In the last 24 hours of the last years of the Ming Dynasty, the atmosphere in the city of Beijing was like a storm before oppression. The sky was low and cloudy, as if to foreshadow impending doom. At this turning point in history, two events occurred that are still puzzling and strange to future generations.
These two events, which occurred on the eve of the fall of the Ming Dynasty, add a bit of mystery to this era of change and turmoil. They seem to be the mysteries left by history, which are still unsolved today, triggering endless speculation and reflection for future generations. In that turbulent era, these two strange events are like two unsolved keys, hiding secrets to the past.
Prelude: The interweaving of dreams and reality
In the spring of 1644, the peasant army led by Li Zicheng was stationed under the city of Beijing, and the tent was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was tense and heavy. Li Zicheng sat in the tent, his eyes traveled through time and space, returning to the time when he was just a small general. At that time, he followed Gao Yingxiang and was only a member of the rebel army, but now, he has become the king of Chuang who leads tens of thousands of troops.
The generals sitting around him were all in different moods. Some had a desire to fight in their eyes, while others had deep apprehension. Li Zicheng broke the silence, his voice firm and powerful: "We have come to this point, and there is no way back. ”
A general dressed in rough cloth stood up, his voice tinged with excitement: "It's time to end this war and build a new world." ”
Li Zicheng nodded, but his eyes revealed mixed emotions. He knew that once he captured Beijing, it would mean the complete overthrow of the Ming Dynasty's rule, but it also meant that there would be more blood and sacrifice. His heart oscillates between justice and cruelty.
King Chuang, our army is ready and waiting for your orders. Another general said, his voice full of determination.
Li Zicheng took a deep breath, he knew that this was not just a military operation, but a decision related to the fate of millions of people. He stood up and looked around, the eyes of every general waiting for his decision.
We're going to attack tomorrow morning. We want everyone to know that this is not just a war, but a struggle for freedom and justice. Li Zicheng's voice was firm and powerful.
The decision immediately provoked a lively discussion inside the tent. The generals began to plan tactics and discuss the specific details of the city. Li Zicheng sat down quietly, but his heart was still full of unknowns and contradictions.
Under the Imperial City: Behind a Decision
In the imperial palace of the city of Beijing, Zhu Youzhen, the emperor of Chongzhen, stood in front of a window facing the city wall, looking melancholy at the city wall in the distance. The city wall is towering, as if it is the last barrier between heaven and earth, resisting the wind and rain of the outside world. At this moment, his heart beat nervously, because he knew that Li Zicheng's army was approaching the capital.
Zhu Youzhen turned around and walked into a secret room in the palace, where there was already a person waiting for him - the eunuch Du Xun. Du Xun was his trusted confidant and often helped him with some confidential matters. Zhu Youzhen's face was full of worry and incomprehension.
Does he really only need the title of King of the Northwest?Chongzhen asked Du Xun suspiciously.
Your Majesty, this is his request. Du Xun replied in a low voice, with deep worry in his eyes.
Zhu Youzhen's brows tightened, he couldn't understand Li Zicheng's thoughts. In his opinion, Li Zicheng has a large army in his hands and is fully capable of overthrowing the Ming Dynasty, so why did he put forward such conditions for peace talks?
Does he have other plans?Zhu Youzhen muttered to himself, with doubts in his voice.
The expression on Du Xun's face became more serious: "Your Majesty, maybe Li Zicheng has his plan, we must deal with it carefully." ”
Zhu Youzhen turned around and walked back to the window, staring at the city wall in the distance, but his heart seemed to have set off a stormy wave. He knew that once he made a wrong decision, not only his personal fate, but also the entire Ming Dynasty could face annihilation.
From a historical point of view, Emperor Chongzhen should have rejected Li Zicheng's request in the end, and the only thing left on the two sides was a battle.
The dignity of the last emperor
In a corner of the Forbidden City, the Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Youzhen and his ministers gathered in the face of a looming crisis, and a heated debate was underway about fleeing or staying. The ministers sat around the emperor, and the atmosphere was tense and heavy.
An elderly minister stood up and said to Chongzhen in a resolute tone, "Your Majesty, it is the best choice to flee now. ”
Chongzhen's face showed a contradictory expression, and his eyes showed reluctance and struggle. "But in that case, wouldn't I have failed the land left by my ancestors?He retorted, with an imperceptible tremor in his voice.
Another minister quickly answered: "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty is more important than everything, and your safety is the future of the country." ”
Chongzhen shook his head, and there seemed to be a deeper consideration in his heart. "If I flee, the people will be disappointed, and where is the prestige of the imperial court?There was a firmness in his voice, as if a decision had been made.
A young minister stood up, his eyes full of admiration: "Your Majesty, your perseverance will become a model for future generations." ”
Chongzhen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his eyes even more determined when he opened them again. "I decided to stay. I cannot leave my people and this city behind. His voice was resolute and powerful.
The ministers looked at each other, and although they were still apprehensive, they all showed respect for the emperor's decision. They knew that this was an extremely difficult choice, but Emperor Chongzhen obviously made the decision out of a deep sense of responsibility to the Ming Dynasty and the nation.
Your Majesty, your decision is courageous, but please take care. One of the ministers whispered, with concern in his tone.
Chongzhen nodded, although his heart was full of heaviness, there was also an inexplicable calmness. He knew that his choice could be fraught with danger, but as an emperor, he had to take on this responsibility and dignity, even in the last moments.
Subsequently, Chongzhen ordered the city defense to be strengthened in preparation for the upcoming decisive battle. The ministers saluted and withdrew, leaving Chongzhen standing alone in the wide hall.
A meeting point of fate
When the walls of Beijing City were breached, the atmosphere in the Forbidden City became extremely solemn. Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youzhen summoned his courtiers for an important and tragic final meeting. At this fateful moment, everyone's face is filled with worry and sadness.
Emperor Chongzhen stood in the hall, his voice was heavy and full of emotion: "Our fate has been sealed in history. His eyes flashed with memories of the past and helplessness for the future.
The ministers knelt down one after another, tears in their eyes. An old minister's voice choked: "Your Majesty, you are the last glory of the Ming Dynasty." ”
Suddenly, the sound of war drums outside the city shook the earth, and Li Zicheng's army began a general attack. Emperor Chongzhen stood by the window, looked at the battlefield outside the city wall, and sighed deeply. He knew that this moment marked the end of his time.
Your Majesty, we should still organize resistance. A young minister stood up, his voice full of determination.
Chongzhen shook his head, and his eyes revealed a deep helplessness: "The current resistance is useless. ”
But we can't just give up!Another minister was almost shouting.
Chongzhen turned around and faced his courtiers, his voice low but firm: "I know everyone's feelings, but we shouldn't let more people die for this senseless war. ”
The ministers in the palace were silent, they knew that what Chongzhen said was extremely true, but as the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty, their hearts were full of unwillingness and grief. At this tragic moment, they felt a deep sense of powerlessness and frustration.
Emperor Chongzhen walked to the window again, looking at the firelight outside the city and listening to the sound of war drums, his heart was full of complicated emotions. He knew that his reign was over and that the glory of the Ming Dynasty was about to be extinguished.
How many innocent people are there in this city?Chongzhen asked suddenly.
One of the ministers replied: "Thousands, Your Majesty." ”
Chongzhen closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He knew that his choices would affect the fate of these innocent people. He turned to his ministers and said, "Give my order to open the gates of the city so that the people may have a chance to escape." ”
After hearing this, the ministers stood up one after another and bowed deeply. They knew that this might be the last time they saluted in front of Emperor Chongzhen. At this turning point in history, everyone's heart is filled with nostalgia for the past and uncertainty about the future.
As the noise outside the city gradually increased, Emperor Chongzhen stood in the hall, as if he had become a lonely statue, and his time was over.
The cycle of history
Li Zicheng's reign in Beijing, although short-lived, was full of twists and turns and challenges. In his heart, the joy of victory and the bitterness of defeat are intertwined, forming a complex and incomprehensible emotion. For forty-two days, he tried to reform policies in the hope of realizing his dream of a more just society, but the reality was far more brutal than he expected.
On the way to escape Beijing, the former King Chuang was deeply lonely and helpless. His troops were already much worse than they used to be, demoralized, and with them confusion and uncertainty about the future. While resting in a humble camp, Li Zicheng sat around with his men, looking back on the course of the uprising.
Perhaps we could have chosen a different path. Li Zicheng pondered, with deep regret in his voice.
A subordinate general next to him slowly spoke: "But the wheel of history has rolled, and we are only a part of it. There was a philosophy of helplessness in his words.
Li Zicheng nodded silently, a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes. In his heart, although it is full of helplessness for the future, it is more of a deep reflection on the past. He once dreamed of changing the world, but the reality was far more complex and cruel than he imagined.
We used to think we could change everything. Another veteran said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with memories of past battles.
Li Zicheng slowly raised his head and looked firm: "We have indeed changed a lot, although we failed to do so in the end, but we at least proved the power of the people." ”
The soldiers around him nodded their heads. Although they are tired, they still have deep respect for Li Zicheng. They know that although they are an insignificant part of this magnificent historical torrent, they have at least tried to change.
Our story will be told to future generations. A young general said, his voice filled with a firm conviction.
Li Zicheng smiled, it was a bitter and relieved smile. "Yes, our story will be remembered. We are still glorious in defeat. ”
As the night wore on, the campfires in the camp were extinguished. Li Zicheng looked at the starry night sky, although his heart was full of endless bitterness and regret.
Reference: Teng Xincai. Li Zicheng and Emperor Chongzhen's peace discussion revisit[J].Journal of Shanxi Datong University: Social Sciences, 2000