Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 70: The Plan of Extermination

This is what it means to take advantage of someone's kindness!
Gao Gong's heart was in his throat upon hearing this, but he couldn't help but admire Yan Maoqing's courage.

To act so brazenly on Tartar territory, openly threatening the Tartar leader, is something only Yan Maoqing could do.

Even at this moment, Gao Gong could vaguely see the shadow of the Han and Tang envoys in Yan Maoqing.

If this mission hadn't been unofficially registered and not a legitimate diplomatic mission, he would have almost suspected that this guy's true intention was to issue a human challenge in order to make a name for himself in history...

"..."

Seeing this, Shen Lian shook his head inwardly, feeling a pang of regret.

Ah, such courage, such wisdom, such ability, such eloquence... isn't every aspect of him outstanding?
If this person hadn't been so wicked, committing such a traitorous act, he might have had the opportunity to become a pillar of the nation in the future.

What a pity, what a waste, what a terrible squandering of resources, why bother?

"?"

Even Anda now looked at Yan Maoqing with new respect, and had to put aside his slight contempt and re-examine this young man in his early twenties.

There's a saying among the Ming Dynasty people: "A young man with no beard is unreliable."

Although this person looks young, he is definitely a capable person who can accomplish great things, and he is probably not easy to fool.

In this light, the young man's claim that he could facilitate the exchange of tribute and that his scheme could bring him immense wealth gains becomes even more credible.

the most important is.

Currently, Anda is in an awkward position, neither high nor low, and urgently needs a strong boost to maintain its status.

Whether it's tribute or windfall gains, both are the kinds of assistance he desperately needs.

Last year, after he and his elder brother Ji Nang were ordered by their overlord, the Great Khan Bu Chi, to conquer the Uriyangkhamantaka, the Tatars were left with only four major forces:

Among them, the suzerain Khan Buchi, also known as the "Little Prince" by the Ming people, commanded the left wing Chahar, Khalkha, and Uriyangkhai households, and had the greatest power.
His elder brother, Ji Nang, commanded the three thousand households of the right wing Ordos, Tumed, and Yongshebu, and his power was second only to Ji Nang.

Although he was given the title "Sodo" by the little prince for his military achievements and his reputation was comparable to that of Ginang, he was still nominally Ginang's subordinate and only commanded the Tumed Myriarchy under his command, so his power was naturally slightly inferior.
The last remaining force was the Oirat tribe, including the Yibula and Buerhai, who had been forced to take refuge in Qinghai after repeated defeats.

This Oirat force is now at its last gasp; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a rabble. Let's not even mention it.

Anda was an ambitious man who was never willing to be subordinate to others.

In particular, he recently received some incredibly good news:
His elder brother, Ji Nang, is now plagued by illness due to his illicit affair with a captured prostitute from Daizhou, and it is feared that his days are numbered.

This immediately fueled his ambition.

After all, his prestige among the Right Wing Thirty Thousand Households was second only to Ji Nang, and Ji Nang's nine sons had not accomplished much.

Therefore, once Ji Nang passes away, he could potentially become the de facto lord of the Right Wing Thirty Thousand Households, possessing power and influence that rivals that of the Little Prince.

The problem now is...

Before that, he must demonstrate even greater strength to make the Ordos Wanhu and Yongxiebu willingly submit to him and serve him as their master.

However, Ji Nang had already sensed his ambition and, seemingly unintentionally but actually intentionally, restricted the area and number of grasslands of the twelve tribes of the Tumed Myriarchy under his command.

This prevented his power from ever expanding.

Even maintaining the loyalty of the Twelve Tumed Tribes requires finding every possible way to increase revenue and reduce expenditure...

Let's put it this way: despite his previous successes in plundering the Ming Dynasty during his numerous southward expeditions.

But in reality, "all the spoils of war went to the troops, causing great harm," and the resulting "livestock deaths and epidemics among the people" were swallowed in silence. It was essentially a losing proposition, subsidizing their own interests to gain the loyalty of their subordinates. This could not continue.

That is why he urgently needed to establish a tributary relationship with the Ming Dynasty to solve the practical problem of "having enough to eat every day," even at a cost...

So even Anda had to admit it.

Yan Maoqing's counterattack against this show of force was undeniably precise, striking right at his weak spot.

However, with the other leaders of the twelve Tumed tribes watching from inside the tent, he absolutely could not do as Yan Maoqing suggested and take action against that leader, otherwise he might discourage his loyal subordinates.

Faced with Yan Maoqing's strong counterattack, Anda also put on a stern face and said seriously:
"Envoy Yan, you can rest assured. I can vouch for him. This leader has followed me in many battles over the years, and his loyalty is beyond doubt."

"It is Altan Khan's business whether he trusts him or not. I and the important figures behind me are also deeply trusted by the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, how could I guarantee that the tributary relationship would be established? Yet, I am still standing here today, aren't I?"

Yan Maoqing met Anda's gaze and said confidently.

"..."

Anda was speechless.

The other Tatar leaders were also dumbfounded.

Even those who were not educated in the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues could not help but be shocked by Yan Maoqing's shamelessness.

They simply couldn't understand how Yan Maoqing could so confidently utter such shameless words... In this light, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was quite a pitiful person.

Even Gao Gong and Shen Lian were now filled with admiration.

One admired Yan Maoqing's ability to become so deeply immersed in the role, while the other admired his shamelessness and composure. Taking a breath, Anda finally came to his senses and immediately spoke in an unyielding tone:

“We Tatars are different from the Ming Dynasty. There is no room for discussion on this matter. If you are truly determined to die, I have no fear of granting your wish!”

Is the negotiation about to fall apart?
Gao Gong and Shen Lian's hearts jumped into their throats again. If the talks broke down, Yan Maoqing would not survive, and neither of them would be able to return alive.

Shen Lian subconsciously reached for his waist, only to remember that his Embroidered Spring Blade had been confiscated by the Tatars outside the tent.

However, they then heard Yan Maoqing continue:

"Then add more money!"

"Altan Khan's care for his subordinates is admirable, but it has also inadvertently increased our risk of exposure. We should compensate him with more money to show his sincerity in this cooperation."

Can this be done?
Gao Gong and Shen Lian looked at each other in disbelief. This guy's bottom line was surprisingly flexible.

"Heh heh, so this is where you were waiting for me. How much more do you want?"

Ida was both annoyed and amused, but he still deliberately kept a straight face and asked with a furrowed brow.

"Add another 100,000 taels of silver."

Yan Maoqing made a calculation.
"The previous 100,000 taels was used as a deposit. It will be transported to Datong in the next few days and handed over to my godfather, Duke Yiguo. The remaining 100,000 taels will be paid separately after the matter is settled."

Seeing that the Tatar leaders had already glared at him, no one dared to smash the cup this time.

Anda's gaze turned cold, and he opened his mouth as if to say something.

Yan Maoqing immediately added:
“If Anda Khan had heard my plan, he would never have thought I was asking for an exorbitant price; he would have thought the money was well worth the price, far exceeding expectations.”

"Neither I nor the powerful figures behind me are afraid of you reneging on your promises. We have the ability to facilitate the establishment of tribute relations, and we also have the ability to disrupt them at any time. It all depends on whether Altan Khan's sincerity is sufficient."

Yan Maoqing mentioned the so-called "scheme" again.

Anda's curiosity had been piqued, and he was also unwilling to easily give up this opportunity to exchange tribute. So he devised a strategy of feigned retreat:
"If your plan is truly worthwhile, why shouldn't I agree to it? Tell me your plan first, and I will make my own judgment."

"Two hundred thousand taels, it's a deal."

Yan Maoqing nodded, moved to the center of the tent, cleared his throat, and began his speech.
"Before we begin, let Anda Khan and all the leaders consider a question."

"Besides dispensable goods like beef, mutton, cheese, and leather, what truly valuable and essential items could the Ming Dynasty obtain from its tributary relationship with the Tatars?"

“If you can figure this out, half of the problem of tribute will be solved.”

"This……"

Anda and the other Tatar leaders fell silent.

This is indeed a major reason why they urgently needed to establish tributary relations with the Ming Dynasty, but the Ming Dynasty had no interest in doing so.

"It seems that Anda Khan and the other leaders have already understood the problem."

Yan Maoqing smiled, then took out a small, irregularly shaped, dark stone from his person.
"Do any of you recognize what this is?"

"I know that. It's coal, also called coal. People in the Ming Dynasty used it to start fires for heating and cooking!"

A Tatar leader stood up like a schoolchild and eagerly answered.

"correct answer!"

Yan Maoqing nodded and made up some fabricated data.

"The coal consumed by the people of the capital alone for heating and cooking can reach 900 million catties a year. If this is expanded to the whole of the Ming Dynasty, it is an incalculable and enormous number."

"The price of 100 catties of coal on the market is usually around one qian of silver, and you can imagine how huge the profits are."

"So……"

At this point, Yan Maoqing paused, his succubus-like gaze sweeping over Anda and the other Tatar leaders.
“If I told you that there is a coal mine hidden in a certain area of ​​Tatars, which could not be exhausted even if it were mined without restraint for hundreds of years.”

"Moreover, these coal mines are not as deep underground as the coal mines of the Ming Dynasty. They can be mined in the open air by simply using gunpowder to blast open a thin layer of rock on the surface, just like picking up money."

"Then please tell me, Anda Khan."

"How much more beneficial would this bring to the Tatars than the mere two hundred thousand taels of silver I requested?"

While speaking.

Yan Maoqing's eyes, crinkled into crescents with a smile, glanced at the huge sheepskin map hanging behind Anda.

His gaze was fixed on the northern desert region, which is the area that later became Outer Mongolia. He grinned, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth, like a wild beast eyeing its prey.

"coming……"

Looking at Yan Maoqing's smile, Gao Gong felt a chill run down his spine.

If everything that follows unfolds as Yan Maoqing told him that night, it will be the most vicious scheme in the world to wipe out his entire family!
　To uncover the secret of this ingenious scheme, the author wrote this chapter as a lengthy 3,000 words in one go. Asking for more monthly votes isn't too much to ask, is it...?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)