Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 152 Though there are millions, we will go together.

Unlike Lu Xiang-sheng's small-scale operations of infiltrating the enemy's ranks.

At this moment, Sun Chengzong, who was located in Gaoyang County, Baoding Prefecture, was already preparing to rebel.

That's right.

They were preparing to rebel against the pseudo-emperor Zhu Changxun in the south.

In fact, according to common sense, Sun Chengzong had no need to rebel at all.

Even if the entire Hebei province is filled with criticism of Zhu Changxun, he still has to continue supporting him.

Because his Gaoyang Sun family was actually a branch of the Sun clan, one of the four major clans in Hebei.

However, the Gaoyang Sun family branch is somewhat special.

The reason is that this branch of the family scattered in Gaoyang County had not received any assistance from the clan before Sun Chengzong.

Unlike those aristocratic families whose minds are only filled with wealth and glory.

Sun Chengzong's family had been farmers for generations, and while they were better off than ordinary people, they were at most small landlords.

It's not that they enjoy farming or that they're desperate or anything like that.

There is a connection with the Sun family, who share the same clan and surname.

Their family only needs to use their brains and pull some strings.

Even if one doesn't become extremely wealthy, becoming a hereditary clerk in Gaoyang County is no problem at all.

The reason for this situation is that the family tradition passed down through generations in Sun Chengzong's family does not allow them to do this.

Starting with Sun Chengzong's grandfather, his family tradition has always upheld the principles of "simplicity, integrity, and loyalty to the country."

Therefore, the Sun family had an extreme aversion to those powerful and wealthy families who plundered the people's wealth.

We usually keep our distance and avoid contact whenever possible.

Sun Chengzong's father once did the remarkable thing of distributing all the grain he had saved up for many years to disaster victims.

Such actions and behaviors.

This naturally led to a situation where even the lowest-ranking members of the Sun clan in the surrounding counties were unwilling to associate with the Sun Chengzong family.

However, this situation suddenly changed drastically by the time of Sun Chengzong's generation.

Because Sun Chengzong was a remarkable man, he passed the imperial examination with his own efforts and even became the second-place scholar, making him the most famous man for a time.

After high school, the Sun family's previous unsociable behavior naturally attracted a lot of people to defend them.

His reluctance to interact too much with his clan could be described as a desire to be single-minded in his studies.

If there have been actions that favor the lower classes, it can be said that these were moves to win people's hearts and minds and to lay the groundwork in advance.

Anyway, it can always be washed clean.

It is true that great Confucian scholars have debated and explained the classics for him.

Unlike his fathers, Sun Chengzong did not reject these lower-ranking members of the Sun clan who came to curry favor with him.

Instead, they greeted them with smiles and welcomed everyone who came.

Because Sun Chengzong was already forty years old when he became the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination.

He had one foot already in the coffin.

He wanted to do something truly beneficial to the Ming Dynasty and the people before he completely lost his ambition.

And if you want to get things done, you can't do without the support of the behemoth that is the Sun family.

If he is unwilling to accept even these ordinary clansmen, how will the Sun family view him?
Obvious.

His fate in officialdom was inevitably one of utter stagnation.

same.

He also knew that attaching himself to the Sun family would destroy the family traditions that had been passed down for decades.

He also fears that things he doesn't want to see, like bullying men and women, and harboring filth, will happen in his own home.

But in that situation, he really had no choice.

If he wants to get things done, he has to blend in with the crowd.

It's commendable.

After entering the corrupt world of "blending in with the world," Sun Chengzong has remarkably managed to stay true to his original aspirations.

With his own efforts and the support of the Sun family.

Sun Chengzong gradually climbed to the position of Minister of War.

Sun Chengzong did not hold his position in vain.

Instead, he wrote a letter requesting to personally go to the front line at Shanhaiguan to eliminate deserters and enforce military discipline.

During his four years as military governor outside the Great Wall.

Sun Chengzong successively recovered nine major cities and forty-five forts, trained 110,000 soldiers, expanded the territory by four hundred li, and opened up five thousand hectares of farmland, generating an annual income of 150,000.
All these actions can be described as beneficial to the country and its people, and they are worthy of both themselves and the Ming Dynasty.
Until two years ago.

Sun Chengzong had no choice but to retire and return to his hometown due to the defeat in the Battle of Liuhe and the exclusion by various forces.

After Sun Chengzong, who had accomplished such a great feat, returned to his hometown in Hebei, his students and former officials were naturally spread throughout most of Baoding Prefecture.

you could put it that way.

Sun Chengzong no longer holds any official position.

But if he wants to.

Given his prestige and status within his clan, it wouldn't be difficult for him to effectively control the capital city of Baoding.

This is why Sun Chengzong plotted a "rebellion" in Baoding Prefecture—he had the ability to do so.

At the same time, he also had a need to do this.

His alliance with the Sun family was entirely for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the common people, not for his own selfish interests.

But now, the Sun family and other powerful clans want to join forces to destroy the Ming Dynasty and all the people under heaven.

The alienation that power and wealth inflict on people is extremely terrifying.

It has only been a little over ten years since Sun Chengzong rose to power.

The Gaoyang Sun family, which was originally not even respectable in a county, has now become a powerful force in Baoding Prefecture.

Apart from a few of his direct descendants who were constantly taught and guided by his words and deeds and still retain a sense of conscience.

The rest of the people have become no different from the real parasites that suck the blood and sweat of the people.

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

If the aristocratic families were to succeed in their conspiracy, the entire Ming Dynasty would be on the verge of collapse in a very short time.

Who knows how many people will lose their lives because of this, and how much suffering will the people of the world be plunged into?!
Thinking of this, Sun Chengzong closed his eyes in extreme pain.

At this time.

Sun Chengzong's eldest son, Sun Quan, walked over with a solemn expression: "Father, are you sure you want to start an uprising in Baoding to support His Majesty?"

Sun Chengzong opened his eyes and nodded.

A struggle appeared on Sun Quan's face: "Father, I'm afraid that the vast majority of the family will strongly oppose your uprising."

Sun Chengzong didn't speak, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

After a moment, he stared at Sun Quan and slowly spoke: "Compared to the vast lands and countless people of the Ming Dynasty, which is more important, a single household or a family?"

Sun Quan took a deep breath, his eyes showing a determination similar to that of Sun Chengzong.

The father's meaning was clear.

If you want to start a rebellion, you must thoroughly eliminate the opposition within your family, or rather, the parasites within the country, before you start the rebellion.

This was an act of annihilating the entire family.

does it worth?
Many people would find this incredibly foolish or even incomprehensible, but Sun Chengzong and his direct descendants believed it was all worthwhile.

It's the same old story.

The principles of being a decent person are something that some people simply won't understand, even if you explain them to them.

Sun Quan nodded emphatically: "I will take care of this matter shortly."

Then, Sun Quan looked at his father and asked his last question of the trip:
"Father, will we succeed?"

Upon hearing this, a not-so-pleasant smile suddenly appeared on Sun Chengzong's deeply lined face.

Will it succeed?

Sun Chengzong himself didn't know either.

After all, the small Baoding Prefecture couldn't offer much help to the current situation of the Ming Dynasty.

But at least the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty gave him a glimmer of hope to fight for his life.

Otherwise, he would never have risked his entire family's lives to do something so dangerous at such a time.

He will only continue to endure and silently look for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the other party.

And speaking of emperors...

Sun Chengzong actually had some dissatisfaction with Zhu Youjian when he first ascended the throne.

the reason is simple.

He had already achieved results in the past two years and had indirectly or directly proven his unwavering loyalty to the Ming Dynasty.

However, after the emperor ascended the throne, he did not immediately give him an important position.

This made Sun Chengzong quite unhappy.

He was the tutor of the previous emperor and was deeply trusted by the Tianqi Emperor.

He refused to believe that Emperor Tianqi hadn't mentioned his old bones at least once on his deathbed.

And most importantly.

Sun Chengzong had already secretly sent people in the capital to express his loyalty to the emperor and deliver messages.

The emperor didn't even reply, as if he didn't care about him at all.

Is he thinking he's too old, or does he feel he was defeated two years ago and is no longer capable of being trusted?

However, the outcome of the defeat at the Battle of Liuhe was not something he could change on his own.

Various speculations intertwined, leaving Sun Chengzong, who was over sixty years old, very depressed.

So much so that when Sun Chengzong heard that the emperor was cracking down on corrupt officials in the capital, he did not express much praise for the young emperor.

At the time, I simply hid my joy and nodded lightly, saying, "It's alright."

However, the moment Zhu Youjian left the capital for Shaanxi to provide disaster relief, all of Sun Chengzong's discontent vanished.

Compared to the suffering disaster victims in Shaanxi, what is he, a mere old man on the verge of death?
The Emperor didn't notice her because he had more important things to do.

Sun Chengzong instantly understood the grand ambitions in Zhu Youjian's heart.

However, at that time he did not continue to do anything to show his loyalty to Zhu Youjian in order to be given an important position.

Because of his experience and understanding of aristocratic families.

He knows it very well.

If the emperor continues to do this, the Ming Dynasty will inevitably descend into chaos.

Rather than being loyal to the emperor at that time, it would be far better to wait until the Ming Dynasty was in turmoil and then suddenly emerge.

At that time, only by delivering a swift and decisive backstab to the powerful and wealthy families could one truly achieve a surprise attack.

Having spent most of his life navigating the ups and downs of officialdom and fighting on the battlefield, Sun Chengzong has a deeper understanding of all kinds of affairs.

Just like it is now.

He knew that Baoding Prefecture was nothing compared to the entire Ming Dynasty.

But for the capital and for His Majesty, it was undoubtedly a timely help.

This is also a heavy blow to the powerful and influential families in Hebei.

same.

Sun Chengzong also knew that after stabbing the aristocratic families in the back, his chances of continuing to succeed were extremely slim.

Because he and His Majesty were not facing any particular family or household.

Rather, it is an entire class.

This class has existed since the moment historical records began.

They could be Zhao, Qian, Sun, or Li, or they could be Zhou, Wu, Zheng, or Wang.

In any case, they have always existed throughout history.

Regardless of the rise and fall of dynasties, they will always follow this land like ghosts.

Having such an enemy as an opponent makes one see no hope whatsoever.

The loser in this struggle will inevitably be executed along with their entire family by the victor.

And they will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame, to be cursed by future generations for all eternity.

you could put it that way.

From the moment I decided to stand with Zhu Youjian.

Sun Chengzong already regarded the forty-seven blood relatives who had followed him in the uprising as dead men.

The cost was enormous.

But compared to the price His Majesty paid, it was just a drop in the ocean.

With Your Majesty's wisdom and status, you are perfectly capable of comfortably enjoying all the riches and honors of the world.

But His Majesty did not do so.

Because some things always have to be done by someone.

Even if there is no hope of success, it is worth it as long as it can make the situation a little better.

It is because of the continuous emergence of such people on this land that the bloodline of the Yan and Huang Emperors has been passed down to this day.

Think of this.

Sun Chengzong's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.

He clenched his skinny fist and wiped his eyes, then straightened his thin but not yet hunched back and strode out of the room.

Not long after.

Sun Quan then prepared for the next cleaning task.

What he needs to do is actually very simple.

He summoned his family's opponents, the prefect of Baoding, and other key officials to his home to hold a meeting under the pretext of complying with the Southern Emperor's edict to suppress the rebels.

Then, taking advantage of the meeting, they killed all of them.

The reason why meetings have been passed down to this day and are still effective is because they are indeed useful.

Even if we put it hundreds or thousands of years into the future, this trick will still work.

soon.

The various people then took their seats in the Sun family's large council hall.

After everyone had arrived.

Sun Chengzong slowly emerged from the room next door.

As Sun Chengzong appeared, everyone in the hall stood up quickly and respectfully greeted him, "Supervisor!"

Sun Chengzong nodded, gesturing for everyone to sit down.

then.

Without any pleasantries, he asked directly, "Now that the Emperor has ordered all the prefectures in Hebei to join forces in attacking the Northern rebels, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Everyone started whispering.

The order to suppress the northern rebels was indeed issued to all prefectures two days ago.

The reason why no one else responded immediately, except for those powerful families, was because this matter was so unpopular in Hebei that no one dared to act rashly.

And now, is the Commander-in-Chief preparing to be the first to try something new?!

Many people in the hall couldn't help but feel secretly excited.

They didn't care at all about what those lowly people thought.

Right now, everyone is preoccupied with these thoughts.

The first person to join the aristocratic families in the campaign against the Northern rebels will receive even greater benefits!

If that's the case, once the Northern rebels are dealt with, wouldn't they be able to rise to a higher level and even enter the core circle of the Sun family?
Thinking of this, the prefect of Baoding was the first to speak up: "Commander-in-Chief! Since the Emperor has issued an edict, we should naturally respond immediately!"

"Let's exterminate the Northern rebels as soon as possible, so that we can restore a bright and clear world to our Great Ming!"

As soon as the prefect spoke, everyone else in the hall echoed his call.

They were filled with righteous indignation and shouted that Baoding Prefecture should also send troops immediately.

Sun Chengzong raised his eyelids and glanced at the people shouting excitedly.

Among them were his cousins, paternal relatives, and nephews.
of course.

Besides these people, there were a few younger faces who did not speak up, clearly struggling internally as well.

Seeing that no one had spoken up in agreement, Sun Chengzong nodded indifferently, then stood up and left: "Let's do it."

Before anyone could understand what he meant, the words had already been spoken.

The axemen who had been lying in ambush poured out from both sides.

Seeing the gleaming steel knives in their hands, the crowd, who had been shouting excitedly just moments before, were instantly stunned.

The prefect of Baoding was the first to react, and he cursed loudly at Sun Chengzong's departing figure:
"Sun Chengzong, you heartless bastard, how dare you betray us! Do you think betraying us will end well?!"

"You and the Northern Rebel Emperor will ultimately meet your demise."

The words are not finished yet.

The prefect, a fourth-rank official, was stabbed in the chest with a steel knife, coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, and then fell silent.

After finishing taking care of things at home.

Without pausing, Sun Chengzong led a group of men to the gate of Baoding Prefecture, carrying the head of the prefect.

At this moment, the people inside the city were still unaware of what was happening outside.

Everyone stared in disbelief as Sun Chengzong led his men in a menacing manner.

After a while, the city's garrison commander, standing atop the city wall, timidly called out and inquired:

"Commander, what are you doing?"

Dressed in a bright red official robe, Sun Chengzong rode forward, threw the head of the prefect of Baoding Prefecture in front of the gate, and said expressionlessly:

"The Prefect of Baoding is plotting a rebellion! I am Sun Chengzong, the former Minister of War and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Today, by the secret edict of the Chongzhen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, all those who plotted rebellion have been captured, executed, and their heads displayed to the public!"

"Open the city gates immediately! Otherwise, all of you will be punished for treason without mercy!"

The generals of the prefecture looked at each other in bewilderment.

But after a short while, someone obeyed Sun Chengzong's order and obediently opened the city gates.

Many of these generals were promoted by Sun Chengzong.

In addition, his immediate superior, the prefect of the city, has been executed, and his round head is still sitting in front of the door.

It goes without saying whose opinion we should listen to.

soon.

Sun Chengzong and his men entered Baoding Prefecture without bloodshed.

Upon entering the city, the first thing Sun Chengzong did was send someone to the capital to inform His Majesty that he had now captured Baoding Prefecture.

Then he immediately sent out another team of men.

They went to various counties within Baoding Prefecture to inform the people that Baoding Prefecture would join the Ming Dynasty's legitimate Emperor Chongzhen in conquering the Southern rebel emperor!
now.

Standing on the city wall, watching the soldiers riding off to various counties, Sun Chengzong's gaze was deep.

Take the prefectural city.

It's just the simplest first step.

Every step from here on out will be incredibly difficult.

It just so happened.

A gust of wind blew up the city wall, making the flags on the city wall flutter loudly.

Sun Chengzong turned to look at the dragon flag, symbolizing the legitimate emperor of the Ming Dynasty, which was once again flying atop the city wall, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

There are millions of people ahead.

Your Majesty and I shall go together!
(End of this chapter)