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

1676.
February 25th, at dawn.

Light snow fell.

A Zhili Green Standard Army camp that had not yet begun to be reorganized.

The officers loudly announced:
"Brothers, according to reliable sources, a small group of remnants of the Eight Banners in the capital have kidnapped the Grand Secretary, and the United Empire is in grave danger. We, the Zhili Green Standard Army, cannot wait any longer. Today we must bravely fight to protect the Emperor!"

An uproar broke out in the camp.

The soldiers' chatter was so loud it even drowned out the falling snowflakes.

"What do you want to do?"

After the two minor officials from the Ministry of War who were in charge of compiling documents came out of the tent, they shouted and cursed loudly.

A dozen seconds later, the two men were slashed to the ground.

……

A lieutenant announced loudly:
"Brothers, Heaven will punish the traitors! The entire army shall set off immediately and march toward Yuquan Mountain."

The young and strong officers raised their arms and shouted:
"God punish the traitors!!"

"set off!"

The soldiers had no time to think; they instinctively obeyed orders and followed the familiar officers out of the camp.

Nearby, more and more military camps began to stir.

Gunshot~
Sounds of fighting~
Questions and doubts~
Keep ringing.

Clearly, not everyone would follow the officers to the capital to punish the traitors; countless people deserted without permission.

The various regiments and battalions that have already completed their reorganization will remain largely unchanged.

Because officers and soldiers are strangers to each other, and soldiers are also strangers to each other.

That's the significance of reorganization.
If the young and middle-aged officers do not launch a mutiny now, they will never have another chance.

The bad weather slowed down the march, and after a brief discussion, the officers decided to abandon the artillery and supplies and instead launch a light assault.

"May the traitor be punished by Heaven!"

Encouraged by the officers' cheers, tens of thousands of people braved the wind and snow to head towards the capital.

Along the way!
In an effort to win over the hearts and minds of the people, thousands of people were promoted on the spot.

This was a typical mutiny, where officers misled soldiers, who mechanically obeyed, and the banner they raised was always "purging the court of corrupt officials," not "rebellion."

……

Yuquanshan Imperial Palace.

Tangquan Palace.

This is a garden palace built on the site of a hot spring. Although the total area is not large, the design is exquisite, the decoration is luxurious, and it combines Chinese and Western characteristics.

The Tangquan Palace kept dozens of singing girls, dancing girls, and concubines.

The Grand Secretary loved it very much and often spent his time there.

Because the United Empire was a typical example of laissez-faire governance, with few officials, few laws, and few affairs, the Prime Minister had plenty of time to play around.

Regardless of!

Try to ignore it!

Local affairs are handled by local councils, which can do whatever they want without fear of causing trouble.

Is there anything in this world that can be achieved without experiencing failure?

Scientific experiments can fail, so why can't imperial experiments fail?

For tens of thousands of years, humanity has been failing and succeeding, from caves to space, from primitive times to civilization.

Failure is allowed.
The sky won’t fall!
The Censorate and the garrison can provide a safety net.

……

300 miles!
It is the distance from Baoding Prefecture to Yuquan Mountain.

More than 10,000 soldiers trudged through the wind and snow.

February 26th.

Some soldiers suddenly realized that the army was marching into the capital without orders. Was it a rebellion or a ploy to protect the emperor? Some clever soldiers took advantage of the officers' inattention and quietly left the ranks.

February 226th is a special day.

Security at Yuquan Mountain has been significantly tightened.

Fortunately, nothing happened today.
It wasn't until around 4 a.m. on February 28th that the watchtower atop Yuquan Mountain suddenly noticed something unusual about the surrounding area.

The sentry quickly turned the telescope on his post. The snowy night reflected the light, providing excellent visibility, and the armored soldier's figure appeared clearly in the lens.

"Enemy attack!"

Gunshots rang out across the sky!

Yuquan Mountain suddenly became tense in the dead of night.

……

Tangquan Palace.

Startled awake by the gunshot, Jiang Qingyun quickly emerged from the warm embrace of the palace, dressed himself, grabbed his sword, and rushed out of the hot spring palace, where he happened to encounter the guards who had come to protect him.

"what happened?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, a mutiny has broken out outside; at least 5000 rebels have arrived."

"Quickly, get into the fortress."

Jiang Qingyun walked hurriedly, and after entering the fortress, he looked at the serious-looking soldiers and suddenly burst into laughter.

"It's alright, everyone take your positions and prepare for battle. Tomorrow, I'll be here watching the rebels bleed like rivers."

"Long live."

The guards cheered in unison.

As warning flares sounded one after another.

Yuquanshan and the capital city began to make contact. Because it was late at night, the communication tower could not transmit information by rotating the wooden arm, so they could only use lights to transmit information simply.

The lights on the communications tower are flashing.

Deshengmen.

Signal Soldier:
"Close the city gates! No one may leave the city without orders."

The officers standing nearby were quite surprised.

"you sure?"

"Confirmed. The signal from Yuquan Mountain is that no one may leave the city without orders."

……

early morning.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the earth, Yuquan Mountain was already filled with the sounds of battle.

The Zhili Green Standard Army, which was attacking from below, never expected that the small fortress would be so difficult to conquer. They suffered more than 1000 casualties and still couldn't even get close to the city wall.

The officers who were planning the mutiny panicked.

"If we cannot quickly behead the chief minister today, we are finished. Now we have no choice but to throw our lives into it."

"Fight."

The officers led the charge, brandishing their swords and shouting.

"Brothers, rescue the Grand Secretary! Those who serve the Emperor will be rewarded with high office and great wealth! Kill them all!"

"Kill~"

The dark mass of rebels, like fire ants, attacked the bastion from all sides.

The guards stationed inside the bastion lit the fuse of the rolling mine, and the heavy iron shell rolled down the mountainside with a rumble before exploding among the rebels.

The 2-pound city defense gun continuously fired shot.

The soldiers were divided into groups of three: two loaded the gun and one fired. The gunner, wearing a pig-faced helmet, stood up and fired.

Despite the constant rain of arrows falling around him, the pig-faced helmet offered excellent protection.

The firing ports were constantly flashing with fire.

This was not a fair battle of offense and defense at all, but a one-sided massacre, with the Grand Secretary's guards frantically slaughtering the Zhili Green Standard Army.

in the afternoon.

The Miyun Army arrived.

The communications tower also issued a signal: "Flag Guard, all troops, launch an attack!"

Upon receiving the order, all the Manchu bannermen in the inner city, regardless of age, took up arms and went into battle.

Loyalty, no words needed.

The rebels, whose fighting spirit was already weak, were routed under the double blow!
……

Yuquan Mountain has returned to peace.

The soldiers were busy drawing water from the well to wash away the bloodstains on the outer wall of the bastion. Everyone praised the Prime Minister's wisdom, saying that the well must have water.

Beijing.

The cabinet held an emergency meeting.

Jiang Qingyun's voice was high-pitched:

"The siege of Yuquan Mountain by the rebels was an extremely serious and egregious act of treason, which fully demonstrates that there are serious problems within the Imperial Army, making reorganization and adjustment inevitable."

Everyone was silent.

Jiang Qingyun:
"All soldiers who participated in the siege of Yuquan Mountain will be classified as rebels. Those who died in battle will have their accumulated military pay recovered from their families. The wounded will all be executed. Those who surrender will be exiled 1000 li north of the Heilongjiang River." "From this day forward, a system of standing and reserve armies will be established."

"The Imperial Standing Army has a strength of 30, of which 20 are permanently stationed in the capital region and 10 are stationed in provincial capitals and key passes. In principle, the Standing Army will prioritize recruiting descendants of farmers who have been allocated land."

"Each year, during the off-season for farming, each county organizes no fewer than 100 people for reserve training. The training lasts for half a month, and each person is required to fire at least 10 rounds of live ammunition annually. All expenses are borne by the local council."

“驻防各省的常备军直属中枢，编制调整为镇（10000人）——协（5000人）——标（2500）——营（500人）——队（100人）——排（50人）——棚（10人）七级。”

"With the governor's order, up to 100 men may be dispatched to assist in suppressing local rebellions. However, the mobilization of troops of 100 men or more requires orders from both the cabinet and the Ministry of War before they can leave their camps; otherwise, it will be considered a rebellion, and no matter the reason, those responsible will be held strictly accountable afterward."

"Without orders from both the Cabinet and the Ministry of War, not even a single soldier in the Zhili Standing Army may be mobilized without authorization; any movement more than three li outside the camp is considered treason."

"The above is hereby announced to the entire army."

……

"Effective immediately, two garrison towns will be established in the capital, stationed in the southern part of the city and Tongzhou respectively."

"Effective immediately, a local patrol police system will be established."

"Effective immediately, a scientific officer training system will be established. All officers at the battalion level and above must have studied at the Baoding Military Academy; otherwise, they will not be eligible for promotion."

Everyone bowed in unison.

"As ordered."

The massive Yuquanshan Incident was like throwing an egg against a rock, followed by a massive reorganization.

More than 2000 soldiers were exiled to Siberia for their involvement in the Yuquanshan Incident, more than 5000 were dismissed and sent home, and more than 2000 were transferred to the police force.

The entire organization was disrupted and reorganized. The standing army was divided into 30 garrisons, and all mid- to high-ranking officers were graduates of the Baoding Military Academy, including a number of foreign officers.

So far~
Jiang Qingyun finally achieved absolute control over military power without any criticism. Although he did not declare himself emperor, he achieved a concentration of military power that all emperors in history had dreamed of but never achieved.

……

With the knife hilt in hand, my word is law.

A year later, the currency exchange program within the empire came to an end, and the national treasury suddenly gained 600 million taels of silver, as if by magic.

The Ministry of Revenue's mint moved to Guangzhou, and workers were working overtime like crazy.

Guangzhou has become one of the most prosperous cities in the world.

Export currency!

Exporting tea-colored porcelain!
Promoting the teachings of Confucius and Mencius!

Enter gold or silver!

Enter foreigner!
Envoys from various countries!

……

Guangzhou Port.

A red carpet was laid out, and cannons fired in unison.

A bright red banner was unfurled – welcoming the Holy See to Guangzhou.

"Welcome, welcome, warm welcome."

Five cardinals received fragrant gardenias from a group of cheering teenagers, and excitedly removed the gold crosses from their necks as gifts.

This was a groundbreaking journey spanning a millennium, all for the sake of reaching a comprehensive cooperation plan that would benefit the next century.

Long table.

The two sides sat on opposite sides and began a cordial and friendly meeting.

The bishops looked serious:
"If your country's overseas tea monopoly for the next hundred years is granted to the Vatican, your country will receive the most lucrative return. This is a win-win deal, and we hope that your cabinet can approve it as soon as possible."

"What are you prepared to give up for this deal?"

"The Pope will tell believers around the world that drinking tea is just as important as worship, that not drinking tea is heresy, and that drinking more tea can even atone for sins."

The officials of the Imperial Ministry of Revenue stirred slightly.

Tea leaves = indulgences?
“Your Excellencies, we will submit your suggestions to the Cabinet. But regarding Father Zhu Youlang’s eligibility to run for Pope, we hope to receive a clear answer.”

The bishops looked at each other in bewilderment.

"In principle, there are no restrictions on nationality when it comes to the selection of the Pope. However, considering the poor number of believers in your country, I'm afraid this Bishop Zhu will not be able to win people's hearts."

"Then, in your opinion, how many followers are considered sufficient to qualify?"

"At least 300 million, no, 500 million."

"Are you sure?"

"of course."

……

A few days later, the reply arrived.

"The United Empire has decided to designate Henan as a region for all members to convert? What does this mean?"

"It means that from today onwards, all people in Henan will convert to God."

"Oh my God!!"

The bishops' pupils dilated in shock.

The officials, however, remained calm.

"is it possible?"

"The bishops may not yet understand the situation in our country. As long as the cabinet gives an order, the people will obey without question."

"What you're doing is absurd."

The bishops were furious.

"No, no, we did not force them; it was all voluntary. I suggest that you bishops set off north immediately to see those lambs with your own eyes. Their piety will surely change your minds."

The bishops, who were half-believing and half-doubting, decided to travel north together to find out the truth.

They entered Jiangxi from Shaoguan, traveled by water to Poyang Lake, and finally went upstream to Guangzhou, Henan.

……

“Oh my God.”

Gazing at the magnificent scene before them, the five bishops trembled with excitement.

This is a remote town in Gwangju.

A brand-new plaque was hung at the entrance of the low temple—Jesus Church.

Two bald men dressed in black robes, holding Bibles, were loudly announcing the baptism procedure.

The long line of people walked over happily, let the water-dipped branches sprinkle on them, and then received a rough wooden cross.

Even if there's one more lamb in this world.

Then go to the side and get two boiled eggs.

"I don't understand, why are we giving them eggs?"

"It can be considered a blessing from the Lord."

Can I ask them how they feel?

"of course can."

A bishop stopped an old man who was eating an egg.

How are you feeling?

"good, very good, excellent."

"You seem very happy?"

"Yes."

The old man smiled happily.

The United Empire has its own unique national circumstances.

The belief of us Han Chinese people has always been only one thing—pragmatism!
From Guanyin Bodhisattva to the Earth God, from the Dragon King of the West Sea to the Li Nu Temple, I worship all the gods. I believe in whoever is effective and abandon whoever is not.

Go to hell?
If you cannot grant my request, it means you don't have the power to send me to hell.

After randomly visiting more than a dozen counties, the bishops couldn't find any faults. Since these simple people had already admitted to being baptized, they couldn't very well dig out their hearts to see if they were red or black, could they?
This is truly an amazing country!
……

Jingshan Park.

There was a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps, with strict security.

Jiang Qingyun, dressed in a blue robe, and Zhu Youlang, dressed in a red robe, walked under the fiery red maple trees and had their last cordial and friendly conversation.

"Brother Zhu, you must take good care of yourself on your trip to Europe. Only by living long can one achieve great things. Don't rush things."

"Prime Minister, I fear that once I leave, I will never return in this lifetime."

Zhu Youlang was quite saddened.
Below me lies Jingshan Hill, before me stands a crooked tree, a place of sorrow for the Ming Dynasty.

Jiang Qingyun waved his hand and said boldly:
“A good man’s ambition lies in all directions. Brother Zhu, there is no need to be sad. Future history books may record it this way: Although the Ming Dynasty has fallen, there are outstanding descendants of the Zhu family who have created brilliance in Rome overseas, leading hundreds of millions of believers and guiding hundreds of millions of lambs.”

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

Zhu Youlang's eyes were filled with tears as he slept.

Looking at the majestic Forbidden City in the distance, Jiang Qingyun said in a low voice, "Brother Zhu, on your trip to Rome, I hope you will keep two things in mind."

"Please enlighten me, Grand Secretary."

"First of all, gold is omnipotent; the golden key can unlock the hearts of 99% of the world's people."

"What about the remaining one percent?"

"Send them to meet God."

"Yes." (End of Chapter)