Fu Shanhe

Chapter 577 The Fall of Nanjing
"Alright, now that things are clear, we should learn from this experience and stop believing rumors in the future."

This is a critical moment; you all need to get back to your posts immediately.

Those without duties should stay at home and not wander around.

After much effort, he finally convinced everyone that Li Mu had not declared himself emperor, but the Duke of Chu was not happy at all.

The way everyone acted just now clearly showed that they believed Nanjing couldn't be defended and the Great Yu Empire was about to collapse, which is why they were in a hurry to find better opportunities elsewhere.

If even family members think this way, then it goes without saying what outsiders think.

No matter how fortified Nanjing was, once everyone reached a consensus that it "could not be defended," then it was destined to fall.

"Brother, just because the Marquis of Hanshui hasn't declared himself emperor yet doesn't mean he won't in the future."

You should seriously consider my suggestion.

Although we had a marriage alliance with the Li family, that was two generations ago.

In chaotic times, such distant kinship ties may not carry much weight.

While we still have leverage, we can still sell it for a good price.

If you miss the opportunity to offer help when they're in dire need, you won't get the same treatment once they've already accomplished their goals!

Sheng Xinglan couldn't help but mutter to himself.

As a member of the younger generation of the nobility, he had no goodwill towards the corrupt Great Yu Empire.

In his mind, the nobility had always been the pillars of the empire.

To safeguard the fate of the Great Yu Empire, they devoted themselves wholeheartedly, even unto death.

But those people in the imperial court not only didn't help, they also sabotaged us behind our backs.

The emperor was also incredibly incompetent, only knowing how to squander money through reckless spending.

They only glimpsed a tiny bit of the glory of the Great Yu Empire when they were children.

After I came of age, I happened to be in the final years of the dynasty, and all I encountered were a bunch of messy things.

The empire left them with only bad impressions, and they simply couldn't love it.

"enough!"

"We nobles have received the Emperor's favor for generations; how could we commit such treasonous acts!"

Duke Sheng Xinghai of Chu immediately reprimanded him.

There are some things you can think about, but you can't say them out loud.

As the ruler of the empire, how could he not have considered these issues?

The problem is that the Sheng family holds a very high position in Dayu, so it's not something you can just switch sides with.

Just by looking at the group of followers that the Marquis of Hanshui had gathered, you could tell that they were either collateral relatives of nobles or impoverished members of the nobility.

On the surface, they are all from wealthy and influential families, but in reality, their original status was not high.

Those who were able to hold high positions did so by fighting alongside the Marquis of Hanshui on the battlefield.

Recapture these people won't require much of a price.

But he was different; he held the title of Duke of Chu of the Great Yu Kingdom, a rank higher than Li Mu's.

Although the Sheng family's influence in the military was not as great as that of the Li family, their influence in the Jiangnan region was significant because they had guarded Nanjing for generations!
Once they go there to seek refuge, how to settle them becomes a big problem.

Historical experience told him that underlings who made things difficult for their bosses never had a good ending.

As a result, the Chu State Duke's Mansion and the Han River Marquis's Mansion maintained a relationship that was neither too close nor too distant over the years.

As for the merit of following the dragon, you might as well just wash up and go to sleep!
Before Li Mu ascends the throne, these top nobles from the previous dynasty should not go and cause trouble.

Even if Li Mu could tolerate them, his subordinates would not allow these "remnants of the previous dynasty" to hold high positions.

At this moment, he felt an overwhelming envy for the Jing family.

They bet on potential stocks early on, and then, just before the chaos fully unfolded, they suffered a devastating blow.

They could both benefit from the success of the emperor's rise to power and avoid being resented.

……

Rumors continued to circulate in the city, not because officials hadn't tried, but simply because their attempts to refute the rumors were ineffective.

Let alone feudal dynasties, even in later generations when compulsory education was widespread, a single rumor could trigger a frenzy of panic buying of salt, vinegar, and rice.

The panic buying of salt erupted eight times in succession.

A mere rumor from a self-media outlet can lead to tens of thousands of people digging up millions of flower fields, and there's no stopping them.

The morale of the troops remained low due to the spread of rumors.

In order to boost morale, the Duke of Chu repeatedly requested the court to allocate silver to reward the troops and stabilize public sentiment.

Compared to vague promises, real money is what truly excites people.

Unfortunately, all of them were rejected by the imperial court.

In the eyes of the officials, the amount of reward money distributed recently was already more than enough, with each person receiving more than five taels of silver.

In the past, after deducting daily expenses, an ordinary soldier might not even receive this much in military pay in a year.

The problem is that while the officials considered it to be five taels per person, the actual amount received by the lower-ranking soldiers was significantly reduced.

Systemic corruption from top to bottom cannot be eradicated by an individual.

The official silver moved from the national treasury would not only be lighter in weight, but its purity would also be greatly reduced.

The answer was always the same: "The silver got damp."

The classic "fire consumption" tactic is indispensable.

A series of problems came together, directly causing the already demoralized defenders to become even less willing to fight.

Even the noble generals defending the city were secretly planning their escape route.

More and more officials are experiencing a subtle shift in their attitudes toward the Northern Barbarians.

At this moment, Nanjing resembles Beijing at the end of the Chongzhen era.

Apart from a few loyal ministers, most of the civil and military officials in the court had lost their will to fight.

The Tatars' promise to restore the old Mongol Yuan system struck a nerve with many civil officials.

Compared to the happy and free Mongol Yuan Dynasty, being an official in the Great Yu Dynasty was extremely difficult.

During this process, the military camp also split into three waves.

Apart from a few who advocated defending Nanjing to the death and sharing the fate of the court, most people preferred to make contact with the northern barbarians or go south to join the Marquis of Hanshui.

Influenced by the atmosphere in the city, the officials who were originally responsible for investigating the Northern Barbarians' inside lines also became passive and uncooperative.

The lower-ranking constables, having received bribes, lost all interest in continuing the investigation.

The shift in public sentiment created the perfect opportunity for the Northern Barbarians' spies to operate.

……

Tufu's Mansion.

"They directly promised him the title of Duke, allowed him to choose his own fiefdom, and gave him full authority to handle all government affairs within the fiefdom. The Northern Barbarians are really generous!"

Even though he was used to seeing big scenes, Wan Huaijin couldn't help but be moved.

The fact that he was given such treatment simply for leading the soldiers and civilians in the city to surrender was completely beyond his expectations.

Even though he was prepared to die for the Great Yu, he couldn't help but waver at this moment.

This is not only a restoration of the Mongol Yuan era, but also a revival of the feudal system.

Following this strategy, the Northern barbarians were aiming to become the Zhou emperor.

If the Northern barbarians could keep their promises and be willing to share their benefits, they might actually be able to seize the world.

After all, the Marquis of Hanshui would never offer such treatment.

"Your Excellency, you deserve this treatment."

The Great Chanyu cherishes talent most of all; the position of prime minister is currently vacant, awaiting your arrival!

The middle-aged scholar enthusiastically encouraged them.

Throughout China's long history, there has never been another instance of a surrendered official receiving such treatment.

"Please decline the Great Chanyu's offer on my behalf, but I am not worthy of the position of prime minister!"

Wan Huaijin resolutely refused.

Despite their differing stances, he was still somewhat moved by the respect shown to him by the Northern barbarians.

However, reason prevailed in the end, and he chose to refuse.

As the chief minister of Dayu, regardless of his political achievements during his tenure, he possesses extremely high value for united front work.

If he surrendered to the Northern Barbarians, it would inevitably shock the officials of the Yu Dynasty, and they would certainly be treated well.

Forget about real power.

Traitors are never welcome in any world.

If you are oblivious to the danger and actually believe the nonsense about being given an important position, then you've already stepped into the gates of hell.

The more successful you are now, the more miserable your future end will be.

"Dongweng, the fall of Nanjing is a foregone conclusion."

The number of civil and military officials in the city center who were loyal to the Great Chanyu was countless.

With just a single command from the Great Chanyu, Nanjing could fall at any moment. The Great Yu is destined to be powerless to reverse its fate; why then do you futilely try to stop it?

Master Duan, who was standing nearby, also offered his advice.

There was no other way; the Northern barbarians' offer was simply too high.

Since ancient times, self-interest has always been a powerful motivator; there is no betrayal if the price offered for bribery is not high enough.

Now that the Northern barbarians have offered such a high price, it's hard not to be tempted.

Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about your family.

They were not isolated individuals; when making decisions, they also had to consider the fate of their clans.

Loyal ministers and righteous men who are willing to abandon everything are ultimately only a minority.

It is precisely because it is rare that it deserves to be praised.

"No need for further words, my mind is made up!"

Wan Huaijin immediately interrupted.

With the lives of his entire clan in the hands of the enemy, he dared not lay a hand on the Northern Barbarian envoy, but he also could not bring himself to lead the surrender.

As the chief minister of Dayu, he had made a complete mess of the country's governance and was ashamed to face anyone.

If he were to surrender to the Northern barbarians, he would be the number one traitor.

Even if the northern barbarians seize the world, they will be the most disloyal ministers in the land, and it is inevitable that they will be condemned.

If the Northern barbarians fail to seize the throne, then he will be held responsible for the downfall of the Great Yu Dynasty, and history will place him at the same table as Qin Hui and Jia Sidao.

Not only will he be infamous for eternity, but his clan and descendants will also be disgraced.

Wan Huaijin was not the only one tempted; the presence of Northern barbarian envoys appeared in the residences of almost all the powerful officials in the court.

The ministers who had already surrendered to the Northern barbarians were also taking the opportunity to exert their influence and continuously drag their colleagues down with them.

It is a disgrace for one person to become a traitor, but if everyone becomes a traitor, then that is going with the tide.

Even if you get scolded, there will be someone to stand by you.

……

The Tatar royal court.

"Great Chanyu, the strategy of winning hearts and minds has worked. Most of the Yu Dynasty officials in the city have fallen to us, and there are still some who are hesitant."

Apart from a very few die-hard loyalists of the Great Yu who killed the envoy, the rest of them, even if they refused our attempts to win them over, simply saw the envoy off with courtesy.

The time is ripe to breach the city. All we need to do is launch one more all-out attack, and someone will open the gates and welcome us in!

Erd said with great confidence.

The lobbying effort was more successful than expected.

The intelligence department originally thought that winning over the Qingliu Party members would be the biggest victory for them.

Unexpectedly, they were able to win over most of the imperial court.

Those guys who kept talking about loyalty and righteousness all showed their true colors when faced with the conditions they promised.

On the contrary, officials who usually don't perform much showed their integrity and character during this process.

"Now that the conditions are ripe, let's issue the order to all units to take Nanjing as quickly as possible!"
Whoever enters Nanjing first will be promoted three ranks in officialdom, two ranks in nobility, and rewarded with 100,000 taels of silver!

Hugjil decisively gave the order.

The vanguard of the Marquis of Hanshui was only three hundred li away from Nanjing.

No one can guarantee that the Marquis of Hanshui won't suddenly change his mind and give them a harsh blow at a crucial moment.

Compared to the dying Yu Dynasty, they are the real rivals on the road to hegemony.

At the enemy's speed, it won't be long before they reach the front line.

Even if the reinforcements don't participate in the battle, just patrolling around can boost the morale of the troops in the city.

Once they see a glimmer of hope, those Yu Dynasty officials who have sided with them might become wavering again.

After all, the pie they painted, though tempting, was ultimately just a painting.

To fulfill the promise, we'll have to wait until we've conquered the world.

For the vested interest groups in Dayu, it's best to avoid making trouble if possible.

Countless historical experiences have proven that those who suffer the most from dynastic changes are always the vested interest groups of the previous dynasty.

They failed to capture Nanjing and then engaged in a decisive battle with the loyalist army in Jiangnan. Just thinking about it makes you realize how absurd that was.

If they lack favorable timing, location, and popular support, the enemy could easily launch a naval blockade of the river and cut off their escape route if they are not careful.

Besides the hundreds of thousands of troops of the loyalist army, the more than 100,000 Yu troops entrenched in Shandong also posed a considerable danger.

Essentially, this southward move was a high-stakes strategic gamble.

……

The roar of artillery fire rang out again, and Nanjing was now in complete chaos.

The morale of the defending troops was completely shattered, and a large number of deserters appeared as soon as the enemy launched their attack.

No matter how much the commander rebuked them, he could not change the reality of their defeat.

The civil and military officials were prepared to surrender, and the nobles and princes, knowing they were powerless to reverse the situation, scrambled to escape.

Realizing that the situation was hopeless, the noble generals who advocated moving south gathered their old troops and left through the western gate of the city.

In the palace.

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent; Nanjing cannot be defended!"

Wan Huaijin said in a deep voice.

As the last chief minister of Dayu, he has been under tremendous mental pressure since he took office.

He thought he could turn the tide and rebuild the country, but reality proved that he overestimated his abilities.

When social contradictions that have been dormant for three hundred years erupt in a concentrated manner, the effect that an individual can play is very limited.

"Sir, are you taking me away?"

The young emperor asked in a trembling voice.

After two years of study, although he didn't understand the major national affairs, he was aware of the country's devastation.

"The country has collapsed, and there is no way to save it."

In the past, Emperors Huizong and Qinzong fell into the hands of the Jurchens and suffered all kinds of humiliation, bringing shame to the Song Dynasty.

Our Great Yu dynasty has lasted for three hundred years and deserves a dignified end. We must not suffer such humiliation.

"I am willing to drown myself in the river and die for my country. Would Your Majesty be willing to go with me, so as to preserve our honor?"

Wan Huaijin said with a serious expression.

As the Grand Secretary, he could not lead the Great Yu to glory, but he had to give the empire a dignified end.

This is an explanation to the Great Yu Dynasty, an explanation to the people of the world, and an explanation to oneself.

"If the Grand Secretary is willing to die for his country alongside His Majesty, how can we be left out!"

Shi Qingchen's words broke the silence in the room and cut off the young emperor's chance to refuse.

Heads may be severed, blood may flow, but integrity must not be lost.

"Since you've all come, it seems our cabinet won't become a laughing stock for all time."

Looking at everyone, Wan Huaijin smiled with satisfaction.

The Great Yu Empire still had loyal ministers, although these loyal ministers were unable to save the country.

"Alright, the enemy has already entered the city. There's no time to listen to your musings."

If it's any later, it won't be time to jump into the river!

"The Duke of Chu said in a deep voice."

He had never thought much of these sentimental guys in front of him.

He had thought these guys would be spineless, and he found it unbelievable that he had run into them.

He chose to die for his country out of necessity.

The Sheng family had always been favored by the emperor. When the White Lotus Rebellion broke through Nanjing, his father chose to die for his country.

The weight of family honor rested on his shoulders; surrendering to the northern barbarians was out of the question.

As the garrison commander of Nanjing, abandoning the young emperor and fleeing would have been met with a torrent of public condemnation.

Even if they managed to escape with the young emperor, it would be a huge problem, let alone whether they could actually get out.

The Marquis of Hanshui is about to reveal his hand, and if he takes the young emperor there now to cause trouble, the Sheng family will be targeted and killed in the future.

No matter what choice you make, it's a tragedy. So you might as well follow in your fathers' footsteps and die a heroic death to earn a good name for yourself after death.

"Alright, let's get going!"

Everyone said in unison.

With so many companions on the road to the underworld, the originally tragic atmosphere was somewhat diluted.

……

(End of this chapter)