Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Cilang's gaze suddenly sharpened on the three characters "Zhu Shuaiqin," and an indescribable tremor surged in his heart.

This Zhu Shuaiqin was none other than a descendant of Zhu Zhan, the sixteenth son of Emperor Taizu and Prince Qing... He actually raised his banner in Dezhou!

Is there really such a spirited person among the royal family?

Originally, Lu Shique, Zhao Jiding, and other officials from Dezhou were former Ming Dynasty officials.

Seeing that the people were eager to see the truth, they conspired to start an uprising and supported "Prince Ji" Zhu Shuaiqin as their leader.

April 28th coincided with the temple fair at the Medicine King Temple.

Lu Shique and others erected a high platform outside the temple and invited famous actors to perform on stage, which indeed attracted a large number of Da Shun soldiers to come out of the city to watch the play.

After most of the Shun government troops had left the city, the rebel army suddenly closed the city gates.

The puppet officials Wu Zhengwen and Yan Jie, who were drinking and making merry in the city, were captured in one fell swoop and executed on the spot.

Thus, the newly established Shunde Prefecture regime, which had only been in power for a month, was instantly destroyed.

After expelling the Da Shun Dezhou regime, Dezhou immediately fell under the threat of the Jurchens.

"Han Daban, bring the map! Quickly!"

Zhu Cilang's voice was low and urgency-laden.

A huge painting was unfurled on the imperial desk with a "whoosh," and Zhu Cilang's gaze was fixed on the two characters "Dezhou."

The Caohe River meanders like a silver snake, running from north to south—this is a vital strategic location guarding the north and south.

If Dezhou is lost, the Jurchen army will trample Shandong and cut off the Grand Canal, leaving Jiangnan in grave danger.

The realities of life instantly overwhelmed me:

The new army was not yet formed, and its firearms were insufficient...

But the banner with the character "Ming" on the city wall of Dezhou, which had been "broken and fluttering" in the memorial, was burning in his mind.

The people wept blood on the banks of the Caohe River, and Dezhou was the fulcrum that would determine the fate of Shandong.

"can not wait!"

An idea began to take root in his mind.

He suddenly sat up straight and slammed his palm heavily on the map, causing the candlelight to flicker.

The Ming Dynasty flag must not fall!

Texas, we will recover!

Shandong, we must take it!

......

The following day, the morning court session was held in the Wuying Hall.

The morning light slanted through the roof ornaments, and three clear, melodious jade chimes resounded throughout the palace.

Zhu Cilang sat upright on the throne, with the prince in the east and the military officials in the west, and all the officials stood solemnly.

"Officials should report their matters promptly if they have anything to report; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

The chants of the Master of Ceremonies from the Court of State Ceremonial echoed throughout the hall.

"Official, you have the foundation!"

Censor Shen Chenquan and Huang Shu stepped out of the procession almost simultaneously.

"Your subject risks his life to remonstrate with you!"

Shen Chenquan spoke first, instantly breaking the silence.

"Your Majesty works tirelessly day and night to ensure the stability of the nation, but the procurement of military equipment is related to ancestral laws and regulations."

"Now you are privately purchasing firearms from foreign countries. What about the millions of artisans and craftsmen of our Great Ming Dynasty?"

"With 100,000 artisans registered in the Ordnance Bureau, how will they make a living? I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

Shen Chenquan's words were sharp and to the point.

The criticism pointed directly at Zhu Cilang's private purchase of Portuguese cannons without consulting the cabinet.

Zhu Cilang listened to these high-sounding principles, but felt a surge of irritation. It was the same old rhetoric again.

The words had barely left his mouth when Huang Shu's angry voice rang out:

"I remonstrate with tears of blood!"

His hand trembled slightly as he delivered his impassioned speech.

"When Emperor Chengzu conquered Annam and Emperor Shenzong aided Korea, all military procurement had to be discussed by the five ministries and six departments."

"If Your Majesty initiates private purchases today, how will the Six Ministries function as a mere formality when military matters are discussed in court tomorrow?"

"The laws and regulations of the nation have been completely destroyed!"

These words immediately sparked a low murmur of discussion in the court.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

Several ministers followed closely behind, raising their tablets high, and a buzzing sound filled the hall.

Zhu Cilang's five fingers suddenly clenched on the armrest of the throne:

"The flames of war by the bandits have not yet been quelled, and the iron cavalry of the Jurchens have already knocked on the gates. The banditry is growing stronger every day and is already showing signs of spreading like wildfire."

"My purchase of firearms is a temporary measure to address an emergency, solely for the purpose of quickly strengthening our military and pacifying the invaders—"

"Do you, my lords, intend for me to sit idly by and watch our sacred artifacts gather dust and our empire crumble?"

The tone suddenly shifted, becoming more meaningful:

"As for Bi Fangji... he is said to be knowledgeable about Western calendars and calculations. I summoned him here not just to purchase cannons."

The words suddenly turned cold.

"Western missionaries came across the sea, bringing not only the calendar and firearms, but also the Gospel of God."

"I must investigate what kind of ulterior motives are behind this."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.

The ministers tilted their heads slightly, their eyes exchanging tense, silent glances.

Qian Qianyi, the Vice Minister of Rites, twitched his fingers slightly within his sleeves, then pressed his lips together tightly, his face turning slightly pale.

Zhu Cilang looked at the lowered top of his official hat:

"I have also heard that there are ministers in the court who secretly follow this barbarian religion."

"You should read the books of sages and understand the meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals. You should know that the distinction between Chinese and barbarians is greater than heaven! The laws and regulations of our ancestors are clear and bright."

Cold words spit out from between his teeth.

"If any official, under the guise of religious faith, actually engages in acts of treason—"

He leaned forward slightly, the beaded curtain of his crown swaying gently.

"Not to mention purple robes and jade belts, even the ancestral hall of nine clans cannot withstand the three-foot-long snow blade outside the Meridian Gate."

Upon hearing this, the golden bricks in the imperial court seemed to tremble.

Qian Qianyi felt a chill on the back of his neck and instinctively gripped the scepter tighter.

At that very moment, Huang Yunshi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, known for his strict adherence to etiquette and his intense hatred of foreigners, stepped forward in response:

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

His expression was solemn, and his words were piercing.

"Western missionaries crossed the border and settled in the Ming Dynasty, using heretical doctrines to mislead the masses."

"They disrespect heaven and earth, do not worship their ancestors, and use barbarian teachings to disrupt the customs of China."

He glanced in Qian Qianyi's direction.

"Your Majesty, I have found that the laws and regulations of the Great Ming Dynasty stipulate that all foreigners who commit crimes shall be punished in accordance with the law."

"We humbly beseech Your Majesty to issue a clear decree immediately, allowing us to punish them according to the law, as a warning to others!"

"boom--"

The hall erupted in uproar.

As everyone knows, in the 44th year of the Wanli reign, Shen Yi, the Vice Minister of Rites in Nanjing, submitted a memorial denouncing Catholicism, which sparked the "Nanjing Incident" that shocked the court and the public.

Shen accused the Catholic Church of violating social norms, claiming that its doctrines "defamed Confucius and Mencius" and "blasphemed sacrifices," and that its missionaries colluded with the White Lotus Rebellion in an attempt to rebel.

They demanded that the imperial court expel the missionaries and ban "heretical sects" in order to distinguish between Chinese and barbarians.

Xu Guangqi, a Catholic official in the Hanlin Academy, immediately submitted a memorial refuting the claim, strongly arguing that Catholicism "supplements Confucianism and replaces Buddhism."

Its doctrines are in line with those of sages, and its Western calendar, technology and skills can truly benefit the people and the nation.

Emperor Wanli adopted Shen Yi's suggestion and ordered the arrest of Nanjing missionaries Wang Fengsu, Xie Wulu (later renamed Zeng Dezhao), and others.

The church cemetery was demolished, and Beijing missionaries such as Pang Diwo and Xiong Sanba were escorted to Macau.

The Catholic Church's activities continued for three years until Shen Yi resigned in 1621, at which point the Catholic Church resumed its activities.

Huang Yunshi's re-bringing of this matter now clearly indicates his intention to emulate Shen Yi's actions.

Qian Qianyi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, hurried out. He was thin and wiry, and a long beard moved without wind.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise! This matter must be carefully considered!"

"Our Holy Dynasty should be tolerant of all foreign lands, but the distinction between right and wrong must be clearly distinguished..."

He took a deep breath.

"If we generalize, it would discourage scholars across the land and cause the loss of the essence of Western learning, which would be a great loss to our dynasty."

Qian Qianyi spoke earnestly, but seemed to have other concerns in his heart.

His disciple, Qu Shisi, and his entire family are Catholics. If this matter is not handled properly, it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences.