Chongzhen Sunset Song

? The seventh year of Chongzhen was a year of unrest.

The peasant uprising, which had always been a headache for Chongzhen, experienced a dramatic twists and turns during the year.At this time, the new strategy led to repeated suppression by the government and the army, and the peasant army was once driven into a desperate situation; at that time, the old tricks brought the peasant army back to life, and the government and army retreated steadily for a while.In a rage, Chongzhen appointed iron-handed general Hong Chengchou as the governor of the five provinces, and mobilized one hundred thousand troops to stamp out the flames of war that were burning all over the Central Plains one by one.Peasant armies from all over the country were no match for the menacing encirclement and suppression, and were forced to close to Luoyang one after another.As the year draws to a close, the north wind is bitter and the cold is bitter. Everyone knows the desperate rebels. In just a few days, the government and troops from all directions will swarm in, and the siege will be formed in an instant.And the rebellion fighters who fought more and more bravely during the Vietnam War also believed that the complete eradication of the rebellion was finally just around the corner, and the peasant army, who was once again in a desperate situation, would have no way out this time...

……

emperor! !

……

What! !What did you say! !

……

Li Zicheng! ! ...

……

However, the unexpected battle of trapped beasts made Chongzhen's eight years destined to be an even more turbulent year.

一

In the eighth year of Chongzhen, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

At the time of the annual Lantern Festival, the streets and alleys of the capital are decorated with lights and festoons, full of joy.In this city of Beijing, Dengshikou Street in the east of several cities is the busiest.Here are hung high and low the most beautiful lanterns in the capital, birds, animals, figures, flowers and plants, everything that one expects to find.The roadside peddlers hawked their wares loudly, causing many passers-by to stop, but unexpectedly, a dragon lantern was played on that side, accompanied by eye-catching fireworks, which easily captured people's attention.The children rushed forward to watch, clapping and laughing.The faucet turned over and threw a gorgeous fireball, which aroused the crowd to exclaim, and the young people clapped their hands in haste, applauding one after another.Beautiful women, young men with brocade and jade hats, children holding candied haws, and old men with hunched backs, all bathed in the warm and harmonious festive atmosphere, pointing and laughing, the whole street is bustling, A festive and prosperous scene.

Chongzhen and Xizhao also boarded the archery tower in the northeast corner of the imperial city, overlooking the elaborately decorated capital.The lights are continuous, as if the sky is full of stars, and the brightly lit Dengshikou is just like the winding and bright Milky Way in the starry sky, reflecting the deep night with a slight blush.Singing voices came from nowhere, mixed together far and near to tease the eardrums, and when I was about to listen carefully, a burst of fireworks exploded, covering up the singing voices that were already indistinct.

"Sometimes I really can't tell which one is an illusion, the peaceful singing and dancing in front of me, or the chaotic war thousands of miles away." Chongzhen stood on the watchtower, watching the fireworks blooming in the sky not far away, and sighed faintly.

"Back to the emperor, none of them." Xizhao took the cloak handed over by the little eunuch and carefully put it on for Chongzhen, "War is inevitable, but this scene of peace must be God's hard work to the emperor every day." Respond."

"You...you just like to say nice things to coax me." Chongzhen blamed, but there was a clear smile on the corner of his mouth.

"This is not so obedient. What Dexiu said is the truth." Xizhao smiled cleverly, and then said, "Since General Hong took over as the governor of the five provinces, there have been frequent good news and the situation is very good. According to Dexiu, I guess It won't be long before there will be such a peaceful scene inside and outside the capital."

"Hey... I hope it's as you said." Chongzhen pulled up his cloak, let out a soft breath, a cloud of white mist gathered between his lips, and disappeared in an instant.

At this time, there was a sound of light footsteps going up the wooden stairs, and a court lady came up to the archery tower, bent her knees and said, "Your Majesty, the lantern festival is ready, and your empress asks the emperor to move to the Kunning Palace to watch the lanterns."

"Understood. I'll go now."

When Chongzhen and his party came to Kunning Palace, the female relatives had already gathered together, talking and laughing for half a day.Seeing the emperor arriving, everyone quickly stopped joking and fell silent, knelt together.

"Greetings to the emperor." Empress Zhou came forward and said a deep blessing.

"Excuse me." Chongzhen stood still, glanced at the humbly bowing female relatives in front of him, and said in a relaxed tone, "The festive season is rare, so you don't have to be so rigid, just enjoy yourself and enjoy yourself." After finishing speaking, he paced, He also looked at the lamp by himself.

Although the Lantern Festival of Kunning Palace is hard to compare with the grand scene outside the palace, the exquisite lanterns are hung high and low in a well-proportioned way, and they also decorate the red walls and yellow tiles that remain unchanged during the day, which is really beautiful.Empress Zhou led a group of concubines and maidservants to follow behind the emperor, and accompanied them to watch the lanterns.Although the female relatives were still chatting and laughing in low voices, Chongzhen was present, so it was much quieter than before.

"This lamp was made by Concubine Tian, ​​and the beautiful peony picture on it was also painted by Concubine Tian herself." Seeing the emperor's eyes resting on a colorful peony lamp, Queen Zhou explained without losing the opportunity.

"Well, the shape is majestic but not ostentatious, graceful but not flashy, it can be called top-grade." Chongzhen praised.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliment." Concubine Tian, ​​who had a small and exquisite face, pursed her lips and smiled sweetly.

"This vase lamp was made by a concubine." After walking a few steps, Empress Zhou said again.

"Oh?" Chongzhen looked closely, and saw that the lamp was made of tulle, in the shape of a vase with two ears, the whole body was as white as snow, with patterns of swimming fish and bees painted on it.

"This vase lamp entrusts the wishes of the ministers and concubines, and I only hope that the weather will be smooth and the world will be peaceful from now on in Daming."

"Okay, okay, it's hard for you to be so caring, you deserve to be commended." Chongzhen looked at Queen Zhou and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Empress Zhou's almond-shaped eyes were half-lowered, and she was blessed again.

Chongzhen turned his head, and while continuing to watch the lanterns, he said to Xizhao, "Dexiu, before you entered the palace, did you ever go to the lantern market in the east of the city during the Shangyuan Festival?"

"When my father was around, I went there almost every year." Xi Zhao replied.

"Oh? In your opinion, which one is better, the lamps in the palace or the lamps outside?" Chongzhen asked, his eyes staring at the delicate flower-and-bird paintings on the lamp with interest.

"Back to the emperor, although there are many skilled craftsmen outside the palace, how can they compare with the exquisite workmanship of the ladies." Xi Zhao nodded and lowered her eyebrows, answering very respectfully.

Chongzhen smiled slightly, but did not speak.

After admiring one side, turning around, a group of gorgeous lanterns caught everyone's attention.A tender pink lotus with distinct petals rests in the center of the fresh green leaves, surrounded by four bright red koi-shaped lanterns that revolve around the lotus, neither rushing nor stopping, the shape is very ingenious.Chongzhen stepped forward to look carefully, and saw eight small characters written in block letters on the center of the goose yellow flower - more than one year after another, the country is peaceful and the people are safe.

"Who made this lamp?" Chongzhen asked.

"Return to the emperor," Queen Zhou said softly, "This lamp is not made in the palace, it was presented to the emperor when Fengyang mansion came to pay tribute for the New Year a few days ago, I don't know if the emperor likes it or not."

"Fengyang..." Chongzhen read softly.

"Yes." Queen Zhou replied.

"Fengyang is the place where the dragon prospers, and the place where the ancestors sleep. For many years, Fengyang guards have taken on heavy responsibilities, and they have worked hard to protect the city. They should be encouraged more." On a whim, Chongzhen turned to Xizhao and said, "Dexiu , pass on my will, no matter how much the original reward is, an additional [-]% will be allocated to Fengyang."

"Yes." Xi Zhao bowed and bowed in response.Chongzhen nodded and continued admiring the lanterns.In the beautiful scenery of a good day set off by the charming lights, no one would have thought that Chongzhen, Xizhao, Queen Zhou, and the group of concubines would have just stayed in their words for a moment, and they were as peaceful and peaceful as a fish circling a lotus. At this very moment, Fengyang City is splattered with blood, flames are soaring into the sky, echoing with desperate mourning, suffering from the ancient catastrophe that is about to shock the government and the public...

two

The twentieth of the first month.

It was just dawn, and the early morning was not over.This morning seemed to be surprisingly cold. The eunuchs waiting outside the Huangji Hall huddled up, sniffing their noses, waiting for the emperor to come and go in the cold wind.There was no figure of Xi Zhao in this line of eunuchs—the weather was too cold, Xi Zhao had just greeted the gatekeeper and went to Qianqing Palace to fetch some extra clothes for the emperor.

When Xizhao hurriedly arrived at Qianqing Palace, the eunuchs who were in charge of the Zhidian Palace were busy cleaning the palace while the emperor hadn't returned.The work is still the work, but it is not done by them.When Xizhao walked in, the two eunuchs who were unfamiliar greeted Xizhao respectfully, and Xizhao also nodded in return, although he was not arrogant, but he was not very enthusiastic.

"Why is Eunuch Zhang coming back at this time?" Despite Xi Zhao's indifferent attitude, an eunuch still approached him with a smile on his face and approached him.

"Oh, help the emperor..."

Just in the middle of speaking, there was a sudden crackling sound, and a harsh cracking sound came from the South Study Room.The two eunuchs were startled, and hurried to the south study.Xi Zhao also came to the South Study Room, and as soon as he entered the room, he saw the sapphire dragon paperweight commonly used by the emperor fell into two pieces on the ground, and a young eunuch beside him was trembling with fright, his eyes seemed to be about to cry .

"Ouch!" The face of the eunuch who chatted with Xizhao just now changed greatly. After checking the sapphire paperweight, he pointed at the little eunuch's nose and cursed, "You little bastard, you're looking for death! You just fell in a few days! If you bought something used by the emperor, you are going to die!"

"Grandpa, forgive me! Father-in-law, forgive me!" The petrified little eunuch was stunned, knelt down on his knees, kowtowed while crying.

"What's the use of telling me! When the emperor comes back..."

"Hey." Before the conversation was finished, Xi Zhao stretched out his hand and cut off the conversation, "It's understandable that the newcomer's hands and feet are clumsy. Seeing him crying pitifully, it's me who dropped this paperweight, don't Embarrass him."

Seeing Xizhao's words, the cursing eunuch bowed his head and said yes, then turned to the little eunuch and said, "Hurry up and thank Eunuch Zhang for your kindness!"

"Thank you, Eunuch, for your kindness! Thank you, Eunuch, for your kindness!" The little eunuch kowtowed to the sun with snot and tears all over his face.

"Okay, let's go." Xi Zhao waved his hand.

"Yes." Several people saluted and left the South Study Room.

After they retreated, Xi Zhao bent down and picked up the broken paperweight.There was originally a whole dragon carved on this paperweight, but now it was broken into two halves, the dragon was torn apart from the middle down the middle, one end and one tail were separated.The dragon is the symbol of the emperor, this broken... This is not a good omen.Xizhao looked at the two incomplete dragon sculptures in his hands, and felt an ominous premonition inexplicably.Please don't let anything happen to the emperor.Thinking of this, Xi Zhao panicked, hurriedly put away the two pieces of wreckage, went to Xinuan Pavilion to get clothes, and hurried to the Huangji Hall.

three

Back to Huangji Hall, just in time for the emperor to go to court.Xizhao helped the emperor put on thick clothes, and looked around quietly.Nothing changed, all the officials retreated one by one, the emperor's chariot and ceremonial guards were ready, eunuchs, maids, generals, and four tall horses were all quietly waiting for the emperor to drive.Am I overthinking?After getting dressed, Xizhao helped Chongzhen board the chariot, and walked towards Qianqing Palace together in the guard of honor.It's just a matter of chasing after the wind and shadows, so I must be thinking too much.Xizhao comforted herself.But until the chariot stopped at Qianqing Palace, and followed the emperor back to the South Study, Xizhao's heart was still up and down, and he couldn't live.

"It seems that you have something on your mind today."

Hearing the emperor's question suddenly, Xizhao raised his head and saw Chongzhen looking at him suspiciously.

"Ah, no..." Xi Zhao hurriedly denied, but she changed her mind after a flash of thought, "Uh...Actually...when I came to pick up the clothes this morning, I accidentally broke the emperor's sapphire paperweight. Dexiu was afraid. The emperor blamed it, so..."

"Oh, so that's the case." Chongzhen smiled warmly, took off his coat, walked to the dragon case and sat down. "It's just a paperweight, and it's worth your gloom."

"Yes..." Xi Zhao also forced a smile, pursed her lips and thought for a while, and finally said: "It's just... this paperweight..."

"Your Majesty...!! Your Majesty...!!"

Xi Zhao hadn't finished speaking when suddenly a crying voice came from far to near.Xizhao was startled, and Chongzhen hurriedly turned his head and looked out the door, only to see Wang Chengen rushing towards this side, stumbled and broke through the door, his face was tangled with almost despairing sadness, and he knelt down on the ground with a plop.

"emperor……!"

"What's up?!"

"Fengyang Imperial Tomb... was destroyed!!"