Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 519 The Cunning Khan, Old Zhu's Inquiry!
Moreover, the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agencies had already collected detailed information about Timur.

Old Zhu knew that he was a lame old man, nearly sixty years old, which perfectly matched the person in front of him.

In this way, the person's true identity becomes self-evident.

Old Zhu's lips curled slightly, as if he had already seen through Timur's thoughts, and he immediately flattered him, saying, "The Great Khan is dignified and has an extraordinary bearing."

"When I was young, I traveled around the country and learned a little about the art of judging people by their appearance. If I hadn't been favored by the heavens, I would never have such an extraordinary appearance."

"In our view, your appearance must be that of a divine messenger who has received a divine decree and descended to earth to guide the people of this land."

"Such a figure can only be found among the entire Turan Empire, and only Timur Khan is worthy of mention."

"If you are not Timur Khan, then who are you?"

……

It must be said that Old Zhu was also a master of flattery.

These perfectly timed compliments, like a gentle spring breeze, instantly made Timur overjoyed and feel like he was floating on air.

For a country where the entire population believes in "the Lord," praising Him as "a divine messenger who received divine instructions and descended to earth to guide the people" is undoubtedly the highest praise and affirmation for Him.

This news, once it gets out, will greatly benefit Timur in strengthening his rule and maintaining his power.

In recent years, under Timur's leadership, the Turan Empire has expanded rapidly outwards, and its territory has continued to grow.

However, internal conflicts are also growing.

Timur desperately needed to further enhance his status.

He had previously gone to great lengths and spent a huge sum of money to marry the daughter of the Black Fireman, thus becoming the son-in-law of the Golden Family and gaining a boost in status.

The same applies to the "divine messenger" persona they drape over themselves.

Old Zhu's few words of flattery were like a "great gift" to him in words.

Timur was overjoyed, and the smile on his face could no longer be hidden.

He gestured excitedly and said, "It is said that the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was a man truly blessed by Heaven. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved and that he truly has the mandate of Heaven."

Timur's tone shifted, becoming more sincere and fervent than ever before: "My Timurid Empire wishes to forge an eternal alliance with the Ming Empire!"

"Good!" Upon hearing this, Old Zhu clapped his hands heartily, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Then let's order people to prepare the documents, and today we will swear an oath of blood to forge a lasting friendship between our two nations!"

However, at that moment, Timur raised an eyebrow and said, "Before that, I have a small request."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he said slowly, "Your envoy Chen Cheng previously stated that if our two countries were to form an alliance, any attack on my Turan Empire would be tantamount to an attack on the Ming Dynasty."

"Since the Ming Dynasty will establish a military base in the Turan Empire, it will naturally assume the responsibility of protecting the Turan Empire's security."

Timur's tone carried a subtle probing: "Of course, my Turan Empire is strong and well-equipped, and normally, there is no need for the Ming Dynasty to send additional troops to protect us."

"However, could you please let me first demonstrate the sincerity of your Great Ming Dynasty?"

Old Zhu couldn't help but frown slightly.

He hadn't expected Timur to be so difficult to deal with, still resorting to the same old tricks at this crucial moment, trying to gain more benefits.

However, considering that forging an alliance with the Turan Empire was a matter of great importance, he temporarily suppressed his displeasure and patiently said, "What is your request? Please speak frankly."

"That's how it is," Timur explained calmly. "Although I have swept across the vast land with my iron-fisted army, there are still some stubborn and unruly people within the empire."

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Among them, the 'Chaotic Scales Bandit Gang' is the most powerful."

"In the past year, they have captured many cities in the empire, burning, killing, looting and committing all kinds of atrocities, causing great suffering to the people."

"My purpose in coming to the border is twofold: first, to negotiate an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, and second, to personally lead troops to annihilate them."

Timur's tone became relaxed and confident as he said this: "Although it would not be difficult for me to lead my troops to wipe them out, casualties are always inevitable in war."

He turned his gaze to Old Zhu and said, "I have long heard that the Ming army's combat power is unparalleled in the world. They have repeatedly achieved the amazing feat of annihilating thousands of enemies without suffering any casualties themselves, which is truly astonishing."

"I, Timur, would very much like to see it for myself."

Timur then made a specific request, saying, "There is no need for your Great Ming to go through the trouble of completely eradicating them. Just send a troop to cooperate with our army in fighting the Chaotic Scales bandits, so that I can see the true strength of the Great Ming army with my own eyes and broaden my horizons."

"This is also to solidify the friendship that is about to be forged between us."

"What does Your Majesty think?"

Old Zhu gave Timur a deep look.

He knew perfectly well that this old fox ultimately wanted to see the true fighting strength of the Ming army with his own eyes.

To put it bluntly, if the Ming army was truly as powerful and invincible as legend suggests, then Timur would willingly accept the conditions proposed by the Ming, allowing the army to pass through his territory and permitting the Ming to establish military bases within his borders.

Conversely, if the Ming Dynasty shows any sign of weakness, he might not only refuse to form an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, but might even turn around and bite back on it without hesitation.

His malicious intentions are obvious.

However, this is how it is when dealing with these barbarians from foreign lands who admire the strong and despise the weak.

Only by demonstrating its unparalleled strength can the Ming Dynasty truly win their hearts and minds and make them submit.

Timur, a hero who rose from humble beginnings amidst chaos, founded the Turan Empire, and dominated a vast land, was undoubtedly a formidable figure of his time.

Such a figure is far superior to those incompetent and foolish rulers who simply inherit their family's wealth and power.

Old Zhu pondered for a moment, then looked at Timur and said, "Tell us the details of the Chaotic Scales bandit gang first, and then we will consider it carefully."

"Of course." Timur saw that Old Zhu did not immediately refuse, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

Without further ado, he recounted in detail the origins, location, troop composition, leaders, and past crimes of this rebel force.

During the narration, he also secretly observed the subtle reactions of Zhu Yuanzhang and the generals in the tent from time to time, trying to catch a clue from their expressions.

After listening to his explanation, Zhu said that he needed to discuss things with his generals first, and then asked Timur to leave temporarily.

After Timur left, a general broke the silence in the tent, saying, "Your Majesty, judging from Timur's expression, he not only wants to use the power of the Ming Dynasty to deal with the Luanlin bandits, but he also suspects that the Luanlin bandits' backers are none other than our Ming Dynasty!" Old Zhu nodded slightly and replied, "According to his introduction just now, the Luanlin bandits are mainly active in the border area between the Western Regions and the Turan Empire."

"Their rise to power coincided with the time when our Great Ming occupied Beshbaliq and then completely controlled the Western Regions. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for Timur to have such suspicions."

"However, our Great Ming Dynasty has not supported this band of bandits, so there is no need to worry about it."

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Although Huo Liancheng was appointed as the vanguard officer of the western tour, he did not accompany Chen Cheng on his mission to Balihei. Instead, he stayed by Zhu Yuanzhang's side with Li Boyue.

Upon hearing Zhu's inquiry, he bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, since our Ming army took control of the Western Regions, our intelligence bureau and military intelligence agency's spies have rapidly infiltrated and expanded into the surrounding areas."

"With the Supreme Emperor's western tour imminent, the Intelligence Bureau and the Military Intelligence Department have listed the Turan Empire, which he will pass through, as a key target of attention."

"The Intelligence Bureau and the Military Intelligence Department have already collected a large amount of information about the Luanlin Bandit Gang."

"Their leader is named Kutruk, and he is nicknamed 'Descendant of the Blue Wolf'."

"This man claimed to be the 'chosen one' and vowed to rebel against Timur's brutal rule."

"Previously, the Turan Empire had sent troops to besiege them several times, but Kutruk, taking advantage of the terrain, skillfully maneuvered against the Turan Empire's elite cavalry in the towering mountains, causing the Turan Empire's powerful troops to return empty-handed and defeated on several occasions."

"The rabble under Kutruk's command is no match for the elite cavalry of the Turan Empire. It would be like throwing an egg against a rock, and it is absolutely impossible for them to succeed."

"However, this time Timur personally led the expedition, and the size of the army he commanded far exceeded that of the past."

"As long as there are enough troops, they can tightly block all the passes and key routes, making it impossible for Kutruk to continue to use guerrilla tactics and entangle with them. They will inevitably be forced into a desperate situation of direct confrontation."

"At that time, as long as Kutruk doesn't find a weakness and manage to escape, Kutruk's destruction will only be a matter of time."

"Moreover, according to Timur's report just now, they have accurately located the stronghold of the Chaotic Scales bandits."

"It is only necessary for our Ming army to carry out the siege warfare, and the purpose is self-evident."

"It is not only to test the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and Kutruk, but also to explore the true combat strength of the Ming army."

"Our Great Ming has no connection with Kutruk, and the Chaotic Scales bandit gang was not cultivated by the Great Ming."

"It wouldn't hurt to assist Timur's army in wiping out this bandit."

"Your Majesty, I believe there is no need for you to mobilize a large number of troops. I am willing to take on this task and select a few highly skilled and elite marksmen to complete the mission."

"In this way, we can play a pivotal role in the operation to wipe out the Chaotic Scales bandit gang, demonstrating the extraordinary strength and precision strike capability of our Ming army."

"It will also make Timur feel that the true strength of our Ming army is even more unfathomable, and make him fearful and suspicious, thus achieving an effective deterrent effect and making him dare not have any more improper thoughts."

"A mere few sharpshooters can wipe out the Chaotic Scales bandit gang?" Old Zhu frowned slightly, looked at Huo Liancheng in disbelief, and said in a deep voice, "Tell me your strategy in detail."

Huo Liancheng did not answer, but bowed and left. A short while later, he returned to the tent with a musket.

Compared to the standard firearms commonly used by soldiers in the Ming army, this firearm was significantly more exquisitely crafted, with a heavier and more substantial feel, and its barrel was much longer than that of ordinary firearms.

Its lines are smooth and exude an extraordinary aura, as if it contains some kind of unimaginable power.

"Your Majesty, this is a new firearm recently developed by the Ming Dynasty's military factories. It was specially ordered by His Majesty to be sent from Nanjing to Beshbali by imperial decree after His Majesty learned of your intention to make a western tour. It is intended for use by the soldiers of the new army to assist Your Majesty on your western tour," Huo Liancheng introduced.

“This gun is extremely rare, with only a few dozen in existence.” He then explained, “As far as I know, this gun was even an experimental weapon from the Nanjing Armory.”

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with confusion. They couldn't understand why Huo Liancheng was introducing a musket with such solemnity.

What is the connection between this and the defeat of the Chaotic Scales bandit gang?

"Compared to the existing standard-issue muskets, this new musket has a range that is nearly two-thirds longer, and its shooting accuracy has also achieved a qualitative leap and a significant improvement."

Huo Liancheng continued to elaborate on the superior performance of the new musket, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and pride.

"Even the ammunition they use is specially made armor-piercing bullets."

"His Majesty personally named it 'sniper rifle' and stated that it was the first sniper weapon of the Ming Dynasty."

"It is said that His Majesty believed that the technology of this gun was not yet mature and was still far from his ideal sniper rifle. He even joked that compared with the 'Barrett,' this gun was simply a child's toy."

At this point, Huo Liancheng's brows furrowed with a hint of confusion.

"Although I do not know what kind of divine weapon Your Majesty speaks of, the 'Barrett,' this gun is, in my eyes, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, worthy of being called a peerless divine weapon!"

His tone was impassioned, and his eyes gleamed with boundless admiration for the musket.

"Back in the Three Kingdoms period, Marquis Wen, Lü Bu, once performed the feat of shooting an arrow through a halberd at the gate of the camp. His archery skills were so superb that they were unparalleled in the world and have been a legend throughout history."

"But I have personally tested it. I am absolutely certain that I can shoot farther and more accurately than Lü Bu did back then, using this musket at the same or even greater distances!"

His words immediately moved everyone present.

As the undisputed number one warrior of the Three Kingdoms period, what is most talked about by countless generals in later generations is not his battle against three heroes, but his shooting of the halberd at the gate.

That was truly superb archery skill.

This left Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei utterly shocked.

In fact, Ming soldiers using firearms could certainly exert greater power than archers.

But it would be wrong to say that they shoot farther or more accurately than the best archers.

The only difference is that they use guns and only need a short period of training to surpass an ordinary archer who has trained for several years.

Moreover, their ability to fire continuously is something that archers can only dream of.

There are also bullets with amazing armor-piercing capabilities, and so on.

The resulting changes have brought about a tremendous boost to combat power.

……

P.S.: Thank you so much to reader "旭_尧" for the first "Alliance Master" award! This is the first Alliance Master award for this book, thank you so much! I'm so grateful!

(End of this chapter)