Fu Shanhe

Chapter 290 Faith
Outside Nanjing.

"How's the internal contact going?"

Fu Haoxuan asked with concern.

The invasion of the northern barbarians saved the rebellion of the Holy Kingdom of White Lotus.

In order to take advantage of the opportunity of the government troops going north to defend the king and expand his territory as much as possible, he had no choice but to slow down the offensive against Nanjing.

The military offensive has slowed down, but the political offensive has never stopped.

The gentry in the Jiangnan region had already been purged by them, and everything that could be robbed was taken away.

Continuing to kill them all will not bring him any greater benefits.

Changing the original looting strategy to managing the local area became a crucial step on the road to rebellion.

After taking this step, he would become a local lord and have the capital to fight for the world.

If he fails in running a place, no matter how good he is at fighting on the battlefield, he can only be a king.

There is no problem relying on the White Lotus Sect to rebel, but letting them govern the local area would simply make things difficult for them.

The Holy White Lotus Kingdom conquered so many states, but few of them were able to restore production.

Many of the laws enacted by the Holy Kingdom are basically just for fun.

Even the officials don’t understand it, let alone implement it.

In this context, Fu Haoxuan urgently needs the support of scholars.

Unfortunately, the White Lotus Sect had been too brutal in its killings, so even after issuing a call for talent, only some small characters came to join them.

The aristocratic families have a blood feud with the White Lotus Holy Kingdom, and each of them wants to eat his flesh and drink his blood.

If we want to change this situation, Nanjing is a turning point.

People will only place bets if you can capture Nanjing and show your potential to conquer the world.

When the advantage is big enough, past hatred will no longer be a problem.

The most important factor in the succession of aristocratic families is the ability to recognize current events at critical moments.

As long as the benefits are sufficient, there is nothing that cannot be discussed.

At worst, they could throw out a scapegoat and blame all the previous killings on the dead White Lotus Saint Emperor.

With a stepping stone, both sides have the possibility of cooperation.

The current political offensive is aimed at undermining the defenders' will to resist from within, and also at buying bones with gold.

Set an example for those who will come to join you.

“Your Majesty, we have bribed many of the generals defending the city.

I have also sent people to contact several major families in the city.

They are interested but worried that we may not keep our word, so they are still hesitating.

Currently, the largest pro-war faction in the city is no longer the aristocratic families, but the royal family and nobles in the city.

At this time, if we cooperate internally and externally, it shouldn't be a problem to capture Nanjing."

Hu Yuzhe answered immediately.

As a surrendered minister, he had no reason not to work hard when he was promoted to the high position of Minister of Rites.

From the moment he surrendered to the Holy Kingdom of White Lotus, he embarked on a path of no return.

Either you succeed in starting a business and become a founding hero.

Either the rebellion fails and you and your entire clan go to hell together.

“Good job!
It is normal for royal family members and nobles not to surrender. They are the remnants of the previous dynasty, parasites of the country, and are destined to be eliminated.

Since there are enough internal supporters, it doesn't matter if the cooperation of those big clans is missing.

Contact those who have sided with us as soon as possible, and take down Nanjing City with internal and external cooperation.

After this battle, the remaining prefectures in Southern Zhili will no longer be a concern.

Next, we can plot our way to the Central Plains and prepare for the annexation of the world!"

Fu Haoxuan said with high spirits.

Attacking Nanjing first would be a gamble with all one's heart.

At this moment, attacking Nanjing has changed from a gamble for survival to a fight for the world.

The invasion of the northern barbarians disrupted the military deployment of the Dayu Dynasty and created an opportunity for them to fight.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, he not only expanded his strategic space, but also created a personality that was "destined to succeed."

He couldn’t care whether the outside world believed it or not, but his subordinates believed it anyway.

Everyone is working hard to be a founding hero, and they work extremely hard.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will arrange it immediately!"

Hu Yuzhe said excitedly.

After surrendering for so long, it is finally his time to show his abilities.

Once Nanjing is successfully captured, his position in the rebel team will be very different.

……

Late at night, the six departments in Nanjing are still brightly lit.

Since the rebels began to besiege the city, the six ministers in charge of Nanjing’s defense and the Duke of Chu and the Earl of Wudu who guarded Nanjing have rarely returned home.

The rebel siege brought them too much pressure. Gathering together was not only convenient for discussing matters, but also a way to encourage each other.

The days of peace and prosperity are a thing of the past.

At a time like this, they have no time to enjoy themselves.

"The war in the north has not subsided yet, and the story of Jinan's great victory announced by the court is probably exaggerated.

The people in the city are in a panic now. If there is no reinforcement, something unexpected will happen."

Minister of War Wan Cunyi said with a serious expression.

I don’t know if there’s something wrong with the feng shui of the Ministry of War, but the fates of the recent Nanjing War Ministers have not been very good.

The former Minister of War Zhu Jingyi caused trouble for himself and died on the battlefield, leaving behind a bad reputation.

The former Nanjing Minister of War, Tian Zhisheng, was involved in a military supplies corruption case and was questioned by the court.

When he came to him, Wan Cunyi was extra cautious.

Knowing that your abilities are limited, try not to make trouble if you can.

Although corruption exists, eating is much better than what Tian Zhisheng, who was arrested, did.

Basically, they all follow the rules of officialdom and only take what belongs to them.

According to the normal development trajectory, with his cautious character, he would have been able to have a smooth landing as long as he did not get deeply involved in party struggles.

Unfortunately, Wan Cunyi was unlucky. Not long after taking office, he was caught in the siege of the city by the rebels.

The White Lotus rebels would not abide by the rules of officialdom. Once the city was broken, the end of him as the Minister of War was doomed to be tragic.

Surrender, this option does not exist.

The city of Nanjing resisted for such a long time, and tens of thousands of rebels were killed in the battle, which had already angered the enemy.

“Master Wan, there is no need to be too pessimistic.

Even if there is some water in the victory of Jinan, the heavy damage done to the northern barbarians is definitely true. These things are to be recorded in history books, and the court cannot fabricate them out of thin air.

March is almost over, and if it goes any further it will be summer. When the temperature rises, the northern barbarians will have to worry about their horses getting heat stroke.

The northern war to defend the king would last at most one or two months. By mid-to-late May, the northern barbarians would gradually withdraw.

Once it is delayed until after June, the advantage of the Northern Tartar cavalry will be reduced due to the influence of climate.

What's more, by that time, they had almost snatched away everything that could be snatched away, and the only things left were the tough ones.

If the enemy is rational, they should retreat now. Attacking Jinan City is sheer madness. With 100,000 troops and the Jinan defenders, they will not gain anything even if they fight for a year.

Once the war in the north is over, the situation on the southern battlefield will also change.

Although the White Lotus Rebellion was powerful, it was actually full of internal contradictions. After the false emperor died, the three kings he appointed each ruled their own territories.

We cannot reach Wei rebels who have entered Shu for the time being, but we can take advantage of the conflict between Fu rebels and Wei rebels.

Recently, the Jinyiwei has been trying to stir up conflict between the two families. The relationship between the two sides has become hostile, but the conflict has been forcibly suppressed by the two traitors.

The more severe the suppression, the more violent the explosion will be. When the contradiction intensifies, it is the beginning of their killing each other. "

Wu Dubo's words made everyone very embarrassed.

The two rebel kings were not on good terms with each other, and with the combat effectiveness of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, it was completely easy for them to create trouble and stir up conflicts.

But that was the Jinyiwei during its heyday, not the Jinyiwei of today.

After everyone persuaded Emperor Yongning to abolish the Imperial Guards, in order to eliminate hidden dangers, the Imperial Guards were brutally suppressed.

Countless Jinyiwei were sent to the battlefield and used as cannon fodder. Among them, Nanzhili did the most drastic thing, directly letting Li Mu pack up and take away all the Jinyiwei in the territory.

Not long after, Emperor Yongning issued an order to reinstate the Imperial Guards. The Jinyiwei in Nanzhili was left with only an empty shell.

It is easy to destroy an intelligence agency, but it is very difficult to rebuild one.

For officials, the weaker the Jinyiwei supervisory agency is, the better.

They never expected that the boomerang would come so quickly. The Jinyiwei, who were suppressed by them, became the life-saving straw to save the situation.

In fact, the value of Jinyiwei is much higher than this.

If the Imperial Censorate had not been abolished, it would not have been so easy for the White Lotus rebels to expand even if they had started an uprising.

At least it would not be so easy for them to win over the inner support. Many cities that were conquered by the inner and outer forces could only be attacked by force.

“Okay, let’s not discuss these worrying issues for now.

Ever since the rebels besieged the city, everyone has been suppressing their emotions and not going out to relax.

We are all old and we may fall asleep and not wake up one day. There is no need to be hard on ourselves.

Tomorrow I will host a banquet at Cuiyun Tower, and I hope everyone will come and enjoy it!"

Minister of Rites Tang Hesong said with a smile.

The six ministries in Nanjing have always been retirement offices, with all matters being pushed to the six ministries in Beijing for handling. They are a typical example of those who hold high positions but have little power and do not need to take responsibility.

Because of the war, the power of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War increased significantly. The power of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Justice also increased.

Many matters that should have been reported to the capital are now handled by each ministry on its own, with the exception of the Ministry of Rites, which has not seen any changes.

To put it bluntly, the workload has increased, and funeral notices have to be published frequently.

Even a noble government office needs to make its presence felt.

Tang Hesong, unwilling to be lonely, took the initiative to assume the responsibility of coordinating relations among various departments and contacting gentry, nobles, and clan relatives in the city.

"kill……"

Before anyone could answer, shouts of killing were heard.

"What's going on outside?"

Seeing a young general running in, Tang Hesong asked hurriedly.

"My Lords, something terrible has happened!"

"The enemy is entering the city!"

"The guards at the north and south gates opened the gates at the same time and let the rebels in.

Defending the city..."

After getting the exact news, everyone looked as pale as death.

Whatever you are afraid of will come to you.

“Uncle Wudu, let’s divide the work.

You lead the men to recapture the north gate, and I will lead the men to recapture the south gate.

Either save Nanjing or die on the battlefield!"

Duke of Chu Sheng Hongchang made a prompt decision.

As a member of the noble family, their family has guarded Nanjing City for generations and enjoyed the same treatment as the country.

Now that this kind of thing has happened, for the sake of family honor, he must lead people to take the lead.

Rather than living a life of shame and bearing eternal infamy, it is better to die on the battlefield and earn a reputation for loyalty and righteousness.

"it is good!"

Wudubo Liang Boyu agreed immediately.

Like the Duke of Chu, he had no choice. Whether for the sake of his clan or his personal reputation, he had to fight for his life.

After saying that, the two of them turned around and left, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment, which eventually turned into a sigh.

"My fellow colleagues, if you have any last words, please hurry back home and say goodbye to your loved ones while there is still time!

As the Minister of War, I am directly responsible for the deteriorating situation in the southeast.

All we can do now is to live and die with Nanjing.

They are all well-read, and have fought for the imperial examinations all the way. They have only been able to reach their current positions thanks to the emperor's grace.

I hope that at this critical moment, you will show the tolerance of scholars like me and not do anything that will bring shame to the family!"

Wan Cunyi said with a wry smile.

No one wants to die while being able to live.

They are all people in high positions and have plenty of wealth and glory to enjoy.

But people always have to have their own beliefs.

Faith is more important than death.

“I have explained everything that needs to be explained. There is no need to go home again.

I am the Minister of Rites. I have been scheming all my life, but have not accomplished much. I am ashamed to face my ancestors.

It's enough to live to this age. There's no need to sacrifice your integrity for the last years of your life.

Someone, come and prepare a pot of poisoned wine.

I am afraid of pain, so I chose poisoned wine. Please help yourself!"

Tang Hesong said with a smile.

After making the decision to die for his country, he felt relieved.

“The imperial court has nurtured scholars for more than 270 years. Now that Nanjing is about to fall, the time has come to test us. We must not let the younger generations laugh at us.

Since Brother Tang chose poisoned wine, I will also choose poisoned wine. It is a good opportunity for us to be companions and not feel lonely on the road to the underworld. "

The Minister of Personnel at the side followed up.

Influenced by the atmosphere, the other three people who were originally hesitant also expressed their willingness to live and die with Nanjing.

The fighting outside was still going on, and the six government offices, which were originally full of calculations, suddenly became warm and cozy.

Looking at the poisoned wine being served, everyone raised their glasses with trembling hands, which formed a sharp contrast with their previous heroism.

It can be seen that they are full of nostalgia for life.

However, after looking at each other, they drank it all in one gulp.

There was no extra communication, just quietly waiting for death to come.

……

(End of this chapter)