Chapter 464: The Honest Xiong Tingbi

"When the time comes, it won't be a question of whether they're willing or not." Wang Zaijin looked at Zhu Youxiao and said gravely, "As long as we can destroy the Jianzhou barbarians, this place will be ours to call the shots. Their opinions won't matter anymore."

Zhu Youxiao understood Wang Zaijin's reasoning and his thinking, but he knew it wasn't feasible.

Because for a very long time to come, Liaodong would not be suitable for human habitation.

With the arrival of the Little Ice Age, Liaodong would grow colder and colder, making large-scale development utterly impossible, and there would be no way to bring in settlers.

Under such circumstances, it would actually be very difficult for the Great Ming to rule Liaodong.

And the Mongols would be moving from north to south; they would surely set their eyes on Liaodong, and the two sides might well break out into conflict.

This situation would last for decades, even close to a hundred years, before it improved. Things like the later "Chuang Guandong" migration to the northeast would be basically impossible in this era.

Zhu Youxiao had no interest in getting entangled in the north. He needed to pacify the north as quickly as possible, then focus his gaze southward and overseas, mobilizing the Great Ming's national strength to pursue other things — not spend his days wrangling back and forth with these northern peoples here, because it held no meaning.

Even if he needed to go north, that was not now. So Zhu Youxiao did not share Wang Zaijin's ambitions, nor did he want to get involved in all that messy business with them in Liaodong.

Of course, Zhu Youxiao couldn't explain this to Wang Zaijin. He said, "Such an approach is still improper. When the time comes, the north will still descend into chaos."

Zhu Youxiao had given this matter some thought, because he had also learned about certain past events — for instance, the Doyan Three Guards of years past. Originally these people could be considered somewhat trustworthy; they had been men under Prince Ning, they had helped Zhu Di back then, and the two sides had once reached an agreement.

Zhu Di had once consented to let the people of the Doyan Three Guards graze and live outside the line of the Great Wall near Daning. But after sweeping across the northern steppe, having these people stationed there looked awkward no matter how you viewed it. So the conditions previously agreed upon naturally no longer counted.

Under such circumstances, how could the Doyan Three Guards possibly be satisfied?

We contributed our efforts, we rendered our services — you can't treat us like this.

The Doyan Three Guards submitted several memorials to the Chengzu Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming, hoping he would agree to let them graze and live outside the line of the Great Wall near Daning — in plain terms, they were asking Zhu Di to honor his earlier promise.

How could the Chengzu Emperor Zhu Di of that time take them to heart? Naturally, he refused without the slightest hesitation.

From that point on, the Doyan Three Guards had been continuously infiltrating southward. It was only later, with the support of the Khorchin, that they finally achieved this goal.

After achieving this goal, the Doyan Three Guards had expanded ceaselessly over the years, and the vast region west of Guangning had all fallen into their hands.

And now their tribe had become like grass atop a wall, swaying with every wind — slippery as could be, with no trust in the Great Ming either. The two sides could be said to be mutually wary of each other.

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao's attitude was resolute, Wang Zaijin said no more. But he wanted to know what His Majesty planned to do — this point was very, very important.

Wang Zaijin said, "May I ask what Your Majesty intends to do?"

"I intend to build Daning into a city under tripartite co-administration." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Zaijin and said directly.

Hearing this, Wang Zaijin was taken aback.

Tripartite co-administration?

What the devil was this tripartite co-administration?

Was it to divide a city into three parts? Wouldn't that lose the opportunity to push forward?

Once any change occurred, the Doyan Three Guards could strike straight at the Great Ming from Daning — that would not be a good thing.

Wang Zaijin said with some concern, "If we let them into Daning, then the entire northern front line would be open to their attack. That's very dangerous — wouldn't it be rather improper?"

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Zaijin and said with a smile, "It's merely a matter of overawing them with might and luring them with profit."

In fact, what Zhu Youxiao wanted to do was very simple: establish a tripartite co-administered city for the Doyan Three Guards at Daning. In plain terms, it would be a trading city — a place where everyone in the north could do business.

There, the Great Ming would continuously export its goods to the steppe, earning handsome profits in return.

What could the steppe sell back?

Besides cattle, sheep, and horses, there was also wool — the wool textile industry could also be put on the agenda. Once these people made money, they would naturally settle down and behave.

The population wasn't very large yet, and the pastures could easily support them — especially with the vast lands of Liaodong available.

By that time, the entire Mongol region and Liaodong would become the Great Ming's wool textile base, earning a great deal of money every year, which would bring them to submission. That was the luring with profit.

As for overawing them with might, that was even simpler — the steppe did not dare attack the Great Ming.

How could this be achieved?

Simply letting the steppe see how strong the Great Ming was would suffice — and they would see it soon enough.

Wang Zaijin was still somewhat worried, and did not believe Zhu Youxiao's plan could succeed.

How many years had it been now? The Great Ming and the Mongols had pulled and tugged at each other back and forth, going around in circles without ever succeeding. Under such circumstances, for His Majesty to achieve this was nearly impossible.

His Majesty was too young. Wang Zaijin wanted to find a way to counsel him, but didn't know how to broach the subject.

After all, seeing how confident His Majesty appeared, seemingly already resolved to do this — if Wang Zaijin insisted on remonstrating, not only would he fail to persuade him, he would only succeed in displeasing His Majesty.

That was not what Wang Zaijin wanted.

"I already have a plan for this matter. You should also make preparations and act according to the plan." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Zaijin and said, "First, settle the alliance. Go contact the Inner Khalkha and have them prepare to discuss this matter with us."

"I will soon release Wukeshan and send him back, so that the Khorchin can make their preparations. When the time comes, we'll hold a tripartite alliance conference, and once this matter is decided, we'll begin our actions."

"As for Xiong Tingbi on his end, I will also meet with him first, then formulate a plan."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Zaijin acknowledged.

The preliminary phase of this matter was to be done this way — and according to Wang Zaijin's own plan, it was also to be done this way — so he decided not to offer further remonstrance.

As for how things would develop afterward, Wang Zaijin felt certain they would not develop the way His Majesty hoped. When that time came, and Wang Zaijin had to clean up the mess, he could then act according to his own ideas.

Wang Zaijin had absolutely no need to attack His Majesty at this moment, or to remonstrate with him. That would only be counterproductive. It was more important to go back and get things done properly.

Wang Zaijin left.

Zhu Youxiao also knew that Wang Zaijin was not reconciled. But that was fine — he would understand later.

This plan was a grand one. If it could be carried out well, Liaodong would be stable for many years to come. For Hong Taiji to try to come out and show off again would be basically impossible — he could only be hemmed in and cower within Liaodong.

After two days at Shanhai Pass, Xiong Tingbi arrived.

Looking at the travel-worn Xiong Tingbi walking before him, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

Although Xiong Tingbi was a civil official, he no longer much resembled one at this point. With his swarthy face and full, bushy beard, one could easily take him for a military general.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xiong Tingbi hurriedly bowed and said, "Your servant Xiong Tingbi pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Xiong Tingbi, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "Beloved minister, no need for ceremony."

Only after Xiong Tingbi straightened up did Zhu Youxiao look him over from head to toe.

To be honest, the sovereign and his minister had hardly ever spent time together, yet everyone outside knew that Xiong Tingbi was Zhu Youxiao's beloved general and also his trusted confidant.

As for Xiong Tingbi, his heart was also filled with a hundred mixed emotions.

In that place called Liaodong, Xiong Tingbi could feel the pressure, and he could also feel Your Majesty's support for him. Whether it was money and grain or any other aspect, Your Majesty supported him very, very much.

Meeting Zhu Youxiao this time, Xiong Tingbi naturally felt tremendous gratitude in his heart, only he simply did not know how to express it for the moment.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi and said directly with a smile: "I have already had wine and dishes prepared. My beloved minister, keep me company and have a cup."

The tone of these words was gentle, the manner casual — clearly spoken to a trusted confidant, with no overly polite air about it.

This attitude instead filled Xiong Tingbi's heart with great joy — His Majesty truly thought highly of him.

Xiong Tingbi hurriedly said: "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant obeys the decree."

After saying this, Xiong Tingbi stood respectfully to one side.

Wei Chao, who had long been waiting outside, then ordered the servants to begin bringing in the wine and dishes.

After they were seated, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "This is fine wine from my own palace. My beloved minister must savor it properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiong Tingbi promptly acknowledged, answering with a smile on his face.

The sovereign and his minister then spent the time chatting idly over wine, doing nothing of importance — the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

Only after the meal was finished, the leftover dishes cleared away, and tea brought up, did things take on a hint of getting down to business.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi and asked: "My beloved minister, although we have kept up a steady exchange of routine memorials since you arrived in Liaodong, some matters are still better spoken of face to face. Is there anything my beloved minister wishes to say to me?"

To Xiong Tingbi's ears, this was an invitation to speak at length.

Xiong Tingbi first gave an overview of the situation in Liaodong, mainly discussing what was currently lacking — such as shortages of money and manpower, and also how the people below were unsettled at heart, how the people of Liaodong were growing estranged from the court, and so on.

Everything Xiong Tingbi said was the truth, and his expression was very grave.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Xiong Tingbi and shook his head helplessly.

This man truly did not know how to be an official — no wonder he ended up with such a fate in his previous life.

With just one question, you answer so directly?

Shouldn't you first talk about what Liaodong was like before?

What changes came after you arrived? What things have you accomplished?

How the situation in Liaodong is now so good?

That all these changes were brought about by the Emperor — first lay on a wave of flattery?

Then say there are still some shortcomings, that this or that place is not quite up to par — though they are minor problems, resolving them would make things even better?

That is the proper routine of officialdom.

But Zhu Youxiao had seen too much of that kind of routine. A man like Xiong Tingbi instead came across as far more genuine — very good!