Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 961 The First Brocade Box

Nowadays, there are actually many remnant forces of the Northern Yuan Dynasty that have surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. However, the specific situations of each tribe are different.

For example, Nahachu, who had previously occupied Liaodong and was a major threat to the Ming Dynasty, was defeated on the frontal battlefield by Zhu Su, Guo Ying, Lan Yu and others when he invaded Jizhen.

Therefore, he surrendered to the Ming Dynasty out of helplessness, and in the end he could only get the title of a marquis and was sent to Yingtian Prefecture for recuperation, but he was not qualified to hold real power.

As for the Shanyang Wanhu of Azashili, they did not cause any substantial harm to the Ming Dynasty, but took the initiative to surrender, and even gave the Ming Dynasty a letter of surrender. For such a good surrendered general, the great Ming Dynasty would naturally treat him well.

Not only would the Ming Dynasty allocate grazing land to them, it would also help them build trade markets and promote exchanges and trade with the Central Plains of China. The Ming Dynasty also did not interfere too much in the internal affairs of their tribes, allowing these surrendered Mongolian chiefs to continue to be their local emperors on the grasslands.

They were even given a position and a salary, which was the utmost preferential treatment.

This method, which is similar to the policy of control, can quickly attract various forces on the grassland and promote the "sheep eat people" model of wool trade to penetrate the grassland more quickly. However, its disadvantages are also obvious. Although the heads of various tribes have received the titles of the Ming Dynasty, they still act on their own and still have full judicial, administrative and military power in their respective tribes, just like a country within a country.

Moreover, most of these grassland tribes have soldiers, and their military threat is much stronger than that of the chieftains in the southwest. The herdsmen in the tribes know that they have their own chieftains, but not the emperor. For the Ming Dynasty, the threat is greater than that of the chieftains in the southwest.

If we could create a model of "changing the natives into commoners" among these tribes, it would naturally be a great achievement.

"How are you going to do it, Your Highness?" Xie Jin asked. It is not an easy task to completely subdue these grassland tribes. "With the new military law?"

"Yes." Zhu Xiongying nodded. "During the Tang Dynasty, there were foreign generals such as Ashina Dur and Geshu Han who were loyal to the Tang Dynasty. Now the achievements of our Ming Dynasty are no less than those of the Tang Dynasty. There is no reason why the Tang Dynasty could subdue the foreigners, but our Ming Dynasty could not."

"To connect the tribes with wool trade is called 'benefit'; if we treat the tribes that have surrendered equally and educate them with courtesy and righteousness, and take both righteousness and profit at the same time, we may be able to win the hearts of the tribes."

"There are also many grassland tribes that have surrendered to the Daning Military Command. Why not try it out on one of the grassland tribes? Even if it doesn't work, there will be no loss, right?"

"I want to personally go to each tribe to distribute military pay and win over the hearts of the Mongolian tribes..."

Although Zhu Xiongying's ideas were still somewhat clumsy, the reason for this was that he kept in mind the instructions of his father Zhu Biao and made sure to make achievements in the new military system of the military supervisor in order to promote military reform throughout the Ming army.

Moreover, intervening in the internal affairs of the grassland tribes under the pretext of paying salaries was also a commendable method. After all, no one would be against money, and if he, the grandson of the Ming Dynasty, personally paid the salaries as a military supervisor, he could win the hearts of the grassland tribes face to face and let them know: it is the Ming Dynasty court that pays you, not your tribal chieftains and the so-called Golden Family.

With the help of subtle means such as drama to strengthen the Ming Dynasty's influence in the grassland areas, it may be possible to cultivate military generals who are loyal to the court among the grassland tribes.

However, Fang Xiaoru objected to what Zhu Xiongying said. He stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I think it is not possible."

"Among the tribes on the grassland, there may be some who sincerely submit. However, there are also many who are just greedy for the benefits promised by our court and whose true intentions are unclear."

"Your Highness is the Grandson of the Ming Dynasty. It is fine for you to stay in Daning City. But if you go to the tribes on the grasslands, if they have any rebellious intentions, wouldn't Your Highness be walking into a desperate situation?"

"Your Highness's safety is of great importance. Even our achievements today cannot compensate for even one percent of it. Your Highness is not a foolish man. How can you do such a thing of risking a small gain for a big gain? Therefore, it is absolutely not allowed." Fang Xiaoru said.

"Your Highness, Xizhi is right." Xie Jin also said. "As the saying goes, a son of a wealthy family should not sit in the hall. You must not act like this."

The two of them spoke one after another, finding all kinds of excuses to stop Zhu Xiongying. After all, in their opinion, those people were ignorant of education and etiquette, and seeing Zhu Xiongying's noble status, they might have other thoughts.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiongying was extremely resolute. He took advantage of the gap between the two people's conversation and said, "You two gentlemen are worried about Xiongying, Xiongying naturally knows it."

"However, Xiongying is also a descendant of the Zhu family. Now that we have come to this bitter and cold place in the northern border, why would we be afraid of danger?"

"Besides, my royal grandfather once drove the Mongols northward. My third uncle, fourth uncle, and fifth uncle also fought against the Mongols in battle. Many generals and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty have repeatedly won battles against the Yuan Tartars and have never been afraid."

"Now it's my turn, Zhu Xiongying. Why should I be afraid of the grassland people?"

"Besides, it's just a trip to a conquered grassland tribe, not a dangerous place... A few days ago, in order to win the trust of the chieftain of the southwest, didn't Fifth Uncle only lead a few followers to settle in Shuidong, making the entire Shuidong Song family return to their hearts?"

"It's just a matter of distributing salaries. The situation is far from what it was like when Uncle Wu was here. Why are you two so worried?"

Although Zhu Xiongying said so, the grandson was still young and the matter was of great importance. Fang and Jie believed that it was their duty and were unwilling to give in. Finally, Zhu Xiongying thought of something and said, "When I came here, my fifth uncle gave me three brocade boxes and told me that if I encountered any difficulties, I could open the brocade boxes according to the specific matters... One of the brocade boxes was prepared for when I set foot in dangerous places."

"With the blessing of Uncle Wu's clever plan, you two gentlemen should allow Xiongying to go on this journey, right?"

Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin looked at each other. They were both Zhu Su's students. Zhu Xiongying used Zhu Su's name to pressure them. They really had no reason to continue to oppose. Xie Jin said, "If the Fifth Prince has any arrangements, we two will have no objection."

"Your Highness, please open the brocade box and see what plan the Fifth Prince has."

Zhu Xiongying then ordered someone to fetch the brocade box. After a while, a personal guard brought a brocade box with the words "涉险" written on it. Zhu Xiongying took the brocade box, pulled out the three small keys hanging around his neck from his collar, and after distinguishing them for a while, he used one of them to open the brocade box.

Inside the brocade box, there was an iron plate with the word "Zhou" on it and a few letters.

"Is this... the token of His Highness's palace?" Fang Xiaoru had spent quite a bit of time with Zhu Su, so he naturally knew what this iron plate was.

(End of this chapter)