Chapter 44
Qianlong looked at the Queen Mother in confusion, his heart full of doubts. However, the Queen Mother did not rush to explain, but analyzed in detail: "Most of the Green Faced Girl's army are farmers. Why are they following her? Is it because the heavy rain in the south has caused disasters, the farmland has been flooded, and there are no particles. The whole family has no way to survive, so they have to rebel. In the north, the weather has been good for the past two years, and the people have no worries about food and clothing. Who would risk beheading to accompany her in the rebellion?" Her voice was full of doubts. Understanding the Peasant Revolt and Analysis of the Situation in the North.
Qianlong's brows gradually relaxed, and he said with a smile: "The Queen Mother is absolutely right. I am confused." His voice was full of admiration for the Queen Mother and self-confidence for himself. responsibility.
The Queen Mother added: "The green-faced girl used natural disasters to mobilize the rebel army. The rhetoric she used to incite the people was useful to the people in the south, but it was useless to the people in the north. The green-faced girl was extremely smart. , she definitely understands this truth. She will rush to the north. If my mother's guess is correct, she will definitely stabilize the south first, then ascend the throne and become the emperor. When the time is right, she will point her sword towards the north." He gained an understanding of the green-faced girl and predicted the situation.
Qianlong nodded and said: "Well, I think so too. The southern territory is vast and the population is large. If you want to completely stabilize it, it will take more than three to five years. If she dares to claim the throne Ah, there will definitely be chaos inside. When they are done fighting, I will send troops south to suppress them, and then we can regain all the lost territory." His voice was full of expectations for the future and victory. desire.
The Queen Mother sighed and said: "The rebels were able to occupy the south in just two years, not just by taking advantage of natural disasters. More importantly, it was because the soldiers of the Eight Banners were greedy for pleasure and extravagant, which led to the weakening of martial ethics and the decline of combat effectiveness. Ah. You still need to be strong to make iron. You are the emperor, so you don’t need mother to teach you how to do it, right?" Her voice was full of disappointment for the Eight Banners disciples and expectations for Qianlong.
Qianlong nodded solemnly: "Understood! I will train the Eight Banners disciples well and strive to restore the glory of Taizu's period!" His voice was full of firmness and determination.
......
Although the Queen Mother is a deep palace woman, she knows politics and people's calculations very well. She sat in front of the window, looking at the snowflakes flying outside, but her heart was as clear as a mirror. Just as she expected, after Li Qingge occupied the south, he had no intention of a northern expedition in a short period of time. However, the main reason why she did not go on the Northern Expedition was not quite what the Queen Mother had in mind.
Li Qingge, the leader of the rebel army known as the "Green-faced Girl", was not just greedy for power and status as the Queen Mother thought. What she was thinking about was actually the people in the south. She knew very well that the people in the north lived a stable life and had no worries about food and clothing, so they would not rebel easily. However, the people in the south are living in dire straits due to natural and man-made disasters. She revolted to give these people a chance to live and to escape poverty and suffering.
Therefore, she was not in a hurry for the Northern Expedition, but focused on the governance and construction of the south. She knew very well that only by allowing the people to live a good life could the South be truly stabilized and lay a solid foundation for the future Northern Expedition. And she did not proclaim herself king or emperor, but gave power to the people and let them choose their own destiny.
Although the Queen Mother did not understand Li Qingge’s true thoughts, she saw Li Qingge’s actions and results. She couldn't help but feel a little admiration and emotion for this "green-faced girl". She understands that the real heroes are not those who only know how to fight for power, but those who
Throughout the ages, the change of dynasties is like the endless drama on the stage, and the tragedies and comedies of glory and humiliation are intertwined in the long river of history. flowing slowly. War breaks out frequently and wars rage on. In the end, it is always the innocent people who bear all these sufferings. They are like duckweeds in the wind, drifting with the current, struggling to survive in the torrent of the times.
Li Qingge, a woman who was obsessed with books in her previous life, especially the world of martial arts written by Mr. Jin, always carries a respect for heroes in her heart. In her heart, the hero named Xiao Feng had a particularly tall image. I think back then, Murong Bo used power and wealth as bait to try to win over this iron-blooded man, but Xiao Feng spoke righteously, his voice as firm as a mountain: "I am loyal to Liao to protect the land that raised me. , so that people can live and work in peace and contentment "It is definitely not for personal glory and wealth. How can you kill people to seize land and build a career in such a despicable way for mere personal gain?" These words were like a stream of clear water, washing Li Qingge's soul and allowing her to find hope in troubled times. own direction.
In recent years, natural and man-made disasters have occurred one after another, and the lives of ordinary people have been miserable. Tragedies of family destruction and death can be seen everywhere, and every corner is filled with sadness. People long for peace, a peaceful life, and the ability to rest and recuperate. Those scattered bones by the river were once the dream people of someone's boudoir, and the tender concern in someone's heart. Although Li Qingge is not as chivalrous as Xiao Feng, every time she sees the people falling into war, she feels an indescribable pain in her heart.
Let's talk about the southern provinces. Although they have fallen under Li Qingge's command, there are undercurrents and there are many people with ulterior motives. Li Qingge knew very well that if he wanted to expand externally, he must first stabilize the internal situation. Otherwise, if there was a fire in the backyard, he would be too busy to take care of himself. In history, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty carried out violent conquests at home and frequent external campaigns. As a result, he focused on one thing at the expense of the other, exhausted his national power, and the Sui Dynasty also perished. Li Qingge is in a similar situation now. He is not yet stable internally, and the Qing army is watching from the outside, ready to counterattack at any time. If you are eager for quick success and blindly send troops, the foundation you have finally built may be destroyed in one day.
Therefore, for the sake of the people in the south and for himself, Li Qingge made a difficult decision-to temporarily stop the war. The Qing army has been frightened and dare not act rashly in a short period of time. This is the perfect time to rest and reorganize the army and wait for the opportunity. When the time is right, he will pursue the great cause of unifying Kyushu.
Years of struggle have allowed Li Qing to gather a group of capable people and strangers. They each have their own unique skills and work together to contribute to Li Qingge's career. Liu Yong, this Jinshi of the Yongzheng Dynasty, was not only knowledgeable, but also had a heart to pray for the people. He built water conservancy projects, built river embankments, and founded minority education, all for the benefit of the people. When Li Qingge attacked the two lakes, Chen Hongmou happened to be the governor of Huguang. After the Qing army was defeated, he was supposed to be a prisoner, but Li Qingge took a fancy to his talent and his heart for the people and absorbed him into his team.
Su Xiaomei, an embroiderer from Suzhou, has superb double-sided embroidery skills. What's even more rare is that she is also proficient in textiles. Textile is crucial to people's daily necessities, so Su Xiaomei has become the talent Li Qingge dreams of. Her joining provided strong support for the rebel army's logistical support.
Yang Tianxiong, a young man who does not like reading but has a strong interest in machinery. His mind was always full of strange ideas and was incompatible with the society at that time. His father called him a waste, but Li Qingge discovered his talent. She pulled him into the team like a treasure and provided him with a stage to display his talents.
After the unification of the South, the morale of the rebel army was high. Everyone thought that Li Qingge would take advantage of the victory to pursue the Qing Dynasty and drive them back to the white mountains and black waters. However, to everyone's surprise, Li Qingge decided to temporarily stop the war. The decision left many people confused and disappointed.
Liu Yong has followed Li Qingge for many years and admires her leadership, combat capabilities and ideas. His eyes were venomous, and he could tell Li Qingge's thoughts at a glance. So, he secretly arranged for Shi Shuyu to make a golden dragon and yellow robe and put it on Li Qingge. This move is undoubtedly imitating the story of Song Taizu wearing a yellow robe, with the intention of allowing Li Qingge to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor.
Li Qingge looked at the yellow robe on his body with a faint smile on his lips. She asked: "Since ancient times, the throne of emperors has been occupied by men. Although Wu Zetian once claimed the title of king, she eventually removed the title of emperor and changed her name to the Great Sage Queen Zetian. Now that you have established a woman as emperor, you are not afraid of violating the Is it the way of heaven? "Since ancient times, it has been regarded as a taboo for women to hold power. Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty hated women in power. In order to prevent beauties from causing trouble and concubines from interfering in politics, he also implemented the system of burying concubines as sacrifices. In the concepts of the Ming and Qing dynasties, women's participation in politics was like a hen setting off the morning, and the world was turned upside down, and they were bound to be attacked. What's more, she ascended the throne as an empress? This is simply unimaginable.
However, Liu Yong said sincerely: "You are the reincarnation of the goddess, leading us to resist the corrupt tyranny of the Qing court. Now the rebels and the people in the south support you. It is natural for you to wear a yellow robe and ascend the throne as emperor. I believe that only if you ascend the throne can you lead us to a bright society where everyone is equal and the world is unified." Liu Yong has been an official for many years and witnessed the corruption and exploitation of the people by the Qing government officials. Although he keeps himself clean and does not join the others, he has always been looking forward to changes to eliminate these moths. Li Qingge could not only get rid of the moths, but also chop down the rotten wood of the Qing court. This was exactly what he wanted to see.
Liu Yong's current thoughts coincide with Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty. They don't care about the emperor's gender, they only hope that the emperor can be sincerely good to the people. Chen Hongmou, Su Xiaomei, Yang Tianxiong and others also expressed their support: "The leader leads us to overthrow the tyranny and seek welfare for the people. How can we care about your gender? We don't care whether you are a man or a woman, and neither do the people below." Their words is full of trust and admiration for Li Qingge.
"Yes, chief. Now that the south has been conquered by us, it is imperative to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor." Although the others did not have the big plans like Liu Yong, they also had their own small plans. After all, "one person can ascend to heaven after attaining the Dao." Now the leader of the rebel army is Li Qingge. Only if she becomes the king, can they follow the path and ascend to heaven, becoming the founding fathers and ministers of the dragon! Their hearts are full of longing and expectations for the future.
Li Qingge looked at the people in front of him, and a warm current surged in his heart. She knew that she shouldered not only personal honor and disgrace, but also the expectations and future of countless people. She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Since everyone trusts me so much, then I will live up to everyone's expectations, ascend the throne and proclaim myself emperor, and lead everyone to a better future!" Her voice was firm and powerful, as if it could penetrate the sky and reach directly. Skyrim.
As Li Qingge finished speaking, everyone cheered. They knew that a new era was about to begin, and Li Qingge would become the leader of this era. They will continue to follow her footsteps, work for the benefit of all people in the world, and work hard to create a better world!
In the following days, Li Qingge led her team and began to prepare for various matters for the enthronement ceremony. They knew that this was not just a ceremony, but a new beginning, the beginning of a new era for them. They will face future challenges and opportunities with stronger faith and determination.
At the same time, Li Qingge is also fully aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders. She not only needs to stabilize the internal situation, but also needs to be alert to external threats. She must always keep a clear mind and keen insight to ensure that her decisions can lead the rebels to victory.
In this process, Li Qingge demonstrated her extraordinary leadership skills and strategic vision. Not only did she successfully stabilize the situation internally, she also successfully neutralized external threats through a series of ingenious strategies. Her wisdom and courage have won everyone's admiration and trust.
Finally, with everyone's expectations and blessings, Li Qingge ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, establishing his own dynasty. With her female body, she carried the hope and future of all people in the world. Her name will forever be engraved in the long river of history and become a legendary story.
And her team, those who had fought with her, also became the founding fathers and ministers of Conglong. Together they witnessed the birth of a new era and jointly wrote a glorious history that belongs to them. In the days to come, they will continue to follow Li Qingge's footsteps, work for the benefit of all people in the world, and work hard to create a better world!
So, on that land that has been gently caressed by the dust of history, many warriors stepped forward one after another like warrior flowers awakened by the spring breeze. Their eyes flashed with determination and expectation, and they gathered into one. A force that cannot be ignored. They faced their leader Li Qingge, the woman who stood firm in the wind and rain, and said in unison: "Sir, don't hesitate any more. Everyone's hearts are beating with your decision. Thousands of people in the south are Thousands of people, like all the people on the vast land Tough grass and trees are your strongest backing, what else do you have to worry about?”
Li Qingge stood there, tall and straight, like a green pine in the mountains, her eyes were deep and hidden. With unknown wisdom and determination. She knew in her heart that everyone had their own little Jiujiu in their hearts, just like the stars in the night sky, each with its own light, but for the important matter of ascending the throne, she had already drawn a blueprint in her heart and had a plan in mind.
To her, the throne was not only a symbol of supreme power, but also like a double-edged sword, extremely sharp, which could open up new worlds or bring endless disasters. She knows very well that the use of this power must be done on thin ice, and the slightest carelessness may plunge the people into dire straits. But if it can be controlled properly, it can also become a beacon leading all people towards the light.
In Li Qingge's heart, there is a grand blueprint for a new society, a paradise without oppression and exploitation, where everyone is equal and shares prosperity. However, all these beautiful visions can only be castles in the air and out of reach without reform and development. She knows that every major change that can liberate productivity is like going upstream and will encounter many obstacles, just like the turbulence of Shang Yang's reform in ancient times and the magnificent changes of Wang Anshi's new policy.
To overcome these difficulties, we must ascend to the throne of God, grasp the power of life and death, and become the strongest driving force to push the wheel of history forward. What's more, she still has that mysterious Queen System, which has been silent since she was given a novice gift package two years ago. Only by becoming a king can one restart the system, acquire extraordinary technology, reverse the shame of being colonized in modern times, and make this land shine again.
So, everyone took "A single spark can start a prairie fire" as the theme, and after much discussion, they finally decided on the country's name as "Yan". The word "Yan" is filled with fire both above and below, which not only fits the image of a spark that sets a prairie fire on fire, but also contains the profound meaning of descendants of Yan and Huang, and the passing of fire from generation to generation. In ancient Chinese, "Yan" refers to the most powerful fire and means double flames, which means that their country will be as hot as fire, burning all obstacles and illuminating the way forward.
Furthermore, among the five elements, the Qing Dynasty belongs to water, and water can defeat fire. However, the Ming Dynasty only has one fire, and it will not be able to defeat the Qing Dynasty in the end. However, their Great Flame has two fires. Under a pincer attack, it will definitely be able to defeat the Qing Dynasty. The Qing court was burned to ashes. What's even better is that the Phoenix, the legendary mysterious fire bird, can be reborn from the fire. The greater the fire, the stronger the Phoenix's vitality. And their leader Li Qingge is like the best among the phoenixes, not afraid of the fire and moving forward bravely.
The fifth day after the country's name was confirmed, it was an auspicious day. The sky was blue and the sun was shining gently on the earth. Li Qingge followed ancient rituals and burned incense to worship heaven and earth. Her actions were solemn and pious, as if she was talking to heaven and earth, praying for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people. Under the gaze of everyone, she held the coronation ceremony. At that moment, she seemed to be transformed into a bridge connecting heaven and earth, carrying the hopes and dreams of countless people.
The day he ascended the throne was the third day of October in the twenty-third year of Qianlong's reign. In the north, the autumn wind is already bleak and the chill is pressing, but in the south, the autumn tiger has just retreated, and the weather is neither cold nor hot, which is the most pleasant time. The difference between the north and the south is like two worlds in Li Qingge's heart. On one side is the suffering and struggle of the past, and on the other side is the hope and brightness of the future.
Because Li Qingge was a woman, in that era, the concept of giving and receiving between men and women was deeply rooted. Moreover, where they were, there were no palace maids or eunuchs to serve them, so Su Xiaomei temporarily took on the role of palace maid, helping Li Qingge dress up.
Su Xiaomei's skills are extremely dexterous. She combed Li Qingge's hair and applied makeup according to etiquette. When Li Qingge took off the bronze mask, her beautiful face was reflected in the mirror. Her face was like a newly bloomed lily, elegant and refined, yet with a certain inviolable majesty. Su Xiaomei couldn't help but sigh: "Your Majesty, who in this world can compare to your stunning appearance? It's really unfair for you to wear a mask every day."
Li Qingge smiled faintly. , her The voice was calm and firm: "What's the grievance? If you want to wear the crown, you have to bear its weight. In this world, too many people only value appearance. When people are too beautiful, other advantages are often ignored. I In no mood People think that I built the country by bewitching men with my beauty, so I have to wear this mask." Su Xiaomei nodded with deep understanding, a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes: "Men in this era are all like this. . They always have a prejudice against us women, thinking that women with long hair and short knowledge can only serve men. But we can’t wear this mask for a lifetime, right? >
Li Qingge smiled and said: "Of course I can't wear it for a lifetime. When I manage this country to be prosperous and strong, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, and sincerely support me as the monarch, I will take off the mask. On that day, I will let Everyone sees that I am not only a beautiful woman, but also a monarch who can lead them to the light."
"When will this day come?" Su Xiaomei asked expectantly. .
Li Qingge said confidently: "It's not far away! As long as we work together, this day will come soon."
"Then I have to do my part!" Su After Xiaomei finished speaking, she gently put the twelve-crown golden crown of dragon and phoenix on Li Qingge's head and fixed it with a hosta. The golden crown shines brightly, as if it carries endless glory and dreams.
The traditional emperor's dragon robe is called the Mianfu, with bright yellow as the main color and twelve chapters on it, symbolizing the supremacy of imperial power. When Li Qingge put on this imperial robe, he seemed to be endowed with endless power and wisdom. She stood there, looking firmly into the distance, her heart filled with infinite longing and hope for the future.
Since Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty used yellow as the color of the dragon robe, later emperors have mostly followed this system, especially bright yellow, which is a symbol of the supreme power of the emperor and shines like the sun on thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. But Li Qingge, the founder of the new era, is unique. She promoted constitutional monarchy and intended to break the shackles of ancient traditions, so she boldly changed the color of the dragon robe to bright red.
Red, which is a symbol of joy and prosperity, complements the "Yan" country she established. Li Qingge prefers this bright red. It is like the fire in her heart, burning with longing and hope for the future. Whenever she puts on the dragon robe embroidered by Amelia Su herself, she seems to feel a warm power pouring into her heart.
Su Xiaomei, the master of Suzhou embroidery, her skills are unrivaled. When Li Qingge asked her to embroider dragon robes, she readily agreed. Su Xiaomei's fingers shuttled over the silk and satin like magic, and the golden dragon and twelve chapter patterns came to life under her skillful hands, as if they would jump out at any time. When the dragon robe was finally put on Li Qingge, the golden dragon seemed to have really attached itself to her body, adding endless majesty and momentum to her.
The auspicious time has arrived on the day of ascending the throne. With the sound of firecrackers and the roar of gongs and drums, the entire capital was immersed in a festive atmosphere. Li Qingge was wearing a bright red dragon robe, with patterns woven with gold threads sparkling in the sun. She walked towards the high platform step by step, looking so determined and confident with every step. However, the weight of the dragon robe was somewhat unbearable for her. Although the weather was not hot, her clothes became soaked after walking for a while. She secretly wondered why the emperor's robes had to be divided into so many details. The royal robes, court robes, and everyday robes were all so thick and heavy that it felt like they were wrapped in layers of onions.
Amelia Su and several female soldiers followed closely, carefully helping her arrange her clothes and hair. They knew that this enthronement ceremony was of great significance to Li Qingge and nothing could go wrong. Especially as Li Qingge is a female monarch, every move she makes will attract the attention of the world. Therefore, they are more cautious, fearing that anything will go wrong.
The sun shone on Li Qingge's body, and the golden dragon on the red dragon robe seemed to come to life, shining with golden light. She walked up to the high platform step by step, feeling indescribable excitement and pride in her heart. She never thought that she, a person from time travel, could defeat so many people and eventually ascend the throne and become the queen. At this moment, she seemed to be standing on the top of the world, overlooking all living things.
"See Her Majesty the Queen, long live Dayan!" The subordinates below shouted in unison, the sound was deafening. According to tradition, when a monarch ascends the throne, ministers must kneel three times and kowtow nine times. But Li Qingge abolished this etiquette and only asked everyone to bend down and bow. She knew that this was not just a change in etiquette, but also a change in the times. She wants the world to know that the Great Yan Dynasty is a brand new beginning, an era full of equality and freedom.
The enthronement ceremony ended successfully, and Li Qingge officially became the founding monarch of the Dayan Dynasty. She was named "Mingde" and her capital was located in Jinling. Jinling, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, carries countless histories and legends. It is known as the "beautiful land in the south of the Yangtze River and the imperial state of Jinling" and is the ideal capital of the Dayan Dynasty. Li Qingge chose Jinling not only because of the many ready-made facilities here, but also because she wanted to inherit the system of the Ming Dynasty and make the Yan Dynasty the revival of the Ming Dynasty. She knew that those martyrs who fought against the Qing Dynasty and restored the Ming Dynasty would definitely regard Dayan as the continuation of the Ming Dynasty and come to seek refuge one after another. And the people will recognize Dayan's orthodox status more.
On the night of his ascension to the throne, Li Qingge lay in bed with a myriad of thoughts. She actually dreamed of a clear-cut novel she had read in her previous life. That book once fascinated her, and the writing was so good that she could never forget it. However, as she read more deeply, she gradually felt the sourness and sadness in the book. In particular, two sentences in the book have been deeply engraved in her heart: "I can be a slave, but my children cannot." and "The fourth master is her sun, but if he can return to the world, who would?" Where is the sun? ”
Li Qingge couldn't imagine how terrible it would be if he was domesticated by the feudal system like the heroine in the book, shared a man with another woman, and eventually lost himself. She would rather maintain her independence and self-esteem than become a man's accessory. For her, time travel is like a nightmare, but she is grateful that she has a powerful golden finger and can control her own destiny. Now, she is the queen and no one can be above her. The feudal ideas of men being superior to women and husbands being the guide to wives can no longer restrain her.
That night, Li Qingge slept particularly soundly. Her heart was filled with peace and contentment, because she knew that she had walked out of that terrible nightmare and ushered in a new era.
......
The news of the establishment of the Great Yan Dynasty spread quickly throughout the continent like a spring breeze. When the news reached the Forbidden City, the imperial capital, Emperor Qianlong was attending the morning court. He was criticizing the children of the Eight Banners for their pursuit of pleasure and neglect of martial ethics, when he suddenly received an urgent report eight hundred miles away.
"Your Majesty, the rebels in the south have established a country, and the rebellious green-faced woman has also ascended the throne!" The eunuch presented the report to Qianlong with a trembling voice.
When Qianlong read the report, his face turned livid instantly. He angrily tore the report into pieces, as if he wanted to pour out all his anger. "Traitor! How dare you risk the disapproval of the world and ascend the throne!" His voice resounded through the entire court like thunder.
The civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty were shocked by Qianlong's anger. They were stunned for a moment before they understood what happened. They all knelt on the ground and shouted loudly.
"For a woman to be a king, this is a reversal of the world! What is the difference between her and the Demon Queen of the Wu family?" a minister said with a trembling voice.
"Sichen, you are so shameless!" Another minister shouted angrily.
"The green-faced woman ascended the throne. This is against the principles of the rule of law! It will never be tolerated!" Another minister said indignantly.
The entire court fell into chaos, and the anger and dissatisfaction of the ministers erupted like a volcano. However, Qianlong fell silent. He knew that this news would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the Qing Dynasty. A woman dared to ascend the throne and proclaim herself emperor. This was the biggest challenge to his imperial power. He must find a way to deal with this situation and not let the Qing Dynasty fall into the hands of others.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a empress Ma who was virtuous, virtuous and as gentle as water. Her virtue was like the warm sunshine in spring, shining on the harem and warming the hearts of the people. After her death, she was posthumously named Empress Mingde. Her virtuous name was like an eternal lamp, lighting up the ages and becoming a model for future generations of women to follow. However, things are unpredictable. Who would have thought that in the long history, there would be a green-faced woman who was so bold as to steal the good name of "Mingde". Her behavior was undoubtedly a reflection on this virtuous queen. The greatest blasphemy, truly shameless to the extreme!
The atmosphere in the court hall was solemn. The ministers were dressed in gorgeous court uniforms, but they could not hide the anger in their hearts. A minister, with long hair and beard, eyes flashing with anger, clenched his fists, as if to pour out all his dissatisfaction: "Your Majesty, that green-faced woman is so rampant, she not only stole the good name of Queen Mingde , and it is a blatant challenge to the majesty of our government. How can we allow her to continue to do evil and bring trouble to the government?"
Another minister had a serious face and a low and powerful voice: "Then! The green-faced witch has committed many evil deeds, and heaven and earth will not tolerate her! She dares to call herself Mingde, which is an insult to the sages of our court! I request that we send troops immediately to eradicate her, and then show it to the public later to correct our court and comfort Mingde. The queen is in the spirit of heaven!"
In the court hall, all the ministers were furious. Their voices rose and fell like raging waves, making the whole palace tremble. Their eyes were filled with anger and shock, as if Li Qingge had killed their parents and could not forgive her for what she had done.
This kind of anger and shock is actually deeply rooted in the soil of Confucianism. In that feudal era where male supremacy existed, women's status was as lowly as dust, and they were oppressed at all levels by the political power, patriarchy, husband's authority and clan. They are confined in a small space and cannot breathe free air. In traditional culture, it is regarded as natural law that men are superior to women. Women can only be dependent on men and become tools to carry on the family line, without dignity or independent personality. Even after death, the full names cannot be left on the tombstones, but can only be referred to by a certain surname, as if their existence is only to prove the existence of men.
So, when the news came that a woman had ascended the throne, these literati and officials, who were full of benevolence, justice and morality, naturally could not accept this fact. They enjoy the sense of superiority and privilege brought by the superiority of men to women, and are surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines. How can they accept that a woman who was once regarded as a plaything is above them, letting themselves kneel and kowtow and surrender to her skirt? Where's next? Their hearts are full of resistance and dissatisfaction, as if a huge stone is pressing on their chests, leaving them unable to breathe.
Not only were they disgusted with women as heads of state, they also showed extreme double standards regarding the moral flaws of male and female emperors. For example, after Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she used ruthless officials to kill the Li Tang clan. She has been criticized continuously for thousands of years, and she was called the most vicious woman in history. But they have never thought deeply about how they can stabilize the country if they do not eliminate threatening forces and support their cronies when the emperor changes dynasties. In order to consolidate their power, Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bang also ruthlessly killed their brothers. They could understand the behavior of these male emperors, but they severely condemned Wu Zetian. The reason was not because Wu Zetian was a woman! Their hearts are filled with prejudice and discrimination, like an invisible wall, isolating them from the truth.
Emperor Qianlong was sitting on the dragon throne, looking angrily at the courtiers who insisted that "women are not allowed to ascend the throne". His brows were filled with murderous intent, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction. He was shocked by the boldness of the green-faced woman to actually ascend the throne and found a country; but he also wondered why she was so unafraid of resistance from others. I also don’t understand why most of her subordinates are men, so why can they accept women to be superior to them? Where is the blood and dignity of men? His heart was full of doubts and confusion, as if a huge stone was weighing on his heart, making him unable to let go.
Although Qianlong was somewhat comforted after hearing this, he fully believed that civil strife would occur after Li Qingge became emperor. At that time, the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty can take the opportunity to counterattack and destroy the Yan Dynasty in one fell swoop. However, the facts disappointed him. He was furious and found it difficult to accept such a result.
He clenched his fists tightly, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction, but finally let go of his hands helplessly. He still consoled himself: "Civil strife needs time to ferment, and the green-faced woman has just ascended the throne. As time goes by, there will definitely be disputes within the rebels. By then, it will not be too late for us to send troops."
However, although Qianlong and the Queen Mother's vision was beautiful, they did not know that in the face of absolute strength, all fancy and doubts were in vain. When Li Qingge first led the rebel army, some people who believed in male supremacy and regarded women as reproductive tools were dissatisfied with her leadership. They incited people in the army to assassinate Li Qingge and replace him. However, Li Qingge had magical powers to protect his body, and she was very powerful in martial arts and resourceful. Their assassination failed and she was annihilated instead. The repeated disobedience and bloody suppression made the rebels and the people of the south see the power of this iron-blooded heroine.
Now the military and civilians of the South work together like a monolith. They united as one to resist the invasion of foreign enemies. Even if some people were dissatisfied with Li Qingge's ascension to the throne as a woman, they did not dare to speak out. They knew that Li Qingge's strength and prestige were unmatched by anyone. She was the founder of the Great Yan Dynasty, and she was also their leader and supporter. The powerful force and the absolutely loyal White Horse Army guards jointly established Li Qingge's unbreakable dominance. The difference between men and women is insignificant in front of such strength. Big fists are the last word! Not convinced? Then I’ll beat you until you’re convinced!
Several blows made Qianlong, the emperor who was so happy with his achievements, as wilt as an eggplant beaten by frost. He sat on the dragon throne and stared blankly ahead, as if he had lost all fighting spirit. However, when he found out the actual situation of Li Qingge's ascension to the throne, he immediately came back to life with full health and was overjoyed. It turned out that he discovered that Li Qingge's identity after ascending the throne was that of a queen, not an empress. Queen and Empress are one word apart but worlds apart. The king can be a vassal king, a prince or a vassal king; while the emperor refers specifically to the emperor. The green-faced woman ascended the throne as queen instead of empress because she was obviously bound by etiquette and the internal opposition was too strong to dare to claim emperor. Qianlong secretly rejoiced: It’s okay if she doesn’t dare to proclaim herself emperor! She calls herself king but not emperor, and I am still the only emperor. My position is still as solid as a mountain and no one can shake it.
However, Qianlong did not know that Li Qingge ascended the throne as queen not because of fear but because the country had not yet been unified. Only the monarch of a unified dynasty and a powerful empire with a vast territory can claim the title of emperor. Those with imperfect political power and small territories calling themselves "emperors" are just deceiving themselves and others. Although Li Qingge successfully rebelled and established the Dayan Dynasty, only half of the country could not be considered a unified dynasty.
Calling herself "Queen" is just a stop-gap measure right now. When the north and south are unified and all the land of China becomes the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty, it will not be too late to change the name to "Her Majesty the Queen". She has grand ambitions and lofty ideals in her heart, and she wants to use her own hands to build an empire that truly belongs to her.
(End of this chapter)