The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 468 Freshmen
The civil affairs chief Xie Yang did not receive any promotion in the new dynasty, not even a symbolic commendation, which was a dangerous signal.

Xie Guangkun followed Emperor Wuding for nine years. Apart from Kang Yingqian, Qiao Yiqi and other core members, he was considered the most senior veteran of the Kaiyuan system.

However, Xie Yang was not on the new cabinet list, and even an honorary position like the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was not reserved for Xie Guangkun.

Xie Yang focused on civil affairs and was not interested in the power struggles among the upper class. However, the emperor was no longer the same as before and was killing people again.

No one is safe in Shenyang.

He was feeling uneasy.

These days, Shenyang is in a bloody turmoil. According to Du Du's accusation, a group of Qi officials were arrested and beheaded for colluding with the Jiannu.

I heard that Kang Yingqian has been placed under house arrest or has been executed, and Qiao Yiqi is nowhere to be found. Liu Zhaosun didn't even let these two people go, let alone Xie Guangkun?
Xie Yang walked out of the Civil Affairs Office and took a simple sedan chair home. He asked the sedan bearer to slow down so that he could concentrate on thinking about what happened during the day.

When the sedan chair was almost home, it suddenly stopped.

"Why don't you leave?"

The sedan bearer didn't say anything. Xie Yang thought the road was blocked by soldiers - the guards had been frequently mobilized in recent days - and was about to lift the curtain when a familiar cold voice came from outside.

"Director Xie, please come with me."

The door curtain was opened from the outside, and a sinister and cold face peeked in.

Zhang Dong, the leader of the Suoyi Guard, looked at the limp civil official and turned to Li Zicheng and said:

"Come here, help Director Xie to the Pacification Office."

~~~~~~~
The great purge in the first year of Taichu was not the product of the emperor's impulse.

In the words of later historians, the Great Purge was an effective form created by Emperor Wuding to strengthen the construction of the regime. It played a significant role in improving the ideological and theoretical level of the "Qi Dynasty's Land System" of the subjects, purifying the subjects of the Great Qi, and enhancing the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the Qi army.

This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last.

The Emperor's original words were:
"Relying on hypocritical morality or weak laws to maintain a vast empire is impotent and presumptuous. Without strong cleansing, corruption and laziness will continue to breed and become unstoppable, leading to the failure of our cause. Therefore, we must constantly fight, and the wars, both internal and external, must never cease.

As early as the first year of Wuding, when the emperor was rectifying Shandong, he discovered:
As long as the imperial edict leaves Linqing, its meaning will change.

Local civil officials and chamber of commerce managers pretended to obey the "New Economic Policy" and the "Land System of the Qi Dynasty" but secretly disobeyed it. Local court bulletins did not respond to the "Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Shandong" issued by the emperor.

Liu Zhaosun was very dissatisfied with this.

In the face of internal and external troubles, whether the Qi Dynasty's land system can be resolutely implemented and the basic interests of the vast majority of farmers can be protected are key issues concerning the safety of the empire.

He suspected that with the rapid expansion of Shandong's prefectures and counties, many gentry (or agents of this class) had infiltrated the area, and the existence of these parasites would erode and hollow out the totalitarian system designed by the time traveler.

The problems in Shandong were even more serious in Liaodong. After assisting Liaodong and defeating the anti-Qi coalition, the Great Purge began ahead of schedule.

Before Zhangdong was attacked, the retired emperor widely solicited opinions from gentry and businessmen, and asked local officials, civil officials, and chamber of commerce representatives to express their opinions on the shortcomings and mistakes of the "New Economic Policy" and the "Qi Dynasty's Land System."

Emperor Wuding issued an edict to introduce the new policies implemented by the Great Qi in Shandong to the people of Liaodong (temporary economic policies and the abolition of private ownership), and pointed out that the new policies had achieved remarkable results. In Shandong alone, 60,000 soldiers and tens of thousands of food supplies were trained in just half a year, and the Liaoshen Campaign was won.

However, whether the Shandong model is suitable for Liaodong and whether the new policy still has flaws, I would like to ask knowledgeable people in Liaodong to correct and verify.

Emperor Wuding's wishes were sincere, his policies were clear, and his confidence was sufficient.

According to historical records, in mid-May of the first year of Taichu, Liu Zhaosun revealed to Zhang Dong and Deng Changxiong that he was determined to abdicate the throne.

"Liaodong has been pacified, the capital has been recovered, and the people are living in peace. It's time for me to rest."

However, what happened next shocked Emperor Wuding, who was about to abdicate.

In the reports and memorials submitted to Shenyang from various places, civil officials, chamber of commerce representatives, and garrison commanders almost all expressed the same view:
It seemed that the new policies implemented by the Emperor of the Great Qi in Shandong were all wrong. The court's indiscriminate killing of innocent people had violated the original intention of transforming the barbarians into Xia people and following the great path.

Local gentry said that the new policy officials sent by the court to various places were corrupt and derelict in their duties, and then abolished the name of private property, amassed wealth and did all kinds of evil. The root cause was that the "Land System of the Qi Dynasty" was a bad policy; it seemed as if the rule of the Qi court in Liaodong had reached a crisis and was unsustainable, and it needed to turn around, change its course, and return to its previous benevolent rule.

Scholars from all over Liaodong openly gave speeches in schools, attacking the new policies and the land system, and inciting workshop workers and garrison residents to go on strike.

Liu Zhaosun was shocked, but he soon realized that there must be someone instigating and supporting the chaos.

The supporters came not only from the gentry who had lost power, but also from people within the empire.

The emperor had to take measures to defend the empire and the interests of the majority of people in this land.

~~~~~~
The imperial prison of the Pacification Division.

Xie Yang, covered in wounds, was tied to the bed where Du Du was tortured, and Zhang Dong, who looked like a stone sculpture, stood in front of the bed.

Under the pale yellow whale oil lamp, Zhang Mazi displayed a compassionate expression that only a Taoist monk or a priest could have, as if he only wanted to explain and persuade, rather than punish his colleagues.

"Director Xie, you should know exactly why you came here," Zhang Dong said. "The emperor hasn't killed you yet because you can still be saved."

"You know your crime, but you refuse to admit it. You've followed the Emperor for nine years, haven't you? When the Emperor implemented the 'Chinese-Yi' policy in Kaiyuan, you followed him wholeheartedly because you believed it could save Liaodong and the people of the world. Now, as a high-ranking official, you have more things on your mind, and you've forgotten what you should remember. Instead, you've embraced those heinous and outrageous things."

Zhang Dong paused for a moment, took the cup of hot tea from Li Zicheng's hand and drank it all in one gulp.

"Fortunately, Director Xie is not hopeless. The Emperor has ordered me to ask you, are you willing to mend your ways?"

Like Du Du, Xie Yang had been tortured by Dongfang Zhu for several days before meeting Zhang Dong. He had already suffered a mental breakdown. When he heard Zhang Dong's words, it was like he had grabbed a life-saving straw. He struggled and shouted:

"I am willing! I support the new policy!"

Zhang Dong shook his finger gently, handed the teacup to Li Zicheng, and took a pair of tongs from his younger brother.

"Director Xie, I don't think you've realized your mistake yet. You clearly know what's right, but you refuse to do it. You only talk about it. The Emperor has been implementing the New Deal for a long time, but you still think about the great way, about transforming the barbarians into Chinese, thinking that's the true benevolent government. You're confused. I need to sober you up before I respond to the imperial edict."

"Director Xie, let me ask you, who is Da Qi's current enemy?"

"Yes, it's the four European countries, Japan, Korea, and the Southern Ming..."

"Okay. Da Qi is surrounded by enemies, right?"

Xie Yang took a breath and opened his mouth to speak, but didn't.

He stared at the clamp on his ankle, and Li Zicheng was slowly exerting force.

"Thank you, Director. The Emperor is very perceptive. Tell the truth. Which four European countries?"

"England, France, the Netherlands, Russia—"

Zhang Dong waved his finger and told Xie Yang to stop.

"You are wrong. There is no Rakshasa Kingdom. Da Qi has never fought against the Rakshasa Kingdom."

As a civil affairs officer, Xie Yang did not go to the front line in person and went to Sakhalin Island. However, he heard about the tragedy in the north from many people. He even saw Li Sanguang's arm being eaten by a Rakshasa ghost...

"It's the Rakshasa Kingdom!" Xie Yang shouted.

“No,” Zhang Dong said.

Zhang Dong did not continue speaking, but walked to the gate of the imperial prison and waved outside. Soon two guards dragged in a prisoner covered in blood.

From Xie Yang's position, he could see the man's bald forehead and cut braids.

The prisoners who lost their braids were manipulated by Li Zicheng like puppets.

Li Zicheng turned the prisoner's face up, and Xie Yang saw clearly that the man was Du Du.

Zhang Dong waved his hand and Li Zicheng immediately let go.

"Who is Da Qi's enemy?"

Du Du, like a clockwork robot, immediately saluted Zhang Dong and shouted:
"England, France, Holland!"

"There are no Rakshasa ghosts," Zhang Dong said.

"Even this Tartar who once colluded with the Rakshasa ghosts says that there are no Rakshasa ghosts."

"Change the question," Zhang Dong said.

"In the 47th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, when our emperor was serving as the general in Kaiyuan, what strategy did he implement towards Mongolia and Jianzhou? Tell me."

Xie Yang hesitated for a moment, then said nervously, "Use the strategy of transforming the Xia into the Yi." "Wrong!"

Zhang Dong roared, and Li Zicheng tightened the clamps. Severe pain swept through Xie Guangkun's body, and beads of sweat oozed from his head.

"You tell me!"

Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong saluted Zhang Dong like a clockwork robot and shouted:
"When our emperor was in Kaiyuan, he ordered that all barbarians above the wheel of a wheel be put to death!"

Xie Yang's heart sank. If even Du Du was lying, then there was nothing he could do.

"There was no such thing as changing from Xia to Yi, only the Wheel Order!"

Zhang Dong finished speaking and looked at Xie Yang thoughtfully, as if he were the dedicated private school teacher teaching the playful but kind-hearted Bumbutai.

"The emperor made a sacred edict the day he first arrived in Shenyang," Zhang Dong said. "Please repeat it."

"Whoever controls the past controls the future, and whoever controls the present controls the past," Xie Yang repeated obediently.

"You have a good memory. You are indeed in charge of accounts." A rare hint of approval appeared in Zhang Dong's cold eyes.

"Then do you think that the strategy of transforming Xia into Yi has ever existed?"

Xie Yang hesitated, looking at the clamps that were about to break his leg with a pleading look, not knowing how to respond.

"····No·······"

Zhang Dong said sternly:
"You're only doing this to avoid punishment! Your words are insincere! The emperor said that Da Qi doesn't need two-faced people. You must believe it sincerely."

Li Zicheng suddenly increased his strength, and Xie Yang let out a ghost-like howl.

"Yes! It existed!"

Zhang Dong continued to ask:

"Where does the transformation from Xia to Yi exist?"

“Yes, in people’s hearts.”

Zhang Dong nodded and smiled, "Da Qi wants to control everything. Not only everyone, the past, present, and future, but also people's hearts. Director Xie, do you agree?"

"I agree! I agree!" Xie Yang screamed loudly.

Zhang Dong gestured to loosen the clamps.

"So, Da Qi needs all its subjects to control their hearts. Do you agree with this statement?"

"Agree!"

Zhang Dong's face suddenly turned gloomy, and Li Zicheng began to execute the sentence again.

"You don't agree!" Zhang Dong said, "You haven't controlled your heart. You haven't forgotten the principle of using Chinese to transform the barbarians. You supported the striking schools and gave money to the merchants who were on strike. That's why you're here."

"Director Xie, you, driven by selfish desires, refuse to forget your past, using outdated philanthropy and righteousness to obstruct the Emperor's new policies. Bewitched by the civil servants and gentry, you would rather be imprisoned, or have me use a pair of tongs, than repent. You deceive yourself and others into thinking everyone shares your beliefs. For the sake of your hypocritical and ridiculous morality, you disregard the safety of Great Qi and act recklessly. Great Qi will control everything, including people's hearts! People's hearts may change, but Great Qi will not. What the Emperor deems right is right, and only the Emperor can see through everything. Director Xie, you must give your all, be reborn through Nirvana, and be reborn, only then can you regain your sanity and become a true man."

Zhang Dong paused for a moment, waiting for Xie Yang to understand what the emperor had said.

"Do you remember?" Zhang Dong continued,

"What is one plus one equal to, Professor?"

Zhang Dong raised his left hand, with the back of his hand facing Xie Yang, his thumb tucked back, and two fingers stretched out one by one.

"Director Xie, how many fingers am I holding up?"

"two."

"If the Emperor says, it's not two but three—then what do you say one plus one is?"

"two."

Li Zicheng stepped down hard on the clamp.

"what!"

Xie Yang was sweating profusely. His mouth opened and closed unconsciously in the excruciating pain, like a fish dying of thirst.

Zhang Dong looked at him, with the two fingers still extended there.

"How many fingers, Director Xie?"

"two."

Li Zicheng put his other foot on the clamp, and Xie Yang's fragile leg bones made an unsettling friction sound.

"How many fingers?"

"Three! Three!"

"Director Xie, you are lying. The emperor doesn't like lies. How many are there?"

"Two! Three! Four! You name it, it's as many as you want. Please stop!"

Xie Yang sat up suddenly, Zhang Dong's arm around his shoulders. He might have fainted for a second or two. The straps around his body loosened. He felt cold, shivering uncontrollably, his teeth chattering, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Xie Yang held Zhang Dong like a child, and the strong arms around his shoulders made him feel surprisingly comfortable.

At this moment, he deeply understood that the emperor was his patron.

Only His Majesty the Emperor will save him from pain.

"The boy is teachable and has made progress." Zhang Dong said gently like a private school teacher.

Li Zicheng was about to tie Director Xie up again. The puppet-like old Song came in from outside, took Xie Yang's pulse, opened his eyelids, and finally nodded to Zhang Dong.

"Come again," Zhang Dong said.

·····
Two hours later, the interrogation was still going on.

"How many fingers, Director Xie?"

"Two. I'd love to see three."

"I try to see three."

"Director Xie, you've made progress. What exactly do you want? Do you want me to believe you saw three, or do you want me to actually see three?"

“You really have to see three.”

"Okay, let's do it again," Zhang Dong said.

Xie Yang could clearly hear the sound of his leg bone breaking. The silent straw raincoat guard was still pulling his calf. An indescribable pain tore through the civil affairs officer's body.

"How many fingers do I hold up now, Director Xie?"

"Three."

"Director Xie, you must know that the Emperor is not interested in killing traitors like you. His Majesty doesn't want superficial submission, but submission from within. Da Qi must defeat all enemies. The enemies are not only external, but also internal, in our hearts. Therefore, we must first transform ourselves and be reborn from the ashes! Director Xie, do you understand the Emperor's difficulties?"

After Zhang Dong finished speaking, he leaned over to look at the dying Xie Yang, held up two fingers, and asked his colleague for the last time:

"One finger plus one finger, how many fingers are there?"

Xie Yang opened his eyes wide and tried to distinguish, staring at the fingers that Zhang Dong stretched out. He was not dazzled, nor was he lying again. He saw three fingers shaking under the whale oil lamp.

"Three."

"So, one plus one is how many?"

"There are three. I saw them. There are three."

(End of this chapter)