Chapter 580: Enfeoffing You as Princes

This made Wukeshan's expression rather unpleasant, and for a moment he stood frozen in place, not knowing how to react.

The other Mongols beside him were the same—some had ugly expressions; but others were not like that at all, instead showing delighted looks, and when they glanced at Wukeshan, their faces carried mockery.

Clearly, this situation had left Wukeshan sitting on hot coals.

Wanting to cling to a powerful leg, only to have that leg kick you away—this sort of thing was simply too humiliating.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the great hall became somewhat awkward.

Even Sun Chengzong and the others couldn't figure it out—had His Majesty drunk too much?

If His Majesty agreed, they felt it wasn't entirely proper, but there was no great problem either; if His Majesty didn't agree, then there was also no great problem.

But even if he wasn't going to agree, there was no need to refuse to his face, was there?

This was too awkward.

He could have completely found some topic to stall with, and discussed it later.

The current situation had instead become difficult to handle, after all, Wukeshan was the person most friendly toward the Great Ming among everyone present. Giving him a hard time under such circumstances would cause people to become alienated.

Zhu Youxiao, however, did not look at these people, but directly looked at Wukeshan and said: "Too low."

Upon hearing these words, everyone's minds were shaken.

Wukeshan also raised his head to look at Zhu Youxiao, his face full of expectation.

He hadn't misjudged—the Great Ming Emperor still had them in his heart.

"How could it possibly be just one guard?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Wukeshan and said: "You have supported the Great Ming and been friendly toward the Great Ming from beginning to end—I have kept count of all of it in my heart. Now that Hong Taiji has been executed and the Jianzhou barbarians have been eliminated, your contributions are paramount."

"When the Great Ming was in difficulty back then, you did not abandon us—I will not forget that."

Although Zhu Youxiao's words appeared to be spoken to Wukeshan, his gaze was fixed on Zhang Muhe.

The meaning was obvious—don't look at how close I am to them now; the things you did before, I will not forget. Although you were later forced to do many things against your will, I will not be harsh with you.

On one hand, this was to soothe Wukeshan; on the other hand, it was also to soothe Zhang Muhe. Zhu Youxiao could not only pacify the Khorchin tribe.

Although the Khorchin's strength was formidable, there had to be a counterbalance. The five tribes of Inner Khalkha were the best choice—they could not be neglected.

Zhu Youxiao said this sentence to Zhang Muhe, his gaze carrying expectation, and the meaning on his face was obvious—shouldn't you step forward at this moment?

Right? Right?

Hurry up, hurry up—don't disappoint me.

Sure enough, there were no fools—Zhang Muhe directly stood up.

After leaving his seat, Zhang Muhe went straight to the center of the great hall, bowed, and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the five tribes of Inner Khalkha are also loyal to Your Majesty, as can be clearly seen—it's just that the occasion wasn't suitable, so some words were not spoken."

"Our thoughts are the same as the Khorchin's—we originally planned to speak after the banquet. But since the Khorchin has already started, then your servant cannot be concerned about timing or not. I beg Your Majesty to permit Inner Khalkha to do the same as the Khorchin—Inner Khalkha's heart of loyalty to the Great Ming will not change!"

Zhang Muhe's attitude was so sincere, his words so flattering, that no one had expected it.

Wukeshan stared at Zhang Muhe even harder, his furious gaze completely undisguised.

Fine, you Zhang Muhe—you thick-browed, big-eyed bastard, you've betrayed us too?

The most critical thing is that you even stabbed me in the back?

This one was deep and vicious! You copying me is one thing, but you pull this trick on me too?

Simply a heinous crime!

Zhang Muhe was not to be outdone, and directly glared back.

He had already figured it out—this Great Ming Emperor was about to give out rewards. At a time like this, how could he be left out?

Whether the title was proper or not didn't matter—what mattered was that things were being given.

When the other Mongol tribes saw this scene, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Small tribes like the Ordos felt terribly upset inside.

We were originally counting on you all, but the two of you thick-browed, big-eyed bastards actually betrayed us together?

Simply unreliable!

I originally wanted to stand up too, but I don't have enough capital.

Looking left and right, he found that the expressions of the other small tribes were basically the same as his own, which suddenly gave the Ordos representative an idea—shouldn't we small tribes form some kind of alliance? Otherwise we can't compete!

Compared to Inner Khalkha and the Khorchin, we people are at too much of a disadvantage. No—when we get back, we need to go unite and see about forming an alliance.

Even if we can't form one big tribe, we still need to share the same breath and the same fate. Otherwise, won't we be bullied to death by them in the future?

They already bully us now—once they have the Great Ming backing them, won't they become even more unscrupulous?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Muhe who had stepped forward, nodded with satisfaction, and said: "I intend to enfeoff your tribes' khans as princes, to guard the grasslands for the Great Ming. As for your tribes, there's no need to form any guard—you will directly become the garrison army of the princely mansions."

Upon hearing these words, Wukeshan's face immediately showed a look of great joy.

This time it was finally settled—he hadn't even expected this treatment himself.

The Great Ming Emperor was indeed more generous than he had imagined—the things he had done were truly wonderful! This time he had struck it rich!

"I will send people to build princely mansions for you in Daming City, all constructed to the scale of Great Ming princely residences." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wukeshan and the others and continued speaking, a brilliant smile on his face, painting a picture so fragrant it made one's mouth water.

In any case, Zhu Youxiao figured that if they got used to living in Daming City, it would be impossible for them to return to the grasslands.

As for the princely mansions—how much money could building princely mansions cost?

Just use red brick and cement directly. This sort of thing could also be manufactured in the Liaodong area, and the transport distance was short—it could go right along Guangning, without too much effort.

As for money—wool comes from sheep's backs; it could be earned back. Zhu Youxiao had confidence; it simply wasn't a problem.

In any case, he was planning to build them bare-shell houses. If they arrived at their princely mansions and saw bare shells, would they even have the face to live there?

Come, come, take a look at the fine decoration plans. Our Great Ming has too many fine goods and luxuries—won't you buy a few things to decorate your princely mansions?

Once construction was finished for them, their money would all end up in the hands of the Great Ming's crafty merchants, with the Imperial Household Department at the head.

This sort of government trade was basically monopolized by the Imperial Household Department—no one else could even get a finger in.

No financial loss economically, plus political benefits—this was naturally the best possible outcome. Enfeoffing them as princes was nothing more than a title, to make them fight against Ligdan Khan.

You should know, the Great Ming had only ever enfeoffed the supreme ruler of the Mongols as a prince—it wasn't something just anyone could obtain. The Prince of Shunyi back then was exactly this principle, and now giving it to them was the same.

Anyway, with more princes around, the title becomes worthless. When the water is shallow, there are plenty of turtles; when the land is vast, everyone's a boss. Nobody sees eye to eye with anyone else, nobody accepts anyone else's authority — so doesn't that bring the disputes? That gives the Great Ming plenty of room to maneuver.

For Wukeshan and Zhang Muhe, though, this really was good news. The Great Ming Emperor had actually granted them princely titles — that represented a great deal.

On the grasslands, this represented the Great Ming's official recognition. From now on they would be princes of the Great Ming, representing the Great Ming's support.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wukeshan and the others, and said with a smile: "I intend to follow the example of the native chieftain system in Yunnan, dividing pasturelands for you and permitting your titles to pass down in perpetuity. If anyone usurps power or seizes the throne, the Great Ming will send troops to help you put down the rebellion."

The smile on Zhu Youxiao's face was very bright as he proposed yet another policy favorable to them.

But in reality, this was just an excuse for the Great Ming to intervene in the grasslands.

Once the pasturelands were divided for you, if you then had disputes and started fighting, it would no longer be your family affair — it would be a matter for the Great Ming.

If anyone wanted to plot rebellion and usurp the throne, that too would require the Great Ming's permission.

To put it plainly: military coercion, economic infiltration, settling migrants to fortify the borders, plus a policy of divide and rule — with all these operations combined, Zhu Youxiao refused to believe he couldn't get them sorted out.

Wukeshan and Zhang Muhe exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.

Let the Great Ming divide up the grasslands?

There didn't seem to be any major problem with that, after all, everyone's pasturelands were fairly stable right now, and there was no situation of you invading me or me invading you.

If they wanted to fight, they could fight to the west — Ligdan Khan still occupied such vast pasturelands; if they had the strength, they could go plunder over there. There was no need for war among themselves; they could even live in peace.

This condition didn't have much impact, so it could be agreed to.

Wukeshan and the other bowed together and said: "We thank Your Majesty."

Anyway, in their hearts it didn't matter — whatever the Great Ming said, so be it. If we really did end up fighting in the end, could you really come and intervene?

Don't make us laugh. For all these years, whenever we fought, weren't you all just standing on the sidelines clapping and cheering?

The more fiercely we fought, the happier you were.

Clearly, Wukeshan and the others hadn't yet adapted to the Great Ming's preparations, nor did they understand Zhu Youxiao's intentions.

Zhu Youxiao couldn't be bothered with them either — anyway, this matter was settled, and his goal had already been achieved.

Once he returned to the capital, he would immediately organize an expert team to come here, specifically tasked with handling affairs on the Mongol grasslands.

This expert team would be responsible for dividing, courting, and sowing discord — in short, they did everything, reporting directly to him. It counted as an administrative body for managing the grasslands.

The existence of such a dedicated office would not only greatly improve administrative efficiency, but could also directly execute his will — very good.

Naturally, no one else knew what Zhu Youxiao was thinking.

Even Sun Chengzong felt somewhat worried.

Wasn't this going a bit too far?

His Majesty was giving too many benefits to the Mongols, wasn't he?

If these Mongols turned around and went back on their word after taking the benefits...

Well, it didn't seem to matter much — at worst, they could just knock them down. The Great Ming's army had the confidence.

Once Sun Chengzong thought it through, he said nothing more.