Historically, Zhang Tongchang joined the Brocade Guard in the thirteenth year of the Chongzhen reign through hereditary privilege, later transitioning to the role of Imperial Secretary, a position responsible for the transmission of imperial edicts. After the fall of the Capital, he wandered through various regions, desperate to rescue the Great Ming Dynasty from its peril. Alas, he was no Zhang Juzheng, and the Ming Dynasty no longer possessed the national strength of the Wanli era. Following the collapse of the Hongguang and Longwu regimes, he sought refuge with Prince Gui, Zhu Youlang, serving as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in the Yongli court and overseeing military affairs on all fronts. In the fourth year of Yongli, when the Manchu Qing forces invaded Guangxi, Zhang Tongchang met his end with heroic resolve. The clan of Zhang Juzheng had truly exhausted their strength for the Great Ming Dynasty, serving until their final breath.
After finishing the proclamation, Zhang Tongchang handed the imperial edict to Qin Liangyu and said with a smile, "Viceroy Qin, the Emperor was greatly gratified to learn that you have led your forces out of Sichuan and into Chu to pursue the rebel bandits. He specifically commanded me to come and reward your three armies."
With that, he pulled a cloth bundle from his robe. Inside lay a single IOU wrapped in oilpaper. "This is an IOU for the loan the Emperor took from the Prince of Shu. Please, Viceroy Qin, pass this on to His Hig…
Chapter 453