Chapter 567: Dividing the Mongol Tribes

"In that case, I shall go back and tell them." Sun Chengzong said directly.

After learning of Zhu Youxiao's intentions, Sun Chengzong understood what he needed to do.

Before this, he still had some things to consider, but now His Majesty's attitude determined the attitude of the Great Ming court.

And whether those people were dissatisfied with the Great Ming court's attitude — that didn't matter. Satisfied or not, it had nothing to do with Great Ming.

Satisfaction was naturally best. If dissatisfied, then they could hold it in; if they couldn't hold it in, then Great Ming would make them hold it in.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Sun Chengzong, nodded appreciatively, and said: "Then I entrust everything to you, my dear minister."

Old ministers like Sun Chengzong not only had rich connections and held high positions of power in the court, but were also experienced, handling many matters with ease.

Over the years, his coordination with Zhu Youxiao had grown better and better. Now Zhu Youxiao only needed to say one sentence, and he would roughly know what to do.

Sun Chengzong said: "If there is nothing else, Your Majesty, I shall go down and make the arrangements."

Having said that, Sun Chengzong looked at Zhu Youxiao, waiting for the Emperor to give a reply.

On this matter, Zhu Youxiao naturally would not delay, and said with a smile: "Go on, my dear minister."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Sun Chengzong acknowledged, gave Zhu Youxiao a salute, then stood up and walked out.

Watching Sun Chengzong leave, Zhu Youxiao stood up and stretched his limbs, then turned to look at Wei Chao and said: "Let's go for a walk. We're about to leave this place, so it's a good time to look around."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will arrange people immediately." Wei Chao hastily acknowledged.

Zhu Youxiao walked forward a few steps, seeming to remember something, stopped abruptly, and said again: "Bring Bumbutai along too, take her out for a stroll."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao acknowledged once more, while thinking to himself: His Majesty really does dote on this little Mongol girl — now he even wants to bring her along when going out?

Must not offend her. When I go to find her, I need to be polite and build some rapport. If she enters the palace in the future, she might be able to look after me a bit.

Of course, I also can't get too close. If I get too close, it might easily cause the Empress to misunderstand, and that would be bad.

In the Great Ming, who doesn't know that the current Emperor's favor toward the Empress knows no bounds? One must not offend the Empress.

After Wei Chao left, Zhu Youxiao walked out while beginning to ponder.

Things were naturally not as Wei Chao imagined — that he doted on Da Yu'er that much. Since coming to the Great Ming, talking about feelings was a very luxurious thing; as the Emperor, one shouldn't think about such things.

Besides, the direction in which he considered matters now was never from the perspective of personal feelings.

The reason he brought Da Yu'er along, taking her out everywhere, was nothing more than to outwardly display his favor toward her.

To put it plainly, it was to pressure outsiders, letting all the northern peoples know that he doted on Da Yu'er and that he had his eye on the Khorchin tribe. Only under such circumstances could the goal of dividing and winning over be achieved. Without division and winning over, everything else was like duckweed drifting on water — utterly without foundation.

Last time, the stimulation had already driven them to the brink of madness, making them frantically send women here; with this stimulation now, they would surely become even more frantic. Once they reached Shenyang, they would be putty in his hands.

Zhu Youxiao went out with his entourage, and news spread outside; at the same time, Sun Chengzong's side also released information.

The Great Ming was to hold a martial demonstration at Shenyang city, conduct a military review, and also perform a ceremony of presenting captives.

Everyone knew what this meant — the Great Ming was flaunting its military might.

Hong Taiji was already dead, and the Jurchen had already been pacified; the Great Ming had no need whatsoever to flaunt its military might. The reason for doing this now was to show the Mongols, Joseon, and others — plainly put, to scare them. And after the scaring came the forcing of submission.

Releasing this news now was to let them make their own decisions. If they weren't prepared to submit, they could figure out their own solutions — whether resistance or anything else, it was clear the Great Ming feared none of it.

If anyone truly intended to make unreasonable trouble, then it would be simple. This military review of the Great Ming would directly become the next act of war. The army would march straight out of Shenyang and wipe out all those who wanted to challenge the Great Ming's majesty. This was a fact everyone recognized.

And in truth, Zhu Youxiao indeed planned to do exactly that.

After the news spread, the entire Shanhai Pass was placed under martial law. Troops were visible everywhere on the streets, radiating killing intent, their gazes vigilant — looking for all the world like they were ready to kill.

At the relay station.

Wukeshan's expression was frighteningly gloomy.

Across from him were several people from other tribes, their expressions also very grim. But compared to Wukeshan, their expressions were even worse. When looking at Wukeshan, everyone's eyes even carried vigilance.

After all, the Great Ming Emperor had just summoned Bumbutai away again. Clearly, the Khorchin tribe was different from their own tribes — their relationship with the Great Ming was far better than theirs, and they had long since become allies.

Back when the Doyan Three Guards were being fought, it was the Khorchin who had acted as intermediaries, and they had also reaped the most benefits.

This time, when the Great Ming Emperor wanted to do this sort of thing, he had probably already discussed it with them. If their side intended to resist, Wukeshan might well strike first.

At that point, things would become very, very troublesome — their side would have to face pressure from both Wukeshan and the Great Ming. So they did not trust Wukeshan.

For Wukeshan, this situation was also extremely bad.

These people before him didn't trust him — would that Emperor of the Great Ming trust him?

That was far too naive; it was impossible. Wukeshan wouldn't think that way either. This matter was not easy to handle.

His gaze swept over everyone as he said: "What do you all think?"

No one spoke, clearly unwilling to discuss these things with Wukeshan, all wanting to see what others would say first.

After exchanging glances, still no one spoke.

At this moment, Wukeshan's gaze fell upon Zhang Muhe.

Zhang Muhe was the leader of the five tribes of Inner Khalkha, and this time he had the final say on behalf of his group. As long as the Khorchin and Inner Khalkha could reach unity, the others didn't matter.

Whatever the Great Ming Emperor wanted to do, as long as these two tribes agreed or opposed, the other tribes could only follow along — they had no room for choice. If anyone opposed, then these two tribes would eliminate them in advance.

"Zhang Muhe, what do you think?" Wukeshan looked at Zhang Muhe, not beating around the bush.

At this point, there was no room for beating around the bush anymore; better to put everything on the table.

Zhang Muhe raised his head and glanced at Wukeshan, his face dark, saying nothing.

This matter was not a struggle between himself and the Khorchin, but a decision for the entire tribal alliance. Everyone needed to stand together; otherwise, they would likely be picked off one by one by the Great Ming, and their fate would be miserable.

And the current situation was that no one trusted anyone, making it impossible to band together.

"Shouldn't you first say what you're thinking?" Zhang Muhe looked at Wukeshan, speaking the most merciless words in the gentlest tone, "Once we know what you're thinking, the rest of us will know what to do."

Zhang Muhe's words were quite blunt — one could say they cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Right now, no one trusted Wukeshan, no one trusted the Khorchin. If the Khorchin didn't state their position, it would be hard for everyone to trust him.

So on this matter, Zhang Muhe directly laid things bare, unwilling to beat around the bush.

If Wukeshan now stated his attitude as leaning toward the Great Ming, and without any conditions, then those present wouldn't say anything.

If they told Wukeshan, what if he went and informed on them?

Not saying anything was the best course. They had to let Wukeshan state his position first, and only then could everyone continue the discussion. On this matter, everyone's opinion was unanimous.

After Zhang Muhe finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned toward Wukeshan.

"We should first see what the Great Ming plans to do." Wukeshan's gaze swept slowly across the assembled crowd before he spoke directly.

Having said this, Wukeshan watched the others cautiously.

Upon hearing this, the expressions on everyone's faces did not change much, but neither did they relax. Clearly, Wukeshan's words were within their expectations, yet they did not satisfy them.

See what the Great Ming says?

How was that any different from saying nothing at all?

What they wanted was for Wukeshan to state his position—to declare whether he would stand together with them.

But in truth, Wukeshan did not want to commit himself. He knew full well that once he expressed a stance, these people would force him to keep moving forward.

If he said he was friendly toward the Great Ming, then it would be pointless—it would mean he was not with them, and these people would ostracize him.

If he said he stood with them, then they would likely push him forward as their leader to negotiate with the Great Ming.

At that point, he would be roasted over the fire—in the end, he might end up pleasing neither side and satisfying no one.

Being that leader was no easy task, so Wukeshan simply did not want to commit himself, and he said something ambiguous instead. But such words could not possibly satisfy everyone.

Zhang Muhe cast a deep, penetrating look at Wukeshan, then finally nodded and said: "Then let's settle it this way—first see how things develop. We'll rush to Shenyang city and see what the Emperor of the Great Ming has to say."

Having said this, Zhang Muhe stood up and walked straight out.

In truth, Wukeshan's words had already represented his attitude—there was no need to keep listening.

Seeing Zhang Muhe stand and head outside, the others present followed suit one after another.