The Revolt of the Three Feudatories: All-in at the start in Beijing

When Galdan changed the era name and established the reign title, he used to think that the reign title was just the emperor's second name. After reading many books, he learned that the reign title was first created by Emperor Wu of Han.

The reign title was meant to send a signal to officials and the people, conveying the emperor's governing philosophy. For example, the Zhenguan era meant governing the country with righteous principles and aiming for political clarity and integrity.

The name Hongwu, derived from Zhu Yuanzhang's name, signifies the use of powerful military force to expel the Northern Yuan invaders, to secure the country and stabilize the nation, and to consolidate the new dynasty.

When civil officials mention the Kaiyuan era to the emperor, it's because they want to secure their positions. Li Guangdi is currently the prime minister of Qian, but he doesn't have a fixed official post. Isn't this a case of wearing fine clothes in the dark?

After figuring out the twists and turns, Galdan habitually touched his nose and looked at Li Guangdi and Ouyang Jing.

"Both of you, my dear ministers, may speak!"

"What kind of reign titles are you suggesting for me?"

Ouyang Jing and the other two had already discussed it. Li Guangdi immediately took out a piece of paper with six reign titles written on it.

"Your Majesty, in literature we have Wenzhao, Changning, and Kangning; in military affairs we have Xuanwu, Weiwu, and Hongwu!"

Galdan's favorite thing after hearing this was to promote martial arts and spread martial prowess throughout the world. This was something to be done in the future, such as whipping the future Peter the Great with a small leather whip mixed with chili water.

But Galdan also liked it very much.

No emperor could resist the allure of civil administration, and Galdan, torn between his options, ultimately turned to the two men.

"Li Guangdi, Ouyang Jing, you both speak up!"

"Which reign title should I choose?"

Ouyang Jing followed Galdan the longest and knew that Galdan was extremely attached to Tsarist Russia.

"Your Majesty, I suggest the reign title be Hongwu!"

"The aim is to expand military territory, promote military achievements to secure the country, and strengthen military preparedness to safeguard the foundation. This combination of martial prowess and scholarly spirit aligns with Your Majesty's benevolence!"

Li Guangdi looked at Ouyang Jing in surprise. Wasn't it agreed that Wen Zhao would be chosen? What's with this newfound talent?

As a civil official, instead of thinking about governing the country with the emperor, he actually chose the name Hongwu, a name associated with war machines.

He's such a lackey!

Pooh!

Li Guangdi originally wanted to say Wenzhao, but seeing Galdan's smile, he immediately swallowed his words.

"Your Majesty, Brother Ouyang is absolutely right!"

"Hongwu is magnificent and imposing!"

"The ruler and his ministers are of one mind," Galdan was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately slammed his fist on the table.

"Then it's settled. You can each choose a good day and inform Pei Gong and Subutai in advance to return to the capital. I will give you all the rewards you deserve."

Now that's what an emperor should be like.

They never make empty promises; they always start talking about rewards beforehand.

Li Guangdi and Ouyang Jing both showed satisfaction upon hearing this, and then forcibly suppressed their anger.

Galdan waved his hand in response.

"I am different from others; I have no fear of you in the slightest. Besides, a true man standing between heaven and earth, if he doesn't seek wealth, then he seeks power. There's nothing shameful about that!"

Galdan glanced at the sky and saw that it was still early, so he took out a folded document from the table and said what he had been wanting to say.

"My two esteemed ministers, I have read Pei Gong's military report. It says that most of the southern officials in the north have already resigned, leaving the local officials in vacancies. They have no choice but to open doors of convenience for some scholars!"

"What if we held the imperial examination now?"

"What do you think? Is the time right?"

The imperial examination system was the lifeblood of an ancient dynasty and the key to unlocking the power of the gentry class. When one lacked absolute power, one should win over all forces that could be won over.

After all, times have changed, and the essence of China has gradually shifted south. The gentry in the southeast have their hateful aspects, such as Mr. Shui Tailiang.

However, there were also those who were loyal and courageous, such as Chen Zilong of the Southern Ming Dynasty, who organized righteous men to resist the Qing Dynasty, and committed suicide by jumping into the water after the defeat.

Now Galdan is holding an imperial examination in Beijing, a place with a three-hundred-year history of legitimacy. If it can be held smoothly, the gentry in the southeast will think twice.

Scientific expedition?

After thinking it over, Li Guangdi's eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty, why not set the imperial examination for New Year's Day? This way, we can announce it to the world in advance, especially in the southeast. We should spread the word far and wide to make it clear that the Aisin Gioro clan of the false Qing dynasty are barbaric cannibals. At the same time, we should also spread the word about the descendants of my Emperor Liu who have restored the Han dynasty three times."

Galdan nodded upon hearing this. This was indeed a good idea. Anyone with a modicum of shame would not serve the ruthless Manchu Qing dynasty. When the Han dynasty was strong enough to march south, it would be as if heaven was helping them.

"Your Majesty, since our Great Han Dynasty entered the capital, the Confucius family has submitted three memorials, seemingly very dissatisfied with our revisions to Confucianism. The imperial examinations are always inseparable from the Confucius family!"

Ouyang Jing was a down-on-his-luck scholar, and his concerns were different; he directly pointed out the most difficult issues.

Hahahaha... Galdan burst into disdainful laughter upon hearing this, the kind of laughter that made him lose his voice because it was so funny.

Seeing the strange expressions on their faces, Galdan pulled out a copy of the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government).

"Throughout the centuries of dynastic changes, only the Confucius family has endured for generations. Do you know what they relied on?"

Ouyang Jing blurted it out without thinking.

"Is it a Confucian classic?"

Galdan shook his head, still with a disdainful expression. Seeing this, Li Guangdi pondered for a long time before saying:

"The seller seeks personal gain!!!"

Ouyang Jing was just a scholar, and just like ordinary people feared landlords, the higher his sense of worship for Confucianism was.

Li Guangdi's ability to rank fifth in the imperial examination shows that he had thoroughly understood the Four Books and Five Classics and historical texts, and therefore did not have much reverence for the Confucian family.

Snapped!

Galdan slammed his hand on the table.

"That's right. Confucianism says that a subject must die when the ruler commands him, yet every time they switch allegiance to a new master and criticize the old one. But what did those old masters ever do to wrong them? Isn't that betraying one's master for personal gain?"

"Confucianism also says that our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents, yet they immediately shaved their heads and changed their clothes. What is this called? This is called forgetting our ancestors!"

Seeing that the two understood, Galdan was relieved. What he feared most was that his right and left arms would become disloyal.

"Ouyang Jing, send an urgent message to Liu Xin in Jinan, ordering him to lead troops to relocate the entire Kong family to the capital on foot. Remember, on foot!"

Ouyang Jing scratched his forehead sheepishly.

"Your Majesty, isn't this too harsh?"

"Why don't we have Lord Li write it for us?"

Galdan glared at him upon hearing this.

"Ouyang Jing, now that you've become a high-ranking official, you're starting to care about your reputation and don't want to leave a stain on your record in history. Are you starting to shirk your responsibilities to me?"

Ouyang Jing's expression immediately changed. He cursed himself for being careless. He had only been an official for a short time, how could he have started to get arrogant? So he slapped his thigh.

"The Kong family, these traitors who sell out their masters for personal gain, should walk to the capital and experience the suffering of ordinary people!"

"Jing will go write it right away!"

……

Meanwhile, as the sun was setting, Ningxia City was besieged by an army of 50,000 men, whose banners were embroidered with black dragons. This was the Northwest Han Army organized by Zhou Peigong.