Chapter 36: Magnificent! The Count of Loyalty and Valor (Part Two)

Wu Sangui was not a tall man, but he possessed a sturdy frame. Being just over thirty, his entire bearing exuded a fierce, indomitable energy. Following him were Gao Di, the Commander of Shanhai Pass; Li Yutian, the Governor of Liaodong; and various generals of the Guanning Army—all of them looking imposing and murderous.

"My Lord, where did this fellow pop out from? To dare speak such insolence—let me butcher him!" A general behind Wu Sangui prepared to rush forward, but Wu waved his hand to stop him. His eyes remained fixed on Gu Zhenhua.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, standing a full head taller than Wu Sangui. Though his body was broad and rugged, and his person covered in dust, his features were refined. His eyes, in particular, were as bright as stars. Within that gaze, one could read a sense of condescension, pity, and playfulness, but the one thing entirely absent was fear. Wu Sangui’s anger flared instantly.

"Boy, there is no such person as the Earl of Loyalty and Courage in the Great Ming. If you wish to imitate those fanatical scholars who insult this commander to gain fame, I shall grant your wish!" As he spoke, Wu Sangui’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his body enveloped in a murderous aura, his gaze as sharp as a dagger.

Gu Zhenhua remained unperturbed, offering a faint smile. "Earl of the Western Peace, when I entered your camp, I had already cast life and death aside. I am here simply to discuss a business proposition with you."

"A business proposition?" Wu Sangui asked, taken aback.

"Hahaha, this is not the place for conversation. Let us enter the main tent. My throat is parched and my limbs are weary; surely there is a place for me to rest."

Having spent his life on the borders, Wu Sangui had never encountered someone who could remain as graceful as Gu Zhenhua when faced with thousands of troops. His curiosity piqued, he led the way into the main tent, offered a seat, and ordered a soldier to serve tea.

As Gu Zhenhua sipped the tea, he calculated silently. It would be a lie to say he wasn't afraid of Wu Sangui, but he had to project confidence and bravado. Otherwise, Wu might not even bother to see him, dismissing him through a subordinate, or worse—he might lose his head in the confusion. Since he had gained an audience, he had to convince Wu. There was no doubt that the general was currently wavering. Strengthening his resolve to fight Li Zicheng to the death—ideally leaving both sides decimated—would be most advantageous for Gu.

"Boy, speak your piece. Do not test my patience."

Gu Zhenhua chuckled dryly. "Earl of the Western Peace, there is much to say, but I shall begin with my identity. Ten days ago, I was merely a guard at the estate of Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Cheng—a crawling insect beneath notice, someone a great man like you would never deign to look at. But fate is a cruel jester. When the capital fell, the late Emperor entrusted the Crown Prince to the Duke of Cheng. The Duke died in the chaos, but my brothers and I, risking life and limb, rescued the Crown Prince from the city and fled here."

Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui and the others frowned. News of the Chongzhen Emperor’s death had already spread, and the disappearance of the Crown Prince, Zhu Cilang, was true. They had assumed he had died in the massacre, but they never imagined he had been saved and now stood before them.

Gu Zhenhua continued, "My title and rank were conferred by the Crown Prince. You may consider them void, and view me as nothing more than a lowly servant. Yet, in my heart, I have always considered myself a subject of the Great Ming. The grace of the sovereign is as heavy as a mountain, and a subject has only his life to repay it."

"It counts! Of course it counts!" Before Wu Sangui could speak, Li Yutian, the Governor of Liaodong, stood up, walked to Gu Zhenhua, and bowed deeply.

"Lord Gu, I was a scholar appointed by the late Emperor. With the nation broken and my family lost, and the Emperor having sacrificed himself for the country, I have failed the imperial grace. Seeing you today, I realize there are still loyal and courageous men in the Great Ming. Please, accept my bow!"

As Li Yutian bowed, many of the generals present cast looks of admiration toward Gu Zhenhua. The deputy general, Yang Kun, stood up and saluted, saying, "I have long heard of Zhao Zilong, who rescued his lord at Changban. For you, Lord Gu, to have saved the Crown Prince from the capital, you are no less than the Zhao Zilong of the Three Kingdoms. I am in awe."

Gu Zhenhua took note of their reactions and felt a secret thrill. Their actions proved that many still mourned the Ming, and that the unruly Guanning Army was not entirely willing to defect to Li Zicheng. He would play the role of the loyal minister to the end, awakening their nostalgia and eventually swaying Wu Sangui’s decision.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, Gu Zhenhua possessed a keen insight into public opinion and social psychology. The more tragic and sincere one appeared, the more support they could evoke from those with sympathy.

Gu Zhenhua returned the salute and said with a bitter smile, "I intended to protect the Crown Prince to Tianjin and travel by water to the south, but I happened upon your army. The roads were blocked, and I heard that Luo Yangxing in Tianjin had already defected to Li Zicheng. With the great mansion collapsing, I could not hold it alone, which is why I came to see you."

Wu Sangui listened, his brow furrowed. After a long silence, he said, "Mr. Gu, I admire your loyalty, but I have decided to surrender to the Great Shun. I am already an enemy of the Great Ming. By coming to my camp, you will not only fail to save the Prince, but you will likely lose your own life as well."

"Hahaha!" Gu Zhenhua looked up and laughed wildly. "Earl of the Western Peace, I have always heard that the Guanning Army is the greatest force in the world, guarding the borders and fighting the barbarians with blood and sweat—all loyal men. I had hoped that once the Crown Prince reached the south, he would raise an army to march north, while the Guanning Army marched south, surrounding the capital and driving out the rebel thieves. I never expected that the Guanning Army, which has enjoyed the Emperor's favor for generations, would surrender. The life of the Great Ming is extinguished; my living or dying makes no difference."

"Hmph. If it makes no difference, then why speak of a business proposition? Are you not deceiving me?"

"Not at all," Gu Zhenhua replied. "The Crown Prince cannot escape, and I have no desire to run. But I possess the last imperial edict of the late Emperor. If you still have a shred of loyalty to the state, simply raise your hand and let one or two of my soldiers slip south to deliver this edict to the ministers in Nanjing. Perhaps there are still loyal generals like Yue Wumu who can hold the line and restore the Great Ming. If that happens, I shall be able to close my eyes in peace in the netherworld!"

With that, Gu Zhenhua pulled a bloody edict from his tunic, held it up with both hands, walked quickly to Wu Sangui’s desk, and then turned to leave the tent.

"Sir, stay your step!" Li Yutian shouted urgently.

"What I had to say has been said. I only wish to present my neck for the blade; I ask for nothing more."

The eyes of everyone in the tent fell upon Wu Sangui. He seemed to open the bloody edict casually, but his fingers were trembling. He knew the value of the document; with it, he would be a legitimate regent, able to command the old ministers loyal to the Ming.

Could it be that his illustrious family of warriors would truly surrender to the likes of Li Zicheng and his peasant rabble? Wu Sangui was in the throes of a violent struggle. Though he stared at the edict, not a single word registered. The veins on his temples throbbed, and his fists clenched until they cracked. After a full three minutes, Wu Sangui regained his composure and snapped the edict shut.

He sneered, "Mr. Gu, since I have decided to surrender to the Shun King, I must be loyal. Your request is impossible for me to fulfill. On the contrary, you, the Crown Prince, and the edict shall all be presented to His Majesty the Shun King."

"General, think twice!" several officers spoke in unison. Wu Sangui waved his hand sharply. "My mind is made up. Say no more."

At this, Gu Zhenhua suddenly looked up and laughed maniacally, tears streaming down his face. The generals were baffled, assuming he had gone mad.

"Earl of the Western Peace, I have misjudged you, thinking you possessed a sense of honor. So be it! The pursuit of wealth and status is human nature; I should not have spoken. But when I was fighting my way out of the capital, I happened to pass by the Wu estate. A rebel general named Liu Zongmin was riding out, and across his saddle lay a beautiful woman, a creature of such ethereal beauty as is rarely seen in this world—Xi Shi and Yang Guifei are nothing compared to her..."

"What?" Wu Sangui stood up in a fury, his eyes bulging like a bull’s. "You... you have seen Yuanyuan?"

"Yuanyuan?" Gu Zhenhua gave a cold laugh. "I presume you mean your wife. That Liu Zongmin is the right-hand man of the Shun King. Since you have shared a bed with him, you are sure to be rewarded with titles and honors, rising to great heights!"

"You madman! Drag him out and behead him!" Wu Sangui roared.