Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 497 The Changing Situation of the Qing Dynasty (Part 2)
"Prince Rui's words are incorrect!"

Just as Daišan was in turmoil, Turge, the Gushan Ejen of the Bordered Yellow Banner, stepped forward and said loudly, "The selection of the Khan should be based on the eldest son of the legitimate wife, it is only natural! Prince Rui is the late Emperor's younger brother, and by seniority he is an uncle. How can he bypass the late Emperor's sons to succeed to the throne? Besides, let's talk about Beile Hauge..."

"Turgh!" Dorgon suddenly looked up, his voice not loud, but like a block of ice thrown into boiling oil, making the hall instantly so quiet that you could hear the sound of snowflakes falling on the window paper.

His gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Turg, carrying a hint of coldness: "You say 'establish the eldest son of the legitimate wife,' but who was the late emperor's legitimate son? Empress Zhe Zhe had no children, Consort Chen's son died young, and Beile Hauge's mother was the deposed Consort Ulanara. Back then, he was demoted by the late emperor for being disrespectful to the concubines of the founding emperor, and he wasn't even qualified to have his memorial tablet in the ancestral temple. In terms of background, he can't even compare to the late emperor's three-year-old son, Tao Sai. How can he be a Khan?"

Haug's face flushed red instantly, burning from his cheeks all the way to his ears.

He stood up abruptly, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white from the force: "Dorgon! Don't try to use your background as an excuse! When I was fighting alongside the late emperor in the north and south, you were still learning archery and horsemanship in Shengjing, and you couldn't even draw your bow properly! With your qualifications, what makes you think you can compete with me?"

"On what grounds?" Dodo also stood up, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his pale face full of ferocity, the soles of his boots scraping against the blue bricks with a harsh sound. "On what grounds Dorgon's prestige among the Eight Banners! During the conquest of Chahar, it was he who led the two White Banners deep into the grasslands, chasing Ligdan Khan's people until they had nowhere to escape, and finally bringing back the Imperial Seal of the State."

"And this time, during the withdrawal from Songjin, it was Dorgon who led the army to a great victory over the pursuing Ming cavalry, blocking their counterattack. What else do you, Hauge, know besides charging into battle? Do you know how to manage supplies? Do you know how to appease the Mongol tribes? If the Khan truly favored you, he would have made you the crown prince long ago. Why wait until today, making everyone argue so heatedly here?"

"You!" Haug was so angry that his eyes turned red, and he made a move to go up and fight Dodo.

Jirhalang quickly stepped forward to stop him, gripping Hauge's arm tightly with both hands, and said soothingly, "Prince Su, please don't be impulsive! This is Chongzheng Hall, a place for discussing important matters, not a training ground. The Khan has just passed away, and his coffin is still placed in the side hall. Are you going to start fighting each other? Do you want to keep the Khan from resting in peace, or do you want the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols to laugh at us?"

"Alright!" Daishan finally coughed twice and spoke slowly, his voice aged yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Have you all had enough? The struggle for the Khanate cannot be resolved by arguing or fighting. The Eight Banners are one entity. If a real war breaks out, the Ming Dynasty will take the opportunity to advance north, the Mongol tribes will rebel, and even Korea will stab us in the back. The foundation that our Great Qing has built over decades cannot be destroyed in our hands!"

Daišan was Nurhaci's second son and Huang Taiji's elder brother. He was the most senior among the Eight Banners. As soon as he spoke, the tension in the hall immediately subsided.

Dorgon nodded slightly, and Chao Daishan cupped his hands, the cloud pattern on his sleeves unfolding with the movement: "What Prince Li said is true. I do not want to compete with Beile Hauge, but I am worried that choosing the wrong person will jeopardize the important affairs of the Eight Banners. Beile Hauge has made great military achievements, and I respect him. In the future, the military affairs of Shengjing will still need his help."

"But governing the country and leading the Eight Banners requires more than just military achievements; it also requires balancing the interests of all parties and gaining the trust of both Mongol and Han officials. In this respect, Beile Hauge may still need more experience."

Hauge sat back in his chair, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Still resentful, he twirled his riding crop in his hand, the tip sweeping across the black ash on the ground: "Then who do you think is suitable? We can't let an uncle like you succeed to the throne, can we?"

Dorgon didn't reply, but turned his gaze to Jirgalang and Luoluohun beside him.

He picked up his teacup and put it down again, the tea swirling at the bottom. His voice softened, carrying a hint of appeasement: "Prince Zheng, you have fought alongside the Khan for many years, achieving numerous military exploits. The Khan often praised your military leadership when he was alive. Prince Luoluohun, although you are temporarily in charge of the Bordered Red Banner, you are a rising star among our Eight Banners. Not only have you broken through countless enemy lines and made continuous contributions on the battlefield, but you have also managed the banner affairs in an orderly manner. Who do you think should be chosen?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into water, and Jirhalang's eyes instantly lit up.

He glanced discreetly at Dorgon, then at Hauge, who was still fuming, and sighed softly.

What was supposed to come finally came!

But thinking of the benefits Dorgon had promised him, he could only grit his teeth and suppress his unease and guilt.

He pondered for a moment, his fingers twirling prayer beads in his sleeve, and said calmly, “I still insist that the Khanate be chosen from among the late emperor’s sons. But Hauge Beile… is too hasty and impulsive, and I fear he will not be able to win over the people. The Khan’s ninth son, Fulin, is only four years old this year. Although he is still young, he is intelligent and quick-witted. If he has a capable minister to assist him in governing, he may very well become a great man.”

Luo Luohun nodded immediately, a relieved look on his face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders.

He quickly leaned forward, his voice tinged with eager agreement: "Prince Zheng is right! I also support Fulin's succession to the throne. As for the ministers assisting in governance, I believe that Prince Li is of the highest rank and seniority, while Prince Rui and Prince Zheng are both capable ministers, one skilled in military affairs and the other in governance. If the three of them could assist Fulin together, it would not only comply with the rules of 'establishing a son' but also stabilize the Eight Banners, which would be ideal."

Hauge suddenly looked up, staring at Jirgalang and Luoluohun, his voice trembling: "You...you've conspired with Dorgon? Did he give you benefits in secret? Jirgalang, have you forgotten how the Khan trusted you back then? He entrusted you with the Plain Blue Banner and let you participate in political affairs. Is this how you repay him? Luoluohun, when your father, Amayato, died, the Khan overruled all objections and let you inherit his title and act as the Banner's head. And you...betrayed the Khan like this?"

“Prince Su, I did not conspire.” Jirhalang sighed and said in a deep voice, “What we in the Bordered Blue Banner need is stability, not internal strife. Fulin is the son of the late emperor, and his mother is the daughter of Zaisang, the Beile of Khorchin. Making him Khan is in accordance with the rule of ‘son succeeds father’ and can also win over Khorchin. It is legitimate.”

Luo Luohun added in a low voice, "Yes, Prince Su, we are not betraying the late emperor, but for the stability of the Eight Banners and the political situation of our Great Qing. If things really escalate, the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols will definitely take the opportunity to invade. At that time, we will not even have a home, so what is the point of talking about the Khanate?"

Of course, the three princes serving as regents was also to balance the power of the various tribes and prevent Dorgon, who controlled the two White Banners, from becoming too powerful.

Hauge's face instantly turned bright red. He understood Dorgon's plan perfectly well—by installing a young emperor, real power would naturally fall into the hands of the regent ministers, and Hauge would be excluded from the core power structure.

What's even more infuriating is that Fulin's mother was from the Khorchin, which negated the advantage of his own wife's (daughter of a Khorchin prince) background, leaving him without even the advantage of "support from his maternal relatives".

Dorgon looked at Hauge, his tone both soothing and firm, leaving no room for refusal: "Prince Su, if you agree to make Fulin Khan, I guarantee that the Two White Banners will never be enemies with the Plain Blue Banner. Moreover, Fulin is young, and during his regency, you will still need to pay more attention to the military affairs of Shengjing. The soldiers under your command will receive double the rewards for their military achievements. Your military merits are recognized by everyone in the Eight Banners, and no one will treat you unfairly. But if you insist on fighting for it, in the end, it will be the empire that our two generations of Khans have built that will suffer."

Hauge gripped the riding crop tightly, his knuckles turning white, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh.

He knew that after Jirgalang and Luoluohun sided with Dorgon, he was already at a disadvantage even with the support of the two Yellow Banners.

If war were to break out, not only would both sides suffer heavy losses, but it would also incur Daishan's displeasure.

Although Daishan's Red Banner has not made a statement, it is clear that he prefers stability. The two light coughs Daishan just coughed were an indication that he should stop while he is ahead.

“Since four banners support Fulin’s succession, then it’s settled.” Before Hauge could speak, Daishan stood up, his eyes unusually firm: “Before the Khan comes of age, the three of us—I, Prince Zheng, and Prince Rui—will assist in governing.”

He looked at Hauge, his tone softening but still carrying a commanding tone: "Prince Su shall command the Plain Blue Banner and be responsible for the defense of Liaoyang. Furthermore, the Ming army must not be allowed to attack the heartland of our Great Qing again."

“Fine, I accept it.” He practically spat out these words through gritted teeth. “I will make Fulin the Khan of my Great Qing.”

Dorgon smiled, rose, and bowed to Daishan, Jirgalang, and Luoluohun: "Since Prince Su agrees, the matter is settled. From this day forward, each banner shall strictly guard its posts. Anyone who mobilizes troops without authorization shall be punished for treason! Anyone who dares to disobey will first face the swords of my two White Banners!"

Daishan nodded and smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes: "Three days from now, at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the enthronement ceremony will be held in the Dazheng Hall, and the matter will be announced to the Eight Banners. Today's matter is settled, and no one is allowed to argue about it anymore."

One by one, the people got up and left the hall, their boots leaving a trail of footprints as they stepped through the black ash on the ground.

Hauge walked at the back. He looked back at the empty dragon throne, his eyes filled with complex emotions: resentment, anger, and a sense of powerlessness.

A cold wind seeped in through the cracks in the palace door, making his neck stiff.

He knew that from this day forward, the world in Shengjing had completely changed, and he, as the "eldest son," would never have the chance to sit on that throne again.

Three days later, the coronation ceremony took place.

Fu Lin, wearing an ill-fitting dragon robe, sat timidly on the dragon throne, his small hands tightly gripping the hem of the robe.

He didn't understand what a Khan was; he only felt that everyone in the palace was staring at him like wolves on the grasslands staring at lambs. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he forced them back.

His mother told him last night not to cry, or he would never see his mother again.

Dorgon stood at the head of the left side below the imperial steps, looking at the puppet emperor, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

What does a four-year-old child know about governing a country?
From now on, the power of the Qing Dynasty will ultimately belong to him.

When he turned his head, he met Haug's hateful gaze.

The two stared at each other across the distance, sparks flying.

Outside the palace, the wind and snow continued.

On the streets of Shengjing, soldiers from various banners shuttled back and forth.

Beneath the surface of calm, undercurrents are surging.
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(End of this chapter)