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

Chapter 298: Love the Emperor or Love Your Brothers?

The army is the most direct pillar of a dynasty; therefore, if you want to destroy a dynasty, the most direct way is to attack its army!

For example, the Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty was a typical example of directly defeating and annihilating the main force of the Jin army through military means. In the Battle of Yehuling alone, the Mongol army crushed 700,000 Jin soldiers and then marched straight towards the Jin capital, Zhongdu. The emperor was so frightened that he hastily abandoned the city and moved the capital south to Bianliang, the former capital of the Northern Song dynasty...

If the Mongols can use this method, then you can certainly use it too!

[At least once you've assembled the "Mongol-Jin Imperial Guards," you'll have the initial capability to defeat the Jin dynasty by force. As long as Brother Wanyan continues to lead them in leveling up on the grasslands, the Imperial Guards' strength will grow, naturally increasing their chances of defeating the Jin... So, in a sense, as long as you proceed steadily, you'll eventually succeed in entering the pass!]

However, this method of forcibly entering the pass and destroying the Jin dynasty through external military force is not actually your best option... because at present, no matter what you do, you cannot change the mutated characteristics of the Jin people. Therefore, even if you enter the pass and destroy the Jin dynasty, you cannot establish a new rule based on the "Jinyiwei" (Imperial Guard).

[And so, this led to your initiative to promote anti-golden ideology domestically...]

[According to your plan, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard is powerful, they can only exert their strength at certain crucial moments to achieve a decisive effect. In normal times, conquering cities and engaging in large-scale battles, they must rely on the main army of the Central Plains!]

In order to quickly acquire a large number of troops from the Central Plains, you chose to conduct ideological education on the existing Jin soldiers, spreading various anti-Jin ideologies throughout the army!

[For example, exaggerating the atrocities committed by the Jin dynasty when it conquered the Central Plains, and exaggerating the corruption of the Jin ruling class, can incite anti-Jin sentiment... Of course, simply criticizing the Jin dynasty is not enough, as this only proves the Jin dynasty's evil, not your own good. If you really want them to betray the Jin dynasty and submit to you, you must explain your own advantages!]

[So you promised: Because the Jin dynasty protects the interests of large landowners and high-ranking officials, shifting the burden onto ordinary people, the new regime, after overthrowing the Jin dynasty, will resolutely stand with the vast majority of ordinary people!]

In military terms, you will change the army's old image of looting and plundering, and instead cultivate the admirable image of Yue Fei's army, who were known for their unwavering loyalty and resilience – "rather freeze to death than dismantle a house, rather starve to death than plunder!" Of course, this doesn't mean you will reduce soldiers' benefits; to foster good discipline, you will provide the army with even better treatment than it currently receives!

Economically, you will reduce exorbitant taxes and levies, redistribute land to return annexed land to the people, and promote the development of agriculture and handicrafts, thus reviving the increasingly desolate economy and livelihoods of the Central Plains! In the event of natural disasters or man-made calamities, you will provide timely relief and do your utmost to maintain order in people's production and daily life.

In terms of governance, you will vigorously crack down on corruption and bring all former powerful figures to justice, thereby establishing an efficient and incorruptible bureaucratic system!

Moreover, you will defeat the Mongols, tame the Yellow River, promote education... and much more!

In short, you've thoroughly explained your future governance measures from every angle, trying to convince everyone that you can truly bring a better living environment to the people of the Central Plains... This scene makes it seem as if you're campaigning for the presidency of America...

After hearing your "campaign manifesto," most people were delighted and supportive. After all, the Jin dynasty is currently incredibly powerful, reaping huge profits in military, political, and economic spheres. The only reason it hasn't collapsed is due to Jin Wuzhu's mental control... Therefore, your words are extremely appealing to those who yearn for a prosperous and strong nation!

However, many people have doubts about you because your theories sound too good to be true, to the point that they suspect you're engaging in false advertising or making empty promises...

[However, despite the doubts, and although many still harbored reservations about the benefits you promised, the Jin Dynasty was indeed incredibly wealthy, to the point that practically no one supported it... So everyone secretly thought: no matter how bad you are, can you be worse than the Jin Dynasty's powerful elites?]

People aren't asking for much; they just want you to be better than the Jin Dynasty!

Therefore, your anti-Jin ideology spread very smoothly, from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, and soon the entire army was discussing it privately...

[As the topic gained traction, your "One Heart Society" rapidly expanded, growing from several thousand to tens of thousands of members, all willing to obey your commands and fight for the cause of destroying the Jin!]

With these tens of thousands of core members, if you launch a mutiny, you can easily gather hundreds of thousands of Jin soldiers to join you, thus truly igniting a grand anti-Jin uprising...

However, despite such a positive development trend, you did not rush to launch a coup, because you were waiting for the right opportunity.

You know, while you can remain calm in this tense situation, some people definitely can't!

[When they can no longer sit still and make the first move, your opportunity will arrive...]

【…】

"That damned Zhou Jinu! What on earth is he trying to do?!"

In the capital city of Zhongdu, a powerful member of the Wanyan clan angrily cursed, "Do they think we're blind? How dare he openly spread rumors detrimental to our Great Jin in the army! This is truly intolerable!"

Someone nearby scoffed, "Then why don't you send someone to arrest him!"

[“I…” The angry nobleman paused, then said angrily, “If I could capture him, wouldn’t I have done it already? It’s not that I can’t!”] [“That fellow is a veteran general, his name is already renowned throughout the border troops after years of fighting against Mongolia! If I really sent men to capture him, I’m afraid every man I sent would die…”]

[Some people sighed, "If this continues, he'll rebel sooner or later. When he does, his call to arms will surely throw the border troops into chaos..."]

"If the border troops fall into disarray, we'll have to wage a major war to suppress it. And if the Mongols take the opportunity to invade, then..."

Everyone felt helpless: suppressing a border general was not easy, but they themselves held power, and if they really wanted to, they could do it.

The problem is that such a crackdown will inevitably severely weaken the border troops, greatly reducing their deterrent effect against the Mongols... If things go wrong, they could all be wiped out by the Mongols! Therefore, the imperial court is in a very difficult position to deal with you...

"What should we do then? Are we really going to wait until he raises an army before risking our lives to suppress him?"

One of them thought for a moment and tentatively suggested, "How about... we form a marriage alliance with him? First, we can bestow the title of princess upon a member of the royal family and marry her to him, then bring him into the court..."

"Ha! He doesn't even deserve it!"

Someone sneered, "He's just a traitor, what's the point of a marriage alliance? Besides, even if we do have a marriage alliance, he won't really stand with us. He'll rebel sooner or later..."

"If you ask me, it would be better to lure him to the capital for a meeting, then seize the opportunity to arrest and execute him..."

"Is that even possible? He's not stupid. At a time like this, why would he come to the capital to die?"

"In my opinion, we should just cut to the chase and directly send troops to suppress them! If the Mongols take advantage of the chaos, we're not afraid; we can just fight a war!"

"I think..."

[For a time, opinions were divided, with each person believing their own method was the best way to quell the unrest...]

Ultimately, everyone turned their hopeful attention to Jin Wuzhu, hoping that this last surviving member of the imperial clan could come up with a solution that would satisfy everyone!

Amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jin Wuzhu pondered for a long time before finally saying slowly, "We should offer them amnesty!"

[To be offered amnesty?]

Upon hearing this, those who supported the marriage alliance for stability were overjoyed, while those who advocated for military suppression were utterly disappointed...

But just as everyone's expressions changed, Jin Wuzhu spoke again.

[“However, it wasn't Zhou Jinu who was offered amnesty, but rather his elder brother Wanyan Kang…”]

【…】

In the 222nd year of the Shaoxing reign of the Song Dynasty, just as you were expanding your military influence and waiting for the Jin court to take the initiative against you, the ruling Jin Wuzhu played an unexpected card that caught you completely off guard!

That year, an edict of succession was sent to the Jin camp at the Great Wall, and then to Wanyan Zongyuan, who was far away on the grasslands leading the "Jinyiwei" (Imperial Guards) in their battles!

The throne of the Great Jin Dynasty has once again opened its doors to this rising star of the Wanyan clan!

His choice will directly impact the implementation of your strategy...

Is the throne more important, or are brothers more important?

……

(End of this chapter)