Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 256 Backstabbing by His Own Brother

As soon as they sat down, Huang Taiji immediately launched an attack: "Amin, I ordered you to garrison Korea, but you retreated without a fight; when fighting in the Ming Dynasty, you deliberately delayed and failed to provide timely support, resulting in a disastrous defeat for the army."

If you had arrived half a day earlier, we would surely have been able to turn the tide and annihilate the Ming army under Beijing. How could we have suffered such a defeat?
The old Khan said, "The one who commands the flag should be someone of both talent and virtue. You are no longer suitable to command the Bordered Blue Banner. You should confess your crimes, submit to the law, and relinquish the position of flag bearer!"

Amin was furious and, as usual, exchanged insults with Huang Taiji, saying, "When did it become your business to decide the affairs of my Bordered Blue Banner? You say I will retreat without a fight, but the Ming army has hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of men. What do you expect me to use to stop them?"
You had tens of thousands of men under your command, yet you still suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Ming army, even causing the deaths of Dorgon and Abatai. How dare you criticize me?
I think you should be the one abdicating and making way for someone more capable! I suggested retreating, and at least not a single soldier died. Unlike you, you've given the Ming army tens of thousands of merits, and who knows how many more marquises and earls you've created!

Amin's logic was clear, and his swearing skills were no less impressive than in previous years. However, this time he did not see Huang Taiji's angry expression, nor did he receive Mangultai's support.

Dai Shan's eyes were lowered, as if he were asleep. He was usually the one who should have stepped in to mediate. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely strange, and Amin sensed something was wrong.

"Jirhalang, let's go!" Amin suddenly stood up, as if to leave.

However, he saw Jirhalang standing still, his thin lips slowly opening and closing: "I think what the Fourth Prince said makes sense, and I agree with Amin's abdication!"

"Jirhalang, what do you mean?!" Amin exclaimed in shock.

“Isn’t this going a bit too far? Shouldn’t we all discuss this again?” Khan Ajige, who was sitting in the main seat but was being intentionally or unintentionally ignored, spoke up.

"Whether it's excessive or not isn't up to me to decide alone. Let everyone express their opinion, and then we'll naturally know whether people's hearts are with us or not," Huang Taiji said calmly.

“I object!” Azig said.

“Me too!” Dodo said.

"I, I also..." Twelve-year-old Fei Yangguo was about to speak when he saw several hawk-like gazes sweep over him. He shuddered, remembering his mother's repeated warnings not to offend his brothers. Ajige was a good man, so he chose to obey Huang Taiji!
Ajige glanced at his ally, but Shuoto's gaze swept over him calmly. He hadn't forgotten who had killed his brother. Asking him to speak up for Amin? Forget it. Amin was in trouble, and he was just adding insult to injury! The one who wanted Amin dead the most here was none other than Shuoto himself!

As for Mangultai and Daišan, they would have opposed it long ago if they wanted to. If Huang Taiji hadn't conspired with them beforehand, there wouldn't have been this meeting today.

"Mangurtai, didn't we agree to stand together through thick and thin?!" Amin exclaimed anxiously.

Mangultai twirled his jade thumb ring and said, "When did I say that? Who heard me?!"

"You! You treat me like this today, aren't you afraid you'll be the one suffering tomorrow?!" Amin's words made sense, and Mangultai felt a little uneasy. However, he cared more about the benefits he could gain. Cooperating with Amin would bring him nothing, while Jirhalang had promised him many advantages. Mangultai had a naturally volatile temper, and he said impatiently, "What are you waiting for? You've made your statement, now take him down!"

The verbal duel ended, and the physical duel began. Amin immediately drew his sword and rallied his guards to fight their way out. He hadn't come to Shengjing unprepared; he had brought five hundred cavalry with him.

To prevent a Ming counterattack, the walls of Shengjing were heightened and fortified, making it difficult to breach from the outside, but easier to escape. Amin had decided that once he escaped, his few thousand troops wouldn't withstand the siege of the other banners, so he planned to surrender to the Ming. After all, they had served the Ming before, and although the young Ming emperor claimed he wouldn't negotiate peace or accept surrender, he refused to believe the Ming court wouldn't be tempted by the prospect of a few thousand cavalrymen surrendering!
However, while they managed a few words in the verbal duel, he was defeated in a single round in a physical fight! Amin's hand was struck by a stick, and the knife in his hand slipped from his grasp. Covered in sweat, Amin was dumbfounded when he saw his bodyguard, holding a wooden stick, silently retreating to the side.

Looking at Jirhalang's ambiguous smile, he understood everything. He never expected that this guy had infiltrated his inner circle to such an extent.

It wasn't that there were no loyal people left for Amin, but these guards had already been disemboweled and dragged away. Warm blood splattered on Amin's face. He stuck out his tongue and licked it. It was bitter, even though it should have tasted sweet and fishy. Could it be that bile had mixed in?
Jirhalang straightened his clothes and, under the varied gazes of the people in the council hall, calmly sat down in the seat that Amin had just occupied.

Mangultai frowned, thinking that this thing that used to lead their horses and hold their stirrups could now be on equal footing with them, and he was immediately displeased. He said in a deep voice, "Jirhalang, don't forget the benefits you promised!"

"Don't worry, I won't forget!" Jirhalang replied with a smile. He didn't pay much attention to Mangultai's harsh tone, as Amin was much rougher towards him.

You don't hit a smiling face, but Mangultai was still annoyed, so he muttered under his breath, "What a dog."

Jirhalang had keen hearing. His expression seemed to freeze for a moment, but then he continued to grin foolishly as if nothing had happened, though there was not a trace of laughter in his eyes.

Cough cough cough! Ajige picked up a handkerchief and covered his mouth to cough. When he let go, the pure white handkerchief was already stained red. The others didn't seem to notice anything unusual. They were already used to this kind of situation. They were just wondering why Ajige was still alive after coughing up blood.

Ajige tilted his head, looking at Jirhalang sitting beside him with a slightly empty gaze, filled with despair.

Originally, Huang Taiji had three banners with a strong military force. Now, Jirgalang has taken over the Bordered Blue Banner, and this fellow always puts Huang Taiji first. Now, Huang Taiji's power has increased rather than decreased. The already fragile balance has been completely broken. So what is the point of his existence as the Great Khan?!
"Fourth Prince, my health has been deteriorating lately. Why don't you take the position of Great Khan?" Ajige said sincerely.

Huang Taiji waved his hand and refused, saying, "Changing the reign title back and forth is unlucky. Your old injury hasn't healed yet, and your brothers will all help you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Take good care of your injury, and you'll get better!"

Ajige twitched the corners of his mouth, wanting to laugh, but unable to.

(End of this chapter)