Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 481: Long Live

After Meng Bian was repeatedly saved by Yongli's carefully designed killing moves, he began to suspect that the people hired by Qingluan Guard were too useless and were discovered by Yongli. Otherwise, how could he have escaped twice in a row before Qingluan Guard took action?

Outside the city of Yongchang, Emperor Yongli did not flee too hastily this time. After all, there was no enemy army chasing him. After leaving the city, he sent people back to pick up the two Empress Dowagers, the Queen and the Crown Prince, and informed all the ministers of the news that the emperor was about to inspect Myanmar.

Yongli had a premonition that if he told his subjects everything before leaving the palace, he might not be able to leave.

When Queen Mother Wang saw Yongli, she asked, "Does the Emperor want to abandon his mother and leave?"

Yongli whispered, "I'm afraid there will be thieves trying to stop us. Please don't blame me, mother!"

In fact, the Queen Mother Wang did not agree with Yongli's decision to flee south to Burma. Although the Queen Mother Wang did not appear in history, she was quite wise.

After Emperor Longwu committed suicide, the country was without a ruler. Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi Ding Kuichu, Governor of Guangxi Qu Shisi, Inspector Wang Huacheng and other civil officials came to the Prince of Gui's Mansion. Their purpose was to welcome and enthrone Prince of Gui Zhu Youlang.

Zhu Youlang declined the crown that fell from the sky. Generally speaking, this refusal was required by etiquette. However, his mother Wang said at the time that she was worried about this overwhelming wealth. Wang said: "Prince Gui grew up in the deep palace and is not familiar with civil affairs. He is kind and kind, not a talent for resolving chaos. Gentlemen, please choose someone who is capable for the sake of the clan and the country."

No one knows a son better than his mother. In Wang's view, her son, who was in his twenties, was born in the deep palace, raised by women, had a weak character and had no understanding of the dangers of the world. At this time of chaos in the world, what was needed was a strong and heroic leader who had the courage to restore order. Her son really did not have such qualities.

According to what Queen Mother Wang was thinking, Meng Jun had already conquered the world, and he had driven out the Jian Nu in an upright manner, rising from humble beginnings. His foundation was solid, and he had not received any help from the Ming court. Even if Meng Jun considered his own reputation, he would not harm his son. But since her son had made such a decision, Queen Mother Wang could only follow him.

Emperor Yongli fled the country and into Burma, and some of his ministers who followed him were gone. Upon hearing the news, Li Dingguo was greatly disappointed, but he didn't know what to say. Not only Li Dingguo, but even his subordinates felt disheartened.

What's more, now they are no longer fighting for clothing and the Han Dynasty. These former members of the Western Army are no longer willing to die for such a cowardly emperor.

Ten days after Yongli fled, Lin Shiqi led his troops to Kunming, and Li Dingguo led his troops to surrender. He said: "I fought hard, hoping to restore the Han ancestral temple and recover China, but I am too old to take on the heavy responsibility. Now the world has changed, the King of Zhou has recovered the country, but I am tired and my ambition is gone.

I wish to retire from my military service and return to the fields, to grow old in the fields, and to live a peaceful life as a commoner. I beg the King of Zhou to treat my old subordinates well, so that they can live in peace. "

Li Dingguo's words seemed to be from the bottom of his heart. After listening to them, Lin Shiqi thought for a while and then said, "As for what the King of Jin said, I will write to him. I just hope that the King of Jin can cooperate with the reorganization of his subordinates!"

Li Dingguo led his troops to surrender. Except for the Fujian and Guangdong areas occupied by Li Chengdong and Zheng Chenggong, Zhou flags were raised all over the world within the Great Wall. Looking around the world, the Zhou army had no rivals.

The fifth year of the Yongli reign, 1651 AD, the end of May.

Meng Jun received an urgent report that Yongli had fled to Burma. Meng Jun felt a little emotional. Could it be that history really leads to the same destination? If not, how could it be so strikingly similar? In the past history, Yongli fled to Burma to avoid the Qing army, but now the Qing army has already fled far away, but Yongli still fled to Burma.

Meng Jun felt helpless when facing Yongli's refusal to cooperate with his performance. Meng Jun thought that he had a good reputation, so why didn't Zhu Youlang believe in him? However, although a supporting role was missing, the event would not be impossible.

The news that Yongli had fled to Burma had already spread in the capital, and for a time, civil officials and military generals held many secret discussions.

On the first day of June, at the grand court meeting, Yang En suddenly knelt down and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"

Meng Jun narrowed his eyes slightly. He had already guessed what Yang En was going to say, so he smiled and said, "Whatever you want to say, you can speak freely and frankly!"

Yang En said excitedly: "Since the invasion of the enemy army, the world has been closed off, and the great Chinese nation has been filled with hatred and silence. Fortunately, thanks to the king's benevolence and bravery, you have turned the tide, supported the collapsing building, swept away the barbarian dust, and restored the Central Plains. Now, the four directions are peaceful and people are eager to govern. The destiny lies with you, and who else can it belong to but your king!

Your Majesty is now the popular choice. You should take the initiative, ascend the throne, create a new era, announce it to the four seas, accept the mandate of heaven, and establish the world as the foundation for eternity. We, the ministers, are willing to do our utmost to assist the holy dynasty and join us in this great cause. I hope Your Majesty will not refuse, follow the will of heaven and let the people of the world share in peace and prosperity! "

Yang En's words were so powerful that all the ministers knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor". This time, these civil officials should have discussed privately with the military generals and they should work together at this important moment of the court meeting to persuade them to ascend the throne.

Therefore, in this grand court meeting, even Qian Biao, who was a prominent figure, rarely said anything shocking. Meng Jun glanced at him and saw Qian Biao, who was serious and acted in unison with the other ministers, and shouted, "We implore the king to ascend the throne and be crowned emperor to calm the people's hearts!"

Ever since Meng Jun captured Beijing, controlled Shanhaiguan, and occupied the entire north, ministers have successively written letters to the emperor to veiledly persuade him to ascend the throne. However, there have been two truly large-scale persuasions. One was when military men spontaneously persuaded him to ascend the throne, and the other was when Lu Zhenfei and other civil officials collected auspicious signs and then wrote letters to persuade him to ascend the throne.

But both times, Meng Jun refused. This was the way it had been in every dynasty. He agreed as soon as he was persuaded, which seemed too impatient. Meng Jun did not want to be original. He just followed the golden mean and went with the flow.

For a moment, everyone in the court shouted in unison: "We implore the king to ascend the throne."

Outside the palace, the guards standing on both sides, as well as the palace defense team, knelt on one knee one after another and shouted loudly: "Long live the king, long live the king, long, long live the king!"

The grand voice went straight up into the sky and echoed in the Forbidden City.

Yang En shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, this is what the people want. Please follow the will of heaven and ascend the throne to be the emperor!"

Seeing this, Meng Jun looked around at his ministers and nodded gently: "The people's will is what the king wants, but the new dynasty has been established, the country's name, the official system, and all the affairs of becoming emperor need to be prepared, don't rush!"

Yang En immediately shouted, "We will obey your orders!"

In the Forbidden City, the sound of cheers of "Long live the emperor" was heard continuously.

When the people in the city heard the shouts of "Long live the emperor", they could not help but stop and listen. Passersby looked at each other, and they all felt that a new era, a new dynasty, and a new empire were about to come!