The "Song Dynasty" Liu Kongzhao referred to was actually the Great Ming Dynasty. The eldest prince, Zhu Cilang, was the regent in Jiangnan, while the second prince, Zhu Cijiong, was serving in the northern armies. When Liu Kongzhao claimed that the sovereign of the Song Dynasty intended to depose the crown prince, he was, in fact, implying that Emperor Chongzhen harbored such intentions. This argument was well-reasoned and seemingly sound.
There were four people present: Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi; Zhu Gubi, the Marquis of Funing; Qian Qianyi, the leader of the Donglin Faction; and Ma Shiying. Liu Kongzhao was the one who had proposed this theory, and besides him, only Zhu Gubi believed it wholeheartedly. Qian Qianyi was a seasoned veteran of the political scene and was not so easily swayed. Ma Shiying, who had navigated the official circles in Nanjing for years, was an old fox; ordinary lies could not deceive him.
Watching Liu Kongzhao act with such solemn conviction, Qian Qianyi laughed. "Hahaha, Lord Liu, that was a truly entertaining story you just spun."
Chapter 1211