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

Chapter 274 War has always been cruel!

However, there was another very important reason why Zhu Cilang insisted on fighting the Oirat Alliance!

That is, not long after, on the vast grasslands of the Oirat Alliance, a being will be born who will terrify the Jurchens. This person is none other than Galdan!

That's right, it's Galdan, the one who gave Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong a major headache, drained the entire national treasury, and took decades of arduous fighting to finally defeat.

Galdan's Dzungar tribe belonged to the Oirat Alliance!
In the original history, after Galdan grew up, he continuously absorbed the surrounding tribes and races with his own strength, and gradually developed the Dzungar tribe into a huge country composed of various industries such as agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and forging.

At its peak, the land area he controlled even exceeded seven million square kilometers, which was larger than the territory of the Jurchens at that time!

Even the Russian Empire at the time did not dare to easily confront the Dzungars and could only deal with them cautiously.

This is precisely why the three emperors, Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, always regarded the Dzungar Khanate as a major threat and spared no effort to eliminate it. It took them decades and a huge price to finally win the war.

As a time traveler, Zhu Cilang possessed knowledge and foresight that ordinary people lacked. He was well aware of the enormous threat that the Dzungars and Galdan would ultimately pose to the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, he planned to take advantage of this expedition to Mongolia to eliminate the troublesome Dzungar Khanate in one fell swoop, and also nip Galdan in the bud.

Although Galdan has not yet been born, it doesn't matter, because Galdan's father, Batur Khuntaiji, is the leader of the Dzungar tribe.

It holds a pivotal position within the Oirat Union.

Therefore, as long as Batur Khuntaiji is killed and the Dzungars are destroyed, Galdan will naturally not be born.

As for whether other similar figures like Ga Erdan or Ga Sandan will emerge later, that's not something Zhu Cilang should worry about.

Anyway, he only needs to deal with the problems he knows about; the rest can wait until later.

It looks pretty cruel, doesn't it?
But don't forget, this is war!
War is always cruel!

Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang's eyes hardened, and he looked at everyone and continued:
"I have one more very important matter to entrust to you. When you go to the Oirat Alliance this time, you must do everything you can to kill one person. That person is Batur Khuntaiji, the leader of the Dzungar tribe. Also, wipe out the entire Dzungar tribe!"

"Whoever can complete this task will be the greatest contributor to this battle, and I will reward them handsomely!"

Upon hearing this, the military officers present exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing confusion and bewilderment.

Because they simply couldn't understand why His Highness the Crown Prince insisted on killing the leader of this small tribe.
In the eyes of the Ming Dynasty, a small Dzungar tribe did not seem to be worth such a large-scale war.

Although they were filled with doubts, they dared not ask any more questions.

Immediately, Zu Dabi quickly stood up, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my utmost to take this traitor's head and then wipe out the entire Dzungar Khanate. I will never fail Your Highness's expectations!"

Seeing this, the other generals also quickly got up and knelt down, all expressing their loyalty.

"Your Highness, please rest assured, we will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang nodded in satisfaction. After helping everyone up, he then told them to go and rest.

After all the long journey, these people are exhausted and need a good rest to prepare for their departure in two days.

As for the issue of merit, Zhu Cilang believed that there was no need to say anything more about it.

After all, what we need to do this time is not just simple burning of wasteland and destruction of nests, but also major undertakings such as expanding our territory.

But expanding territory is a real military achievement!

When the time comes to reward those who have made contributions, no one will be treated unfairly.

After finishing this task, it was already afternoon before I knew it.

But Zhu Cilang did not remain idle; instead, he led several trusted confidants to inspect the granary.

After all, they had already promised Abunai that they would transport a batch of grain to Mongolia to serve as supplies for the army during their journey, and this matter could not be taken lightly.

When Zhu Cilang arrived, he saw bags of grain being carried out of the warehouse and neatly stacked to one side.

Shi Kefa stood aside looking at the grain and fodder, feeling a pang of heartache.

After all, these provisions were originally intended for the local people and army in Xuanfu, but unexpectedly they are now being used to supply these 50,000 cavalrymen to attack the Oirat Alliance.

This made him somewhat reluctant to part with it.

But when he thought of what the Crown Prince had said before, that the grain supplies would be replenished soon and that there would be extra, Shi Kefa suddenly felt less upset.

In the original history, Shi Kefa could only be considered a loyal minister, but definitely not a capable one.

However, this was not a problem for Zhu Cilang.

Because the governor of Xuanfu at the time was involved in treason, and Zhu Cilang only needed a loyal person to replace him.

Shi Kefa met his requirements in this respect.

In Zhu Cilang's view, that was enough.

Furthermore, since Shi Kefa had not made any mistakes in handling the internal affairs of Xuanfu, Zhu Cilang was too lazy to replace him.

Soon, the army's provisions were prepared, and then two thousand cavalry and three thousand infantrymen personally escorted them out of Xuanfu. The men sent by Abunai were already waiting outside the city of Xuanfu.

Similarly, Zhu Cilang was also standing on the city wall, watching the soldiers escort the grain away.

He was not worried that Abunai would covet the supplies, because Zhu Cilang had already made plans: if they arrived at the supply depot but found no supplies, the army would immediately massacre Abunai's troops.

Then there's no need to fight the Oirat Alliance anymore; we can just start a massacre of the Chahar tribe on the spot!

In short, if Abuna dares to have any ulterior motives, he will immediately turn on him!
However, in his opinion, things shouldn't have developed to this point, because Abunai wouldn't have done such a thing if he had even a little bit of sense.

That evening, Zhu Cilang ordered all the soldiers who were about to go to war to be rewarded. Ordinary soldiers would receive ten taels of silver, while those with higher ranks would receive more.

In addition, he promised that only 30% of the spoils obtained this time would be handed over to the national treasury, and the remaining 70% would be distributed as rewards to the soldiers.

Don't underestimate this percentage. Keep in mind that during the Ming Dynasty, soldiers usually only received about 10% of the spoils of war.

Most of the spoils of war were returned to the national treasury and used by the army as a whole.

Only in large-scale battles, when the spoils are plentiful, will relatively more be distributed to the soldiers, but usually no more than 30% of the total spoils.

But now Zhu Cilang actually plans to distribute 70% of it to the soldiers. How could these soldiers not be happy?
Time flew by, and soon it was the evening of the second day. The soldiers would set off early the next morning.

That evening, Zhu Cilang held a grand banquet at the Xuanfu Governor's Office to entertain the soldiers who would be going to war the next day.

These soldiers included Wu Sangui, Zu Dabi, Huang Degong, Zhou Yuji, Ma Xianglin, and Zhang Shize, among others.

Zhu Cilang brought Zhang Shize along this time because he had his own plans.

He hoped that Zhang Shize could gain experience from this campaign and grow up as soon as possible.

After all, what the Ming Dynasty needs in the future is no longer nobles who cannot go to the battlefield, but those nobles who can charge into battle and defend their country.

Therefore, Zhang Shize must grow up as soon as possible and take on the responsibilities he should have.

Zhang Shize naturally understood Zhu Cilang's good intentions, so he readily agreed to this opportunity to gain experience.

He secretly vowed to perform well in this campaign and not disappoint His Highness the Crown Prince.

As for the other people Zhu Cilang brought from the capital, some would accompany the army on the expedition, while others would be stationed in the Xuanfu area to protect Zhu Cilang's safety.

After all, while expanding the territory of the Ming Dynasty was important, protecting the safety of the Crown Prince was equally important.

If the Crown Prince were to have an accident in Xuanfu, even if they had made great contributions, they probably wouldn't be able to make up for their mistakes.

At that time, not only will their own lives be in danger, but they will also implicate their families and clansmen.

Similarly, Qin Liangyu would also be stationed in Xuanfu.

After all, Qin Liangyu is now over sixty years old, and such expeditions are no longer suitable for her. Her body can no longer withstand long journeys and intense battles.

If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Cilang plans to let Qin Liangyu retire in the capital in another year or two.

After all, this female general had worked hard for the Ming Dynasty her whole life and made great contributions to its stability and peace. She deserved to enjoy her old age.

After that, her son Ma Xianglin should take on the important task of protecting the country and continue to serve the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Cilang was always very generous to those who were loyal to the emperor and loved their country.

He knew that these people had sacrificed a lot for the country, so he would give them everything they deserved without reservation.

He was never stingy with rewards or honors.

Only by ensuring that these loyal and patriotic individuals receive the rewards they deserve can we inspire more people to serve the country.

At the banquet, since everyone was going to war early the next morning, no one dared to drink alcohol. Instead, they drank tea instead of wine and had a good time.

They drank tea and ate meat while discussing tomorrow's battle plans in a very lively atmosphere.

It wasn't until late at night that everyone got up to say goodbye.

Zhu Cilang watched the generals' departing figures, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

If I were a bit older, perhaps I would have fought alongside them for the country.

It's a pity this body is too young.
Shaking his head helplessly, Zhu Cilang then went to rest.

Time flies like an arrow, and before we knew it, the next morning had arrived.

As the first rays of dawn gently bathed the earth, awakening the sleeping world, Zhu Cilang awoke.

But at that moment, someone else had gotten up even earlier than him—the Ming soldiers who were about to embark on their expedition.

Looking into the distance, one could see that beyond Xuanfu, on that vast and boundless land, the cavalry of the Ming Dynasty were densely arrayed.

The warhorses, strong and lithe, with glossy coats, radiated vitality in the morning light. The cavalrymen stood tall and straight, their expressions resolute, their weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

They stood like towering mountain peaks, firmly planted, or like a surging torrent of steel, ready to burst forth and sweep everything away.

Zhu Cilang slowly approached the cavalrymen, his gaze sweeping over them one by one.

At this moment, his heart was like a turbulent sea, unable to find peace for a long time.

Because in the original historical trajectory, most of these brave and fearless soldiers died tragically in the Battle of Songjin.

But now, because of his arrival, everything has changed dramatically.

The wheels of history were forcibly turned back, and these cavalrymen were able to stand here alive.

Zhu Cilang took a deep breath, trying to calm his excited emotions, and then walked steadily toward Zu Dabi, Wu Sangui, Zhang Shize and others.

The guards following behind him carefully held a jar of wine and a wine bowl in their hands, and the aroma of the wine instantly filled the air.

Afterwards, Zhu Cilang personally poured a full bowl of wine for Zu Dabi, Wu Sangui, Zhang Shize and others.

The clear wine rippled gently in the glass, carrying his hopes and blessings for these soldiers.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang, holding a bowl of wine, looked at everyone and said:
"Everyone, have a safe journey. I'll be here waiting for your good news."

Upon hearing this, Zu Dabi, Wu Sangui, Zhang Shize, and others showed a hint of determination and excitement in their eyes.

Without hesitation, they picked up the bowls of wine in their hands, tilted their heads back, and drank the wine in one gulp, their bold and unrestrained manner revealing their true masculine nature.

The next second, they respectfully addressed Zhu Cilang:

"Your Highness, rest assured, we will certainly live up to our mission and make outstanding contributions to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Cilang nodded.

"Go!"

Upon hearing this, Zu Dabi immediately gave orders to the messenger standing nearby.

"set off!"

Immediately afterwards, the men swiftly mounted their horses, and with a gentle squeeze of their legs, the warhorses galloped away like arrows, leaving only a cloud of dust in their wake.

Immediately, the 50,000 cavalrymen sprang into action, heading straight into the depths of the grasslands like an iron torrent!

After careful consideration, Zhu Cilang finally decided on the commander-in-chief and deputy commanders for this expedition.

He handed over the position of commander-in-chief to Zu Dabi, who was experienced and brave in battle.

Although Zu Dabi was not as brave as Zu Dashou, he was highly respected in the army. He had experienced countless battles and had a keen insight into the battlefield situation and decisive decision-making ability.

The deputy generals were Wu Sangui, Zhou Yuji, Huang Degong, and Ma Xianglin, all of whom were exceptional military talents.

As for Zhang Shize, although he was full of enthusiasm and eager to make a name for himself on the battlefield, he was simply too young. In terms of combat experience and prestige, he could not compare with veteran generals like Zu Dabi and Wu Sangui.

Therefore, Zhu Cilang could only appoint him as a guerrilla general.

However, Zhu Cilang believed that it was only a matter of time.

Given time, Zhang Shize will surely hone his skills on the battlefield and grow into a general capable of leading independently.

Meanwhile, not far from Xuanfu, Abunai was riding a horse, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

When he saw the Ming army's 50,000 cavalry surging towards him like a tidal wave, his hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the reins.

The shock brought by those 50,000 cavalrymen was simply too intense.

Looking around, the mountains and plains were covered with Ming Dynasty cavalry, like a dark cloud rapidly pressing in.

The bright Ming Dynasty banners, gleaming with dazzling gold in the morning light, were like sharp swords, piercing Abunai's eyes.

For a long time, the Mongols held an absolute advantage in the number of cavalry. With their powerful cavalry, they roamed the vast grasslands, striking fear into the hearts of neighboring countries.

Even the dynasties of the Central Plains were no exception!

His ancestor Genghis Khan swept across the entire Eurasian continent with his Mongol cavalry!
However, the situation has now completely reversed.

Thinking of this, Abunai sighed helplessly, his heart filled with emotion and worry.

But he quickly realized what was happening and casually waved his hand.

The next second, the 20,000 cavalrymen who had been prepared behind him charged straight at the Ming army like tigers emerging from the mountains.

After the two sides met, they quickly headed off into the distance.

As for Abuna himself and his remaining 15,000 cavalry, they would remain on the grasslands to continue their defense.

He certainly didn't want other tribes to take advantage of the situation to attack him and undermine his cause.

And so, a thrilling campaign of burning the wasteland officially began.
It was noon, and Zhu Cilang was having lunch with Zheng Xiaomei and Qiqige in the Xuanfu government office.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, its aroma filling the air.

Zhu Cilang ate quite happily, as everything was proceeding smoothly according to his plan, which resulted in him having a very good appetite, able to eat two bowls of rice per meal.

However, Qiqige looked dejected. She barely ate a few bites before gently putting down her chopsticks, her eyes revealing a hint of sorrow and loneliness.

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, and then asked:
"What's wrong with you? You haven't been acting normally since you came back a few days ago. Is something bothering you?"

Upon hearing this, Qiqige rolled her eyes at Zhu Cilang, then silently got up and left without saying a word.

Zhu Cilang watched Qiqige's departing figure, somewhat puzzled but not particularly concerned, and continued eating.

After Qiqige left, Zheng Xiaomei looked at Zhu Cilang, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:
“Your Highness, Qiqige wanted to stay on the grassland, but her brother Abunai refused.”

“Abunai felt that it would be better for the grasslands for Qiqige to stay in the Ming Dynasty, so he firmly disagreed with her going back.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang nodded thoughtfully, immediately understanding why Qiqige was unhappy.

He could actually understand Abuna's thoughts. After all, there were certain risks involved in such cooperation between the two sides. Abuna probably wouldn't feel at ease if he didn't leave a hostage.

Qiqige was undoubtedly the most suitable hostage.

Furthermore, although Zhu Cilang and Qiqige have not had any substantial relationship so far, it is likely that in Abunai's eyes, Qiqige has long been Zhu Cilang's woman.

Zhu Cilang had no way to defend himself, since letting him misunderstand was actually beneficial to the Ming Dynasty.

In today's complex situation, such a misunderstanding may, to some extent, stabilize the relationship between the two sides.

Therefore, Zhu Cilang reluctantly accepted this 'loss'.

Meanwhile, the scene shifts to the streets of Xuanfu.

At this moment, the streets were bustling with people and vehicles, a lively scene indeed.

Although the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols had carried out military operations such as burning wastelands and destroying nests, this did not have much impact on the trade in Xuanfu.

After all, their main target this time is the Oirat Alliance, and it won't affect the merchants who trade here.

It is also worth mentioning that the two Mongol tribes that usually traded with Xuanfu and the Ming Dynasty were actually the two tribes.

One of them is the Tumet tribe, and the other is the Chahar tribe of Abunai.

The burning of the wasteland and destruction of nests did not affect them, so they did not react in any particular way and continued to work busily in the lively market as usual.

However, this isn't entirely accurate, because Tumote is already starting to panic.
The Tumet, also known as the Tatars, were not on good terms with the Ming Dynasty for several centuries after its establishment.

They are like a herd of unruly wild horses, often running rampant in the border areas.

Even decades ago, the Tumed army repeatedly led its troops to raid the border, advancing with unstoppable momentum and even threatening the capital, posing a huge threat to the rule of the Ming Dynasty.

In order to quell the war, the imperial court was forced to open the horse market, a move that became a turning point in the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the Tatar tribes.

In 1570, the fourth year of the Longqing reign, the two sides conducted further negotiations.

At that time, the Ming Dynasty conferred the title of Shunyi King upon Altan Khan, the tribal leader of the Tatars, and opened eleven trade ports, including Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi, to allow trade between the Mongols and the Han Chinese.

Anda Khan also knew that peace was hard-won, so he restrained his tribes and prohibited any behavior that harassed the border.

This move ended nearly two centuries of hostility between the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols, ushering in a period of relative peace in the border region.

In other words, the Xuanfu trade trade was initially mainly aimed at the Tatars, also known as the Tumets.

In the decades that followed, the Jurchens gradually rose to power, rapidly expanding their influence with their strong military might.

Meanwhile, Tumed gradually declined, plagued by internal conflicts, and its strength was far less than before.

In this situation, the Tumet had no choice but to submit to the Jurchens in order to survive.

Even so, trade between the two sides continued.

The main reason for this was to appease the Mongol tribes living in the border areas, so as to prevent them from posing a greater threat to the Ming Dynasty.

Getting back to the main point, although the Ming Dynasty and the Chahar tribe joined forces this time mainly to target the Oirat Alliance, the Tumed were still panicked.

The reason is simple: Tumote's geographical location is just too awkward.

It was situated in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the Chahar tribe, the Oirat Alliance, and the Yarkand Khanate, surrounded by "big brothers" on all sides, with only one "little brother".

If any of the "big brothers" is unhappy, they can deal with it at will, or even wipe it out.

Later, the Jurchens defeated the Mongol tribes, and the Tumed gained another "big brother"!
This predicament of being surrounded by enemies made Tumote worry every day, fearing that he might accidentally bring about his own destruction!
This time, it seems that utter annihilation is truly imminent.
(End of this chapter)