Emperor Chongzhen instructed Zu Dashou to write more letters. He did not specify what should be written or to whom, but Zu Dashou understood perfectly. Naturally, he was to write to his old subordinates in the Guanning Army to catch up and reminisce. Nothing more. Now that he was a commoner, that was all he could do. Zu Dashou was also clear about the purpose. Sooner or later, Emperor Chongzhen would deal with Wu Sangui and the Guanning Army. If Wu Sangui chose to rebel, the Great Ming would be plunged into civil war. In that event, Zu Dashou would have one, and only one, option: to stand with the Imperial Court. He was a man who craved his reputation and was unwilling to forfeit his life. Siding with Wu Sangui would surely ruin his reputation, and his life might not be spared either. But by standing with the Imperial Court, he would secure both his reputation and his life. This was the optimal choice.
"This commoner obeys your command!" Zu Dashou knelt and bowed to Emperor Chongzhen before rising to leave the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Long after he walked out of the palace gates, he stopped to look up at the sky and muttered to himself, "Whew... I never expected to walk away unscathed!" After this reflection, not daring to linger in the Capital, he immediately set off for Ningyuan.
Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Emperor Chongzhen was contemplating another matter: how to solve the smuggling problem. The sooner it was resolved, the sooner the Liaodong campaign would …
Chapter 1019