Chapter 421 Huang Degong's Choice
Zhao Xiaofei received a report from Shi Lang that Hetuala had been surrounded. Oboi and the young emperor were surrounded in the city to ensure that they could not escape.
Putting down the military newspaper, Zhao Xiaofei said to his elder brother, "It's finally almost over! I'm going to take a small group of soldiers back to the capital."
"Don't worry! I will handle the follow-up matters! But remember, be careful in everything. Don't think that the capital is safe!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"I understand, big brother!" Zhao Xiaofei said this, but he didn't take it seriously.
Outside Shenyang City, Zhao Xiaofei glanced back at the ruined city before turning around and riding away. A large group of cavalry followed closely behind him, marching back in a mighty procession.
As for personally capturing the young Emperor Shunzhi? He had no interest in that. Besides, what was his current status? As the only prince of a different surname in the Ming Dynasty, if he really achieved such a great achievement, the court would not know how to reward him.
Although he and Kunxing now had the final say in the court, and the Ming Dynasty was almost becoming a husband-and-wife shop, he still wanted to maintain his reputation, and he didn't want to embarrass Princess Kunxing. So he tried not to claim any more merits. He had already submitted a memorial to the court, saying that he was unwell and needed to return to the court to recuperate.
The memorial was submitted, and there was no reason not to approve it. Princess Kunxing was so nervous that she sent people to the Liaodong front to inquire overnight.
Zhao Xiaofei secretly sent a message to Kunxing, saying that nothing was wrong, but he felt that the matter was settled and he missed his wife and children. He just wanted to go home, he was so willful.
Kunxing sat in Kunning Palace, reading Zhao Xiaofei's letter, feeling both amused and annoyed. But thinking about it, she was still quite happy. Her husband had no ambitions and knew when to advance and retreat, which made it easier for her to talk to him in the court.
Jiang Xiaomei came in, bowed, and said, "Princess, Yang Tianhe and the others have escaped. Ni Yuanlu committed suicide!"
"Where did Yang Tian and the others go?" asked Princess Kunxing.
"Nanjing! Zhang Huangyan, Shi Kefa and others sent people to pick him up! They should be meeting now!" Jiang Xiaomei said.
"Tell Li Zichu to keep a close eye on the armies of Huang Degong and Gao Jie. I don't want all our efforts in the Northern Expedition to go to waste at this time!" Princess Kunxing said.
"Then should we ask the prince not to come back for the time being?" Jiang Xiaomei said.
"No! I have to remind my eldest brother to be careful!" said Princess Kunxing.
"Yes! I'll do it right away!" Jiang Xiaomei said and prepared to leave.
Princess Kunxing shouted, "Don't rush to leave. There's no rush. You and the prince grew up together. Tell me what he was like in the past!"
"Your Highness, our relationship with my brother the prince has ended a long time ago. It's not appropriate to mention it in front of you!" Jiang Xiaomei said with a changed expression.
"It's nothing, actually. I envy you ordinary people. I was born and raised in the palace. I don't know the life of the common people, let alone what the life of the common people will be like hundreds of years later. I also once hoped that my husband would be someone I grew up with. How wonderful it would be for two people to be childhood sweethearts!" said Princess Kunxing.
"So what? The right thing to do is to cherish the people in front of you! He and I have been childhood sweethearts, but we are not together. It's better not to have all this." Jiang Xiaomei sighed.
"Since you don't want to talk about it, just go and get busy!" Princess Kunxing said.
Jiang Xiaomei left in a hurry. Princess Kunxing looked at her back and breathed a deep breath.
After Zhao Xiaofei left Shenyang City, he felt like he was running wildly. He wanted to travel back to the Shenyang Forbidden City and then fly back to Beijing. But after thinking about it, he decided to give up! This is too abnormal!
After more than half a month's journey, the capital finally came within sight. Just then, news of victory arrived from the front lines. Oboi had committed suicide, Shunzhi had been captured, and Bumbutai had also been captured. Prisoner carts were being prepared to transport them to the capital.
There were few Han Chinese living near Hetuala. Shi Lang, Kong Youde, Geng Jingzhong, Shang Zhixin, and Wu Sangui recklessly fired into the city. Hot air balloons from the sky continuously dropped incendiary bombs, and Hetuala was engulfed in flames.
Oboi couldn't stand it anymore. Instead of being burned to death in a cowardice, he would rather rush out with his soldiers and have a good fight.
So Oboi rushed out with the last of his elite troops. He knew that he would die if he went out. But he still chose to die in battle. He wanted to die with dignity. He knew that the Qing Dynasty was doomed and no one could save it.
Before Aobai could see the enemy, he was knocked off his horse by a cannonball. At the same time, incendiary bombs from the sky fell and disappeared in the sea of fire in an instant.
Oboi opened the city gate, and the Ming army took the opportunity to rush in and began their burning, killing and looting.
Bumbutai hugged her son Fulin and shivered in the corner. Fulin, with his broken leg, was easy to recognize. The mother and son were quickly recognized.
The mother and son were dragged out of the house by the Ming army like dead dogs. The troops who captured them were none other than Huang Degong and Gao Jie's men.
The report directly stated that the two of them jointly captured the young emperor and the empress dowager of the Later Jin Dynasty. As for how the two discussed and divided the credit, no one knew.
Moreover, Huang Degong and Gao Jie transferred all their trusted troops to protect them and their son, so it was difficult for Shi Lang to see Fulin and Bumbutai.
Shi Lang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal your credit. Your victory reports have already been sent to the capital. I wrote this in front of you, and I'm sure you all understand!"
"Excuse me, Marshal. You can go in alone, and the others can only wait outside." Huang Degong said.
"Okay!" Shi Lang said. He thought to himself: You're courting death. What's the difference between your actions today and those of the warlords? Sooner or later, I'll deal with you.
"Okay! Please!" said Huang Degong.
Shi Lang went in just to see if it was real or not. He wanted to verify his identity.
Just after Shi Lang left, Huang Degong's personal guard came in and handed him a letter.
The letter was a farewell letter written by Ni Yuanlu, telling him that Princess Kunxing was going to be the empress and hoping that he would send troops to purge the court for the sake of justice.
Huang Degong hesitated now. This was different from before. Although he had little education, he also understood that the country was about to be stabilized and the people were just beginning to see hope. If he started fighting again, even if he supported the Zhu family, he would become a historical sinner.
Moreover, now that he has made great contributions, it is very likely that he will be granted the title of king of a different surname like Zhao Xiaofei.
Gao Jie also received Ni Yuanlu's suicide letter, with similar contents. However, Gao Jie immediately handed the letter to Shi Lang, who immediately ordered the entire army to strictly guard the barracks.
On the surface, no one could see anything different, so Gao Jie went to Shi Lang's tent in person.
Gao Jie knelt on the ground and saluted Shi Lang, saying, "Master Shi, I have absolutely no intention of rebelling!"
"Really? Then prove it to me!" At this time, a voice came from behind Shi Lang.
Gao Jie looked up and saw that it was Zhao Xiaokun. He shouted, "Commander-in-Chief!"
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