In early October of the twenty-sixth year of Emperor Chongzhen’s reign, news from the Capital reached Nanjing.
The reaction of the nobility, led by Xu Wenjue and Zhu Guobi, was one of initial shock, followed quickly by glee. In their view, if Emperor Chongzhen truly intended to depose the Crown Prince, Zhu Cilang would have both the motive and the justification to rebel.
The Donglin Faction in Nanjing reacted in exactly the opposite manner. If Zhu Cilang were deposed, all their previous efforts would vanish like bubbles. Consequently, they began to coordinate their actions. Under their call to arms, every qualified person across Jiangnan submitted memorials to Emperor Chongzhen, demanding the Crown Prince’s return to the Capital.
Chapter 1225