Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Inside the golden tent of the Northern Yuan royal court, amidst the congratulations of the crowd, people raised their cups and drank together, creating a scene of jubilation.

Huo Shai, the Northern Yuan commander and deputy privy councilor, gulped down a bowl of wine, his face flushed, and grinned as he loudly addressed Batu Mongke:

"This time, Toghtoa Bukha has had a stroke of incredible luck, capturing the important Han Dynasty town of Yulin and reaping such a tremendous military achievement and countless riches for nothing. I am truly envious!"

"Great Khan! You cannot show favoritism! I request permission to lead 30,000 elite troops from Yulin southwards and strike directly at the capital of the Han Dynasty!"

"I've heard that the capital of the Great Han Dynasty has countless gold and silver treasures, and that the Han emperors are the most pleasure-seeking, with their harems filled with beautiful concubines."

"As long as the Great Khan gives the order, I swear to fight to the death to conquer the Han Dynasty's territory, trample the Central Plains, and break through their capital, Shenjing."

"While we're at it, we'll storm the Han Dynasty palace, plunder their treasures and women for the Great Khan. I'd like to see whether the women of my steppes are more fierce, or whether the Han Dynasty concubines are more delicate!"

After Huoshai finished speaking, he bowed to Batumonke, his expression full of longing for the wealth and beauties of the Han Dynasty.

Batumonk smiled upon hearing this, completely unconcerned about Huoshai's rough manner; men of the grasslands were all straightforward like that.

Huoshai had followed him for many years and was his confidant and a fierce general. He had saved him from danger many times. Although he was a bit impulsive, he was extremely loyal.

Batumonk waved his hand, signaling Huoshai to be patient.

The Left Chancellor, Tuohuan, was the father of Tuotuo Buhua. He was also pleased with his son's achievements and, stroking his beard, joked with Huoshai:

"Huo Shai, you dare to dream of leading 30,000 men to conquer the capital of the Han Dynasty."

"The Han Dynasty has a million soldiers. If you dare to attack their capital, the Han people will go crazy and send troops to besiege you."

"I'm afraid of them!" Huoshai slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

"We, the Yuan people, are the wolves of the grasslands, the true kings of the land. No matter how many Han people there are, they can only grovel at our feet like dogs!"

"Our ancestors, the Golden Family, are calling us. Their descendants must recreate the mighty Yuan cavalry that swept across the world!"

The Northern Yuan general, who was eating meat with gusto, also smiled and echoed:

"Huo Shai is right! The Han people are just two-legged sheep we raise in the Central Plains. They have always been weak and easily bullied, and are not worthy of being our opponents!"

"This time, why don't we just gather our people and march south along Yulin City, overthrow their court, and destroy their capital city?"

"Rob their treasures, take their women, and make the Han people serve us as third-class slaves as before!"

Yibula and Huoshai were already discussing how to divide the territory and pastures after defeating the Han.

Batumonk sat on the tiger-skin chair, stroking his beard and smiling, without saying a word to stop the two men's drunken ramblings.

He knew that the victory reports from the front lines had boosted the morale of his soldiers, inspiring them to fight and making them happy to hear of the battle. This was a good thing.

In this light, it seems that the Yuan Dynasty made the right decision by agreeing to the Manchus' request to jointly send troops to the Han Dynasty.

After Huoshai and the others had spoken freely, Batumonke stopped smiling and said seriously:

"You lot, don't even think about it! I have no intention of engaging in a prolonged war with the Han Dynasty this time."

"After Toghtogbuqa and Bayar lead their troops to plunder the Guanzhong region of the Han Dynasty, they will withdraw their troops and return to the royal court."

"The Han people are indeed not to be feared, but the Manchus and the Huns are not easy to deal with! The Manchu Emperor Kangxi was especially ambitious and talented, and should not be underestimated."

"We cannot afford to fight the Han Dynasty to the death on the front lines, exhausting our national strength, only to have the Manchus and Huns gain an advantage from behind."

"The results achieved this time have already met the expected goals. My purpose in this war was to inflict a heavy blow on the Han Dynasty, so that they would send envoys to surrender and negotiate peace with us."

"At that time, we should make the Han Dynasty cede territory to us, pay reparations, and become our vassal state. We should make them pay us at least three million taels of silver a year, and we should also reopen the border trade."

"Although you won't have the chance to fight this time, I can send you as envoys to the Han Dynasty to ask for some good things!"

"If we can't have those Han Dynasty concubines, getting a few princesses shouldn't be a problem! Let the Han Dynasty send a few more princesses to marry into the Han Dynasty, and then you'll all get a share."

Upon hearing Batumonk's words, Huoshai and Yibuli, though somewhat unwilling, did not dare to refute him.

Batu Mongke served as the Great Khan for over forty years, and his personal prestige in the Northern Yuan was very high.

Yi Buci could only smile and say:

"Then I'll ask the Great Khan for a Han princess! I've always liked those delicate Han women; they're much more obedient than the women of our Great Yuan!"

Batumonk waved his hand and said:

"When the Han Dynasty comes to negotiate peace, I, the Khan, will personally get one for you! If they dare not agree, I'll let you lead your troops to seize it!"

The laughter inside the golden tent immediately grew louder.

The Right Chancellor, Arughtai, appeared somewhat calmer. He said:

"The Crown Prince has rendered great service in this military campaign! Tuotuo Buhua wrote to me recently praising him highly."

"It is said that the Crown Prince is calm and composed, tirelessly overseeing the central army every day, and skillfully commanding the troops, earning him the deep respect and love of his soldiers!"

"Like father, like son; this is truly a joyous occasion!"

Arutai's words struck a chord with Batumonke.

Upon hearing this, Batumonke couldn't help but nod with delight. He was getting old, and his biggest concern right now was the succession of the Khanate.

The succession to the Khanate in the Northern Yuan Dynasty was different from that in the Han Dynasty. It was not the case that the Khan's will or the appointment of Bayar as the heir meant that Bayar would definitely be able to succeed to the throne smoothly.

The succession of the Northern Yuan royal court was a complex process that combined wills, power, tribal elections, and political maneuvering, with the final confirmation at the "Khuriltai Assembly".

The Kurultai was a meeting held after the death of the Great Khan, chaired by the empress or regent of the Northern Yuan court, and composed of members of the Golden Family and important ministers.

The meeting will determine who will be "conspired to be supported" as the new Khan through a vote by the participants.

Although the heir is often designated by the former Khan or decided by a powerful family before the meeting, he must be elected by the assembly to be legitimate.

The new Great Khan ascended the throne with the support of the princes, received the kneeling homage of the ministers, and was presided over by a shaman in ceremonies such as worshipping the sun and announcing the "Great Yassa" decree of Genghis Khan.

At the same time, the new Khan distributed land and subjects to the nobles present and bestowed great rewards upon them in exchange for their loyalty.

While the late Khan's "will" and the appointment of his heir were significant, they were not absolute.

Strength and the number of supporters are often more important than mere blood ties or will.

Therefore, although Batumongke had already appointed Bayar as his heir, he was somewhat worried that Bayar lacked the strength and prestige to secure his position as Khan.