Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 107 The final link, a certain death!

Sun Chuanting: ?

He could understand the phrase "defeat them one by one" that His Majesty used.

Not only can he understand it, but he also knows that these four words come from "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: divide and conquer, defeat them one by one!

But in the current context, he couldn't quite understand it.

The main problem is, how do we defeat them one by one?!
His Majesty wouldn't be thinking of using tactics to sow discord among the various tribes of the grasslands to divide those powerful clans, would he?
Sun Chuanting held absolutely no hope for this.

Since powerful and influential families have been able to maintain their status for so many years, they have been able to dominate and reign supreme in various dynasties.

Then they wouldn't be as easy to deal with as the barbarians and foreign tribes on the grasslands.

in other words.

If His Majesty were to kill all the remaining people in Shaanxi, then all the powerful and influential families would enter a state where they could no longer be divided.

Even though they outwardly accepted the division.

In reality, they were just secretly plotting something big, waiting to make the emperor fall into the water.

With Your Majesty's extraordinary talent, it's impossible that you don't understand this point.

Then why did Your Majesty still mention defeating them one by one?
Sun Chuanting was truly dumbfounded for a moment.

Sun Chuanting thought about it for a long time, and no matter how he looked at it, there was no way to do it.

And the remaining group of people could not be killed either.

After another moment of silence, he tentatively asked:
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and cannot figure out how to defeat these powerful families one by one. May Your Majesty enlighten me?"

Zhu Youjian looked at Sun Chuanting and explained with great patience and in a very straightforward manner:

"Kill them one by one, from top to bottom, inside and out."

Sun Chuanting: ?

So His Majesty's talk of defeating them one by one was really just a literal interpretation?
His Majesty's thoughts from beginning to end were not about political maneuvering, but about consolidating all power into one person.

Then, to use brute force to overcome all laws?!

Sun Chuanting fell into deep thought.

What the Ming Dynasty needs most now is to reform and innovate.

To reform and innovate, one must first reform the old before one can create the new.

And when it comes to reforming the old ways, nothing is simpler and more brutal than killing everyone.

Yes. Just like how we treated the officials and gentry of Xi'an Prefecture.

Never mind all that, I just want to ask you if the effects were immediate after you killed them!
Will we be able to eat our fill immediately? Will corruption disappear immediately? Will administrative efficiency immediately reach its peak?
But the question is, can all the powerful and wealthy families across the country fight their way through?

Sun Chuanting's thoughts raced.

His Majesty's abilities are beyond doubt.

His abilities in troop deployment, charging into battle, and inciting public opinion are even more exaggerated than those in novels and storybooks.

Although this move is extremely risky.

However, in terms of results, it was indeed much faster than Sun Chuanting had previously envisioned a gradual approach.

Moreover, Sun Chuanting was still unaware of the specific situation in the capital.

But he could have guessed it.

His Majesty must still have some backup plans in the capital.

In addition, there were also the personal guards from Shaanxi who had been through the baptism of war.

It seems like it's worth a try?

It's not that Sun Chuanting wanted His Majesty to try it out or anything.

However, whatever His Majesty wants to do is fraught with peril, no matter what.

That being the case.

Why not choose the method with the highest probability of success and the fastest results?

If we follow this line of thinking, then indeed no other means are as good as directly fighting your way out.

at this time.

Sun Chuanting suddenly realized that his previous thoughts were somewhat naive and childish.

If things proceed as planned, using appeasement followed by employing all available strategies, it would take thirty-five years to gradually achieve this goal.

That might not lead to a situation where we end up with people advancing one after another, working together in unity.
Instead, it was a case of the ruler's death ending the regime, a full-scale counterattack, intensified measures, and major revisions.
Putting aside everything else, Zhang Juzheng is a living example right before our eyes.

Zhang Juzheng, in reality, only took advantage of a small group of people.

But Your Majesty's task is to uproot this entire behemoth.

to be honest.

This is a life-or-death struggle.

The struggle will only end when one side is completely dead or disappears.

There will be no third outcome.

Sun Chuanting remained silent for a long time before finally clenching his fist and making up his mind.

Since Your Majesty has chosen this path, then let's go all out and risk our lives.

What to do? Only kill!

He didn't know how many dangers he would encounter along the way, but he was willing to fight alongside His Majesty for the sake of the Ming Dynasty.

but.

Now there is another problem.

Where does Your Majesty's "defeating them one by one" strategy begin?
If you raise the butcher's knife, you need a suitable target to chop it down.

Sun Chuanting quickly began to think.

The coastal areas of Jiangnan are definitely not an option; the powerful families and clans in those places are far more powerful than one can imagine.

To give a very simple example.

A few years ago, when Sun Chuanting was traveling in Jiangnan, he visited a garden called the Humble Administrator's Garden.

This garden, which is even more magnificent than the royal gardens, was merely renovated by a minor noble family.

A glimpse of the leopard in the tube can be seen.

Needless to say, Shanxi is another example.

Sun Chuanting, who was born and raised in Shanxi, made his guess.

The eight major merchant houses in Shanxi had the ability to sell to the Ming Dynasty and then secure generations of wealth and status for themselves, becoming relatives of the emperor.

After eliminating these dangerous places.

It seems that only remote places like Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou can fit this description.

If you start from these areas, it will indeed be relatively easier.

But this is only relative; the dangers involved are still beyond what Sun Chuanting dares to consider.

Think of this.

Sun Chuanting continued, "Your Majesty's meaning is clear to this humble subject. Wherever there is any need for this humble subject, this humble subject will go through fire and water for Your Majesty without hesitation!"

"But could Your Majesty please tell me which province you intend to start with? I have traveled extensively over the years and may be familiar with the local customs and traditions, which could be of some help to Your Majesty."

"North Korea."

Sun Chuanting: ?

"."

There was another moment of silence.

Sun Chuanting never dreamed of this.

The first place His Majesty wants to move is Korea.

Even if His Majesty mentions Jiangnan, it would have a smaller impact on Sun Chuanting than the word "Korea".

First of all.

Although Korea was nominally a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, it was in reality a semi-independent kingdom.

Wouldn't doing this be too hurtful to their king?

It's not that Sun Chuanting sympathized with the King of Joseon or anything like that.

Sun Chuanting had also heard that the current King of Joseon was not entirely loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

Sun Chuanting could naturally understand why they would target North Korea from this angle.

But Sun Chuanting knew that His Majesty would not act impulsively because of this.

What he truly couldn't understand was...

Why did Your Majesty choose to attack Korea first?
What benefits could North Korea bring to the Ming Dynasty in the future?
With this great doubt in mind, Sun Chuanting continued the conversation by asking:
"Your Majesty, why is North Korea your first choice?"

Zhu Youjian looked at Sun Chuanting but did not answer immediately.

Why choose North Korea?

In fact, it was something he had been pondering ever since he left the capital, and he only made a final decision in the last few days.

There's no way around it; strategic direction is just too important.

Tactics always follow strategy.

If the tactics fail, they can be repeated at any time.

But the strategy failed.

On a smaller scale, tens or hundreds of thousands of elite troops could be wiped out, shaking the very foundation of the nation.

On a grander scale, it's not impossible for the country to be completely destroyed.

Tactical wins or losses are not important, but strategic losses are absolutely unacceptable.

This is why Zhu Youjian chose North Korea.

One advantage of North Korea compared to the powerful clans of other provinces is that they are less conspicuous.

If North Korea is attacked first.

This would prevent powerful families in various regions from becoming easily frightened and launching a desperate counterattack.

Although the bourgeoisie and powerful families have certain weaknesses.

But Zhu Youjian was very clear that this weakness was only relative.

After all, he was prepared to take the lives of all of them.

Therefore, in this situation, it is essential to make thorough preparations.

Even the worst-case scenario must be considered by Zhu Youjian.

Instead, they focused their strategic attention on North Korea.

This falls precisely within the acceptable range of this weakness.

Another advantage is that...

While North Korea may seem inconspicuous, its strategic significance and location are extremely important.

for example.

After the Ming Dynasty fully took over Korea.

The Later Jin, which harassed the Ming Dynasty the most, had its retreat route effectively cut off.

With this.

Then you can do many things in the future.

Invading, preparing troops, building cities.
Everything depends on human effort.

then.

They can also leverage North Korea's coastal location to develop its navy and prepare for future maritime trade.

After all, Zhu Youjian knew this all too well.

We live in an era of great exploration.

If we want there to be only one Great Ming Dynasty in the world, then naval military equipment is indispensable.

Otherwise, the so-called "making the Ming Dynasty great again" would be nothing but a rootless duckweed.

And after occupying Korea.

Korea's strategic geographical location allowed it to play a crucial role in the subsequent campaign to annihilate Japan. For Zhu Youjian (Emperor Yongle), the empire could not afford any threat.

What if Japan stirs up trouble again a few hundred years from now?

Therefore, the Japanese must be completely slaughtered.

It's no longer about drawing students out of the National Day holiday or organizing them all together for unified planning.

Rather, it is about truly eradicating this race from the world.

There is no other reason.

Zhu Youjian never believed in the wisdom of later generations, nor did he harbor any wishful thinking.

Therefore, he must clean up all the things he is supposed to do in this life.

If you eliminate it, you will naturally no longer have this worry.

Destroying the Japanese pirates was merely a matter of fact.

of course.

This method is definitely not suitable for dealing with North Korea.

I heard this from a conversation I had with Mao Wenlong a few days ago.

Zhu Youjian knew that the attitudes of the people of Joseon towards the Ming Dynasty were mainly divided into opposition factions, supporters, and a larger number of centrists.

Therefore, he plans to adopt a more conciliatory political approach towards North Korea.

Physically eliminate all the opposition and support the pro-opposition faction.

Next, a policy of persuasion was implemented to win over the remaining centrists and make them completely loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

You can't say that the Ming Dynasty could survive if the opposition opposed it, can you?

Can such a thing still be called an empire?
Those who are detrimental to unity should not exist.

At last.

The Dongjiang Town under Mao Wenlong's jurisdiction had some experience in handling Korean affairs, and Mao Wenlong himself was a capable person.

This means that they naturally have a base of support.

Whatever you do after you get there, it will be much more convenient than going to other provinces.

A combination of factors led to Zhu Youjian ultimately setting his strategic objective on Korea.

now.

Faced with Sun Chuanting's question.

Zhu Youjian did not go into too much detail about these things, but only gave a general overview.

Sun Chuanting's main role was to remain in Shaanxi after he left to handle various follow-up matters.

So telling him too much about these things won't have much effect for the time being.

But Sun Chuanting was already increasingly alarmed as he listened to Zhu Youjian's brief explanations.

Honestly.

Sun Chuanting did not notice anything amiss when His Majesty first spoke.

Korea was an old vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.

The significance of certain things, or rather this country, to the Ming Dynasty is well-known.

But when he heard that His Majesty was preparing to use Korea to contain the Later Jin, and then develop maritime trade and even quell the Japanese pirates.

A storm was brewing in Sun Chuanting's heart.

He never expected it.

North Korea, which he considered insignificant, actually held such special strategic significance.

Moreover, His Majesty's words are not without basis.

Sun Chuanting followed His Majesty's lead and, after a moment's thought, felt a sudden enlightenment, as if waking from a dream.

Although he did not yet know how His Majesty would actually implement these measures.

But these grand plans and great undertakings are truly inspiring and irresistible.

After a surge of emotion,

Sun Chuanting knelt heavily on the ground and solemnly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's ambitions are so far-reaching."

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent and wish I could share some of the burden of this great task of rebuilding the world. But please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to safeguard Shaanxi and serve you with all my might until my dying breath!"

"We will never allow Shaanxi to drag down our Great Ming Dynasty or His Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian nodded: "Go and carry out the task."

"Remember, not a single official or gentry in Shaanxi will be spared."

"Wei Chen accepts the order!"

Sun Chuanting kowtowed again, and after leaving the room, he took a deep breath and strode away.

Since His Majesty has decided to defeat them one by one, then these people in Shaanxi really have no reason to live any longer.

After all, if these people were still alive...

It's hard to say in the short term, but given enough time, they'll inevitably engage in constant underhanded tactics.

It's human nature to forget the pain once the wound has healed.

This has always been the case.

Inside Yan'an Prefecture.

The officials who watched the Lingchi opera together a few days ago.

At this moment, he was in his own residence, silently observing the emperor's every move.

And among them.

Among them, Chen Anmin, the magistrate of Fushi County, was the most active.

Fushi County was originally an affiliated county of the prefectural city.

Those who can serve as magistrates here naturally have more agile minds than magistrates in other places.

The first time I saw Qiao Yingjia being dismembered.

Chen Anmin was so frightened that he suffered a mental breakdown.

But after a few days, Chen Anmin gradually recovered.

Immediately, he was enveloped by a sense of relief and joy at surviving a disaster.

Because he heard that the emperor would be leaving Shaanxi and returning to the capital in a few days!
of course.

Even if you beat Chen Anmin to death, he wouldn't dare to have any thoughts like, "Now that the emperor is gone, I'll immediately start acting like a tyrant again."

The trauma of that brutal execution by slow slicing was too great for him.

This made him afraid to have any improper thoughts for a long time.

This "long period" can be at least several months or even a year.

The real reason that excited Chen Anmin.

Once the emperor left, his life would be completely saved.

All those previous actions can now be wiped clean.

Chen Anmin was certain.

The emperor will no longer take action against the remaining people.

Because the emperor's goal has been achieved.

It's not just Shaanxi that was revitalized; the emperor also personally quelled the foreign tribes.

This is already an immense achievement, and Shaanxi has truly begun to recover.

Why would the emperor bother with the rest of them?
They have truly become honest; they have truly realized their mistake; they have truly understood the emperor's greatness.
To express his feelings.

Since that day, Chen Anmin has been so busy that he hasn't even been home, spending all his time thinking about how to relieve the people's worries.

Not only that.

He also took out a lot of the money he had amassed over the years and distributed it to the poor people in the county in various ways.

His actions are absolutely worthy of the name "Anmin" (meaning "peace and prosperity") in his name.

Chen Anmin did this for only one purpose.

Whatever mistakes I made in the past, let's just let it all go and wipe the slate clean.
From this moment forward, I will definitely be a good official!

In Chen Anmin's view, his long-cherished wish should be achievable.

On the one hand, he subjectively believed this.

On the other hand, from an objective point of view, the disadvantages of the emperor killing these people far outweighed the advantages.

They've seen it.

Although the new emperor was ruthless in killing, he actually weighed the pros and cons before making a decision.

If Yan'an Prefecture were really treated like Xi'an Prefecture, with its eleven-year quota system, it would be a mistake.

When that news reaches the inland, it will inevitably cause a stir among powerful families and clans, leading to the entire nation becoming hostile.

Surely the emperor isn't that stupid?!

Compared to the insignificant officials and gentry in Shaanxi, the powerful and influential families in the mainland were worlds apart.

Chen Anmin had traveled to Jiangnan a couple of years ago and had seen a bit of the world.

Subjective and objective factors are intertwined.

This made Chen Anmin even more convinced that the emperor would never again wield the butcher's knife.

He was already preparing to become a good official, so why kill him?!

Is it really meaningful to keep dwelling on past mistakes?!
Why can't we give bad people a chance to reform and become officials again?

Who hasn't made a mistake?!

Thinking about these things.

Chen Anmin felt increasingly at peace, and even when helping elderly people in the county cross the street, he unconsciously straightened his back a bit.

It just so happened.

A soft voice called out from behind: "Lord Chen."

Chen Anmin turned around and saw that several Imperial Guards had quietly appeared behind him at some point.

When Chen Anmin first saw this outfit, he was really startled.

But hearing the other person's warm tone and friendly face, Chen Anmin breathed a sigh of relief.

A few days ago.

These Imperial Guards treated them with utter disrespect and treated them as servants.

But now, the authorities are treating him so well, even calling him "sir."

Could it be that the Emperor is already preparing to leave Shaanxi, and therefore specially ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to do one last thing to win over the hearts of the people, so that they will stay and perform their duties well?
Chen Anmin was deeply moved and was about to speak when he heard a warm voice coming from the Jinyiwei guard in front of him.

"Lord Chen, where are your family members?"

Chen Anmin: ?

He was about to say something when he was already pinned to the ground by the Imperial Guards.

And at this time.

Cases like Chen Anmin's are unfolding one after another at an extremely rapid pace in Shaanxi Province.

That's why it's so fast.

It was because Sun Chuanting had brought out the soldiers from the Yansui military town for training.

His Majesty said that there is nothing better for training an army than actual combat.

That being the case.

The heads of these people and their families could serve as the first line of fire for the border troops' swords.

Ever since.

Blood flowed like rivers in Shaanxi.

Officials and gentry would face certain death.

　I got carried away yesterday and didn't go to sleep until 3:30 in the morning, then I got up at 8:30...

　　So I'm in a really bad state today, I don't know if I'll even be able to write Chapter 2 or 2.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)