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

Driven by Choi Jin, a pure Confucian seed carefully cultivated by the superior country, members of the "Jeolla Original Confucian and Mencian Reading Club" began to seize government offices.

Quanzhou.

Fire shot into the sky.

On one side were Confucian books being burned, and on the other side were heretical officials being burned.

Successfully seized power~
The fact that the book club easily seized control of Jeolla Province using neither fierce nor sophisticated methods illustrates two points.

First, the superior nation has accumulated great prestige.

Secondly, the Goryeo Kingdom was internally very weak.

Cui Zhen, dressed in a Ming Dynasty official robe, rode in a green sedan chair carried by four men, directing work from all directions.

“The statues of the Three Saints must be placed in the most prominent place in the government office. They must be carefully wiped with silk every day, and no dust should be allowed to accumulate. Otherwise, they will be considered heretics and sentenced to be burned at the stake.”

Confucius said, "To achieve benevolence," and Mencius said, "To uphold righteousness." All of you members of the reading group must keep the teachings of the sages firmly in mind and must not be greedy for life or afraid of death.

Everyone nodded frequently.

Choi Jin is now practically the retired emperor of Jeolla Province.

……

evening.

A subordinate rushed in to report.

"Reporting to Cui Zi, the royal army has been mobilized."

"Where are you?"

"It's 150 miles from Quanzhou."

"Well, it will take at least five more days. We will begin recruiting righteous people tomorrow. We must defend Confucius and Mencius, defend our country, and defend Jeolla Province by force."

"Yes."

The next day.

The entire prefecture was mobilized.

Inspired by the sage, a large number of able-bodied young men "voluntarily" armed themselves to guard the entire prefecture!

Cui Zhen, still wearing his Ming Dynasty official robes, delivered a speech to the newly recruited soldiers.

Confucius said, "To achieve benevolence," and Mencius said, "To uphold righteousness."

"This is not an ordinary war; it is a war concerning Confucian morality."

The new recruits were numb.

"The King of Goryeo has betrayed the superior nation and the sage. He is destined to perish, and the rebel army that follows him will be burned to the ground. After we enter the royal city, we will divide up their wealth and women."

The new recruits were somewhat excited.

"One hundred thousand heavenly soldiers will soon cross the border and storm the royal city. Gentlemen, how can the people of Goryeo resist the heavenly soldiers of our superior nation?"

Long live the superior nation!

The new recruits excitedly raised their weapons, chanting "Long live the Great Nation!" before busily preparing for the defensive battle.

……

Outside the city, thick black smoke billowed.

All villages and houses were burned down, and the area was cleared of its inhabitants.

Cui Zhen was a descendant of the Liangban family, but he did not pursue further studies at the Baoding Military Academy, so he did not understand specific military matters, but he understood politics.

"Grandpa, you can't burn it!"

"How dare you! The rebels are coming, yet you can't bear to part with a dilapidated thatched hut. I think you're a scoundrel who's been bewitched by heretics."

Since they're troublemakers, there's no need to be polite.

A group of book club members lifted up the wailing old woman and threw her into the fire.

Purified on the spot~
The old woman's dog rushed over, was stabbed to death with a fork, and thrown into the fire.

Barbecue on the spot!
"Cui Zi has arrived!"

As Cui Zhen stepped out of the sedan chair, carried by the iconic green brocade, and dressed in the iconic Ming Dynasty official robe, he heard screams coming from the fire beside him.

"what happened?"

"We have just cleansed a troublemaker who was deeply misled by heresy and beyond redemption."

"Okay, okay."

Cui Zhen stood on a small earthen mound. For some reason, he suddenly thought of the Grand Secretary's imposing figure and began to admire him, trying to emulate him.

With a wave of his hand, he declared boldly, "Gentlemen, strive for victory! In three months, we will reclaim the capital and bring righteous men to court."

The crowd cheered.

As a contributor to the reconstruction of the kingdom, it is only right that he enjoys himself to some extent.

In that instant, Cui Zhen felt as if he were half a saint.

Looking at Cui Zi bathed in the setting sun, everyone believed that Cui Zi had indeed learned something good at the Imperial Academy in the superior country after traveling across the ocean.

That evening, in Dunlun.

The practice of sexual relations is a legacy of our superior nation, and we must learn it.

The members of the reading group repeatedly and enthusiastically engaged in their reading, filled with great passion.

……

Five days later.

When Yi Ho-jae led his army to the outskirts of Jeonju, their marching speed was appalling, revealing the weakness of Goryeo's military.
When he approached the city gate, he saw that the city gate was closed, the banners were flying, and the morale was high. He felt a little uneasy.

Cui Zhen stood on the city gate tower.

The iconic Ming Dynasty official robes are easily recognizable.

Before Li Hao could speak, Cui Zhen interjected, "Why has Your Highness rebelled?"

The book club members immediately joined in, shouting, "Why is Your Highness rebelling?"

The entire garrison shouted in unison, "Why has Your Highness rebelled?"

The loudest voice wins the first round.

Li Hao was furious and tried to fight back, but his voice was suppressed by the cannon fire from the city gate, and he couldn't hear his own righteous cry at all.

The entire garrison cheered, their morale soaring.

The royal army was collectively frustrated and inexplicably defeated.

To be frank, foreign preparatory bureaucratic schools are quite effective. As time goes on, the world no longer dares to underestimate their graduates.

Wherever these graduates go, the places where they go begin to study Confucius and Mencius.

……

Enraged, Li Hao used his most prized silver and elite royal guards, employing both soft and hard tactics, to urge his soldiers to launch a fierce attack on Quanzhou.

On the first day, there were 500 casualties.
The next day, the casualties were 800.
The whole prefecture can't hold on any longer.

Late at night, Cui Zhen slid down a rope from a section of the city wall that he had prepared beforehand. Before leaving, he secretly left a letter.

All members of the book club hereby announce:
Confucius said, "To achieve benevolence," and Mencius said, "To uphold righteousness."

Gentlemen, you fought a bloody battle in Quanzhou, defending the ideals of Confucius and Mencius with your blood. This is excellent!

I bid a tearful farewell to Quanzhou to meet the Heavenly Army. Your defense of Quanzhou is a defense of Confucius and Mencius, and my departure from Quanzhou is also a defense of Confucius and Mencius.

adhere to!

adhere to!

We'll meet again in the royal city!
The group looked at each other, wanting to curse but not knowing where to begin.

Three days later, the entire prefecture was destroyed.

Lee Ho ordered his soldiers to conduct a large-scale search for members of the reading club and throw them into the fire.

Four days later, the capital fell.

At the Prime Minister's command, 1000 Banner Guards and 1000 Miyun Army soldiers, who had already assembled in Fengtian, immediately set off. Guided by their guides, they marched at high speed and stormed into the poorly defended capital city with lightning speed.

On the first day of entering the city, the heads of royalty, nobles, and yangban (aristocrats) were hung on all four walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

On the second day after entering the city, the heads of unruly citizens were hung all over the city gates.

On the third day after entering the city, Gyeongbokgung Palace was burned to the ground.

On the fourth day after entering the city, the royal city was burned to the ground.

On the fifth day after entering the city, villages within a radius of 50 li were burned to the ground.

On the fifteenth day after entering the city, the entire prefecture was burned to the ground.

From then on, the might of the barbarian army of the superior country could silence the cries of children in Goryeo.

Over the course of 30 years, various factions in the Goryeo court and among the common people took turns in power, but no matter how fiercely they argued, as long as the official documents from the superior state arrived, all disputes would disappear.

Having witnessed firsthand the brutality and bloodthirstiness of the Miyun Army, Cui Zhen, after assuming the position of Chief Councilor, devoted himself to serving the superior nation and resolutely carried out all its instructions.

……

Spring of 1675.
After a long period of dormancy, the United Empire finally completed its power accumulation and began to launch a large-scale invasion of the world.

The first hurdle is to understand yourself.

This demonstrates the Prime Minister's determination.

Notices were posted at all city gates, passes, government offices, land and water docks, and money shops and pawnshops within the empire.

"Imperial Cabinet Order No. 1321: All persons residing within the Empire, regardless of rank or nationality, Chinese or foreign, must complete their currency exchange by the end of the year! One-to-one exchange, time limit, no limit on the amount exchanged."

Shocking!

Although the people were afraid, they still obediently went to the designated locations to exchange their money.

The new currency is divided into three types: gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins, with gold coins, which are directly linked to gold, being the main currency.

It was well received upon its release.

Foreign merchants in Guangzhou exchanged all their gold coins for these coins, finding them highly valuable and beneficial to both themselves and global trade. Countless gold coins flowed from Guangzhou to all parts of the world.

The minting machine designed by Sir Nicholas Teo operated day and night, exporting currency to the world.

Money is power.

Money is justice.

Currency is influence.

The strategic significance of the gold standard is a hundred times that of an invincible fleet.

In response, the chief minister resorted to an iron fist.

……

The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Baoding.

A young clerk knocked on the vermilion-lacquered, copper-studded gate of a wealthy household.

"Gold and silver must be exchanged within a specified period. This is a notice."

The doorman remained calm, sizing him up and down.

"Sir, which government department do you work for?"

"The Ministry of Revenue".

Do you know what our master used to do?

"do not know."

“Our master is Zheng Siwei. He was once the commander of the Zhili Green Standard Army. He served two generations of Grand Secretaries, serving them faithfully and risking his life for them. Our master has enforced the law in the southern city, killed people in the Forbidden City, and shed blood in Liaodong. Who do you think you are? If you dare to knock on the door again, I will have your legs broken and throw you at the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue.”

The minor official left sheepishly.

When gods fight, mortals stay away.

Just complete your own tasks. As for how the court deals with such loyal ministers, that's not something you should worry about.

……

The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.

A squad of flag guards broke down the door and entered.

"Hey, what are you doing? Stop right there! Someone help me!"

A middle-aged doorman, retired from the army, tried his best to stop strangers from entering, but was knocked down by a scabbard of a ruthless guard and had his leg broken.

next second~
A conflict broke out between the two sides.

Zheng Siwei's servants were armed with muskets, while the flag guards were armed with crossbows; the two sides exchanged fierce fire.

Fifteen minutes later, the Zheng family's servants were routed.

The elderly Zheng Siwei, leaning on his cane, finally appeared. His hair and beard stood on end as he stared at the group of unfamiliar intruders: "Who gave you the audacity to trespass on my residence?"

"I don't care about this or that. If the imperial court issues an order, we will carry it out."

"My name is Zheng Siwei!!"

The Banner Guard remained calm. Born and raised in the capital, they had always been a self-contained entity, and apart from Yuquan Mountain, no government office could command them.

The difference between them and the Miyun Army is that the Qiwei Army is semi-closed, while the Miyun Army is completely closed.

Although they came from the same school, they each went their own way.

In terms of brutality, the Miyun Army is unparalleled.

In terms of unruliness, the Banner Guard is number one in the capital.

The Flag Guards are really not afraid of offending people~
A young captain stepped forward, pointed at Zheng Siwei's nose, and cursed: "Fuck your mother! Exchanging currency benefits the government and the people, why don't you exchange it?"

"you you!"

Zheng Siwei was so angry from being scolded that his face turned red and his neck bulged. He couldn't catch his breath and actually collapsed and died.
Zheng Siwei was a veteran official who had served two generations of the Grand Secretary and his son. He was loyal and had made outstanding military achievements.

His death was so hasty and untimely that it was naturally difficult to explain.

After Zheng Siwei died, the gold and silver in his mansion were dug up and forcibly exchanged, totaling 25 gold coins.

The focus of this matter is not the gold coins, but the cause of death.

The effects are beginning to take hold.

It gradually began to get out of control.

……

The indignant Zhili Green Standard Army began to take action, first going to Jiang Zhongcheng's residence.

Helpless, Jiang Zhongcheng could only try his best to comfort his former subordinates. He also thought that his son had gone too far, but he could still distinguish between his own actions and those of his former subordinates.

Seeing that their old superior refused to uphold justice, the group decided to go through official procedures.

The Lantern Festival has just passed.

More than 30 former generals of the Zhili Green Standard Army gathered together. They were wearing various kinds of cotton armor, holding knives and guns, and each was followed by a servant carrying a flag.

Majestic and imposing~
"Let's go to the Ministry of Justice and get justice for Old Zheng!"

"Correct."

The old men walked with great pride and high spirits, attracting huge crowds of onlookers along the way.

As they approached the Six Ministries, a patrol team stopped them.

"stop!"

"Hey, isn't this the little third son who used to follow me around? You've made something of yourself, a lieutenant general?"

"This humble servant greets the General."

"I'm going to file a complaint with the Ministry of Justice. Are you going to arrest me?"

"I don't dare to do this in a humble position."

The patrol silently stepped aside and watched the group of old men drive into the city gate.

The Ministry of Justice.

The guards were stunned, but still dutifully intervened.

"My lords, the imperial court has regulations that prohibit anyone from entering the Ministry of Justice with weapons."

"Go away~"

An old man drew his sword and roared angrily, leading the charge into the fray.

The soldiers dared not draw their swords against these imperial veterans, and they all turned and fled into the yamen, shouting as they ran: "It's bad! The old generals of the Zhili Green Standard Army are going to attack our Ministry of Justice!"

……

dong dong dong~
The old men pounded the petition drum and then brazenly stormed into the Ministry of Justice's main hall.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was on duty, rushed over upon hearing the news.

"This humble official was unaware of the presence of esteemed generals at my Ministry of Justice. It is an honor to have you grace my humble abode with your presence."

"We old folks are here to seek justice for our old buddy Zheng Siwei. This is the petition; please accept it, Your Excellency."

Upon hearing the name Zheng Siwei, the Left Vice Minister's head began to spin.

"This matter is of great importance, and I am afraid it is beyond the scope of my humble position as a vice minister. I need to consult with higher authorities through the proper channels."

"You should ask for instructions now."

"Unfortunately, the Minister went to the Yuquan Mountain Palace."

"We'll come again tomorrow."

The next day.

The Ministry of Justice's gates were tightly shut.

A note was posted on the gate: "All employees are on holiday."

The old men were furious and wanted to smash up the Ministry of Justice, but reason told them, no! Absolutely not!
But I can't get over this anger.

Someone suggested:

"Let's go to Yuquan Mountain."

"Yes, let's go to Yuquan Mountain."

Everyone knew that only the Grand Secretary could resolve this case.

……

Yuquan Mountain was well prepared.

"We demand to see the Grand Secretary!"

"The Grand Secretary is extremely busy and has no time to receive guests. Please leave."

"No, we must see the Grand Secretary today!"

"I'll say it again, everyone please leave."

"Bullshit! When we were risking our lives to fight alongside the Prime Minister, you weren't even born yet."

The guards remained unmoved in the face of threats from the many meritorious officials of the empire.

An officer came out.

"Everyone obeys the order!"

"Yuquan Mountain is a sacred forbidden area. Anyone who tries to break through will be killed without mercy."

"As ordered."

Seeing that the guards of Yuquanshan Palace were unmoved by reason, the old men were helpless. They couldn't very well actually take out their swords and stab the guards, could they?

After being turned away several times, I thought that was the end of it for these people.

Unexpectedly, a few days later...
In the capital, a procession of several hundred people suddenly appeared along the central axis, with white banners leading the way, paper money filling the air, a coffin in the center, white helmets and armor, and wailing all along the way. (End of this chapter)