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

Chapter 361 A Brilliant Battle of Public Opinion

"You do it!"

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

Zhang Huangyan gratefully accepted the pen.

In an instant, those glorious memories flooded back to me.
Burning villages, mutilated corpses, cruel foreign barbarians, and shameless powerful clans flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

He quickly reached out to steady the table.

……

Manifesto of the Northern Expedition of the United Empire

The Five Barbarian Tribes once invaded China, but the dynasty was destroyed after only one or two reigns.

Now the Eastern barbarians have fulfilled the prophecy, and it is precisely the time of the autumn of the twenty-eighth year. Indeed, Heaven's way is to repay kindness, and moreover, the people's hearts yearn for the Han.

The chieftain, originally a barbarian, repeatedly rebelled and, taking advantage of the many hardships, seized control of the Central Plains. Our people were transformed into dogs and sheep, and our land fell to the Rong and Di tribes. Every person with blood in their veins feels deep sorrow and rage at this slave chieftain.

China was submerged, and millions perished.

Fortunately, the chief minister had been infiltrating the enemy camp for twenty-four years, maneuvering up and down and left and right, secretly carrying out the Tian family's usurpation of the Qi throne.

China is very lucky, the people are very lucky, and the famous religion is very lucky.

The newly established United Empire is in its infancy, and everything is in need of rebuilding.

The Grand Secretary advocated for righteousness and called on all provinces to jointly send troops.

Revenge and redemption are not something to be delayed; the time to return to righteousness and overthrow evil is today.

Heroes from all provinces responded enthusiastically, willing to follow the Grand Secretary and deploy their strongest troops and fiercest generals to quell the rebellion in Liaodong, save the people from suffering, and restore the dignity of the Han officials.

If there are those who outwardly comply but inwardly defy justice and do not follow the greater good, their hearts deserve to be condemned, their entire clan should be exterminated, the whole world should unite to punish them, and all the people should join in their attack.

Now or never.

The proclamation was made known far and wide.

Respectfully, this special edict.

……

After finishing writing the proclamation for the Northern Expedition, Zhang Huangyan staggered to the side and shouted to the sky: "Heaven is bright, heaven is bright! Protect my China, protect my Confucianism!"

Everyone cheered in unison.

Jiang Qingyun waved his hand.

"A timeless masterpiece, unchanged from a single word, illuminates the world and inspires the people."

"According to the order."

Everyone immediately knelt down.

Chiang Kai-shek, the Grand Secretary? Or Emperor Chiang Kai-shek?
Politics belongs only to the strong. Regardless of what the political system of the United Empire will be in the future, if Jiang Qingyun wants to accomplish great things, he must first become a strongman whose word is law.

The Duke of Huguo did not rise to power through words, but through force.

……

That night~
A grand banquet was held in the Forbidden City, a scene of singing and dancing.

Emperor Yongli, Zhu Youlang, was like a frightened young wife, timid and hesitant, and only after much difficulty did he muster the courage to step forward.

"Your Excellency, on behalf of the millions of people, I offer you a toast."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chiang Kai-shek smiled and raised his glass.

Looking at the expectant Zhu Youlang, Jiang Qingyun knew that offering a toast was a pretext; his real purpose was to ask, "How do you plan to settle things with me, the Emperor of the Great Ming?"

good question!
Jiang Qingyun's true idea was to have the Ming emperor and the Qing emperor live together in the Forbidden City, with the Eastern Palace belonging to the Ming and the Western Palace to the Qing, and the two emperors engaging in heated debates, even physical fights, every day.

That sounds interesting.

In any case, these two "emperors" must be brought down from their pedestals and transformed into ordinary people. This will greatly benefit the long-term stability of the united empire and the future enlightenment of the people.

Killing people is easy; enlightening the people is difficult.

Ascending to the throne is easy; reshaping civilization is difficult.

……

"Chief assistant?"

"Ah, Your Majesty must be tired from your journey north alone. I have a house in the southern city. It is not luxurious, but it is safe. Your Majesty may stay there for the time being."

"Yes Yes."

Zhu Youlang was indignant. He had been told that he would live in the Forbidden City.

As if reading his mind, Jiang Qingyun blurted out, "The Forbidden City has been in disrepair for many years, and the palace is not peaceful. It needs to be properly repaired before it can be occupied. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

"It's alright, it's alright, thank you for your trouble, my dear minister." Everyone in the hall had their own thoughts and dared not say more.

Jiang Zhongcheng's eyes blazed with fury; he wished he could grab a stool and smash Zhu Youlang's head open in front of everyone. "The Forbidden City is my son's home! You damned stray dog, you think you can live in the Forbidden City?"
……

A month later.

Xiamen.

Zheng Sen's furious roar echoed throughout the room.

"Who does Jiang Qingyun think he is? How dare he mobilize my troops? When we switched sides, it was all clearly written down in black and white. I only nominally submitted to him, and he promised never to interfere with my Zheng family's army. And you, Feng Xifan, how dare you make decisions for me? You have quite the nerve."

"Your Highness, please calm your anger. We cannot refuse this military expedition, otherwise we will have violated the greater good. In my opinion, we should send troops, but not provide any support."

"Bastard, son of a bitch, shameless, despicable."

Zheng Sen cursed loudly, unable to bear such humiliation, his fiery temper making him unable to stand it.

"The man surnamed Jiang is a schemer."

"No, Your Highness, this is an open conspiracy."

Zheng Sen was taken aback, then nodded.

"Yes, it's a classic case of open conspiracy. He is high above, he is radiant, he holds the reins of justice, and if we dare to say a word against him, we will be condemned by thousands and cursed by all."

"Your Highness, these are the examination papers for this year's autumn imperial examination."

"dont see."

"Your Highness, please take a look; the exam questions are relevant to us."

Zheng Sen took a look and his face instantly turned bright red.

Exam question: "On the United Empire: A Case Study of the Joint Expedition of Various Provinces to the Northern Expedition against the Jurchens."

Zhang Huangyan's manifesto was included in the exam materials, as was Jiang Qingyun's appeal.

Zheng Sen was so angry he laughed.

"Feng Xifan, describe to me what that Jiang guy looks like, talks, and has all sorts of quirks. I find it hard to believe that someone could be so treacherous."

"Yes."

Feng Xifan had already realized that the prince had backed down and sending troops north was a foregone conclusion.

"Chief Minister Chiang was born into a military family, and his personal martial arts skills were mediocre, but he was particularly adept at the ways of the civil official. He was extremely skilled in officialdom, extremely bold in his methods of struggle, unconventional in his actions, and had a deep mind. Even his confidants found it difficult to fathom his thoughts. He had a handsome face, was tall and strong, and at first glance seemed to have the appearance of an ancient gentleman, but in reality, he was not. He was unrestrained, quite lustful, and power-hungry, but not greedy for money."

Zheng Sen suddenly remembered his long-lost teacher's wife, and was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

"Go on~"

"Yes. There are two questions surrounding this person. First, what is his true attitude towards Confucianism? Second, does he want to become emperor?"

Zheng Sen sneered.

"The second question is self-evident; he will definitely declare himself emperor given the opportunity. But the first question... I don't quite understand it."

"Is Your Highness aware of the incident in which 800 scholars perished in the Yellow River?"

"know."

"This person claimed to respect Confucianism, but he was ruthless in his actions, killing civil officials and scholars as easily as killing chickens."

Zheng Sen waved his hand.

"He did nothing wrong. These people deserve to die."

"Yes."

Feng Xifan was not surprised by this. The Prince of Yanping was impeccable in terms of righteousness. He had even wanted to kill his father, who had defected to the Qing Dynasty.

……

Zheng Sen gradually calmed down.

"Destroying the Qing is a noble cause and also the goal that my Zheng family has always strived for. He wants to conquer Liaodong and eliminate future troubles. I should support him. I can send troops and fleets north, but the military expenses must be borne by the central government."

"Whom does Your Highness wish to appoint as commander?"

"What do you mean?"

"Chief Minister Chiang said in front of everyone that he hoped Liu Guoxuan would be the commander-in-chief."

"really?"

“Absolutely true. Zhou Quanbin was present at the time; His Highness can find out by summoning him and asking him.”

"No need. I'll think about the head coach's matter some more. You may leave now."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)