In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1059 The Ming Dynasty's territory expands by five hundred li

Two days later, in the study of the military headquarters in Daning City, the charcoal fire burned brightly.

Lu Yunyi sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed, occasionally letting out a sigh, appearing somewhat restless.

The pile of documents was simply too much to handle; they were all equally important, and I couldn't make a decision.

Just when he was completely baffled
Basong tiptoed in, his voice very low:

"My lord, Lord Li Xian requests an audience."

Lu Yunyi didn't even look up, and waved his hand:

"Let him in."

The curtain was lifted, and Li Xian, exuding a chill, strode in, his face showing a hint of urgency, unlike his usual composure.

"My lord, Bayar has arrived!"

"arrive?"

Lu Yunyi suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and the brush in his hand paused on the paper.

"Why so fast?"

Li Xian rubbed his hands together to ward off the chill, and explained with a smile:

"My lord, you may not know this, but Bayar heard that you had returned from the capital, so he hurriedly rushed to Daning City."

The messenger I sent had just left Daning City and hadn't even reached the border when he encountered Bayar, who was heading this way.

Upon hearing that it was you who wanted to see him, he immediately rode at full speed, accompanied by two personal guards.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunyi suddenly understood, and a faint smile appeared on his lips:

"He's quite sensible."

He stood up and straightened his robes:
“Let’s go see him and tell him to go to the market outside the city.”

"Basong, go to the government office and call Yao Tongchen. Tell him to bring the trade documents for the border market, and also the transaction ledger with the Baisong tribe."

Yao Tongchen was once a military clerk. He was meticulous and not only familiar with writing but also fluent in the language of the grasslands.

Since the forward scout unit returned to Daming, there has been no fighting for a long time.
He was transferred to the Daning Prefecture to manage trade affairs, and became very familiar with the interactions with the grassland tribes.

"Yes!"

Basong responded and left with light steps.

Before long, Yao Tongchen arrived.

He was dressed in a blue official's uniform, carrying a wooden box containing documents and account books. Upon seeing Lu Yunyi, he bowed respectfully.

"Your subordinate Yao Tongchen greets Your Excellency."

"No need to be polite."

Lu Yunyi waved his hand:
"We'll discuss the details on the way; let's set off as soon as possible."

Instead of riding horses, the group traveled in an inconspicuous blue cloth carriage towards the border market outside the city.

Outside the city in winter, the wilderness was covered in white snow.

Only in the area where the trading post was located, a messy dirt road had been trodden out by the passing caravans.

Although the market was not as bustling as before, there were still a few caravans unloading their goods.

The occasional neighing of camels and horses, mixed with the cold wind, brought a touch of life to the air.

The carriage stopped in front of a shop on the west side of the market.

This is a fur shop under the name of the commander.

On weekdays, they do some reselling business involving grassland furs.

The area had already been cleared out, with only two guards standing at the entrance.

"Sir, everything has been arranged inside."

The guards standing at the door reported in a low voice.

Lu Yunyi nodded and pushed open the door to enter the shop.

The shop was small, with an eight-immortal table in the middle, a charcoal fire burning on the table, and several rough porcelain teacups next to it.

A man dressed in a dark blue silk robe was sitting at the table.

Holding a cup of hot tea, she stood up quickly when she saw Lu Yunyi enter, her movements slightly awkward.

The man was about thirty years old, tall, and broad-shouldered.

They look like grassland people who spend their lives riding horses and shooting arrows.

His face bore the marks of time, yet his shrewdness was undeniable; he had a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes.

However, wearing a silk robe from the Ming Dynasty made him look somewhat out of place.

However, the jeweled scimitar hanging at his waist was quite exquisite!
"Bayar greets the General!"

Bayar strode forward, knelt on one knee, his tone respectful, yet also revealing an undisguised excitement.

Lu Yunyi smiled and helped him up:
"No need to be polite, just sit down."

He walked to the head seat and sat down, with Li Xian and Yao Tongchen sitting on either side.

Bayar sat down opposite Lu Yunyi, with two guards standing at the door.

The shop fell silent instantly, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire.

After Bayar sat down, he placed his hands on his knees, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over Lu Yunyi before quickly looking away, appearing somewhat reserved.

He had long wanted to meet Lu Yunyi, but had never found a suitable opportunity.

Now that I've been suddenly summoned, I feel both excited and nervous.

I wonder what this esteemed person wants from me.

Lu Yunyi picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and didn't speak directly. Instead, he looked at Bayar with sharp eyes, as if trying to see through him.

Bayar felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, his fingers secretly clenching his robes, but he dared not show it.

After a moment, Lu Yunyi slowly spoke:
How are things on the grasslands lately?

Bayar quickly replied:
"My lord, the newly arrived tribes are somewhat uneasy and dissatisfied with the allocation of grasslands next year."

In my humble opinion, this winter will be uneventful, but there may be some fighting next year.

It is also hoped that the Commandery and the Baisong tribe can exchange goods more frequently to maintain trade routes.

Lu Yunyi put down his teacup and said calmly:
"Are you confident that you can eradicate those rebellious grassland tribes?"

Bayar was taken aback, not expecting Lu Yunyi to be so direct. He quickly nodded, his tone sincere:
"My lord, those grassland tribes are nothing to fear."

However, some members of the tribe have recently been indulging in pleasure and do not want to fight.
But if a war really breaks out, the Bai Song tribe will not be afraid and will definitely clear away any obstacles beyond the pass for the Commander!

"very good!"

A slight smile finally appeared on Lu Yunyi's calm face, easing the tense atmosphere in the room somewhat. He continued:

"I heard you want to become a Ming dynasty person?"

Upon hearing this, Bayar, who had been feeling uneasy, suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with shock, followed by ecstasy!
Even though he tried hard to suppress his joy, his voice still trembled uncontrollably:
"Your Excellency, I do indeed have this intention."

The Baisong tribe had been wandering on the grasslands for many years, and the tribespeople had suffered a lot following the villains.

Now that I see the people of Daning living peacefully, I also want to find a way for my people to survive, so that they can have food to eat and clothes to wear, and no longer have to fear the heavy snow in winter.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunyi understood and a faint smile appeared on his face:

"It's rare that you have this kind of thought."

However, submitting to the Ming Dynasty was no small matter. The Ming Dynasty's territory stretched for thousands of miles, and its borders were filled with small countries and people. Countless people wanted the Ming Dynasty to establish garrisons in these areas.

Since Bai Songbu wants to establish a garrison and become a Ming citizen, this official is not unwilling to agree.

But what benefit would that bring to the Ming Dynasty and the Ning Dynasty?

Upon hearing the word "benefits," Bayar leaned forward abruptly.

The silk robe made a slight creak as it rubbed against the chair due to the large movements.

His eyes were brimming with excitement, his hands gripped his knees tightly, and his voice trembled uncontrollably.

He's not afraid of the person in front of him setting conditions; he's afraid of them not setting any conditions!

Taking a deep breath, Bayar said in a deep voice:
"My lord! As long as the Bai Song tribe can submit to the Ming Dynasty, the children of the tribe can go to school, the tribe members can go to workshops, there will be food in winter and coolness in summer, the Bai Song tribe is willing to be the sword in the hands of the commander!"

Within three years, I will lead my people to expand the territory of the Northern Pacification Commandery another five hundred li northward!

As soon as he said this, Li Xian, who was sitting next to him, paused abruptly in his teacup, and a few drops of warm tea spilled out.

Yao Tongchen also looked up, his hands holding the ledger tightening unconsciously, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Five hundred miles of territory is no small amount.

The grasslands were dotted with tribes, and every inch of land had to be fought for with swords and spears. The price that the Baisong tribe had to pay was unimaginable.

Only Lu Yunyi remained calm. He held his teacup, his gaze fixed on Bayar's tense face, as if he were examining an object.

The charcoal crackled, and sparks flew onto the copper basin beside the stove, making a soft sound, but not breaking the momentary silence.

"Five hundred li?" Lu Yunyi finally spoke, his voice as calm as if he were describing the weather:
"You think this 500-mile territory is very valuable?"

Bayar's excitement froze instantly, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head.

He stared blankly at Lu Yunyi, opened his mouth, and for a moment didn't know how to respond.

In his view, this was the biggest bargaining chip that Shiramatsube could offer.

After all, expanding by 500 li means going to war with at least a dozen grassland tribes.

The clan's elite forces will suffer losses of at least 30%, or even more.

"My lord, these five hundred li are not easy to take."

Bayar composed himself, his tone tinged with urgency as he offered his explanation:
"Although the tribes on the grasslands are scattered, they are also fierce, especially the tribes in the north, which even robbed the Tatars of their cattle and sheep last year."

To capture this 500-li stretch, Bai Song's troops would have to lose at least 4,000 elite soldiers and consume most of their stored grain and weaponry!

He spoke earnestly:
"This is already the limit for the Baisong tribe. Any more and the tribesmen might not be able to withstand it."

Lu Yunyi finally put down his teacup, leaned back slightly in his chair, and...

His gaze swept over Li Xian and Yao Tongchen, finally settling on Bayar. His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable weight:
"Bayar, if I want five hundred miles of territory, I only need to say the word, and people will fight for me."

Although your Baisong tribe may be considered a powerful force at Buyur Lake, it is still far inferior to the Three Guards of Duoyan.

Bayar's face turned pale instantly, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak.

indeed so.

In the past, when the Doyan tribe fought independently, he was not afraid. But now, the three guards of Doyan are united against a common enemy, with excellent armor and ample food.

A few days ago, they also routed the Jurchen elites, annihilating tens of thousands of enemies.

Compared to it, Baisongbu is indeed somewhat overestimating its own abilities.

Moreover, he knew very well that Marshal Doyan, Tuoluhuchaer, would definitely be willing to fight for the Commandery.

"My Lord, I."

Bayar opened his mouth, feeling both anxious and flustered.

He knew that if he couldn't offer better terms, he would probably miss this opportunity to submit.

The Bai Song tribe may seem prosperous now, but once it loses the support of the commander,

Within two years, they will be swallowed up by other tribes, and the people will return to their previous precarious existence.

Li Xian watched from the side, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He wanted to say a few words for Bayar, but he didn't know how to start.

After all, once one truly understands the strength of the Commander-in-Chief, five hundred miles of territory is indeed nothing.

If we simply mobilize the border garrisons, we can easily wipe out those tribes.

They're not moving now, just cultivating the land and trying to grow sweet potatoes.

Seeing Bayar's flustered state, Lu Yunyi stopped pressuring him and instead pointed to the map.

Yao Tongchen quickly seized the opportunity, spreading out the small map he carried with him on the table. His finger hovered over the location of Buyur Lake, and his tone grew more serious:
"Do you think this 500-mile territory can compare to the Fishing Lake?"

Bayar looked in the direction he was pointing, and the location of Buyur Lake was marked in dark blue on the map, surrounded by the names of more than a dozen small tribes.

He was suddenly jolted, as if he had suddenly understood something. His eyes lit up for a moment, but then quickly dimmed again, and he shook his head.

"My lord, although the Baisong tribe is stationed at Buyur Lake, the surrounding dozen or so large tribes are hindering and restraining each other. Even if the Baisong tribe tries its best, it will not be able to take it down!"

Whether you can get it or not is not up to you, but up to the Commander.

Lu Yunyi tapped his fingers lightly on the location of Fishing Lake:
"The commander can provide you with enough weapons, armor, longswords, firearms, food, medicine, and everything else you can think of."

What you need to do is lead the Baisong tribe and the tribes around Fishing Lake...

One by one, they plucked them, firmly grasping the entire sea of ​​fish in their hands.

Bayar's breathing quickened instantly, his eyes widened, and he stared intently at the Fishing Lake on the map.

He knew that the Commander was wealthy, and he also knew that the Lord Lu in front of him was extremely rich!

Armor, longswords, firearms, food, and medicine—these things were as precious as gold in Baisongbu.

But in the eyes of this adult, it was nothing to mention.

If such support can be obtained, fishing in the sea is indeed worth a try.

He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse with excitement:
"My lord, if I can truly capture Buyur Lake, what will the Baisong tribe gain?"

"what do you want?"

Lu Yunyi countered with a sharp look at him.

Bayar took a deep breath, as if he had made a tremendous decision, and said, word by word:

"I want the Baisong tribe to become a Ming Dynasty garrison, just like the Duoyan Three Garrisons."

I also want to obtain an official position in the military command, not a nominal one, but one where I can truly serve my clan!

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunyi finally showed a genuine smile. He raised his hand and patted the table, his tone carrying a hint of approval:

"Good! Ambitious and responsible!"
If you can capture Buyurhai, Baisongbu will be renamed Songhaiwei and placed under the jurisdiction of Beipingdusi.

The children of the clan went to school, and the clan members went to work in the workshops.

As for your official position, you are the Vice Commander of the Northern Pacification Command, a third-rank official, the same rank as Li Xian.

"As long as you work hard in the future, a smooth career in government is a given!"

"A Vice Commander-in-Chief, a third-rank official?"

Bayar muttered to himself, his eyes filled with disbelief. He then suddenly stood up, knelt on one knee before Lu Yunyi, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke in a firm and powerful voice:
"My lord! Bayar hereby swears an oath!"
We will definitely take over Buyuerhai within three years!
If I break my promise, I will accept the military law of the Commander-in-Chief without question!

Lu Yunyi stood up, went over to help him up, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Three years is too long, at most one and a half years."

Even if you can't conquer all the tribes in a year and a half, you must still make a splash for me, letting the whole world know that your Baisong tribe is determined to advance!

"Of course, I will make it clear from the outset that people are insatiable."

If the Bai Song tribe, after seizing Buyur Lake, does not wish to become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty and instead wants to establish themselves as mountain kings, and you also wish to challenge for the Khan's throne, I will not object.

I just hope you've considered the consequences. If you can bear the cost, then you may proceed.

At worst, we can fight it out one day, the winner takes all, the loser is condemned, and we'll see who the true hero is.

Bayar held his breath and quickly lowered his head:

"The villain dare not!"

Lu Yunyi smiled. Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?

Having said that, he turned to look at Li Xian:

"Lord Li, you are responsible for coordinating with him on the subsequent supply of military equipment and food. Make sure they arrive in a timely manner and do not let Bai Song's troops run out of supplies at the front."

"I understand!"

Li Xian nodded quickly, his eyes also showing a hint of excitement.

If the Buyuer Lake were to fall under the control of the Commander, the situation in the northern frontier would be largely stabilized.

This is a tremendous good thing for Da Ning.

"You must be tired from your journey. Rest at the inn in the border town for the night."

Lu Yunyi's tone softened somewhat:

"The first batch of military equipment and food will leave Daning tomorrow and head to your tribe."

You can discuss the specific plans with Li Xian. If you have any needs, feel free to contact me anytime.

"Thank you, sir!"

Bayar thanked him repeatedly, his eyes filled with gratitude.

He never imagined that his long-desired submission would come to pass.

It went so smoothly, and the benefits he received were even greater than he had imagined.

After Lu Yunyi left, Bayar looked at Li Xian with a sincere expression and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, sir, for mediating this!"

Li Xian turned to look at him, chuckled softly, and looked somewhat puzzled:

"I don't know how to evaluate this matter. In short, you should act with caution."

"But let me make this clear from the start: if the Bai Song tribe submits peacefully, everything will naturally go smoothly."

"You know the consequences if the Shiramatsu tribe doesn't behave."

"My lord, what you mean is"

Bayar tentatively asked a question.

Li Xian smiled and said calmly:
"The soldiers of the Commandery haven't fought a battle in a long time."

A group of garrison commanders were constantly submitting memorials, claiming that someone was provoking them and wanted to wage war against foreign powers, all in order to climb the ranks to the third grade.

If your Baisong tribe, after occupying Buyur Lake, wants to become king of the mountain, then give it a try.

(End of this chapter)