid the cheers of the people lining the streets, Zhu Cijiong and Li Dingguo arrived outside the imperial city.

Zhu Cixiong entered the imperial city to report to Chongzhen.

Li Dingguo temporarily lived in a temple outside the imperial city.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Zhu Cijiong fell to his knees with a thud, and said in tears: "I am guilty, please punish me, father."

Chongzhen put his hands behind his back, looked quietly at the ceiling of the hall, without saying a word.

After a long time, he slowly said, "Is your elder brother really missing?"

Seeing that he was under suspicion, Zhu Cijiong immediately raised his head and said, "I will never kill my brother! The last person to see my elder brother was Ni Yuanlu. There were many others who saw him before him. I have already sent them to the capital and handed them over to my father."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!