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

Chapter 158: Anti-Ming and Restore Ming!

[Huh?! Why is the county magistrate here?]

This unexpected visitor caught you off guard. Even though you'd relied on your informational advantage to quickly navigate the battlefield and develop a fighting force that wasn't afraid of the authorities, it still surprised you that he found you so quickly.

So you ask curiously, "How did the County Master find me?"

The county magistrate frowned and did not answer.

He simply said condescendingly, "I know you have some skills at playing tricks, but your talk of paradise can only fool fools. I won't believe it."

"I have come here for only one purpose, and that is to have you personally persuade those foolish men and women to retreat. Otherwise, if things get out of hand, the imperial court will descend upon us, and that will be more than a mere sorcerer like you can handle!"

[It's as if he's really trying to persuade you to stop before it's too late...]

【But you feel happy after hearing this. 】

"This may sound like good advice to you, but you've been in charge of the Ming Dynasty for two lifetimes, so you know the ways of these beasts in human form all too well!"

Is he really thinking about you?

[On the contrary, what he was thinking about was his own future...]

[You've become a local evil leader, with thousands of followers throughout Mizhi County. Some even petition the government, asking the Divine Emperor to send them to the Western Paradise... This shows how much these people value you.]

[In this situation, once you have the intention to rebel, it will almost immediately become a classic peasant uprising disguised as a religion!]

[While a peasant uprising would be a threat to the Divine Emperor, if one did occur, the Divine Emperor would definitely hold the local authorities responsible. A local official like the County Magistrate would definitely be held responsible, as the blame he would bear would crush him to death...]

Therefore, the county magistrate's first reaction was to stop this immature uprising. To this end, he privately approached you and threatened you with the imperial power, hoping to scare you into dispersing the crowd and prevent the situation from deteriorating to the worst possible outcome.

[Of course, if you actually persuade the crowd to disperse, then you'll lose your value as a potential instigator... Then, as a source of instability in the local area, you'll be seen as a thorn in the side of the government!]

[Whether you live or die in the future, that is not up to you...]

This logic is very simple, and has always been a common tactic used by the government. For example, the most famous "Zhao'an" is actually a variation of this tactic.

If you are truly young and ignorant, or alone and powerless, then you are very likely to be attacked, and lose all ability to resist...

But obviously you are not!

Having already seized the opportunity to gain the ability to engage in an equal dialogue with the imperial court, you simply smiled faintly at the County Magistrate's rhetoric, "Your Excellency, I'm afraid you're taking advantage of my youth..."

【Um? 】

Upon hearing your words, the County Magistrate, who had originally seemed to be thinking about you, shuddered unconsciously... But his expression remained unchanged, and he only frowned and said, "How could I ever deceive you?"

"Well, since you're so stubborn, just wait for the imperial court's might!"

[He snorted coldly and turned to leave...]

[At this moment, you smiled and said, "Since the County Master knows my abilities, how dare you come here privately? Besides, can you come and go as you please in this place?"]

As soon as these words were spoken, the County Magistrate's expression changed drastically: "You! Do you still want to rebel?!"

He spoke sternly, but in reality, he had already become timid: There's something wrong with this kid!

The reason he dared to come negotiate with you alone was because he didn't know you well enough... In his opinion, where do gods come from in this world? Aside from the Divine Emperor, they're all just scams!

[What true god descended from heaven? What Holy Infant King? I'm the Great Sage Equaling Heaven!]

[So, after assuming you were just an ordinary crooked swindler, the county magistrate, relying on his own magical powers, just went straight for you!]

[But after meeting you, he realized that you weren't just a liar...]

The rumored levitating, talking baby is actually real! And you're also very clear-headed, unlike a baby... After realizing this, the guilty county magistrate changed his plan, from "threatening you" to "I'll start first!"

He had already decided that upon returning, he would report this to the prefect and the provincial governor. He would no longer try to cover up the matter and would simply call on His Majesty to bring justice!

【But, you obviously won't let him go...】

【"rebel?"】

You smiled, then shook your head and said, "Your Excellency, what are you talking about? We are all honest citizens doing honest business, and we are loyal to Your Majesty. How could we rebel?"

“We just want you to stay for a while so we can feed you some bread…”

Eat cake?

[Without waiting for the bewildered county magistrate to react, you clapped your hands and said with a smile, "Old Li, quickly feed the master some cake!"] ["Okay, sir!"]

Li Laiheng, who had been hiding in the shadows, cheered and immediately jumped out with three intruders. The four muscular old men rubbed their hands in preparation and, grinning grimly, pounced on the terrified county magistrate, who was as frightened as a chicken...

[The fourth one! A grand appearance!]

【Ultimate insult! Start!】

【…】

[The county magistrate was first beaten to his knees, and then pinned to the ground by four strong men!]

[Finally, at your command, Li Laiheng and the others poured divine power into his body, quickly filling it up... even overflowing!]

[And because he was fed too much, the unfortunate county magistrate finally fell into an uncontrollable state of madness in despair...]

[At this moment, you reach out your invisible hand and grab it, instantly... refining it!]

[After this operation, the county magistrate became the first local official you brainwashed...]

【…】

[After completing the brainwashing, you released the magistrate, who had become Zhou's loyal dog, and ordered him not to report any information from this place.]

[Thus, you have overcome the first official obstacle to your establishment. From now on, there will be no more obstacles to your missionary work in Mizhi County...]

[However, this incident does serve as a reminder to you: before fully expanding your faith, you must first control the local authorities and force them to deliberately conceal the truth. Only then can you develop safely.]

[Otherwise, if word reaches the Divine Emperor, He might just strike down with a single blow, smashing all your achievements and the entire Mizhi County to pieces!]

[And once you've completely spread your superstition throughout the world, all control will fall into your hands. Even the Divine Emperor, with his infinite power, will be powerless and starve to death...]

Thinking of that scene, you were so excited that you didn't hesitate any longer. While ordering Li Laiheng and others to recruit more crystal powder, you also appeared in front of everyone and spread your "Western Paradise Theory"!

[So, you gradually spread like wildfire...]

【…】

In the 43rd year of Chongzhen's reign, you began to spread Zhou's unique superstitious ideology under the name of "Tianzun" and brainwashed the Mizhi County Magistrate into not reporting the matter.

[The following year, you took the initiative to lead Li Laiheng and others to raid the government offices of all prefectures and counties in Shaanxi. You overthrew all the officials at all levels and injected them with excessive divine power, driving them crazy. After that, you brainwashed them according to the same routine to prevent your deeds from being uploaded to the capital...]

[After a while, Shaanxi has become like your independent kingdom, impenetrable and impenetrable! Although it is called a province of the Ming Dynasty, it is actually the Zhou family's kingdom!]

[Thus, your faith quickly spread throughout Shaanxi. Countless people who felt hopeless about their real lives might not particularly believe in your theology, but your existence was like a ray of light in the darkness. Even if they didn't truly believe, they couldn't help but chant the name of the Heavenly Venerable and fantasize about the beautiful Western Paradise...]

By the 48th year of Chongzhen's reign, your followers had spread throughout Shaanxi. The entire region was filled with your fans. You were like a true sun god shining over Shaanxi, illuminating the way forward for countless lost people!

[It was at this time that you finally began the next step...]

[This step is: building a nation! ]

In the 48th year of Chongzhen's reign, you officially established the "Great Ming Kingdom" in Xi'an, proclaiming yourself "Tianzun". You made Xi'an your capital and established officials at all levels, placing them on par with Ming Dynasty officials!

[Later, you followed the example of the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei and established a new army that relied purely on divine power. You named it the "Heavenly Army" and appointed Li Laiheng as its commander, responsible for suppressing local landlords, profiteers, and gentry!]

[As a result, your aura was like a raging fire, and countless astonished people speculated: Has the Heavenly Venerable decided to challenge the Divine Emperor?]

Some are excited about this, while others are uneasy...

[But at this moment when people were in turmoil, you shook your head and issued an imperial decree of the highest level.]

The imperial edict contained only one sentence: "Only fight against corrupt officials, but not against the emperor!"

[Who says I'm a king and a rebellious state? I'm a loyal minister, dedicated to your majesty's well-being!]

You righteously declared, "The chaos in the world today is the work of corrupt officials, not your Majesty's will!"

"If you are not the ruler who destroyed your country, then your ministers will be the ministers who destroyed your country!"

“Therefore, I am determined to overthrow the corrupt officials and rescue Your Majesty from being deceived!”

"Our slogan is: Anti-Ming! Restore Ming!"

……

(End of this chapter)