Chapter 366: Dialogue with Li Zicheng
The great achievement of capturing Li Zicheng alive and bringing him to Beijing immediately made the court's impeachment of Zhao Xiaofei disappear.
Empress Lu Ling and Princess Kunxing went to the Taimiao on behalf of the emperor to inform the ancestors, and then the emperor summoned cabinet ministers including Ni Yuanlu and Yang Tianhe to discuss who would take over as governor of Shaanxi.
The current imperial court officials were either dead or had been hanged by Empress Dowager Zhou on charges of treason. Those now in power were minor local officials, such as Yang Tianhe, who was merely the magistrate of Yangzhou. Ni Yuanlu, in an effort to build his own power, opposed the people promoted by Zhao Xiaokun and Zhao Xiaofei. He also blocked Feng Dunhou, Chen Mingyu, and Yan Yingyuan from joining the cabinet, arguing that they were not Jinshi (Jinshi) graduates and had never held high office above the rank of governor.
But Zhao Xiaofei didn't care. The people he promoted were all investigated by the Jinyiwei and Neiwei, and they were practical officials. Basically, they were welcomed by others, but they were given all kinds of difficulties when they were evaluated.
Now they have all been recommended by Zhao Xiaofei and Zhao Xiaokun to become prefects and governors. The people in the former enemy-occupied areas and half of the provinces in Jiangnan are their people.
Ni Yuanlu was worried that Zhao Xiaofei was already in charge of the Kenan Army, and if all local officials were to be appointed by them, the Ming Dynasty might really have to change its name to Zhao.
So he tried his best to promote other local officials to compete with the Zhao brothers.
"Ni Qingjia, I think Shaanxi Governor Yan Yingyuan is a good candidate, why did you reject him?" Lu Ling asked.
"To answer your question, Empress Dowager, Yan Yingyuan is now in charge of the government affairs of the capital. If he leaves, who will take care of the capital?" Ni Yuanlu said.
"Chen Mingyu is also fine!" said Princess Kunxing.
"Your Highness, Chen Mingyu is now in charge of the Songjiang Prefecture Maritime Customs and cannot be free." Yang Tianhe said.
Before the two could continue, Ni Yuanlu said, "Feng Dunhou is now the governor of Denglai. He is in charge of the navy construction, which is a major issue at present. He cannot be transferred!"
Princess Kunxing thought to herself: I just want your people to take charge of the overall situation in Shaanxi!
"In that case, who does the Ni family recommend to take charge of the overall situation in Shaanxi?" asked Princess Kunxing.
"I recommend Shi Xianzhi (Shi Kefa) as the governor of Shaanxi!" said Ni Yuanlu.
"Okay! It's approved!" Princess Kunxing said. Lu Ling also nodded.
Shi Kefa had previously inspected Jiangnan and had achieved good results. He executed many officials who violated discipline and confiscated many officials' property, which really cleaned up the Jiangnan officialdom.
"I have another request. Now that the position of Governor of the Grand Canal is vacant, I recommend Zhang Huangyan as the Governor of the Grand Canal!" Yang Tianhe said.
"Zhang Huangyan? What is he doing now?" asked Princess Kunxing.
"He is now in charge of the reconstruction of the six ministries in Nanjing. Now, most of the ministries and local officials are seriously understaffed. Many local officials have either surrendered or resigned from their posts and fled. The court has issued an imperial decree before that such surrendered and fled officials will not be recruited. In addition, there have been no imperial examinations in recent years, so there is now a severe shortage of personnel." Ni Yuanlu said.
"I understand. Let the cabinet draft an edict on this matter!" Lu Ling said.
"Did you approve Prince Li's plan to build a temple for Prince Qin Liangyu of Sichuan? Where will the temple be built?" Princess Kunxing asked.
"It only needs to be built in Chengdu Prefecture. The imperial court does not collect much tax nowadays, so it is impossible to build the Sichuan King Temple in every province." Ni Yuanlu said.
"How are the officials from the Ministry of Rites discussing the matter of Prince Chuan being allowed to be enshrined in the Taimiao?" Princess Kunxing asked.
"I'm afraid this is inappropriate! Since ancient times, there has been no precedent for women to be enshrined in the Taimiao. I'm afraid that people from all walks of life will oppose this. Moreover, the court has already shown great favor by conferring the title of king on Qin Liangyu. If such a generous favor is to be bestowed upon her, I'm afraid that the Qin family and the Ma family will not be able to enjoy it, and it will be detrimental to their descendants." Yang Tianhe said.
"The Prince of Chuan is entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, not to show favor to the Qin and Ma families, but to let the world know about Qin Liangyu's loyalty. Since there is not enough money, we should first allocate some from the treasury. At least one should be built in the capital and Nanjing." Princess Kunxing said.
"Also, the Ministry of Rites will discuss the matter of enshrining him in the Taimiao. We can't let the loyal ministers feel disheartened!" Lu Ling said.
"Yes!" said Ni Yuanlu.
"Okay! Let's stop here today if there's nothing else! News came from the front that the army will be back in three days. Make preparations for the reception. Since it's not convenient for the Queen to leave the palace, I will welcome Prince Li back to the capital on behalf of the Emperor!" Princess Kunxing said.
After Xi'an was captured, Wanshan left 30,000 Kenan troops to garrison Shaanxi, while the White Spear Army led 5,000 men to Beijing. Wanshan led the remaining 80,000 Kenan troops northward, joining the 60,000 troops led by Wu Sangui, Kong Youde, Geng Jingzhong, and Shang Zhixin to garrison Juyongguan and Gubeikou. The Jianlu still controlled the area south of Shanhaiguan and north of Juyongguan.
Wanshan's Kenan Army was actually holding these 60,000 traitor troops hostage to prevent them from rebelling again.
Li Zicheng was taken into a prison car and returned triumphantly with the more than 20,000 soldiers that Zhao Xiaofei had brought out from the capital.
Song Xiance's Niu Jinxing was also put into the prison car, but Liu Zongmin was injured and could not walk to the capital, so he was beheaded on the spot as a public display.
Zhao Xiaofei was so happy that he turned around to look at Li Zicheng in the prison car and said, "Prince Chuang! Did you ever think that you would end up like this?"
"Boy, don't be so complacent! Now that the world is at peace, how can the court let you go? When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked. I think you should have heard of it! Hahahaha!" Li Zicheng said with a smug smile.
"I've heard of it, but I already have a way out. At worst, I can become the king overseas. Do you know why you lost?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"You are relying on the power of firearms. If I had your firearms, I would have taken over the whole world long ago!" said Li Zicheng.
"That makes some sense, but you lost in vision and knowledge. What is the combat strength of the Guanning Army? Don't you have any idea? How did they beat you before? The Jianlu directly crowned themselves king, but what about you? You could have occupied at least half of Jiangbei, but you lost because you were too stingy." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"That bastard Wu Sangui is two-faced. If you use him now, aren't you afraid that he will do the same thing again in the future?" Li Zicheng said.
"Hahahaha! Do you think I can let him go?" Zhao Xiaofei laughed proudly.
"You are so cruel! So ruthless! I am not as far-sighted as you! I want to ask you for a favor, can you agree to it?" Li Zicheng suddenly asked in a low voice.
"You beg me? Did I hear it right?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"My daughter is my only blood, you can take her in as your mistress!" Li Zicheng said.
"Your daughter is not very good-looking, I don't like her. But you can find a farmer for her to marry, so that she can live a good life in the second half of her life!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Thank you!" Tears appeared in Li Zicheng's eyes.
Zhao Xiaofei had already released the captured palace maids and concubines. Zhao Xiaofei was always tolerant of women. They were born in this chaotic world and had no choice. However, Li Zicheng, the so-called crown prince, had already been beheaded.
As for Li Zicheng's daughter, Zhao Xiaofei saw that she had a pointed face and monkey cheeks, and did not look like Li Zicheng at all.
Considering that Li Zicheng had been cuckolded twice, it is estimated that his child might not be her biological child.
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