Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

"Taking advantage of Meng Lian's leaderless situation, you only led five hundred men to support a new chieftain to succeed to the throne, and without a single casualty, you annexed the entire chieftain's territory into David. Could that brute Ebo Dui Wulanghai have such ability? Bah! I don't believe it even if you beat me to death! Alatan Cang, Alatan Cang, I think you have been plotting this for a long time!" After reading this memorial requesting credit, the Great Khan of Lotus smiled crookedly, but his expression quickly became serious.

He knew in his heart that Alatan Cang, because his old brothers Narisong, Suhe, Mandulatu, and Hada held higher ranks than him, had always wanted to create trouble on the Yunnan-Burma border and launch a war against Burma in order to gain merit and a higher rank. The matter of Meng Lian must have been planned for a long time. As for giving the first credit to Ebodui Wulanghai, it was to curry favor with the Empress and the Crown Prince. This brat, I'm not even dead yet, and he's already thinking about pledging allegiance to the new ruler? Thinking of this, the Great Khan felt a wave of disgust. Although he was deeply in love with Empress Ulijibayar and also liked Crown Prince Zhuoligetu, it didn't mean he could tolerate his ministers, especially the high-ranking local governors, getting too close to the Crown Prince and threatening his Khanate. Even though Alatan Cang was his childhood playmate, he still frowned and replied: "The country has been at war for years, and the people are suffering. I have long ago decreed that war should not be started lightly, and that the people should rest. Who gave you permission to take Menglian on your own? If this provokes a war with Burma, wouldn't that betray my love for the people? You are hereby fined three months' salary as punishment."

After approving the order, the court felt it inappropriate. In the event of war with India, entering Assam from Mengyang in Burma and then marching along the Ganges to Delhi would be far easier than the southward route through Tibet. While Alatan Cang's actions were intended to curry favor with the Crown Prince and gain personal merit, they coincided with his own plan to occupy northern Burma and march into India. If he were punished, the ministers of Yunnan and Guizhou would misunderstand his intentions, becoming hesitant and afraid to act decisively, potentially hindering important matters. Furthermore, the recapture of Menglian was considered a meritorious act of territorial expansion; if the court remained silent, it would inevitably discourage meritorious officials.

Thinking of this, he wrote again with a flourish of his pen: "Although you acted rashly, you have made meritorious contributions in recovering the land. Your grandson will be appointed as a centurion. Mengyang is of great military use. The Ministry of Revenue is to allocate 300,000 taels of silver to Yunnan, and you are specially permitted to act there as circumstances dictate. Ebo Dui Wulanghai also made meritorious contributions by leading troops into Menglian this time. He can be temporarily appointed as a ten-thousand-household commander to atone for his crimes. You all recommend Dao Paixuan to succeed as the governor of Menglian. I have considered that Dao Paixuan is loyal and righteous, unafraid of the Burmese's tyranny, and risked his life to come to surrender. A mere governor cannot repay his merits. He is hereby promoted to the position of pacification commissioner of Menglian. In times of great change, it is the time for men to rise up. You all should strive for it!"

This imperial edict served two purposes: firstly, it subtly punished Alatan Cang, warning him against getting too close to the Crown Prince and reminding him that he was the true master of the Kingdom of David; secondly, it rewarded the officials of Yunnan and Guizhou for their efforts in recapturing Menglian, indicating that the Emperor approved of their territorial expansion in Burma and that the court would not mistreat meritorious officials. The deliberate emphasis on Mengyang's military value and the allocation of 300,000 taels of silver further clarified the future course of action for Alatan Cang and other officials of Yunnan and Guizhou. Finally, it not only allowed Dao Paixuan to inherit the title of chieftain of Menglian but also promoted Menglian's chieftain to the position of pacification commissioner, blatantly telling the various chieftains within Burma that the court would be generous with rewards if they submitted to David. It was a masterful display of political maneuvering.

"Alatan Cang, Alatan Cang, you must not disappoint me!" The Great Khan murmured to himself after issuing the reply.

The imperial decree was sent to Kunming by express courier. Alatan Cang, the Second-Class Duke of Kucha and Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, was momentarily dumbfounded. He had meticulously planned and expended considerable effort to recover Menglian for the court, believing it to be a great achievement. Unexpectedly, he was instead reprimanded for instigating border conflict and fined three months' salary. If he had truly made a mistake, the punishment would have been acceptable. However, he was also praised for his meritorious service in recovering the territory, his grandson was appointed a centurion, and Ebo Duiwulanghai and Dao Paixuan were also promoted. He was even granted 300,000 taels of silver by the Ministry of Revenue, allowing him to act freely in Mengyang. The Emperor's intentions were unfathomable; what did the Great Khan truly mean?
Alatan Cang stroked his beard, unable to figure it out for a moment, so he simply stopped thinking about it and asked a capable person to help him analyze it. This capable person was no ordinary person; he was Fang Yuxuan, the governor of Yunnan, who had once served as an advisor to Prince Qin, Sun Kewang, and was famous for his wisdom and strategy.

"I would be grateful if you could help me figure out what the Great Khan means by this?" he asked hopefully.

"May I ask, Governor, how did this reply reach Kunming?" Fang Yuxuan asked unhurriedly after listening.

"We arrived by express courier at an alarming rate of 800 li," Alatan Cang answered truthfully.

"Congratulations, Inspector! Your time to shine has come!" Fang Yuxuan congratulated him excitedly.

"Oh? What do you mean?" Alatan Cang asked, seemingly having grasped the meaning.

"The fact that His Majesty specifically ordered this reply to be delivered by express courier shows that he is very anxious and wants you to understand his intentions so that he can act decisively. What for? The imperial edict makes it clear: you are to seize the opportunity to recover Mengyang, and for this purpose, the Ministry of Revenue has allocated 300,000 taels of silver to Yunnan. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to show your prowess?" Fang Yuxuan smiled. "If that's the case, why did the Khan blame me for provoking a border conflict and even fine me three months' salary?" Alatan Cang asked suspiciously.

Fang Yuxuan laughed, "The real intention is not in the wine, but in the scenery. When you report your achievements to the court, you can do so in your own name. Why give the credit to the emperor's brother-in-law?"

"You mean—" Alatan Cang finally understood.

Fang Yuxuan lowered his voice, "You are a regional governor and an important minister of the court. How many emperors throughout history have wanted a regional governor to get too close to the crown prince? In His Majesty's view, your act of rewarding the emperor's brother-in-law was an attempt to curry favor with the crown prince, which is why he punished you by deducting three months' salary as a warning."

"Oh dear! So I've broken a taboo! What...what...what should I do?" Upon hearing this, Alatan Cang, who had been calm and composed just moments before, suddenly panicked. The Emperor's mind was unpredictable. Not long ago, Buhe Artu, the Western Regions Governor who was also a founding hero of the dynasty, was executed by the court for corruption. Although he was the Khan's childhood friend, he really couldn't say what the consequences would be if he broke a taboo. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he even started sweating despite the cold weather.

"Don't worry, Governor. You are very favored by the Emperor. The Great Khan has not really blamed you. Otherwise, why would he only punish you with three months' salary? Just make sure you don't let the Emperor's brother-in-law do good deeds in the future," Fang Yuxuan quickly reassured him when he saw his worry.

Alatan Cang breathed a sigh of relief and bowed deeply to him, "Thank you for your guidance, Governor Fang! I will certainly repay you in the future!"

Fang Yuxuan quickly returned the greeting, saying, "You flatter me. It's just a small matter, nothing to worry about."

“There is still one thing I don’t understand. The Great Khan said that Mengyang is of great use in military affairs, but this place is far from Ava, the capital of Burma. What is its importance?” Alatan Cang suddenly asked another question.

"Bring the map," Fang Yuxuan said with a smile, ordering someone to fetch it. The map was then drawn along the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers, heading towards Delhi, the capital of India. "Your real intention is not what it seems; your time to shine has finally arrived!" (End of Chapter)