Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 390 Your Majesty, rest assured, my blade will be razor-sharp when I kill these people!

Upon arriving in Beijing, the scene was incredibly lively, with countless people lining the streets. It wouldn't be accurate to say they were welcoming us; most were simply there to watch the spectacle…

The Prince of Yan no longer rode a horse; he remained inside the carriage, without even lifting the curtains…

But all you could hear along the street were voices of doubt.

Where is the Prince of Yan?

"Where is the Emperor? He's nowhere to be seen... It's all soldiers..."

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the Prince of Yan and the Emperor…

Some people couldn't help but whisper among themselves, "Do you think this time it's really going to be a change of dynasty?"

"I don't know... Looking at the proclamation of war and the emperor's edict of self-reproach, it seemed like a change of dynasty was imminent, but..."

"How to say?"

"Where has the dynastic change occurred like this? The officials are not flustered at all, the capital city is not in chaos, and even the soldiers of various departments seem calm... What's going on?"

"When the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty staged the Chenqiao Mutiny and entered the capital, wasn't he just as calm and collected? What's the big deal... I think it's bound to be a change of dynasty..."

"I don't know, we'll see... To be honest, I don't seem flustered at all. It's strange, considering that a change of dynasty is imminent, yet I feel completely unmoved..."

"I... seem to be the same... These soldiers of the Prince of Yan don't seem to inspire any fear..."

"That's because when they entered the capital, they were all neat and orderly, and there was nothing excessive about it. It's clear that the Prince of Yan is a very good commander!"

……

The emperor's carriage was already leading the way into the imperial city, and Su Wu's carriage was also entering the imperial city...

The carriages of the various scholars and officials then returned to their respective homes or offices...

The soldiers were divided into many units, and most of them went into the city and then went out to garrison in the military camps outside the city.

A portion took over many of Bianjing's city defenses...

A portion of them patrolled the streets and alleys of Beijing...

Another group was responsible for securing the imperial city completely, with rows upon rows of armored men standing atop the city walls...

There were only a few people in the Emperor's study.

The Emperor, Su Wu, Wu Yong, Qian Chen, and Wang Fu. Outside the study, many armored soldiers stood...

Next comes the main event: the emperor's abdication edict...

As soon as the group sat down, before a single word was spoken, the emperor was already wiping away tears. Having come this far, there was no longer even the slightest hope...

Whether they wanted to or not, the abdication edict would definitely have to be written...

Wang Fu, standing to the side, didn't say much and spoke directly: "Your Majesty, as before, I will write it first, and Your Majesty will then copy it..."

The emperor remained silent, only bowing his head...

Su Wu, Wu Yong, and Qian Chen, who were standing nearby, remained silent...

Only Qian Chen sighed a few times...

Wang Fu was already writing with pen and paper. It was an abdication edict, almost like a self-reproaching edict, stating how he was utterly immoral, incompetent, and incapable, what wrongdoings he had committed, and how he had failed his superiors, his subordinates, and his family...

Shameless and disgraceful to have usurped the throne again...

Let me add a few words of hope, wishing that future virtuous people, upon ascending to the throne, will take this as a lesson, and learn how to serve the country, the people, and the nation, while also upholding national righteousness, and so on...

Wang Fu had already written it with great familiarity, using it effortlessly...

After Wang Fu had been writing for quite a while, with the emperor occasionally glancing up to check on the progress of Wang Fu's abdication edict, it was clear that it was almost finished...

The emperor cried out, "I have truly come to this! I am truly going to abdicate and yield the throne to a worthy successor... Gentlemen... Prince Yan, is this really necessary? I can change, I can change anything, I will listen to everything Prince Yan says, is that alright?"

Su Wu turned his head and saw the emperor in such a state. He wept bitterly, groveling and begging for mercy...

The more Su Wu looked, the more distressed he became...

Su Wu then turned his head away, refusing to look any further...

Qian Chen, standing to the side, said, “Your Majesty, why must you do this? Alas… My Qian family and the Zhao family have shared a history of over a hundred years. Back then, the Zhao family established their dominance in the Central Plains, unifying most of the country. My Qian family’s ancestor brought the kingdom of Wu and Yue to surrender. Did he ever harbor such greed? Although there are controversies surrounding Emperor Taizu’s usurpation of the throne, he swept across the land and achieved remarkable feats. He was undoubtedly a dragon among men, a great hero, recognized by all. At that time, even though Emperor Taizu usurped the throne, most people didn’t say anything. Isn’t that time just like this? Why doesn’t Your Majesty follow the example of my Qian family’s ancestor and leave behind a good name for all time…”

Qian Chen's words were earnest and profound; his perspective on things was unlike anyone else in the world...

Emperor Zhao Ji also went to see Qian Chen, and was speechless by his words. In this world, only Qian Chen was truly qualified to say such things.

Emperor Huizong could only lower his head and wipe his face with his sleeve, looking quite pitiful...

Perhaps he was still hoping that someone would see his pitiful state and feel some pity for him...

Unfortunately, none of the people present truly felt pity...

Then Wang Fu said, "Your Majesty, please take a look... Gentlemen, please take a look and see if this writing is appropriate..."

Su Wu rose to leave. This abdication edict still needed careful consideration, as it differed in significance from the previous proclamation denouncing the war and the edict of self-reproach…

Su Wu looked at it carefully for a long time, but did not express his opinion first...

Just look at Wu Yong and Qian Chen...

Wu Yong said first, "Not bad at all, it's comprehensive and quite appropriate..."

Qian Chen nodded in agreement: "Yes, that's appropriate..."

Only then did Su Wu say, "Let it be so, send them all over the country immediately..."

Wang Fu was overjoyed and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, please!"

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) took the pen presented by Wang Fu, glanced at the people present, and saw that Wang Fu had already spread out a large sheet of paper. Emperor Huizong slowly moved over and looked at the people present again...

I can't help but cry again...

Su Wu was extremely annoyed and asked, "Your Majesty, can you please stop crying? Your Majesty is no longer the orphan and widow of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Such a matter of national importance, how can you be so whining and crying?"

Zhao Ji was so frightened that his crying stopped abruptly, and he held back his sobs as if he were a wronged young wife...

Wang Fu urged, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, write quickly, write quickly..."

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) quickly put pen to paper, while Wang Fu remained by his side, pointing out, reading aloud, and reminding him of each word and phrase.

Su Wu got up, too lazy to wait any longer, and went outside the study to get some fresh air. He looked at the Genyue Mountain in the northeast direction...

Wu Yong followed him out, and Qian Chen also came out.

Seeing Su Wu looking at Wansui Mountain, Wu Yong asked, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to level the Genyue area of ​​Wansui Mountain?"

Su Wu waved his hand: "No need. It's all the people's hard-earned money, and it's undoubtedly a masterpiece of elegance. Since it's already built, why destroy it? How about this: build a high wall around Genyue, separating it from the palace city, and open two main gates on the northeast and west sides. In this way, people from all over the world can enter the garden to visit. Of course, there will also be some minor renovations inside the garden to facilitate visitors. Hmm... charge one fee per person for admission. Such an elegant garden should generate a considerable income every year. Take this money as funds for the future maintenance of Genyue, and this is a long-term plan..."

Wu Yong was stunned. What kind of operation was this? A royal garden, open to the world for all to visit?
That's true... It seems like I really remembered... There's nothing wrong with it.

However, there was one problem, and Wu Yong said, "Your Majesty, if this is the case... wouldn't the imperial city be missing a large corner? Wouldn't it become a strange shape? I'm afraid it would lose its majesty, and... I'm also afraid the feng shui would be disrupted..."

Su Wu rebuked him, saying, "In this way, we have the prestige and the feng shui is good, but how did the Song Dynasty end up in this state? Just do it this way, no need for further discussion!"

Wu Yong nodded repeatedly: "Yes, sir..."

Qian Chen, standing nearby, also remarked in surprise, "Your Majesty's plan is truly extraordinary, unlike anything the world has ever devised. To think that you could come up with such a method is truly admirable. Moreover, Your Majesty doesn't even consider personal gain; you are truly acting for the common good! In this way, it is appreciated by both the refined and the common people, and it will indeed be a beautiful story for all time..."

Su Wu added, "After the Emperor abdicates, he should be given an official position called 'Supervisor of Genyue Garden.' Furthermore, the offices of the Imperial Academy of Painting and Calligraphy should be moved to the garden, with the Emperor concurrently serving as the Supervisor of the Academy. This way, everyone's talents will be fully utilized. After all, this garden is the Emperor's life's work, and he will surely take its maintenance seriously. This position is perfect for the Emperor. If he performs well, his salary should be increased, making it a third-rank position! Supporting his family will be no problem… As for the concubines and palace maids within the palace who wish to accompany the Emperor, they may go freely; there's no need to stop them…"

Su Wu sighed as he spoke, "In this way, the emperor can earn money through his profession to support his entire family..."

Even in the future, if the emperor sells his paintings and calligraphy, we won't stop him; he can go ahead and do so. The income must be substantial enough to support even the largest family...

As for whether Su Wu was worried that the emperor would do something foolish again, like attempting a restoration...

Su Wu really wanted to see if he could do it...

Of course, we also have backup plans to solve these problems all at once when the time comes...

"Brilliant!" Wu Yong exclaimed, praising that only His Highness the Prince of Yan could come up with such a solution...

Qian Chen, standing nearby, also remarked, "Such preferential treatment truly demonstrates the King's magnanimity; it will undoubtedly be a beautiful tale for all time!"

As they discussed this, Wang Fu came out and said, "Your Majesty, please see, it's all settled!"

Wang Fu carried a large sheet of paper, containing the emperor's abdication edict in his own handwriting.

Su Wu was initially quite satisfied when he looked at it, but upon closer inspection, he became displeased: "Why was another paragraph added?"

What was added? It's the part at the end where they said they would pass the throne to Su Wu…it wasn't there before…

Wang Fu did have initiative, and inevitably he wanted to persuade the emperor to ascend the throne first, as he would gain the first merit by doing so...

Seeing that the King of Yan was displeased, he quickly replied, "This is the Emperor's will... I hope Your Majesty will proceed soon!"

"Delete it, don't include this part!" Su Wu said decisively.

Wang Fu pressed on, saying, "Your Majesty, once this abdication edict is issued, the whole world will know. If there is no new ruler, won't people be in chaos? A country cannot be without a ruler for even a day!"

"Enough with the talk. The abdication edict is all that's needed. There's no need for any further complications or changes!" Su Wu waved his hand, leaving no room for doubt.

Su Wu had already thought many things through clearly in his mind; the emperor's abdication was something that needed to be done as quickly as possible...

However... the matter of Su Wu taking the throne will be delayed.

There's an old saying that a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, but this doesn't always need to be followed in certain special circumstances. Even without an emperor, there can be a Prince of Yan; as long as the country has someone in charge, a temporary transition is possible…

It's not that Su Wu wanted to put on a show of three invitations and three refusals; there's no need for that now. To do so would be utterly hypocritical...

Instead, Su Wu wanted to leave room for many things, to allow for some time...

Without destruction, there can be no construction; without destruction and construction, Su Wu was unwilling to directly ascend to power...

Su Wu then devised a grand plan for "destruction and establishment".

Wang Fu didn't have any other thoughts in mind, assuming that Su Wu was really going to put on some kind of show of three invitations and three refusals, so he nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I'll go and change it right away!"

Wang Fu quickly turned around and revised the abdication edict.

He couldn't help but wonder if he would have to organize people to persuade him to ascend the throne in the future. At that time, the entire court would be urging him to do so, and he imagined that there would be a great many followers.

It was also a way for everyone to protect themselves, after all, everyone cares about their reputation, and the emperor, especially the emperor who has just ascended the throne after a change of dynasty, cares even more about his reputation.

Having earned the merit of persuading them to ascend the throne, the emperor couldn't very well turn around and then order these people to be beaten, killed, or punished...

Of course, this refers to the virtues of the emperor within a Confucian context.

This is inevitably a form of Confucian discipline directed at the emperor.

It wasn't intentional; it's simply a mindset deeply ingrained in these people's very being.

Su Wu didn't bother thinking about these things; he had his own plan, step by step, and he would proceed methodically...

Once it's fixed, the matter will be settled.

Su Wu went directly to the Chuigong Hall, where people were already waiting for him in a side hall.

One was Yan Qing, and the other was Mei Zhan from Yingzhou. During Su Wu's return from Xiangyang, Yan Qing rode directly to Yingzhou and secretly brought Mei Zhan to the capital to wait for him...

Mei Zhan was not nervous at all. The general situation of the world was now very clear. How could it not be a good thing if the future emperor summoned him?

With this stroke of luck, a meteoric rise to power seemed imminent. Secretly pleased with himself, Mei Zhan was also grateful that the choice he made that day atop Datong City was truly the right one.

After a long wait, the Emperor... no, the Prince of Yan finally arrived.

Mei Zhan quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be well!"

Su Wu nodded: "No need for formalities. No one knows you've come to see me, right?"

"General Yan came to summon me personally, and I dared not reveal a word of it to anyone. I only said that I was returning home to buy land and property, and I traveled day and night to come..." Mei Zhan quickly replied.

“Alright, take a seat first…” Su Wu nodded and sat down as well.

There were three other people inside: Wu Yong, Yan Qing, and Mei Zhan, all of whom were seated.

Su Wu spoke up: "Did General Mei also rise from obscurity after being recruited by the imperial court?"

“That’s right, that’s right…” Mei Zhan nodded repeatedly.

"I have a matter here that I need you and Yan Qing to complete together. It is a matter of utmost importance. Do you dare to do it?" Su Wu asked.

"I dare!" Mei Zhan replied without hesitation, his words resolute. If he didn't seize this opportunity, he would have wasted his life.

"Alright!" Su Wu nodded, then suddenly changed his expression, his face becoming fierce and menacing, just like when he went into battle.

Before the Prince of Yan could even speak, just by looking at his expression, Mei Zhan's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Wu Yong and then at Yan Qing, both of them had extremely solemn expressions, and Mei Zhan's heart began to race even faster.

The Prince of Yan then spoke: "Soon, several hundred soldiers under Xiao Yi's command will join your army. A soldier named Shi Qian will personally go there. Before long, your army's rations will be cut off. At that time, you should simply lead your troops in a mutiny and rise up in rebellion..."

"Huh?" Mei Zhan stared in disbelief, her ears ringing. She must have misheard, she must have misheard...

Su Wu added, “It won’t be long before I lead the army back north to defend against the Jurchens and control the grasslands. I want you to conquer Bianjing. Then you will have a list, so just go door to door, kill, burn, and loot everything! Shi Qian will help you with that, so you don’t need to worry. Yan Qing will be stationed here in the capital and will make things easier for you… But there is one thing: you must not harm the common people. Those not on the list must not be harmed in the slightest. Shi Qian will also help you control them…”

This matter is actually not very rigorous, after all, there are quite a few people in the know, at least many of Yan Qing's subordinates know about it...

But it's not that important anymore. Everyone's been killed, there's no one to hold accountable the grievances, so even if future generations discover some clues, it doesn't matter...

If we don't do this, the country won't be good.

A large tree has deep roots; if you uproot it first, then pruning the branches and leaves will be much simpler—it just requires ruthless methods…

Su Wu wasn't trying to transform the bureaucracy of the world into a state of perfect purity; if that were the case, it would be nothing short of wishful thinking...

However, it is essential to regulate officialdom within a reasonable and efficient framework.

But when they looked at Mei Zhan, he was standing there dumbfounded, not even knowing what to say or how to answer...

Su Wu then asked, "This is a matter for the country and its people. I am personally instructing you on this matter. Do you dare to do it or not?"

Mei Zhan glanced at Yan Qing, who wasn't stupid either, and nodded blankly, "This humble general... dares..."

He understood that this matter only required him to have a title; he wasn't the one who actually did it. The one who was really doing it was General Yan Qingyan, who was standing right in front of him!

But what happens after this?
He didn't dare ask...

But Su Wu said directly: "After the matter is accomplished, I will immediately send a large army to surround you around the capital. At that time, you can surrender with your troops. You will all be exiled to the borderlands. You can return home gradually after one or two years, but you cannot return home. You must stay in the borderlands. You will have no worries about food, drink and other necessities. In the future, I will also set up property for you in Liaodong. You must stay there for at least one or two decades. I will also grant you one more thing: your four sons will be moved to Jingdong, their household registration will be changed, and their names will be changed, but their surnames will not be changed. It will be said to outsiders that they were all exiled. They will be arranged to enter the Yanjing Military Academy and become officers in the army. Who knows, if the Jurchens are wiped out in the future, it is not impossible for your sons to become governors of prefectures in Liaodong. After that, it will depend on their own fate. If they have merit, they will be promoted and honored without question... Is this acceptable?"

Mei Zhan listened attentively. He knew there was little risk involved; the only risk was what to do after it was done…

Hearing this detailed explanation, he looked at Yan Qing and then at Su Wu. Yan Qing was very young, and Su Wu was also very young...

I can live for at least a few decades more...

Twenty years from now, there's a high chance they'll both still be around...

This bond remains...

This issue……

Mei Zhan bowed respectfully: "This humble general obeys the order!"

Su Wu then stood up and patted Mei Zhan on the shoulder: "Alright, Yan Qing and Shi Qian will convey the details. Just follow the steps..."

"Understood!" Mei Zhan bowed again, his expression no longer one of shock, but rather one of resolute determination...

One can't help but think, if we really march into the capital, we'll slaughter all those high-ranking officials, noble families, and court officials until the city is a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood...

Isn't that also a kind of enjoyment?
How could I not have thought of this kind of exhilaration when I was a peasant?
Today, however, it's really going to be done, and without any consequences... it could even be considered a meritorious deed...

The things in this world are truly bizarre and wonderful... If I hadn't actually encountered them today, how could I have believed it?

Wu Yong added, "General Mei will be remembered in history this time! His name will surely be remembered for eternity!"

Mei Zhan bowed again: "Your Majesty, rest assured, my blade will be razor-sharp when I kill these people!"

Su Wu nodded and said to Yan Qing, "Quickly send someone to escort General Mei back..."

"Your Majesty, this humble general departs!" Mei Zhan bowed deeply again, a surge of passion rising within him, already eager for battle!
Yan Qing went out to make several arrangements and sent Mei Zhan back quickly.

Yan Qing then returned because Su Wu had something else to tell him.

Then Su Wu came and said, "We must keep a close eye on things in the capital. Mei Zhan's murder in the capital must be kept under control. We also need to keep an eye on the Emperor, and the same goes for Crown Prince Zhao Kai... As for the others, we don't need to worry about them too much..."

"Understood!" Yan Qing nodded.

"Send me the list as soon as possible. The Qian family isn't on it, but their sons-in-law are fine..."

This time, Su Wu was truly going to take drastic measures. He had to extract at least the amount of money the Jurchens could extract from this city of over a million people throughout history.

The Jin people twice collected a total of 54 million bolts of silk.

Fifteen million bolts of silk.

Gold, three million ingots.

Silver, eight million ingots.

In the Song Dynasty, a large ingot of gold was worth fifty taels, while medium and small ingots were worth twenty-five taels and ten taels respectively, with the majority being large ingots.

Song Dynasty silver ingots were fifty taels for large ones and twenty or ten taels for small ones, and so on...

However, one liang in the Song Dynasty was about 37 grams.

Moreover, the cellars of these wealthy families in Tokyo hold countless copper coins. Most of the high-quality Song Dynasty copper coins were stored there, like a mythical creature that only takes in and never gives out…

Historically, the Jurchens looted almost no copper coins.

But Su Wu will do it this time too!

As for other valuable items, they are too numerous to count.

From the Five Dynasties period to the Later Zhou and Song dynasties, almost all the finest goods in the world were concentrated in Bianjing (Kaifeng). To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy, Bianjing was like Wall Street in America.

This time, Su Wu is going to turn Bianjing City upside down...

Could it not also be a radical revolution?

Su Wu was in no hurry to take the throne; he wanted to do this first. Only after he cleaned up the mess could he ascend to the throne.

Because he did not ascend the throne, Su Wu was not burdened with unlimited responsibility; rather, the chaos stemming from Zhao Ji's abdication and the previous mismanagement of the court was the cause of the upheaval...

After ascending the throne, Su Wu would have to bear unlimited responsibility for the country, and the world would have to move towards long-term stability and prosperity.

Su Wu even wondered if future generations might have a great talent who could truly unravel the mystery of this matter from the few words recorded in historical records…

(End of this chapter)