So, should I just sneak in this way, like a mouse that escaped from the sewer, leaving the Qing court alone in the chaos?

No, you can't do this.

If he was alone, like a slippery mouse, he escaped from the Qing Dynasty in the chaos, and even if he finally escaped to Li Xiao's place, Hong Chengchou estimated that he would be as hard as a dog who was struggling to come to him, and would eventually be unable to fall into Li Xiao's eyes, and he would most likely be despised by him.

If so, this is something that the former governor of Ji and Liao of the Ming Dynasty and the current Grand Secretary of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Chengchou, would never accept.

This historical celebrity who regarded himself very well, had a top-notch wisdom and ability in the late Ming Dynasty. If he could only surrender to Li Xiao in such a shame, it would be even more uncomfortable than killing him.

If you want to gain Li Xiao's attention, you may have to provide a gift of meeting, so that you can show your talents and make Li Xiao pay more attention to himself.

After thinking about this meeting gift for another sleepless night, Hong Chengchou finally decided to give Li Xiao a heavy gift of how to be worthy.

That is, not only did Hong Chengchou want to escape by himself, he also wanted to encourage Zu Dashou, who was forced to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, to take the Ming army who was forced to surrender to the Qing Dynasty during the Songjin War that day, anyway, to escape from the border and eventually go to join Li Xiao.

Hong Chengchou knew that in the past few months, although Zu Dashou surrendered to the Qing court, he had always missed the Ming Dynasty and had always regretted his forced submission to the Qing Dynasty, but he was an extremely easy object to persuade.

You should know that in official history, since Zu Dashou surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, he has been in a state of being indifferent to death and doing nothing. The only deeds recorded in history were that after surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, he wrote a letter to his nephew, General Wu Sangui, General of Ningyuan, and asked him to lead his troops to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, but was rejected by Wu Sangui. In the end, Zu Dashou, who was named General of Zhenghuang Banner, died of illness in Beijing in the thirteenth year of Shunzhi after more than ten years of turbulent life.

Of course, for the Ming Dynasty, Zu Dashou's state was the last reward for the Ming Dynasty. At least this inaction would have the least harm to the Ming Dynasty, which was much stronger than the shameful act of Wu Sangui, Hong Chengchou and others taking the initiative to serve the Qing court and being a hawk in the Qing court. Perhaps, this was also a kind of indescribable guilt and compensation for Zu Dashou's behavior of surrendering to the Qing Dynasty and rebelling against the Ming Dynasty.

Hong Chengchou was convinced that after receiving the news that the emperor was either dead or seriously injured, Zu Dashou would definitely regret his surrender to the Qing Dynasty that day, and he would also hope in his heart that at this moment of being confused, he would seize the opportunity to change it.

After all, good birds linger on the trees, and no one stipulates that they must hang themselves on this rotten tree in the Qing Dynasty. When the Qing Dynasty was about to war, they were just not a fool, and they would definitely make more stable and long-term plans for their future prospects.

If he escaped from the Qing Dynasty, Hong Chengchou returned to the Ming Dynasty without any face. Zu Dashou, who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty twice, would certainly have no face to see Emperor Chongzhen again. Where he stayed, the Ming Dynasty would have no face to go back. Hong Chengchou could be sure that Zu Dashou would naturally be the same as himself and would eventually have to join Li Xiao's camp.

Once Zu Dashou is persuaded, with his influence, it should not be difficult to incite the former Ming army troops who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, who were reluctant to do so.

Hong Chengchou even thought that if the plan went smoothly, even those who could encourage Zu Dashou to encourage him were surrendered to the nephews of the Qing Dynasty more than ten years ago, such as Zu Zerun, Zu Zepu, Zu Zehong and other real power factions holding troops. If they could be brought over, the troops who were sent to Li Xiao would be even more powerful, and his first achievements would be more dazzling.

It can be said that what Hong Chengchou planned was an extremely bold but valuable plan. Of course, Hong Chengchou could only do his best to leave his destiny for how many soldiers he could take away.

However, Hong Chengchou was convinced that if this plan could be successful, his mastermind of the plan would definitely leave a deep impression on Li Xiao, and would also be highly valued in Li Xiao's eyes. Perhaps in the near future, he will become an indispensable national minister like in the Ming Dynasty...

Thinking of this, a strange smile suddenly appeared on the corner of Hong Chengchou's mouth.

"Come on, let's have a meal."

Hong Chengchou, who had been thinking about it, began to feel hungry in his stomach and turned his head to call out the door.

Hearing the master's summons, Chen Tai, the housekeeper and servant, rushed over, holding the food he had just been warm and gently holding it in front of Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou ate in big mouthfuls, and a light flashed in his eyes from time to time.

After eating a few bites in a row, he stopped the chopsticks and whispered to Chen Tai: "Chen Tai, you go and do something for me tonight."

Chen Tai was stunned and replied softly: "Okay, but I don't know what Dongweng has to give?"

Hong Chengchou glanced at him and said lightly, "You sneak out of the room to buy wine and food tonight, go to Zu Dabing's birthday and tell him that I have something important to do tomorrow."

Chen Tai responded and was about to retreat, when Hong Chengchou called him again.

"Chen Tai, tell Zu Dashou that what I want to talk to him tomorrow is very urgent and urgent. I hope he will not go out then and will take away all the guests he wants to see, leave time to chat with me alone, remember to remember."

Chen Tai was stunned for a moment, feeling very surprised by Hong Chengchou's strange attitude.

Since surrendering to the Qing court, Chen Tai has rarely seen Hong Chengchou's eagerness. In his impression, the old master who had been with him for many years was in a daze every day, as if he was always thinking about problems, but as if he was thinking about nothing.

His eagerness today is really beyond Chen Tai's expectations.

Although Chen Tai felt very strange about Hong Chengchou's sudden desire to meet the same almost idle Zu Dashou, otherwise, as a long-time old servant, he certainly knew that as a servant, there was no need to think too much about what Hong Chengchou decided, and just cared about doing things as he told him.

So he replied respectfully: "Okay, Master, don't worry, I'll go later, and I'll be sure to convey it to General Zu for you."

After the attendant Hong Chengchou finished eating, Chen Tai carried the vegetable basket and hurried out. The guards at the door all received bad news from the emperor. They were all numb and distracted, and looked listless and lazy. Seeing Chen Tai coming out, he just asked a few questions casually, and then let him go.

Chen Tai, who left the house, took advantage of the moonlight and twisted through the streets and alleys on the quiet streets and came to the yard where Zu Dashou lived. Then, he informed his disciples, and soon he was received by Zu Dashou.

"Chen Tai, why are you here late at night?" Zu Dashou asked softly in the dim candlelight.

Chen Tai noticed that the former general of the Liaodong Forefront Battalion of the Ming Dynasty and the current general of Zhenghuang Banner Zu Dashou was not as majestic as when he was the general in Jinzhou before. Now, he looked haggard and worried, and his eyes were even more turbid and dull. Even his wrinkled clothes were splashed with vegetable stains, which looked very sloppy and vulgar.

It is obvious that the sudden collapse of the Qing emperor and the cruel civil war that would happen next made Zu Dashou, who was already depressed and scrambled to die, feel even more upset inside, so he was so unintentional to pay attention to his appearance. You can also imagine how great his inner uneasiness and pressure are now.

Chen Tai sighed lightly and replied respectfully: "Report to the General General, my master said that he hopes to come to the mansion to ask for a meeting tomorrow morning. I hope you can have a lot of time to talk."

"Oh, that's it, let Hengjiu come tomorrow morning. Anyway, when something happens to the emperor, the escorts and surveillance are also relaxed. Let him come as long as he comes. I'll wait for him at home." Zu Dashou replied indifferently.

Chen Tai hesitated for a moment and said, "My master said that this meeting is very important and urgent. I hope that the adults will not see him tomorrow and will meet with my master."

"Oh, is that?" Zu Dashou blinked, and a light flashed through his eyes that seemed turbid and unsightly. He said in a deep voice: "Okay, I know, tell Hong Hengjiu that tomorrow morning, I will see no one in the inner hall, and wait for him in the inner hall. Whatever he wants to talk about will only come out of his mouth and enter my ears, and no third person will know."

After receiving Zu Dashou's affirmative answer, Chen Tai looked happy. He quickly responded to the promise and said goodbye.

After returning home, Chen Tai immediately reported to Hong Chengchou about his meeting with Zu Dashou.

After hearing Chen Tai's report, a faint smile appeared on Hong Chengchou's face.

He knew that Zu Dashou should have guessed what he wanted to say to him. In other words, Zu Dashou was willing to have a separate interview with him tomorrow, which means that he should have a preliminary plan in his heart.

In the dizzy candlelight, Hong Chengchou had a strange smile on his face, and at the same time, he clenched his fists secretly.

The next day, after breakfast, Hong Chengchou changed into casual clothes and bribed the guards guarding the door with one bribe of one ounce of silver. After turning a blind eye, Shi Shi went out alone.

Hong Chengchou walked carefully all the way, and at the same time, he paid close attention to whether anyone was following him. Fortunately, the city is in chaos now, and there is a panic atmosphere on the streets and alleys. He walked through the streets and alleys, but no one noticed him wearing plain clothes.

Soon, he came to the outside of the small courtyard where Zu Dashou lived, and his disciple immediately took him into the inner hall. Here, Zu Dashou had already been waiting in it.

The two of them sat down with the host and the host. After watching the tea, the servant left and closed the door tightly.

Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou looked at each other, and for a moment, it seemed as if there were infinite words to say to each other, but for a moment it could not say anything.

For a moment, the two important Ming officials who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty had a very complicated expression. Both of them seemed to have a feeling of being a different world, and the atmosphere in the room was also very awkward.

In the end, Hong Chengchou coughed lightly and spoke first: "Fuyu (Da Shou), I came today, but there is something important to discuss with you."

The muscles on Zu Dashou's face trembled slightly. He sighed softly and said slowly: "Heng Jiu, we are also old colleagues we have worked with for many years, so we don't need to beat them anymore. I'll just say it. You came to my place this time, but I'll advise me to leave the Qing Dynasty quickly and not to join others."

When Hong Chengchou saw Zu Dashou suddenly pointing out his real purpose of coming, he couldn't help but be surprised. However, he still reacted quickly, smiled slightly on his face, and said in a deep voice: "Fuyuguo is a refreshing person, Hong doesn't hide it. This is the meaning of my visit to the place of value this time."

Zu Dashou glanced at him and sighed again: "Heng Jiu, aren't you just trying to persuade me to take advantage of the civil strife in the Qing Dynasty, Wu Dong took care of us surrendered ministers, and let me escape with you and join the Ming Dynasty to serve? But my Zu Dashou is not as good as you. I have surrendered to the Qing Dynasty twice, and my nephews are all serving the Qing Dynasty. Such ugly behavior is enough to make people ashamed. How can I return to the Ming Dynasty with a little face! It's a pity that the emperor trusted my ancestors so much in the past, but I finally couldn't be honest. I was so shameless to seek refuge here. I am really ashamed of the emperor, my ancestors, and my billions of people in the Ming Dynasty!"

When Hong Chengchou heard Zu Dashou's words, his face was also burning. Zu Dashou felt deeply ashamed. How could Hong Chengchou not regret and feel guilty?

I think he was awarded a Jinshi in the 44th year of Wanli, and was promoted to Shaanxi's governor to participate in politics, and then to the governor of the trilateral areas. He was in charge of the bandit suppression of Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi Provinces. Before the Battle of Songjin, he served as the Minister of War and the Governor of Ji and Liao. Emperor Chongzhen treated him quite well and had a great reputation.

What is even more ironic is that after hearing that he was captured and died of not eating for many days, Emperor Chongzhen was so moved that he cried and personally held a grand altar to set up a prayer for him.

In order to commemorate Hong Chengchou, the great hero who died for the country, Chongzhen gave him the most solemn sacrifice and treatment. Nine altars were set up in a row. When the sacrifice reached the ninth altar, the entire sacrifice was almost completed, and suddenly he received news that Hong Chengchou had surrendered to the Qing Dynasty and did not die on a hunger strike. Chongzhen stopped this ridiculous sacrificial activity in extreme embarrassment and humiliation.

However, even so, Chongzhen, who had always been suspicious of being merciless, still made a fuss about Hong Chengchou's family and friends, and did not take cruel measures to implicate the nine tribes. From this point of view, although Chongzhen had excessively forced Hong Chengchou during the Songjin War, he was still quite worthy of Hong.

Hong Chengchou sighed and then slowly replied: "Fuyu, I want to tell you that I am here to persuade you to escape from Qingjing with me, but the one I want to surrender is not the Ming Dynasty, but the King of Pingliao Li Xiao."

"What? Go and join Li Xiao?!"
Chapter completed!