[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-375":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364644,4623,"Chapter 375","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-375",375,"\u003Cp>Anqing Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, you must make a decision!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his private secretary’s urging, Fang Mochuan plunged into intense inner turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being sent here to guard Anqing, he was undoubtedly among the innermost loyalists of Fu Haoxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From humble origins to his current rank, his own boldness in battle was key, but Fu Haoxuan’s favor was equally vital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, he truly appreciated Fu Haoxuan’s trust and had once resolved to give his life for this emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But people change, and loyalty has its expiration date.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having grown accustomed to wealth and luxury, returning to a life of hardship, uncertainty, and day-to-day survival was simply too hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, even if you don’t think of yourself, think of your sons and daughters!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they evacuated the capital, that man personally ordered the execution of all imperial princes and consorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said even court officials were forced to dispose of their own families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-robed secretary drove the knife home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With all these family members in tow, let alone breaking out, the logistics alone would crush the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not scarcity they fear, but inequality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the emperor fled with his family but forbade soldiers to bring theirs, morale would collapse—there’s a real risk the troops would mutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Haoxuan ordered the execution of princes and consorts; now his subordinate officials were backed into a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the emperor abandoned his family, why should they be any different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu officials stationed in Nanjing had no choice—any refusal at that moment meant instant decapitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But commanders like us, stationed far from the capital, are different—the emperor’s forces haven’t arrived yet, and we still hold the initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mochuan couldn’t bear to abandon his wife and children; neither could the other officers under him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the two armies joined and the northern campaign began, everyone’s families would be doomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least until the northern expedition achieved some success, these Wu remnants couldn’t possibly feed so many dependents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I am sorry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Fang Mochuan bowed three hard knocks to the ground toward Nanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood on his forehead revealed how agonizing this decision had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contact the imperial troops—I’m willing to negotiate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t want any official title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only ask the court to pardon our crimes and let us keep a few acres of land to live out our days in peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Fang Mochuan said slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spirit was broken; even the desire to serve in office had faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the green-robed secretary felt no dread—only joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accepting imperial amnesty is not like founding a new dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older your leader, the less ambition he has, the more likely he is to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you demand too many conditions, even if the court agrees now, they’ll settle accounts later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, you could still redeem yourself—if only you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the secretary could finish, Fang Mochuan cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is absolutely out of the question!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we captured Nanjing, the northern barbarians ravaged the land—I urged Fu Haoxuan to launch a full-scale northern campaign then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was swayed by those scholars, chose to crown himself emperor in Nanjing, missed the best opportunity, and brought this disaster upon us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accepting amnesty is about securing a path to survival for the soldiers and civilians inside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I betray my old lord, then what am I but a traitor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, he knew full well that to earn the court’s trust, he must offer a substantial token of loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most valuable token now was unquestionably Fu Haoxuan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could capture him—or bring back his head—all past offenses would be forgiven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even to set an example, the court would reward him with high rank and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that inner barrier, Fang Mochuan could never cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would rather face suspicion after amnesty, even be punished by the court, than commit such a treacherous act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, your integrity is noble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-robed secretary bowed deeply in respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In these chaotic times, men with such principles were few and far between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if one couldn’t follow such a path, it didn’t stop others from admiring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanjing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Fu Haoxuan’s forces withdrew, imperial troops swiftly took control of this city of immense political significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reclaiming Nanjing should have been a great triumph, yet Wuyang Marquis could not muster any joy at the sight of the burning ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once-grand halls and pavilions had all turned to ash, leaving only broken walls and collapsed foundations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the cobblestone streets were cracked, as if whispering of the recent catastrophe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Viceroy, most major buildings in the city have been burned to the ground; the former government offices are now rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve only found a few relatively intact civilian homes—would you be willing to temporarily reside there until the offices are repaired?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Chenyang asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to complain about? Even the worst lodging is better than a tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with the populace terrified, we must avoid stirring up chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Issue orders: postpone all repairs to government offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, post notices to calm the people’s hearts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuyang Marquis ordered, his face grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where he lived wasn’t the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was Nanjing’s current state—this mess would fall squarely on his shoulders as Viceroy of Jiangnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yu Dynasty had no funds to rebuild Nanjing; restoration had to be funded locally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangnan was wealthy, but it had been shattered by war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d once feared civil officials would swoop in to claim credit after Nanjing’s recapture—now, that moment would likely be delayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just Nanjing that had been ravaged; the entire Jiangnan region lay in ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remnant rebel bands still roamed freely, ready to rise again at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a complex situation, only a firm hand could restore order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending down a few Provincial Governors or Administration Commissioners wouldn’t help—they’d likely be killed before even arriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the empty-talking moralists, all major court factions disliked fighting uphill battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing full well there was a trap, stationing one’s own men there was political murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old ruling foundation had been destroyed; the new local political ecosystem had yet to form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the current situation, at least several months of harsh crackdowns would be needed before order could be restored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your orders, my lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Chenyang replied at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having a sensible superior made work easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after a battle, when everyone was shaken, doing nothing was the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside stabilizing the region, another critical task was to swiftly eliminate Fu Haoxuan’s forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebel armies were resilient—unless the tumor was excised quickly, no one could guarantee it wouldn’t flare up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Viceroy, the Duke of Cheng has sent word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Anqing garrison commander, Fang Mochuan, has accepted amnesty—but he refused to lead his troops in a surprise attack on Fu the Rebel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke invites you to meet and discuss the coming major campaign.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wuyang Marquis frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amnesty of Anqing’s garrison should have been his initiative as Viceroy of Jiangnan—but the Duke of Cheng’s men had beaten him to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a senior noble, though he entered the scene later, his influence still couldn’t match that of the old-guard nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the most elite army in Great Yu, he was still overshadowed in this campaign against Fu Haoxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he commanded the most elite troops of Great Yu, he was still outmatched in this campaign to crush Fu Haoxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell the messenger: I’m hosting a banquet tonight in the city—I hope the Duke of Cheng will grace us with his presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuyang Marquis said after a moment’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gaining the upper hand was nearly impossible—without Li Mu, his most formidable ally, his military prowess couldn’t rival the Duke’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His subordinates were smart—they wouldn’t get involved in the squabbles of great men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they had opinions, they’d only voice them privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the military meeting, it would be the two lords’ stage—no one dared contradict them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the military meeting, it was the two senior leaders’ domain, and no one dared to contradict them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a deep-rooted ailment of the Daxu officialdom, a problem every dynasty has faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the gap in status reaches a certain point, matters are decided entirely by the superior’s word alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Li Mu was in charge, he could mediate this conflict, primarily because of his battlefield achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On military matters, everyone was willing to listen to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Li Mu was fortunate to have left early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had stayed until now, he would have been caught in the middle and equally helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the war is nearly over, the coming struggle for influence is about the postwar distribution of benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once core interests are involved in officialdom, no one’s face matters anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Mu himself, if he wanted others to support his claim to Annan, would have had to trade in benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only equal exchanges can sustain this political alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the Wuyang Marquis must now confront the Chengguo Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much of the cake each faction gets in the coming great battle depends on the negotiations between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the senior leaders have settled their talks can the final strike against Fu Haoxuan be launched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, such negotiations are merely preliminary drafts; whether they can actually swallow the meat depends on the subordinates below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decisions from above merely provide opportunities for those below to earn merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever is assigned a task and fulfills it according to military orders earns corresponding battlefield merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one has the ability, and after completing one’s own task, seizes another’s merit, that is skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one lacks ability and fails to complete the assigned task, no matter how powerful one’s patrons, it has nothing to do with battlefield merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overarching principles were already agreed upon by the four titans of the noble faction back in Guangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While strengthening their own factions, this is also how the noble faction selects talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the great war ends, the next struggle will be between civil and military officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the subordinates are all useless, it’s all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the civil official camp, the noble faction has far fewer members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if the subordinates can fight hard battles and firmly hold military power can they contend with the civil official camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more leverage one holds, the stronger one’s voice will be on the imperial court in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, good news!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good news!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Wuyang Marquis and the Chengguo Duke have jointly sent a victory report: imperial forces have successfully recaptured Nanjing, and Fu fled in panic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Imperial forces are now pursuing the remnants, planning to annihilate their main force along the Yangtze River.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Yifeng finished speaking, the court officials erupted in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The censors who had been preparing to impeach him for disrespect before the throne now joined the celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recapturing Nanjing” carried immense political weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Nanjing fell, many officials had already prepared for the fall of Daxu; some had quietly made escape plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Yongning’s decision to heavily promote the noble faction gained widespread support largely because loyal Daxu officials wanted to take a gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A series of subsequent victories pulled this crumbling dynasty back from the brink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, recapturing Nanjing is a major political triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as no major chaos follows, the restless hearts across the land will soon be calmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm is still Daxu’s realm; they are still the masters of this nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Yongning uttered three “good”s in succession, tears streaming down his face from excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few years, he had walked on eggshells, terrified that a single misstep would make him a deposed monarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he was pessimistic— the situation was simply too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read history; Daxu’s signs bore too many similarities to those of fallen dynasties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disasters, both natural and man-made, had never ceased; it all looked like the Mandate of Heaven was ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Imperial forces have recaptured Nanjing; the rebel Fu is now a locust in autumn, with only a few days left to leap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the Jiangnan campaign over, the realm’s situation is now stable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Junhui said, his expression alight with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly hard-won—the situation had reversed so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this trembling, unlucky Grand Secretary, recapturing Nanjing was unquestionably a political gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Emperor Yongning first promoted the noble faction, he had strongly supported it; he deserved his share of the credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could now completely annihilate the rebel Fu, it would be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the realm stabilizing, more officials would seek promotion; he could then gracefully step down as Grand Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving voluntarily was a different matter entirely from being driven out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for building merit and achieving lasting fame, let someone else handle that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had tried it himself—he was not cut out for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many factions in court; the number of officials who sabotaged was many times greater than those who got things done; integration was far too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recapturing Nanjing is indeed worth celebrating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now is not the time to relax—Rebel Fu has not yet been fully eradicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rebellions in Shanxi and Sichuan are also thorny problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And then there are the ambitious Annanese and the watchful northern barbarians—peace is still far off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Yongning listed the current crises facing Daxu in one breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal unrest caused the greatest damage, but was relatively easier to resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>External threats lasted longer and had plagued generations of Daxu emperors—they could not be solved overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, once Jiangnan is recovered, the court’s finances will rapidly improve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With money, everything becomes easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jiaxi said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of Daxu’s problems, when summed together, boiled down to one thing—lack of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary Gu, you are too optimistic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiangnan has just suffered war; the destruction must be severe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the short term, don’t expect it to provide tax revenue—even covering administrative expenses would count as competent local governance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the current situation, the only thing we can rely on is the salt tax from the Two Huai regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But after the rebels’ devastation, no one knows how much can still be collected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pang Chengjie, disregarding the setting, immediately began complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Minister of Revenue was famously known as the “Complaining Minister of Revenue”—whenever money was mentioned, he would leap up to cry poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2412,"2026-06-21T08:09:04.021Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","7c2af86ea1ea3a815932dd6963bd51ba5da0f5e4858ede6209c3fe970b2d3a96","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-376","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-374",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]