Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 109 Who is really indulging in wishful thinking about conquering Liaodong?

The last day of the twelfth lunar month in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign.

On the Taiping Embankment by Xuanwu Lake, two figures, illuminated by candlelight, discussed the major policies for managing Liaodong.

"The population of Liaodong was not small; during the Yuan Dynasty, there were at least 1.5 million people."

"Among them are Han Chinese, Mongols, Jurchens, Koreans, and so on."

"The Jurchens were the most numerous, mainly distributed in the Heilongjiang and Ussuri River basins. The Yuan Dynasty once established the prefectures of Taowen and Huligai."

The five major prefectures of Woduolian, Tuowolian, and Bokujiang were governed by a single household, and their livelihoods consisted of fishing and hunting; they did not build cities or towns.

"To completely dismantle the remnants of the Yuan dynasty, the Jurchens are a force that cannot be ignored."

Zhu Di pointed to the map of Liaoyang Province and began to explain.

The Jurchens under the Yuan Dynasty were no longer just the Jurchens of the Jin Dynasty and the Wild Jurchens, but also included a group of Tungusic people who migrated south from the Lake Baikal area.

The Jurchens who lived in the area south of the Songhua River and north of Kaiyuan were called the Haixi Jurchens.

The Jurchens, who lived along the coast of the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River, were known as the Donghai Jurchens.

The Jurchens, who were distributed in the Mudanjiang, Suifenhe and Changbai Mountain areas, had the largest population and numbered in the hundreds. They were later known as the Jianzhou Jurchens.

"Your Highness."

"Relying solely on the current Dingliao Garrison is insufficient to establish a firm foothold."

"We need to migrate Han people from the Central Plains to Liaodong, and gradually reduce the remnants of the Yuan dynasty by establishing garrisons, building cities and cultivating land."

Lu Ju truly lived up to his reputation as one of the few founding dukes and marquises who possessed both literary and military talents; he saw the crux of the Liaodong problem at a glance.

As the saying goes, you can't get fat in one bite.

Zhu Di used a brush dipped in cinnabar to outline a small area on the map.

Daning Road, Liaoyang Road, Guangningfu Road!

Lu Ju saw that the outlined area covered the three circuits established by the Yuan Dynasty in Liaoyang Province, especially including the Liaoxi Corridor.

Immediately, he understood the intention of Prince Yan, Zhu Di: to rely on the terrain of the Liaoxi Mountains and the Liaodong Peninsula to control the lower reaches of the Liao River in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, forming a protective barrier between the three. Nahachu would have to carefully consider whether his strength was sufficient to attack any of them.

This region has been an important area for land reclamation and settlement by the Central Plains dynasties since the Qin and Han dynasties, and has a foundation for Han people to manage it.

"The Liaodong Military Command began its expansion outwards via both land and sea routes."

"By land, I have ordered, in the name of the Southern Protectorate General, to mobilize the Ten Guards of Southern Mongolia to approach the Horqin Grassland."

"At the same time, the Northern Protectorate will dispatch 10,000 elite cavalry to rush straight to the Hulunbuir Grassland."

"The Prince of Yan's Protectorate: Three thousand battalions and five armies will march out of Shanhaiguan and capture Haiyang (present-day Qinhuangdao), Ruizhou (present-day Huludao), Jinzhou, Yizhou (Yixian), and other places, and take the entire Daning Road."

"By sea, you will personally lead 5,000 Huai soldiers from Dengzhou (present-day Penglai) to land at Jinzhou, and then proceed northeast along the coastline to capture Posuo (present-day Dandong), build a city there, and confront Goryeo across the Yalu River."

"Once we have complete control of the Daning Road and the Liaodong Peninsula, we can gradually relocate Han Chinese people from the inland areas to cultivate and reclaim wasteland."

"At that time, we will attack from both the east and the west, and recover Guangning Prefecture, Shenyang (now Xinmin), Shenzhou (now Shenyang) and other places in one fell swoop."

"Liaodong and Liaoxi are all in the hands of the Ming Dynasty. Nahachu is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb, which can be crushed at any time."

Zhu Di, with great confidence and ambition, outlined a grand vision for the Ming Dynasty to expand beyond the Great Wall.

"Your Highness is wise!"

Lu Ju's eyes lit up when he heard this.

In this way, he, as the commander-in-chief, could probably take this opportunity to rise to a higher level, and becoming a duke would be a certainty.

"If you can take over Daning Road, Guangningfu Road, and Liaoyang Road."

"Then I will personally submit a memorial to Your Majesty, establishing the Liaodong Grand Protectorate and promoting you to the position of Grand Protector of Liaodong, with a rank equivalent to that of the Grand Protector of Beiting."

Protectorate of the Northern Frontier.

Next, Zhu Di painted a tangible, real pie in the sky.

"I am willing to die for Your Highness!"

Lu Ju was overjoyed and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

After the Ming Dynasty's military system was reformed, the Grand Commander was a first-rank official, the Five Military Commanders were second-rank officials, and the Grand Protector was a second-rank official.

Although the Grand Protector-General's rank was lower than that of the Five Military Governors, his power was much greater. He controlled local military and political affairs and commanded 56000 elite border troops in ten guards.

It should be noted that of the current three Grand Protectors, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping is His Majesty's adopted son, whom even the Crown Prince addresses as elder brother; Marquis Tang He of Zhongshan is His Majesty's childhood friend and the first-ranked founding marquis; and the last one is Prince Zhu Di of Yan. If he could become the fourth, his status in the army would rise dramatically.

"Go back and prepare first."

"At the grand court assembly tomorrow, I will petition Your Majesty to establish the Liaodong Regional Military Command."

"Not only that, we'll also send you a few capable generals."

Zhu Di stroked his chin, looking amused.

"Yes."

Lu Ju was somewhat confused, and disappeared into the night with hope in his heart.

Late at night, in the side hall of the East Palace.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Lady Lü had just finished washing up and was wearing a silk undergarment that revealed her graceful curves when she heard the eunuch calling her name outside the door. A smile immediately appeared on her face; she hadn't expected Zhu Biao to come to her place so late.

"Your Highness."

Lady Lü personally stepped forward to help Zhu Biao undress, displaying her virtuous and gentle demeanor.

"You may leave now."

Zhu Biao waved his hand, dismissing the palace maids and eunuchs present.

Then, he held Lady Lü in his arms, gently inhaling the fragrance from her hair, and felt his weary mind relax.

"Your Highness."

Seeing Zhu Biao's tired face, Madam Lü felt a pang of heartache.

"My beloved concubine, you've worked hard."

Zhu Biao opened his eyes, looked at Madam Lü, and said from the bottom of his heart.

"Your Highness, this is what I should do."

Lady Lü did not take credit for it and humbly shook her head.

"These days, the affairs of the Crown Prince's Palace have been very complicated, and we are very grateful to you."

"Your Highness, it wasn't me, it was my sister..."

Before Lady Lü could finish speaking, Zhu Biao reached out and covered her cherry-like mouth with his hand.

Zhu Biao sighed and said helplessly, "She doesn't have that kind of magnanimity, and she would never stoop to doing such a thing."

"Because of Lan Yu, the Chang family, the Lan family, and the fourth brother are like oil and water."

"Now that her fourth brother has also married into the Yuan State Duke's family, she is even more annoyed. Why would she take the initiative to befriend them?"

"My mother asked me to thank you."

"This is all due to the Empress Dowager's misplaced affection."

Lady Lü replied gently and gracefully.

"This is not a misplaced affection."

Zhu Biao smiled and explained, "The Empress Dowager originally intended to ease the tensions between the various families. The reason she betrothed the eldest daughter of the Duke of Yuan to the fourth prince was to enhance the sense of belonging of the Yuan officials who had submitted to the Ming Dynasty through marriage."

"These days, many officials from both inside and outside the Yuan court who have submitted to the Yuan state have visited the Duke of Yuan. This is a signal."

"The Chang family is stubborn about personal feelings. If the Crown Prince doesn't step in, it might create a bad impression on these officials."

"Your Highness, my sister is just having a temporary mental breakdown."

Lu spoke up to defend Chang.

"How could I not understand her?"

"We are not just husband and wife, but childhood sweethearts."

"When she was little, she was very domineering and wouldn't listen to a word anyone said."

"After becoming the Crown Princess, everyone in the palace except the Empress Dowager had to defer to her."

"Lan Yu went to the palace to plead for mercy. She disregarded the cause and effect and only cared about family ties, which put me and my father in a difficult position."

"Blue Jade is indeed a sharp blade. I will use it, and so will my father. A blade that is too sharp can hurt others, but it can also hurt oneself."

"If she still doesn't understand this, she will only be encouraging Lan Yu to go down a path of no return."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed back to the moments he had spent with the Crown Princess Chang, and his expression suddenly turned dejected.

"is that so."

When Lady Lü learned for the first time that Zhu Biao and Lady Chang had such a deep bond and connection, a shadow of unease flickered across her eyes.

"Not only should the Empress Dowager thank you, but I should also thank you."

Zhu Biao grasped Lü's soft hands and said gently.

"Since Your Highness says so, I dare to ask for a reward."

"Your Highness, please select a few tutors and set up a small study for the brothers in the palace."

"Um."

Zhu Biao frowned and fell into deep thought.

"Your Highness, is it not permissible?"

Lady Lü pressed for an answer.

"It's not impossible."

Zhu Biao stroked Lady Lü's soft hand and said, "It is very inconvenient for men to enter and leave the palace."

"The Emperor specially established the Great Hall to educate the princes and grandsons."

"The establishment of a small study in the Eastern Palace will likely cause discussion among the court officials."

"How about this, then I'll trouble my father-in-law to do the same for Xiong Ying and Yun Wen in the palace."

"What do you think?"

"My father? This..."

Lady Lü hesitated.

"Why not?"

"I think it couldn't be more suitable."

Zhu Biao patted her hand, signaling her to relax.

Only then did Lady Lü break into a smile, happily saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"My beloved concubine, a moment of passion on this night is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

Zhu Biao pulled Lü Shi's slender waist into his arms, and the two of them fell onto the bed, whereupon the candlelight went out.

Liaodong, Kaiyuan Road, Huanglong Prefecture (now Nong'an County, Gaoguanchun City, Jilin Province).

The Kaiyuan Prince's Mansion is located in the city center, covering a vast area, and is brightly lit at night, as if it were daytime.

"Your Majesty!"

"With the fall of Helin, Hexi and Beiting also fell into the hands of the Ming people."

"King Qi and Nairbuhua have both surrendered to the Ming army. What should we do?"

The generals and officials under Nahachumo looked bewildered; without the Northern Yuan court, they were like a group of lost souls.

"I regret my past actions."

Naha slammed his hand on the armrest, his weathered face full of anger.

Previously, Wang Baobao had repeatedly sent people to ask him to send troops to aid the northern desert. He always thought that the northern desert was vast and boundless, and that the Ming army was not good at riding and archery, so Karakorum was safe. Who would have thought that a Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, would appear in the Ming Dynasty, cross thousands of miles of the northern desert, and conquer Karakorum with only eight hundred cavalry.

With the loss of Karakorum, the Northern Yuan emperor, empress, and nobles fell entirely into the hands of the Ming army. The northern deserts and northern courts lost their command and were defeated one by one.

Now, the territory under the jurisdiction of the Xuanzheng Yuan is in disarray, Goryeo has revived, the Zhengdong Province is no longer what it used to be, and only Liaoyang and Yunnan provinces of the Great Yuan have not yet fallen. He and the Liang King of Yunnan can hardly coordinate.

"Your Majesty."

"Why not surrender to the Ming Emperor Zhu?"

An official suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"it is good."

Nahachu's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. If Zhu Yuanzhang could grant him Liaoyang as a fiefdom, that would be the best outcome.