Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 474 The Western Regions Dark Web, Traitors to the Ming Dynasty!
In Chen Cheng's eyes, all of this seemed unbelievable and absurd.

The frontier is ravaged by sandstorms and bitterly cold, so most Han Chinese are unwilling to leave their homes and set foot on this desolate desert.

Even though the imperial court has been advocating for the expansion of new territories in recent years and encouraging people to travel to neighboring countries, many still choose to sail across the ocean in search of new opportunities.

The deserts and Gobi in the Northwest have not changed much compared to the past.

The desolate landscape of endless yellow sand remains unchanged, but the merchants and travelers on the ancient Silk Road, with their unwavering and millennia-old steps, maintain the exchange of trade and culture between East and West.

How exactly did the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency manage to extend its network so quietly to Beshbali under such harsh conditions?
This is not only perplexing, but almost miraculous.

If it were just a few ordinary spies, it wouldn't be a big deal.

However, establishing a massive spy network, almost comparable to the Imperial Guards within the Ming Dynasty, and taking root in a foreign land, was truly an astonishing feat.

Chen Cheng pondered deeply, his brows furrowed, unable to find a solution.

What he didn't know was that Yao Guangxiao's ability to build the Western Regions' intelligence network to its current state was not only due to his outstanding wisdom and skills, but also to a crucial foundation.

Under Zhu Yunwen's rule, the Ming Dynasty was at its peak, and its atmosphere was completely renewed.

The economy is booming like the rising sun.

Culture, like a spring breeze and gentle rain, nourishes all directions.

Such a powerful Ming Dynasty naturally exerted an irresistible appeal on neighboring countries and peoples.

This attraction, like a magnet, quietly stirs the hearts of countless people far from home.

The wars at the end of the Yuan Dynasty turned the Central Plains into the most terrifying hell in the world, forcing countless people to flee to distant lands with their families in search of a glimmer of hope.

Among them were many refugees who had traveled thousands of miles to reach the Western Regions.

Even in the most desolate desert areas, the presence of oases is enough to give these desperate people hope for survival.

After all, in times of war, the shadow of death is ever-present.

If one is not careful, one could become a "two-legged sheep" and be cooked alive.

Even more tragically, as lamented in the poem: "There is more heartbreaking news at the East Gate, where one can bear to fly a kite to a young girl."

The so-called "kite" is nothing more than a cruel method of disemboweling people, using their intestines as ropes, and suspending them from the city walls for wanton humiliation.

Such a tragic scene is unimaginable to anyone who has not experienced it firsthand; it is a testament to the horror and despair it evoked.

In order to survive, the people spared no expense and fled to all corners of the world, scattering to the ends of the earth.

These people who have left their homes and families, though living in foreign lands, always keep their hearts with their homeland.

They longed for the land that nurtured them, yearned to hear news of their hometown, and hoped to one day return home.

With Zhu Yunwen's ascension to the throne, the Ming Dynasty swept away the decline of the previous dynasty, and the country was peaceful and prosperous, with the people living in abundance. The news spread like a spring breeze to every corner of the Western Regions.

Those who had been stranded in foreign lands were deeply moved upon hearing of the restoration of their homeland. They felt proud of the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, yet also felt a deeper homesickness because they were far from home.

Under the glorious light of the Ming Dynasty, the deserts of the Western Regions seemed to be shrouded in an unusual vitality.

Merchants traveled thousands of miles, bringing a steady stream of novel industrial products manufactured in the newly built factories of the Ming Dynasty to this land of endless yellow sand.

The exquisite porcelain, transparent glass, durable fabrics, and ingenious machinery are all breathtaking.

At the same time, the Ming army was invincible on the grasslands, sweeping away the remnants of the Northern Yuan and gaining widespread fame.

The Da Ming Daily, with its eloquent writing and tireless propaganda, spread the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty and its governing philosophy to every corner.

All of this was like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, quietly enriching the hearts of the people of the Western Regions.

Those Han Chinese who were displaced and fled to the Western Regions during the chaos of the late Yuan Dynasty are now feeling more and more clearly the strength of their homeland and its rapid changes.

Their eyes held a newfound pride, and their words revealed a deep longing for their hometown.

At the market, by the campfire beside the oasis, they talked incessantly to the locals of the Western Regions.

How powerful the Ming Dynasty was, and how wise and sagacious Emperor Zhu Yunwen was!
They described the misty prosperity of Jiangnan, the grandeur of the capital, and the peaceful and prosperous lives of countless people.

These stories, like seeds, are deeply planted in the hearts of the listeners.

The yearning for civilization and the reverence for the strong are indelible instincts deep within the human soul.

The cultural brilliance and national strength of the Ming Dynasty have quietly taken root, sprouted, and grown in the land of the Western Regions.

Whether they are new immigrants or long-time residents, more and more people are being drawn to this invisible force and gradually come to recognize the greatness and glory of the Ming Dynasty.

They began to believe that the civilization of the Ming Dynasty was not only a distant legend, but also a hope that they could reach.

It was this fertile ground of thought that paved the way for the expansion of the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency.

Recruiting patriots willing to serve the Ming Dynasty is now more than ten times easier than before!
In the past, intelligence agencies often had to rely on large sums of money to lure people in or to blackmail them with their secrets in order to recruit one or two people.

After all, in this era, although ordinary people may not have a clear concept of nation and ethnicity, they possess a simple loyalty and protect their own community and homeland.

Asking them to leak local intelligence to foreign powers would be tantamount to violating their deepest moral bottom line.

Even greedy officials are often unwilling to bear such a bad reputation.

However, the Western Regions are different now.

The daily propaganda of the Daming Daily, like a gentle stream, subtly reshaped people's minds.

The people of the Western Regions began to yearn for the advanced civilization of the Ming Dynasty, believing that incorporating their homeland into the Ming Dynasty's territory would not only not harm their homeland, but would be a bright path to lead their hometown out of poverty and backwardness.

They no longer see it as betrayal, but rather as a noble choice.

Bringing the prosperity and culture of the Ming Dynasty to one's hometown is a deep love for one's people and land.

Needless to say, the Han Chinese immigrants were even more affected.

They had no choice but to remain in the Western Regions because their hometown was too far away and it was too difficult to return.

But they couldn't be happier to serve the Ming Dynasty!
It would be even better if the Western Regions could also be incorporated into the Ming Dynasty's territory.

Even many native people from the Western Regions were persuaded to believe that their hometown would become better after becoming part of the Ming Dynasty.

With such an ideological foundation, the intelligence agency's work went very smoothly.

Many people were willing to serve the Ming Dynasty without receiving any reward, and proactively provided crucial intelligence.

In their hearts, this is a mission, and even more so, a belief in a better life.

I am not betraying my nation and hometown, but engaging in a great and glorious cause!

Behind this intelligence network lies not only strategy, but also the sincere yearning of countless people for the prosperous Ming Dynasty.

In addition, another key reason lies in the strong financial support of the Ming Dynasty's intelligence bureau.

The Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency was wealthy, far more so than the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Emperor Zhu's rule.

This is far beyond what the meager silver of the former frontier princes could use to bribe foreign officials and obtain sporadic information.

The profits of the *Da Ming Daily* were entirely used to build a vast network of intelligence agencies and the Ming Dynasty's intelligence bureau. As the Ming Dynasty's expansion overseas accelerated and its reach extended to all corners of the world, Zhu Yunwen still felt that the intelligence gathering efforts were insufficient, and specially allocated another sum of money to the intelligence bureau.

A powerful intelligence system is ultimately built with real money.

In later generations, a certain major Western power invested nearly $100 billion annually in the field of intelligence, far exceeding the total annual military expenditure of many countries.

The powerful intelligence network is supported by high intelligence expenditures.

The Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency is now financially stronger than it was during the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, and the breadth and depth of its intelligence network are naturally vastly different from what they used to be.

However, while financial resources are the foundation, what truly makes this giant network operate smoothly is Yao Guangxiao's extraordinary talent.

Even with the most favorable conditions and abundant funds, nothing can be fully realized without an outstanding leader to strategize and plan.

The money invested will also be wasted in large quantities.

The old monk's superior strategy forged the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency into an invincible blade, silently piercing every inch of the Western Regions.

Although Chen Cheng was unaware of the specific reasons behind it, he reviewed the roster provided by the intelligence bureau.

They gained a deep understanding of how deeply the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency had infiltrated Beshbali.

The densely packed names and detailed records resembled an intricate chessboard with countless hidden pieces.

From ordinary merchants to local dignitaries, all have been either openly or covertly courted by the intelligence agency.

He originally thought that with his limited forces, it was a pipe dream to try to control Beshbali, and he was always uneasy and even couldn't sleep at night.

However, seeing the roster at this moment was like a shot in the arm, rekindling his hope.

Now it seems that even without falsely claiming an imperial edict to borrow troops from the military, the intelligence agency's existing network of informants, coupled with his special status as an envoy of the Ming Dynasty, would be enough to orchestrate a massive storm sweeping across Beshbali by maneuvering among various factions and cleverly uniting those who harbor goodwill towards the Ming Dynasty or whose stance is wavering.

With the assistance of hundreds of elite military troops, controlling Beshbali might not be such a distant fantasy!
Thinking of this, Chen Cheng felt a surge of emotion, and an irrepressible excitement welled up in his chest.

His unparalleled achievements were within reach, beckoning him with an alluring invitation.

Chen Cheng could no longer contain himself. He quickly and carefully hid the roster, pushed open the door, and hurriedly went to Huo Liancheng's residence.

Huo Liancheng likely possesses secret intelligence from the Military Intelligence Bureau and informants he has bribed.

If the intelligence resources of both sides are combined, they will surely create a huge upheaval in Beshbali.

Have a good talk with him and decide on the specific course of action.

It was already dark outside.

The icy night wind brushed against Chen Cheng's face, but it could not extinguish the raging fire burning in his heart.

……

Beshbali
As the son of the Khan, Shami Chagan led thousands of elite cavalry in a grand procession to welcome the Ming Dynasty delegation.

Meanwhile, the market in Beshbali remained bustling, with a constant flow of vehicles and people.

A clinic is located in the heart of this bustling street, and it is always crowded with customers.

In the dead of winter, many people are suffering from colds and flu, and there is a constant stream of people seeking medical treatment and medicine. The clinic is crowded with people inside and out.

The owner of the clinic was a doctor dressed in Hu clothing. Although he wore Hu clothing with distinctive Western Region characteristics, his methods of diagnosis were those of doctors from the Central Plains.

The four diagnostic methods—observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation—are employed in a gradual, rigorous, and meticulous manner.

At this moment, he is taking the pulse of an elderly patient with white hair.

"You've just caught a cold, there's no need to worry." The doctor withdrew his hand from taking your pulse. "I'll prescribe two doses of medicine. Go home and take them on time. Rest for a few days, and the symptoms will subside on their own."

After saying that, he picked up his pen and wrote the prescription on the paper. His handwriting was vigorous and powerful, like a swimming dragon.

The doctor had an old face with many deep wrinkles, as if sculpted by the scorching sun and sandstorms of the Western Regions for many years.

A deep scar runs across his left cheek, inspiring fear in those who see it, likely indicating a past unknown to most.

But in this Western Region, such things have happened to many people, and no one has paid attention to them.

However, the middle-aged doctor's voice was surprisingly gentle, at most the tone of a person in their thirties or forties, which contrasted sharply with his weathered old face.

The elderly man, glancing at the prescription, noticed the handwriting on the paper and couldn't help but exclaim, "Doctor, your handwriting is so beautiful! You must have read many books!"

Although the old man was illiterate, he sincerely admired that scholarly air, and his eyes revealed envy.

In the harsh and cold lands of the Western Regions, literate people are extremely rare, and most are strategists in the Khan's court.

They strategized for the Khan and held a prestigious position.

Ordinary people rarely see such figures, let alone get close to them.

The doctor before us has such elegant handwriting, yet he is willing to provide medical care to ordinary people in the market, saving lives and healing the wounded. How can one not feel respect for him?

"How can a doctor not read books?" the doctor replied softly, his hand holding the pen trembling slightly, as if his heartstrings had been touched.

His tone carried a complex emotion, and he stopped writing.

After a moment, the doctor took a deep breath, calmed himself, and his fingers steadily began to write again. The handwriting on the prescription was still as smooth as flowing water.

Inside the clinic, patients waiting in line chatted quietly, their conversation gradually turning to recent events.

"Have you heard? The Ming Dynasty's delegation will be arriving in Beshbaliq soon!" someone said, his voice filled with excitement.

“Who doesn’t know!” another person chimed in, mentioning the information he had received: “I also know that the Ming envoy who is coming this time is named Chen Cheng. He comes from the Ming Dynasty’s Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs and used to be responsible for conveying imperial edicts to various parties. He should be here to deliver an imperial edict this time as well.”

Ordinary people often take pride in receiving "secret information".

Most people don't know the name of the Ming Dynasty envoy, so when he mentioned it, he couldn't help but show off a bit.

Most of the people in the hall did not react much.

After all, the name and background of the Ming Dynasty envoy were completely irrelevant to him; at most, he could only gossip about it.

Upon hearing this, the doctor's body suddenly stiffened, his brush hovering in mid-air, the ink spreading across the paper.

"Gentlemen, I feel unwell today and I'm afraid I won't be able to continue treating you." He suddenly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and said, "Please come again tomorrow. I apologize."

After saying this, he ignored the bewildered astonishment and discontented complaints of the patients in the hall, turned around and walked straight into the back room of the clinic.

The wooden door creaked shut, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

The room was dimly lit. With his back to the door, he slowly raised his hand and peeled off an exquisite human skin mask from his face.

Beneath the mask was a lean and handsome middle-aged face.

It was none other than Zhu Su, the Prince of Zhou, who had once shocked the court and the country with his rebellion and then disappeared without a trace!

……

(End of this chapter)