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

Abner spread his arms out, making a connecting gesture, and continued:

“Peace requires a real, tangible bond! It needs something that can make the most ordinary herdsmen, the lowest-ranking soldiers, and even every tribal chief on the grassland who hears the news believe from the bottom of their hearts—'Oh, the Ming Dynasty is serious this time. They are not just temporarily stabilizing us. They genuinely want to get along with us for the long term!'”

His gaze was intense and resolute:

"And now, for us, the only way to prove this sincerity and to serve as the strongest 'bond' is the oldest and most effective method—marriage! Blood-related marriage!"

"As long as you, the esteemed Crown Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty, the future Emperor, marry my sister and become my brother-in-law, the son-in-law of the grasslands, then I will not need to waste any more words explaining or persuading. The winds of the grasslands will naturally carry this message to every yurt and every pasture."

Everyone will understand that the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and us is no longer simply one of conquest and subjugation based on strength, but rather one of unbreakable kinship! They will believe your promise of open border markets and mutual exchange, and they will believe your promise of peaceful coexistence, because they will think—the Crown Princess is a daughter of our grasslands, and her child may one day become the ruler of the Ming Dynasty. With this relationship, how could the Ming Dynasty easily wage war against us?

Abunai's tone carried a unique, precise understanding of the psychology of his people, characteristic of a steppe chieftain, and also carried a hint of pleading:

"Therefore, I implore you to marry Qiqige! This is not only for my sister's future, but also for the alliance we are about to reach, so that it can truly take root and make the people of the grasslands willingly follow you to attack the Jurchens! It can also give this peace a very solid foundation! I, Abunai, can swear to the Eternal Heaven that as long as you become my brother-in-law, for the rest of my life, as long as I am still in power, the swords and arrows of the Khorchin tribe will never be pointed at the Ming Dynasty again!"

These words were well-reasoned and logical, laying bare the political significance of the marriage alliance for everyone to see.

The Khorchin generals behind him, who had previously bowed their heads in fear, now raised their heads, their eyes showing approval.

Yes, verbal promises are nowhere near as reliable as those made by in-laws.
Throughout history, although marriage alliances have often been criticized, they have often been remarkably effective in maintaining border security and establishing initial trust.

The princess's marriage is itself the strongest signal of peace. For these chiefs accustomed to tribal thinking, it is more direct and reassuring than any complex treaty.

Zhu Cilang remained silent.

It wasn't that he didn't understand the role of political marriages; it was just that, coming from the depths of his modern soul, he had an instinctive aversion and a slight unease towards this practice of forcibly binding personal happiness with political interests.

He prefers to build long-term, stable relationships through systems, interests, and the deterrent effect of absolute power.

But Abner's words also pointed out a reality he could not ignore:
He could use force to subdue Abunai, but he couldn't use force to instantly change the deeply ingrained beliefs and trust patterns of the entire grassland tribe. Marriage alliances are indeed a "catalyst" that can quickly establish trust and reduce resistance to cooperation in a short period of time.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head, his tone deliberate:

“Abnai, I understand what you mean. Marriage alliances do have their uses. However… this matter concerns Qiqige’s life and the dignity of both nations. Is it… perhaps inappropriate to decide so hastily? After all, today’s discussion is primarily about military affairs.”

Seeing that Zhu Cilang still wouldn't budge, Abunai's emotions, which had just calmed down, became agitated again. He suddenly raised his voice, and his words became more direct, even carrying a hint of the roughness of a grassland dweller:

"What's wrong with it, Your Highness?!"

“My sister, Qiqige, has been living in your Eastern Palace ever since she was summoned to the capital more than two years ago! Although you have treated her with courtesy and never overstepped your bounds, I believe you on that point! But what do the people on the grasslands think? What do the people of the world think? A princess of a Mongolian tribe has been living in the palace of a foreign prince for two years, day and night! Now that she has returned, you say that you and she are innocent, who will believe that? In everyone's eyes, no matter what the truth is, Qiqige's reputation is already tied to you! She is already yours!”

These words were extremely blunt and explicit, laying bare the hidden rumors and potential criticisms.

A hint of helplessness appeared on Abner's face, but more so a resolute determination to burn his bridges:

"Even if... even if she stays on the grasslands and doesn't return to the Ming Dynasty, do you think she can have a good future? How will the other tribal leaders view a princess who has spent two years with the Ming Crown Prince? Suspicion and rumors will never stop! Her best outcome is that I will use her for a marriage alliance with another tribe, marrying a leader who may be old enough to be her father, and continuing to use her as a tool to consolidate the alliance! Would that kind of marriage be better than marrying you?"

"So, Your Highness."

Abunai's gaze was fixed on Zhu Cilang, his voice carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Marrying her would be the best and most logical outcome for you, for her, for the Ming Dynasty, and for the Khorchin! Isn't this destiny?"

Seeing her brother so mercilessly dissect the potential controversy surrounding her "two-year stay in Beijing" and her future fate as a "tool" in public, Qiqige was already filled with shame and indignation, and she covered her face and ran out of the tent.

Abunai was completely focused on persuading Zhu Cilang and had no time for anything else.

Zhu Cilang looked at the swaying curtain, a complex emotion passing through his heart, but he knew that he had to deal with Abunai first.

Seemingly fearing that Zhu Cilang would continue to use "emotion" or "timing" as excuses, Abunai took a deep breath and raised the topic back to the level of public opinion on the entire grassland and the lessons of history. His voice became heavier, carrying an almost pessimistic prophecy:

"Your Highness, even though I personally have witnessed your unparalleled power and choose to fully believe in your promises, can you make my 30,000 soldiers, the hundreds of thousands of people of the Khorchin tribe, and all the Mongols in the north and south of the Gobi Desert who hear the rumors believe in your blueprint of 'eternal peace' without reservation, just like I have?"

He shook his head, his tone filled with a deep memory of historical lessons:

"No, they won't. They remember too many 'betrayals' and 'flips.' There have been beautiful oaths and alliances between the Han and the Mongols, but what was the result? Often, due to the change of power, the redistribution of interests, or even a border trade dispute or a chance conflict, the oaths vanished, the alliances became worthless, and the flames of war were rekindled, staining the grasslands with blood!"

Abunai stepped forward, his gaze piercing, and stared directly at Zhu Cilang:

“What we need is not just your personal promise, but a concrete guarantee that even the most ignorant herdsmen can understand! And marriage is a ‘hard guarantee’ that everyone on the grassland, from princes to slaves, can understand and accept! By marrying Qiqige, you are announcing to the entire grassland that the Ming Dynasty’s royal family and the Golden Family are connected by blood. This sincerity for peace is as heavy as Mount Tai!”

His words carried a strong sense of crisis:
"Conversely, if you refuse, even if we are forced to sign an alliance today, even if we defeat the Jurchens with your support, what about three to five years later? What about ten years later? Who can guarantee that the flames of war won't be reignited due to some border skirmish, some trade dispute, or the instigation of some ambitious person?"

That war may not have been what you or I wanted, but the inertia of history, the divisions between ethnic groups, and the distrust among the lower classes had piled up like dry tinder, needing only a spark! Your Highness, is this the 'future' you desire? A fragile peace built on a balance of terror and a suspicion that could collapse at any moment?

These words struck Zhu Cilang like a heavy hammer blow. He fell silent again, his brows furrowed.

What Abnai was talking about was precisely the hidden danger he had been trying to avoid, yet knew all too well that it was difficult to completely eliminate.

He could crush any organized resistance with his superior military force, but he couldn't completely eliminate the unease and distrust deep in people's hearts with guns and cannons, especially between two nations with a long history of war. Marriage, this seemingly "primitive" method, might indeed serve as a "reassurance" and a "trust accelerator" at this stage.

It can provide a "safety valve" that is acceptable to both parties and has strong symbolic meaning.

As for his own attitude towards marriage...

As Abunai said, Qiqige had been living in the East Palace for two years, and regardless of the truth, in the eyes of the world, she had already left her mark.

As for himself, as a time traveler and a soul who regards the revival of the Ming Dynasty as his highest mission, personal love and marriage do not hold much weight in his grand blueprint.

He was not an ascetic, but he absolutely did not want to be entangled by personal feelings for his children.

Marrying whom doesn't really make a big difference, as long as it contributes to the stability of the cause. As for true love? Perhaps it won't be too late to seek it out slowly once he has truly secured his position and has more leisure time.

Why would an emperor worry about not having a harem of beauties?

A stifling silence fell once more within the tent, broken only by the crackling of the charcoal fire. Abunai stared intently at Zhu Cilang, awaiting his final verdict. The Mongol generals behind him held their breath.

After a long silence, Zhu Cilang finally spoke, asking a crucial question in a calm and even voice:
"Have you asked Qiqige herself about this? Is she... really willing?"

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Abuna's eyes, indicating that things had taken a turn for the better.

He nodded without hesitation, his tone firm:
“She was naturally willing. I had a deep conversation with her before she came. She understood the significance of it and... was willing to make her own choice for the peace of the grasslands.”

He deliberately emphasized "willingness" and "choice," even though only the person involved knows how much helplessness lies behind this choice.

Seemingly to increase his leverage, or to show that he wasn't "forcing a sale," Abner then added a sentence, but this sounded more like another form of "checkmate":
"Of course, if Your Highness really feels that marrying my sister is inappropriate, or... looks down on the women of our grasslands, then there are other ways to maintain this kinship ties."

He paused, then, meeting the increasingly hostile gazes of the generals behind Zhu Cilang, steeled himself and spoke with an almost reckless frankness:

“I, Abunai, can also ask the Ming Dynasty for a princess in marriage! As long as His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is willing to marry a princess to the grasslands, this marriage can be arranged and the alliance strengthened! I just don’t know… if Your Highness is willing to do so?”

"presumptuous!"

"Bastard!"

"Abunai, you're asking for it!"

These words ignited the fury of the Ming generals! To send a Ming princess to marry a steppe? When had the Ming ever done such a thing? This was blatant provocation and insult! Ma Xianglin and the others nearly drew their swords, and the atmosphere in the tent instantly plummeted to freezing point!
Zhu Cilang raised his hand, suppressing the commotion behind him once more. His face showed no anger, but he gave Abunai a deep look, a look that sent a chill down Abunai's spine. He knew he had gone too far, touching a nerve with the Ming Dynasty.

Arranging a marriage alliance for the princess is absolutely out of the question.

Zhu Cilang made no response to the absurd proposal to "marry a princess of the Ming Dynasty," and he did not even show any anger at being offended.

He simply stood up slowly, dusted off his sleeves, and spoke in a calm yet undeniable tone:

"This matter concerns Qiqige's entire life, as well as the dignity of both nations. I... need to speak with her personally."

Upon hearing this, Abner felt a sense of relief. The willingness to talk meant they were seriously considering it. He quickly nodded.

"That's to be expected. Qiqige just went out, so she should be nearby."

Zhu Cilang said no more, nodded slightly to Li Hu and the others behind him to indicate that they should stay, and then walked out of the warm but oppressive tent.

The cold wind from beyond the Great Wall immediately enveloped him, pelting his face with snowflakes, clearing his mind, which had become somewhat drowsy from the heat inside the tent and the intense negotiations.

He looked around, and the vast snowfield appeared empty and desolate under the afternoon sun. Soon, not far behind the camp, on a small, snow-covered hill overlooking part of the valley, he saw that solitary, slender figure in a red Mongolian robe.

With her back to the camp and facing the boundless snowfield and the distant mountains, the cold wind blew the hem of her robe and the strands of her hair, making her figure appear lonely and stubborn.

Zhu Cilang took steps, trudging through the ankle-deep snow, and walked step by step toward the hill.

The boots crunched on the snow, the sound carrying far in the quiet afternoon.

The generals behind him remained near the tent as ordered, their eyes following the crown prince with concern. They knew that the upcoming conversation would determine many things.

Walking in the snow is not easy, especially uphill.

Zhu Cilang walked for about fifteen minutes before finally arriving not far behind Qiqige. He stopped, slightly out of breath, white mist rising from his mouth. Qiqige seemed to hear the movement behind her; her shoulder twitched almost imperceptibly, but she didn't turn around. (End of Chapter)