After a long silence, Qian Long, the old dog, finally spoke, "If it was to overthrow the Great Qing, then your rebellion, Zhu, causing all these chaotic things would be understandable. Whether it's the farmers' associations or steam engines, they could all be explained."
"But the Great Qing has already been ruined by you. Now that you, Zhu, rule the world, why are you still desperately tinkering with steam engines, firearms, and artillery? Why are you desperately building straight roads and railways?"
"You know, every time something new is created, it could bring instability to the world. Isn't it more beneficial for your rule to maintain things as they are?"
Zhu Jinsong chuckled and shook his head, saying, "See, everything I said just now was in vain. You only see the potential risks of new things emerging, but you don't see the benefits they bring."
"Let me ask you, what impact does the appearance of the steam locomotive have on my rule? What impact does the appearance of the textile machine have on my rule?"
Qian Long snorted and said, "I know you want to talk about the benefits of these things, but you must understand that if the world were to fall into great chaos, rebels could use steam locomotives to quickly reach the capital. The emergence of textile machines would also affect the grain output of Jiangnan. Where would your capital get its grain then?"
Zhu Jinsong let out a laugh and said, "You see, this is a typical case of spoiling the broth by adding too much water."
"You don't see that since the advent of the steam locomotive, cattle and sheep on the grasslands can be transported to Guangdong and Guangxi in just over ten days. Teas, silks, and grains from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong can also be transported to the grasslands in just over ten days. From then on, the grasslands cannot do without Guangdong and Guangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian, and vice versa."
"You don't see that the emergence of textile machines has greatly reduced the manufacturing cost of silk, and the appearance of sewing machines has greatly reduced the cost of sewing ready-made garments. The emergence of steam locomotives has allowed people to move around and has greatly reduced the cost of transporting goods."
"Because you view these new things from the position of a slave ruler, considering how to more stably control the masters. But as I said earlier, as long as the common people can survive, no one will rebel. So, what else do I have to worry about?"
Zhu Jinsong had explained all the reasons to Qian Long, but Qian Long simply refused to acknowledge them.
After all, anyone who is locked in a prisoner's cart to be gawked at, watching others eat meat and drink wine while they themselves eat unpalatable husks and chaff, would find it hard to be grateful.
Zhu Jinsong didn't care whether Qian Long was grateful or not. Instead, he kept boasting to the old farmers, "I remember very clearly that I never wore a new piece of clothing from childhood to adulthood. My father's clothes were basically altered to fit me when they were too big. I would pass my smaller clothes to my second brother, and what my second brother wore, I'd pass to my third brother."
"Even then, our clothes were tight. The only decent clothes we really had were for going out, and when we weren't going out, we'd just wear any old rags. All three of my brothers wore clothes that were ripped in the back."
Pointing to the children playing with the imperial guards, Zhu Jinsong continued with a smile, "It's better now. I see all these young lads have clothes to wear. Although they're not silk or satin, at least they're clean and new. They don't have to show their bare bottoms like I did when I was young, and that makes me very happy."
"All of this is thanks to the textile machines and sewing machines, and those who manufactured them were educated scholars. If any of these children can improve the sewing machine or create a new patent, they can guarantee a generation's livelihood with just that patent."
"Therefore, I always tell you that no matter what, you must let your children study, because studying has benefits. Those who say it's better for children to work are precisely those who don't need their children to work. Such people are all bad, with black hearts."
The old farmers nodded in agreement.
If Zhu Jinsong had talked to them about grand principles like "it takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to nurture a person" or "a century's plan hinges on education," these old farmers might not have understood. But when Zhu Jinsong used the example of making money through patents, these old farmers could grasp it.
Especially the latter part: "can guarantee a generation's livelihood." For these old farmers who had suffered hardship, that was an enormous temptation.
However, all of this seemed so glaringly obvious to Qian Long.
Qian Long couldn't help but mock, "You think everyone can create a patent? In the end, only a few people will benefit. Also, your rebellion, Zhu, shouldn't pretend to love the people as your own children. You are constantly at war, and the soldiers you conscript are the children of these old farmers. After a battle, how many families lose their sons, husbands, and fathers?"
Before Zhu Jinsong could respond to Qian Long's taunt, Wu Mancang clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, why don't you let this slave... why don't you let me chop him up? This old dog is too noisy."
However, before Zhu Jinsong could speak, an old farmer beside him suddenly stood up and walked to the prisoner cart, saying to Qian Long, "If you have anything else to say, I won't argue with you. You were an emperor, and I've spent my life toiling in the fields. I certainly don't understand as much as you do."
"But if you're going to talk about men dying in battle, then I have to argue with you. Have you ever lost a son? I have! My Xiao Er joined the army. He came home a couple of years ago, and then... then..."
The old farmer's eyes were constantly tearing up, his lips quivering, and the finger pointing at Qian Long trembled slightly, "He was only twenty years old and not yet married. If I say I don't feel heartbroken, that would be a lie. He was a child I raised with my own hands, and I do feel heartbroken!"
"But I tell you, even though I'm heartbroken, I don't hate the Emperor, nor do I hate the imperial court. Because my Xiao Er died saving the local people in the area where they were stationed. He died a glorious death!"
Saying this, the old farmer took a deep breath and continued, "After he was sent back, his remains were buried in the Martyrs' Cemetery in our county. He was buried under the flag of our Great Ming, a truly grand funeral!"
"In addition to the compensation money for my Xiao Er, the government also gave our family a plaque for 'Family of Martyrs' and sends me a pension every month. I said that I still have my eldest son, so I can't accept the money, but the government said this money is from the Emperor, a filial gesture on behalf of my Xiao Er. As long as I live one day, I will receive the pension for that day!"
"Although I've lost my... lost Xiao Er, every year, during festivals, government officials would bring rice, flour, wine, and meat to visit me and inquire about my Xiao Er. Every Qingming Festival, the government even sends someone to pick me up, and the officials accompany me to the Martyrs' Cemetery to visit my Xiao Er."
"And my Xiao Er's comrades also visit me from time to time. I... although I lost a son, I've gained many more sons!"
"Also, I've adopted the youngest son of my third brother. The government has recognized it and is giving me an extra sum of money each month, saying it's to raise my Xiao Er's child, and they will raise him until he's eighteen!"
"And Zhao Laosan!"
The old man pointed to another old man who was also shedding tears and said, "His son joined the army earlier and died on the battlefield outside Shuntian Prefecture."
"Do you know what he said when his son was brought back?"
"He didn't ask anything else. He asked if his son fought bravely and if he brought shame to the Great Ming army!"
The old man looked at Qian Long and roared, "You say the Emperor sent our sons to the battlefield and caused countless people to lose their sons? Then let me tell you! I have lost sons twice! I don't hate the Emperor!"
"Also, listen carefully! My village has over a hundred households, and more than thirty households have sons in the army. The rest don't wish to send their sons to the army, but they weren't selected! In our village, there are no cowards who fear death, nor will anyone resent the Emperor for this!"
"Do you understand now!"
Zhu Jinsong, who had been smiling all along, could no longer smile.
Zhu Jinsong stood up, straightened his robes, gave the two old men a military salute, and then bowed, "I! I took your children into the army, but I failed to bring them home safely. This is my fault!"
Empress Li and the two imperial concubines also rose and curtsied gracefully to the two old men.
The imperial guards who were playing with the children also stood up and realigned their ranks. The company commander leading them shouted loudly, "Attention! Salute the families of martyrs!"
Seeing that the two old men were a bit flustered, Zhu Jinsong quickly went over, took the old man's hand, and said, "Elder, if you need anything in the future, you can go to the government. If the government cannot resolve it, then come to the capital and find me!"
The two old men shook their heads. Old Man Zhao even said, "My son wrote a will before going to the battlefield. He said that loyalty and filial piety are difficult to balance. If he sacrificed himself for the country, he couldn't be filial to me. I... I don't blame him."
"He also said that Your Majesty said that their generation must fight many wars, finish all the wars that can be fought, and establish the prestige of our Han people, so that future generations will not have to fight."
"I don't understand these principles very well, but I know my son wouldn't lie to me, and Your Majesty wouldn't lie to them."
"Now he lies in the county's Martyrs' Cemetery. We've also erected a tomb for his clothes and belongings at home, and his incense and offerings have never been lacking. I've also adopted the youngest son of my third brother for him, so he has descendants. This is very good."
Zhu Jinsong sighed and patted the old man's hand, saying, "I did say that our generation must finish all the wars that can be fought, establish the prestige of our Han people, and create an era of great peace and prosperity so that future generations will not have to fight."
The old man who spoke earlier also said, "Your Majesty, you don't need to be sad. I only know this: although my Xiao Er and his second son died on the battlefield, they didn't die in vain. This is different from the past where soldiers fought for their pay and should die in battle. What more could I ask for?"
Zhu Jinsong nodded vigorously, then turned and winked at Empress Li, who then called over a group of children.
The children's playful laughter finally dispelled the somewhat oppressive and heavy atmosphere.
Only Qian Long, in the prisoner's cart, had a face that was as unpredictable as the weather.
Qian Long had truly not expected that such an inconspicuous small village would have over thirty households with sons serving in the army, nor had he expected that the sons of these two old men, one who died on the battlefield and the other in disaster relief, would not hate Zhu, the rebel!
The Great Qing...
The soldiers of the Guard Battalions were no good, the soldiers of the Green Standard Army were no good, and the soldiers of the Eight Banners were even worse!
If they were asked to kick a widow's door or dig up a grave of an heirless family, they would probably be more capable than anyone else. But if they were asked to die on the battlefield, or to die saving a stranger, then not a single one would be able to do it!
After a long silence, Qian Long looked at Zhu Jinsong and said, "I... The Great Qing perished without injustice."