Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 22 Tribute Envoy

"Your Majesty, Hu Dun Tu Han is a famous king among the captives, especially Jie Ao."

"I'm afraid it won't be easy to change his mind."

Completely convinced of the emperor's judgment, Guo Yunhou also believed that Lin Dan Khan was not dead, but was planning to move westward.

Thinking of his repeated border violations in the past, Guo Yunhou was really worried about the border affairs of the Ming Dynasty.

How could Zhu Youjian not know that Lin Dan Khan was unruly? He even knew that some people compared Lin Dan Khan and Emperor Chongzhen in history, thinking that these two last monarchs were representatives of great ambition, talent, and willfulness. It is extremely difficult to make Lin Danhan obedient.

But no matter how difficult it is, you still have to try. Even though Lin Danhan suffered defeat after defeat against Houjin, he won consecutive battles against other Mongolian tribes.

Historically, after Lin Dan Khan moved westward, he quickly swept through the right-wing tribes and even invaded Datong, completely disrupting the entire Monan Grassland and the northern frontier of the Ming Dynasty. But he couldn't stop Hou Jin's pursuit, and finally fled to Qinghai.

Judging from the actual effect, Lin Danhan can be said to be the knife that enabled Hou Jin to conquer the Monan grassland, and played the role of a pioneer for the king.

Knowing this, Zhu Youjian decided to prevent Lin Danhan from moving westward no matter what, and even united with the right-wing ministries to send troops together.

However, looking at the civil and military affairs of the entire dynasty, Zhu Youjian sadly discovered that there was no one in the dynasty who could serve as commander-in-chief, and no one could go out to fight.

This made him even more resentful towards the Eunuchs and more eager to eradicate them.

"You can't be hasty, you can't be hasty, you can't make historical mistakes! 』

After warning himself again and again, Zhu Youjian calmed down and said:
"First inform King Shunyi and other tribes to be on guard against the tigers and rabbits migrating westward."

"Send someone to tell Hu Duntu that his plan to move westward has been seen through by us, and the right-wing troops have also taken precautions to let him stay where he is."

"Tell him that his plan to occupy the right-wing tribes and obtain tribute from the Ming Dynasty is absolutely impossible."

"If he continues to help Ming Dynasty deal with Hou Jin, and then presents the so-called jade seal, Ming Dynasty can make him king according to the old practice of Anda Khan and sign a treaty of rules."

As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar. Anda Khan was granted the title of King of Shunyi because he repeatedly violated the border during the Jiajing period, and the Ming Dynasty recognized his strength. Who is Huduntu, but he wants to be crowned king in the same way.

For a time, the ministers were talking a lot and almost raised objections.

Zhu Youjian felt even more headache. These people didn't even know who Hu Duntu was, so they knew how to mess up things. With these people running the country, how could the Ming Dynasty survive?

No matter how noisy they were, after the voices of the ministers fell down, Zhu Youjian asked coldly:

"Since we all disagree, let's talk about the right-wing factions today. Who can stop Hu Duntu?"

"Who is willing to lead the troops out of the fortress to prevent the tigers and rabbits from migrating westward?"

None of the ministers said anything, and Zhu Youjian continued to ask:

"We, the Ming Dynasty, look down on the so-called Qianyuan Jade Seal, and the process of getting it by inserting Han is also inexplicable, and it is difficult to distinguish the authenticity from the fake."

"But if this jade seal is obtained by Hou Jin, what will be the consequences?"

"Which of you has the ability to get it from Hu Duntu?"

Thinking of Hou Jin using this jade seal to proclaim himself emperor, Zhu Youjian became furious. After the Yuan Dynasty fled to the grassland, the jade seal had been lost for more than 200 years. Lin Danhan's grandfather Buyan Khan inexplicably took out a jade seal and said that it was the jade seal of the former Yuan Dynasty.

As you can imagine, not many people on the grassland recognized it, and this jade seal was of little use in their hands.

However, after Lin Dan Khan was defeated and the jade seal was captured by Hou Jin, it became the reason for Huang Taiji to change the country's name from "Da Jin" to "Qing" and ascend to the throne and proclaim himself emperor. This is absolutely unacceptable to Zhu Youjian. He didn't want Hou Jin to use this jade seal to obtain the legal authority of the former Yuan Dynasty and conquer all the grassland tribes.

The ministers were speechless now. Matters related to the imperial line cannot be taken too seriously. Just a king's title, what does it mean?
Although the ministers didn't know where the emperor learned about Hu Duntu's jade seal, since it came from the emperor's mouth, they could only accept it.

What's more, Anda Khan was granted the title of Queen of Shunyi, and the borders of the Ming Dynasty were peaceful for nearly sixty years. It seems to be a good deal if you use a king number in exchange for Hu Duntu to stay in Cha Han to resist Houjin.

In this way, the matter of Hu Duntu's tribute was forcibly settled at Zhu Youjian's request.

Because time was urgent, Zhu Youjian asked the ministers to discuss immediately to determine the candidate who would go to the grassland to preside over the tribute.

The ministers looked at the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Lai Zongdao, the Minister of Rites, said nothing and did not want to go to the grassland and suffer. The ministers Meng Shaoyu and Wang Zuoyuan also bowed their heads and said nothing, unwilling to accept this hard job. There are still many people who think this matter is inexplicable. Maybe Hu Duntu is really dead and the tribute will become a joke.

Seeing that Zhu Youjian was already frowning, someone finally took care of you. Kong Zhenyun, the 63rd generation grandson of Confucius and the second best student in Wanli 47th year, Zuo Chunfang and Zuo Yude, stepped forward and volunteered:

"Your Majesty, I would like to go to the Han Dynasty and declare the decree to Hu Duntu."

Zhu Youjian was greatly moved and had a great impression of Kong Zhenyun, who had the courage to shoulder the important task. He immediately said:

"Your official position as the host of the tribute ceremony is not enough, which will make Hu Duntu feel that our Ming Dynasty does not pay enough attention to it."

"By decree, Kong Zhenyun was granted the title of Minister of Rites, and promoted to the rank of Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy."

This eliminates the need for court approval. Kong Zhenyun's promotion from Zuo Yude to Bachelor's Degree was a normal promotion, and the title of Minister of Rites was added for the sake of Ming Dynasty's dignity. No one in the court could object to this kind of canonization in vain. On the contrary, I feel that Kong Zhenyun took over this hard job and escaped the disaster.

However, just one person is not enough. Zhu Youjian still has some things to arrange for others to do.

Looking at the nobles in the court, he thought that his ancestor was a Mongolian and sending him to the grassland might be useful, so he appointed:

"Honorable Marquis Wu Ruyin will accompany you as a deputy envoy."

"Be sure to let Hu Duntu accept the canonization as a barrier to the Ming Dynasty."

Wu Ruyin accepted the order and obeyed, but secretly complained in his heart. He didn't think that the tigers and rabbits on the grassland had anything to do with him.

It’s just that the emperor has given the order and he has to go even if he doesn’t want to. As a nobleman attached to the emperor, he was not qualified to bargain like a civil servant.

Time was urgent. After Zhu Youjian appointed the envoys and deputy envoys, he immediately asked the cabinet bachelor to draft an edict and form a formal edict. Looking at the words "Hu Dun Tu Han" and other words on the decree, I couldn't help but frown.

The pronunciation of "Hu Dun Tu" is related to religion and cannot be translated casually. Zhu Youjian, as he was called by later generations, directly issued an order:
"From now on, we will call Hu Duntuhan Hutuktu Khan, Ling Danhan Lin Danhan, and Zahan Chahan."

"All official documents will be called this."

I wrote these words in my own handwriting to prevent others from writing them randomly and causing confusion in the title.

The ministers did not argue on this point. After all, if you want to use others to resist Hou Jin, it is necessary to give him a good name. What they continued to argue was how Lin Dan Khan should respond if he really died.

Regarding such an impossible thing, Zhu Youjian was too lazy to waste time. He just listened to the arguments of the ministers to see what they could do.

　"History of the Ming Dynasty": Kong Zhenyun was the first assistant in Zhifa. The person who represents chastity and luck is Liu Yuliang.

　　Zhenyun, a native of Jurong, is the thirteenth generation grandson of the Holy Saint (VI).

　　In the 47th year of Wanli's reign, the second person in the palace examination was awarded the title of editor.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)