Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

As the new governor issued the latest order, various guards began to search for people.

In the evening of that day, an eagle soared from Datong Fucheng within the Great Wall, and then quickly climbed over the side wall of the Great Wall, arrived at the endless prairie, and finally landed in the camp full of yurts.

Although they retreated just after entering the pass, since ancient times, "bandits passed by like combs, soldiers passed by like gourds", and some Mongolian cavalry still took the opportunity to plunder.

At this moment, they were singing and dancing without caring about where their food came from.

The eagle that flew out of Datong Fucheng unexpectedly landed, accurately landing on a shelf outside a certain yurt, and then let out a crisp cry.

An eagle keeper took out the mailbox from the eagle's foot, then took out the small note from the mailbox, and then sent it into the sweat tent.

After all, Chen Kun was careless or too young. When he ordered the entire Datong Prefecture to search for Ixi, the news also reached the camp of the Mongolian army.

After Manduhai learned the news, he had already guessed what was going on, and immediately summoned all the tribal leaders to Dayan Khan's tent.

Dayan Khan has been very low-key recently. In fact, Manduhai has always been in power in the army, and the loss of Iksi this time is related to his original persuasion of Manduhai to allow Iksi to go south with the mission.

"This Mingren is so cunning, let's kill him back now!"

"What if we go back now and they have found Princess Ixi?"

"We can't let them tease us like this, it would be a disgrace to our Dayuan!"

…

After learning that they had been deceived by the Ming Dynasty, many tribal leaders claimed that they had been deceived and encouraged them to enter the Datong tunnels again.

When Manduhai learned that he was being teased by Datong, he didn't make too many remarks, but instead set his sights in the direction of Beijing.

Although they have arrived in Datong, their real opponent has never been the Governor Xuanda in front of them, but the aloof Emperor Ming.

Only that emperor chose to compromise and made concessions in order to enjoy temporary stability. This was the real "big victory" of their Dayuan expedition.

Beijing, Xiyuan.

As the military information of Datong came through Tangbao, the important officials in the capital gathered in the Yangxin Hall.

In fact, when the Ming Dynasty chose to refuse tribute, many people had already expected that this war would occur, but they did not expect that Manduhai came with the strength of the whole country, let alone that a princess from the Northern Yuan Dynasty was actually involved.

But since things have happened, and they are now one of the top decision-makers of this dynasty, they naturally have to come up with a response plan as soon as possible.

"How can we be threatened by the Tatars? If we want to fight, we will fight them to the end!"

"They made a good calculation. They want to get their daughter back and also want supplies. It's simply wishful thinking!"

"It is said that Yixi is as beautiful as a fairy, and is loved by Manduhai. With this girl in hand, Manduhai will be able to throw away rats!"

…

Faced with the latest situation in Datong, Li Yu, the Minister of Personnel, and other important ministers expressed their opinions one after another after learning the two conditions issued by Mandu Haisuo.

Although some of them still yearn for peace in their hearts, after all, they are living too comfortably at the top of the ruling class, but they know that the current Hongzhi Dynasty will not allow Confucianism.

Although there are no changes in the position of the Six Ministers, the changes at the level of the Six Ministers have been very frequent recently. Some mediocre and contented officials usually retire or go to Nanjing.

What's more, the two conditions offered by Manduhai this time are simply too deceptive. A Mongolian force that has not yet completed its unification actually forced the Ming Dynasty to bow their heads. Naturally, there is no reason to agree.

That's why, no matter how much they longed for peace in their hearts, or even wanted to compromise, they did not stand up at this time to express their agreement with the two conditions proposed by Manduhai.

Liu Jin sent new sandalwood, but he wanted to make the fragrance here stronger.

"Manduhai is still in power in Beiyuan, and holding Iksi in his hands is the most important thing!"

"Yes, we can't return Iksi now. We can use Iksi to blackmail Manduhai into a truce!"

"Ikesi is Manduhai's heartthrob. Let's take Ikesi as a pledge. From now on, Ming Dynasty will be able to move forward and retreat freely!"

…

Li Si, the Minister of Household Affairs, and other important ministers actively participated in it. Now that they have focused their attention on Manduhai's daughter, they all found their own opinions.

Because Zhu Youtang attached great importance to the suggestions of the intelligence system, he especially improved the treatment for those sent to Mongolia to do detailed work, thus obtaining more useful intelligence.

Due to the need for discussion, Zhu Youtang will also share some important information from time to time.

Just like this, all the important ministers present knew that Manduhai was still in power, not the fourteen-year-old Khan Tinghan who had just been pushed to the stage.

As for Yixi, the most favored Princess of Beiyuan, she could not escape the detection of the Ming Dynasty intelligence system, so everyone knew that Yixi had a heavy weight in Manduhai's heart.

Zhu Youtang knew that as an excellent leader, he knew not to rush to express his position, but to listen carefully to the opinions and views of these important ministers.

My advantage is that I have the perspective of future generations, but my disadvantage is that I still don’t understand this era well enough, so it is necessary to properly listen to the opinions of these important ministers.

"My lords, you all seem to have forgotten an important thing!" At this moment, Jia Jun, the minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who had been silent, suddenly said.

Wan An and others all turned to look at the low-key Minister of Works. Although Jia Jun didn't say much in every meeting, it seemed that out of his rigorous character in supervising fortifications, he was always able to hit the nail on the head.

Zhu Youtang also showed some interest, so he turned to look at the capable Minister of Industry.

"According to our intelligence, Yixi disappeared outside the customs. Not to mention that the greater possibility is that she did not enter the customs, and we also have to find the person first, so that we can talk about taking her as a hostage. Right?" Jia Jun, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, faced everyone's gaze and expressed his opinion.

Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and others couldn't help but smile, realizing that they had indeed been too optimistic just now.

Since the person disappeared outside the customs, the greater possibility is that the person is not in Datong. Even if Chen Kun dug three feet into the ground in Datong Mansion, he might not be able to catch the person, and then their previous plan would become meaningless.

Just out of weighing one's own interests, if Princess Ixi can be captured, it will be a very good bargaining chip.

At this moment, a young eunuch hurried in from outside.

Since the Supreme Council is currently being held, unless it is a very urgent matter, the emperor will usually not be disturbed at this time.

Wan An and other officials noticed that the little eunuch was holding a Baotang newspaper, and realized that there was a new military situation at the border, and they couldn't help but cheer up.

Zhu Youtang's heart tightened, and he immediately guessed that there might be a new war situation in Datong, but when he took the Tang newspaper, he found that it came from Xuanfu.

Xuanfu?

Li Yu, the official secretary, and others frowned slightly, but they didn't know why Duanduan Xuanfu had sent Tang Bao.

"Your Majesty, did Manduhai sneak attack on Xuanfu?" Du Ming, the Minister of Punishment, was impatient and couldn't help but ask.

Zhu Youtang shook his head gently, raised the Tang newspaper in his hand to meet the eyes of all the ministers, and announced: "Just now the governor of Xuanfu, Li Yue, came to report that they captured a Mongolian girl in Xuanfu, who claimed to be Ik Tin. Check Li Yue carefully checked and found that this Mongolian girl's clothing and conversation were consistent with the identity of the Princess of Beiyuan. She carried a gold dagger with a lot of history. Her appearance was as beautiful as the rumors, so Li Yue concluded that this girl was full of beauty. Du Hai is looking for the daughter Iksi!"

"Haha... God bless me!"

"With such obvious characteristics, this person must be Manduhai's daughter Ikesi!"

"In this case, we will use Princess Ixi as a hostage and directly force Manduhai to withdraw!"

…

After officials such as Li Si, the Minister of Household Affairs, learned about the situation, although the matter had not yet reached a final conclusion, they all seemed optimistic.

I thought they were too blindly optimistic earlier, but God still chose them, and Princess Ixxi really fell into their hands.

Whether it was sending Yixi directly back, or detaining Yixi as a hostage, now their Ming Dynasty has firmly grasped the initiative.

Zhu Youtang believed in Li Yue's judgment and asked seriously: "Since Manduhai's daughter Yixi has fallen into our hands, let's discuss how to deal with Yixi now!"

Zhu Youtang raised the issue, and the cabinet ministers, the six ministers and the six ministers present discussed the plan, and finally Zhu Youtang made the decision. This has already become a fixed process.

"I thought I would immediately order the Xuanfu to send Princess Yixi to the capital as a pledge!"

"This is inappropriate. Yikesi is the apple of Manduhai's eye, and Datong and Xuanfu may never have peace!"

"If you want to fight, let's fight. Why should we worry about Manduhai? She won't dare to act arrogantly by detaining her daughter as a human being!"

…

Facing this issue, the Minister of Civil Affairs knew that it was assumed that the Mongolian girl was indeed Princess Ixi, so he expressed his opinions one after another.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan!" Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites, his eyes brightened, and he was immediately ready to offer a plan.

Zhu Youtang picked up the tea cup that had just been delivered and said calmly: "Say!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive my sin first!" Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites, carefully observed Zhu Youtang's reaction and said as if he was proposing a condition.

Du Ming, the Minister of Justice, felt unhappy and asked directly: "Master Xu, which song are you singing?"

Zhu Youtang gently blew the hot air from the tea, and then reiterated: "I have said before that when discussing matters here, as long as they are not disrespectful to me and my ancestors, they are not guilty!"

"My words seem a bit disrespectful!" Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites, swallowed and spoke cautiously.

Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and other officials couldn't help but look at each other. Although they knew that Zhu Youtang had always been generous, Xu Qiong was seeking death by touching the tiger's butt!

Zhu Youtang frowned slightly, but he knew that Xu Qiong, a flatterer, should know the right rules, so he took a sip of tea and said, "I forgive you!"

"Your Majesty, in order to prevent Manduhai from overreacting, I think you can incorporate Yixi into the harem! This will allow Princess Yixi to stay in the Ming Dynasty in a dignified manner, and will also prevent Manduhai from invading easily in the future. Daming, it can be said that it kills two birds with one stone!" After Xu Qiong received the guarantee, he put forward his own suggestion.

Huh?

As soon as these words came out, the important ministers present couldn't help but look at each other.

It's not that this suggestion is unreliable, but it sounds very weird to let the majestic Ming Emperor marry a foreign princess.

"Xu Shangshu, as the dignified Minister of Rites, how can you make such an unseemly proposal?" At this moment, a sudden and furious sound came.

Li Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and others heard about the question and found that the person who raised the question was actually Liu Jian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and they couldn't help but frowned slightly.

Not to mention that the habit of constantly assigning blame is very bad, and it is simply the following.

Xu Qiong found out that it was his own official who raised the question, and immediately retorted disdainfully: "Liu Shilang, it is true that I am the Minister of Rites, but I am also a minister of the Ming Dynasty! This strategy can not only keep Princess Yikesi in the Ming Dynasty in a dignified manner. , and it can make Manduhai dare not invade again, what’s wrong with it after all?”

"We are gathered here today to discuss national affairs. Don't mention the name of the yamen at all times. Now all the yamen can't have a stand. Everything should be based on national affairs!" Wan An actually had a prejudice against Liu Jian, so he used the topic to be honest.

cough!

Li Yu, the Minister of Personnel, and other officials coughed slightly, and looked at Liu Jian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, expressionlessly, invisibly putting pressure on the restless left minister of the Ministry of Rites.

So far, I don’t have any good suggestions, but I am happy to push people back. I really don’t understand what the left minister of the Ministry of Rites has the confidence to speak so loudly.

After all, Liu Jian is not the Liu Jian who was like a fish in water among the civil servants in history. Now his status as emperor's master has become worthless, and he actually doesn't even have much talent.

Faced with the pressure exerted by the important ministers present, he could only reluctantly admit his mistake and said: "The old lesson of Wange is true. I will make corrections in the future!"

"Although our meeting is to focus on state affairs, your Majesty is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty and is rich in gold. Marrying a foreigner's daughter will undermine your status. Liu Shilang's concerns are not unreasonable!" Qiu Jun, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, is The out-and-out Ci minister suddenly supported Liu Jiandao.

Huh?

Li Si, the Minister of Household Affairs, and others all looked at the little old man and found that no matter what happened to Ci Chen, he could always make up many reasons to stop it.

Li Yuzheng wanted to retort, but suddenly noticed that Zhu Youtang was about to speak, and immediately swallowed the words that came to his mouth.

In fact, Zhu Youtang was not keen on political marriages, but he also knew that keeping Yikesi was beneficial and harmless, so he said calmly: "Since Taizong can marry a Korean woman, I can also accept a Mongolian woman. This move is not considered a discount! In this case, you should discuss whether Xu Qing’s strategy is feasible, and everything should be based on national interests!”