In the Far East of 1853, the Taiping Army first breached Nanjing and established its capital at the Heavenly Capital. It then promulgated the Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty and launched its Western Expedition and Northern Expedition, possessing for a time the momentum to seize the Central Plains and establish a new dynasty.
Forbidden City, Golden Throne Hall.
The gathered ministers knelt prostrate, their cries of "Long live the Emperor!" resounding like mountains and seas.
Emperor Xianfeng remained seated above, though his expression showed a trace of weariness.
A eunuch flicked his whisk and called out.
"If there are memorials, present them. If not, court is dismissed."
The Minister of War was the first to step forward.
"Your servant has a memorial to present. The rebel bandits are fleeing toward the northwest. Prince Seng has already deployed crack troops to await them at leisure. Surely, before long, they will be wiped out in one sweep!"
The next to step forward was the Minister of Punishments.
"Your servant also has a memorial. In recent days, reports of bandit disturbances across Jiangnan have fallen markedly. This shows that the governors-general, governors, and officials have all devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their duties, suppressing unrest with sound measures. The people yearn for stability."
Grand Secretary Qi Junzao spoke as well.
"Your servant believes this is merely the rebels' death throes, an attempt to throw the capital into disorder. Yet our Celestial Dynasty's military might surges like a vast tide—how could a handful of petty vermin shake the foundations of the state?
"Though the treasury is somewhat strained at present, your servant has already pressed every region to hasten the collection of taxes. We have also discussed raising loans with the foreign trading houses. Military pay will certainly be secured without worry."
Yet at