You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 153 Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river~
Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The morning court session has just ended.

The ministers gathered in small groups, discussing the matter animatedly.

Just now, Emperor Shunzhi personally announced that, effective immediately, the court would refuse to accept the surrender of any civil or military officials of Zhu Youlang's regime, and that all such officials, whether they surrendered or fought, would be eliminated.

"Your Majesty is mighty! Once this decree is announced to the world, won't Zhu Youlang be so frightened that he hangs himself?"

"Hehe, the Ming army in the southwest might immediately fall apart and become bandits."

"The Ming army and soldiers have long been wiped out. The rest are all bandits from the Great Western Regions. They were bandits to begin with, they're just returning to their true nature."

A group of people laughed unrestrainedly, taking pleasure in mocking Zhu Youlang and demonstrating their loyalty.

……

Cining Palace.

As was customary, Emperor Shunzhi came to pay his respects.

"Fulin, look how beautiful this rose is."

"The flowers are so beautiful, which means that the feng shui in Mother's palace is good."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang tossed the scissors in her hand to a maid and pulled over two brocade stools.

"I heard that you announced to the world that you refused the surrender of Ming officials?"

"Yes."

"what are you thinking?"

"Firstly, it would be in accordance with public opinion to leave official titles and ranks to the Eight Banners descendants, thus repairing the tense relations within the Eight Banners. Secondly, it would make things more difficult for the Four Han Princes at the front, and try to deplete their troops as much as possible."

"Aren't you afraid that the Ming army in the southwest will be driven to desperation and fight like cornered beasts?"

"I have thought of that, so I made a special note at the end of the decree that the surrender of Ming civil and military officials is not allowed, but the surrender of ordinary soldiers is accepted. All surrendered soldiers will be incorporated into the Green Standard Army and will continue to receive their pay."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang did not ask any further questions, because she also knew that having too many surrendered officials from the Ming Dynasty was not a good thing. When the Qing Dynasty first entered the pass, it needed to rely on surrendered officials. As the saying goes, times have changed. Now, it is not necessary to attach as much importance to surrendered officials as before.

"Mother, I have decided to hold another imperial examination next year."

"Excellent, let's win over the hearts of scholars from all over the world."

Shunzhi laughed. He used the special imperial examination to select officials and then assigned them to various regions. Weren't they more loyal and obedient than those Ming Dynasty officials? The newcomers didn't have as many bad habits either.

……

We left the Cining Palace.

Shunzhi's face gradually turned cold.

"Wu Liangfu".

"The slave is here."

"Investigate which officials and eunuchs frequently spread rumors in front of the Empress Dowager. Once you have found out, give me the list."

"Whoo."

Wu Liangfu's eyes darted around. There were two old coffin-like men in the Thirteen Offices who, relying on their seniority, were not very respectful to him. He could take this opportunity to kill them while he was working for the Emperor.

The hatred between eunuchs was truly deep-seated.

"Prepare the carriage and leave the palace."

"Whoo."

The route from Qianqing Palace to the Red Palace became the one that Shunzhi traveled most frequently, going there every two or three days to enjoy song and dance performances.

The variety of ideas is endless, and the excitement is escalating layer by layer.

In short, Emperor Shunzhi enjoyed it.

The three palaces and six courtyards were all weaklings; even combined, they couldn't compare to a single song and dance troupe.

……

After the news of "refusing to surrender to Ming officials" spread, the general dissatisfaction of the two Red Banners, two White Banners, and Bordered Blue Banners with Shunzhi was slightly relieved.

The bloodshed surrounding the Dorgon Rebellion and the February 226 Mutiny is gradually fading.

The all-purpose reason for arresting someone—"I suspect you are a remnant of Dorgon"—is no longer valid.

Jiang Qingyun temporarily ceased his activities, no longer tinkering with various cases, and focused on urging the Eight Banners Salary Office to distribute salaries on time, appearing kind and benevolent.

In short, everything happened so naturally.

The summer heat was intense, but the capital was peaceful. Surprisingly, no one in the court bothered Jiang Qingyun. This was because the reform of the Ministry of Revenue was such a large undertaking that whoever replaced Jiang Qingyun would have to take charge of it.

Very few people realized that this was something Jiang Qingyun had done deliberately.

Fan Mansion.

Fan Wencheng repeatedly read the "Biography of Zhang Tang" in the Book of Han and gained some insights. The book records that Zhang Tang helped Emperor Wu to deal with powerful clans, implemented salt and iron reforms, and killed many people. He was a cruel official and a capable minister.

Jiang Qingyun is now walking the exact same path. "The Emperor is still wise."

"Your Majesty is wiser than anyone else."

Fan Wencheng genuinely admired Emperor Shunzhi, emulating Emperor Wu's use of Zhang Tang to kill people with swift knives, discarding them only after they had become smelly and pungent, thus eliciting cheers from the people.

In fact, Fan Wencheng was right.

That was what Shunzhi was thinking. However, Shunzhi believed himself to be more humane than Emperor Wu, and planned to spare Jiang Qingyun's life by letting him resign from his official post and retire to spend the rest of his life among wine and women.

The bond between ruler and subject, from beginning to end, is a truly admirable story.

……

May 25th.

Jiading (Leshan) in southern Sichuan.

An elite cavalry unit is making its final preparations for the expedition, commanded by First-Class Viscount Zu Zerun and deputy commander-in-chief Wang Jinbao.

The former needs no further explanation; they are descendants of the Zu family, a family of generals.

The latter was from Guyuan, Gansu. He was a general in the Nine Border Army, brave and skilled in battle, and adept at long-distance cavalry raids. He was one of the Four Generals of Hexi.

Wu Sangui bowed deeply.

"Generals, I beg you!"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty."

"My old brothers of the Guan Ning Army, I'm counting on you."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty."

Three thousand cavalrymen filed out and headed south.

Wu Sangui stood on the city wall, gazing at the horizon for a long time, reluctant to leave. It wasn't merely an act; it was genuine worry. For a warlord aspiring to establish his own independent regime, elite veterans were more valuable than any treasure.

If you lose your money, you can rob it.

If the soldiers are gone, then everything is gone.

……

“Xuan Chu, I suddenly have some regrets.”

"Your Highness, we will win."

"What do you think Jiang Qingyun is really up to?"

"He wants to be a powerful minister."

"Sima Yi? Or Huo Guang?"

"It's hard to say, but I think we can't let him become Sima Yi. The Qing Dynasty can't fall, because it won't do us any good if it falls. The best situation is for the Qing Dynasty to be large but not strong, and for the Ming army in the southwest to be small and scattered. This way, we in the western region can jump around on a few eggs and maximize our interests."

"The Crown Prince is being held hostage in the capital..."

"Your Highness, do not worry. As long as our army is strong and well-equipped, the Crown Prince will not have any problems in the capital. In the future, when the opportunity arises, we can exchange benefits for the Crown Prince."

"Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, yet it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious."

……

Guided by a local, 3000 Wu soldiers daringly traversed the Ancient Tea Horse Road, narrowly breaking through two lines of defense and suddenly appearing in Yunnan.

If the Western Army had been able to destroy and block some of the narrow ancient mountain paths in time, they would not have succeeded.

War is full of uncertainty.

They have the ability, but they also have a lot of luck.

Currently, the main force of the Great Western Army is deployed in the Guizhou-Guangxi area, leaving its rear extremely vulnerable.

Wu Jun raised the Eight Banners flag, and the defending troops immediately scattered like birds and beasts.

200 li from Kunming, Wu Jun easily defeated a hastily assembled infantry force of the Great Western Army, killing more than 1000 in half an hour and pursuing them for more than ten li.

Looking at the smoke signals rising one after another in the distance, Zu Zerun guessed that the Great Western Army would not be able to organize a second organized field army in Yunnan in the short term.

"Wang Youji, the situation is very favorable now, let's split up our forces."

"The general will obey the order."

"I'll head east, you head south. Don't cause any trouble along the way, and try to create as much panic as possible."

"General, when shall we retreat?"

"It could take anywhere from 7 to 15 days. The military situation can change in an instant. You can decide for yourself."

"I will obey my orders."

(End of this chapter)