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

But he quickly suppressed his excitement and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time and was the most crucial question in this meeting.

He leaned forward, his hands resting on the low table, his voice low but clear, carrying a desperate, questioning tone:

"What Your Highness says is all true. The Jurchens are indeed the mortal enemy of my Khorchin. It is my duty, Abunai, to join forces with the Ming Dynasty to destroy them! However—"

His tone abruptly changed, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he stared intently at Zhu Cilang:
"Your Highness must answer me! After the Jurchen tiger is subdued and the Liaodong lands are all returned to the Ming Dynasty... Your country, with the prestige of a great victory, will command hundreds of thousands of victorious troops and deploy them to my Khorchin, and even the entire southern Mongolia! At that time, who will the Ming Dynasty's blade be aimed at next?"
If your country intends to take advantage of the situation to sweep away the grasslands and incorporate my Mongol tribes into your territory, wouldn't my decision to lead troops to assist you today be digging my own grave and doing all the work for someone else? At that time, how would my Khorchin tribe possibly cope?! Your Highness, please give me a clear answer!

The tent fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The charcoal in the brazier crackled and popped, a particularly jarring sound. The generals behind Abunai instinctively gripped their sword hilts, their eyes fierce. Li Hu and the others also tensed, ready to pounce and protect their lord at any moment.

Qiqige's heart was in her throat as she nervously looked at Zhu Cilang.

coming!

Zhu Cilang sighed inwardly, "As expected, it's still this problem."

He didn't show any surprise or anger on his face, but simply shook his head slightly with a hint of helplessness, as if he had expected this question.

He did not answer immediately, but turned his head slightly and gestured to Li Hu, who was standing behind him.

Li Hu understood and immediately stepped forward, taking out a flat, long sandalwood box wrapped in waterproof tarpaulin from his pocket.

He carefully opened the wooden box and took out a large scroll inside, painted on fine silk and mounted on a scroll.

Then, he and another guard stepped forward and respectfully unfurled the scroll on the carpet between Zhu Cilang and Abunai.

The scroll was fully unfolded, taking up almost half the area of ​​the carpet.

The patterns, lines, and colors on it were completely different from any map Abunai had ever seen before! This was not a typical landscape map of the Ming Dynasty, nor a border town map marking cities and passes, but a... unprecedented "general map of the world" encompassing a vast ocean and many unfamiliar lands!
Abnai's brows furrowed instantly. He stared wide-eyed at the huge scroll on the ground, covered with all sorts of strange shapes and markings, his face filled with bewilderment and confusion.

What is this? The winding lines, the large blue areas, the strangely shaped landforms, and the dense array of symbols and characters he didn't recognize at all…

He couldn't understand it at all!

Zhu Cilang didn't keep them in suspense. He pointed to an area on the scroll that was strikingly outlined in bright yellow and resembled a begonia leaf, and introduced it in a steady voice:
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand it. This map is called the 'Complete Map of the World'. In short, it depicts the land beneath our feet and the vast ocean surrounding it as realistically as possible. The world is far more vast than you and I can imagine."

He lightly tapped the bright yellow area with his finger:
"This is my Great Ming Dynasty."

Then, he moved his finger upwards, pointing to a vast area above the Ming Dynasty, marked with words such as "Southern Desert", "Northern Desert", "Oirat", and "Dzungar" in light brown.

"And this is the grassland where your Mongol tribes have lived for generations."

Abu Nai followed Zhu Cilang's finger and his pupils suddenly contracted!
In his mind, the Ming Dynasty was already a colossal behemoth, and the grasslands were even more vast and boundless, stretching for months on horseback without ever reaching their limits.

However, on this enormous scroll, the combined area occupied by the Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian grasslands is...it seems to be only one-tenth, or even less, of the entire scroll!
The rest of the landscape is a vast expanse of blue, and many strangely shaped landmasses marked with unfamiliar names!
"This...how is this possible?"

Abnai gasped softly, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

He had never imagined that the world was so vast! He had always thought that the world consisted of the Central Plains, the grasslands, the Western Regions, and Tibet, and beyond that were the legendary overseas fairy mountains.

But this map completely overturned his understanding! The Ming Dynasty and the Mongols appeared so "small" in this "world"!
Zhu Cilang took in Abu Nai's shock, which was exactly the effect he wanted.

He slowly withdrew his finger, lifted his gaze from the map, and looked back at Abuna. His tone was calm, yet it contained an unprecedented grand vision and magnificent spirit:

"Abunai, do you understand now?"

"Whether you believe it or not, what I say today comes from the bottom of my heart. The future glorious journey of my Great Ming Dynasty, its strategic focus, is not at all on the northern grasslands!"

His finger landed on the map again, but this time it crossed Mongolia and pointed to the boundless blue ocean, and the vast, indistinct continents on the other side. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a captivating fervor:
"Here! Beyond the vast and boundless waves! Further afield where the stars and the sea reach! After completely eliminating the Jurchen, this major threat, and stabilizing Liaodong, what our Great Ming must do is build more colossal warships, form an even more powerful naval fleet, set sail, and explore, conquer, trade, and spread the civilization and glory of the Great Ming to these untouched lands!"
Compared to the fertile, abundant, and endlessly promising new continents overseas—

Zhu Cilang's gaze swept over the light brown area representing Mongolia on the map, his tone carrying an undisguised, cool assessment based on practical interests:

"The Mongolian grasslands, though fertile and nourishing when the grass is lush, are mostly barren and cold. They are sparsely populated, and even if they were to be managed, the costs would be enormous, with limited output. The Han people are not accustomed to nomadic life and cannot easily settle there for long. Ultimately, the wars and conquests between nations are all about profit. What use is territory that offers no profit and requires additional funds, provisions, and troops to defend? It only drains the nation's resources."

He looked directly into Abunae's eyes, speaking each word with crystal clarity:

"Therefore, in my opinion, annihilating your Mongol tribes would be extremely detrimental to my Great Ming Dynasty, with almost no benefit whatsoever. Not only would it be useless, it might even lead to a quagmire and distract me from my overseas expansion. So you can rest assured. As long as you behave yourselves and cease to be a threat to the border, my Great Ming Dynasty will not only refrain from taking action against you, but will also be willing to open border markets, exchange goods, and even... provide certain protection and support when necessary."

These words, combined with the awe-inspiring "Complete Map of the World" before him, struck Abunai like a thunderbolt! All his previous suspicions, fears, and calculations suddenly seemed so ridiculous, so narrow-minded, and so... insignificant in the face of this grand strategy that overlooked the entire world!
Zhu Cilang's tone was so matter-of-fact, and his eyes so sincere. In particular, his calm analysis of the "no profit to be made" in Mongolia was more real and credible to Abunai than any passionate assurance! Yes, if the Ming Dynasty's goal was the stars and the sea, the endless wealth and land overseas, then the barren grasslands were indeed not worthy of his attention.

My previous worries were simply unfounded and a case of being narrow-minded!
Abunai was already in turmoil, and believed most of it. But his last shred of vigilance and pride as a tribal chief prevented him from immediately expressing his opinion.

He remained silent for a moment, the shock on his face slowly fading, replaced by a serious expression, even a hint of stubbornness.

He raised his head, looking at Zhu Cilang with a complicated expression, and said in a low voice:
"Your Highness possesses a broad vision and a grand perspective, Abunai... I admire you. What Your Highness says also sounds reasonable. However, things are unpredictable, and people's hearts are fickle. Words are ultimately just words, and maps are ultimately just pictures. Until that day comes, who can guarantee with absolute certainty that the future will unfold exactly as Your Highness has said today?"
If His Highness or the successor of the Ming Dynasty changes his mind one day and still decides to wage war against my grasslands, then... what will become of my Khorchin and all the Mongol tribes? Should I, based solely on His Highness's words today, entrust the fate of my entire tribe to the Ming Dynasty's 'benevolence' and 'lack of profit'?"

These words carried a final, stubborn doubt, and also reflected his mindset as the leader that he had to secure the most reliable protection for his followers.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang showed no displeasure, but rather a knowing look of "I knew it."

He knew that simply reciting the map wouldn't be enough to completely crush the last vestige of deep-seated fear in Abnai's heart stemming from the disparity in strength. He needed a more direct and impactful approach.

Zhu Cilang slowly stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from his robes, and calmly looked at Abunai. His tone was indifferent, yet carried an invisible pressure:

"I understand your concerns. Words alone are not enough to convince anyone. Since that's the case..."

He paused, a meaningful, even slightly provocative, smile curving his lips:

"Why don't you come with me outside the tent and see these two things for yourself? Perhaps, after seeing them, all your doubts and worries will vanish, and your thoughts... will completely change."

He leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Abunai, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of everyone in the tent:

"I wonder... if you have the guts to come with me on this trip?"

"..."

The atmosphere inside the tent instantly tensed up again! Li Hu and the others' eyes sharpened. The generals behind Abunai glared even more angrily. How dare this Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty provoke them with such words?

Abuna's expression changed, and anger surged within him.

He certainly understood the provocation in Zhu Cilang's words. But at this moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone, especially in front of his sister and his generals, how could he, as the Khan of Khorchin and a descendant of the Golden Family, show any weakness?
Moreover, he quickly calculated in his mind: this is the grassland, only two miles away from his main camp, and he has 30,000 iron cavalry behind him! Zhu Cilang, on the other hand, only led more than 10,000 people deep into this place.

Even if the Ming Dynasty's firearms were powerful, at such close range on the grasslands, if their 30,000 cavalry were to launch a reckless charge, the Ming army would win, but it would be a Pyrrhic victory, and the Crown Prince himself would be in grave danger!

He didn't believe Zhu Cilang would be foolish enough to openly attack him under such circumstances.

This provocation might be a way for the other party to demonstrate their "sincerity" and "confidence"?
With this thought in mind, Abuna felt reassured, and the pride and heroic spirit that had been stirred up surged up within him.

He abruptly stood up, meeting Zhu Cilang's gaze without flinching, and sneered loudly:
"What is there to fear? Would an eagle on the grasslands be afraid to look at the gifts brought by guests? Your Highness, please!"

"it is good!"

Zhu Cilang clapped his hands and laughed, then turned and walked out of the tent with unhurried steps.

Abunai took a deep breath, gave the generals behind him a wink, signaling them to follow, and then strode off, closely following Zhu Cilang. Qiqige hesitated for a moment, then quickly got up and followed.

As the group stepped out of the yurt, a rush of crisp, cool air greeted them.

Outside, hundreds of guards from both sides immediately surrounded them, watching each other warily.

Further away, a slight commotion arose in the ranks of the Ming army and the Mongol cavalry, as countless eyes focused on the few people who emerged from the tent.

Zhu Cilang didn't care at all. He mounted his white horse, gestured "please" to Abunai, and then took the lead, heading south towards the Ming army camp at a leisurely pace.

Abunai gritted his teeth, mounted his horse, and followed with Qiqige and several trusted generals.

Seeing this, the Mongol generals behind him, though uneasy, had no choice but to grit their teeth and follow.

Meanwhile, the 30,000 Khorchin cavalry in the distance began to advance slowly and aggressively as Abunai moved, their warhorses neighing and their spears flashing, creating an invisible pressure on the front lines. On the Ming army's side, the formation remained as steady as a mountain, though the muzzles of their cannons seemed to have been slightly adjusted.

Zhu Cilang seemed oblivious to the unusual movements of the Mongol army behind him, only his smile deepened. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

Before long, the group arrived at the side front of the Ming army camp. There was a large open space, about three hundred paces long and one hundred paces wide, which had been clearly leveled in advance and the snow had been cleared away very cleanly. On one side of the open space, dozens of straw targets wearing tattered cotton armor or nailed with wooden boards stood neatly, along with simple fortifications simulating low walls and chevaux-de-frise. It was clearly a training ground.

Abunai, mounted on his horse, was on edge, his sharp eyes scanning the Ming army's deployment and the eerie camp.

When he saw the training ground and targets, he suddenly realized something, but a doubt arose in his mind: So they were going to practice firearms? Did this Ming prince think that he had never seen the power of a flintlock musket? During the Battle of Songjin, the Ming army's firearms were indeed powerful, but they shouldn't have been enough to frighten him into immediately bowing down, right?
What was his intention in bringing me here? To show off? Or to further intimidate me? (End of Chapter)