Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 351 An Unfathomable Strategic Policy! Endless Wealth and Glory!

On his way to surrender, Ahachū had already made his plans in his mind.

He knew that by leading the Ming army, he could achieve military merit, win the Ming court's reward, and secure benefits for his own future.

Lan Yu's heart stirred upon hearing what Aha had said.

If Jurchen tribesmen were to lead the way, the Ming army would likely be able to achieve military victories at a much faster pace.

But in an instant, he shook his head inwardly, because this contradicted the strategic plan that Zhu Yunwen had instructed him to implement.

"It's good that you have this intention."

Lan Yu's voice was as loud as a bell as he said, "However, the fighting strength of our Great Ming army is the best in the world. It is easy to defeat the Jurchen tribes. There is no need for you to lead the way."

"Since you have decided to surrender, you may bring the Huligai tribe and join our Ming army to assist us in building roads."

Ahachu was slightly taken aback, truly not expecting that the Ming army would refuse his request to serve as the vanguard; this was completely unexpected.

However, having already embarked on the path of surrender, there was no turning back, and Ahachū had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Lan Yu then smiled slightly and said, "Looking at you people from the Huligai tribe, your clothes are tattered and disheveled, and you all look haggard and thin. You must not have had a proper meal in a long time."

"Now that you have submitted to the Ming Dynasty army, you may feast to your heart's content. From now on, work hard for the court to build roads, and the Ming Dynasty will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Upon hearing these words, Ahachu's face lit up with joy, and he was filled with happiness.

The three Jurchen tribes were located in a cold and remote region, far less fertile than the Central Plains.

In contrast, their lives are much more difficult and arduous; for many, being able to have a full meal is an unattainable luxury.

The fact that he received such generous treatment immediately after surrendering to the Ming Dynasty was far beyond his expectations.

"Thank you, General!" Aha hurriedly prostrated himself in gratitude.

Immediately afterwards, he ordered the tribal soldiers to lay down their weapons and follow the Ming army's instructions.

"General, why not send Huligai's tribe as the vanguard to attack the three Jurchen tribes?"

Behind Lan Yu, a general looked puzzled and asked.

"His Majesty had the foresight to predict that the Jurchen tribes would surrender."

Lan Yu did not turn around, his expression calm and unhurried, and said, "His Majesty has already issued an edict on how to settle the Jurchen tribes after their surrender."

"Your Majesty has a well-thought-out strategy in mind. The pacification of the three Jurchen tribes will be a matter of moments. Just have the Huligai tribe join the road construction team to speed up the road construction."

Is this His Majesty's arrangement?
The generals were filled with doubts.

His Majesty's prohibition of the Ming New Army from launching a proactive attack can be explained as a precaution against logistical problems that could lead to the army's desperate situation.

After all, this expedition was a long and arduous one, and the local geography was unfamiliar, making it difficult to adapt to the different climate.

Why not allow the surrendered Jurchen tribes to fight?

His Majesty's intentions are truly difficult to fathom.

At this moment, Lan Yu gave another order: "Go and inform the reporters of the 'Da Ming Daily' who are accompanying the army that the Huligai tribe of the Jianzhou Jurchens has surrendered under the leadership of Ahachu. Order them to interview Ahachu and the people of the Huligai tribe immediately and report in detail."

"The report should highlight that after the people of Huligai surrendered to our Great Ming, they actively participated in road construction and have since lived a peaceful and prosperous life."

"We must publicize this matter vigorously and encourage the people of the three Jurchen tribes to join us."

Not long ago, the imperial court issued an edict to establish three major provinces in the three Jurchen tribes.

At the same time, many officials were dispatched, and they were all currently in the Ming army.

Accompanying these officials were reporters from the Da Ming Daily and a large number of propaganda personnel skilled in writing articles; they even brought a considerable number of mimeograph machines.

Zhu Yunwen explicitly instructed Lan Yu that the primary strategy in this war against the three Jurchen tribes should be to win hearts and minds.

Now that the Huligai tribe has surrendered, Lan Yu, though still harboring doubts, resolutely decided to follow Zhu Yunwen's plan and continue to implement it steadfastly.

……

In the Odoli tribe of the Jurchens, several tribesmen were quietly hiding behind a haystack, talking in hushed tones.

"Have you heard? The Huligai tribe has surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty has sent them countless grains, and the people of the Huligai tribe are now able to eat their fill after surrendering."

A young man, his face beaming with excitement, exclaimed.

"Is that really true?" someone asked, looking suspicious.

"It's absolutely true. Look, it's written very clearly in the newspaper."

As he spoke, the young man carefully pulled a copy of the "Da Ming Daily" from his pocket.

This was not the *Da Ming Daily* printed in Nanjing, but a supplement to the *Da Ming Daily* written by its Northeast branch and distributed specifically to the Jurchen tribes.

After this supplement was written, produced and printed in the new army, it was secretly distributed among the various Jurchen tribes through personnel from the Ming Dynasty's intelligence bureau.

Since the Ming Dynasty launched its war against the three Jurchen tribes, this newspaper has gradually become popular among them.

Although most people in the Jurchen tribes had limited education and many were illiterate.

However, this does not prevent a few people who know Chinese characters from passing on the content by word of mouth after reading it.

The main reason is that the content in the newspaper was truly inspiring.

The text states that the slave system practiced by the three Jurchen tribes was corrupt, backward, and inhumane.

The leaders of the various Jurchen tribes treated their people as their private property, arbitrarily killing and trading them, which constituted serious crimes.

The Ming Dynasty army aimed to help the suffering Jurchen people overthrow the "masters" who rode on their backs and oppressed them, and lead them to build a new world together.

The Ming Dynasty will send officials to govern the Jurchen region.

From then on, the Jurchen people would never again be slaves to anyone.

Everyone will own their own land and livestock, and be able to work hard for themselves.

From then on, everyone would become subjects of the Ming Emperor and enjoy equal treatment.

God!

Listen to how beautifully you put it.

It sounds incredibly exciting.

The people of all the Jurchen tribes were extremely interested in these matters.

The arrival of the Ming army was like a ray of dawn, injecting new hope into their bleak lives.

The young man who could read Chinese characters read the article aloud in a low voice, and heard everyone cheering with excitement.

"Sigh, but what's the use? We're still going hungry!"

At that moment, a dejected voice emerged.

Upon hearing this, the light on everyone's faces instantly dimmed, as if the sky had been obscured by dark clouds.

"How about... how about we rebel?" someone muttered in a low voice.

“Kill the headman, then surrender to the Ming Dynasty,” another voice echoed.

"Absolutely not!" This idea was immediately opposed by others.

"The chieftain isn't so easy to kill. He's surrounded by guards, and his sons are all brave and skilled warriors." "Even if we're lucky and manage to kill him, we'll hardly survive ourselves."

Those few words left everyone feeling utterly disheartened.

Indeed, rebelling against the chieftain is easier said than done.

It's not like no one has tried before, but without exception, they all ended in utter failure.

“I think we should all run together.” At this moment, the young man who had just read the newspaper to them stepped forward and said loudly, “The Great General of the Ming Dynasty has declared that as long as we Jurchen people join the Ming army camp, we will be saved.”

"We can join the Ming army and build roads together. We won't be afraid of being bullied by the chieftains anymore, and we can even fill our stomachs."

"These contents are all written in the newspaper."

When everyone heard this, their eyes suddenly lit up.

They didn't have the guts to fight back; they were terrified.

They dared to run for their lives.

After discussing it for a while, they secretly slipped away under the cover of night.

Soon, this wave of exodus spread like wildfire, engulfing various tribes.

Countless Jurchen people surged towards the Ming army's encampment like a tidal wave, surrendering to the Ming forces.

……

"They've rebelled! They've rebelled! How dare they run away!"

In a magnificent mansion, Menggetemur, the leader of the Odoli tribe, was furious.

In just a few days, he had received news of seven or eight cases of tribal slaves escaping.

These slaves, who were usually meek and submissive, were now fleeing their tribes and joining the Ming army.

If this continues, forget about fighting the Ming army; without slaves to work for them, they won't even have food to eat...

Mengge Timur gasped and roared, "Pass down the order! Have everyone keep a close watch on things and forbid anyone from acting on their own!"

"Furthermore, drag out all the family members of those who fled and behead them as a warning to others. This is what will happen to anyone who dares to run away again!"

Upon hearing the order, the generals hurriedly bowed and responded.

Then one by one they slipped away and retreated.

The leader was in a bad mood, and nobody wanted to get into trouble at that moment.

At that moment, a middle-aged man tiptoed in.

"Manzhu, calm down." The middle-aged man handed over a cup of tea with both hands.

Manzhu was a title reserved for Jurchen leaders, and was generally used only by close associates.

Those with a slightly more distant relationship are all respectfully addressed as "Khan".

Mengge Timur glanced at him; this man was the steward of his household.

He took the tea, gulped it down, and slammed the teacup down on the table beside him, gritting his teeth as he said, "That hateful Ahachu, he actually surrendered to the Ming army, he..."

He was about to unleash a torrent of curses, but the words caught in his throat.

The Ming Dynasty is unstoppable!

With such limited strength, the Jurchens were no match for them.

The Jurchen people are now in a state of panic, and he is also in a state of confusion about what to do next.

"The current situation is really unfavorable for us Jurchens."

Mengge Timur sighed and murmured, "However, the Ming army is ultimately isolated and deep in enemy territory. I don't believe they can stay here forever and never retreat."

That's right!

This was the obsession that sustained the leaders of the Jurchen tribes, including Menggetemur, in continuing the war.

Every war eventually comes to an end.

The Ming army will return to the capital sooner or later.

At that time, everything will return to normal and be as it was before.

"Judging from the scale of the Ming army's expedition this time, they are not in a hurry to advance, but instead are focused on building roads. It seems they really have no intention of leaving."

The butler bowed and whispered to himself.

Upon hearing this, Mengge Timur's brows furrowed instantly.

He raised his eyes unhappily and glared at the butler.

This guy, he just keeps picking on people's sore spots. Can't he say something more palatable?

Just then, the butler carefully took out an exquisitely crafted glass from his sleeve.

The cup was crystal clear, and the eagle, lion, and tiger carved on it were so lifelike that they seemed about to burst out of the cup at any moment.

Mengge Timur's eyes widened instantly, staring intently at the glass, and he blurted out, "This is...?"

"This is a rare new product manufactured by the Jinling Glass Factory of the Ming Dynasty. It's highly sought after among officials and wealthy merchants in the Ming Dynasty."

The butler smiled ingratiatingly: "I know that Manzhu is fond of such items, and it took a lot of effort to get my hands on them."

Menggetemur took the glass, held it in his palm, and examined it from all angles. He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Wonderful! It's absolutely exquisite! Only the Ming Dynasty could possess such ingenious craftsmanship to create such a beautiful object."

“That’s for sure.” The steward lowered his voice, “But in this current battle, how are we any match for the Ming Dynasty?”

"In my humble opinion, it would be better... it would be better..." He hesitated before he could finish speaking.

Mengge Timur's expression changed slightly, and he urged in a cold voice, "Why don't you explain yourself clearly!"

The steward knelt down with a thud and repeatedly apologized: "Manzhu, please calm down. I dare not hide these heartfelt words from you. I think that since we cannot defeat the Ming Dynasty, we might as well surrender."

"Surrender?" Menggetemur's eyes widened in anger: "How could I not want to surrender? But the Ming Dynasty has not shown any intention to offer surrender."

"They also spread rumors everywhere that they want to overthrow the rule of the Jurchen tribal leaders and send officials to govern the Jurchens. Now that things have come to this, how can I surrender? And if I surrender, how will they treat me?"

The steward quickly interjected, "Manzhu, don't worry too much. The Ming Dynasty did indeed claim that it would send officials to govern the Jurchens, but it never mentioned imprisoning and punishing the current Jurchen leader."

Mengge Timur was taken aback and asked suspiciously, "What do you mean by that?"

The steward explained in detail: "As long as Manzhu is willing to submit to the Ming Dynasty, although he will no longer be able to hold power in the Ganduo tribe, the Ming Dynasty will surely reward Manzhu with inexhaustible wealth and bestow upon him a title, so that Manzhu will receive the Ming Dynasty's salary forever."

“Manzhu was able to move to Jinling City. The prosperity there is worlds apart from our harsh Jurchen land. It is more than ten thousand times better.”

“A glass like this would be priceless in our Jurchen culture.”

"But in Jinling City, it's just an ordinary item in the homes of ordinary people."

"If Manzhu surrenders to the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty will certainly not treat you unfairly. You will be guaranteed endless wealth and honor in the future."

……

(End of this chapter)