The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chen Wang sat on the wooden chair at the head of the table in the center of the hall.

Gu Mu tilted his head slightly and knelt on the cold floor tiles in the hall.

The remaining Taijis from the Mongol tribes no longer remained inside the hall; they were all taken to the courtyard outside.

Only Chen Wang and Gu Mu remained in the hall.

Chen Wang was not worried about his own safety.

He fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and countless enemies had already fallen beneath his blade.

His sword lay quietly on the table beside him, the wear marks on the scabbard clearly visible in the candlelight.

Gu Mu had already been disarmed upon entering the Central Military Governor's Office.

Chen Wang looked down at Gu Mu, who was kneeling in the hall, his gaze as calm as an ancient well.

He was waiting for Gu Mu's answer.

The bright lights revealed Gu Mu's true colors; the beads of sweat on his forehead glistened under the light, and his clenched fists were white at the knuckles.

At that moment, he felt that every hesitation and every struggle in his heart was exposed under the bright lights of the room.

Gu Mu looked up at Chen Wang, who was sitting at the head of the table.

The candlelight danced on Chen Wang's crimson python robe, which stood out vividly under the bright light, the cloud patterns embroidered with gold thread seemingly flowing slowly.

Gumu had never seen the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, but he had seen the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, whose name was Huang Taiji.

He met Huang Taiji several times in the eighth year of the Chongzhen reign. At that time, Huang Taiji did indeed have the appearance of an emperor. Although he was fat, he was tall and upright, with a commanding presence and awe-inspiring eyes. Every move he made inspired fear.

But this time, when they were ordered to enter the pass and saw Huang Taiji again, he almost couldn't recognize him as the Huang Taiji of yesteryear.

At this time, Huang Taiji was even more bloated than before, and his movements were much slower, although there was still a sharp glint in his eyes.

However, it no longer possesses the same awe-inspiring presence as it once did.

Gu Mu lowered his gaze, cautiously observing Chen Wang, who sat high above him.

Chen Wang sat at the head of the table, and although he did not utter a word, he possessed an imposing presence that made people dare not look him in the eye.

His gaze was calm as still water, yet it was even more unsettling than Huang Taiji's sharpness at his peak.

Gu Mu had heard rumors about Chen Wang.

This powerful general of the Ming Dynasty was originally just a servant under a Ming army officer.

From an unknown soldier to a general wielding the highest power in all of China, Chen Wang only took eight years.

The battles of Zhen Ding and Jinan established Chen Wang's reputation as the bravest warrior in the army.

Tan Tai was shot and killed at Qingshan Pass. The various garrisons of the Ming Dynasty were called the Flying General of the Han Dynasty. The Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty looked up at Chen and fled, not daring to confront him.

He marched south into the interior, his troops sweeping through like lightning, easily breaking through enemy lines and crushing them like boiling water, earning him the reputation of a renowned general of his time.

I personally experienced the epic battle in Jining.

Gumu saw everything.

He witnessed the Qing Dynasty's most powerful army, under the leadership of their emperor Huang Taiji, crumble overnight under the offensive of the Jingnan Army.

He couldn't imagine how to defeat this army.

He couldn't imagine any army in the world that could rival him.

With his eyes closed, Gu Mu could recall the overwhelming sense of despair he felt when he was in Jining.

Now, facing the Jingnan Army, he couldn't muster even the slightest courage to confront them.

Chen Wang remained seated, the bright candlelight illuminating his composed face clearly, reflecting in Gu Mu's eyes.

But what is the price?

What future founding emperors like Chen Wang would certainly desire were illustrious achievements that would be recorded in history and praised for thousands of years.

Chen Wang promised the entire Mongolian region that he would become the overlord of the grasslands.

The price... was the loyalty of the Tümed tribe, and the submission of all of Mongolia...

Gu Mu's body trembled slightly.

Chen Wang's expression remained largely unchanged throughout.

Looking into Chen Wang's calm, still eyes, a silent fear arose in his heart.

At this moment, Gu Mu clearly realized another point...

Chen Wang was indeed waiting for his answer.

But Chen Wang never gave him a second choice.

They either submit and become the overlord of the Mongols, honoring him as the Heavenly Khan.

Either...

And so it remained there forever, forever silent.

Gu Mu lowered his head.

He already knew why Chen Wang wanted to speak only to him, but also summoned the Taijis of the other tribes.

If he rejects Chen Wang's proposal.

Then naturally a new person will be chosen to replace him.

Gu Mu bowed, lowered his head, and kowtowed to the ground, speaking solemnly.

"Your esteemed Marquis Jingnan, your glory is like the rising sun over the grasslands. The Tumed tribe is willing to be your most loyal falcon, forever following your light."

"Do not……"

Gu Mu raised his head, straightened his chest, and looked into his eyes.

"It's not just the Tumed tribe."

"From this day forward, the hoofbeats of the Mongol tribes will resound for you. With a flick of your whip, we will charge in the direction you point, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire."

The candlelight danced on Gu Mu's resolute face, illuminating his ambitious eyes.

"The sons of the Mongol tribes are the sharpest arrows in your quiver. When your command arrow pierces the sky, the iron cavalry of the Mongol tribes will spread like wildfire in spring."

Gumu lowered his head, placed his right hand on his chest, and solemnly swore an oath.

“I, Gumu, hereby swear to the Eternal Heaven that the loyalty of the Mongols will never change until the Eternal Heaven summons our souls.”

Chen Wang placed his hands on the armrests of the chair and slowly stood up.

A gentle breeze stirred as the sleeves of the robe fluttered, causing the candlelight to flicker.

Meeting Gu Mu's gaze, Chen Wang walked step by step to Gu Mu's side.

The black official boots clattered rhythmically on the polished floor, their sound particularly clear in the quiet hall.

Chen Wang stood in front of Gu Mu, looking down at Gu Mu's raised head.

"Do not."

"I don't need you to swear an oath to your Eternal Heaven."

Chen Wang leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as lightning.

Gu Mu's body trembled slightly, his heart filled with fear. He felt as if those eyes could pierce through his soul, and that all his thoughts and ideas were laid bare under that gaze.

Gu Mu trembled slightly involuntarily, and even fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"What I want is for you to swear an oath to me."

"Because...from now on..."

"I."

"You are my everything."

Chen Wang's tone was calm, and his voice was normal.

The seemingly ordinary words struck Gu Mu like a thunderbolt.

The candlelight flickered, and the gilded python patterns on Chen Wang's crimson python robe seemed to swirl and move as if they were alive.

Bright lights shone from behind Chen Wang, forming a dazzling halo behind him, making him appear like a supreme deity in the world, so dazzling that people dared not look directly at him.

Gu Mu lowered his head, bent his body, and kowtowed deeply, his voice filled with unprecedented piety and reverence.

"Your Majesty, I solemnly swear: From this day forward, Your Majesty is the sole ruler of all the Mongol tribes."

"His Majesty's will is the eternal law, and His Majesty's decree is the mission of us, the sons of the grasslands."

Gu Mu spoke rather slowly at first, carefully considering how to say many words. But as he spoke, Gu Mu became more and more fluent.

It wasn't just that he knew how to say it, but also because he had figured everything out.

“Every tent on the grassland will proclaim Your Majesty’s fame, and every pasture on the grassland will obey Your Majesty’s decrees.”

The Central Plains are recovering, and the Mandate of Heaven is undeniably shining upon this land.

Gumu clearly foresaw that soon a new empire would rise in the vast territory south of the Great Wall.

And the emperor of that empire...

They have aspirations higher than those of eagles, a heart broader than the grasslands, and ambitions more expansive than heaven and earth!

Such a great hero.

How could they be content to be confined to the territory protected by the Great Wall?
"The Mongol cavalry are willing to pave the way for Your Majesty, and the sons of the grasslands are willing to die for Your Majesty on the battlefield."

Gu Mu's voice echoed throughout the palace, each word resounding with conviction.

At this moment, he felt utterly subservient to Chen Wang.

He knew he had no choice.

But he also knew that following such a hero was a good thing.

Even as a subject.

His name will be passed down through generations on the grasslands.

His name will surely be remembered by thousands as this new empire rises.

"From the cold winds of the northern deserts to the yellow sands of the western regions, from the white mountains and black waters of Liaodong to the forests and barriers of the south, wherever Your Majesty's gaze falls, that is where the Mongol cavalry has fought."

Gumu solemnly reaffirmed his oath.

"Your humble servant, Gu Mu, hereby swears to Your Majesty that this oath will be kept for generations to come."

Chen Wang looked down at Gu Mu, who was kneeling on the ground.

He took in all the changes in Gumu.

He knew that the Taiji of the Tumed tribe before him had submitted to him from the bottom of his heart.

"As long as you serve faithfully."

Chen Wang bent down, took Gu Mu's arm, and gently helped Gu Mu, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet.

"Under the whole heaven, there must be a place for you as subjects."

Feeling the strength coming from his arm, Gu Mu obediently stood up.

He stood up, but could still only look up.

Chen Wang was tall; even when he stood up straight, he was still half a head shorter.

"Tomorrow at noon, I will personally go to the northern suburbs of the capital to see you off."

"You can take all your followers back to the grasslands, back to the north, back to the homeland you long for."

Chen Wang's eyes were sharp, as sharp as a hawk's, piercing straight into Gu Mu's heart.

"I will wait south of the Great Wall for the change of kingship on the grasslands, waiting for the wild geese to carry your news of unifying the grasslands."

"What you need to remember is..."

"I gave you everything."

"Of course, all of this can be taken back."

Gu Mu bowed slightly, lowered his head, and clasped his hands in greeting.

This time, he no longer used Mongolian etiquette, but instead performed a military salute commonly used by generals of the Jingnan Army, and said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your humble servant. I will do my utmost to serve you faithfully and live up to your grace."

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, casting the shadows of the two figures on the wall: one tall and straight like a pine tree, the other bowing respectfully.

A burning ambition raged within Gu Mu's heart.

The previous hesitation had vanished from his heart.

All they had was the ambition to unify the grasslands.

"His Majesty."

Gu Mu lowered his voice, a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

At this moment, there was no longer any hesitation in his eyes, only the sharp glint of a wolf pack chasing its prey.

"The glory of Altan Khan has been blown away by the winds for too long. The honor of our Tumed tribe is like a spring buried by sand and dust, needing fresh blood to nourish it anew."

"The Qing people divided our tribes like sheep."

"Although we now have His Majesty, this majestic snow mountain, as our support, to reunite the scattered flock of sheep, relying solely on my men and those opportunistic tribes is like slaughtering sheep with a dull knife—it's both time-consuming and laborious."

Gu Mu's voice was cold and clear, and his gaze was like the sharpest saber on the grassland.

At this moment, he once again became someone who grew up on the grassland.

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me the power of life and death. Among the tribes that accompanied us this time, there are many cunning foxes lurking within, their hearts as fickle as grass swaying in the wind."

Gu Mu's voice was cold, but his gaze remained lowered, maintaining the respect due to a subject.

"Let the blood of these traitors irrigate the path to the Tumed tribe's resurgence, and let their heads be the first gift I offer to Your Majesty."

Chen Wang's eyes flickered slightly as he gazed at Gu Mu, who stood not far in front of him. The candlelight danced in his eyes, reflecting a deep contemplation.

He originally chose Gumu only because he was a Taiji of the Tumed tribe, had a bad relationship with the Chahar tribe, and was not one of the tribes that were close to the Qing Dynasty.

From beginning to end, all he needed was Tumet.

Rather than being stagnant.

However, Gumu's current actions have forced Chen Wang to re-evaluate this Mongolian leader whom he had never taken seriously.

Eliminating dissidents before returning to the border is a perfectly normal thing to do.

In fact, this matter didn't even need to be reported, because it was all within the scope of tacit approval.

However, Gu Mu specifically asked for permission first.

This seemingly rough Mongol leader was far more intelligent than he had imagined.

Being smart is often an advantage.

However, at certain times, it can become a disadvantage.

but.

just now.

He needs a smart person.

Intelligent people are able to assess the situation and often choose the right path.

They knew what to do.

"allow."

Chen Wang looked down at Gu Mu, who was bowing respectfully.

“Just go ahead and do it.”

"I will always stand behind you."

Gu Mu bowed down again and knelt down.

His fingertips tightened slightly as he felt the coolness emanating from the ground.

The Tumed tribe has been dormant on the grasslands for far too long, so long that many have forgotten its former glory.

But things are different now. Now, he has a majestic snow-capped mountain behind him to rely on.

"Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed. I will make those ignorant fools who do not understand the majesty of the Emperor realize the mistakes they have made."

"Your Majesty, I believe that under Your Majesty's guidance, the grasslands... no, the entire world!"

"We will surely usher in an unprecedented golden age."

Gu Mu's voice was deep and firm, each word seeming to burst forth from the depths of his chest.

"When the spring breeze turns the grasslands green again, His Majesty will surely hear the triumphant news of the tribes' allegiance." (End of Chapter)