When Li Zicheng's army reached the walls of the Capital City, the letter he wrote to Emperor Chongzhen was hardly that of a rebel leader. It sounded more like a subject, even implying he would withdraw his troops if paid enough silver.
He had even sent envoys to negotiate with Emperor Chongzhen, proposing conditions like ceding the Northwest to him, granting him the title of King, and a reward of a million in silver for his army.
This wasn't because Li Zicheng lacked ambition. On the contrary, his army swelled with every battle. With more soldiers to support, his supplies and funds ran perilously low. The Chuang King was brought down to earth by harsh realities, spending sleepless nights terrified that his soldiers would mutiny and kill him if he couldn't provide pay and food. His final letter to Chongzhen was practically a confession; he stated that for enough silver, he would settle for being the Northwest King.
