I, Chongzhen, Will Never Be a Ruler Who Loses His Country

In the winter of the eleventh year of Chongzhen's reign, the Jian slaves who had crossed the passes were rampaging through North Zhili. The capital of the Great Ming was in turmoil, and the people were gripped by fear. With rebel bands continuing to plague the Central Plains, the aging, unstable Ming dynasty seemed doomed to passively await its final collapse. Only five days remained before Lu Xiangsheng would die in battle at Julu, and another stern imperial edict demanding action was issued from within the palace. The Chongzhen Emperor, who believed that “you must pacify the interior before repelling foreign enemies,” had once again resorted to a foul, disastrous blunder. But after suddenly fainting, the Chongzhen Emperor changed. The Ming dynasty's doomed ending now seemed to be forcibly pushed onto a different course... “The military nobles must do their part to defend the nation. Don't want to join me on the battlefield? Fine. Hand over your fine horses, armor, silver, and provisions in exchange for your lives. The more you give, the more loyal you are, and the longer you can stay in the capital.” “The nation is in turmoil, so the scholars must do their part too. Send those complaining Donglin gentlemen up onto the city walls. If Beijing has no enemies, then Kaifeng does, as do Linqing and Jinan. Wherever the Jian slaves appear, send them there with knives to fight. Let them become the most loyal subjects of the Great Ming!” “What am I keeping all these horses and silver for? Distribute them, every last bit, to my new army! Not only will I give them silver, I'll also grant them fertile fields from the imperial estates. Those who serve in my personal guard will enjoy wealth and glory. Starting today, they'll all receive double pay, and twice that during wartime!” “Huang Degong! Take this banner and, together with Zhou Yuji, punch through the Jian slaves' battle formation! Whatever the cost, you must rescue Lu Xiangsheng! Tell him he must not die. I, the Emperor, will not allow him to die!” “My lords, advance with my imperial yellow dragon banner! If we are destined to fight the Jian slaves to the death here today, then let us die like men!”