Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

As soon as the meeting began, Zhang Shikang put forward territorial demands, which undoubtedly cast a shadow on the meeting, at least for the Mongolian envoys present.

Boroch of the Naiman tribe and Sangge of the Maoming Anbu looked at each other and frowned. They had discussed this before and knew that the Ming court summoning them this time must be no good.

It could be said that they would just be like the Qing Dynasty, requiring them to become dependents.

Although this was difficult for them to accept, the situation was stronger than people after all, and they could still get the protection of the Ming Dynasty court no matter what.

However, the two did not expect that the Ming court's demands would be even more excessive.

Although the vassals would lose a lot of autonomy, they could at least retain their Khan positions, and the Ming Dynasty's demand was obviously to annex them.

How can this be accepted by them?

Polochi stood up first and said:

"The Ming Dynasty summoned us earlier to discuss peace. Since it is a peace agreement, the relationship between the court and the Mongolian tribes should be equal.

Is it not proper for the Grand Marshal to make such an impolite territorial claim?

After all, in our minds, the Ming Dynasty has always been a country of etiquette."

Boluochi did not make a final statement, but instead began to refute from the perspective of Han tradition.

After all, Confucianism has always used benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness to restrain the people, and even the royal family members must be subject to it. In war, it is important to have a legitimate reason, and even if you win, it should be a victory of virtue.

For example, the reason why Emperor Yongle sent troops to Mongolia was that the Mongols often invaded the border and plundered the people living on the border and needed to be taught a lesson.

So the army launched five expeditions to Mongolia, really teaching the Mongols a lesson, but they did not make any territorial demands, because this was not in line with Confucian etiquette.

Upon hearing this, Sangge nodded vigorously, thinking that Boluochi was really smart.

The other tribal envoys present also looked at Zhang Shikang, wanting to see how the young marshal would respond.

Zhang Shikang's expression didn't change at all, and he even wanted to laugh, but he had received professional training.

He did not rush to answer, but took a sip from his wine glass before saying:

"In principle, this is indeed the case in our Ming Dynasty."

As soon as these words were spoken, both Boluochi and the other man breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as they can keep the tribe's territory, even if they become a vassal of the imperial court, their trip will be meritorious and not faultful.

However, just as he relaxed, he heard Zhang Shikang continue:

“But… the principles are in my hands.

Not only the southern part of the desert, but also the northern and western parts of the desert will be incorporated into the territory of our Ming Dynasty in the near future.

You should understand that what you cannot get on the battlefield, you cannot get through diplomacy.

Now, our Great Ming has many elite soldiers and generals, and the treasury is full. We can defeat you with just the Tiger Guards.

I summoned you here only out of concern for the lives of the people on your land. If you really want to resist, it means that I really don't care about your people.

Is what I said right?"

No matter how eloquent you are, fists are the most powerful force.

Now that we can't win the battle, we know to stick to principles. But decades ago, when the Ming Dynasty was exhausted and these bird people were plundering the Ming Dynasty's border every day, why didn't they talk about principles?

Zhang Shikang's words left Boluochi speechless, and he was shocked by the ambition of the young marshal.

For two thousand years, there was only one monarch who unified the entire grassland, and that was their ancestor - Temujin.

Since the split, the southern, northern and western parts of the desert have been in a state of constant conflict and have never been unified again.

And this young man in front of me actually dared to say such arrogant words. Does he really know how big the grassland is?

Seeing that Boroch only frowned and said nothing, Sangge said in a deep voice:

"Your Excellency, the Grand Marshal, should know that for two thousand years, the Han people have never truly conquered this grassland."

The implication is that although the Ming Dynasty is now powerful, it is not easy to rule the entire grassland.

Otherwise, it is impossible that there were no Han emperors who wanted to do this in the past two thousand years, but eventually gave up for one reason or another.

Zhang Shikang snorted inwardly upon hearing this, and said impatiently:

“Then was then, and the present is now.

The kings of the past did not have muskets and cannons for their guards.

My time is precious, so please stop wasting time and give me a straight answer. Do you agree or not?"

Zhang Shikang was already in a good mood when he was talking to this group of Tartars. The Mongols have always only recognized strength.

Although saying this might anger the tribes, Zhang Shikang didn't care.

He said that the Ming Dynasty was going to take over this grassland and even Jesus would not be able to keep him there.

If these guys resist stubbornly, the worst that can happen is we come back to plow them up again next year.

All the Mongolian envoys present lowered their heads. No one dared to refuse or agree.

These envoys are almost always either brothers or sons of the Khan of their own tribe. Since they are plenipotentiary envoys, they naturally have power.

But everyone understood that once they agreed to the Ming Dynasty's demands, they would become sinners of the tribe.

The tribe has been passed down for thousands of years, and it just perished in their hands. Wouldn't that make their descendants stab them in the back?

But if they don’t agree, with the current military power of the Ming Dynasty... it’s even a question whether they can have descendants.

This was really a difficult decision, and in the end, it was Boroch who broke the silence. Seeing that Sangge was silent, he knew what the other tribes were thinking, so he spoke frankly:

"I wonder how the Grand Marshal plans to deal with us, the royal family of the tribe?"

Sanger clenched his fists when he heard this, and even Marza and other guys who had made their decision earlier pricked up their ears.

Zhang Shikang heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, knowing that these guys were finally planning to surrender.

It is better not to fight if you can. If you educate them well, who knows, they may become brothers in a few decades. After all, all nations are one family.

After feeling better, Zhang Shikang's tone became much gentler:

"There's an old saying in the Ming Dynasty that goes, 'He who knows the current affairs is a hero.' Wouldn't it have been better if we had done this earlier?

If you are willing to obey, the imperial court will certainly not treat you, the royal family, unfairly.

The wealth and prosperity that you deserve will naturally come to you.

Look at the Shunyi King, isn't he pretty healthy too?"

As he spoke, Zhang Shikang looked at Emubu.

Emubu understood Zhang Shikang's meaning and immediately said:

"The Ming court is no longer the same as it was a few years ago. Those corrupt officials have long been wiped out by the Grand Marshal.

Today, the imperial court has a clear political situation and the people live and work in peace and contentment. The imperial court supplies my Tumed tribe with more than 100,000 dan of grain every year, so my Tumed people no longer have to worry about going hungry.

Everyone, listen to me, a wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in. The reason why we can become kings is because of the support of our ancestors and our tribesmen.

As the leader of a tribe, protecting the safety of your people is your top priority.

The imperial court had hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers in the Tiger Guard alone, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of even more elite guards under the Grand Marshal.

With the imperial court protecting us, foreign enemies dare not attack us.

If there are conflicts between tribes, the imperial court will mediate for us.

Only in this way can our people live and work in peace and contentment."

Omubu spoke seriously. After all, what he said was the truth, so it was naturally persuasive enough.

Sure enough, both Boroch and Sangge showed agreement on their faces. Sangge finally asked:

"The Grand Marshal is saying that if we obey, all the leaders can be crowned kings?"

Zhang Shikang had already thought about it and answered directly:

"It depends on the wishes of the leaders of the tribes. The court will give you two choices."

……