prosperous age

Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing both found Wei Guangde's idea absurd, so they remained silent.

It seems he had already thought of it himself.

However, Liu Shouyou blinked and suddenly said, "Grand Secretary Wei, it might actually work. As long as we can persuade Daisei Hikichi, it will be fine."

Hearing Liu Shouyou say such a thing, Zhang Siwei was dissatisfied.

It's one thing for you to flatter Wei Guangde normally, but can you just make up such nonsense?
Da Cheng Bi Ji's wife is almost thirty years old, while he is only thirteen. This is not the case of the thirty-something-year-old Chung Shun's wife marrying the sixty-something-year-old Huang Tai Ji.

Sure enough, even henchmen can't be trusted.

I used to think highly of Liu Shouyou because he was educated, but I never expected him to be just a sycophant who only knew how to flatter his superiors.

At the same time, besides feeling dissatisfied, Zhang Siwei also noticed the fleeting displeasure in Shen Shixing's eyes.

"Hehe, Liu Shouyou tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead."

Zhang Siwei felt a surge of relief. He could guess that Shen Shixing probably shared the same thoughts as him, both feeling angry at Liu Shouyou's disgrace.

This is the cabinet, not his Northern Garrison Command, where he can say whatever he wants.

Wei Guangde was about to give up, but when he heard Liu Shouyou say that, he didn't feel the same way as Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing. Instead, he looked at him with confusion, waiting for him to continue.

Liu Shouyou only noticed Wei Guangde's curious gaze and did not notice the reactions of Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing, so he continued, "Actually, there seems to be a precedent like this in Mongolia as well."

"Who?"

Upon hearing Liu Shouyou's words, Wei Guangde couldn't help but ask further questions.

At the same time, Liu Shouyou's words also attracted the attention of Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing, and the two of them also became focused on them.

"Three Grand Secretaries, are you familiar with Manduhai?"

Liu Shou didn't give the answer directly, but he did mention a name, a rather unfamiliar one, which was obviously from the grasslands.

Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing both looked bewildered. Shen Shixing was understandable, as he was from the south and knew very little about the stories of the grasslands. But even Zhang Siwei, a native of Shanxi who lived near the grasslands, was confused. This suggested that the man was rather old-fashioned.

"Manduhai, Manduhai"

They were bewildered, but Wei Guangde seemed to remember seeing the word somewhere before, and unconsciously lowered his head to recall.

Suddenly, Wei Guangde looked up and said, "Manduhai is Anda Khan's grandmother?"

"Correct."

Liu Shouyou answered readily, but then he added, "Does Grand Secretary Wei know anything about the circumstances surrounding Manduhai's marriage to Dayan Khan?"

Upon hearing Liu Shouyou's question, Wei Guangde shook his head. He had seen the name Manduhai while reviewing Altan Khan's materials, but frankly, it was of no use to him regarding that period of history.

They've been dead for years, what use are they now?

Only by living can one have value.

At this moment, Liu Shouyou also noticed that Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing were looking at him with puzzled eyes, and he knew that he could not keep them in suspense any longer and had to get down to business quickly.

"Cough cough."

After clearing his throat twice, Liu Shouyou began to recount the situation on the grassland a hundred years ago.

In the eleventh year of the Chenghua reign, Mandulu, the grandson of Harguchukdugulengtemurhongtaiji and the third son of Azhaitaiji, succeeded to the throne as Great Khan.

He appointed Boluohu as the Right Wing Jinong and Qiajiasilan as the Grand Tutor. In order to restore the authority of the Great Khan, he launched an attack on the powerful ministers such as Duoguolang of the Tumed tribe and Maolihai of the Ongniud tribe.

Later, instigated by treacherous officials such as Hongguo Lai and Yisima Yin, he fell out with Boluohujinong and was killed in the fifteenth year of the Chenghua reign.

Liu Shouyou started his story directly from the time of Mandulu Khan in the Chenghua era. Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing didn't know about Manduhai, but they did know about Mandulu.

So they didn't interrupt Liu Shouyou's story and listened quietly.

Liu Shouyou did not disappoint them and soon spoke of Manduhai.

"Manduhai was born in the twelfth year of the Zhengtong reign of the Ongud tribe of Mongolia. His father was Chancellor Chorobbai Temür. The Ongud nobles were not only hereditary nobles, but also intermarried with the Golden Family for generations, enjoying great honor in the Yuan Dynasty."

It is said that Manduhai was intelligent from a young age and was cherished by her father, who not only taught her literature and martial arts but also frequently explained the history of the rise and fall of the Mongolian people.

"Let's get to the point."

Liu Shouyou was still talking animatedly when Wei Guangde suddenly interrupted him.

"Yes, that's right."

Liu Shouyou hurriedly continued speaking.

"Mandulu was killed by Ismain, a cousin of the Niekli tribe, in alliance with Tuoluogan and others. Since Mandulu Khan had no heirs, the Khanate was vacant, and Grand Tutor Ismain was eyeing the Khanate covetously."

At this time, Batu Mongke, the only surviving direct descendant of the Golden Family, was all alone. His father had been killed, his mother had been abducted, and he was frail and sickly with no one to take care of him. It wasn't until he was five or six years old that he was given to his great-aunt, Manduhai, to raise, and his life finally took a turn for the better.

During Manduhai's widowhood, the Prince of Unabolot of the Khorchin Mongols proposed to her, but she refused.

Who is Batumonk?

This time, it was Zhang Siwei who interrupted Liu Shouyou. Upon hearing that Liu was a direct descendant of the Golden Family, Zhang Siwei couldn't help but take it seriously.

However, before Liu Shouyou could answer, Wei Guangde had already given his answer.

"He is Dayan Khan."

"Yes, this Batumonke is Dayan Khan, the only person left on the grassland with the bloodline of the Golden Family."

To prevent power and his followers from falling into the hands of non-Genghis Khan descendants, Mandukhai expressed his willingness to sacrifice everything for the unification of Mongolia.

Therefore, in the sixteenth year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, the 33-year-old Manduhai resolutely decided to marry the 7-year-old Batu Mongke and help him ascend to the throne of Great Khan. The couple subsequently had seven sons and one daughter.

Liu Shouyou finally revealed the most important information: the 33-year-old Manduhai married the 7-year-old Batu Mengke, a marriage far more unequal than the 20-something-year-old Dacheng Biji marrying the 13-year-old Buta Shili.

Following this precedent, it seems that what Wei Guangde just thought could not be a reality.

It would be far better for Lady Chungsun to take over the formidable force left behind by Hannah Gioc than for it to be swallowed up by others.

Especially now, the Great Khan Huang Taiji on the grasslands, although he could not possibly take his nephew's wife as a wife, could have his son do it.

By then, the balance between Lady Zhongshun and Prince Shunyi will inevitably be broken, making it much more difficult to implement strategies against the Ming Dynasty.

Since there are precedents

Before Wei Guangde could even begin, Zhang Siwei suddenly interrupted, "Lord Wei, if Lady Zhongshun's power grows so strong, what will we do if she becomes too powerful to control?"

Zhang Siwei's reminder was actually reasonable. Although Lady Zhongshun was currently quite loyal to the Ming Dynasty, if she became powerful enough to rule over the Mongol tribes, wouldn't that loyalty fade?

Wei Guangde fell silent, pondered for a moment, and then said, "But if Bansheng is obtained by someone else, Lady Zhongshun's influence in Mongolia will inevitably weaken, which would be a real threat to our Great Ming."

Compared to a potential future threat, we should address the immediate problem first.

Upon hearing Wei Guangde's words, Zhang Siwei promptly shut up.

Let's deal with the future later; solving the immediate problem is the most important thing right now.

"If it really has to be carried out, we can only authorize Governor-General Zheng Luo of Xuanda to make the decision on his own. If we wait for the imperial court's order, we're afraid we'll miss the opportunity."

Shen Shixing spoke up at this moment.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard could relay messages and provide assistance, but direct intervention in the grasslands was something only the governors and provincial governors appointed by the imperial court could do, because they had military power and could mobilize troops from the border towns to directly intervene in the grasslands.

All three of them had realized that Huang Taiji definitely wanted to take back the powerful army of Bahannaji and would surely force his son to marry Dachengbiji.

For the Ming Dynasty to force Dacheng Biji to marry him without being impolite, it would have to put enough pressure on the grasslands.

In the short term, it seems that the Ming Dynasty would risk falling out with Huang Taiji over this matter, but in the medium to long term, it would indeed be beneficial to the Ming Dynasty. Once the goal is achieved, Huang Taiji will have no way to suppress Lady Zhongshun on the grasslands, and therefore will have no choice but to take Lady Zhongshun's advice and maintain peace with the Ming Dynasty.

"Reed cloth".

Wei Guangde called out to the door, and soon Lubu came in and bowed to receive his orders.

"Go to the Ministry of War immediately and invite Vice Minister Zhang over. Tell him we have important matters to discuss."

Wei Guangde gave the instructions.

"Yes, sir."

Lu Bu agreed and immediately went out to call someone to run the errand.

"Now that Minister Tan is no longer able to manage affairs, I intend to appoint Zhang Ke as Minister of War."

He's managed the affairs of the Ministry of War quite well these past two years; there haven't been any major problems.

After Wei Guangde and the others left, he spoke to Zhang Siwei and Shen Shixing.

Shen Shixing naturally had no objection to this, and Zhang Siwei thought about it and did not refuse.

He couldn't get involved in the Ministry of War; even the Grand Secretary Zhang didn't interfere back then, so why should he compete with him?

Moreover, with the Ministry of War about to launch a major operation, there is a risk involved in whoever is placed in that position.

Winning is fine, but losing is a death sentence.

Although the Ming Dynasty was powerful, we should not forget that the Mongol Yuan Dynasty was no different, but in the end they all suffered defeats.

It is clear that military affairs are not just about strength; there are too many uncertainties, so Zhang Siwei has no need to get involved in this mess.

"Shouldn't we also inform the Ministry of Rites?"

Shen Shixing spoke up at this moment.

If it is revealed that the cabinet instructed the Ministry of War to do this, the Ministry of Rites would be the most likely department to oppose it.

After all, it was their duty, and the censors of the Censorate were probably not as vehemently opposed.

Even if there are, they are only a few individuals.

"We'll contact the Ministry of Rites again tomorrow."

Wei Guangde thought about it and decided not to cause any unnecessary trouble.

If it concerns Huang Taiji, which involves the Prince of Shunyi, then the Ministry of Rites is naturally required.

Because the final investiture and other formalities require the cooperation of the Ministry of Rites.

It was about the marriage between Bu Tashiro and Da Cheng Bi Ji, and there was no need for the Ministry of Rites to get involved or ask them to discuss it.

"There's another one, and that's Lady Chungshun. Whether she'll be willing to grant this request is also unknown."

Shen Shixing reminded him again.

"Lady Chungshun's opinion is certainly important, but I don't think she's that foolish."

Lady Zhongshun only had one son, and she would naturally want to strengthen his power so that he could establish himself on the grasslands.

Ban Shengcheng's forces are definitely not weak.

With this formidable army, the tribe left to him by Anda Khan, and the ten thousand households under Lady Zhongshun, even if he couldn't become the Great Khan on the grasslands after his misdeeds, his influence would certainly not be weak.

Although Wei Guangde did not know Lady Zhongshun's attitude, Lady Zhongshun should be able to consider the gains and losses.

The solution proposed by Wei Guangde was essentially based on considerations from the perspective of Lady Zhongshun.

If Lady Zhongshun is dissatisfied, then it can only be said that Wei Guangde himself has become the villain, somewhat like a dog biting Lü Dongbin.

Moreover, the imperial court's decision must have been based on changes in the situation on the grasslands.

Although the imperial court will try its best to promote this matter, it must not force it; however, Xuanda must be prepared.

If Lady Chungshun makes a request, Xuan Da must provide timely support to avoid being taken advantage of by Huang Taiji.

"Bansheng is 300 li northwest of Xuanda, and the army can reach it in seven or eight days."

As long as Lady Chungshun can hold out until the government troops arrive at Bansheng, everything else will be decided by Lady Chungshun.

Wei Guangde made his stance clear: he wanted Zheng Luo to decisively send troops to intervene and support Third Sister after something happened in Bansheng City.

Unfortunately, later generations held the Third Lady in high regard, believing that she played a crucial role in resolving the conflict between the Mongols and the Han Chinese, and was also an important contributor to maintaining peace between the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols during the Wanli era.

Although Wei Guangde remained vigilant, he still had to take action when the time was right.

Historically, the Third Lady almost single-handedly maintained peace between the Ming Dynasty and the grasslands.

The imperial court not only failed to help, but sometimes even had the opposite effect, forcing her to compromise.

Of course, Wei Guangde was unaware of these things.

The Ming Dynasty at this time was different from that time. At least the border troops dared to roam the grasslands. Whether it was the cavalry or the wagon camp, they would usually patrol the grasslands thirty to fifty miles away from the Great Wall.

Wei Guangde never paid any attention to the grasslands; his focus was solely on overseas regions, building up the Ming Dynasty's sphere of influence.

As long as we can hold onto this territory, we will have enough room to maneuver a hundred years from now.

Actually, despite the Earth being round, Europeans only had two sea routes to East Asia: the Strait of Malacca and Luzon.

The Strait of Malacca guards a vital western passage, while the Luzon Islands serve as a hub in the east. During the Age of Sail, the only route from east to west was via the equatorial route.

If the Ming Dynasty had simply driven the Spanish back into the sea, it would have seemed to have gained Luzon, but in reality, it would have missed out on the gold and silver of the Americas.

Since the Spanish had no other sea routes to East Asia for trade, the Portuguese would monopolize the trade with the foreign peoples.

This is definitely not good news for the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, Zhang Ke hurriedly entered the duty room.

On his way back to his residence, he was stopped by cabinet members. Although they didn't know what serious matter had happened, the fact that they were looking for him at this time meant that it must be something important.

Therefore, he also ordered his attendants to immediately recall the senior officials and clerks of the Ministry of War to await orders at the Ministry of War.

Now, apart from the officials on duty, most people have already left the office and gone home.

If we don't hurry up and call for help, it will be even harder to find people once they've gone into those kinds of places.

When Zhang Ke arrived, Wei Guangde immediately showed him the urgent report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and also told him about the results of their discussion.

"Jinqing, you should also take a look and see if there are any oversights in this matter."

After he finished speaking, Wei Guangde turned to Zhang Ke and said...

The purpose of calling him here was actually to identify and address any shortcomings. Just because Wei Guangde couldn't think of the loopholes doesn't mean that others couldn't either.

Although there are three cobblers in the cabinet, it's always better to pool our wisdom for such matters.

After listening, Zhang Ke frowned and thought for a moment before finally saying, "It seems foolproof, but it is extremely difficult to control, especially Bansheng. If Xuan Dajun really intervenes, the consequences are unpredictable."

Thinking of the upcoming overseas plan, Wei Guangde gritted his teeth and said, "If Huang Taiji is dissatisfied, kill him and support him to take the throne, which would be disrespectful."

"To repel external threats, one must first pacify internal strife." (End of Chapter)