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

"In my opinion, we need not pay any attention to him! Once our 600,000-strong army has been assembled and marched out of the Great Wall, if the Khorchin tribe knows what's good for them, they should obediently act as our vanguard and guides. If they don't know what's good for them and dare to have disloyal intentions, our army can easily wipe out the Khorchin first, and then it won't be difficult to annihilate the Jurchens! Why should you, as the Crown Prince, personally venture into dangerous territory to appease him?"

Chongzhen spoke with great pride, displaying the natural superiority of a monarch of the Celestial Empire over the leaders of surrounding tribes, and absolute confidence in the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

In his view, in the face of the impending torrent of steel, Abunai's petty schemes and so-called conditions were utterly insignificant; those who obeyed him would prosper, and those who defied him would perish.

Zhu Cilang listened quietly to his father's complaints without rushing to refute them. He knew that his father was just worried and confused, which was also a natural expression of his imperial nature.

He hesitated for a moment, waiting until Chongzhen's breathing had calmed down, before slowly asking a question:
"Father, please calm your anger. Your son dares to ask, in your opinion, after our Great Ming has completely wiped out the Jurchens, how should we deal with the Southern Mongols, especially the Khorchin tribe? Should we establish prefectures and counties, send officials to govern them, station troops and cultivate land, and completely incorporate them into the territory of the Great Ming? Or... should we devise another plan?"

This question surprised Emperor Chongzhen slightly. His earlier statement about "casually eliminating them" was more of an angry outburst, and also a show of force intended to intimidate.

When it comes to the specifics of post-war management, he hadn't thought that far ahead.

He frowned and pondered for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping the imperial desk, before slowly saying:

"Mongolia... This place is different from Liaodong. Liaodong has the Liaohe Plain and cities, where Han people can cultivate and settle down. But Mongolia is a vast grassland and a boundless desert, a nomadic land. Our Han people are used to farming and settling down, and are not familiar with nomadic life. Even if we send a large army to occupy it temporarily, it will be difficult to last long, let alone truly control the land."

Forcing it would only waste money and supplies, and result in a loss of troops, ultimately forcing a retreat. At that time, it would simply mean that a new tribe had risen on the grasslands and become our enemy. Throughout history, the Central Plains dynasties have mostly maintained a policy of appeasement, tribute, trade, or supporting their own allies while suppressing their adversaries to prevent them from becoming a border threat.

If we were to establish direct jurisdiction by prefectures and counties as in the interior of China… it's not that we wouldn't do it, but that we simply couldn't; the losses would outweigh the gains.

Emperor Chongzhen's thinking returned to the realistic level of how traditional Central Plains dynasties dealt with grassland issues.

His words revealed a fundamental problem for agrarian civilizations in governing nomadic areas: a severe mismatch between the costs and benefits of governance.

Even powerful dynasties like the Han and Tang dynasties mostly controlled the grasslands indirectly through military intimidation and submission, rather than through direct administrative management.

Zhu Cilang nodded; this was precisely the direction he wanted to guide the conversation in.

"Your Majesty, I share the same view. The Mongols are not the Jurchens. The Jurchens seized Liaodong, built cities and cultivated land, and have become almost semi-agricultural. Moreover, they have a blood feud with our Great Ming for generations, a feud that will never end. Therefore, they must be completely eradicated to prevent future troubles. As for the various Mongol tribes, although there are frictions with our Great Ming, they are mostly border disputes and sporadic raids. There is no deep-seated hatred for the destruction of our country."

Its territory is vast and sparsely populated, with its people constantly migrating, making it difficult to control. Rather than expending boundless national resources to forcibly conquer and govern it, it would be better to guide its development, making it a shield and barrier for our Great Ming Dynasty. Through trade, rewards, marriage alliances, and even stationing troops for deterrence, we can ensure it does not become a border threat, and even, if necessary, be used for our purposes. This is the superior strategy.”

He looked at Emperor Chongzhen, his tone firm:

"That is why I believe this trip is imperative. Abunai's concerns represent the thoughts of a considerable number of Mongol nobles. Merely relying on envoys and correspondence is insufficient to truly dispel their doubts. Only by personally going beyond the Great Wall to meet with him face-to-face, demonstrating the sincerity of our Great Ming, showcasing its irresistible power, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and clarifying the gains and losses, can we thoroughly persuade him, convince the Mongol tribes, solidify their determination to stand with our Great Ming in jointly destroying the Jurchens, and lay the foundation for post-war Ming-Mongol relations."

This is a strategy that achieves twice the result with half the effort and provides a permanent solution. If we underestimate their doubts, causing them to waver or even secretly collude with the Jurchens, then the flank of our western army will be in grave danger, and our grand plan to annihilate the Jurchens may face setbacks.”

As Chongzhen listened to his son's detailed explanation, the anger on his face gradually subsided, replaced by deep thought.

He was not an unreasonable and incompetent ruler, but rather someone accustomed to imperial authority who found it difficult to accept being "coerced." Listening to Zhu Cilang's analysis of the pros and cons, he realized the logic in his words. The Mongols' attitude was crucial to the success of the Western Route Army.

Just then, as if suddenly remembering something, Chongzhen's face revealed a somewhat mischievous smile, tinged with imperial cunning. He looked at Zhu Cilang and slowly said:

"Actually... in my opinion, this matter doesn't necessarily require you to risk going north yourself. Hasn't Abunai's sister, Qiqige, been serving you for a long time? I've met her; her appearance and character are both excellent, and she's quite fond of you. If you take her as a concubine and give her a title, even if it's just as a secondary consort, then Abunai will be your brother-in-law, and the Khorchin tribe will have a marriage alliance with the Ming imperial family."

With this relationship in place, what guarantees does he need? Marriage has always been the best way to appease neighboring countries and establish alliances. Wouldn't that be much simpler?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang felt a sense of helplessness.

He was not unaware of the political implications of marriage alliances, but deep down, he had an instinctive aversion to using personal feelings and marriage as political bargaining chips.

What he wanted was a stable relationship based on shared interests and power dynamics, rather than a fragile and uncertain kinship ties maintained by a woman.

Women can be a lubricant, but never a cornerstone. He viewed relying on nepotism for national security as short-sighted and dangerous. How many instances in history of marriage alliances truly resulted in lasting peace?
However, he could not directly refute his father's "suggestion" at this moment, since in the eyes of his father and most people of this era, this was indeed a perfectly normal operation.

He simply shook his head slightly, his tone calm but firm:
“Father, marriage alliances are indeed an ancient practice, but the Mongol tribes respect the strong more than they value kinship. My primary purpose in going there is to make them understand that being friends with our Great Ming brings countless benefits, while being enemies with our Great Ming brings countless harms. This is the fundamental principle. As for everything else, it is secondary.”

He skillfully avoided directly addressing the topic of taking a concubine, instead shifting the focus back to the issue of power and deterrence.

Looking into his son's resolute eyes, Chongzhen knew that he had made up his mind and that there was no point in saying anything more.

He knew his son too well; once he made up his mind, almost no one could change it.

He then sighed helplessly, his tone filled with indulgence and pampering:
"You... never mind, you came to me to tell me this, and I knew your mind was made up. Even if I disagree, do you think you would just not go?"

Zhu Cilang did not hesitate and said frankly:
"No. Your son must go."

Chongzhen was taken aback, both annoyed and amused, and pointed at him, saying:

"You! You really don't give me the slightest bit of face!"

Despite this, there was little blame in his eyes; instead, there was more praise and pride.

With a son like this—decisive, resolute, and thoughtful in his actions—what could a father do but support him? He waved his hand, as if to shoo something away:
"Go! Go and do as you wish, and do it well! Remember to bring plenty of elite guards and be careful. Take my imperial carriage and ceremonial regalia with you as well, for we cannot disgrace the might of our Great Ming!"

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty!" Zhu Cilang bowed and smiled.

He knew that Emperor Chongzhen would ultimately support him.

……

October of the seventeenth year of Chongzhen's reign.

The chill of late autumn had already set in Beijing, but preparations for the Crown Prince's northern tour were proceeding in a tense but orderly manner.

Before setting off, Zhu Cilang had already replied to Qiqige, who was far away in Khorchin, agreeing to meet and setting the meeting place near a pass called "Zhangjiakou Fort" along the Great Wall outside Xuanfu Town.

Located at the border between the Ming and Mongolian regions, the area is open and conducive to both sides displaying their strength, and is also relatively safe.

In Zhu Cilang's view, Abunai's doubts stemmed from a lack of understanding of the Ming Dynasty's strength and a fear of future uncertainties.

What he needs is not empty promises, but real, impactful "real-world education."

Therefore, on this trip north, he not only wanted to "talk," but also to "show off"—to flex his muscles, demonstrate his strength, and highlight the generational gap, completely shattering any remaining hope or unease in Abuna's heart.

For this purpose, he specially selected an absolutely elite, exemplary unit from the Beijing Garrison and the New Army to accompany him for protection and demonstration.

This force was not large, numbering about three thousand men, but it was a microcosm of the essence of the Ming Dynasty's modern army:

A thousand dragoons, all equipped with the latest breech-loading rifles and cavalry sabers, can move quickly and become the most elite infantry when dismounted.

Each person is equipped with 150 rounds of ammunition.

Two thousand elite infantrymen, all equipped with new rifles, wearing new gray field uniforms, and armed with bayonets, etc.

They possessed extremely high tactical skills and were adept at combining line-of-sight firing with skirmish tactics. Each soldier was equipped with two hundred rounds of ammunition.

The convoy was accompanied by thirty lightweight, more mobile bronze field guns, along with corresponding artillery and ammunition convoys.

Most importantly, Zhu Cilang ordered that a "Divine Machine Iron Fortress" that had completed final testing and was in its best condition be transferred from the Xishan test site!
After being disassembled, they were transported by specially made heavy-duty carriages and reassembled upon arrival at their destination.

He wanted Abunai, and other Mongolian nobles who might accompany him to the ceremony, to witness firsthand what a "steel behemoth" beyond its time was, and what an irresistible force was!

This was not just a diplomatic meeting, but also a meticulously planned display of military force.

Zhu Cilang's purpose was very clear:
With an absolute disparity in strength, he shattered all of Abunai's illusions and hesitations, making him realize that in the face of the Ming Dynasty, a war machine that had already accelerated and was equipped with epoch-making weapons, any hesitation, observation, or even petty thoughts were futile and dangerous.

Cooperation means sharing the benefits after the extermination of slavery; obstruction means being crushed along with the Jurchens.

In October of the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign (1644), Xuanfu Town.

During the Little Ice Age, the chill in northern China was particularly biting and prolonged.

While Beijing was still immersed in a desolate autumn scene with falling yellow leaves, the land of Xuanfu further north had already been firmly grasped by the giant hand of winter.

Just yesterday, a sudden, heavy snowfall swept across the entire border region, turning everything in the world into an endless, dazzling silver-white expanse.

In the early morning, the snow had stopped a bit, but the sky was still overcast with low-hanging leaden clouds, gloomy and heavy, like a huge gray felt cloth soaked with water, ready to pour down even more precious snowflakes at any moment.

Scattered snowflakes, like playful sprites, continue to drift down slowly through the gaps in the clouds, swirling in the biting wind before quietly landing and merging into the boundless expanse of white.

The majestic Xuanfu Town wall, a formidable pass that has withstood two centuries of wind and rain and is steeped in countless border battles and bloodshed, now stands quietly amidst the snow.

The thick, bluish-gray city bricks were covered with snow. The battlements, arrow towers, and ramparts were all draped in a thick silver coat. Under the bleak winter light, they reflected a cold, hard luster, making them appear even more majestic and solitary, like an ancient behemoth lying dormant on the snowfield, silently guarding the mountains and rivers behind it.

On the city wall, squads of Ming soldiers, fully armored and clad in thick cotton armor or felt cloaks, stood like nails driven into the wall. Despite the biting wind that stung their faces and their breath turning into puffs of white mist, they gripped their spears or muskets tightly, their eyes scanning the city walls and the surrounding mountains and fields with the vigilance of hawks, not daring to slacken their vigilance in the slightest.

The combat boots crunched on the snow, their sound mingling with the occasional sounds of watchtowers and night patrol gongs carried on the wind, creating the stark backdrop of the harsh winter on the frontier.

However, in stark contrast to the somber and austere military atmosphere atop the city walls, Xuanfu City was bustling with activity, seemingly oblivious to the harsh winter and teeming with life.

Despite the heavy snow blocking the roads and the freezing weather, the main commercial streets in Xuanfu City, especially the "Quechang Street" near the North Gate, which specializes in border trade, were still bustling with people.

Almost all the shops lining the streets, from grand silk shops, fur stores, tea shops, and salt shops to simple stalls and peddlers carrying their wares on shoulder poles, were open for business. The signs and banners hanging in front of each shop fluttered in the cold wind, and many had even cleared the snow from their storefronts and poured hot water to prevent it from freezing, all as a way to attract customers.

The sounds of hawking, shouting, and bargaining, mixed with the snorting of mules and the creaking of oxcarts, created a vibrant, bustling heat that dispelled the winter chill.

Han Chinese merchants, dressed in thick cotton-padded coats and wearing felt or leather hats, enthusiastically introduced their silk, porcelain, tea, ironware, and medicinal herbs brought from the south to their customers.

Meanwhile, many more Mongolians, dressed in various colorful robes and wearing fox or mink hats, their faces etched dark and rough by the harsh winds of the northern frontier, spoke broken but enthusiastic Mandarin, hawking their sheepskins, cowhides, wool blankets, dried meat, cheese, mare's milk wine, and precious furs such as mink, silver fox, and sea otter skins, which they had traded from further north. (End of Chapter)