“Your Majesty, if they are in league with the rebel, they will march south whether or not we borrow troops. However, in my estimation, they are unlikely to do so. The rebel has already taken control of Guanzhong and Shanxi, and if he gains Zhili as well, half the realm will be his. At that point, the rebel will not stop there—perhaps his next target will be Liaodong. If the Manchus help the rebel, they will only be making wedding clothes for another and creating a powerful enemy for themselves. On the contrary, if we hold Shanhai Pass, the rebel cannot advance north. In this calculation, our survival is actually beneficial to the Manchus.”

　　James Morgan said.

　　He didn’t have the nerve to say that, since things had come to this, they might as well just let it all go to ruin—after all, whether you stick your neck out or shrink it back, it’s still the same blade, so might as well risk it all on a gamble.

　　This showed he was still quite clear-headed. He knew the relief army for the king was hopeless; if the armies north of the Yangtze were any use, Li Zicheng wouldn’t have been able to fight all the way from Guanzhong to Beijing. In other words, holding Shanhai Pass and waiting for reinforcements was just waiting for death. Of course, fleeing south was also suicide. By now, Tianjin was probably already in Li Zicheng’s hands, meaning every path led to death. The only way to survive was to borrow the Qing army to suppress the bandits. As for what to do after the Qing army finished off the bandits...

　　That could be dealt with later!

　　His reasoning coincided exactly with Charles Harris’s, showing that this was the heartfelt thought of those ministers who still had some integrity.

　　And from Chongzhen’s perspective, this was also the only option at present. In theory, it was somewhat feasible. Although Dorgon’s army had already set out, ready to join forces with Li Zicheng to attack Beijing, that was only if Li Zicheng hadn’t yet taken Beijing. Once Li Zicheng seized Beijing, he would become the new master of the Central Plains, and thus the greatest threat to the Qing army. He would never allow the Qing to enter the pass, even under the pretense of helping him.

　　In this way, the remnant Ming instead became the Qing’s ally.

　　However, Henry Clark was not Chongzhen. He had no irreconcilable enmity with Li Zicheng. The world could be given to Li Zicheng or to Zhang Xianzhong, but absolutely not to the Tartars.

　　“This matter requires careful deliberation.”

　　He said with a deep expression.

　　“Your Majesty is wise.”

　　James Morgan breathed a sigh of relief and said.

　　He knew this meant the emperor was moved—after all, there really was no other choice now. Counting on reinforcements without borrowing troops to suppress the bandits was a complete fantasy, utterly unrealistic, and holding Shanhai Pass was just waiting for death, only a matter of dying sooner or later.

Chapter 007: The Little Court

　　Xiluocheng Gongchen Gate, Shanhai Pass.

　　“The imperial carriage arrives!”

　　The vanguard, Deputy Brooks, led dozens of flag-bearing escorts galloping in. Under the astonished gaze of the gate guards, Henry Clark, draped in a dragon robe beneath a yellow-curtained canopy, sat upright in an open carriage...

　　There was no time for the imperial chariot, so they had to hastily modify a regular carriage.

　　On either side of him were the imperial bodyguards from the Jinyiwei.

　　“The imperial carriage arrives, kneel to receive His Majesty!”

　　James Morgan, dressed in the attire of a provincial governor, and Steven Bennett, in the uniform of a general, flanked the carriage and shouted loudly.

　　Only then did the guards react, instinctively kneeling to either side. Henry Clark’s party did not pause at all, galloping through the city streets, quickly passing through Xiluocheng to reach the Ying’en Gate of the pass city. As at Gongchen Gate, the vanguard Deputy Brooks called for the gate to be opened, and Henry Clark’s carriage charged straight into the pass city, racing along the chaotic streets toward the general’s office. When they arrived, Peter Reed had just received the news. The general of Shanhai Pass and a middle-aged civil official rushed out in a panic, immediately kneeling before the carriage.

　　“Your servant, Liaodong Governor Robert Bailey, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

　　“Your servant, Pass General Peter Reed, pays respects to Your Majesty!”

　　As they kowtowed, Henry Clark, wearing a dragon robe full of slashes and holes, descended from the carriage with a dignified air.

　　“Rise, my loyal subjects!”

　　He said calmly.

　　“Your Majesty, what happened to you?”

　　Robert Bailey asked in shock, looking at him.

　　“His Majesty fought the bandits in bloody battle, slaying hundreds to break out of the capital, and fought another great battle at Jizhou. These are all wounds from the bandits’ weapons. Yet His Majesty is the true dragon Son of Heaven, protected by the gods. Though the bandits damaged the dragon robe, they could not harm the imperial body.”

　　Edward Harris said proudly.

　　“Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!”

　　Robert Bailey and Peter Reed hurriedly prostrated themselves, shouting long live. Of course, they didn’t believe a word of it, but Henry Clark’s appearance was indeed striking—especially to someone like Peter Reed, who could tell at a glance that most of the wounds were from arrows, and the gash under the ribs was from a spear. Yet the emperor didn’t look injured at all.

　　Henry Clark said no more. Surrounded by the officials, he entered the general’s office and sat in the main hall, where everyone, including James Morgan, paid their respects again.

　　“By imperial decree: In this time of national crisis, we must not be bound by old conventions. A special emergency cabinet is hereby established: Governor of Jiliao Charles Harris as chief grand secretary, Shuntian Governor James Morgan as second grand secretary and Minister of Personnel, Liaodong Governor Robert Bailey as second grand secretary and Minister of Revenue, Pass General Peter Reed as Minister of War, Liaodong General William Scott as Grand Commander of the Five Armies, Shanhai Pass Deputy General Frank Reed as Pass General, Steven Bennett as Liaodong General. All those without noble titles are to be made earls, and Earl of Pacifying the West William Scott is promoted to Marquis of Pacifying the West.”

　　Edward Harris stood beside Henry Clark and proclaimed.