Chapter 1061: Establishing Tributary Prefectures

His tightening of pressure caused the Jianzhou Jurchens under the Nuerkan Regional Military Commissioner to become anxious, and the Oirats also suffered a severe blow; the envoy's pressure grew ever greater, until through negotiations they agreed to submit to the Great Ming, allowing the Great Ming to establish tributary prefectures on Oirat territory, but demanded they preserve their royal court, and that the Great Ming bestow upon them a khan, and not enslave Oirat nobles…

Kuang Ye sent the agreement's terms via telegraph back to Jingcheng; after deliberation, the imperial court made only minor revisions and approved it.

On the fifth day of the second month of the JingTai fourth year, both sides formally signed the peace agreement at Kharakhorum; the Oirats and Tatars submitted to the Great Ming, vowing never to rebel again, and the Great Ming established tributary prefectures to govern the Oirats and Tatars…

Three tributary prefectures were established: one called Lingxi Tributary Prefecture, one called Hulin Tributary Prefecture, and one called Lingdong Tributary Prefecture.

Among them, Lingxi Tributary Prefecture included Tieliangguti.

The imperial army had already withdrawn part of its forces; after the treaty was formally signed, Kuang Ye ordered the entire army to return to the capital, leaving only a small contingent behind to build the tributary prefectures.

He opened the blockade, allowing the Oirat army held outside to enter, and together with the Oirat representatives, he publicly rebuked Esen for instigating the war, then pacified them, declaring that the Emperor knew they had been deceived and coerced by Esen—that past grievances and present enmities would all be forgiven, and they were free to return home and live in peace.

Kuang Ye also promoted the imperial court's new policies.

He stated that this region had always maintained close ties with the Central Plains, since the Han dynasty, when it had repeatedly submitted to the Central Plains as a vassal state, and under the previous Yuan, had even unified the entire realm: "During the Yuan, this territory was called the Lingbei Branch Secretariat; my Great Ming inherits the Yuan's legitimate succession—establishing tributary prefectures now is merely restoring order."

Kuang Ye spoke these words in Oirat.

His linguistic talent was as formidable as his diplomatic negotiation skills; since arriving in Datong, he had independently learned six obscure languages—including Oirat, Jurchen, and Tatar—and could communicate with them without barrier.

Having promoted the legitimacy of the Great Ming's establishment of tributary prefectures here, and seeing no overt opposition, he turned to the Oirat escorts and said: "Send them to the Great Ming's military tents to collect rations, then disband them on the spot—let them return home immediately."

These Oirat soldiers were starving; Kuang Ye gave them rations for their journey home, and though they said nothing, their hardened hearts softened.

Before the war, Esen had promised them a better life in the south, so they knew this war had been started by them—and now they had lost…

They accepted their defeat; if not in ten years, then in twenty.

But the Great Ming had actually given them rations to return home—so perhaps next time they came south, they should kill fewer and steal more?

This was the thought of some; others silently accepted the rations, bowed respectfully to Kuang Ye, then mounted their horses and left.

They departed in threes and twos, mostly traveling with members of their own tribe or neighboring tribes.

They did not glance at the Oirat nobles; they turned, mounted their horses, and rode off, faces grim, showing little joy at the war's end—but their brows were relaxed.

Kuang Ye watched them disappear into the distance; his Assistant Regional Commander gnashed his teeth, discontented: "These people are too ungrateful—not even a word of thanks before they leave…"

Kuang Ye glanced at him and said: "They did not speak words of thanks, but they have stored gratitude in their hearts. After the tributary prefectures are established, they will be the ones who find peace—while those…"

He glanced at the Oirat soldiers who had accepted the rations, humbly approached to thank him, then retreated to join the Oirat nobles and bowed respectfully: "those are the ones who will remain unstable."