prosperous age

The capital of the Ming Dynasty remained as prosperous as ever, with bustling streets and throngs of people. Restaurants and teahouses were brightly lit and filled with lively chatter, presenting a scene of peace and prosperity.

On the vast grasslands, however, the atmosphere was somewhat eerie.

In the royal tent, the meeting held two days ago to resolve the conflict in Bansheng City naturally yielded no results.

At the meeting, Mrs. Chungshun and Chataiji accused each other of striking first. Without any other corroborating evidence, it was naturally difficult to discern what had actually happened, and the case became an unsolved mystery.

Moreover, both sides made their positions clear: Lady Chungshun came to Banshang City because her son had improperly proposed to Daesung Hikichi.

Third Sister made her stance clear from the very beginning.

However, when Third Sister pressed Cha Taiji for the reason for his visit to Bansheng City, he hesitated and stammered.

After all, he couldn't also say he was there to propose marriage.

Behind him was Chelik, who had come specifically for this matter. If he were to say that he was also there to propose marriage, he would likely offend Huang Taiji and Chelik and his son without realizing it.

Chataiji wasn't that stupid to offend two powerful figures in succession.

By the third day, Alige could no longer represent Dachengbiji, as he was now facing marriage proposals from both sides of the Khan's family.

Yes, more and more tribal chiefs and Taijis were gathering at the royal court, which many people saw as the result of the Khan and his wife vying for power.

Lady Chungshun wanted to help her son consolidate his power, and the Great Khan Huang Taiji had the same goal. Neither side would give way, which led to this conflict.

And that unlucky guy, Cha Taiji, was sent by Huang Taiji to pave the way.

In response, Chataiji's initial hesitant explanation of his reason for coming to Bansheng City was eventually resolved.

It can't be said that the Great Khan sent him to intercept Lady Chungshun's troops, that would push the couple to the point of fighting each other.

Well, Chataiji got all the blame.

At this point, people actually felt some sympathy for the unfortunate man.

However, the atmosphere inside the Khan's tent was tense.

Huang Taiji and Chelik stood on the left, with Qia Taiji and a group of supporters below them, creating a grand spectacle.

On the right, San Niangzi stood with a few tribal leaders.

Zheng Luo, on the other hand, remained firmly in the center of the table, observing the current situation with a detached eye.

It's clear that Huang Taiji, standing in the highest position, commands the most attention.

Although Third Sister received many benefits promised by the Ming Dynasty, she still appeared to be weak and alone.

This is understandable, given that she is a woman.

In the Ming Dynasty, even women like San Niangzi rarely had a chance to rise to prominence, let alone in the grasslands where martial prowess was highly valued.

In the middle of the tent, Da Cheng Bi Ji stood alone, with only Ali Ge behind her.

Haige'er remained in Bansheng City and was not brought here.

"Da Cheng Biji, what are you really thinking? Are you willing to marry Chelik or not to be impolite to him?"

The current situation with Ban Shengcheng is all due to the unfortunate passing of my nephew. Whether it's for Hai Ge'er or Ban Shengcheng, you'd better make a choice as soon as possible.

To prevent a recurrence of the previous bloodshed.

Huang Taiji looked at Da Cheng Biji and asked further questions.

Third Sister also spoke softly, "Da Cheng Bi Ji, if you are willing to marry him, I will definitely protect you and your child."

Third Sister also spoke up, reminding Da Cheng Bi Ji that her previous promise was still valid.

"Hehe, Prince Shunyi, Lady Zhongshun, you don't need to urge them."

This matter concerns the rest of Daisei Hikichi's life, so he definitely needs to think about it carefully.

"Take it easy, take it easy."

Zheng Luo spoke up.

He appeared calm and collected, as if it had nothing to do with him, but his palms were sweating profusely.

This moment is the most crucial.

After Da Cheng Bi Ji entered, he did not reveal his true feelings about whether he would choose San Niang Zi or Huang Tai Ji.

Seeing this, Zheng Luo guessed something: it was a matter of waiting for a better price, or rather, a matter of assessing the situation based on the current circumstances.

The promise he made, or rather the promise from the Ming Dynasty, only added a little weight to Third Sister's side, but it didn't seem to have reached the point of tipping the scales.

Are we really going to force her into marriage?
Bansheng City is located in a very important position. If it is controlled by a pro-Ming force, it can restrain Huang Taiji in Guihua City.

Although the Ming Dynasty explicitly supports Da Cheng Bi Ji marrying Huang Tai Ji, given the current situation, Huang Tai Ji's side clearly has more power, especially if the Ming Dynasty doesn't directly intervene.

Although Daisei Hikichi had long planned to sell at a higher price, it would be better to choose a more powerful force to join him.

Thus, after Da Cheng Bi Ji entered, he did not utter a single word except to bow to Huang Tai Ji, San Niang Zi, and Zheng Luo.

However, she was actually quickly calculating the balance of power among the various factions.

At this moment, Daisei Hikichi could already sense the growing impatience in the three people's tone.

She knew she had to make a choice as soon as possible.

The Han people had a different perspective. In fact, the Mongols looked down on the Han people from the bottom of their hearts. After all, more than two hundred years ago, the grassland men united under Genghis Khan had conquered the beautiful Jiangnan region.

Moreover, their warhorses traversed the entire continent of Oya, and their military might reached as far as the Danube River basin.

Although the current strength of the Mongol heartland is clearly inferior to that of the Ming Dynasty, they still feel proud of their ancestors' achievements.

To the west of the grasslands, there exists a state ruled by descendants of the Mongol Golden Family.

In fact, Da Cheng Bi Ji preferred to choose Che Li Ke because it would give her and her son the protection of the Great Khan.

However, she also knew that Chelik married her mainly for the inheritance left by Taiji.

Once Haige marries Chelik, it will be difficult for him to inherit the legacy left by Dacheng Taiji.

Regardless, both Daming and San Niangzi expressed their commitment to the Haige'er tribe.

Well, on the grasslands, as long as you have your own tribe, you won't be dependent on others or forced to rely on other Taijis for survival.

Therefore, even though the Third Sister was not as strong as Huang Taiji, for the sake of his child, Da Cheng Biji finally made up his mind and chose the Third Sister's side.

In fact, the fact that the Ming Dynasty promised to continue to provide them with a guaranteed supply of various materials was not the most important factor in her decision.

Now that she had made up her mind, Da Cheng Bi Ji finally felt at ease. She glanced at Huang Tai Ji and Che Li Ke, and from their eyes, she could feel the burning heat that almost melted her.

Looking at Third Sister and Zheng Luo, they didn't seem so anxious, although there seemed to be a glint of light in Zheng Luo's eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, Zheng Luo was already considering whether he should use force to compel Da Cheng Bi Ji to make a different choice if Da Cheng Bi Ji's choice did not align with Grand Secretary Wei's wishes.

I'd rather not have a face.

But the orders from Grand Secretary Wei in the capital must be carried out.

"I choose to marry him without being impolite."

Finally, Da Cheng Bi Ji's voice rang out again from inside the tent. But as soon as he finished speaking, Third Sister's face lit up with joy, and she couldn't suppress her delight.

In contrast, Huang Taiji and Chelike's faces were even darker than charcoal. He never expected that Da Cheng Biji would dare to choose the immature boy, Bu He, over Chelike, thus being so disrespectful.

Zheng Luo's expression was much better at this moment. His joy was fleeting. Most importantly, with Da Cheng Bi Ji's choice, his subsequent actions would be much easier and more logical.

With a strong sense of justice, even if a conflict were to break out with Huang Taiji, he would still be in the right.

“Very well, now that the lady has made her choice, I shall inform His Majesty and bestow his blessings upon this wedding.”

Before Huang Taiji could speak, Zheng Luo preemptively spoke up, even bringing up the Wanli Emperor.

Although Huang Taiji was furious, he suppressed his dissatisfaction upon hearing Zheng Luo's words. He glanced at his son, who was about to make a move, and pressed him again, "Da Cheng Biji, have you thought this through before you answer?"

"Prince Shunyi, didn't you hear clearly what the lady chose just now?"

"I heard it clearly: she chose to marry him, which is impolite of her, and accepted Lady Chungshun's marriage proposal."

Zheng Luo immediately spoke.

If it were Third Sister who spoke at this moment, the tent would likely erupt into a heated argument, ruining the excellent situation.

It's most appropriate for him to speak as the middleman.

“Governor Zheng, of course I heard it, but I need to confirm whether what Da Cheng Bi Ji said just now was sincere or coerced by others.”

After all, this is the vast grassland, and with me here, I forbid anyone from starting a war.

Huang Taiji wanted to try and fight back, but after all, he was over sixty years old and had spent decades on the grasslands, so he had many health problems. Although he was very tough, his voice sounded a little weak.

Hearing this from Daisei Hikichi, there was a hint of fear towards the Ming Dynasty in his mind.

Of course, in reality, these were all hallucinations, but they were due to Huang Taiji's physical condition.

He could no longer lead troops across the grasslands, much like the aging Anda Khan, having lost much of his former ambition.

However, he knew that he had to fight for the power of Bansheng City for his son, otherwise if something happened to him, Chelike might not be able to control Third Sister.

Don't be fooled by his current presence and ability to keep San Niangzi in check. If he were gone, how would his brothers treat Chelik?

To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Only by giving Chelik more tribes and making him stronger can he continue to rule the grasslands.

"Daishin Hikichi, think carefully before you answer."

At this point, Huang Taiji didn't wait for Zheng Luo to answer and pressed him for an answer.

This time, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke, intending to force Da Cheng Bi Ji to compromise through sheer force.

Huang Taiji really didn't believe that a mere woman couldn't scare him.

Outside Bansheng City, he now has fifty to sixty thousand troops, while the combined number of the Third Sister and the people inside Bansheng City is less than twenty thousand, and the Ming army has only twenty to thirty thousand troops.

If he wished, he could issue a royal decree to summon more troops from the surrounding area.

"I"

This time, Huang Taiji's fierce expression truly frightened Da Cheng Biji, who hesitated before speaking, but then seemed somewhat at a loss for words.

"Khan, Da Cheng Biji has already made it very clear that the strong do not bully the weak on our grasslands. Don't you all agree?"

When San Niangzi spoke, she wasn't just addressing Huang Taiji, but also the tribal leaders and Taijis behind him.

Everyone understands what that means: if they can get things done today, they might not necessarily give in to Hirokichi, but what about tomorrow?
Could it be that one day they will be the ones to hand over their respective tribes, thus strengthening Chelik's power?

As soon as Third Sister finished speaking, even those standing behind Huang Taiji began to whisper among themselves.

"Alright, let me, the governor, speak."

Zheng Luo stood up and said gently to Da Cheng Biji, "Madam, was your decision to marry him just now truly sincere?"

If someone is pressuring you, you can say so now.

If you truly don't want to change your previous statement, then simply nod.

Upon hearing Zheng Luo's words, Da Cheng Biji no longer wanted to think about it and just wanted to end the current situation as soon as possible, so he nodded hastily.

"Fellow leaders, have you all seen it clearly?"

The Great Cheng Taiji has always been on good terms with our Great Ming Dynasty. Now that we have learned of his accident, we are worried that his family will be bullied. Therefore, the court has ordered me to come here.

Following the customs of the grasslands, I, as an official, allow Dacheng Biji to remarry. However, marriage is a matter of personal freedom. Now that Dacheng Biji has chosen not to offend him, I, as an official, shall naturally uphold this marriage.”

When Zheng Luo spoke, most of the tribal chiefs and Taijis remained silent.

Well, this is also a way to win people's hearts, to package the Ming Dynasty as an upright and honorable entity.

After saying this, Zheng Luo looked at Huang Taiji, whose expression was not good and said: "Khan, now that the matter of Bansheng City is over, shouldn't we let the various tribes go back?"

Once the wedding date is set, everyone will gather in Ban Shing City to celebrate.

Huang Taiji didn't speak, but he nodded, which was considered an agreement.

Soon, everyone took their leave and departed from the royal tent.

San Niangzi's group traveled with Da Cheng Biji. Da Cheng Biji, who was only ten years younger than her, was about to become her daughter-in-law, so they were naturally considered family. Naturally, she had to protect Da Cheng Biji.

"Don't worry, when you get back you can have Ali choose a tribe."

Yesterday, Governor Zheng sent me a letter saying that there is a fortified town called Anshi Fortress, which is located a hundred miles southeast of Bansheng City. It was built by the Ming Dynasty in the early years on the grasslands.

Although it has been abandoned for many years, the main structure of the city wall is still in good condition and can be moved into after some repairs.

Governor Zheng's idea is to let Haierge bring his tribe to Anshibao when the time comes.

I will try to recruit some manpower for the city's construction, and the governor will also provide some assistance to help Haige'er complete the castle as soon as possible.

At that time, he will be between Xuanfu and Bansheng City, and both sides can take care of him.

In the future, supplies from the Ming Dynasty to support Bansheng City will also pass through there, ensuring that Haige'er's people will not suffer.

"Thank you, Madam. On behalf of Hai-ge'er, I thank you for your great kindness."

Third Sister escorted Da Cheng Biji and his party back to Bansheng City, and they agreed that she would lead her troops into the city the next day before returning to the main camp.

When Zheng Luo finally left, he did not travel with San Niangzi and Da Cheng Bi Ji.

After all, at this moment, the Ming Dynasty appeared to be detached from worldly affairs and did not seem to be colluding with any party.

Although everyone knew perfectly well that the Ming Dynasty's plan was to support the Third Sister in resisting the Khan.

In fact, this is why so many tribal chiefs and Taijis gathered under the Khan's banner.

Although they had no choice but to rely on the Ming Dynasty, they still preferred to trust their own people and support their clansmen.

They despised Third Sister and those around her, considering them traitors who had betrayed their ancestors.

However, now that this matter was settled, no one wanted to stay in this troublesome place any longer.

If the Khan and Queen were to fight again, would they participate or not?

So, once the situation was settled, everyone started packing their supplies and preparing to leave overnight.

After everyone had left, Huang Taiji circled around and came back. (End of Chapter)