Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 452 The world is in turmoil, can one find a night's peace?
This was true for both the Northern and Southern Song dynasties.

The situation in the Sui and Liao dynasties was not much better.

No matter how stubborn and self-willed Yang Guang was, faced with the constant stream of bad news from the Ming Dynasty, he could only hastily end his trip to Jiangzhou and return to Luoyang to prepare for handling state affairs and dealing with the threat from the Ming Dynasty.

However, the three campaigns against Goguryeo had already depleted the Sui Dynasty's national strength to a great extent.

Rebellions broke out in various places.

Not to mention that when faced with the threat of the Ming Dynasty, Yang Guang restrained his stubborn and self-willed nature and began to confront the Sui Dynasty, he realized that the Sui Dynasty was already riddled with problems.

Not to mention comparing it to the time of his father Yang Jian, even when he first ascended the throne, it was dozens of times better than it is now.

The treasury was in deficit, the court was corrupt, and man-made disasters were rampant throughout the country.

In addition, his three campaigns against Goguryeo and the construction of the Grand Canal caused the people of the Sui Dynasty to become alienated from him.

Rebellions broke out one after another in various places. Even though Yang Lin and Yang Xuangan continued to suppress and quell them, they could not stop the flames of war from spreading throughout the Sui Dynasty, which showed a trend of collapse similar to that of the Xia Dynasty.

Yang Guang looked at the memorial and was furious: "I feed them and clothe them, and they rebel against me. Without building the Grand Canal, how can the Han people of the North and South be integrated? How can government orders be issued? They don't understand me; they only see petty gains in front of them."

"Goguryeo has repeatedly invaded Liaodong, posing a major threat to our Great Sui Dynasty. If we do not eliminate them..."

“It will surely become a calamity in the future.”

"I was right to launch three campaigns against Goguryeo, and they used that as an excuse to rebel against me!"

"kill!"

"Order Yang Lin to kill all those who dare to rebel against the Sui Dynasty."

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible!"

The court officials who had just been watching the drama unfold suddenly jumped out, even the Yuwen family rushed out to stop it. The Sui Dynasty had already been torn apart by Yang Guang's machinations and was on the verge of collapse. If he continued to act recklessly and unleash a bloodbath, the consequences would be dire.

It's likely that it wasn't the powerful clans and local rebel armies that opposed him.

Instead, the entire Sui Dynasty rebelled.

The three campaigns against Goguryeo involved the conscription of millions of laborers, most of whom perished on the battlefields of Liaodong, severely weakening the Sui Dynasty.

Despite the objections of his ministers, Yang Guang insisted on building the Grand Canal, conscripting a million laborers. The canal's route was littered with corpses and piled up like mountains of bones.

If he were to go on a killing spree again, not to mention the officials of the Sui Dynasty.

Even if Prime Minister Zhuge Liang were to be resurrected, and all three heroes of the early Han dynasty were to emerge to assist the Sui dynasty, they still wouldn't be able to salvage this crumbling ship.

"Your Majesty, the most pressing issue right now is the threat to the Ming Dynasty."

"The unrest among the people and the forces that have risen up in various places are nothing more than a minor ailment."

"As long as we can defeat the Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty will be able to easily quell the rebellions and uprisings in the Sui Dynasty, won't that be a piece of cake?" Yuwen Huaji's tone was obsequious and flattering, but only he knew what he was really thinking.

However, even Yuwen Huaji knew that the biggest threat to the Sui Dynasty at present was not the restless powerful clans, nor the rebel armies or forces like Wagangzhai.

Rather, it was a threat from the Ming Dynasty.

"Yes, Your Majesty. According to the intelligence sent back by Lord Yu, the Ming Dynasty is preparing for war and its wolfish ambitions are obvious. If we do not make preparations soon, it may be too late."

"Your Majesty, please prioritize the well-being and stability of the Sui Dynasty."

"Domestic threats are but minor ailments; the Ming Dynasty is the true and most serious threat to our Great Sui Dynasty. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"The intelligence sent back by Lord Yu reveals that the new Ming emperor possesses two powerful armies, Tian Ce and Cang Yun. If we do not prepare soon, our Great Sui Dynasty will be in grave danger!" "There are priorities. If Your Majesty is truly resentful, you can order the local garrisons to quickly suppress the uprisings. Those peasants will not amount to much, but the Ming Dynasty is watching us like a tiger, and we must not be complacent!"

Yang Guang could act recklessly in normal times, since the officials in the court and the four major clans would benefit the most. Even if things went wrong, they could just replace the emperor. They were very good at playing this game, maintaining their family line for a thousand years and their dynasty for a hundred years.

However, they had to take the threat from the Ming Dynasty seriously.

There was no other way. Once the Sui Dynasty fell, these powerful families would be directly exposed to the iron hooves of the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who knew Zhu Jinzhen's character and ruthless methods would not believe that the Ming Dynasty would give them the opportunity to surrender and hold onto their family power after conquering the Sui Dynasty.

Therefore, those who least want the Sui Dynasty to fall are actually the powerful clans and officials of the court.

"Then, my esteemed ministers, do you have any good strategies?" A faint hint of sarcasm flashed deep in Yang Guang's eyes. When he was campaigning against Goguryeo three times and building the Grand Canal, powerful families and court officials kept dragging his feet. But now that the Ming Dynasty was about to attack, they were all united!

Why didn't you do this sooner?

"Your Majesty, I have a plan."

"Perhaps we can form alliances and temporarily make peace with the Northern Song, Southern Song, Sui, Mongol Yuan, and even the Turks and Liao to jointly resist the Ming, avoid the depletion of war, and buy time for the Sui and the world to develop."

"Wei Chen seconded the proposal."

"Your Majesty, this old minister thinks it's exciting and feasible."

"The Ming Dynasty is coming on strong, and we are like fire and water. Whether it is the Northern Song or the Southern Song, the Liao and the Mongol Yuan will be unable to resist alone. Facing the Ming Dynasty, they will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. As long as Your Majesty nods, they will definitely not refuse."

The court was in disarray, but most of the Sui Dynasty officials believed that this was the most feasible method at present.

In comparison, all other strategies are nothing but wishful thinking.

The only way to defeat the Ming Dynasty is to unite the forces of the surrounding countries.

Although Yang Guang was stubborn and self-willed, it cannot be denied that he was once a brilliant and ambitious emperor who wanted to emulate the First Emperor and end the chaos in the world and unify the country again.

He also had a deeper understanding of the suggestions from his court officials.

"I understand this principle perfectly well."

"But even if the alliance succeeds, it will only bring a night's peace."

"The Ming Dynasty is developing rapidly. The Ming emperor has mastered the secrets of the First Emperor's mausoleum. According to the intelligence that has been sent back, the national strength and military power of the Ming Dynasty are increasing day by day. How long can we maintain our peace of mind for just one night?"

"Today we cede five cities, tomorrow ten, and then we can have a peaceful night's sleep. But when we rise and look around, the Ming army is already here again. What should we do then?"

lonely.

The Sui Dynasty court fell into a deathly silence.

This question was so insightful that many officials frowned deeply, revealing their worry and hesitation.

Yes.

Even if their alliance succeeds, their chance to sleep peacefully for a night is merely a precarious existence.

They sought to break the code and buy time for development.

However, on the same time scale, the development of the Ming Dynasty would only be more terrifying.

Two months ago, their understanding of the Ming Dynasty and Zhu Jinzhen was that Tian Ce and Cang Yun were the strongest armies in the world, but not invincible. However, in just two months, the Tian Ce and Cang Yun soldiers had all reached the Vajra Realm. Furthermore, according to the news sent back by Lord Yu, there were 100,000 Finger Profound Masters in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

What will the Ming Dynasty be like in another month or two?

An army of Grandmasters at the Celestial Realm?
How will the Sui Dynasty resist then? How long can all the nations of the world hold out even if they give their all?
(End of this chapter)