Hiss!
Splash!
This imperial decree was simply…
It was telling the world that he, Jiajing, would go on a hunger strike!
Because he was driven to the brink of death by Prince Jing, that rebellious son!
Throughout history, there had been many who died of hunger strikes, like Duke Huan of Qi and King Wuling of Zhao, but there had never been anyone who voluntarily went on a hunger strike to their death. This decree could be imagined to be absolutely explosive.
The officials at this time had also been completely replaced. Except for a few long-lived ones like Xu Jie and Zou Yinglong, most had been beheaded by Prince Jing outside the Meridian Gate, including Guo Pu, Yuan Wei, and Lu Ben, who could not escape. After Xu Jie reluctantly took charge, he selected some people from the Six Ministries to fill the vacant positions.
These people had previously been obscure. Having attended court for over a month, no one dared to speak out. But at this moment, they all felt an inexplicable shock, sensing that this scene was likely unprecedented in history. It was truly inconceivable that the father and son had reached such a state.
Those with sharp minds naturally saw the terrifying implication—
His Majesty had, at some point, made plans with Zhang Juzheng and Zhu Mo. At this moment, he had suddenly pushed Prince Jing to a dead end…
If he were to continue the southern campaign, there would be no justification. After all, the two arch-traitors had voluntarily confessed their crimes and admitted to their misguided actions over the past few years. What else could be done? He couldn't very well suggest they be torn apart by five horses, could he? If that were the case, wouldn't Prince Jing be going too far?
If he did not pursue the campaign, it would clearly be seen as coercion, designed to alienate public support for Prince Jing. This was essentially stating that everything was returned to the people, and the people would decide. If the people felt Prince Jing was right, then no one could say anything. But with justice and the will of the people on their side, how could there ever be such a rebellious son? Even using one's knees, one could understand that almost no one would inwardly support Prince Jing.
This sudden turn of events truly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Naturally,
it also far exceeded Prince Jing's own plans.
He had intended to use overwhelming pressure to force compliance from various regions. In fact, over the past two months, many had pledged their allegiance, including Duke Mu Chaobi of Qian, Duke Zhang Rong of Ying, and a large number of Provincial Governors and Circuit Censors. The five to six hundred academies and hundreds of thousands of scholars, as well as gentry and officials from various localities, had all expressed their agreement.
He was waiting for prominent figures like Zhao Zhenji, Tan Lun, Zhang Han, and Fan Yingqi. These individuals were deeply involved in the reforms. Once they pledged allegiance, Zhang Juzheng and Zhu Mo would become like lonely ghosts, and there would be no need for a southern campaign; a simple warrant for their arrest would suffice.
But despite all calculations, he had not anticipated that Jiajing would resort to such a suicidal tactic. In this way, on the surface, Prince Jing had succeeded, but in reality, the beautiful, feudalistic pressure he had meticulously cultivated had vanished… Not only that, but in an instant, he had become the target of everyone’s criticism…
…
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Hunger strikes usually led to death within ten days. Jiajing had been a vegetarian for many years, so he could hold on for a few more days, but at most only three or four more.
In the blink of an eye, three or four days passed.
Prince Jing was at a loss at Zhihua Temple and was already restless. Although he could temporarily suppress the situation with Han Chong's tyranny, and Xu Jie and the others had no immediate reaction, he knew in his heart—
He had offended too many people…
And,
people like Han Chong were inherently petty. As soon as the situation changed, they would immediately turn and seize him.
Furthermore,
time was extremely disadvantageous to him. The longer he waited, the closer Jiajing would be to death, and then he would become a regicide and parricide. He naturally understood that the majority of people in the world supported Zhu Mo. He relied on those who went against their conscience, and since those people could lie against their conscience, they could also change their tune and say other things when the situation turned…
Having not slept for a night,
Prince Jing, early in the morning, ordered Han Chong to have people loudly announce throughout the capital, posting notices everywhere, stating that the indigenous tribes of Liaodong, Xin Ai, and Jurchens had once again joined forces and were approaching Jinzhou!
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After thinking all night, this was the only way. He had to falsely report military intelligence, then lead the capital's army away from the capital, go to Jizhou first, and then march out to the frontier. He would then consolidate the Jurchens and indigenous tribes and establish a hostile nation beyond the Great Wall, and then slowly contend with the Ming Dynasty.
He naturally knew that Liaodong was currently the Ming Dynasty's only weakness, and establishing a foothold outside the pass was relatively easy. As long as he could stabilize his position, when the Ming Dynasty encountered further problems, he would kill his way in like the Manchus. By then, the Franks should also be making a comeback…
…
The capital was in an uproar for an entire day. By the time it got dark, many people discovered—
The army had completely withdrawn!
The troops of Han Chong, who usually rampaged violently, were nowhere to be seen. Soon, rumors spread: Prince Jing had gone to Liaodong to resist the indigenous tribes.
As night fell,
the news was confirmed. The capital erupted in joy in an instant. Firecrackers boomed throughout the night.
People spread the word, and countless individuals spontaneously came outside the Meridian Gate to respectfully invite Emperor Jiajing to dine. The scene was deeply moving. Later, Xu Jie led the court officials to outside the Yuxi Palace.
Lü Fang looked through the window, and tears involuntarily fell—
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The hearts of the people are still much better…
That person, evil cannot overcome righteousness, so naturally, he fled…
But speaking more deeply, if the Great Ming Dynasty does not reform, there will sooner or later be a second, third time, just as Zhu Mo originally said, the Great Ming Dynasty only has this path to take…
…
Two months later,
Hangzhou, Canal Ferry Crossing.
Zhu Mo was about to enter the capital, and Zhang Juzheng, just like the first time, saw him off at the riverbank. He hesitated several times to speak, but finally could not help but ask:
“Zixuan, you are now the regent. But you said before that you did not want to be emperor. What do you mean by that?”
Zhu Mo had also wanted to answer several times but restrained himself. At this moment, he was about to blurt it out but still held back his tongue, merely smiling, waving his hand, and ducking into the ship's cabin.
The reason he did not want to say was that the time was not yet right. The world, including someone as exceptionally intelligent as Zhang Juzheng, might not understand, which would inevitably cause trouble. But if it were in his original world, it was common knowledge to everyone, known to all, and very simple—
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The words "People's Republic."
When everything was nearly ready, when everything was in order, he intended to transform the Ming Dynasty into this.
[The End of the Book]
[Author's Afterword]: This book is finally finished. Thank you, esteemed readers.