Chapter 568: Zhu Youxiao Arrives in Shenyang

After Wukeshan and Zhang Muhe's two families fell out, the others naturally knew how to make their choice.

At this moment, they had to stand with Zhang Muhe no matter what to pressure Wukeshan. Until Wukeshan showed his hand, they couldn't get too close to him.

Of course, not everyone left. Some smaller tribes that had developed well in Daning City, such as the Ordos, didn't leave and continued to stand with Wukeshan.

But their eyes also carried some worry as they looked at Wukeshan. What they worried about wasn't Wukeshan betraying the Great Ming — he wouldn't.

In their view, cooperation with the Great Ming was very good. These past few years they had gained no small benefits, especially Wukeshan. Under such circumstances, there was simply no need to fall out with the Great Ming. Even if the Ming's terms were somewhat harsh, it didn't matter much.

For the Great Ming to want to extend its hand into the grasslands — that simply wasn't impossible. Under such circumstances, everyone could just listen to what the Ming had to say, then figure out how to respond.

And they also trusted Wukeshan. What they worried about now was nothing more than their own interests being harmed, and also about war on the grasslands. If the Khorchin and Inner Khalkha fought, things would get difficult for their people.

His gaze sweeping over the remaining people present, Wukeshan also knew that this was the time to put their minds at ease. If he couldn't reassure them, these people might abandon him. Once no one supported him, he was finished.

Although his younger sister was very close to the Great Ming Emperor and his own cooperation with the Ming was also good, Wukeshan knew that all of this was merely the Great Ming Emperor using him.

And his foundation was still on the grasslands. Only when he had strength and men under his command would the Great Ming Emperor treat him well, and treat his sister well.

Being able to serve the Great Ming, being able to lead the grasslands for the Great Ming — that was his value.

If he lost that value, then he was finished, and the Khorchin tribe would no longer receive the Great Ming's favor. At that point, the Ming would also look down on him with disdain.

Under such circumstances, he absolutely could not give up his base. The people before him who supported him were naturally his base, and he couldn't abandon them.

And those who left, like Zhang Muhe and the others, were also actually part of his base. If he truly fell out with the Ming, these people would be very important to him too.

If they supported him and advanced and retreated together, things would be much easier to handle; if they didn't support him, or even turned against him, it could well become internal chaos.

Now that Hong Taiji was dead and the Jurchen had been destroyed, everyone's days these past few years had been better. Wukeshan truly didn't want chaos — he had even suppressed his ambitions for this very reason. Of course, he would never admit he was being cowardly.

"Everyone, rest assured, the matter will be resolved perfectly. I will negotiate with the Great Ming Emperor through my younger sister." Wukeshan's gaze swept over everyone as he spoke, his expression solemn and earnest.

Wukeshan in this manner was still quite convincing to everyone.

As for the matter between him and his sister, everyone believed it too. After all, how much the Great Ming Emperor doted on Wukeshan's sister — everyone had seen it with their own eyes.

Under such circumstances, his sister would certainly be able to have her say. Among all the Mongol tribes now, the only one who could see the Great Ming Emperor was Wukeshan's sister.

These words did settle everyone's hearts considerably. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they all left smiling.

But what these people truly thought in their hearts, no one knew — perhaps the moment they left here, they would go find Zhang Muhe.

But Wukeshan had no time to worry about them. He very much wanted to know what the Great Ming Emperor was thinking.

But no one would explain this matter to him. The Great Ming's ministers wouldn't tell him, and the Great Ming Emperor Zhu Youxiao certainly wouldn't tell him either — after all, the Great Ming's purpose was precisely to make them suspicious of each other and make them timid.

If the lid were lifted now, then what about later?

After Zhu Youxiao spent a day strolling through Shanhai Pass with Bumbutai, the next day he directly led his people out of Shanhai Pass and headed toward Shenyang.

In Shenyang, many things had already been prepared.

The prisoners had already arrived, sent over two days prior. Including those captured in Hetu Ala, and even Hong Taiji's principal consort Jerjer — who was also Wukeshan's aunt.

This matter caused great controversy among the crowd, especially among the Mongols.

Another matter was placed before Wukeshan. Other families might handle it more easily, but his family truly had a difficult time of it.

Now that his aunt Jerjer had been captured, should this woman be rescued or not?

This was a very serious matter. Fortunately, Jerjer had no sons — otherwise things would have become even more troublesome.

Wukeshan spent the entire journey thinking about this matter, wondering how to find a solution.

As for what others outside thought, Zhu Youxiao didn't worry at all. He was now leading his people toward Shenyang.

For Zhu Youxiao, these were all small matters. The Great Ming's army and the Great Ming's ministers would resolve these problems for him.

After Zhu Youxiao arrived at Shenyang, all the city's officials, great and small, rushed out to welcome him.

But since the war had begun, Shenyang had become the most important logistics base, and with Xiong Tingbi absent, it had effectively been taken over by Sun Chengzong.

After Sun Chengzong arrived in Shenyang, naturally he was the one calling the shots. As for Shenyang's city defenses, there was nothing to criticize — they had been directly taken in hand by Zhu Youxiao's people.

After settling in at Shenyang, Zhu Youxiao first summoned the city's officials, great and small.

Against such a backdrop of victory, Zhu Youxiao naturally wouldn't say anything unpleasant. Instead, he focused on praise and reassurance, and also gave rewards to Shenyang's residents.

For a time, the atmosphere in Shenyang was pushed to a climax.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Youxiao finally turned his attention back and prepared to do some real business.

He planned to summon one person first. Of course, not a Mongol — but the King of Joseon, Li Zong.

The one he intended to intimidate this time wasn't this Joseon king either. Zhu Youxiao believed that matters between the Great Ming and Joseon could be settled very easily.

The Mongols and Joseon still had to be treated differently. This point was very important — Joseon was an example after all.

Zhu Youxiao said to Wei Chao beside him: "Spread the word — tomorrow I will hold a banquet here to receive the Joseon king."

"Yes, Your Highness." Wei Chao quickly replied: "This servant will make arrangements immediately."

After this news spread, all of Shenyang boiled over again, especially the Mongols.

No one had expected that immediately upon arriving in Shenyang, the Great Ming Emperor would take action at once.

Although this time it was the Joseon king being summoned, it showed that he had already made his move.

Before this, no one had any psychological preparation at all, but after this time it was different — where there's a first, there's a second.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts. Things were going to become easier to handle now.

And upon receiving the news, the Joseon king Li Zong also breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, although Li Zong wasn't as tense as the Mongols, he was still quite nervous. He didn't know what the Great Ming Emperor wanted to do — not even meeting him after all this time was against protocol.

The matters before him had already left Li Zong somewhat dazzled.

If the Great Ming were to propose harsh conditions, what should he do?

He had to remember — the reason he was able to come here this time was that he carried hopes and ambitions with him.

He hoped the Great Ming would give Joseon some room to survive and help Joseon develop. Otherwise, if things continued like this, Joseon would sooner or later fall into chaos.

These past few years, the Great Ming had continuously sold goods to Joseon. The goods were very good and very cheap, but Joseon's own goods could no longer be sold. Even the grain many farmers grew was no longer worth anything.

Under such circumstances, if the Great Ming were allowed to keep selling goods so recklessly, the people of Joseon wouldn't be able to survive.

King Li Zong of Joseon wanted directly to see the Emperor of the Great Ming. Upon learning of such an opportunity, he came over even more excitedly.

The strength of the Great Ming Dynasty and its attitude made Li Zong feel some apprehension. Especially since the Great Ming Emperor still had not seen him, this made him even more worried.

Now that he had received the news, Li Zong felt not only some hope, but even more apprehension.

The next day, Li Zong prepared his gifts and went respectfully to meet Zhu Youxiao.

This audience naturally could not be casual; it had to follow proper etiquette, for only thus could formality be demonstrated.

After all, none of this required Zhu Youxiao to do anything—he only needed to wait inside. It was King Li Zong of Joseon who had to go through all the trouble.

By the time Zhu Youxiao saw Li Zong, this somewhat plump Joseon king was already panting heavily.

Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead and temples—he had clearly been worn out.

Zhu Youxiao hastily said to Wei Chao, "Grant him a seat, grant him a seat."

Zhu Youxiao was very afraid that Li Zong might simply collapse from exhaustion right there, which would be troublesome.

If this man were to die on Great Ming soil, then no matter how he explained it, it would be useless.

Zhu Youxiao was quite displeased with those Ministry of Rites officials in his heart.

I told you to arrange some ceremony to demonstrate formality—that should have been about enough. Look at what you've done; you nearly exhausted the man to death.

But seeing the Joseon king's beaming face, Zhu Youxiao felt helpless.

It seemed those Ministry of Rites people were still useful after all—grasping the human heart, this trick was well played.

Look at that fat face, smiling so much it was nearly scrunched together, eyes completely gone—clearly he was quite pleased and very satisfied with the Great Ming's hospitality.