Late Ming Capitalists Chapter 175: Emperor Chongzhen (Part 1)
Cangzhou in Hebei was now neither in Tang Qi's nor Chongzhen's hands. For this negotiation, Tang Qi withdrew his troops from Cangzhou as a gesture of sincerity. But what Tang Qi hadn't anticipated was that someone who had lived in the inner palace, someone who had never seen a battlefield, would have the courage to come to such a dangerous place.
Emperor Chongzhen now looked like an old man. Over a decade of psychological pressure had made an emperor who should have been middle-aged and well-maintained appear much older. When Tang Yi first laid eyes on Emperor Chongzhen, she was momentarily stunned. Thinking of the efforts and struggles Emperor Chongzhen had made for the fate of the Ming Dynasty and for the renewed prosperity of this nation, a wave of emotion welled up in her heart. As she began to admire Emperor Chongzhen, she no longer wanted to annihilate this tragic emperor. This wasn't a matter of concern for Tang Yi. Rather, she had reached a point where she had enough resources and compassion for others, as well as enough power to not worry about what else Emperor Chongzhen might do.
As Emperor Chongzhen was being beaten by Tang Yi, he also looked at him in the same way. He could not see anything that made Tang Yi special. From all appearances, Tang Yi was just an ordinary person, a young and insignificant person. Now, he was becoming someone who could replace the Ming Dynasty. For a moment, Emperor Chongzhen felt a mixture of emotions and a sense of unease.
"Your Majesty, I truly did not expect you to come in person. I did not come to greet you. I hope your Majesty will forgive me for any inconvenience." Tang Qi had previously served as a minister to Emperor Chongzhen, but now represented the power negotiating with him. Therefore, Tang Qi bowed to the Emperor first, offering him some respect.
Emperor Chongzhen was a strong man and someone who cared about his reputation. However, at this moment, Tang Qi was able to greet him first. Emperor Chongzhen had no choice but to say so. After all, he was currently at a disadvantage. Or rather, he was a loser. Tang Qi, as the victor, did not act arrogantly in front of him. This was already a gesture of respect. Emperor Chongzhen was not a man who could not see straight. On the contrary, he was a man who knew the times. In fact, he saw more clearly than his incompetent ministers. His ministers were extremely incompetent in handling state affairs, but they were all masters at vying for power, which had completely drained Emperor Chongzhen's energy. "Your Highness, you are too polite. I have long heard of your great name, but I have never had the chance to meet you. This rare opportunity has given me the opportunity to come and see you." As an emperor, Emperor Chongzhen could not let go of his status. If the situation had not reached a point of no return, Emperor Chongzhen would not have been polite to Tang Yu.
"Haha. I'm sure Your Majesty will be extremely disappointed after meeting me, Tang. They say that fame is not as good as meeting, and meeting is worse than not meeting. Tang is just an ordinary person, so I'm really disappointed Your Majesty. However, I have always hoped to meet Your Majesty, and today I have finally fulfilled my wish. Your Majesty is the most diligent emperor in history, and the person I admire most. Since Your Majesty is here in person, the negotiations can be postponed for a day. How about I entertain Your Majesty today?" He smiled. In fact, it was impossible for Tang to personally meet with someone like Emperor Chongzhen at the beginning of such a negotiation. Whatever is to be discussed, let my subordinates discuss it first.
Tang Qie said that the Chongzhen Emperor was the most diligent emperor in history. This instilled in the Chongzhen Emperor a slight fondness for Tang Qie. Everyone thought he was a tyrant, but the man who would replace him understood his toil. This sense of understanding diminished the Emperor's hostility toward Tang Qie. Few people in the world could understand his hard work and efforts. Even the ministers under the Chongzhen Emperor didn't understand. Their efforts and dedication not only failed to alleviate the Emperor's problems, but instead constantly created difficulties for their own benefit.
Tang Qi intentionally lowered his profile. Emperor Chongzhen also lowered his own somewhat. They chatted a bit. Neither of them was the type to be eloquent. Finally, Emperor Chongzhen agreed to Tang Qi's invitation. His men quickly prepared the banquet. Tang Qi's army chefs and military workers rode quickly from the Second Forbidden City. Tang Qi's entourage quickly set up a stage outside Cangzhou City.
Seeing the efficiency of Tang Yu's men, Emperor Chongzhen sighed in admiration. He also realized that he had been a bit reckless in coming here this time. Although both armies were twenty miles away from Cangzhou City, it was obvious that if Prince Tang wanted to treat him badly, the other side would be faster than his own in terms of mobilizing the army.
Emperor Chongzhen, realizing this, broke out in a thin layer of sweat. The good prince had no such intentions. Otherwise, the Ming Dynasty would have collapsed immediately.
Due to the rush, the banquet wasn't entirely complete. But compared to what Emperor Chongzhen had eaten in recent years, it was a delicacy from the mountains and seas. Although he had recently gained some money from selling his official titles, he had so many expenses to spend. Therefore, he remained a very poor emperor, his daily diet similar to that of an ordinary family. Seeing Tang Yu prepare such delicacies in such a short time, Emperor Chongzhen felt a mixture of envy and sadness.
He was an emperor, a dignified emperor for 195 years. Yet, his life was not as good as a casual banquet. This reminded him of the stories his daughter, Princess Changping, had told him about her experiences in Southeast Asia. He imagined the wealthy lives of the people there, compared to the poverty of the people under his command. Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but sigh. He knew it well. Gao Yingxiang and his men had rebelled not because they couldn't continue. Emperor Chongzhen was no fool. The memorials submitted by his ministers couldn't truly be hidden from his eyes. He knew this clearly. However, the Ming court represented the interests of these ministers, these ruling groups. No matter how poor those people were, Emperor Chongzhen alone was powerless. Although he was an emperor, he didn't hold all the power in his hands. He lacked the power to make decisions. He alone could not defeat the bureaucrats formed by the entire ruling group. Therefore, even though Emperor Chongzhen had spent all his private funds, he could not bring peace to the Ming Dynasty. Even less could he ensure that the people of the Ming Dynasty could have enough to eat.
The table where Emperor Chongzhen sat was attended only by Tang Chen, Chen Yuxian, and Dayu'er. Originally, it was unacceptable in this era for women to accompany guests at banquets, considered immoral. However, Tang Chen had never been averse to such practices. This time, upon hearing that Emperor Chongzhen had arrived, Chen Yuxian and Dayu'er, who had come to Cangzhou with Tang Chen, insisted on meeting the Ming Emperor. The most distinguished person in the world at this time was undoubtedly Emperor Chongzhen. Whether it was Chen Yu, a Ming Dynasty descendant of the Chen clan, or Dayu'er, a woman of the grasslands, they believed that meeting Emperor Chongzhen was a matter of great joy and honor, especially under the current circumstances.
The Emperor Chongzhen was initially unhappy about the presence of women at the table. He thought it was a sign of contempt from Tang Qi. However, after Tang Qi explained things to him, he realized that Tang Qi had learned from those Westerners that the presence of women meant that he, the Emperor Chongzhen, was a friend. Although the Emperor Chongzhen did not agree with Tang Qi's imitation of Westerners, he was somewhat happy that Tang Qi treated him as a friend. What he did not know was that Tang Qi's explanations were merely a cover-up for his own impolite behavior.
Tang Yu and Emperor Chongzhen sat at a table not far from the stage where the troupe was performing. Watching the unprecedented performance, Emperor Chongzhen felt a wave of emotion. He had toiled so hard as emperor, yet the Ming dynasty remained unsustainable. Meanwhile, Prince Tang, who lived a life of indulgence and indulgence, seemed to have no compassion for his fellow men, yet he ultimately conquered such a vast empire with his bare hands. There was no comparison. Chongzhen considered himself as intelligent as others, yet his master was so ruthless. Despite all his hard work, he ultimately ended up in such a predicament.
Emperor Chongzhen, persuaded by Tang Qi's enthusiastic persuasion, drank several glasses of wine, and a slight intoxication settled over his head. Over the years, Emperor Chongzhen had overworked for the country, his body failing. His spirit and energy were also diminished. A bit tipsy, his thoughts became more fraught. Though they were random thoughts, they were nonetheless about the things that concerned the Emperor the most, and the things that pained him the most. Consequently, a sadness gradually emerged in his eyes. Tang Qi, Chen Xian, and Dayu'er all saw it.
Tang Qie couldn't help but shake his head slightly. He knew the Emperor Chongzhen was already a bit tipsy, so he stopped trying to persuade him to drink. He didn't want to see the Emperor Chongzhen get drunk. The fact that he, an emperor, a dignified and powerful ruler, finally put aside his pride and drank with him was a great honor to Tang Qie, even if it was forced by the situation.
"Your Majesty, why did you come here in person to judge this time?" This was a question that had been on Tang Qi's mind from the beginning. He had just not been able to ask it before. He took advantage of the fact that Emperor Chongzhen was a little tipsy to ask it. He also wanted to steer the subject away.
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