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

Chapter 178 The Trolley Problem
In the 276th year of the Chongzhen reign, under the deliberate instigation of the Divine Emperor, a large-scale uprising initiated by the unemployed began to ignite!

[That year, Hebei and Liaodong were in chaos. The rebels raised the banner of "Heavenly Punishment for Traitors," and towns along the way surrendered one after another...]

[This isn't because we're weak and afraid of fighting, but rather because this incident is truly a farce!]

[Since the Tianzun came to power, the Ming Dynasty has never seen such an incident that clearly aimed to drive people to death. Yet, now, hundreds of thousands of people have suddenly lost their livelihoods... The key is that the court has not even offered an explanation, but has immediately sent in soldiers to suppress the situation!]

[The reason for this is that if you don't know, you'd think the Ming Dynasty has been possessed by some evil spirit...]

[No! This is being possessed!]

Someone found the imperial court's notice and was shocked to discover that the Celestial Lord had ascended to heaven, replaced by the former emperor...

[No... Why did the late emperor return from the Western Paradise? Could it be that the Heavenly Lord and the late emperor are taking turns in their duties?]

Even so, the late emperor shouldn't have acted so rebelliously against Heaven, right? After all, he was a good man. Those killed by him went straight to heaven... This fully proves that the late emperor had no reason to harm us!

So, what is going on in the imperial court?

[With resentment and doubt, everyone unanimously chose to "follow the rebels" and, after joining the rebel army, headed straight for Xi'an, the "Tianjing" in Shaanxi!]

A large group of people headed for Tianjing, intending to march to Luoyang and present their opinions to His Majesty...

【…】

[In just a few months, millions of rebels, each carrying their own food, conquered cities and plundered territories all the way to Shaanxi. Tianjing was in danger!]

[It was at this moment that the Divine Emperor, high in the clouds, finally revealed a satisfied smile...]

[But He did not attack these rebels directly, because if He really wanted to massacre them, you would definitely not agree!]

Although you agreed to His request for restoration under immense psychological pressure, and reluctantly allowed Him to accumulate divine power in His own way, such a large number of casualties is still too much.

[Furthermore, the Divine Emperor himself is not a bloodthirsty person. He originally aspired to be a Holy Lord. Now, after being taught by you through words and deeds for hundreds of years, the resentment in his heart has long since dissipated. He truly does not want to kill too many people. Even if he does kill, it is only to extend the lifespan of the universe for forty years.]

[Furthermore, He also has a dying wish...]

[Since the Ming Dynasty will eventually fall, why not face death in the most respectable manner possible?]

When faced with the intruders entering the capital, He had left behind a final statement of His dignity, leaving behind an image that would be cherished by future generations. Now, He wanted to do the same...

【So, He began to move.】

【…】

[Just as the troops were approaching outside Tianjing City, the Divine Emperor suddenly took the initiative and stepped out of the city gate!]

Facing the surprised and puzzled gazes of countless people, the Divine Emperor first issued an edict: This uprising is not rebellion, but an act of justice!

[Once these words were spoken, the matter was settled, and the angry people breathed a sigh of relief...]

[After all, no one wants to be a rebel, especially in front of a powerful imperial court. Being a rebel is a hopeless career. As long as the imperial court wants to suppress you, then even a million-strong army is useless. Once the heavenly army arrives, you will die!]

Therefore, most people who "follow the thieves" simply want to seek an explanation, not to truly storm the tower... Now, since Your Majesty is willing to negotiate, that's naturally the best!

[But...what exactly does Your Majesty want to say? ]

[Under the gaze of countless eyes, the Divine Emperor suddenly sighed... and then ordered his soldiers to drag a large group of people in official uniforms out of the city!]

"In fact, this incident was caused entirely by these corrupt officials deceiving their superiors and subordinates!"

The Divine Emperor angrily shifted the blame, placing all the blame on the officials...

"They embezzled resettlement funds from Hebei, Liaodong, and other places. After you started your rebellion, they were afraid that the truth would be revealed, so they desperately sent in the government troops to suppress the rebellion and try to quell the situation..."

【"but!"】

The Divine Emperor was enraged: "But thankfully, you are here! Your outcry has informed me of this matter, and I have brought all these corrupt officials to justice!"

[With these words, He beheaded all of these "culprits" in front of everyone!] [After all the heads of the criminals fell to the ground, although many people felt strange, they still couldn't help but cheer: "Long live!"]

[“Long live the Emperor!”]

【…】

After playing the scapegoat trick of slaughtering people and sacrificing them to heaven, the Divine Emperor managed to resolve the matter satisfactorily.

[So everyone dispersed with satisfaction...]

[What followed was the Divine Emperor's "just reckoning." All officers and soldiers who participated in suppressing the rebels were labeled traitors by the court!]

[The imperial court even issued a death order: All rebels must die! And they will not be allowed to ascend to heaven after death!]

[Under this death order, countless government troops panicked: What should we do?!]

[Death is fine, but not even allowed to ascend to heaven? Who can stand this?]

[And the order to suppress the rebellion was originally issued by the imperial court. Why are they turning their backs on us now?!]

[Under this panic and anger of betrayal, tens of thousands of government troops were forced to revolt, just like the previous rebels, in order to survive. They also attempted to march to Luoyang and present their arguments to the tyrant emperor!]

[However, since the Emperor of God blamed them for everything, this rebellion not only failed to gain support from the people, but was instead met with widespread condemnation!]

[What's even more terrible is that the Divine Emperor finally stopped acting...]

In the 276th year of the Chongzhen reign, the Divine Emperor declared this a rebellion, and as the Lord of all peoples, He will personally execute justice!

[Then, a one-sided massacre began...]

[The Divine Emperor initially used the "Ultimate Imperial Weapon" hemp rope to strangle people, but after his divine power accumulated, his methods became more brutal!]

[Until the last rebel group was reduced to ash by a single blow in despair, the God-Emperor, in his killing spree, finally regained his image as a middle-aged man in yellow robes...]

[With golden divine power surging, the Divine Emperor couldn't help but feel full of vigor and high spirits! ]

[At the same time, a lonely figure arrived here.]

【…】

[Standing before this hollowed-out valley, dented by a punch, you stare blankly at the spot where the rebels had once stood. Seeing the emptiness there, you seem to want to say something, but in the end, you remain silent...]

"Still feeling sad?"

The Divine Emperor, brimming with divine power, saw you and said helplessly, "This is a necessary sacrifice!"

“If we don’t do this, people won’t be able to live another forty years. They’ll die sooner or later… You have to understand the big picture!”

"Besides, the choice was yours. Since you chose to sacrifice the lives of tens of thousands of people in exchange for the lives of hundreds of millions, why are you acting like this now?"

You remain silent.

Seeing this, He sighed, "Forget it... Just make their deaths more meaningful."

"Time is running out. These forty years are their last value. Even if it's just to ensure their death is not meaningless, you should live through these forty years happily..."

【"Let's go."】

He patted you.

You remain motionless, like a piece of wood.

[Until a long, long time...]

……

(End of this chapter)