Chapter 178 Liu Rushi’s Reminder
By this point, both the White-Pole Soldiers and Qin Liangyu herself were exhausted. The Dashi regime could only retain the Chengdu area. Sun Kewang was forced to retreat to Luzhou and then Ziyang by Zeng Ying, Yu Dahai, Li Zhanchun, and others. He had no choice but to flee back to Chengdu, completely crippling the Dashi regime. With 200,000 casualties, he returned to Chengdu with only 150,000 troops remaining. Adding the troops left in Chengdu, the remaining force was 400,000.
Qin Liangyu and Zeng Ying respectively guarded the important places leading to Chengdu, leaving Zhang Xianzhong with no way to retreat except to join forces with Li Zicheng.
When the news of victory reached Nanjing, the entire court erupted in celebration. They all declared the Ming Dynasty's revival a promising future, their control of Jiangnan as stable as a rock. Everyone in Jiangnan could continue to live a life of luxury, making fortunes, marrying concubines, forming cliques, and continuing to undermine the Ming. A scene of peace and prosperity reigned, with some even suggesting a fraternal alliance, modeled after the Northern Song Dynasty, with the Jianlu. This was ultimately met with criticism from Li Banghua and Shi Kefa, who argued that the Jianlu were descendants of the Later Jin barbarians. Didn't everyone witness the Jingkang Rebellion?
Zhao Xiaofei and Zhao Xiaokun watched with sighs in their hearts. In Zhao Xiaofei's eyes, how could the country be so stable? If it weren't for me holding you up, you might be kneeling at the gates of Nanjing to welcome the new master and become the sons of the Jianlu. One after another, they jumped out and said nonsense like the water was too cold and their scalps were itchy.
Without destroying the Jianlu and Li Zicheng, the Ming dynasty could not have been saved. Aside from pro-war figures like Shi Kefa, Li Banghua, and Zhang Huangyan, the rest of the court was almost entirely in the surrender camp. Some advocated using war to force peace. How is this any different from the later Qing army's defeat against the French army, despite not having been defeated? It's exactly the same!
Zhao Xiaofei was drinking tea and chatting with his elder brother at the palace when he said, "Tell me about these Ming Dynasty officials. They are simply useless! They even advocate fighting to the Yellow River. If that doesn't work, they should give some of the territory they have conquered to the Jianlu. Do they think that will satisfy the Jianlu? How ridiculous!"
Zhao Xiaokun laughed and said, "What's the difference between this and the Qing Dynasty? Supporting the Ming Dynasty, apart from its clothing and culture, has no benefit at all!"
"Those with backbone and brains are all dead, and the remaining people are all clever but lack great wisdom. They are all short-sighted!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
At this time, Liu Rushi came in with tea and asked, "Are these the court officials that the prince mentioned?"
Zhao Xiaofei nodded, and Liu Rushi continued, "These court officials are nowhere near as broad-minded as you. Although the Ming Dynasty is vast, they can't leave this world. And you, returning from overseas, have heard and seen much more than us Ming natives! It's not that they have less experience, but that your knowledge far exceeds that of anyone in our Ming Dynasty."
Ever since Liu Rushi met Zhao Xiaofei, she felt that her brother-in-law was amiable and didn't mind discussing state affairs with women, so she became bolder. She chatted with Zhao Xiao, Zhao Xiaokun, and Zhao Xiaofei about everything, even daring her thoughts and opinions more than the princess. For example, she had heard that in Europe, many countries had women as kings. Women could inherit titles and hold official positions. So, she said to the princess in front of her, "I can give the Ming Dynasty a try! Let men and women serve in the court together and participate in the imperial examinations together!"
Zhao Xiaokun smiled and said to his concubine, "No, it's just that in the past, the Ming Dynasty was the best, so we didn't need to learn from other countries! But now, other countries have things we need to learn, but we are arrogant and think that other technologies are just gimmicks. We only know how to cling to the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and don't open our eyes to see the strengths of others!"
"So, my husband, do you mean that we should give up what our ancestors left behind?" Liu Rushi asked.
"How is that possible? Thinking and doing this way are enemies of all scholars in the world, and also enemies of China. Only by taking Chinese learning as the basis and Western learning for practical use can we be inclusive and develop Chinese culture!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Using Chinese learning as the basis and Western learning for practical use! Your Highness's idea is truly brilliant!" Liu Rushi praised.
"Don't listen to him, he just heard it from other people!" Zhao Xiaokun said. He thought to himself: Don't act cool in front of my girl!
"Oh! Who proposed that?" Liu Rushi asked.
"It was proposed by Zhang Zhidong and Feng Guifen!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Compared to the others, both of them are very talented. The prince and husband should invite them to come out of retirement to help the prince and husband to establish their rule over the world and restore the capital as soon as possible!" Liu Rushi said.
Zhao Xiaokun chuckled and said, "They are all from the Jianlu! How could they help our Ming Dynasty?"
"What? These two talented people are actually ministers of Jianlu!" Liu Rushi was shocked.
"Don't panic, they're already dead!" Zhao Xiaokun said. He thought to himself: These two probably won't exist anymore. History has been altered so much by us two brothers. Maybe these two won't even be born three hundred years from now. Or maybe even if they were born, their fate would have already been changed.
"Did you send the Jinyiwei to do it?" Liu Rushi asked.
"Yes!" Zhao Xiaofei nodded.
"People like this cannot be kept. Keeping them will only bring troubles." Zhao Xiaokun said meaningfully.
"What should Sichuan do next?" asked Zhao Xiaofei.
"Win over the chieftains, and after the spring, eliminate Zhang Xianzhong in one fell swoop!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"It's easy for you to say that, brother. We have no money left! In the past two years, the court has spent all the money we earned, but they haven't paid us back a single cent!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Then how long can each of them last?" asked Zhao Xiaokun.
"Less than three months!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"That's enough. I'll work hard a few times and earn more!" Zhao Xiaokun said. He just meant to send more gold to Xiandai, but Zhao Xiaofei had a better idea.
The European countries, which had previously been in contact and intended to communicate secretly, had already made some progress. Spain had already sent envoys, demanding that they underwrite whatever Ming Dynasty sold. They even demanded a contract to become the sole distributor of Chinese goods in Europe! Zhao Xiaofei knew what Spain was up to.
Zhao Xiaofei flatly rejected Spain's request, requesting only that his sales be limited to Spain and part of France. Zhao Xiaofei did this to stir up trouble in Europe, to make them clash over enormous interests, and thus encourage more countries to come to China.
"In my opinion, the prince still needs to go to the court to ask for the money he owes you! Otherwise, they will not feel at ease!" Liu Rushi said.
"Why?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"The court is afraid that you are too powerful. If this country was conquered by you, they will be afraid that you are coveting the throne! Just like Li Shimin. If you ask for money, others will think that the prince is a greedy person. They will definitely not think that you are plotting a rebellion!" Liu Rushi said.
"Rebellion? If I wanted to rebel, I would have done it a long time ago. Why would I wait until today?" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Of course we know, but the empress dowager doesn't know, the court officials don't know, and the whole world doesn't know! If they all think you are going to rebel, how will you deal with it, Your Highness?" Liu Rushi asked.
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