Simulates history, but Chongzhen is the Divine Emperor at the beginning

Chapter 276 Discussing morality in times of peace, sacrificing oneself to serve the king in times of crisis!

It's rare for a simulated protagonist to offer advice, but it's not unheard of.

Back then, Zhou Tianzun had raised objections to Zhou Liang's attempt to use him to win prizes. In the end, Zhou Liang adopted his opinion after careful consideration. After all, simulated characters also have personalities, and it's really not good to treat them as if they weren't human.

Therefore, Zhou Liang was somewhat tolerant of the simulated character giving him advice, but the timing of "Zhou Chi's" advice was precisely now... which left Zhou Liang somewhat bewildered!

Out of concern for your life and dignity, I kindly offered to let you start over, and yet you're giving me feedback at this crucial moment...

Could it be that you really think you can survive by selling ditches to Zhao Gou?!

Zhou Liang scratched his head:
"What exactly does he mean? He can't really be planning to..."

[Replying to the host, Zhou Chi didn't mean he wanted to submit to Zhao Gou, but rather that he still had things he couldn't let go of in this life.]

Worried? What could be worrying about?

They're family...

Upon hearing this, Zhou Liang was immediately taken aback.

Indeed, he's different from others; he has family...

Looking back on Zhou Tianzun's many rebirths, although he still had some attachment to the things he had done in his previous life, he had never married or had children. His only direct blood relatives were his parents. So as long as his parents could live in peace and comfort, he could choose to start over without any attachment to worldly affairs.

But Zhou Chi is different. Leaving aside his parents, just the son he had with Pan Niangzi, who offered a large sum of money for a child, is enough to make him worry!

Although that son did not know him and was not legally his son, he was still his direct descendant. How could he not have any feelings for him?
Therefore, it is understandable that Zhou Chi cannot let go of the ties to this world...

But Zhou Liang still frowned:
“I understand his personal feelings, of course, but things are different now. He should know... if he stays, then he will either repeat the same mistakes because of resistance, or he will compromise because of compromise…”

[Replying to the host, Zhou Chi understood the reasoning, but he couldn't let go of his family... therefore, he still wanted to give it a try.]

Moreover, he felt that the situation might not be as polarized as imagined; besides resistance and compromise, perhaps there was another path...

Ok?
Zhou Liang couldn't understand: What other way was there? Zhao Gou had already revealed his hand; "Zhou Chi" either had to kneel down and kowtow to him or fight head-on... Where was there any third way?
However, even though I don't understand it, since that's what they've said, I don't necessarily have to be the bad guy...

"Fine, since he still wants to try, I'll give him a chance..."

Zhou Liang sighed:

"Okay, we'll accept his opinion!"

[Ding! The system has detected that the host has accepted the suggestion of the simulated protagonist "Zhou Chi". The system is temporarily enabling the rewind function for him. Please wait for the result...]

[Ding! "Zhou Chi" has chosen to return to the previous point in his life!]

[Returning...]

[Ding! You're back at the crossroads of struggle and compromise. You want to protect the lives and property of the people, but you also want to maintain your own dignity. However, life is often like trying to have your cake and eat it too; you can't have it all. Ultimately, you have to make your own choice… You choose: (?)]

[A: Sacrificing your own family for the greater good! The Prime Minister was willing to risk his life to protect the people, so why are you unwilling to make even this "small" sacrifice when it's your turn? It's obvious you don't love the Song Dynasty!]

[B: I want everything, both the big family and the small family! Who cares about anything else? My reasoning is paramount...]

[Ding! You have rejected all the above options and chosen the third path!]

This road is named "Slack Off"!

【…】

Sitting back in the Grand Tutor's mansion, reflecting on the outcome of that desperate struggle not long ago, you can't help but feel incredibly pessimistic about the path of resistance...

[But succumbing to Zhao Gou's "ditch literature" is clearly intolerable to you! Leaving aside the issue of dignity, what makes you think Zhao Gou would spare your life after getting what he wanted?]

Therefore, neither resistance nor compromise is the best option, at least you don't want to choose either right now...

[But with such a critical matter at hand, Zhao Gou is under immense pressure. You must find a way to deal with his coercion!]

[Therefore, after much deliberation, you finally decided to proceed...] [You went directly to Zhao Gou, who was still waiting for your message in the palace, and then, seeing his utterly bewildered expression, sighed helplessly: Since the Emperor's divine power has weakened, it seems the Song Dynasty's fate is sealed!]

What? A northern expedition invading the Jin dynasty?!

This is too radical; I don't want to see such a tragic outcome...

What? Selling genitals?

That obviously means they won't be able to sell a single piece...

Yang Zhu said it well: "I would not pluck a single hair to benefit the world!"

"I came here to serve as an official, not to sell myself... Although I genuinely wish to do something for the people, I am, in fact, a member of the feudal ruling class. It's good enough if I don't actively harm the people; how can you expect me to make sacrifices for them?"

Wake up, Your Excellencies! This is not a democratic society, this is a feudal society! What legitimate feudal ruler would truly sacrifice themselves for the people...?

Your pessimism can only be described in four words: ...

"The Great Song Dynasty is doomed!"

Zhao Gou: ...

【…】

[Zhao Gou was dumbfounded: Wait...didn't you previously take the fate of the nation as your own responsibility? How come you've suddenly started making such a fuss?!]

[Therefore, unable to contain himself any longer, He questioned you: "Are you saying that, faced with the ferocious Jurchens who slaughtered and plundered our Great Song people, our Great Song has no choice but to surrender?"]

Surrender? Of course not!

[You righteously declared that you are a staunch advocate of war, absolutely not a capitulationist like Qin Hui! Therefore, in the face of the Jurchen invasion, I will actively resist to the very last moment!]

Zhao Gou couldn't help but question: "Haven't we already lost to the Jurchens? What's the point of resisting? What's the use of resisting?"

You replied solemnly, "It can be used to prove my loyalty to Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, please believe us and the people of the land: even if we all jump into the sea at Yai Shan to die for our country, we will never surrender!"

Zhao Gou: ...

[Zhao Gou: #@*@#！！！]

Zhao Gou was so angry he laughed: "Well, so you neither surrender nor attack, preferring to jump into the sea to show your loyalty rather than do anything meaningful... truly 'in times of peace, you idly discuss morality; in times of danger, you die to serve your sovereign!'"

What good are you all then?!

In summary, your points can be summarized as follows...

Surrender is not an option, because it's disloyal!

A northern expedition is also out of the question, because we can't win!

Selling yourself to save the country won't work, because you must leave behind a clean reputation!

[Anyway, you haven't offered a single practical solution. You're just planning to jump into the sea and die for your country when the Jin army drives you to Yaishan... Oh, if Your Majesty needs it, I'm not unwilling to carry you and jump with you...]

[Set it up, then set it up!]

[Faced with the Song emperor, who was both furious and amused, your main strategy was simply to give up...]

Even if you don't genuinely want to give up, in order to survive under His rule for as long as possible, you have no choice but to pretend to give up.

[Now, let's see if this somewhat weakened Emperor Zhao will completely break down, or if he will patiently play along with you...]

……

(End of this chapter)