Chongzhen Emperor (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Fu Cangsong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: At the fifth drum of dawn, it was already the 19th day of the third month in the Jia Shen year. Emperor Chongzhen and Wang Cheng'en walked one after the other in the dark, bypassing layer upon layer of palaces and avoiding group after group of people, finally passing through the Imperial Garden and escaping through the Xuanwu Gate, heading straight for the Coal Hill. Upon reaching the front of the Shouhuang Pavilion, he looked around and saw that the sky over the capital was already half illuminated by the red glow of firecrackers of all sizes. In the distance, the rumble of cannons still came occasionally, while near Zhengyang Gate and Chengtian Gate, there was a constant din of chaos and noise. The white lanterns of the nine gates of the capital flickered faintly, and along Tian Street, there was a continuous sound of wailing from men and women. Inside the Forbidden City, it was equally in turmoil. At this sight, Emperor Chongzhen could not help but sigh to the heavens: "I am talentless and unworthy, unable to govern the world, only to suffer my people. How can I face my ancestors with such a face?" With that, he could not stop his tears. After a moment, his mind somewhat settled, he unbuckled the yellow silk sash at his waist and hesitantly tied it into a knot. Then he turned to Wang Cheng'en and said, "You have served the emperor for so long. Today, you must once again labor to see the emperor off. Quickly, tie this sash to that tree for me!" Wang Cheng'en was instantly greatly startled: "Your Majesty, this is not right! Why would Your Majesty do this? I am willing to help Your Majesty escape the palace and hide in the civilian world for a few days, then consider raising an army to avenge the nation. It is not too late!" Emperor Chongzhen's demeanor was so calm. After hearing Wang Cheng'en's words, he simply stared tearfully at the vast sky, which had already begun to show the pale light of dawn, and said solemnly: "How can an emperor flee for his life? The country is already lost, and how can a dignified emperor face the officials and generals? You need not speak further. The emperor has made up his mind. Quickly go. If you delay any longer, the enemy troops will arrive, and it will be a great shame for the emperor to be humiliated by them." Wang Cheng'en's tears fell like rain, yet he still hesitated to act. Seeing this, Emperor Chongzhen said again: "I have always regarded you as a trusted confidant. Have I ever betrayed you? At this critical moment, why are you unwilling to help me? Why do you want to betray me and let me be humiliated by the enemy?" Forced to do so, Wang Cheng'en reluctantly walked to a locust tree not far from the Shouhuang Pavilion, tied the yellow silk sash to a branch, and then knelt, weeping bitterly. Emperor Chongzhen walked slowly to his side, saw the sash fluttering in the wind, paused, and with tears streaming down his face, silently climbed onto Wang Cheng'en's back. He looked once more at the vast, boundless sky, filled with infinite longing and regret for the world, life, history, and the magnificent Ming Dynasty, one hand gripping a branch and the other holding his dragon robe. Slowly, he extended his neck into the yellow sash. Wang Cheng'en felt his body suddenly grow heavy and collapsed to the ground. How pityful, the great Ming emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, who had ruled the empire for seventeen years, had his life instantly extinguished in the vast void of history, his soul drifting away with the wind. Wang Cheng'en, lying on the ground, slowly got up. Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was dead, he fell to the ground and wailed. After a while, he stopped crying, and the sounds of swords and armor and the wails of men and women continued to drift into his ears with the wind. He