Chapter 7 Making Enemies Again
If this were to happen, I would really have no confidence...

"Then in your opinion, what should we do if Ligdan Khan really attacks?" Chongzhen didn't even notice that his tone when talking to Wang An had become much gentler.

However, Wang An just looked at Chongzhen strangely and said, "What's the point of you and me studying such important court affairs? Anyway, you should tell your uncle not to go to Xuanda, especially Datong Prefecture!"

Chongzhen's eyes lit up and he asked, "Why can't we go to Datong Prefecture? Is Lin Danhan going to attack Datong?"

Wang An nodded and sighed, "It's tragic. Although Datong was not conquered in the end, tens of thousands of people were slaughtered by that beast, Ligdan Khan!"

"Masset... tens of thousands of civilians!" Chongzhen was shocked!
As soon as he ascended the throne, tens of thousands of people were massacred. This was definitely not a good sign.

However, after the shock, Chongzhen quickly came to his senses.

The Wang An in front of him was just an interesting herbal medicine shop owner. Although he had somehow hit the nail on the head on his new policy towards the Mongolian tribes, it didn't mean that he could really predict the future.

You said that Ligdan Khan moved westward? My border troops and factory guards did not report it, but you, a commoner, knew it first.

You said that Lin Danhan would invade the border, so he really would? A dog raised with a million taels of silver would really bite its master? You can do it!
Although he thought so, Chongzhen felt inexplicably worried.

Wang An didn't notice Chongzhen's expression. He just took out a few pieces of silver from the cash box behind the counter and said, "I'll go and reserve a table for you to welcome you. You can sleep here tonight!"

Having said this, he hurried out without waiting for Chongzhen's consent.

In Wang An's opinion, if he made requests such as booking a table and staying overnight, his weird cousin would have to politely refuse them due to social conventions.

So he went out directly without giving Chongzhen a chance to refuse.

Chongzhen looked at Wang An's departing back, and after a long silence, he suddenly said, "Daban, do you think that Lingdan Khan will move westward?"

Wang Chengen hesitated and said, "This... probably won't happen. This person is just a commoner, what can he know? He is just spreading rumors to confuse the public."

"Is it a lie to confuse the people? Not necessarily." Chongzhen snorted in dissatisfaction, "At least he hit the nail on the head on my new policy."

Wang Chengen didn't know how to respond, so he just lowered his head and remained silent.

Chongzhen stood there for a while, waved his hand and said, "Go back to the palace."

…………

Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.

The then Chief Minister of the Cabinet Huang Liji and Minister of War Cui Chengxiu were among them.

At this time, Chongzhen had not yet officially taken action against Wei Zhongxian, but he had agreed to Wei Zhongxian's request to retire without hesitation, which had already sent a very ominous signal.

Some of the Donglin Party members who had been suppressed rose again, which made Huang Liji, Cui Chengxiu and others who were members of the eunuch party fearful of being liquidated.

Chongzhen summoned him late at night. Could it be that he couldn't wait to take action against these people first?

However, the Chongzhen Emperor on the imperial desk unexpectedly asked: "Where is Lin Danhan now?"

The ministers looked at each other in confusion, but they had to answer the new emperor's question.

Chief Minister Huang Liji stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have received a report from Wang Zhichen, the governor of Liaodong, that Lin Danhan led his people to the right wing of Mongolia."

Unexpectedly, Chongzhen's expression changed immediately after hearing this, and he asked, "Why did you hide such an important event and not report it?"

What the herbal medicine shop owner said turned out to be true. Lin Danhan actually went to the right wing. The ministers shuddered, not understanding why Chongzhen suddenly cared so much about Lin Danhan's movements.

Huang Liji wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied, "Your Majesty, these nomadic tribes live by following the water and grass, and Lin Danhan is still determined to be the Khan. In recent years, they have been attacking disobedient tribes on the grasslands. It is normal for them to move around."

If Wang An had not predicted his new policies correctly, and had not said that Lin Danhan would attack Datong Prefecture after moving west, perhaps Chongzhen would not have cared about such a small recommendation.

But as Huang Liji said, it is normal for nomadic peoples to move around.

But now what Wang An said had come true twice. Even though he still didn't think that Ligdan Khan really dared to attack Datong, he felt inexplicably worried.

Chongzhen was silent for a moment, then said, "The order to abolish the reward issued yesterday will be temporarily suspended. If...Lin Danhan asks for a reward, then give it to him."

The cabinet ministers present became more and more confused. You know, the most taboo thing for a new emperor to do after ascending the throne is to change his orders every day. Based on their understanding of Chongzhen, he doesn't seem like that kind of person.

However, at this time, a palace servant came in and reported, "Your Majesty, we have received a report from Datang that Guiying, a vanguard under the command of Lin Danhan, led dozens of cavalry to Datong Prefecture a few days ago to demand a reward, and threatened that the court should reimburse the city reward from the year before last to now, otherwise they would attack Datong!"

Chongzhen found it unbelievable when he heard this. Lin Danhan actually ran to Xuan Da and even threatened to attack Datong Prefecture!

At this point, almost half of what Wang An said was true!
Does this mean that he has to bear the responsibility for the massacre of tens of thousands of people as soon as he ascends the throne?

Chongzhen hurriedly asked, "Then what happened? Who was the commander of Datong Prefecture? How was he dealt with?"

The palace servant didn't know what Chongzhen meant, but said with a happy face: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, a great victory!"

"Datong Lieutenant General Fang Zikun tricked the Tartar into the city wall and shot him with arrows! A total of 78 heads were beheaded!"

Chongzhen was shocked when he heard this. Does this Datong Lieutenant General have no brains?

They only have dozens of cavalrymen, and even if they threaten to attack the city, they can't start fighting on the spot. Why do you plan to kill them?
But only a few dozen people died, so there might still be room for recovery.

However, the Minister of War Cui Chengxiu was horrified when he heard this and could not help saying, "Guying is the son-in-law of Ligdan Khan. If he knew of his death, how could he let it go?"

Chongzhen suddenly felt dizzy. He had been thinking about how to appease Lin Danhan, but he ended up killing his son-in-law. How could he appease him?

Is this war inevitable?

If a war breaks out, how can we win quickly?
The Ming Dynasty's depleted treasury could not afford to fight on two fronts.

Thinking of this, Chongzhen hurriedly asked: "My dear ministers, do you have any countermeasures? Should we appease or fight?"

Huang Liji turned to look at Cui Chengxiu and threw the blame at him, "Lord Cui is the Minister of War, so please express your opinion."

Cui Chengxiu looked at Huang Liji with some resentment. Both of them belonged to the eunuch party.

The difference is that Huang Liji cleverly maintained his relationship with Wei Zhongxian, neither too close nor too distant so as not to offend Wei Zhongxian nor to give him room for gossip.

However, Cui Chengxiu was different. He was the first to surrender to Wei Zhongxian and was very cautious during this period and did not dare to show up.

At this time, Huang Liji passed the blame to Chongzhen. If the decision he proposed was useful, it would be fine. But if there were any mistakes or omissions, Chongzhen would definitely be held accountable for both the old and new mistakes.

However, when meeting Chongzhen's gaze, Cui Chengxiu, the Minister of War, had no choice but to think.

(End of this chapter)