Emperor Chongzhen said nothing.
He had no intention of sparing Zhu Chunchen; the man’s historical record was abysmal. In history, he had been a complete miser, watching idly as the Great Ming marched toward destruction. After Li Zicheng breached the walls of Beijing, he had debased himself by fawning over the rebel leader, leading the officials in a collective surrender. To his shock, Li Zicheng had detested such spineless individuals most of all, and since Zhu Chunchen held the rank of a First-Class Duke, the rebel leader had executed him without a moment’s hesitation, seizing his immense family fortune down to the last copper.
Since he was doomed to die regardless, it would be better to hand his assets to the Imperial Court rather than leaving them to the rebel bandits.
Chapter 31