Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 145 While one's own failure is terrible, the success of one's relatives is even more heartbreaking.
In the Qianqing Palace.

The most loyal members of the royal party were so shocked by these words that their jaws dropped to the ground.

Did they directly allow the princes of the Ming Dynasty to declare themselves emperors?
Even the usually radical royalists felt that this move was too much of a moral and social upheaval.

Everyone looked at each other, unable to understand why His Majesty would issue such an edict.

But after only a moment of stunned silence, everyone snapped back to reality.

Yes.

The most pressing problem at present is that after Prince Fu becomes emperor, he will use public opinion as leverage and, under the guise of righteousness, lead a large army to attack the capital.

But what if the Ming Dynasty had a few more so-called "emperors"?
The act of Prince Fu ascending the throne and declaring himself emperor naturally became a joke.

With his prestige greatly diminished, Prince Fu was naturally unable to successfully recruit a sufficient number of troops.

This effectively nipped the schemes of powerful families across the country in the bud without lifting a finger.

Your Majesty's move was indeed earth-shattering and capable of delivering a fatal blow.

of course.

Doing this isn't all good.

Several obvious downsides are that the already crumbling Ming Dynasty will completely disintegrate from this moment on.

There can never be two suns in one country.

This will likely result in countless new suns appearing in the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, the prestige of the imperial power in the hearts of the people will be greatly diminished.

However, these drawbacks are not unacceptable to most people.

The Ming Dynasty is already in chaos enough; it's just a matter of whether it gets even more chaotic.

As for the prestige and authority of the emperor...

Although doing so would temporarily damage the dignity of the royal family.

But as long as Your Majesty can deal with all these ignorant and reckless clowns in the Ming Dynasty, the prestige of the imperial power will only rise even higher.

Anyway, that's exactly what His Majesty is doing right now.

Things have already progressed to this point.

Whether they do it or not, Prince Fu is already prepared to ascend the throne in Nanjing.

Since they couldn't stop it.

This unexpected solution is already the optimal solution at present.

otherwise.

With the capital's current strength, how can it possibly face the hundreds of thousands of troops from powerful clans across the country?

After realizing this, the initial fear on everyone's faces finally dissipated.

Cao Huachun, Wei Zhongxian, Zhang Weixian, and others responsible for intelligence gathering and propaganda suppressed their shock.

Just as he was about to accept the order, he heard Chen Xinjia, as if suddenly remembering something, remind Zhu Youjian:
"Your Majesty, this move will indeed have an unexpected effect, but will the regional vassal kings follow suit?"

After figuring out the key points.

Chen Xinjia's mindset changed accordingly.

At first, he thought that it was outrageous and unforgivable for someone like Prince Fu to dare to attempt to become emperor. He thought that even having his whole family executed would be too lenient.

But now he only hopes that more princes who dare to call themselves emperors will emerge in the Ming Dynasty.

no way.

Circumstances are beyond our control.

After saying that, Chen Xinjia continued, "And then there's Your Majesty, do you intend to recognize those false emperors through investiture?"

"Firstly, I fear that under the current pressure from Prince Fu and the powerful families in various regions, no prince would dare to be the first to step forward."

"Secondly, it will be more legitimate to deal with those false emperors in the future."

Chen Xinjia's idea was to have Zhu Youjian give him a title similar to "Emperor Emeritus".

The main goal is to suppress those pseudo-emperors.

Faced with Chen Xinjia's suggestion, Zhu Youjian gently shook his head: "No need, just issue an imperial edict in writing."

Others might not understand the intricacies involved.

But Zhu Youjian, who was well-versed in human nature, knew it all too well.

If one were to actually bestow titles upon other vassal kings in one's own name, then no one would want to get involved in this mess.

Only by allowing them to give full play to their own initiative can they achieve the greatest effect.

Because from the perspective of interests.

A powerful but weak vassal king would never be so insane as to attempt to become emperor.

But it's different from a human nature perspective.

Once jealousy and a competitive spirit take hold, many things can no longer be considered simply as a matter of self-interest.

Seeing that His Majesty had spoken, the others said nothing more and knelt down to accept the order.

Zhu Youjian then remembered something and said, "Be careful these days."

"If anyone from any region surrenders or sends intelligence letters, report them all to me for personal screening."

Everything is dialectical.

The Ming Dynasty had many rebels, but it also had many loyal ministers and generals.

Great chaos inevitably brings with it various opportunities.

Taking advantage of this opportunity to sift through the sands, we can see if we can identify some useful talents.

"Your subjects obey the decree!" The crowd kowtowed and departed.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace.

The Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Horse Administration, and other intelligence and espionage agencies immediately began operations overnight.

These people were quite frightened when they first heard the shocking imperial edict.

The Emperor actually allowed regional princes to declare themselves emperors? Doesn't this create complete chaos?

Although everyone was puzzled by this, the Emperor's prestige was undeniable.

Once the emperor issues an edict, they must carry it out unconditionally.

So everyone stopped thinking about it and hurriedly set off under the stars and moon to search for the princes on the royal register.

now.

Although it was late at night, Zhu Youjian was still looking through maps and geomancy in the Qianqing Palace.

After repelling this wave of attacks from powerful families across the land.

The next step for the Ming Dynasty is to continue its external expansion and recover lost territories.

And this time.

Zhu Youjian set his sights on Hebei.

This is not only because Hebei is currently the closest to Beijing and the most threatened.

The main reason is that Zhu Youjian himself was very clear about this.

Under these circumstances, there is no better option than to attack Hebei.

It is no longer possible to lead an army across several provinces to attack a certain force as before.

Moreover, the attack on Hebei was not entirely due to passive reasons.

The entire province of Hebei is also of great strategic importance to the Ming Dynasty at present.

After taking over Hebei, they can directly link up to Shandong through it.

With Tianjin Port as a base, the Ming Dynasty's control over the ocean and Korea will be further strengthened, while also being able to restrain Liaodong and develop maritime trade.

In this way, the Ming Dynasty could be said to have gained control of "half of the country" in a certain sense.

However, if they want to successfully take over Hebei, they cannot wait until the dust settles on the uproar surrounding the emperor's coronation before making a decision.

Zhu Youjian's military strategy emphasized speed.

Taking advantage of this opportunity to seize the initiative is his consistent way of doing things.

Zhu Youjian summoned Xiao Hongzi and instructed him, "Tomorrow you will lead five thousand elite cavalry to Hebei."

Xiao Hongzi licked his lips: "Your Majesty, would you like me to conquer a city first?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "Your mission in Hebei this time is to continuously harass some poorly defended county governments."

"Gentlemen and wealthy families can be killed on sight without any consequences, but no ordinary people should be harmed."

"If you encounter pursuers, retreat quickly towards the capital. Once they stop pursuing you, you can continue your attack."

Xiao Hongzi's face showed excitement.

It's just killing people, and the kind where you kill and run away. He loves that!

"This slave takes the order."

After giving all these instructions...

Zhu Youjian then took the hot towel handed to him by a eunuch and applied it to his sore eyes.

Sending Xiao Hongzi to Hebei was certainly not just for the simple purpose of killing someone to vent his anger.

The deaths of many local gentry and wealthy families in small counties would not have a real impact on those established families.

Zhu Youjian's true purpose.

This was to show the outside world that the Ming Dynasty would not ignore the unrest in various places, and would take the initiative to strike.

Only in this way can those who still retain the ideal of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country be encouraged to emerge as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, inside Suzhou Prefecture.

Two days ago, a large number of luxurious caravans, rarely seen on ordinary days, appeared in the city.

The people of Suzhou then heard an even more shocking official announcement—the Prince of Fu had ascended the throne.

When the news first broke, the entire Suzhou Prefecture was in an uproar. Everyone had naturally heard about the current turmoil in the Ming Dynasty, but no one expected that Nanjing would have an additional emperor.

Is this reasonable? !
How can a country have two rulers? How could the Ming Dynasty have fallen into such a state of moral decay?

That damned Prince Fu, what on earth is he up to! I think he's trying to split the Ming Dynasty!

If those tiny neighboring countries saw this, wouldn't they laugh at our Great Ming Dynasty to death?!
The people of Suzhou, who already considered themselves superior, naturally could not accept the fact that there were two emperors in the Ming Dynasty.

So, in an instant, deafening curses erupted throughout the city—all directed at Prince Fu.

However, with the appearance of that proclamation against the traitors and the distribution of a hefty sum of silver to these people, the cursing quickly disappeared.

Public opinion within the city subsequently shifted to the following pattern.

"Prince Fu is indeed a true Son of Heaven, after all, he really did give me money!"

"Alas, the false emperor in the north has indeed committed many unforgivable crimes. His bloodthirstiness alone is inexcusable. In that case, it would be better for Prince Fu to become the emperor."

"I heard that the false emperor in the north had good intentions and was doing it for the people, but unfortunately he was incompetent and many of his measures were implemented incorrectly."

"Such a person should not be allowed to become the emperor of our Great Ming Dynasty. The more he does, the more reactionary he becomes, and the more wrong his path is. I support Prince Fu's Northern Expedition!"

"I also support Prince Fu's Northern Expedition!"

Similar remarks spread throughout Suzhou and soon reached the entire city.

For ordinary people...

They had neither contact with the emperor in the north nor with the emperor who was about to be born in the south.

They simply believed that the Ming Dynasty should not have two emperors.

In that case, we might as well support the one in the south.

Being so close and having received money from the Prince of Fu, it's hard not to support him.

Under the will of the people.

Those noble families and soldiers who had recently fallen into a coma due to the emperor's constant suppression were also greatly encouraged.

Fueled by heightened emotions.

Everyone wished they could rush to the Forbidden City immediately and capture the false emperor!
of course.

This mentality currently exists only in Suzhou Prefecture and its surrounding areas; in more distant places like Fujian and Zhejiang, it is only a matter of hearsay.

After all, both the dissemination of information and the operations of powerful families take time.

Otherwise, there's no need to prepare; we can just charge straight in.

And at this moment.

Inside Qin Garden.

Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, and a group of aristocratic representatives couldn't help but burst out laughing as they listened to the report on public opinion in Suzhou Prefecture.

I thought it would take some effort to achieve my goal.

I never imagined that these lowly people could be so stupid. It's utterly ridiculous.

A country cannot have two rulers.

Is this something you lowly people should be concerned with?

But being a little stupid is fine too.

Only if these people are stupid enough can they better exploit this mentality to launch an attack on the capital under the guise of righteousness.

Don't you all wish for there to be no two suns in the sky?
Then we can take advantage of your foolishness to get rid of that damned emperor.

Unlike Zhu Youjian, who had been racking his brains these past two days on how to advance the Ming Dynasty.

These people have been celebrating wildly for the past two days.

At this moment, things are progressing unexpectedly smoothly.

The crowd was so happy they were practically oblivious to the world around them.

After a burst of laughter, Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, looked at Huang Ze, whose face was wrinkled from laughing so hard:

"Elder Huang, we originally thought it would take a month for us to provide support, but now it seems that the army will be able to set off for the capital in less than half a month."

"I was originally hoping to get the four great families of Hebei to bleed a little, but it seems my nephew isn't giving me a chance at all!"

Huang Ze, who is over sixty years old, leaned back with a laugh.

Someone stepped forward to flatter him, saying, "Your Highness Prince Fu, your nephew must be so frightened by the rumors that he can't even sit still on the dragon throne."

"Right now, they're probably figuring out where to escape to!"

The tall and stout Zhu Changxun also laughed so hard he leaned back.

But as much as it is fun.

After his outrageous behavior, Zhu Changxun still reminded Huang Ze and the others, "As I said before, a cornered dog will do the opposite. Old Huang, you should send another letter home to warn people to be more cautious."

Although Huang Ze and the others nodded in agreement, they already felt contempt for him, and even the letter they wrote was extremely perfunctory.

Seeing this, Zhu Changxun didn't deliberately spoil the mood at this moment. Instead, he stood up and said to everyone in a grand manner:
"Gentlemen! In the next few days, we need to work together and stir things up in our own territories."

"As long as we stir up the mentality of those lowly people that there are no two suns under heaven, then the matter will be 99% settled!"

"Of course, Your Highness Prince Fu, please rest assured!"

"This time there absolutely won't be any mishaps!"

"."

Amidst the congratulations, Zhu Changxun nodded in satisfaction: "Let's wait and see what happens in the next few days!"

soon.

A day or two passed.

In the last day or two.

Besides the fact that Prince Fu and others are constantly inciting public opinion.

Princes of Shanxi, who were relatively close to the capital, such as the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Dai, also received imperial edicts from the capital.

When they first heard the contents of the imperial edict, both of them thought the emperor had gone mad.

They actually issued an imperial edict allowing all vassal kings and princes to declare themselves emperors?!

This would have angered the founding emperor so much that he would have crawled out of his coffin, made his way into the Qianqing Palace, and strangled him.

But when people heard that Prince Fu was preparing to ascend the throne in Nanjing, their reactions changed instantly.

Zhu Changxun! What the hell do you think you are?! You think you're worthy of being emperor?!
You beast who splits the Ming Dynasty, you deserve a terrible death!
Most importantly, we haven't even become emperors yet, and you've already become one?
The two princes had already forgotten the shock that the imperial edict had brought them, and instead began to harbor resentment towards Prince Fu.

Such a scene.

This is happening in many provincial administration offices around the capital.

But hatred aside...

Even the most level-headed princes could see that this was not a matter for them to get involved in.

Moreover, some of the prince's advisors pointed out that the emperor's edict was intended to use their influence to muddy the waters.

This makes it even harder for anyone to get involved.

Although there were some rather foolish vassal kings who, upon receiving the imperial edict, began to consider declaring themselves emperors.

However, because there was no one to take the lead, these people ultimately did not dare to make any moves.

However, the situation within the Henan Provincial Administration Commission was completely different from that in other provinces.

Henan is located in the Central Plains.

While possessing vast territory and abundant resources, it also boasted the largest number of kings and nobles.

Among them were the vassal kings: the King of Zhou, the King of Zhao, the King of Tang, the King of Zheng, the King of Chong, and the King of Lu.
The number of princes was countless.

When these people heard the news that Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, was going to ascend the throne and become emperor, some of them were so angry that they fell ill and were bedridden.

Even those who weren't immediately enraged hated Zhu Changxun so much they wanted to skin him alive.

Damn it, we're all descendants of the founding emperor, and some of us are even your ancestors, one or two generations ago.

You, a mere Prince Fu, what right do you have to be the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

Last month we were out drinking and womanizing together, what right do you have?!
Others may not know what kind of person you are, but surely we do?
The rites and music have collapsed! They've truly collapsed!

With such a degenerate prince emerging from Henan, how can they possibly face the Zhu family ancestral temple?

of course.

The reason these people were indignant was not because Prince Fu was disrupting the country.

Instead, everyone here is a vassal king, so how did you suddenly become emperor?!
One's own failure is terrible, but the success of a relative is simply heartbreaking.

This is just like two neighboring families in the village.

If one of the families found a sum of money, it wouldn't be uncommon for it to infuriate the other family to death.

Alternatively, there have been cases where, out of anger, another family took up a knife and murdered the entire family that picked up the silver.

This is jealousy rooted deep in people's hearts, regardless of social class.

The lower layer has its own triggering logic, and the upper layer has its own triggering logic.

No one can escape the common fate.

Therefore, the local princes in Henan hated Zhu Changxun to the core, because they were the closest to Prince Fu and had the most contact with him.

They could accept a person from another family, or even a barbarian, as emperor.

But he just couldn't accept that the Prince of Fu, whom he used to know well, would become the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

Therefore, when Zhu Youjian's decree was delivered...

The princes, who were originally bedridden with anger, jumped out of bed.

Zhu Changxun, you're going to ascend the throne in two or three days, right?!

Then I'll just ascend the throne right here in the palace and show you!

I'm going to let everyone know that you, you damn fake emperor, are a complete joke!

(End of this chapter)