Chapter 585: Interrupted Pleasure

Sun Zhen had no good solution for his old father either; he could only let him be.

Still, he said with some worry: "Father acting like this—won't it delay His Majesty's affairs?"

Sun Zhen was now very worried: if his father delayed His Majesty's affairs, would his father be punished?

Although His Majesty thought highly of his father, and this time had even brought his father along by his side, there was a saying: the sacred heart is hard to fathom—who knows what the Emperor is thinking?

Today it might be one way, tomorrow it might be another.

Glancing at his son, Sun Chengzong stroked his beard and said with his head held high: "You think they have any options?"

These words were spoken with great confidence, because this was exactly what Sun Chengzong believed.

In Sun Chengzong's view, whether it was the people of Ordos or the people of other tribes, they had no options—they could only accept the Great Ming's terms. There was nothing to negotiate.

The reason was also simple: these tribes had nowhere to go.

Liaodong was now occupied by the Great Ming, and the Great Ming's army's combat effectiveness had already been raised. If they wanted to fight the Great Ming, these tribes were no match.

If they left the place they were in now, they truly would have nowhere to go. North wouldn't work, west wouldn't work—the current situation had already taken shape.

One had to understand, the grassland of today was no longer the grassland of before. After so many years of breeding and multiplying, the number of Mongols was also gradually increasing.

The grassland's carrying capacity was only so much, the pastures were only so many—wanting more tribes was basically impossible.

If they truly wanted to go and submit to Ligdan Khan, these tribes wouldn't have gotten mixed up with Nurhaci in the first place.

Now it was the Great Ming—they had even less guts. After all, the Great Ming was truly powerful; they had even killed Hong Taiji.

Under such circumstances, these small tribes had no choice—being obedient was the best option.

Sun Zhen glanced at his father, sighed helplessly, and couldn't say a word.

If only things really turned out as his father predicted. Who knew what was going on in those people's heads?

If something unexpected really happened, there would be no way to account for it.

In fact, after Hasal left Sun Chengzong's place, he had already spread the news.

He just wanted to see everyone else's reaction. Ordos was now a small tribe; even if they wanted to form an alliance, they weren't big.

Hasal wanted, first, to see the reactions of those small tribes, and second, to see the reactions of Khorchin and the five tribes of Inner Khalkha. These two were the big tribes—when the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up.

The attitude of the two Khorchin tribes determined the attitude of these small tribes. If those two supported it, then Hasal would have no other choice and would directly follow in support; the other small tribes were the same.

At that point, for Ordos to step forward and form the alliance would be no difficulty at all—nothing would be a problem anymore.

If Khorchin and Inner Khalkha opposed it, then this matter would be even easier to handle; Ordos wouldn't need to consider it at all. Because if they opposed it, war would very likely break out.

Once war started, these small tribes would have even fewer choices. They couldn't possibly go and submit to the Great Ming—if they did, they would be the first to be wiped out.

What the small tribes needed to do was migrate, to dodge a war; otherwise they would surely be swallowed up and exterminated.

And after this news spread out, it was known to Zhang Muhe and Wukeshan at the very first moment.

These two men's reactions after receiving the news were very different.

Wukeshan only thought about it briefly, and a decision was already made in his heart. That was to follow the Great Ming—nothing surprising about it.

Both his younger sisters had already entered the palace, and the Great Ming Emperor was currently meeting them. With these two sisters in the Great Ming's imperial palace, his own status could be elevated without limit.

As for Ligdan Khan, he had never put him in his eyes to begin with. If it really came to a fight with the Great Ming, so much the better—then his own side would be able to send out troops and would surely reap plenty of benefits.

Not to mention anything else—once the Great Ming and Ligdan Khan turned against each other and Ligdan Khan was done in, then who would the Great Ming let unify the grassland?

It definitely wouldn't be any other tribe on the grassland; it could only be the Khorchin tribe, where he himself was.

The Great Ming couldn't unify it either, so it would benefit him. At that time, he would be the lord of the grassland.

As for whether to kowtow to the Great Ming's wishes—that would be his own attitude to decide.

Although Wukeshan also understood in his heart that he had no ability to resist, that he couldn't win a fight and could only obey—but wasn't he the same right now?

He couldn't win a fight, could only obey. So why couldn't he become the lord of the grassland and do the same things?

In light of this, Wukeshan chose at the first moment to follow the Great Ming, and moreover he needed to declare his stance at the first moment, to win the favor of the Great Ming Emperor, so as to win at the starting line.

It was just that his two younger sisters were currently by the Great Ming Emperor's side, so it wasn't convenient for him to go for the moment—he would go tomorrow.

On Zhang Muhe's side, he was somewhat hesitant.

To be honest, he didn't dare make the decision on this matter; he needed to send the news back and let his own family decide; or rather, the five tribes should discuss it together and see what kind of final result they could come up with.

In fact, the five families of Inner Khalkha were not of one mind, and on this matter the result wasn't necessarily predictable.

At Zhu Youxiao's residence.

Zhu Youxiao was drinking wine, and accompanying him were Bumbutai and Hailanzhu.

It had to be said, Hailanzhu really was a very beautiful woman—she had a bit more charm than Da Yu'er, which made Zhu Youxiao quite surprised.

A woman like this shouldn't have been born on the grassland.

Her skin was fair, her temperament soft and delicate; she naturally possessed a quality that made people want to cherish her. Standing there, she could draw everyone's gaze.

In her eyes, gentle waves flowed, making those who looked feel their hearts race. Even someone like Zhu Youxiao felt his heart tremble slightly.

Hailanzhu kept her head lowered, with a shy and timid look. She hadn't expected that she would one day have to marry the same man as her younger sister.

Although this man was the Emperor of the Great Ming, she was still very shy in her heart.

What made her grateful was that this Emperor of the Great Ming was very young—she and her sister wouldn't have to marry some old geezer. Moreover, this Emperor was rather handsome and his status was very high, which made her quite satisfied.

Of course, being unsatisfied wouldn't have worked either—she had no say in this matter, and her family wouldn't allow her to have a say; she could only let things take their course.

The three of them drank wine and chatted like this.

Zhu Youxiao talked while asking about matters on the grassland.

Both women obediently answered, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious and congenial.

At this moment, Wei Chao walked in from outside and glanced at Zhu Youxiao with some difficulty.

At this time, he didn't want to disturb the Emperor. After all, since arriving in Liaodong, His Majesty had never enjoyed himself like this. If nothing unexpected happened, His Majesty would keep both sisters here tonight.

If he disturbed His Majesty's pleasure at this moment, it would really be somewhat not worth the loss. But the matter was truly too grave—he had no choice but to come. This made Wei Chao somewhat hesitant.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at the hesitant Wei Chao and knew he had something on his mind.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhu Youxiao asked directly: "Is something the matter?"

"Your Majesty, this is news from Lord Sun's side." Wei Chao said after a moment's thought.

He did not bring up the Ordos, after all, two Mongol women were present here.

Although they were already close enough to His Majesty, there were still some things that could not be let them know; or rather, whether to let them know or not was for His Majesty to decide — he could not speak out of turn.

Even the Empress received the same treatment. Wei Chao understood such matters well — it was not for a servant like himself to decide; everything had to follow His Majesty's will.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao had a fair idea of what it was about — there must be news from Sun Chengzong and the Ordos side.

He glanced at Bumbutai and Hailanzhu.

Both women merely smiled, their expressions showing not the slightest change.

Zhu Youxiao understood in his heart — these two women were prepared. If he did not tell them anything, they would be perfectly fine with it and would understand.

But Zhu Youxiao still intended to let them know — this matter involved them after all, and it would be good to probe them a little.

Zhu Youxiao said directly: "Go on then, what is it that brings you here to disturb Us?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." After hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Wei Chao's expression did not change either.

Since His Majesty told him to speak, then he would speak. As for what His Majesty was thinking, that was not important — it had nothing to do with him.

Wei Chao said directly: "Khasar of the Ordos has already finished his talks with Lord Sun Chengzong."

"And what was the result?" Zhu Youxiao sat up straight and asked with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing that this was the matter, Hailanzhu and Bumbutai's expressions both shifted. They turned to exchange a glance, and neither said a word.

But both understood what the other was thinking — this matter was far too important. Although they did not know what the Great Ming and the Ordos were up to, this was certainly a major affair.

Moreover, the Khorchin had coveted the Ordos for a long time. That was a fine place — the wool produced there was of very high quality and greatly favored by Great Ming merchants. In recent years, it could be said to be dripping with wealth.

—————

Toward such a tribe, there was no one who did not wish to swallow them whole.

If they lost the Great Ming's support, or rather were cast off by the Great Ming, then their own tribe's opportunity would likely come. After taking the Ordos, their tribe's strength would grow even greater.

"The talks ended in discord." Wei Chao said: "Lord Sun drove Khasar out."

"Is that so? So that's how it is." Zhu Youxiao leaned back again, his expression showing not the slightest change.

There was nothing surprising about the talks collapsing. And for all anyone knew, Sun Chengzong had deliberately engineered it.

Glancing at Bumbutai and Hailanzhu, Zhu Youxiao smiled.

It seemed these people still could not grasp the gravity of things, did not know where they stood.

Small tribes like the Ordos actually dared to refuse the Great Ming's suggestions — were they tired of living?

He did not even need to lift a finger himself. As long as he showed the slightest hint of intent, the Ordos would be swallowed up until not even a hair remained.

If it were not that he needed the Ordos and could not personally annex them, Zhu Youxiao would have made his move long ago and not kept them around.

Right now, Liaodong was vast and sparsely populated — there was barely anyone living there. The Great Ming's common folk were not numerous either; a few hundred thousand people scattered across such a vast stretch of land would leave nothing to show for it.

Under such circumstances, he truly had no strength to extend his hand into the grasslands. Otherwise, never mind the Ordos — he would have taken the Khorchin and the Inner Khalkha as well.

But there was no helping it for now; he could only wait.

Zhu Youxiao said: "Each to their own. Let them be."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao acknowledged, then turned and respectfully withdrew.

Zhu Youxiao paid it no mind. He reached for his wine cup and took a sip, then said with a smile: "Continue the music, continue the dancing."

As soon as Zhu Youxiao's words fell, the performers below resumed their music and dancing, and the atmosphere grew lively once more, as if nothing had happened at all.

Bumbutai and Hailanzhu exchanged a glance, a trace of something unnameable flickering in their eyes.

Zhu Youxiao saw this but said nothing — he only sighed inwardly, knowing that tonight's plans were likely ruined.

Originally, in Zhu Youxiao's plan, he was going to keep both sisters here tonight.

He had already been in Liaodong for quite some time now. He was young and vigorous, in good health, and his desires in that regard ran strong — keeping it bottled up all this time was hardly a solution.

If there had been no suitable candidates, then so be it — conserving his energy could pass as health maintenance. But the key point was that suitable candidates existed now. Both sisters were as beautiful as flowers, swaying before his eyes every day — how could he bear it?

With such thoughts in mind, Zhu Youxiao had wanted to keep them both here tonight. But heaven did not grant his wish — this matter had come up, and now he needed the two of them to deliver this news to Wukeshan.

Compared to news sent by his own hand, the message conveyed by Da Yu'er and Hailanzhu would carry more weight and credibility. So Zhu Youxiao decided to let them both return.

As for keeping one and sending the other away — there was no need for that. If the arrangement changed, the mood would be spoiled. Next time, he would keep them both together.

After drinking some wine and enjoying the entertainment for a while, Zhu Youxiao said: "You may return now. If there is anything at all here, do your best to tell Us — We will handle it for you."

The meaning of these words was quite clear — go ahead and do whatever you need to do with confidence; We will back you up.

In truth, this was also a probe by Zhu Youxiao toward the Khorchin, to see what their attitude would be.

Originally, Zhu Youxiao had thought the Ordos would be the first to agree, yet they had actually dodged instead.

Logically, a small tribe should have that desperate, gamble-everything mentality — but they did not. Most disappointing. Now it was time to see what the Khorchin would do.

Among these three factions, Zhu Youxiao had felt the Ordos would be the easiest to take down, yet they had retreated. Then let's see how the Khorchin fared.

As for the five tribes of the Inner Khalkha, they should be a harder bone to crack — he would go knock on them later.