rejected the tribute request from Meng Yuan's left and right wings, and this decision was deliberately suppressed for several days.

In the Luanhe valley northeast of Gubeikou, the Duoyan Department is now stationed here.

It's September, the weather is getting cooler, and the horses in Duoyan are getting fat and strong.

But now the great tent of the head of the tribe was full of exactly forty people. So many people huddled in the tent, the smell was touching.

And their eyes were now on the old man wrapped in the blanket, at his frowning face.

“…… Father? Beside him, another middle-aged man called out to him softly.

"Huh? Oh, hey......"

Hearing the old man's reaction, the two middle-aged men who were sitting on the other side of him with a little leaning down and being more relaxed next to him couldn't help but look at each other.

The flowers are really old.

"Dear Huadang Abaga, what should I do about this matter, our father is at your disposal."

Those two middle-aged people are the sons of the patriarchs of Taining and Fuyu.

Except for Huadang and his son Boge, the other thirty-six people are the heads of the thirty-six families of Duoyan.

So many people are crowded here, naturally because of the shocking news that came back after Da Ha went to discuss the opening of the market.

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty no longer recognized them as the three guards of the Ming Dynasty, and all their official positions were withdrawn. This incident was enough for all families to get together to discuss, not to mention that there was even more terrifying news coming later - Bodi's son called Sun Jing's nephew to ask for the opening of the market, and the location turned out to be the location of the Duoyan tribe's pastoral land in the north of Jizhou and the border wall of Daming.

Berg said worriedly: "Kuden Khan has inherited everything from Arak Khan, and has made the daughter of his grandson Aha his wife. She wrote a letter, the emperor of the Han people did not recognize us as Ming ministers, and Kuden Khan wanted to remind us that the three tribes of Duoyan and the court of the Khan should be one family. Father, what should we do now? ”

Hua Dang sighed again: "My stupid granddaughter ......"

He had four sons, the eldest son died early, and the eldest son married his son and grandson to Bo Di a few years ago, and he wanted to take advantage of his old age to seize the throne, but he also died. Now this Boge and Daha are both concubines. According to the rules, after Hua Dang's death, the position of the head of this clan belongs to the eldest grandson Gramtai, but Gramtai is still too young.

Now because of the power of Dayan Khan back then, the in-law relationship between the Duoyan Department and the Khan's court has complicated things.

If it weren't for that, the Duoyan Department wouldn't have helped Bodi contain the forces of Jizhou on the Ming side last year.

From here to the capital of the Ming Dynasty, the fast horse will arrive in one day. The changes in the Ming Dynasty, Hua Dang is the clearest.

Because he was clear, he did not move, and then he really got the promise of the Ming Military Department.

But Bodi was defeated so badly that he died in Xuanfu. Now the young Han emperor proudly dismissed Duoyan Sanwei.

Doesn't he know that Duoyanbu and Khanting still have a little bit of in-law relationship? Although his granddaughter is just one of Bodie's many women, the humble one.

Hua Dang sighed and then said: "Don't forget, the Karaqin Etok under the right-wing Yongshebu has fallen into the hands of the fourth brother of Gunbilik and Alta, and in fact it has also fallen into the hands of Meda. They're just west of our face. Attached to the Khan's Court? Become an Otok in Chahar? Do we have a noble golden bloodline? ”

After reminding them, Hua Dang's brow furrowed even tighter.

Now, it is sandwiched between the Khan's court, the right wing and the Ming Dynasty, and the situation is even more difficult.

"But in the past, we treated them as ministers of the Ming Dynasty, and they always lied to us in transactions. Now that he has regained his official position, the price of this transaction can be much less than before. Besides, it will definitely lie to us, so I think it's better to belong to the Khanting! Even if Karaqin calls, are we afraid of the Duoyan Department? ”

Among the thirty-six families, one person expressed his opinion loudly.

“…… The Khan's court will neither formally incorporate us into Chahar, nor will it rescue us. Now, it is the Khan Court and the Ming Dynasty who are looking forward to us fighting to the death with the right wing. What are we? It's just a vanguard that consumes the strength of the right! The other head of the house retorted.

"Am I stupid? How could he want to occupy here, from Datong Xuanfu to Jizhou, facing the most elite border army of the Ming Dynasty? ”

When Hua Dang coughed, he was really coughing, not trying to stop them.

"I answer...... After coughing, he took advantage of the silence in the tent and said, "Even if I don't want to do this, but when the market opens, who wouldn't covet the wealth of our three departments?" From then on, every year the cavalry who don't know which part will come and plunder our tents......"

Now it is not what it used to be, Taining and Fuyu are already much weaker than Duoyan. The thought of their pasture being closer to the Khan's Court made both of them sad.

Hua Dang also felt very powerless, and it was the first time in his life that he encountered this kind of situation where neither side could borrow strength.

At that time, Dayan Khan was powerful in the grassland, and the Ming Dynasty was even weaker, and he could be attached to Dayan Khan. After Dayan Khan's death, the various ethnic groups were in dispute, and he could use the identity of Duoyanwei to ask for more from Daming.

But now, the Khan's court will not want them, but expects them to consume the right wing - anyway, after the death of Dayan Khan, they will no longer belong to any of the ten thousand households under the Khan's court, and the left and right wings can encroach on them without scruples to expand their pastoral land, increase their strength, and enhance their prestige.

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty no longer cared whether they would intrude on Jizhou and Liaodong, and also reformed their status as vassals of the Ming Dynasty.

Can the Duoyan Three Department now infest Jizhou Liaodong? In that case, Da Ming can also beat them.

Although it may be able to win occasionally at first, it is beaten by the three parties in turn, and the day of the demise of the Duoyan Tribe is already visible.

In this situation, Duoyan Sanbu can really only seek the protection of Daming, so that the left and right wings will be afraid when they want to attack them.

And the opening trade promised by Wang Shouren turned out to be a plan.

The war of extermination is not good, small-scale looting, the Ming Dynasty can't mobilize the army to go out to the side wall to fight, right?

In the solemn atmosphere in the big tent, Hua Dang slowly spoke: "Our old pastoral land has been occupied by the Jurchens, and it is not easy to go back. Now, I've been forced here. For so many days, I've been thinking about the future of Mibu. This time, they can really only sincerely belong to Da Ming, at least until they completely separate the victory and defeat with the Khan Court. ”

No one spoke, but everyone was worried.

"Among the various goods that Daming wants, the price of grain is the highest. Then what His Majesty the Emperor wants, I have already figured it out. We will still lead the three soldiers, but please ask him to send Wenchen to help us how to cultivate grain fields and crops in the river valley. ”

"Father! Won't we raise cattle, sheep and horses in the future? ”

"Of course, you still have to raise. However, there is nowhere to move away in the future, and to beware of the raids of the left and right flanks, we need more iron arrows and good knives. Grain...... Goods...... There are also people in the third department who need to learn how to do business without being deceived and how to grow crops. Each family still wants to graze, so they should take slaves from the small tribes on the Jurchen side and learn to plant. ”

Hua Dang finally made a decision in this situation, and added: "Boge, your little daughter is the most handsome." Choose one of the three bloodlines, and then choose the most beautiful one from the three to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Whether he wants it or not, at least let him know that Sanbu is sincerely asking for Daming's protection this time. ”

In the end, he looked at the sons of the leaders of Taining and Fuyu: "Open the market for trade, what he wants, what he wants our three departments to help achieve, we will do all three." There is only one point, our soldiers and horses are still in our hands, and we just will never point the blade at the Ming Dynasty again. ”

“…… The noble flower is Abaga, but there will be a decisive battle between the Ming Dynasty and the Khan Court. At that time, what if the Ming Emperor asked us to attack the Khan Court or the right wing? ”

Hua Dang was silent, and then just said: "That's what you should do in the future......

……

Because of this tribute performance between the Khan court and the right wing, Liu Long's negotiation work went so smoothly that his scalp was numb.

Now in the Forbidden City, Zhu Houxi also needs to make a decision.

“…… According to the meaning of Qing and others, this is a woman, or is it better to allow it? ”

Fei Hong nodded: "You have to be at ease!" Your Majesty, in the past, there were three guards, and they never sent Wenchen to educate. When the flower takes the initiative to play so, it can be seen that it is sincere. Although the three ministries all have the idea of waiting for the situation to become clearer in the future to make another decision, as long as the Celestial Empire is successful, it is not impossible to naturalize the three departments. ”

Zhu Houxi pondered.

I replied that I wanted to offer my "sister", and I wanted to offer my granddaughter, but I can only say that in this era, they believe that this fragile "bond" has at least a short-term effect.

It is a kind of sincere release and acceptance.

However, Zhu Houxi didn't want to depart from the original plan like this, so that Duoyan Sanbu would have the opportunity to be a wall grass again.

Only send one Wenchen, can you really carry out good education work in the three departments?

He thinks it's better to settle for less.

"Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with another way." Zhu Houxi said, "I can't be in charge of the army, Wenchen goes, and it can only play a role in liaison." In this case, only one propaganda envoy was sent with two or three adjutants and one banner guard. ”

“…… Ambassador? ”

Zhu Houxi nodded: "Selected from the Ministry of Rites." This adjutant is a liaison officer, a person is a teacher, and a businessman is a businessman. As for the guards...... Selected from the Foreign Inspection Factory and the Special Service Office. ”

Fei Hong thought about it for a while, and then asked uncertainly: "What does Your Majesty mean ......?"

"In addition to force, my Ming style, culture, education, and technology are all capable of making foreigners yearn for it. This is a declaration that the embassy does not have to try to govern and civilize the foreign people, and I respect their rights and customs. However, the promotion of our Ming Dynasty, transportation exchanges, coupled with intelligence collection, and cultivating people who are friendly to the Ming Dynasty, are the true responsibilities of the Propaganda Embassy. This practice can be done not only in the three divisions of Duoyan, but also in Uszang, in Turpan, which has swallowed Hami, and in Goryeo, Ryukyu, and Cochin. ”

Zhu Houxi's eyes flashed: "Mo Dengyong, who is in Jiaozhi, is still trying his best to eradicate the descendants of the Li family and hide it from the Ming Dynasty." That being the case, it is better to take this opportunity to send an envoy to discuss the establishment of an embassy and explain to Mo Dengyong our attitude of the Ming Dynasty, so as to encourage Ruan Gan and others. ”

Fei Hong then said: "The main and guest department of the Ministry of Rites has been changed to the Foreign Affairs Department, it turns out that Your Majesty has already had this idea......

Otherwise, why is it called "familiar with the other way"?

"The land outside is bitter cold, and the danger is even greater." Zhu Houxi said, "Those who wish to go will be double-earned." At the end of the term, priority will be given. ”

In the future external situation, with the advent of the Age of Discovery, the Ming Dynasty could not always communicate with the surrounding and extraterritorial countries with the thinking of the Heavenly Empire. A more advanced and systematic diplomatic mindset began to be cultivated from this opportunity.

"If you want to be protected by my Daming, you will be at the diplomatic level from now on. Whether there is trade and how it is treated, it is all about this, take your time and enhance mutual trust. Zhu Houxi added to Fei Hong with a smile, "When the time is ripe, you may be willing to become a province in the Ming Dynasty, or you may have two other intentions." Unimportant, stay friendly. In dangerous places, the relationship can be guided by planning. If its neighbors and neighbors have been very friendly with the Ming Dynasty but are attacked by it, the Ming Dynasty can become famous and persuade them to fight by force. ”

“……”

Although, in the past, this was the same way of thinking, but this time it is going to operate for a long time through this permanent organization of the embassy.

Fei Hong looked at Zhu Houxi with a complicated expression, and finally could only say: "The minister is familiar with history books, Your Majesty has a lot of ingenuity, and the minister really admires it." I am afraid that the duties and strategies of these envoys sent to various vassal countries will be taught by His Majesty. ”

"That's nature. After this major policy meeting, let the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Rites start to choose. Before the mission, enter the palace for training. ”

“…… What about the three tribes of Duoyan entering the clan daughter? If Your Majesty agrees, the Ministry of Rites will send someone to teach etiquette. This is the first time since Your Majesty's reign that ......"

It has always been not a trivial matter for foreigners to sacrifice their daughters and relatives.

“…… It doesn't have to be such a big formation. Since only one messenger was sent, they chose one person to send it, and it didn't have to be a daughter of each tribe. I know what they want. ”

Look at Tahana's appearance, can his niece be beautiful?

Zhu Houxi only thinks that he should follow the customs, even if he is sent to the palace, he doesn't have so much heart about being a woman now.

He's still waiting for Gunberik's reaction.

It doesn't matter what the Khan Court's reaction is, if they want to invade the east immediately, it will only make the three Duoyan tribes have to fall more to the Ming Dynasty under pressure.

Daming can help Duoyan Sanbu, but he will only help from weapons, money and food, and he has to exchange things for a little discount.

The reaction of Zhu Houxi and others did not come until the governors of the provinces and the political envoys of Zuo Bu arrived in Beijing and the conference on major national policies was about to be convened.

On November 19, the military situation in Gansu Town arrived in Beijing urgently, and the northern capture of Gansu was captured.

This is the westernmost town of the Nine Sides of the Ming Dynasty, and is currently under the command of Chen Jiuchou, the governor of the three sides.

After being summoned to the palace, he naturally pleaded guilty first: "The ministers have no way to defend the border, resulting in a Tartar prisoner breaking the fort, please ask Your Majesty to surrender." ”

The big change is coming, last year Xuan had a great victory, this year Gansu Town was invaded by the north again into the Hexi Corridor, Chen Jiuchou was very depressed.

Zhu Houxi said: "It's no wonder. ”

After that, he looked at Yang Yiqing: "The 20,000 troops on their right flank broke the fort but did not loot in Gansu Town, but they just searched along the way and marched to Qinghai, aren't they ready to go home?" Aren't you afraid that I will counterattack the Hetao and Fengzhou Beach? ”

The reason why Chen Jiuchou is not to blame is that the right-wing army that broke the fort this time is really large.

The purpose of concentrating on attacking a border fort was not to plunder in Gansu Town, but to go straight to Qinghai through the narrow Hexi Corridor.

Yang Yiqing said solemnly: "The ministers have been in charge of the three sides for many years, and looking at this move, it is a way to give up the past to go through Hami to conquer. This time, the 25,000 troops went to Qinghai to completely wipe out the trend. Instead of plundering the town of Gansu, it is better to take Qinghai. After that, Gansu Town had to face the right-wing soldiers on both sides, and the situation was even more difficult! Therefore, I am afraid that most of the 20,000 troops will stay in Qinghai. The rest of the elite soldiers under the command of Gunbirik and Alta will go back around Hami. ”

"From the town of Gansu, one is to raise the prestige, and the other is to lure the enemy. After the death of the last year, Yongxie Buwanhu has fallen into the hands of the right wing. And this is not undeniable, it was the lord of Yongshebu Wanhu in the past who was expelled to Qinghai by Dayan Khan. The military report did not see Gunbirik and I Daxu, and they must still be guarding Hetao and Fengzhoutan. This time, the 20,000 five major armies, I am afraid that the elite soldiers under the command of me are the selection of the front, and the Yong Xie Bu troops are the main force. After succeeding, I will not ask for Qinghai, but will only let Gunbiric use it to win the hearts of the people of Yongxibu and thousands of households. ”

After listening to his explanation, Zhu Houxi also nodded: "I am young and can afford to wait." As soon as Gunbiric died, the right wing still respected him. He wanted me to turn his attention to Gunbiric, after all, it would be the three sides of the west that would be under more pressure in the future. This move, good chess! ”

Twenty-five thousand is already the trend of destroying the country.

Zhu Houxi believes that this time the Qinghai area south of Qilian Mountain and north of Wusizang will change hands.

He didn't know more about my plan, but just the north and south of Gansu Town had to face the pressure of Gunbiric, and it was already a situation that had to be dealt with.

In the past, although Qinghai was also controlled by the Mengyuan Division, it was also a mortal enemy with the right wing, and Gansu Town still had room for maneuver.

After this year, it's different.

After studying and judging the situation for a while, the monarch and ministers still only unified an old view: he beat him, I beat mine.

The three sides have to be defended, but the pressure is just a little more intense.

Now, the three sides need more capable governors and more powerful generals.

Since the situation has changed, it will naturally be a more long-term arrangement.

For example, taking advantage of the need for the three sides to strengthen supplies in terms of troops, food, salaries, and many other aspects, they planned for the Hetao.

Zhu Houxi's mind flashed the names of many people, and finally ended this temporary military meeting: "Let's decide at the national policy meeting." ”

In the last two months of the seventh year of Jiajing, the positive leaders accumulated in various provinces in the past three years are arriving in Beijing one after another, preparing to participate in next year's examination.

At the national policy meeting, a new round of reform of the central government office will be ushered in.

The transfer of important ministers brought about by the change of several ministers of state is the focus of discussion between the government and the opposition.

Guangning, located in the northeast outside Shanhaiguan, is preparing for the opening of the market, the three departments of Duoyan are selecting beauties to be offered for the great tomorrow, Zhang Lun is busy assisting Yu Chengye to check the accounts of the enterprise, Yan Song is pondering which people can be elected by this large number of propaganda envoys, Yan Chunsheng and Zhang Bo are selecting guards and guards for the propaganda embassies that are about to go to several feudal states and clans.

In this winter, Wei Bin and Gu Shilong passed away, and Yang Tinghe and Jiang Mian also returned to their hometowns.

More than eight years after Zhu Houxi ascended the throne, the first batch of old ministers were basically about to leave the stage of the court completely.

In the Palace of Nourishing the Heart, Zhu Houxi invited Yang Tinghe, Jiang Mian and other old ministers who were about to become senile.

"Have another year in the capital." Zhu Houxi sighed, "Qing is equal to the merit of the country, and I will not forget my loyalty." ”

Yang Tinghe looked at him in a daze.

Now he is only twenty-three years old, and he will have a long life.

Those who can sit here know what kind of future Ming is in the chest of this young man.

But I probably can't see it.

They were the last of the old dynasty, the great ship of the new dynasty, and now it was their turn to come down and see it sail on a new journey.

But his Yang Tinghe's grace is already very high, and the Yang family is still entrusted with important tasks by the emperor.

Yang Shen was promoted to the head of the household department. Yang Tingyi, the governor of Liaodong with the title of secretary of the Ministry of Labor.

The uncle and nephew are still in the book, Yang Ting and Zhishi are very relieved.

"Your Majesty, there will be more side affairs in the future, and the Marquis of Jing'an is also old, so it's time to make a prince." Yang Tinghe said the last suggestion before Zhishi.

(End of chapter)