Simulates history, but Chongzhen is the Divine Emperor at the beginning

Chapter 64 The evidence is conclusive!

"Choose one out of three? That's rare..."

Zhou Liang was a little surprised when he saw the three different options popping up on the screen. After all, this simulation plot had always been a choice between two options, or writing a strategy and a short essay by himself. This was the first time that a choice between three options had appeared.

But this is understandable. After all, Tongzi had previously stated that these options were actually the simulated character's personal thoughts. The more complex his thoughts were, the more options he had. Now that three options had popped up at once, it also indirectly demonstrated Zhou Liang's anxiety and indecision...

"One, in a fit of rage, rebelled and seized the opportunity to kill the Divine Emperor... One, according to plan, maintained his image as a loyal minister, unwavering even when knives rained down from the sky... And yet another, refusing to eat Enqin or Zhongcheng, opted for the peaches..."

Which one should I go?

After a little thought, Zhou Liang decisively crossed out item A - rebellion!

why?
"Because the situation is unclear right now, the Divine Emperor says he's weakened, but whether he's truly weakened or not is actually something no one can say for sure. Rebelling rashly might be satisfying, but there's a high probability that it will play right into the Divine Emperor's hands, sending him straight to the underworld..."

"And...this Zhu Zhongcheng might have a problem!"

As a veteran in the world of martial arts, and also from a third-person perspective, Zhou Liang immediately felt that this old brother who instigated "Zhou Liang" to rebel was likely not loyal to "Zhou Liang"...

Who is Zhu Zhongcheng?

He was the former leader of the Imperial Guard, the emperor's personal army, and a true fan of the Divine Emperor! Anyone who could reach this position would have to be a loyal minister.

Moreover, his name is "Zhongcheng" and his surname is "Zhu" bestowed by the Divine Emperor, which makes it pure to the maximum!
This kind of crystal fan of the Divine Emperor secretly came to instigate "Zhou Liang" to rebel against the Divine Emperor, and excitedly stated that he could raise his arms and call for 100,000 Beijing troops and 3,000 elite Jinyi soldiers to besiege the Divine Emperor... Seriously, would anyone really believe it?

Especially considering that the Divine Emperor has been jumping around all these years, offering one auspicious sign after another, trying to get "Zhou Liang" to rebel... So, if He still hasn't given up on instigating "Zhou Liang" to rebel, then there is at least a 98% chance that Zhu Zhongcheng is a sorcerer sent by Him...

"So option A cannot be chosen, at least not now."

Zhou Liang shook his head and looked down at option B:
Follow the original plan and be loyal to the Lord?

If you choose this, you will definitely be captured by the Divine Emperor in Changchun Garden, and then you can only allow yourself to be ruthlessly slaughtered by the Divine Emperor's tangible hand... It can be said that you are doomed to die.

And as for item C... Kairun?
Can it really be smoothed out? Is it true, brother?

At least Zhou Liang thought it was impossible. With the Divine Emperor's methods, eating the peaches would only result in a plane crash...

"Why are all three of them dead ends?"

Zhou Liang sighed helplessly:
It seems that "Zhou Liang"'s life is really coming to an end. Restarting the current node is useless. All three options are dead ends...

After much thought, Zhou Liang finally stopped at option B:

"Let's try B first!"

"Firstly, this will give us the opportunity to uncover some of the Divine Emperor's hidden secrets, such as questioning Him directly about divine power and why He must be forced to rebel. With this information, the possibilities for future operations will be much greater..."

"And no matter what, option B is the most suitable way for a loyal minister to die... If the ruler wants his subject to die, he has to die. Given his status, choosing this option is equivalent to becoming a saint!"

The last famous official who was killed by the emperor in this way was Yu Qian!
The previous one was called Yue Fei!
Now, "Zhou Liang" is only one step away from being confined to the temple with them, eating cold pork every day. Death is the last step...

"Then let me help you take this step!"

"Choose B!"

[Ding! You chose option B. The king orders his subjects to die, and they must die! I've been loyal for a lifetime, what's the point of this little time? Die then! Follow the imperial edict and go to Changchun Garden to celebrate the Divine Emperor's birthday. Remember not to bring the Wuliu Chong... Pah! Don't bring the Sanmu!]

【…】

【"loyalty……"】

You silently recite these two words, and then the fiery red in your eyes gradually fades away, leaving only a calmness, as quiet as a pool of still, stagnant water...

Under Zhu Zhongcheng's bewildered gaze, you rejected his impassioned "good intentions," simply putting the imperial edict away on the table and continuing to prepare for next year's spring plowing.

[Since you've chosen this path of extreme, blind loyalty that distorts human nature, you should never look back... Besides, wasn't death something you anticipated, or even looked forward to?]

[Die, just die...]

【…】

[Two days later, on December 24, the 103rd year of the Chongzhen reign, you, sixty years old, walked alone to Changchun Garden to celebrate the birthday of the Divine Emperor.]

Along the way, you didn't see any other invited officials, as if this birthday banquet was only for you... Or rather, it was held just for you. The protagonist of today's birthday banquet wasn't the old birthday star, the Divine Emperor, but you, the guest...

[This banquet is clearly filled with strangeness!] [But you showed no expression at all. Alone in this eerie and desolate atmosphere, you left the capital and arrived at Changchun Garden.]

Revisiting the old place, you're overwhelmed with emotions: Did those high-ranking officials from the six ministries feel the same way you do now?

You thought about it and concluded that it was probably different: because they had something to hide and were hoping for something, while you have a clear conscience and a clear mind, so what else is there to say?

[As for luck? You've already mentally prepared yourself for a sudden attack from Zhu Zhongcheng during the banquet...]

[So, you walked to the garden gate and handed your birthday gift to the eunuch stationed there.]

【A suicide note! 】

[“This… Prime Minister…”]

The young eunuch was terrified by your suicide note. His expression changed for a moment, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Prime Minister, don't enter the garden! It's a dragnet!"

[You shook your head, smiled, and walked into the garden...]

Walking past pavilions and crossing stone arch bridges, the plump koi fish beneath the bridges curiously gaze at your aging figure, and I wonder if they recall the spirited young man of thirty years ago.

[“Gongjing Cave…”]

Standing in front of that small building, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, you can't help but look up at the building name you gave it as a joke, and a mixture of emotions fills your heart.

After a moment, you regained your composure and walked through the door as calmly as possible...

[But as soon as you enter, two burly men in brocade clothes slam the door shut! Two more brocade guards, one on each side, sandwich you between them, their powerful hands pressing down on your shoulders!]

[After this shock, even though you were prepared, you still couldn't help but change your expression.]

"I'm here for a banquet, what are you doing?"

[Faced with your shocked and angry rebuke, the two Jinyiwei guards holding you trembled for a moment, but ultimately didn't let go... At that moment, a ruddy-faced old eunuch appeared in your sight.]

"Hey, isn't this the awe-inspiring Prime Minister Zifang? I haven't seen you in ages. Why do you look so disheveled?"

[The old eunuch laughed heartily, looking like a shrewd villain!]

After laughing, he stared at you coldly again: "Mr. Zhou! You've been caught!"

"Zhu Zhongcheng has already confessed your rebellious plans to His Majesty! You privately approached him a few days ago, asking him to help you mobilize the Jinyiwei and the Beijing garrison troops to attack Changchun Garden!"

"Little did he know that Zhu Zhongcheng was utterly loyal to His Majesty, and would never be deceived by your instigation! That very day, he came to His Majesty and informed him of your rebellious plan to mobilize troops to blockade the capital!"

"Mr. Zhou, you've already provided irrefutable evidence! Why don't you confess the truth immediately?"

【what? 】

You were stunned for a moment, then sighed bitterly: What a lackey of the Divine Emperor, conjuring up right and wrong! He said one thing to your face and another behind your back... It's bad enough he's acting as a traitor, but he's also slandering others.

Although you had anticipated this, you still felt a bit resentful after it was confirmed: "What a good 'brother'..."

So you say helplessly, "Where is he? I want to see him..."

【"he……"】

The old eunuch paused and said disdainfully, "That idiot has committed suicide out of fear of punishment! Before he died, he said some weird things that were unfair to his brothers..."

You suddenly froze...

After a long silence, you suddenly exerted all your might, struggling to break free from the Jinyiwei's restraints. With red eyes, you rushed towards the old eunuch, your eyes filled with the voice, appearance, and smile of Zhu Zhongcheng over the past thirty years...

[It's a pity that everything is in vain.]

【…】

[The Prime Minister is plotting a rebellion, the evidence is irrefutable! ]

……

(End of this chapter)