My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 268 Chongzhen: I know this is a good thing, but I can't bear to lose face like this!
But it's obvious she's overthinking it.

Because in the very next second, Qiqige suddenly calmed down.

No one knew what Qiqige was thinking in that short time. All they saw was that her expression instantly returned to calm, and then she calmly sat down in the chair, picked up a piece of mutton in front of her, and slowly began to eat it.

It was as if that angry scene had never happened.

Upon seeing this scene, not only was Zheng Xiaomei somewhat surprised, but Zhu Cilang was as well.

Because this is really not in line with Qiqige's personality!
So, Zhu Cilang asked with some curiosity:
"What? You were just looking like you wanted to eat someone alive, how come you've suddenly calmed down?"

Qiqige looked up at Zhu Cilang, then chuckled and said:
"Stop pretending. I know you're lying to me. You might really be planning something against the Mongols, but it would never be something as extreme as burning the fields or destroying their nests."

"After all, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty personally conferred the title of Great Khan of the Mongols upon my brother, and my brother also represented the Mongols in submitting to the Ming Dynasty."

"The Ming Dynasty has always prided itself on being a land of propriety and etiquette, and it is absolutely impossible for it to do such a treacherous thing."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiaomei, who was standing to the side, was also slightly taken aback.

I was in such a hurry that I forgot to think about it for a moment. Now that I think about it, what Qiqige said makes a lot of sense.

Besides, if Zhu Cilang really wanted to do such a thing to the Mongols, why would he tell Qiqige?

Thinking of this, Zheng Xiaomei immediately looked at Zhu Cilang with a reproachful expression.

Zhu Cilang was somewhat surprised at this moment, because he did not expect Qiqige to have thought of these things so quickly.

It seems that during her time in the Ming Dynasty, she has become much smarter and more thoughtful.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang said with a smile:
"I never expected you to suddenly become so smart."

"However, you are wrong about one thing. The Ming Dynasty did indeed intend to burn the fields and destroy the nests of the Mongols, but it was not targeting you."

Upon hearing this, Qiqige's relaxed expression instantly turned tense again.

The next second, Qiqige couldn't help but anxiously ask:
"Zhu Cilang! What exactly do you want to do?"

At this moment, Qiqige was really anxious.

Having said all that, there's really no point in continuing this veiled and cryptic exchange.

So Zhu Cilang then openly and frankly made the matter clear.

"Don't misunderstand, this military action by the Ming Dynasty is not aimed at your Chahar tribe, but at other Mongolian steppe tribes, namely the Oirat, Yarkand Khanate, Khoshut Khanate, and Tumed."

Upon hearing this, Qiqige instantly snapped out of her daze, a look of sudden realization appearing on her face.

As a Mongol, she was far more knowledgeable about the distribution of Mongol power than Zhu Cilang.

In her mind, Mongolia was never a monolithic entity, but rather a collection of tribes of all sizes and shapes.

Even at their most powerful, they were just one of many tribes.

Moreover, the relationship between these Mongol tribes has never been harmonious, with constant fighting and frequent friction between them.

Take her tribe, the Chahar tribe, for example. They have always had tense relations with the surrounding tribes, with many conflicts and contradictions between them.

However, when she thought of those who were about to suffer the hardship of burning the fields and destroying the nests, they were also Mongolians, and Qiqige felt a pang of pity.

She frowned slightly, and her lips moved as if she wanted to say something.

Before she could speak, Zhu Cilang, as if reading her mind, continued:

"According to reliable intelligence from Xuanfu, this winter will be tough for your Chahar tribe. The Jurchens robbed you of a large number of cattle, sheep and food, which has caused great suffering to the herders who rely on these for their livelihood."

“They are now struggling to even get basic food. Judging from the current situation, many people in your Chahar tribe will probably starve to death this year.”

"That's probably why your brother Abunai has been extremely busy lately, raiding surrounding Mongol tribes to acquire more supplies so that your tribe can get through this harsh winter."

Upon hearing this, Qiqige fell silent instantly.

Her eyes held a complex expression, as if she were undergoing a fierce internal struggle.

Although she felt genuine sympathy for the surrounding tribes, the thought that it concerned the life and death of her own tribe instantly banished that sympathy.

After all, her personal feelings were insignificant in the face of the great matter of the tribe's survival.

Immediately afterwards, Qiqige raised her head, her gaze fixed on Zhu Cilang, and said:

"So, what do you want us to do?"

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly and said:
"I intend to seek your cooperation in burning the wasteland and destroying nests. However, burning the wasteland is secondary; the main objective is to destroy the nests."

“Let’s work together to raid the surrounding Mongol tribes. We’ll divide the people, cattle and sheep we capture, and even the land we take will be distributed in the same way.”

"In this way, you will gain a large population, cattle, sheep, and pastures. You shouldn't refuse such a proposal, right?"

As soon as Zhu Cilang said those words, Qiqige was instantly tempted.

Because she knew very well that her brother had only recently reclaimed Mongolia and needed a large population and livestock to bolster the tribe's strength.

However, with their current strength, the Chahar tribe is not yet the most powerful tribe on the grassland.

If they encounter stronger tribes during their raids, they might be utterly defeated.

But with the help of the Ming Dynasty, the situation would be very different.

After all, in the previous Battle of Songjin, the Ming Dynasty had demonstrated its formidable strength, defeating over 100,000 Jurchens in one fell swoop.

In comparison, what are those Mongol tribes?

However, Qiqige always felt that this matter was not so simple.

After all, Zhu Cilang had tricked them badly before, and she still vividly remembered that lesson. She didn't want to fall into the same trap again.

Thinking of this, Qiqige looked at Zhu Cilang with a suspicious gaze, her tone carrying a hint of questioning:
"You're not trying to trick us again, are you? Don't forget what happened last time."

Zhu Cilang quickly said in a serious tone:

"What are you saying? I am the Crown Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty, how could I possibly betray you? I always keep my word, and this time when I proposed cooperation, it was truly from the bottom of my heart."

Upon hearing this, Qiqige couldn't help but roll her eyes, secretly thinking to herself:

That sounds nice, but wasn't that the same attitude you showed when you were ripping them off before?

Seeing that Qiqige still looked unconvinced, Zhu Cilang smiled and said:
"To show the sincerity of the Ming Dynasty, this operation will be personally ordered by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I will also personally go to Xuanfu to discuss the specifics with your brother."

"With the imperial edict of the Ming Emperor and my presence, surely you won't doubt the sincerity of the Ming Dynasty?"

As soon as she said that, Qiqige's expression turned serious.

After all, she understood that the imperial edict represented the authority of the Ming Emperor, and the fact that the Crown Prince of Ming personally intervened further demonstrated the importance attached to this cooperation.

The combination of these two factors is far too significant, leaving no room for her to underestimate it.

After a pause, Qiqige continued to ask:
How many troops is the Ming Dynasty preparing to send this time?

As she said this, her eyes revealed a hint of expectation mixed with a hint of worry.

The hope is that if the Ming army has a large force, the chances of this cooperation succeeding will be even greater.

The concern is whether the Ming Dynasty might have ulterior motives if it mobilized too many troops.

Immediately afterwards, she heard Zhu Cilang say:

"Not many, just a mere fifty thousand cavalry."

fifty thousand
cavalry!!!!!

When Qiqige heard this, she was instantly stunned, her eyes widened, and her face was full of disbelief.

What do you mean by "not many"? Fifty thousand cavalry.
When did 50,000 cavalrymen become associated with the word "not many"?
It should be noted that after the previous brutal war, the Mongols now only have about 30,000 to 40,000 cavalry left.

Now the Ming Dynasty is about to mobilize 50,000 cavalry. Is this to burn the wasteland and raid the enemy's strongholds, or to launch a large-scale annihilation campaign against the Mongols?
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Seeing Qiqige's expression, Zhu Cilang knew she must have misunderstood, and then explained:
"Don't overthink it. I really have no interest in you right now. After all, among the many Mongol tribes, your Chahar tribe is the most stable at the moment."

"The Ming Dynasty can maintain peace on the grasslands and keep its borders secure by relying on you. But if we destroy you, the Ming Dynasty's borders will not be so secure."

It must be said that although this may sound a bit harsh, upon closer examination, the truth behind it is quite valid.

Qiqige couldn't help but nod secretly, feeling that what Zhu Cilang said seemed to make some sense.

Then, Qiqige continued to ask:
"How will the spoils and land be divided? This is a crucial question that needs to be clarified."

A hint of determination flashed in her eyes; she clearly didn't want to suffer a loss in this matter.

Zhu Cilang replied:
"I haven't figured out the specific allocation for this matter yet. After all, it involves many factors. For example, if the Ming Dynasty sends 50,000 troops and you send 10,000, it would be unreasonable to divide them equally."

"So let's wait until we get to Xuanfu and discuss it with your brother in person. But don't worry, I'm always fair and I definitely won't let you suffer any losses."

"Even if you don't want those spoils of war, I will exchange them with you in equal amounts of silver, grain, and any other supplies. How about that?"

Having said that, Qiqige was completely smitten.

She knew perfectly well what this meant for Mongolia.

If this cooperation is successful, it means that all the tribespeople will be able to eat their fill this year and will no longer suffer from cold and hunger.

This was a matter of life and death for countless members of her clan, and she had no reason to refuse.

Thinking of this, Qiqige agreed without hesitation:

"Okay, I promise you."

Her voice, though not loud, was full of determination.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang laughed and said, "What good is it if you agree to this? You're not the Great Khan of Mongolia; your brother has to give his approval for this."

Qiqige blushed and said somewhat shyly:

“If you can really do what you promise, then I can guarantee that my brother will agree.”

"So this time I hope you can keep your promise and not break your word again."

Zhu Cilang nodded.

"Rest assured, I will absolutely keep my promise this time and will not let you down."

At this point in the conversation, Qiqige suddenly couldn't sit still anymore.

Because she was anxious; after all, it was such an important matter that she had to tell Abuna as soon as possible.

Then, she looked directly at Zhu Cilang and said:

"Now that the matter has been settled, I'll take my leave first. I need to tell my brother the news as soon as possible so he can prepare accordingly."

But before she could move, Zhu Cilang stopped her.

"Although this matter is indeed urgent, there is no need to rush. I have just ordered the Ministry of War to send this matter to your brother as soon as possible."

"Even if you're fast, can you be as fast as an urgent messenger? So let's wait. The army will set off in two days, and then we'll go together."

"If something were to happen to you on the way alone, it could affect the cooperation between the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols!"

Hearing this, Qiqige had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Suddenly at that moment, Zheng Xiaomei, who was standing to the side, looked at Zhu Cilang with a worried expression and said:
"Your Highness, are you going to lead the army in person again?"

During the Battle of Songjin, Zheng Xiaomei lived in constant fear in the Eastern Palace, worried that something might happen to Zhu Cilang.

Unexpectedly, several months later, Zhu Cilang was going to personally lead another expedition.

Although there might be no danger this time, she was still very worried.

Seeing Zheng Xiaomei's worried expression, Zhu Cilang quickly smiled and comforted her:
"Don't worry, I'm not stupid. Expanding territory and fighting for the country are the soldiers' business. I won't be so reckless as to personally take to the front lines."

"This time, I am only going to guard Xuanfu. My main purpose is to stabilize the situation and coordinate affairs between various parties. There will be no danger."

Zheng Xiaomei still looked somewhat hesitant when she heard this.

She bit her lip and said:
"Your Highness, may I accompany you this time? After all, you always need someone to take care of you."

Her voice carried a hint of coquetry, and her eyes were full of anticipation.

Zhu Cilang was taken aback when he heard this, but then he laughed.

Looking into Zheng Xiaomei's expectant eyes, his heart softened, and he said:

"That's fine too. Anyway, I'm not going to fight this time, so I'll just treat it as a trip to the border to relax. With you by my side, I can relax a lot more."

Upon receiving Zhu Cilang's agreement, Zheng Xiaomei was overjoyed, and a bright smile instantly bloomed on her face.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang seemed to remember something else, and then gave some instructions:
"However, you may need to disguise yourself as a man when you go there. After all, it would be bad if the other soldiers saw me leading a female relative on the expedition!"

Zheng Xiaomei quickly replied:
"Your Highness, rest assured, I know what to do!"

In Zheng Xiaomei's opinion, what's the big deal about a woman dressing up as a man?

She would do anything to stay by Zhu Cilang's side.

After the decision was made, Zheng Xiaomei and Qiqige hurried off to do their own things, since they had quite a lot to prepare.

For a moment, they even forgot to eat the hot pot on the table.

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang found a spot and sat down leisurely. Then he picked up his bowl and chopsticks and continued to enjoy the steaming hot pot.

At this moment, he felt no panic or urgency. After all, everything had been arranged properly and everything was proceeding smoothly according to plan. So what was there to be anxious about?
He ate the hot pot slowly, savoring the spicy and savory flavors spreading on his tongue, enjoying every bite immensely.

Time slipped away quietly as we enjoyed the delicious food, and by the time we finished the hot pot, it was almost noon.

Zhu Cilang put down his chopsticks and bowl, and without the slightest hesitation, got up and prepared to go to the palace.

He planned to go and say hello to Emperor Chongzhen, since this trip was a long journey and it would take at least twenty days to return.

It would be really inappropriate not to give them a heads-up.

Moreover, during his absence, Emperor Chongzhen would certainly still need to attend court occasionally to handle state affairs.

Therefore, he had to remind Chongzhen in advance to prevent Chongzhen from causing any trouble during his absence from the capital.

After all, it's not like the early days of the rebellion anymore, and there's no need to take Chongzhen everywhere.

When Zhu Cilang arrived at Kunning Palace, by sheer coincidence, he happened to run into Emperor Chongzhen having lunch with Empress Zhou.

The table was laden with all sorts of delicious dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, making one's appetite soar.

Of course, Zhu Cilang certainly didn't have much of an appetite now, since he had just finished eating hot pot.

When Empress Zhu saw Zhu Cilang arrive, a warm smile appeared on her face, and she greeted him:

"Lang'er is here. Sit down and have something to eat."

The voice was full of concern.

Zhu Cilang looked at the mouthwatering delicacies on the table, then smiled and shook his head, saying:

"Mother, I have already eaten."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhou glanced at Zhu Cilang with some doubt, and a sense of unease arose in her heart.

After all, it's still early. Normally, it shouldn't be lunchtime yet. Why did Zhu Cilang eat lunch so early?
However, she considered it a trivial matter and did not pay much attention to it.

After having a palace maid serve Zhu Cilang a cup of tea, he continued his meal.

Zhu Cilang found a comfortable spot to the side, leisurely picked up his tea and took a small sip. The aroma of the tea spread in his mouth, making him feel very comfortable.

Emperor Chongzhen did not speak from beginning to end, because he knew very well that Zhu Cilang had come to discuss something important with him.

Similar situations have occurred many times over this period of time, and he has long been used to it.

As usual, after lunch, Empress Zhou made up an excuse and got up to leave.

She knew in her heart that the father and son must have something important to discuss, and that it would be inconvenient for her to stay, so it was better to leave.

Before long, only Zhu Cilang and Chongzhen remained in the vast palace.

As Emperor Chongzhen leisurely sipped his tea, he slowly asked:
"Tell me, what's going on this time? Are you trying to make me take the blame, or do you want me to issue some imperial decree?"

It has to be said that Chongzhen's reaction was so skillful it was outrageous; it was clear that he was already very familiar with Zhu Cilang's tactics.

Zhu Cilang found Chongzhen's words somewhat amusing, but still got straight to the point:

"Father, this morning the Ministry of War received a memorial from Xuanfu, asking whether or not to carry out burning of the fields and destruction of the nests of the Mongols."

Burning the fields and destroying nests?
Emperor Chongzhen was taken aback when he heard this, but he quickly shook his head, a look of doubt on his face.

"For so many years, the Ming Dynasty's border troops haven't done anything like this. Why are they suddenly doing something like this?"

It should be noted that since Chongzhen ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty's national strength had declined, and it had never carried out military operations such as burning wasteland and destroying nests. Therefore, it was inevitable that Zhu Cilang would be somewhat surprised to hear him suddenly mention this matter.

Zhu Cilang then patiently explained:
"The reason why the border troops haven't done this for a long time is firstly because they were afraid of the Jurchens and Mongols, so they didn't dare to do it."

"Secondly, doing this doesn't count as military merit, and there's not even the most basic reward of winning money, so the soldiers are naturally even less willing to do it."

"After all, when it comes to war, everyone either hopes to make military achievements and bring glory to their ancestors, or they hope to make a fortune."

"But burning fields and destroying nests are dangerous tasks that don't offer any real military merit, so who would be willing to do them?"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded, finding some merit in Zhu Cilang's words.

He pondered for a moment, then continued to ask:

"Then what do you mean? Since you've come to see me, you must have decided to go to Mongolia to burn the wasteland and destroy the nests, right?"

Emperor Chongzhen now knows his son all too well. Since his son has come to him to discuss this matter, he must have already made a decision in his heart.

Regarding the glasses, Zhu Cilang nodded and said:

"Your subject does indeed have this intention."

But the next second, Chongzhen shook his head, a look of worry on his face.

“I feel that this matter is somewhat inappropriate. Don’t forget that Mongolia submitted to the Ming Dynasty not long ago, and the current Great Khan of Mongolia was appointed by me. Mongolia can be considered a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.”

"Under these circumstances, if the Ming Dynasty were to engage in burning wasteland and destroying nests again, how would the people of the world view the Ming Dynasty? How would the vassal states view the Ming Dynasty?"

In essence, Emperor Chongzhen's words can be summarized in one sentence:

I know this is a good thing, but I can't afford to lose face like this!

Hey!
Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang sighed helplessly in his heart.

Looks like I'll have to explain the real objective again this time!
Then, Zhu Cilang roughly repeated what he had said to Li Banghua before.

Upon hearing these words, Chongzhen's eyes lit up.

He hadn't expected that Zhu Cilang's target wasn't Abunai, but other Mongol tribes.

If that's the case, then it's not shameful at all!

(End of this chapter)