Chapter 579: Proactively Integrating into the Great Ming (Begging for Full Subscription!)

These Mongols had never trusted the Ming Dynasty, and their wariness was extremely, extremely deep.

Although they had made quite a bit of money doing business together over the past few years, and life had become much better, now they were even more afraid, even more fearful.

Especially now that Hong Taiji was dead, everyone felt terrible about it inside.

Because after Hong Taiji's death, they might well be next. If the Ming Emperor came up with some kind of nonsense, what were they supposed to do? Accept it or not?

Under such circumstances, the worry in their hearts was very, very heavy.

Wukeshan, who should have represented everyone, had instead chosen to decisively switch sides at this moment — and with such utterly shameless groveling. This left the Mongols feeling helpless, even somewhat indignant, but above all, fearful.

Zhu Youxiao didn't bother looking at the Mongols' attitudes at all. He only looked at Wukeshan, a hint of a smile on his face.

Clearly, Zhu Youxiao had underestimated the wisdom of the people of this era. They had their own way of surviving, their own rules of conduct. After thinking it over, they could make the best decision — and this choice was undoubtedly the best one for them.

In fact, this was also part of his own policy. He had originally been wondering who to get to do this, who to have propose it. Now Wukeshan had jumped out on his own. It had to be said that this was a very wise choice — at the very least, it was an excellent point in his favor here. He had handled this matter beautifully.

Just look at the ministers around them — even Sun Chengzong was stroking his beard repeatedly in satisfaction.

In this regard, the Ming Dynasty had very rich experience. Whether in the south or the north, this was not the first time they had done such things.

Over these two hundred-plus years, they had always dealt with people like this, so their experience was abundant. Wasn't the chieftain system of the gentry in the south simply a replica of this policy?

If Wukeshan and his people liked it, the Ming could also give them benefits — they could establish a chieftain system for them. Plainly put: your family's right to rule, I guarantee it. If something happens, I'll help you.

Under such circumstances, one could win people's hearts very effectively.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao was already prepared to bestow official titles upon them. Not to mention anything else — hereditary princes or hereditary chieftains were all no problem.

For the Ming Dynasty, it was nothing more than a matter of titles. Whatever you like to hear, that's what we'll call it. Everything else doesn't matter.

As long as a tribe reached a certain size, I'll give you this hereditary succession system. Then everyone will be a chieftain, and no one should think about annexing anyone else.

If everyone's status is the same, you still want to annex me? You want to wipe me out?

There was really no great difficulty in this matter — as long as they were willing to accept it. Judging from the situation before them, there was no way they wouldn't be willing to accept.

But for now, there were only two parties Zhu Youxiao could enfeoff: one was Wukeshan's family in Khorchin, and the other was the five men of Inner Khalkha.

Today, these five men of the five tribes of Inner Khalkha needed to discuss things carefully. If all five of them were enfeoffed as princes, then some matters would be hard to handle; if there were a single leader, would that cause a split or something?

This was something they needed to discuss among themselves.

Zhu Youxiao said directly with a smile: "Your suggestion is very good, my dear minister. I approve it. We'll make preparations shortly."

"As for what you mentioned about providing land and money — you don't need to spend that money. You can provide the land, but I'll cover the money." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile on his face: "And those who study well, I will additionally provide with a scholarship."

There was nothing to hesitate about in such matters, and the method of operation was also very familiar.

As for who would pay the money, Zhu Youxiao had no intention of paying it himself.

There were so many Ming merchants in Daning City — there were bound to be smart people among them. They would certainly be willing to pay. At that time, they could recruit children of Ming commoners living in Daning City.

This was also beneficial for Ming merchants recruiting workers. Because coming to Daning City meant their descendants could study — this was very attractive to workers. Otherwise, who would be willing to run to this place?

Zhu Youxiao was even prepared to launch an immigration policy — for example, extra points on exams in Daning City would produce a large wave of examination immigrants.

After all, in later generations, college-entrance-exam immigration had become a hot topic — let alone in this era?

The imperial examinations of this era carried the meaning of a civil service exam. With the two stacked together, the power was extraordinary.

If such a good policy really existed, then countless people would surely swarm in. Although those who passed the imperial examinations in Daning City might be looked down upon once they entered officialdom, the problem wasn't actually that big — at worst, they'd just be divided into a Southern faction and a Northern faction.

Besides, once you entered officialdom, what mattered was your rank. If my rank is higher than yours, nothing you say is of any use. A rank one level higher crushes a man to death.

So what if you look down on me?

I still outrank you.

Not convinced?

Then swallow your discontent.

Now Wukeshan had voluntarily proposed integrating into the Ming — this was very good.

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty." Wukeshan said hurriedly and respectfully: "Your Majesty is so wise and enlightened — truly the blessing of my Mongol people. Today your servant borrows this cup of wine from Your Majesty to toast you — may the Great Ming last ten thousand years! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Zhu Youxiao felt quite helpless.

Although what was set before him was low-alcohol fruit wine, drinking like this didn't seem quite right. This was just the beginning — was it already coming to this?

But since you've brought out slogans like "Long live the Great Ming" and "ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years" for me, it wouldn't be good not to drink.

Zhu Youxiao very crisply and cleanly smiled, raised his cup, took a sip, and set it down.

As the Emperor of the Great Ming, drinking a sip with you is already doing you a great honor.

Wukeshan drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, and the expression on his face grew excited. Clearly, Zhu Youxiao's attitude had left him very satisfied.

His younger sister was right — the Emperor of the Great Ming wanted exactly this. Since his sister's speculation was correct, then the matters that followed would be easy to handle.

Wukeshan spoke again: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the next matter your servant wishes to raise concerns our official titles."

Upon hearing these words, everyone present was somewhat taken aback.

The expressions of these Ming officials turned rather unpleasant. Are you here to demand offices?

That's not good. In this land of the Great Ming, all under heaven is the king's land, and all who dwell on it are the king's subjects. Official positions are given to you by the Emperor — not demanded by you.

This kind of behavior was very bad and could easily arouse everyone's discontent.

Zhu Youxiao didn't mind at all — in fact, he hoped Wukeshan would say something new.

As for official positions — if you want them, I can give them to you, but it depends on what price you can pay.

For an emperor, one should never be stingy with rewards. Any emperor who is stingy with rewards will basically come to no good end.

As long as you can create value for me, then I can give you treatment.

In this regard, Zhu Youxiao was still a very generous boss.

He merely smiled as he looked at Wukeshan, then said: "Then I wonder what thoughts my dear minister has? Speak freely, no need to hold back."

"Although Your Majesty has bestowed official titles upon us, these titles are merely honorary." Wukeshan said directly: "Your servant feels this is inappropriate. Could a guard be established in Khorchin? All the things that should be given — shouldn't they be given as well?"

These words were actually quite rude — clearly demanding offices and benefits.

This was trying to turn Khorchin into a guard.

Nominally, of course, they would still belong to the Great Ming and serve as Ming officials — one could say that by doing this, Wukeshan was giving up a great many things.

But in truth, it was simply that Wukeshan saw things clearly. The Ming Emperor would never allow these people to continue existing under their former titles.

Now that Nurhaci and Hong Taiji were both gone and Liaodong had been completely pacified, it was entirely possible the Emperor might launch a northern sweep like the Yongle Emperor had done.

Don't imagine that the emperors of the Great Ming were all benevolent sorts — the current Emperor was clearly not one of them.

Besides, the Great Ming had been fighting people like them for over two hundred years. Could they really not understand such intentions?

If they didn't voluntarily submit at a time like this, then fighting would likely break out. And since their side couldn't win, the outcome would be very grim.

Moreover, was it really so strange for people like them to accept enfeoffment from the Great Ming?

Looking further back, there were the Doyan Three Guards — though they no longer existed now. Even later, there was the Prince of Shunyi, and the one enfeoffed had been Altan Khan himself.

So Wukeshan had no psychological barrier whatsoever in doing such a thing.

When those around him heard these words, their expressions did not change either. Especially the Mongols.

As long as one had real strength, titles did not matter.

They all turned to look at Zhu Youxiao, waiting to see what kind of answer he would give.

In their view, Wukeshan was bargaining for benefits for himself.

If the Khorchin truly changed their allegiance, then the Great Ming would likely need to supply weapons and some grain and fodder. There were precedents for this as well.

They wanted to see whether the Great Ming Emperor would give it — this was a good thing.

Zhu Youxiao, however, did not care much about any of this.

So what if he gave them a little?

In terms of obligations, if the Great Ming went to war, they had the duty to accompany the army and the duty to help the Great Ming fight.

But everyone knew that such things were only nominal — when the time came, they might or might not actually help. If the Great Ming held an absolute advantage, they would probably be happy to pick up easy gains; otherwise, the ones turning their coats might well be them.

Weren't the disturbances in the Great Ming's southwest basically all stirred up by those native chieftains?

It was only after the policy of replacing native chieftains with regular officials that things improved greatly.

But on the Mongol side, the first step could now be taken.

Zhu Youxiao said: "I believe that establishing a guard would be improper and also inappropriate."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing these words.

Even Wukeshan stood frozen in place.

He had not expected the Great Ming Emperor to answer this way.

His heart sank.

Had he misjudged? Was something terrible about to happen?