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

Chapter 341 To be an emperor? Or a human emperor?
A severed head rolled down to the feet of the generals.

The generals stared intently, then recoiled in terror. It wasn't that they hadn't seen a severed head before, but...
This damn head isn't that of Li Guoying, the Governor-General of Sichuan; it's clearly the head of Guo Zhuangtu, the son-in-law of the Prince of Pingxi and the vanguard officer entering Sichuan, with half of his face burned off.

Chiang Kai-shek was a ruthless man!
The strategy of first praising and then criticizing, catching the enemy off guard, would be a nightmare for even the real Cao Cao, let alone Yuan Shao of Yunnan.

"Your Majesty!"

Everyone rushed forward to help Wu Sangui up. They saw that Wu Sangui's face was ashen, his breath was faint, and his eyes were fixed on the sky, looking like a fool.

"My lord, are you okay?"

"Your Highness, please say something!"

Faced with the crowd's frantic urging, Wu Sangui finally spoke: "My heart aches."

As soon as the words were spoken, tears streamed down her face.

Not long after~
The second daughter, who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, burst into tears and fainted, making the scene even more chaotic.

……

The news of the complete annihilation of the Western Route Army and the death of the Prince of Pingxi was like a depth charge, causing panic and unease among the hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

With a major battle imminent, morale is in turmoil.

This is a major taboo.

In reality, no matter how history unfolds, among the many factors that determine the outcome of war, the will of the people is always far ahead.

Because even the most sophisticated weapons must be controlled by people.

Weapons don't kill automatically; it's always humans who actively and proactively kill.

……

It is 20 li outside Changsha city.

The Southern Expeditionary Army Camp of the United Empire.

A weary and haggard scout rode into the camp, shouting along the way: "Great victory in Sichuan! Ten thousand enemy soldiers killed!"

Wherever they went, the soldiers cheered.

Making noise without cause is a violation of military discipline, but making noise with a reason is not considered a violation of military discipline.

Near the central command tent.

Zhou Cang stopped the scout.

"General, good news from Sichuan!"

"I know, wait a moment."

"General, the military report cannot be delayed for a moment and must be delivered to the Grand Secretary in person immediately."

"No rush. The Grand Secretary is currently handling urgent official business, which is of paramount importance, more important than anything else."

The scout dared not say a word.

He would never believe it, even if you beat him to death, that the so-called urgent official business was actually sexual intercourse!

Sexual intercourse is not the goal; the goal is to have a son. For this lofty ideal, Jiang Qingyun is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Jiangnan on a sheepskin rug.

Outside the central command tent.

The monk Tianji sat cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed, reciting the Lankavatara Sutra. His direct purpose was to pray, while his indirect purpose was to add to the festivities.

Metaphysics is best believed in.

……

Inside the account.

Jiang Nan felt a little uneasy.

"My lord, everyone outside is shouting about the great victory in Sichuan. Military affairs are more important. Why don't we call it a day?"

Shh, focus.

"Yes."

Jiang Qingyun seemed to be possessed by Xie An, calm and composed.

Wu Sangui's three armies—east, central, and west—have been reduced to a pitiful central force, a result of his own actions and the workings of fate.

Rain pattered on the banana leaves, the breath came in ragged gasps, but the rain stopped and the sky cleared.

He slowly got up and let out a long breath.

"Change."

"Yes."

Green Pearl and a maidservant rushed over to help her wash, change clothes, put on soft armor, put on a robe, and finally tie up her hair.

……

The tent flap was lifted.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Grand Secretary, dressed like a noble young master from the Song Dynasty, walked out.

The generals, who had been waiting for a long time, knelt on one knee.

Congratulations, Prime Minister!

"What joy?"

The scout quickly stepped forward and excitedly shouted, "Reporting to the Grand Secretary, a great victory has been achieved in Sichuan! Our army has killed 10,000 of Wu Sangui's elite cavalry and beheaded Guo Zhuangtu and Zhang Guozhu in battle."

After a quick glance, Jiang Qingyun smiled.

"The young thief has been defeated, but it took him a few days longer than I expected."

"Proclaim this to the three armies, reward them with wine and meat, and further bestow titles and honors after Wu Sangui is defeated."

"Yes, sir." (After thinking for a moment...)
He then made another remark in front of everyone.

"Wang Jinbao is commendable for his loyalty and bravery, and his family will enjoy wealth and prosperity for three generations."

Before long, these words will reach Wang Jinbao's ears and become an ironclad guarantee.

It's springtime, and the flowers are in full bloom.

Along the banks of the Xiang River, amidst birdsong and fragrant flowers, life was vibrant. Chief Minister Chiang was in high spirits, ordering all his troops to train rigorously every day. He himself spent his days fishing, hunting, and indulging in sensual pleasures.

For a time, everyone revered them as if they were gods.

……

But Jiang Qingyun was ultimately not a god, but a mortal.

As mortals, we all have selfish desires.

As mortals, we shed blood.

"Master, do you remember the first time we met?"

"remember."

"You told me back then that I could have four of the four things: wife, wealth, children, longevity, and riches. Do you remember?"

"Yes."

"So, which four items are they?"

The monk Tianji shook his head.

"Master, do you not know? Or are you afraid to say?"

"No, it is because heavenly secrets cannot be revealed, nor can they be speculated upon, otherwise one will bring about unforeseen disasters."

"Are you trying to play tricks on me?"

"Please forgive me, Prime Minister. Everything is the arrangement of God. Mortals can only follow the will of Heaven."

Jiang Qingyun burst into laughter.

"What if I defy the will of Heaven?"

"This humble monk is but a mortal; to defy Heaven is certain death. The Prime Minister is the reincarnation of the Red-Clothed Holy Lord of the Demon Realm; if you wish to defy Heaven, Heaven cannot do anything to you."

"Master, do you know what offspring mean to me?"

"If one has offspring, he can become emperor. If one has no offspring, he can become human emperor."

Jiang Qingyun's gaze gradually turned cold.

"You all know?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"I knew it from the very beginning."

"Did you put some kind of curse on me?"

“If this humble monk possessed such magical powers, he would have become the Dharma King himself. Why would he sit on the sidelines and watch?”

A long time~
Jiang Qingyun took a deep breath.

"Master, I need an heir. Please help me. In return, you can ask for anything. I will not haggle over any conditions you propose. Please do not refuse me immediately. Think about it again."

Done.

Jiang Qingyun got up and left.

……

"Drive~"

As he galloped wildly on horseback, Jiang Qingyun felt as if a fire was burning in his heart, both resentful and intense.

Guards armed with bows and arrows followed closely on both flanks, forming a mirror image of a migrating goose formation, ensuring the lord's absolute safety.

After charging up a hill about four or five zhang high, Jiang Qingyun reined in his horse and stopped.

Looking around, all you could see were our own soldiers training. The Eight Banners soldiers were practicing horse archery, the Green Standard Army soldiers were practicing sword and shield formations, and the New Army soldiers were practicing shooting.

The air was filled with the smell of sulfur.

far away.

Three riders galloped up at high speed, their cotton armor gleaming.

Jiang Qingyun glanced at Zhou Cang.

Zhou Cang understood immediately, spurred his horse down to intercept the three riders a hundred feet away, and then verbally relayed the information.

All of this seems normal, but in reality, it hides a deadly trap.

After the Spring Festival.

Jiang Qingyun issued an order that the defense of the central army camp be taken over by 2000 Baoding New Army soldiers and 3000 Zhili Green Standard Army soldiers, excluding the Eight Banners.

The stated reason was that the Eight Banners were the elite of the imperial court and needed to focus wholeheartedly on combat missions, so they were not suitable to take on the tedious task of guarding the border.

But in reality, it's a crisis of trust.

The dissidents of the Ninth Banner were hidden among the Eight Banners and were impossible to distinguish.

This means that at any moment a fanatical Ninth Banner member could suddenly appear and shoot a heavy arrow weighing half a pound at him.

Invulnerable?
impossible.

(End of this chapter)