JINGNAN CAMPAIGN 1

The Jingnan Campaign was recorded in the history of Ming Dynasty as a civil war between Jianwen Emperor, Zhu Yunwen against his fourth uncle Zhu Di. Zhu Di was unwilling to be oppressed by the Politics of Xuefan, thus rebelled and waged the Jingnan Campaign. The idea for the name of the Jingnan Campaign was actually taken from a paragraph in Huang-Ming Zuxun. The paragraph stated that the Fan Wangs had the right as well as were required to mobilize their army to attack the palace if there was an "Evil Minister" dismaying the country and the emperor was unable to handle him. That was the reason why every Fan Wang was granted with gigantic military power. "Jing", means cleaning, "Nan", means difficulty. This was a revolt whose purpose was to "cleanse the difficulties" caused by the "Evil Minister" as announced by Huang-Ming Zuxun.

However, this paragraph had a sequel. The Fan Wang could mobilize the army if only he had received approval from the emperor. Here was the misuse of the law that occurred. Zhu Di immediately brought the army to fight against the "Evil Minister". Because his main objective was indeed not the "Evil Minister", but the emperor himself.

"It's not enough if you merely move your army to battle, Brother. Just like the condition of the human body. If the human body is healthy, no matter how fierce a disease attacks the body, it won't be able to make him sick. But if the body is weak, even a slight illness has been enough to make him suffer. So, we should create chaos within the enemy, thereby we could win this campaign," Zhu Su advised Zhu Di when they were meeting secretly at an inn in Yingtian.

"I've been perplexed since yesterday, how can you be so careless by having meeting directly at the enemy base headquarters? But now I understand," Zhu Di nodded in satisfaction. "So, you want to stir the stability of the capital. On which way will you realize it?"

"I'm just thinking of creating an outbreak in the capital."

"Epidemic... yes, that's a good idea. We can also blow the gossip that the epidemic occurs because the current Emperor is cursed by Heaven, and the only way to diminish it is by dethroning him. But the application for this is quite difficult. You know, spreading disease is not easy. Or... you know what you have to do, since you are a medical expert after all?..."

"It is a simple job for Liu Ku since he often makes such things."

"Ah, it is apparently your Changshi who is expert in alchemy. He is incredibly smart! The rashes covering all over my body really resembled smallpox it deceived the royal physicians. And he is also very loyal, unlike my traitorous Changshi!" Zhu Di growled in annoyance.

Meanwhile, Zhu Youdun who also joined in their campaign, was only listening in silence. Advantageously, too much noise filled this inn and everyone was absorbed in laughing among themselves, no one paid attention to this highly dangerous conversation.

"Okay! Let's call it a day. We will continue this later." Zhu Di stood up, followed by Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun. "Fighting for our success in the future!"

When Zhu Di had spurred his horse away from the inn, Zhu Youdun whispered to Zhu Su. "Fu Wang... do you really want to carry out that strategy?... spread the infectious disease?..."

"Of course, Youdun."

"B... but... will we put those innocent people into misery? And they all have nothing to do with our family problems?..."

Zhu Su pressed his lips. "Well... at first I don't want to do that, either... but we have no other choice, Youdun."

"Are there really no other strategies we can use without involving the people?"

"Although Brother Di is the strongest Fan Wang at this time, his military control is influential only in Beiping. And it has been oppressed by Yunwen right now. Yunwen has the control of the entire Ming military. Thereby, we must disrupt domestic stability - at least make Yunwen appear weak in the eyes of the people, so that the people get antipathy with him and thus are willing to support our movement. Then our chance to win is greater than before. Besides, I'll ask Liu Ku to create an infectious disease that won't endanger lives. We only make their bodies weaker so they can't work hard and are forced to rest at home. We will only cripple the Yingtian economy. Not so bad, right?"

Zhu Youdun thought for a moment, he also bit his lip anxiously. But finally, he nodded, agreed with his father's idea.

Zhu Su sighed, frustrated. "I know this is a very unpleasant act and deviating from righteousness, Youdun. But we still have to ignore our conscience, and do it anyway. For the sake of taking revenge on those who wrongs me and you... and your mother as well!"

Zhu Su's calculation was undeniably accurate. Disrupting the stability of a country is indeed the most effective way to weaken government throughout the ages. No matter how good the government is towards their people, if propaganda and sabotage is carried out continuously - especially if the government is weak and cannot stem them from disturbing the people - then the government will immediately fall down even without getting through a war.

Because, what actually the people want is simply living peacefully, in a country where there is no fear and misery. They will not care about who rules their country, as long as their peaceful life does not get disturbed. When their basic needs are disrupted, even a good government will be judged by them as the bad one. A legitimate government then can also be brought down by force.

Sadly, Zhu Yunwen did not realize the reality of human psychology. He persisted in holding the based-on-theory implementation. At first, he could run the government smoothly. People liked the young emperor who was eager to make reforms and improvements for the country. Zhu Yunwen himself was also persevering and dilligent in carrying out his responsibilities as emperor. He listened to the people's reports carefully, also tried to ease taxes to encourage people's economic growth.

However, if taxes from the people was reduced, then where did the treasury fund fill its deficit?

For that reason, the benefits for the nobles, especially the generals who were now unemployed and doing nothing since the country was in a peaceful state, must be reduced.

The problem was, would the generals accept the provision voluntarily?

Of course they would not.

And this was what exactly led the generals to support Zhu Di's resistance.