Chapter 451: I Am Willing to Become the Great Ming's Prince of Shunyi (Daily Plea for Rewards!)

Even if Ligdan Khan still allied with the Khorchin and they both marched east together, Zhu Youxiao had nothing to fear.

If the battlefield were opened up in Liaodong, with Ligdan Khan, the Khorchin, and the Jianzhou barbarians all coming together, Zhu Youxiao could just give them a good hard lesson.

On the grasslands, Zhu Youxiao couldn't fight them well. After all, they could run. The grasslands were vast, and the Great Ming's official army couldn't pursue them.

But if all three of them came to Liaodong, Zhu Youxiao could just hit them with something big. By then the Great Ming army's equipment would be complete—hand-cranked rotary machine guns, vehicle-mounted rocket launchers, all kinds of cannons, and flintlock muskets.

He could just use those three to practice on. Zhu Youxiao believed that after that battle was over, they would definitely become warm and hospitable, and their communication with the Great Ming would certainly become very harmonious and amicable.

At that point, Zhu Youxiao could proceed to the next step—political, ethnic, and economic integration.

Only the earlier things were real; the latter was just a pie in the sky that Zhu Youxiao had drawn.

Zhu Youxiao also believed that whether it was Wukeshan or his old father, they would absolutely never believe what he said, and they would absolutely have other ideas of their own.

For example, ally first and rebel later; for example, after annexing the Doyan Three Guards, they could also annex Liaodong.

If the Khorchin could destroy the Doyan Three Guards, then destroy Liaodong and occupy Liaodong's territory, they would become a mighty power in their own right. Whether turning west against Ligdan Khan or turning south against the Great Ming, they would have the strength for a fight.

In fact, what the Khorchin thought or did didn't matter. What Zhu Youxiao needed to do was stir up the Khorchin's ambition.

Once they had strength, their thinking would naturally change. That was also why Zhu Youxiao was letting the Khorchin annex the Doyan Three Guards.

Once they took the Doyan Three Guards, the Khorchin's strength would inflate enormously. By that time, if the Jianzhou barbarians wanted the Khorchin to submit, it wouldn't be so easy anymore.

The Jianzhou barbarians wanted to swallow the Khorchin, but the Khorchin also wanted to swallow the Jianzhou barbarians. With the two sides evenly matched in strength, conflict was inevitable. This was an eternal truth.

Zhu Youxiao certainly didn't believe the Khorchin would willingly be bullied by a Hong Taiji.

Wukeshan looked at Zhu Youxiao, mulling over his words in his heart.

Setting aside everything else, just providing a batch of equipment to let the Khorchin annex the Doyan Three Guards—that was genuinely good. If it succeeded, the Khorchin's strength would soar.

By that time, whatever he wanted to do would be easy to accomplish, and he wouldn't have to listen to the words of this man who called himself the Great Ming Emperor anymore.

As for what this Great Ming Emperor said, not all of it could be believed. But one thing could be believed: the Great Ming had no strength to annex the entire grassland, and by then the Khorchin would be the masters of the steppe.

Thinking of all this, Wukeshan's heart was immediately stirred.

Bumbutai, sitting beside Zhu Youxiao, wore a thoughtful expression.

Of the words Zhu Youxiao had spoken, she believed some were true, but some were absolutely false and couldn't be believed in the slightest.

This man had no good intentions, but exactly where it was wrong, Bumbutai just couldn't figure out.

There was something in this Emperor's words that couldn't be believed—like supporting the Khorchin to unify Mongolia. That kind of talk was just for listening to. A unified Mongolia would do the Great Ming no good, and the Great Ming wouldn't be willing to do such a thing.

As for the Great Ming wanting to take back Liaodong, that should be true; wanting to help the Khorchin should also be true. But it wasn't about alliance—it was mainly about splitting the alliance between the Khorchin and Hong Taiji.

At the same time, the Great Ming had one more thing to do: cut off Hong Taiji's path west. That way, Hong Taiji would be trapped dead in that land of Liaodong, with no room to advance or retreat.

Under such circumstances, the Great Ming could calmly annihilate Hong Taiji on that land of Liaodong. If he wanted to go west, he would have to go to war with the Khorchin.

As for allying with the Khorchin—the two sides were already allied now. Annexation and alliance were not the same thing. What was annexed was one's own; an alliance could be betrayed at any time.

On this point, Bumbutai understood, and everyone else understood too.

Even if the Khorchin allied with Hong Taiji, they wouldn't let him infiltrate westward. How could one tolerate another sleeping soundly beside one's own bed? That was their own territory; they couldn't let him stick a hand in.

The question was what to do now. Should they agree or not?

This was crucial. If they didn't agree, the Great Ming would detain her brother, then release news of an alliance with the Khorchin, or even turn around and support the Doyan Three Guards in annexing the Khorchin, and would also wreck the marriage ties between the Khorchin and Hong Taiji. Moreover, her brother wouldn't be able to escape, and she would die too.

Bumbutai looked at her brother Wukeshan with a worried heart.

Though her mind was clever, she was still young after all, and didn't know what to do. She hoped her brother could make a decision for her, or take charge.

At this moment, Wukeshan's thoughts were churning violently, and for a time he felt some worry.

If the Khorchin's side was discovered by Hong Taiji, would they come attack the Khorchin? Could the Khorchin defeat Hong Taiji?

If the Great Ming people deceived him, that would be terrible. But if he didn't choose to ally, then his life would stay here, and his sister's would too.

If he agreed, there were benefits after all—at least he could get the Great Ming's support, with fine weapons and inexhaustible money and grain. By that time, the Khorchin could grow strong, and the benefits would be many.

Once ambition caught fire, it was very hard to extinguish.

Zhu Youxiao's words and strategy had already lit the spark in Wukeshan's heart.

Ally with the Great Ming, annex the Doyan Three Guards, then strengthen the Khorchin—whether turning east or west, they would have the strength for a fight.

Once the day came when the Great Ming and Hong Taiji went to war, couldn't the Khorchin also open war against Ligdan Khan?

By that time, if the Khorchin destroyed Ligdan Khan, they truly could unify Mongolia. So what if they gave up Liaodong?

As long as they could unify Mongolia, they could continue attacking Liaodong. By then they could even send troops to destroy the Great Ming and recreate the glory of Genghis Khan!

Thinking of this, Wukeshan raised his head, looked at Zhu Youxiao, and said, "How am I to trust you?"

"I am the Emperor of the Great Ming. My words are imperial edicts—words spoken, law follows." Zhu Youxiao stood up, looked at Wukeshan, and said, "In all these years, when have the Great Ming Emperor's words ever not counted? When has the Great Ming ever gone back on its word?"

"As long as you agree, we can establish a covenant. The covenant will be made in duplicate—one copy kept in the Great Ming, one copy for you to take back. I believe that once you return to the Khorchin, you'll be able to explain this matter clearly."

"When the time is right, I will proclaim the installation of your sister Bumbutai as an imperial consort. At that point, the Great Ming will support you with full strength."

Wukeshan heard these words, pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "Good, I agree. As long as this matter can be accomplished, I am willing to become the Great Ming's Prince of Shunyi, guarding the grasslands for the Great Ming forever!"

"Good, very good!" A smile also appeared on Zhu Youxiao's face, and he spoke in a bright tone.

Of course, Wukeshan was just saying this, and Zhu Youxiao was just listening.

What the future would bring, no one knew. It was just that now Zhu Youxiao could dig a pit, and it looked like it was already done.

"Someone, bring wine. I want to have a good drink with my Prince of Shunyi!" Zhu Youxiao said with a big laugh.

Naturally, a banquet followed.

Wukeshan's men were all well entertained—those with injuries naturally received prompt treatment, and those without injuries were naturally feasted with fine wine and good food.

That evening could be said to be extraordinarily lively; the entire inn was caught up in the banquet.

Bumbutai stayed by Zhu Youxiao's side the whole time. Wherever he went, Zhu Youxiao brought her along, putting on a show of doting on her greatly.

The next day, after both sides had eaten breakfast, the covenant was formally confirmed.

Wukeshan signed his name, pressed his fingerprint, and stamped his seal.

Zhu Youxiao didn't hesitate either, directly stamping his own seal and signing his name. Though it wasn't the Emperor's imperial jade seal, it was enough.

After the two sides completed the alliance, they also drank a bowl of alliance wine together.

Zhu Youxiao did not do the foolish thing of swearing an oath by smearing blood on one's lips—the medical conditions in this era were too poor. What if he cut his hand and got tetanus?

Besides, drinking blood wine—do you know how dirty blood is? What if there were infectious diseases? Only a fool would drink it.

Of course, these were all minor interludes; the two sides directly completed the alliance.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wukeshan and said with a smile: "Stay in Zhangjiakou for a few days. I will have people prepare some gifts for you. Money, weapons—all of it will be there, and you can take everything back when you leave. In addition, there are some things that are betrothal gifts for your sister. Rest assured, I will absolutely not treat her poorly."

"Then I thank Your Majesty." Wukeshan said in a respectful tone.

Ever since the alliance was completed, Wukeshan's attitude had become much more respectful, as if he were already prepared to become Zhu Youxiao's Prince of Shunyi.

But Wukeshan knew in his heart that he was merely putting on an act.

Zhu Youxiao did not mind this.

Sometimes you can put on an act, and sometimes, as you keep acting, it becomes real.

After sending Wukeshan back to rest, Zhu Youxiao returned to his own room, his expression darkening as he quickly wrote a secret letter.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Chao beside him and said: "Send this letter to Liaodong and deliver it to Xiong Tingbi."

"Yes, Your Highness. This servant will arrange for someone to handle it immediately." Wei Chao quickly agreed.

The contents of this letter were very simple—it told Xiong Tingbi to display an aggressive posture toward Hong Taiji, to be prepared at all times, to put on the appearance of "I am about to attack you," but in reality not to attack.

In plain terms, it was to scare Hong Taiji, to make him think the Great Ming was ready to send troops at any moment.

In the letter, there were also some words for Wang Zaijin, the Governor of Guangning, telling him to cooperate with the Khorchin tribe to take down the Doyan Three Guards. As for what came after, Zhu Youxiao encouraged the Khorchin to strike at the five tribes of the Inner Khalkha.

Historically, of these five tribes, three had been wiped out by Hong Taiji, one had surrendered to Hong Taiji, and the other had been annexed by Ligdan Khan.

Rather than leaving the five tribes of the Inner Khalkha sitting there, it would be better to give them to the Khorchin.

As long as the Great Ming deployed heavy troops in Liaodong, Hong Taiji would have no mind to go west. As long as he did not go west, the Doyan Three Guards would not be able to escape.

After annexing the Doyan Three Guards, the Khorchin's strength would expand rapidly. By that time, the five Khalkha tribes would no longer be a match for them.

If they also annexed these five tribes, then the Khorchin would be strong enough. Whether facing Hong Taiji or facing Ligdan Khan, they could give it a go.

By that time, it would be time for the Great Ming to make its move.

Zhu Youxiao felt that would be a very good thing.

After the letter was sent off, Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Hong and said: "Are you prepared on your end?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, everything is prepared." Chen Hong quickly said.

"Then go do it now." Zhu Youxiao said with a grim expression.

"Yes, Your Highness." Chen Hong quickly agreed.

Ever since he had been captured, Irgen Gioro's days had been very difficult. Over the past two days, he had not only been tortured relentlessly, but his subordinates had also been continuously killed, their bodies carried out right in front of him.

He knew the people of the Great Ming were trying to frighten him, but he dared not speak. First, there was loyalty; second, once he opened his mouth, his family would be finished.

But starting yesterday, the Great Ming's people seemed to have stopped interrogating him much, and they seemed very happy. The guards were also drinking, and there even seemed to be some kind of reward.

Although he did not know why, Irgen Gioro still sensed that something was not right.

Sure enough, they were drinking again—this time even more lavishly than before, the aroma of various dishes and wines drifting over to him.

He lifted his nose to sniff, then licked his dry lips. Irgen Gioro felt utterly despairing inside.

The noisy sounds outside grew even louder, and Irgen Gioro could not help but strain his ears to listen.

After all, having been a spy for so long, this was already his professional habit.

Seemingly facing these people who could not escape, the jailers did not lower their voices when speaking. Although he could not hear everything clearly, Irgen Gioro still managed to catch some things.

This one piece of news shocked Irgen Gioro greatly—that profligate young master was not the son of the Duke of Ying, but the Emperor of the Great Ming; all these people were the personal guards of the Great Ming Emperor.

At that moment, many things he had not been able to understand before suddenly became clear—no wonder that profligate young master had such great power.

The next piece of news frightened Irgen Gioro even more—that Emperor of the Great Ming actually wanted to form an alliance with the Khorchin, to destroy Liaodong together from the west and the south.

And it had already succeeded—that Great Ming Emperor was willing to marry Bumbutai, Wukeshan's sister.

The woman who had been prepared to marry the Great Khan. Thinking of the alliance about to be formed between the two sides, Irgen Gioro felt terrible all over, his body trembling.

Once this alliance succeeded, the Great Khan would fall into a very difficult situation.

The reason these people were drinking and celebrating was that the alliance had already been completed—all these things were rewards from the Great Ming Emperor.

They had actually signed an alliance treaty—the Great Ming Emperor had made Bumbutai his consort. Moreover, the Great Ming Emperor had already mobilized troops and generals, preparing to attack the Great Khan in a pincer movement from Liaodong and the Khorchin together.

The two sides had already agreed that once the Great Ming took Liaodong, they would support the Khorchin in destroying Ligdan Khan. And the messengers had already been sent out—the Ming army in Liaodong would begin moving immediately.

This information absolutely had to be sent out!

It absolutely had to be sent out!

Irgen Gioro kept pumping himself up.