More than a dozen guards with sabers were eyeing Jiang Feng from the side. They were afraid that Jiang Feng would run away. Each of them held a shiny embroidered spring saber and was on full alert.
The Little Ice Age had arrived. The end of Ming Dynasty was truly a tragedy. It was already early spring, and Jiang Feng was shivering from the cold.
In the pitch-black surroundings, there were not many candlelight spots. Withered trees were stuck in the courtyard like pillars.
After Empress Zhang changed her clothes, she came out with a few palace maids. She shot Jiang Feng a vigilant glance and turned to leave.
A few eunuchs were holding lanterns in front of them, and guards with sabers surrounded Jiang Feng. The group of people rushed to the front bedroom in a hurry.
The deep palace courtyard was really cold!
This year was the thirteenth year of Chongzhen.
It was also the most bitter year.
Seven consecutive years of drought, plagues broke out in the northwest, northeast, and many other places. Famine and drought caused the people to suffer and the people to suffer.
Gao Yingxiang, the great rebel in the northwest, was dead, but Luo Rucai, Li Zicheng, and Zhang Xianzhong were still wreaking havoc in the country.
Manchu Nurhachi was dead, and now Huang Taiji was in power. Yuan Chonghuan was dead, and there were only a few generals left in the Northeast.
To put it bluntly, there were still four years before the Great Ming Dynasty was destroyed.
The twenty-nine-year-old Chongzhen looked like he was in his forties or fifties. He didn't even know how many days he hadn't slept well.
Memorials from all over the country came like hail. The Donglin Party controlled the government and brought disaster to the country and the people. The Ming Dynasty's fate was over. Chongzhen really had no one to use.
Palace of Heavenly Purity, Imperial Study.
Master, it's time to rest."
Eunuch Wang Chengen bent over and came in from outside.""You have to take care of your dragon body."
"I'm afraid it's already the third watch?"
Chongzhen slowly put down the memorial and rubbed his sore eyes. Just as he was about to stand up, his eyes went black and his body went soft. He almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Wang Chengen quickly supported him."Master, you have to be careful!"
"It's fine. I'm just a little tired.”
Chong Zhen shook his head and stood up."Now that the people are filled with resentment, do you think this one…is this emperor really incompetent?”
"Master, you work hard for the country day and night. This servant has seen it all…"
"Your Majesty, Empress Yi 'an is here!"
Eunuch Wang Chengen hadn't finished speaking when another eunuch's report came from outside the door, making Chongzhen stunned.""Why is Imperial Sister-in-law here in the middle of the night? What's the matter?"
The eunuch walked in submissively and lowered his head.""It is said that Empress Yi 'an brought a person who can resolve the master's worries.”
"Relieve my worries?"
Chong Zhen immediately thought it was a joke and shook his head."Let Imperial Sister-in-law come in first. It's cold outside.”
"Yes, this servant will report it now."
Zhang Yan and the others arrived very quickly. They seemed to have concealed the fact that they had been peeked at while bathing. They did not tell Chongzhen. A group of people came in from outside. After bowing, they took their seats one after another.
Of course, Jiang Feng was standing.
After the introduction, Chong Zhen's originally dim and lifeless eyes fell on Jiang Feng, full of suspicion. He sized him up a few times and said,"Zhen doesn't care where you came from. What you said just now, is it true that you have a plan to save Zhen Ming?”
"Your Majesty, it's true."
Jiang Feng had already thrown caution to the wind. He was neither servile nor overbearing, and his expression was calm." Now that the Ming Dynasty is in danger, the rebels are everywhere, and the Manchu Steel Cavalry is eyeing them covetously, the most urgent matter is for His Majesty to stabilize the people's hearts, provide relief, and eliminate the plague…"
"How can I not know such nonsense?”
Chong Zhen laughed coldly and said unhappily,"To stabilize the hearts of the people, we need to open up the granary. However, the Ming Dynasty's treasury is empty and there is no one in the army to use. Your tens of thousands of dans of grain is just a drop in the bucket.”
"Your Majesty, no."
Jiang Feng had an unfathomable look on his face as he smiled."This commoner's grain is only tens of thousands of dan, but it's the best quality rice and flour that the Great Ming Dynasty has never had before. Your Majesty can use trustworthy people to announce to the world that those who are willing to submit to the Ming Dynasty will be provided with three meals a day by the court. At the same time, this commoner has offered His Majesty an irrigation plan to solve the famine and drought. How can the people not be willing to accept it?”
"Since that's the case, zhen would like to see where your tens of thousands of dans of grain are?”
Chong Zhen no longer had the confidence to listen. Thirteen years of hard work had long worn down his mind, and his headstrong personality had not changed.
"Your Majesty, most of the food is along the coast. I only brought a small portion and hid it outside the capital. If Your Majesty agrees, I will immediately retrieve it and present it to Your Majesty for verification.”
Jiang Feng still sympathized with Chongzhen. This tragic emperor had worked so hard but still couldn't save Da Ming.
"How many?" Chong Zhen asked coldly.
"There are a few hundred catties outside the city."
Before Jiang Feng could finish his sentence, everyone's faces changed. Wasn't this just fooling people? Then he added," Although there isn't much food, I brought something for Your Majesty. I'll tell you when I get it back."”
"Good! I order you to retrieve it immediately."
Chongzhen could not wait any longer. He waved his hand and said,"Men, quickly follow this person to the outside of the city and retrieve the food. If you dare to deceive the emperor, you will be killed immediately. There is no need to send him to the Supreme Court.”
"Understood!"
The guard with a saber cupped his fists and agreed without thinking. Jiang Feng felt a chill on his neck. Before he could say anything, he was dragged away.
Before he left, he looked at Zhang Yan with a lingering look in his eyes, as if he was reluctant to part with her. This made Empress Zhang feel a little embarrassed and secretly annoyed.
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