The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 934 Provocation
On January 13, 1778, Emperor Liu Xuan convened a meeting of his ministers in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to discuss how to deal with the attack of the new Crusaders.

Cabinet members, dignitaries from Tianxin City, and key officials from various departments all came to participate in the meeting.

War was a distant and unfamiliar thing for the Great Qi.

The empire had enjoyed a long period of peace, and the last large-scale foreign war was the pacification of Annam more than 30 years ago.

According to the imperial tradition, that war re-established the Great Qi's rule in the southwest.

Since then, no force has dared to provoke the southwest of the empire.

Of course, European historians generally regard the Annam War as the turning point from the rise to the fall of the State of Qi.

Evidence suggests that the Qi army suffered heavy losses in this war, losing at least twenty senior generals and tens of thousands of elite veterans, thus losing the ability to wage war against other countries.

The people of Qi tacitly agreed not to mention the matter again, as if the Annam War had never happened.

However, history does not simply fade away.

Judging from the current situation, it will take three months for the European army to arrive in Qi, which is enough time for Qi to prepare many things.

For example, preparations for a propaganda war, preparations for a nationwide war mobilization, withdrawal of ambassadors to European countries, withdrawal of investments in Europe, calls for vassal states to join the war against Europe, and formal declaration of war against other countries.

War mobilization is the first thing to do.

Fortunately, this was also the easiest thing to do, and the people of Tianxin City showed unprecedented enthusiasm for the arrival of war.

Especially among the destitute lower classes, upon hearing that the Great Qi was going to war with the British, many bachelors immediately sold their possessions to prepare dowries, eager to land on the British Isles and marry several blonde, blue-eyed British women.

They looted Britain and drank from the Seine.

To become the dream of every man in Tianxin City.

Unfortunately, this was a peaceful generation; war only existed in plays and novels.

In the novel, in the stories told by storytellers, there is the heroic act of Emperor Taizu Liu Zhaosun drawing his sword to pacify Liaodong, as well as the poignant cross-border love between Emperor Taizong Liu Kan and the Swedish princess.

He had distinguished military achievements and romantic escapades.

The only thing they didn't experience was the fear of facing death.

War may bring a ripple to an otherwise monotonous life.

Horrific casualties cannot intimidate fanatical people; only defeat can teach them to restrain themselves.

However, failure was far too unusual for Daqi.

"The Great Qi has been established for a hundred years and has never been defeated. The only time was when Emperor Taizu quelled the bandit Zhang Zicheng."

That year, the Kaiyuan army encountered the plague, and the soldiers defending the city were infected with the virus, resulting in heavy casualties.

In short, it was a natural disaster, beyond human control.

Of course, the claim that the Great Qi Dynasty had never suffered a defeat in a foreign war during its century-long existence also comes from the account of imperial historians. According to the research of European scholars, the Great Qi suffered a series of defeats from the very beginning of its establishment, and its only victory in a foreign war was the suppression of a rebellion in Korea.

Regardless, Emperor Liu Xuan was full of confidence in this war.

If possible, he hoped to achieve his goal in one decisive battle, because if he could successfully defeat the European coalition, the great cause of establishing a new world would be just around the corner.

"Our country once allied with Europe, exchanging friendly relations—those were wonderful times. However, now, Europeans cannot understand our great undertaking. Those arrogant monarchs, like George V, the King of France, and those European monarchs who constantly preach liberty and justice, habitually view the people of Qi as tree-dwelling, incompletely evolved monkeys. They readily assume the role of teachers, pointing fingers at Great Qi, even interfering with our cultural policies. But one thing is certain: once the imperial great undertaking is complete, Europeans will be the monkeys."

"The world will then know who the real monkey is!"

The emperor's words were a wake-up call.

This statement set the tone for the entire conference: the war with Europe was not merely a war between monarchs and the people, nor simply an ordinary war, but a contest between good and evil.

Without a doubt, Daqi represents justice.

"Minister Wang, what are your plans? I'd like to hear something more specific. Please don't give me vague generalities."

Instead of consulting the Minister of National Defense or the Minister of Foreign Affairs first, Liu Xuan focused his attention on officials from the Information Service.

Public opinion takes precedence over military action—this is a valuable ruling experience left by successive emperors.

The newly enthroned Emperor of Great Qi naturally understood this principle as well. Wang Xijue, the Director of the Information Bureau, wiped the sweat from his brow and raised his voice:
"The Tianxin City Theater will increase its theatrical performances, mainly depicting the heinous crimes committed by Europeans against the Great Qi during the reign of Emperor Taizu (1630s)! In addition, we will collaborate with publishing houses to increase the printing of illustrated books, and have storytellers in teahouses and taverns throughout Tianxin City present a series of performances about…"

"OK OK."

Before Wang Xijue could finish explaining, Liu Xuan impatiently waved his hand, interrupting the Director of the Information Agency's speech.

Clearly, the emperor was very dissatisfied with the press agency's work plan.

Liu Xuan shouted, "Are you planning to devote all your energy to Tianxin City?"

"Tianxin City is just a tiny place with only two million people. In the vast empire, it is just a small corner, a drop in the ocean! Tianxin City is not the point."

After Liu Xuan finished speaking, he stared sharply at Wang Xijue and loudly ordered:
"The Information Agency must spread propaganda to even more distant places. Whatever means you use, you must let the people know that this is the King's war, but it is also the war of the entire nation! If they are defeated, they will lose everything! First, you must let the people know about the atrocities committed by the Europeans. Of course, this is far from enough. You must also let our allies know that we will surely win this war! Especially the Koreans, the Ainu, and Annam in the south. Try your best to win them over, at least don't let these forces turn against us. In short, we must unite all forces that can be united to achieve victory."

The officials were in an uproar.

The Kingdom of Ezo was a mortal enemy of the Great Qi.

The Joseon Kingdom was a fence-sitter; when it was incorporated into the Great Qi territory, the Koreans were subservient to Tianxin City, but as for Annam...
Wang Xijue smiled.

The emperor was somewhat displeased.

"Minister Wang, what are you laughing at? Was what I just said so ridiculous?"

Wang Xijue quickly shook his head.

"Your Majesty is too kind. I simply wanted to tell Your Majesty that the Information Bureau has very little control over the various vassal states. To gain the support of the people of these states, we must first ensure that the generals of each state submit to Tianxin City. Of course, this is not something that I, as the head of the Information Bureau, can interfere with. As for the other vassal states, I'm afraid the Information Bureau has no authority over them."

Indeed, at present, the various vassal states have not truly submitted to Tianxin City.

Despite the emperor's series of wars to quell the rebellions, only some peripheral vassal states were eliminated.

The truly powerful vassal states consistently maintained a neutral stance during the suppression of rebellions.

In other words, Liu Xuan did not completely control the entire country.

The emperor was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "So, according to Director Wang's plan, how should this matter be handled?"

"We need to consider this carefully."

"Minister Wang, please speak."

Seeing that the emperor was so concerned, Wang Xijue continued, "The people of the various vassal states do not have the same awareness as the people of Tianxin City, so it is naturally difficult for them to share the same hatred with Your Majesty and fight against Europe."

"Propaganda is a gradual process and cannot be rushed. Letting each vassal state shed some of the blood of European prisoners is tantamount to paying a pledge of allegiance."

Liu Xuan gestured for him to continue.

"The generals and officials of all the vassal states must know that to win lasting peace, we must win this war and defeat the Europeans; there is no other way!"

It was clearly not enough to rely solely on the support of the generals and officials of the various vassal states for the war; the war required the broad participation of the common people. At this point, discussing whether the European war was just or not was no longer of much significance.

If we can win, then we can talk about justice.

Next was a speech by Chief of the National Defense Staff Lin Yongfu, who emphasized to the Emperor and his ministers that the current fighting strength of the Great Qi could only last for two months if the Europeans launched a full-scale attack.

"Couldn't we have stopped the enemy west of Manila? For example, on the east coast of Africa?"

"Your Majesty, that would be very difficult," Lin Yongfu said, forcing himself to speak.
"The Europeans have faster warships, and their firepower far surpasses that of the Imperial Navy. If the battlefield is fought on their ships, they can resupply nearby, while our nearest seaport is thousands of miles away..."

Liu Xuan angrily retorted, "What about our navy? Don't we have more advanced warships?"

The First Minister of the Navy explained in a low voice, "Europe has imposed a blockade on us, Your Majesty."

"So what can your navy do? Transport artillery shells to the army?"

"Your Majesty, what you've said needs to be discussed with the army."

Liu Xuan remained silent.

The emperor turned to look at Yuan Kai, the Minister of the Army.

"If the navy cannot keep the enemy at bay, the French may land in Shanghai and Zhifu ports. Can the army withstand the enemy's attack?"