on the contrary.
He trusted many people, especially Yuan Chonghuan.
At that time, his attitude towards Yuan Chonghuan was that he had enough money and could choose any person he wanted.
As a result, the Eight Banners Army, which had never set foot in the Central Plains, arrived at the gates of the capital in the second year after he ascended the throne.
The bloody reality and painful lessons not only changed Chongzhen's character drastically, but also laid the seeds of disaster for the future of the Ming Dynasty.
As the figures flickered, Chongzhen's consciousness began to blur.
Just when his consciousness was about to fall asleep, he was awakened by the voices of "Your Majesty".
Chongzhen slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
It's already dawn outside the window.
There were several people standing in front of him.
The person closest to him is Wang Chengen.
On the left are Crown Prince Zhu Cijiong and Cabinet Chief Minister Qiu Yu.
On the right are Empress Zhou and Prince Yong Zhu Cizhao.
They had tears on their faces and looked very sad.
Chongzhen stared into Zhu Cijiong's eyes without saying a word.
Zhu Cijiong opened his mouth to speak, but swallowed the words back.
The cabinet chief Qiu Yu reminded: "It's already this late, Your Highness, just ask whatever you want to ask..."
Zhu Cijiong calmed down, knelt in front of Chongzhen, and whispered with courage: "Father, I heard that my elder brother is not missing..."
Chongzhen's mouth curled up slightly: "Yes, he is indeed not missing."
Zhu Cijiong's body shook uncontrollably.
This is both good news and bad news.
The good news is that his eldest brother is not missing.
The bad news is that his elder brother is not missing...
Zhu Cijiong took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, then lowered his head and asked, "Excuse me, father, where is my elder brother now?"
Chongzhen looked at Empress Zhou and spoke weakly and slowly: "Ask your mother later. I have already told her the clues I know."
Zhu Cijiong also looked at Queen Zhou, asking with his eyes whether the matter was true or not.
After receiving the affirmative look from Empress Zhou, Zhu Cijiong continued to ask, "Please tell me, father, after I find my elder brother, should I give up the throne?"
"Hmph," Chongzhen snorted coldly.
If Zhu Cijiong really wanted to give up the throne, he would not need to ask for permission and could just abdicate directly.
He did this simply to silence the public through his oral instructions.
Chongzhen's eyes swept over Zhu Cijiong.
Zhu Cijiong quickly lowered his head and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Chongzhen's gaze did not linger, sweeping across everyone one by one, as if he could see through everyone's heart.
He saw ambition and scheming on Zhu Cijiong's face.
Worry and sadness were seen on Queen Zhou's face.
I saw prudence and diligence in the cabinet chief, Qiu Yu.
I saw loyalty and sincerity in Wang Chengen.
He was very satisfied.
Everyone present showed the right qualities.
Especially Zhu Cijiong.
Only ambitious people can become emperors.
Only a scheming emperor can compete with his court officials in wits and courage.
Chongzhen withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhu Cijiong again.
He used up his last bit of strength and answered Zhu Cijiong's question with a sneer: "Oh, only God knows."
After saying this, Chongzhen closed his eyes.
On the tenth day of the third month of the thirty-fourth year of Chongzhen, the Ming Emperor Chongzhen passed away in the Qianqing Palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
