Huangming

Chapter 387 The Rise of the Tiancong Khanate, Intrigues and Deceptions

Mao Shi.

The world was still shrouded in an impenetrable darkness.

The leaden clouds hung low, obscuring even the sparse starlight.

Only the white lanterns hanging outside the main hall of the palace swayed faintly in the biting cold wind, making the black characters "Silence" and "Avoidance" appear particularly solemn, and also turning the snow on the ground into a bleak gray-white.

Huang Taiji stood at the foot of the steps of the main hall, a thin layer of snow covering his dark mourning clothes, but he was completely unaware of it.

He hadn't slept all night, and there was a faint bluish tinge under his eyes, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.

"Squeak~~"

The heavy palace doors were slowly pushed open by the guards, and a smell mixed with the ashes of incense, candles, and paper money wafted out.

Huang Taiji took a deep breath, strode forward, and walked straight into the hall.

The hall was already draped in white mourning clothes.

Nurhaci's coffin made of golden nanmu wood was placed in the center of the main hall. A memorial tablet was set up in front of the coffin, and the bronze incense burner in front of the tablet was filled with incense sticks. The smoke rose up and blurred the figures of the people kneeling around.

A dozen women dressed in white mourning clothes were kneeling before the coffin, weeping. Some sobbed softly, while others wailed loudly. Their slender shoulders trembled slightly with their cries, and they didn't even bother to fix the white flowers that had fallen from their temples.

Huang Taiji's gaze swept over them.

At the very front was the Grand Consort Abahai, kneeling on a prayer mat, her long black hair cascading over her mourning clothes. Though her face was pale, her delicate features were still evident. However, in her eyes, besides sorrow, there was also a hint of barely perceptible fear.

Two Mongolian concubines stood beside her.

The daughters of Kongguer Beile of the Khorchin tribe and Borjigit, the daughters of Ming'an Beile, were both beautiful and had gentle cries. They would occasionally look up towards the palace gate, clearly paying attention to the movements outside.

Next was Consort Deyinze, who was still young. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, but she kept glancing at Abahai's expression out of the corner of her eye.

Several concubines of lower status, such as those from the Irgen Gioro clan and the Zhaojia clan, cried with a hint of perfunctoriness, but more so with a sense of bewilderment about the future.

These women were all exceptionally beautiful, especially when dressed in mourning clothes, which made them even more charming.

But there was no hint of romance in Huang Taiji's eyes; instead, a chilling murderous intent flashed across them.

In his view, half of the people in the hall were "hidden dangers" and the other half were "pawns".

"Cough cough..."

Huang Taiji coughed twice on purpose, and the crying in the hall immediately subsided.

The concubines all looked up at him, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and doubt.

This prince had just ordered the summons of his ministers last night, yet he has arrived at the mourning hall first; I wonder what his intentions are.

Huang Taiji ignored their gazes, walked straight to the memorial tablet, picked up three incense sticks, lit them on the candle, and bowed three times to the memorial tablet with solemn and dignified movements.

After finishing his prayers, he inserted the incense into the bronze censer and turned to face the concubines.

"Our father has just passed away, and the Great Jin is going through a very difficult time. As his concubines, you should stay here and keep vigil. You must not leave the palace without permission, and you must not have any private dealings with officials outside the palace."

Anyone who violates this rule will be punished for treason.

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of all the concubines.

Abahai's body stiffened visibly, her fingers gripping the hem of her mourning clothes tightly, but she dared not object.

The two Mongolian concubines exchanged a glance, then quickly lowered their heads and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Deinze and the other concubines dared not utter a sound and could only nod repeatedly.

The bell finally rang at 3:45 AM.

clang!
clang!
clang!
After the three bells rang, Amin, Ajige, Dorgon, Dudu, Bayara, Heheli and others gathered before the coffin, followed by several core generals of the Eight Banners.

However, compared to the bustling meetings of the past, the scene now seemed rather desolate.

Huang Taiji's gaze swept over the crowd, and he sighed inwardly.

In just a few months, the royal family and generals of the Jin dynasty had already "declined in number".

The eldest prince Daishan died in the Red River Valley, the third prince Mangultai was captured, and even members of the royal family who had participated in the Battle of Sarhu, such as Tabai and Abatai, mostly perished.

As for Dorgon, he was still young and had not yet participated in military and political affairs; at this moment, he was hiding behind Ajige.

Those generals of lower rank were not even qualified to step into the main hall; they could only wait for news outside the palace gates.

This is the price of defeat; even the core of power has become so weak.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts and remained silent, the Second Prince Amin suddenly stepped forward. He was dressed in mourning clothes with a plain belt around his waist, but his face did not show much grief; instead, it carried a hint of shrewdness.

He first bowed to Nurhaci's memorial tablet, then turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, and said loudly:

"With the passing of the Great Khan, the Great Jin Dynasty is plunged into darkness, as if the sun and moon have been lost! Yet a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can an army be without a commander for a day!"
Fourth Prince Huang Taiji, the son of the Khan, previously led an army to conquer Korea and won a great victory, bringing back countless grains and treasures for our Great Jin, relieving our urgent crisis.

Now, he has been entrusted with a critical mission to stabilize the situation in Hetu Ala. He is truly a pillar of strength for our Great Jin Dynasty and a beam of gold that spans the sea!
Today, I, Amin, humbly request that the Fourth Prince succeed to the throne as Emperor of the Great Jin, to lead us and overcome this difficult time together!

"what?"

Ajige was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening.

Amin is trying to persuade him to take the throne!
Although Ajige also harbored some ambition for the Khanate.

After all, Abahai was the Grand Consort, which meant she was the primary consort.

He was considered the legitimate son and was qualified to compete for the Khanate.

but
He quickly concealed this ambition.

With Daišan killed in battle and Mangultai captured, there were no longer any members of the imperial clan who could rival Huang Taiji.

Although he had some troops under the Bordered White Banner, they were far inferior to the elite troops of the three banners controlled by Huang Taiji.

Moreover, if they oppose it now, they will not only be isolated by other Taijis, but their mother Abahai's situation will also become more difficult.

Thinking of this, Ajige suddenly knelt down. Dorgon, though young, understood his brother's intention and quickly knelt down as well.

The two shouted in unison, "The Great Khan has passed away, and the Great Jin Dynasty is in darkness! The country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. We request that the Fourth Prince succeed to the throne and be called the Emperor of the Great Jin!"

With Amin and Ajige taking the lead, no one in the hall hesitated any longer.

Nurhaci's half-brother Bayara, Heheli, one of the five ministers, and several Gushan Ejen all knelt on the ground, their voices unified and loud:
"Please let the Fourth Prince succeed to the throne and become the Emperor of the Great Jin!"

For a moment, cries of "Please let the Fourth Prince succeed to the throne" echoed in the hall, mingling with the scent of incense and candles before the altar, which diluted the grief and added a touch of solemnity to the transition of power.

Huang Taiji stood beside the memorial tablet, looking at the kneeling crowd before him, without the slightest surprise.
This position was already his for the taking.

In terms of prestige, he is the only Beile among Nurhaci's surviving sons who has experienced major battles and has military achievements.

In terms of strength, he controlled the elite troops of the Plain White Banner, Bordered White Banner, and Bordered Yellow Banner. After the losses in the battles of Fushun and Honghe Valley, the troops of these three banners accounted for 70-80% of the existing forces of the Great Jin. Whether it was armor, weapons or warhorses, they were far superior to other banners.

Moreover, the competitors no longer exist.

Although Amin was a member of the royal family, he was not the biological son of the Mandate of Heaven Khan, and his claim to the throne was illegitimate and he had no right to inherit the Khanate.

Ajige and Dorgon were still young and had shallow foundations, let alone the ability to lead the Jin Dynasty.

As for the other generals, they were either his former subordinates or opportunists; at this moment, they would only vie to show their loyalty and would never be his enemies.

The calls for him to ascend the throne continued inside the palace, but Huang Taiji did not immediately agree.

Although we don't need to emulate the Han people's three refusals and three concessions now, we still need to put on a show.

He ascended to the Khanate because of the support of the people, not because he fought for it.

For Huang Taiji, legitimacy was also extremely important!
He slowly walked to the crowd, first helping Amin to his feet, then helping Ajige, Dorgon, and others to their feet in turn. His tone was somewhat sorrowful, yet still dignified:
"I appreciate the sentiments of all the Taijis and ministers. However, my father has just passed away and his coffin has not yet been laid to rest. If I were to ascend the throne now, I fear I would not be able to appease his spirit in heaven."

Amin immediately understood that this was a feigned retreat, and quickly said:
"Fourth Prince, you are mistaken! It is precisely because the Great Khan has just passed away and the Great Jin is in grave danger that we need the Fourth Prince to succeed to the throne and lead us to avenge the Great Khan!"

This is not only our wish, but also the expectation of the Great Khan's spirit in heaven!

He Heli stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Fourth Prince, the Ming army is currently eyeing us covetously, and the desertion problem has not been eradicated. If you do not succeed to the throne, the Great Jin may be in danger of disintegration!"

Fourth Prince, please consider the bigger picture and stop declining!

Huang Taiji shook his head again.

"I'm afraid I lack the virtue and ability!"

Jirgalang immediately stepped forward and said, "We all know the Fourth Prince's abilities, and his virtue is as bright as the sun and moon. Now, besides the Fourth Prince, who else can be the Khan of our Great Jin?"

"Not bad!"

"Please let the Fourth Prince succeed to the throne and become the Emperor of the Great Jin!"

Looking at the earnest expressions on everyone's faces, Huang Taiji knew in his heart that "the time was right."

He took a deep breath, walked to Nurhaci's memorial tablet, knelt down, and solemnly kowtowed three times. His voice was choked with emotion, but every word was clear:

"Father Khan above, your son Huang Taiji, today, at the request of all the princes and ministers, succeeds to the throne of the Great Jin Khan."

Your son hereby swears: I will take the restoration of the Great Jin Dynasty as my own responsibility, I will avenge my father, and I will protect the safety of the Great Jin royal family and its people! If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth condemn me!

Having said that, he stood up, turned to face the crowd, and the sorrow in his eyes was replaced by an air of authority:
"Since you all trust me, Huang Taiji will no longer refuse. From this day forward, I will succeed the Khan of the Great Jin and be called 'Tiancong Khan'. After we defeat the Ming army, I will then perform the ceremony of becoming emperor!"

Ajige rolled his eyes.

They even decided on the Khan's name themselves, yet they still made excuses!
However, at this moment, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rang out in the main hall.

"Long live the Emperor Tiancong! Long live the Emperor Tiancong! Long live the Emperor Tiancong!"

The crowd knelt down again, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

This time, the calls for action carried a greater sense of genuine reverence.

From this moment on, Huang Taiji became the new master of the Great Jin Dynasty, and their honor, disgrace, rise and fall would all depend on this new Khan.

Huang Taiji stood in the hall, receiving the homage of the crowd, but his heart was not at ease.

Ascending to the throne was only the first step; the Great Jin before him was no longer the prosperous Great Jin of Nurhaci's time.

Today, the Jin army is suffering from a sharp decline in strength, a shortage of food and supplies, and a sense of unease among its people. Furthermore, the Ming army is eyeing Fushun with hostility.

He must consolidate power and reorganize the military as soon as possible; otherwise, today's "urging him to ascend the throne" and "Long live the Emperor" will all be just a passing cloud.

After Huang Taiji proclaimed himself Khan.

Nurhaci's funeral unfolded slowly in the cold wind of Hetu Ala.

Taking advantage of Nurhaci's funeral, Huang Taiji immediately began a round of power purges!
The next morning.

Huang Taiji, dressed in mourning clothes, walked alone into the main hall where Nurhaci's coffin was kept.

Grand Consort Abahai was kneeling before the coffin, burning paper money. Her long, black hair fell over her plain white mourning clothes, and her back view exuded a sense of loneliness.

Huang Taiji stood behind her, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice icy cold and devoid of any warmth:
"Your Majesty, before your father's death, he left a will that you and Deinze be buried alive with him and go on his way together."

"what?"

Abahai turned around abruptly, her face turning deathly pale, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"What did you say? How could the Great Khan order me to be buried alive with him? I still have two children, Ajige and Dorgon. Dorgon is still young. I cannot die!"

"How can we question the late Khan's dying wish?"

Huang Taiji's tone was firm, leaving no room for compromise.

"Father Khan said that of all the battles he fought in his life, only you and Deinze truly understood his heart. If you can accompany him in the underworld, he will not be lonely."

As for Dorgon, with his elder brother Ben Khan around, he will surely protect them.

These words, though seemingly warm, actually leave no room for reconciliation.

Huang Taiji knew perfectly well that Abahai was not someone who willingly chose to be buried alive with the dead.

She is not a law-abiding person either.

After Nurhaci died in the Red River Valley, she secretly contacted the old followers of the Plain Yellow Banner, attempting to support the brothers Ajige and Dorgon to succeed to the Khanate.

This had already touched a raw nerve with Huang Taiji!

Now that he has just ascended to the throne, if this hidden danger is not eliminated, Abahai will surely use her status as "Empress Dowager" to stir up trouble in the court. The already fragile situation of the Great Jin Dynasty cannot withstand such internal strife.

Soon, Consort Deyinze was also brought to the side hall.

Upon hearing that she was to be buried alive with the emperor, she was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground and cried out, "I don't want to be buried alive with the emperor! I exposed Abahai and Daishan's affair for the sake of the Great Khan!"
How could the Great Khan order me to be buried alive with him? Great Khan, I beg you, spare me!

The "affair" that Deinze mentioned was an old case from when Nurhaci was in power last year. Deinze, in order to gain credit, exposed that Abahai had an affair with Daishan. Although Nurhaci did not investigate it further afterward, it still made Abahai lose face.

Huang Taiji now orders her to be buried alive with him, both to eliminate any potential threats and prevent her from using the case to sow discord in the future, and to make her "last will and testament" seem more reasonable, thus serving as a foil for Abahai.

"Who dares to disobey the late Khan's dying wish?"

Huang Taiji's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he shouted sternly, "If you obediently commit suicide, I will ensure the safety of your families; if you dare to resist, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

"Where are He Heli and Amin? Where are they?"

Abahai still refused to be buried alive with the deceased.

Huang Taiji said coldly, "If they didn't agree, why would I have come here?"

That's right.

He Heli and Amin also agreed to have Abahai buried alive with the deceased.

First, Abahai's affair with Daišan caused Nurhaci to lose face.

He Heli, Amin, and the others also deeply hated Abahai.

Secondly, the Great Jin Dynasty needs stability now. The unstable factor of Abahai may lead the already tottering Great Jin Dynasty to its complete demise!
Whether out of personal conscience or public interest, Abahai would be better off going to the underworld with the Heavenly Mandate Khan!

"Hehehe~"

A look of despair appeared on Abahai's face.

By this point, she knew she was doomed.

That afternoon.

Abahai and Deinze then hanged themselves before the spirit tablet as a form of burial.

The news caused an uproar in Hetu Ala, but no one dared to openly question it.

After all, the title of "the Great Khan's dying wish" was enough to suppress all criticism.

After Nurhaci was buried, Huang Taiji held a blood oath ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

He, along with Amin, Ajige, Dudu (Chu Ying's son), and Bayala, walked to the altar in the ancestral temple. Each of them held a dagger, cut their fingertips, and dripped their blood into a wine bowl. Together, they raised the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

"I, Huang Taiji (Amin, Ajige, Dudu, Bayara), hereby swear:
I vow to lead my army to defeat the Ming army, and I will not be a man if I do not kill Zhu Wanliang and Xiong Tingbi!
If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth condemn me, and may my clan and family forsake me!

The four men's voices were powerful and resonant, echoing throughout the Imperial Ancestral Temple. This was both to unite people and to make a public announcement.

The hatred between the Jin and Ming dynasties is irreconcilable.

After the oath-taking ceremony, it was time to reward those who had contributed. Huang Taiji, citing the reasons of "stabilizing the situation and assisting the new Khan," appointed Ajige and Dudu as Dorobele, allowing them to each lead a portion of their former troops.

Generals who distinguished themselves in the campaign against Korea, such as Tuerge and Tong Yangxing, were promoted and rewarded with gold, silver, and slaves.

His own trusted subordinates received special promotions.

The positions of Minister of War and Minister of Revenue were firmly in the hands of his confidants.

The most crucial change was the adjustment of the banner chiefs of the Eight Banners.

As the new Khan, Huang Taiji directly commanded the Plain Yellow Banner, Bordered Yellow Banner, and Plain White Banner.

These three banners not only had the strongest military force, but also controlled most of the horse farms and grain fields around Hetu Ala, making them the core military force of the Jin Dynasty.

Amin was appointed as the banner lord of the Plain Red Banner and Bordered Red Banner for his "meritorious service in persuading the emperor to ascend the throne".

However, due to the complete annihilation of Daishan's army in the Battle of Fushun, only a quarter of the troops remain in these two banners, most of whom are newly recruited soldiers with incomplete armor and rudimentary weapons, making them far weaker than before.

Ajige commanded the Plain Blue Banner, Dudu commanded the Bordered White Banner, and Bayara commanded the Bordered Blue Banner. Although these three banners retained a certain number of troops, they had suffered heavy losses due to previous defeats and were unable to compete with the three banners directly controlled by Huang Taiji.

At this point, Daikin's power structure was completely reshaped.

Through four steps—"burying the dead to eliminate hidden dangers," "using blood oaths to unite the people," "granting titles and rewards to solidify the direct line," and "adjusting flags to control military power"—Huang Taiji firmly grasped the military and political power of the Jin Dynasty, completely ending the situation of power dispersion after Nurhaci's death.

However, while this power reshuffle temporarily stabilized the internal situation, it could not conceal the decline of the Great Jin Dynasty.

The Eight Banners troops were severely reduced, food supplies were scarce, desertion was still rampant, and the Ming army could march north at any time.

Standing on the steps of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Huang Taiji gazed at the sparse smoke rising from the chimneys within the city of Hetu Ala, and understood clearly:
Although he seized power, he also inherited a mess riddled with problems. The fate of the Great Jin Dynasty depended on whether he could create a miracle.

Huang Taiji's eyes flickered.

We need to win a battle to unite the people and establish Huang Taiji's authority!

Although the Jin dynasty outwardly submits, many in the inner circle remain cautiously observing.
The old nobles reminisced about the glory days of Nurhaci, the soldiers worried about their uncertain future, and the Mongol vassal tribes were even more hesitant and indecisive.

Only a real victory can truly convince these people and show them that he, the new Khan, has the ability to lead the Great Jin out of its predicament and restore its former glory.

Huang Taiji had already chosen the target of this "battle to establish his authority" in his mind.

Horqin tribe.

Firstly, "you have to pick the softest persimmons to squeeze."

Compared to the menacing Ming army, the Khorchin tribe, though a powerful Mongol tribe, had no fortified cities to defend, and its internal tribes were numerous and its people were not necessarily united.

Secondly, the recent actions of the Khorchin tribe had already enraged Huang Taiji.

After submitting to the Ming Dynasty, these Mongols thought they had a powerful backer and repeatedly sent cavalry across the border to harass the pastures of the Jin Dynasty, plunder the cattle and sheep of the Jurchen people, and even declared that "the Jin Dynasty is already in decline and will be swallowed up by the Ming Dynasty sooner or later." Such provocations gave Huang Taiji a reason to send troops.

However, upon calming down and thinking it over, Huang Taiji was well aware of the difficulty of this battle.

Now that the Jin army has been greatly reduced, with only over 30,000 elite troops remaining, if they were to launch a full-scale attack on Khorchin, Xiong Tingbi in the Fushun direction would certainly not stand idly by.

If the Ming army takes the opportunity to move north, Hetu Ala will be left vulnerable, and then it will be attacked from both sides, and the Great Jin Dynasty will probably be doomed.

"We have no choice but to resort to a plan."

Huang Taiji paced back and forth in his study, a bold plan gradually taking shape in his mind.

He immediately ordered: "Summon Engeder, the Taiji of the Bayuet tribe, to an audience!"

Before long, a middle-aged man dressed in Mongolian noble attire strode into the study. He was tall and strong, with a somewhat submissive expression on his face; this was Engeder.

This person came from one of the five tribes of the Inner Khalkha, and was considered the most loyal to the Jin Dynasty among all the Mongol tribes.

Even when Nurhaci died in battle and the Jin Dynasty was in peril, he never wavered and was one of the few trustworthy Mongol nobles in Huang Taiji's eyes.

"Your humble servant Engeder greets the Great Khan!"

As soon as Engeder entered the door, he knelt down and bowed to Huang Taiji.

"Get up quickly, no need to be polite."

Huang Taiji quickly stepped forward and personally helped him up, his face full of gentle smiles and his tone tinged with affection:

"Engedel, you have made great contributions to your father and remained loyal to him in times of crisis. Now that I have ascended the throne, you will be my most capable right-hand man!"

Engder felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing these words; he could feel the new Khan's high regard for him. He immediately straightened his back and spoke with a firm tone:

"Your Majesty flatters me! This humble servant will serve Your Majesty faithfully for the rest of my life, even at the cost of my life!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Taiji suddenly sighed deeply, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he had something difficult to say.

Engder, being so astute, immediately knew that the Khan must have something important to entrust to him, and quickly said:

"If Your Majesty has any worries, please give the order! I will do anything to relieve Your Majesty's burdens, even at the cost of my life!"

"it is good!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Huang Taiji's eyes. He stopped beating around the bush and revealed the truth directly:

"Now the Great Jin is beset by internal and external troubles. In order to gain a foothold, it must first win a battle and plunder some grain and livestock in order to stabilize the morale of the army and strengthen its military equipment. Only then will it have the confidence to fight against the Ming army in the future."

After much deliberation, Ben Khan decided to first launch a military campaign against the Khorchin tribe.

This would serve two purposes: firstly, to punish their provocation, and secondly, to deter other Mongol tribes.

Upon hearing this, Engdel's eyes lit up instantly.

He had a long-standing grudge against the Khorchin tribe. Back when the Inner Khalkha and the Khorchin were fighting for pastures, his father had died at the hands of the Khorchin. Now, being able to take revenge with the help of the Jin Dynasty was exactly what he wanted.

But before he could rejoice for long, Huang Taiji changed the subject, his tone becoming serious:

"But the Khorchin tribe is not weak. If the war drags on, the Ming army will definitely take the opportunity to attack."

After careful consideration, I have come up with a plan, but I need you as an inside agent to help me achieve a swift victory!

"Internal response?"

Engder was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Huang Taiji meant.

"He's an inside man."

Huang Taiji nodded, lowering his voice even further.

"I want you to pretend to betray the Great Jin and lead your people to submit to the Khorchin tribe."

They have been trying to entice the Mongol tribes of my Great Jin to defect, and your actions will not arouse any suspicion.

When this Khan leads his army to the Khorchin border, you should provide support from within, seize pastures and granaries while they are off guard, and then join forces with this Khan to launch a pincer attack, which will surely crush the Khorchin tribe in one fell swoop!

Engdel suddenly realized the brilliance of the plan after a moment's thought.

It allows for a swift victory without requiring the entire force to be deployed, and it also leaves the Ming army with no time to react.

He immediately knelt on one knee, his voice firm and resolute: "This servant is willing to accept the order! I will certainly not fail the Khan's trust!"

Seeing this, Huang Taiji smiled with satisfaction, patted him on the shoulder, and made a solemn promise:
"If this matter succeeds, I will establish the Mongol Eight Banners in the Great Jin Dynasty, and you will be the first Beile of the Mongol Eight Banners. Your people will also enjoy the same treatment as the Jurchen Eight Banners and be favored by the Great Jin Dynasty for generations!"

"A Mongol prince!"

When Engdel heard those four words, his eyes lit up almost to the point of sparkling.

This was not only a symbol of power, but also the highest honor a Mongol noble could obtain in the Jin Dynasty. He immediately knelt down again, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Your humble servant thanks the Great Khan for his grace! I will serve the Great Khan to the death!"

"Get up."

Huang Taiji helped him up, but a hint of reluctance suddenly appeared in his eyes, and his tone softened:

"However... to make the Khorchin tribe completely believe in your defection, you still need to stage a self-inflicted injury."

Only when you've had enough of being bullied by the Jin will they lower their guard against you.

Engdel's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said without hesitation:
"Rest assured, Great Khan! For the sake of the Great Jin Dynasty and for the trust placed in me by you, I will obey your every command! Even if I suffer some physical pain, I will not utter a single complaint!"

"Excellent! You truly are my right-hand man!"

Huang Taiji nodded approvingly, then immediately summoned his guards, feigning great anger, and announced to everyone:
“When Engeder met with the Great Khan in his study today, his words were extremely disrespectful and offensive!”
Considering his past merits, he will be punished leniently! He will receive thirty strokes of the cane and be stripped of the military strength of one Niru (a unit of military rank), as a warning to others!

The guards did not hesitate and immediately stepped forward, pinned Engeder to the ground, and gave him thirty strokes of the cane.

Although it was said to be a "lenient punishment," every blow landed squarely. Engeder's screams echoed throughout the palace, and blood quickly seeped from his back, staining his Mongolian robe red.

After the caning was over, Engeder was helped away from the palace.

He walked unsteadily, his face full of resentment, and he kept cursing.

This "performance" quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Hetu Ala, and also reached the ears of the Khorchin cavalry on the border.

Three days later.

Engeder then led his remaining two Niru tribesmen, herding cattle and sheep, and marched in a grand procession to join the Khorchin tribe.

Upon arriving at their destination, he tearfully accused Huang Taiji of being "tyrannical and cruel" to Mangus of the Khorchin tribe and begged the Khorchin tribe to take him in.

Mangus originally wanted to win over the Mongol tribes of the Jin Dynasty in order to strengthen his own power.

Seeing that Engder had "genuinely submitted" and brought many followers and livestock, he was overjoyed and not only accepted him but also appointed him as "Left-Wing Taiji," putting him in charge of guarding the eastern border.

Specifically designed to defend against attacks from the Jurchens!
but.

Huang Taiji also understood that relying solely on Engeder, an inside agent, was far from enough to ensure the success of the war against the Khorchin tribe.

The real deadly threat always came from the Ming army in the direction of Fushun.

As long as Xiong Tingbi detects the movements of the main Jin forces, given the Ming army's current combat strength and food reserves, it will only take three days to reach the walls of Hetu Ala.

He wanted not only a swift victory over the Khorchin, but also to keep the Ming army inactive throughout the entire war, at least until he had plundered all of the Khorchin's supplies and returned in triumph with his army.

Even if the Ming army were to send troops, the Jin dynasty would already have sufficient food and livestock to cope with the ensuing standoff.

But how can we get Xiong Tingbi, who commands tens of thousands of elite troops and is known for his caution, to lower his guard?
This difficult problem weighed heavily on Huang Taiji's mind like a boulder.

He sat in his study all night, burning out three candles, and repeatedly stroking the two characters "Fushun" on the sheepskin map with his fingertips. It wasn't until dawn that an almost adventurous idea took shape in his mind.

We beg to surrender!

“Only when the Ming army felt that the Jin Dynasty was powerless to fight back, and even willing to submit, would Xiong Tingbi relax his vigilance and shift his attention from the border to trivial matters such as ‘receiving the surrendered people’ and ‘negotiating peace terms’.”

Huang Taiji whispered to the empty study, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

"As for whether the surrender is real or not, as long as it can buy the Great Jin a chance to fight, it's worth it even if it's a huge show!"

At this point, any scheme or rule can be used to help the Great Jin Dynasty overcome its difficulties.

He quickly made up his mind about the candidate.

Tulun was the fourth son of his uncle Shurhaci.

Shurhaci was Nurhaci's younger brother from the same mother. Although he joined his brother in raising an army in his early years, he always advocated "maintaining peace and tribute relations with the Ming Dynasty" and opposed continuous warfare.

He had repeatedly made private contacts with Ming Dynasty border generals, attempting to buy the Jurchen tribes a chance to breathe through peace negotiations. He even planned to lead his people to relocate elsewhere due to his dissatisfaction with Nurhaci's expansionist policies. Ultimately, he was imprisoned by Nurhaci and died in prison in August of the 39th year of the Wanli Emperor's reign.

“Tulun is the son of Shurhaci and has the blood of the ‘peace faction’ flowing through his veins. His act of begging for surrender will convince the Ming army that the Jin Dynasty is indeed divided due to its defeat and that even members of the royal family are no longer willing to be enemies with the Ming.”

“This level of credibility is something that no one else can provide.”

The next morning, Huang Taiji summoned Tulun to the palace.

At this time, Tulun was neglected by the Jin royal family because of his father's crime. He only held the nominal title of "idle Taiji" and had no troops or power. He lived a very frugal life.

When he received the summons, he thought it was Huang Taiji wanting to settle old scores. He was terrified the whole way, and his knees trembled slightly when he entered the study.

"Aisin Gioro Tulun pays his respects to the Great Khan."

Tulun bowed deeply, his head bowed low, not daring to meet Huang Taiji's gaze.

"No need to be polite."

Huang Taiji gestured for him to stand up, but his tone was devoid of any warmth.

"I have summoned you here today because there is a matter of great importance concerning the survival of the Great Jin Dynasty that I have to entrust to you."

Tulun's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Great Khan, please give your orders, and Tulun will do his utmost."

Huang Taiji walked up to him, stared at him sharply, and slowly said:

"Now that the Jin army has been defeated and is short of supplies, and the Ming army is eyeing Fushun covetously, if we do not find a way to delay them, we may not be able to escape annihilation."

After much deliberation, the Khan concluded that only by surrendering to the Ming Dynasty could he temporarily stabilize the Ming army and buy the Jin Dynasty a chance to regroup.

"And this task of suing for surrender, I, the Khan, would like you to undertake."

"Be...beg for surrender?"

Turen looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock.

"Great Khan, our Great Jin and Ming have an irreconcilable feud, how can we..."

"Do you think I, the Khan, am really going to surrender?"

Huang Taiji sneered, interrupting him.

"It's just a feigned surrender! As long as you can convince Xiong Tingbi that the Great Jin is no longer able to fight and is willing to postpone the attack to buy our army ten days, I will restore your title and reward you with a Niru (military unit) of troops after I have pacified the Khorchin tribe!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming stern:

“If you fail to accomplish this task, or if word gets out… you should know that the fate of your uncle and your brothers is not the only precedent.”

Turen shuddered, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

Looking at the threat in Huang Taiji's eyes and considering his own current situation, he knew that this was both a crisis and an opportunity to turn things around.

He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "Tulun is willing to go! He will certainly live up to the Khan's expectations and convince Xiong Tingbi of the Jin Dynasty's 'sincerity'!"

Huang Taiji nodded in satisfaction, then took out a pre-written "letter of surrender" from the table.

The letter of surrender was full of humble words. It not only admitted that the Jin Dynasty had "offended the majesty of the emperor", but also promised to "offer a thousand warhorses and ten thousand cattle and sheep". It even stated that Huang Taiji was willing to "personally go to Fushun to apologize", only asking the Ming Dynasty to "show leniency and preserve the bloodline of the Jin imperial family".

"You must personally deliver this letter of surrender to Xiong Tingbi. When you see him, you must tearfully recount the predicament of the Great Jin, saying that your father was right to advocate for peace negotiations back then, and that now the entire Great Jin longs for peace, with only a few warmongers still stubbornly resisting."

Huang Taiji gave detailed instructions, explaining exactly when and how Lian Tulun should shed tears and how to express his "fear".

"Remember, every word you say concerns the life and death of Da Jin. If there is even the slightest mistake, neither of us will escape death."

Tulun accepted the surrender document, his body trembling slightly with tension, but he still nodded vigorously: "Tulun will remember! I will certainly not disappoint the Great Khan!"

If this matter is not accomplished, the Great Jin Dynasty may perish.

If he succeeds, he might become a prince of the Great Jin Dynasty, just like his second brother, Amin!
This is his only chance in his life!

We must hold on to this firmly!
After seeing Tulun off, Huang Taiji stood alone by the window, watching the snowflakes falling outside. His eyes showed no trace of humility in "begging for surrender," but were instead filled with the flames of revenge.

Xiong Tingbi, you must play along with this feigned surrender act.

Once I have plundered the Khorchin and obtained enough supplies, my next step will be to settle the blood feud between you and your father, Daišan!
ps:
A super long chapter of 9100 words!
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(End of this chapter)