Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Zhu Qiyu sat behind his desk, flipping through several official documents.

He had just finished lunch with his ministers in the Jinshen Hall.

After a short rest, he resumed handling government affairs.

Cheng Jing entered and reported: "Your Majesty, the envoy of Hami Guard, Haji, requests an audience."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Announce."

Haji entered the hall and knelt down, his forehead touching the ground: "Your subject, Haji, envoy of Hami Guard, pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Qiyu raised his hand: "Get up."

Ha! Your letter says that King Chungsun is in good health.

During the court audience just now, I asked you a question, but you hesitated to speak.

"Speak, what is it?"

Haji immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty is wise! I dare not conceal the truth, His Highness Prince Zhongshun is in a difficult situation."

Zhu Qiyu's gaze sharpened: "How difficult is it?"

Haji said, "Your Majesty, Hami is located in a strategic location in the Western Regions, bordering Shazhou to the east, Turpan to the west, and the Oirat to the north."

In recent years, Turpan has repeatedly harassed the border of Hami, plundering our people and livestock and occupying our grasslands.

Esen Taishi of the Oirat Mongols also sent envoys many times to coerce King Zhongshun into submitting.

Prince Zhongshun, mindful of the great favors bestowed upon him by the Ming Dynasty over the years, refused to comply.

But...we lack the strength to sustain it.

He raised his head, his eyes full of pleading: "Your Majesty, I have come here for two reasons: first, to offer my congratulations on the New Year; and second, to request the assistance of the Great Ming."

If the Ming Dynasty does not send troops to help, Hami may be lost.

Zhu Qiyu was silent for a moment: "Ha, do you know that the Ming Dynasty has just fought a war and is severely weakened?"

Ha bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I know, but we have no other choice but to come and beg for your help."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and pondered for a long time.

Hami Guard was an important bulwark of the Ming Dynasty in the Western Regions.

If Hami falls, Turpan and the Oirats will be able to advance unimpeded and threaten the Hexi Corridor.

At that time, the western part of the Ming Dynasty will never have peace.

However, the Ming Dynasty is indeed unable to send troops at present.

He thought for a moment and then said, "I cannot agree to send troops for the time being. But I can give you something else."

Ha raised his head and looked at Zhu Qiyu earnestly.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "I can bestow upon Hami a batch of military equipment and armor to help you defend the city."

We will also provide you with some food and cloth to help you through this difficult time.

In addition, I will issue an edict to the guards of Shazhou and Chijin.

Let them, together with Hami, form a defensive alliance to jointly defend against external enemies.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Ha's eyes, but he immediately kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Ha, go back and tell Prince Zhongshun."

"Let him hold on for a few more years, until the Ming Dynasty recovers. I will not stand idly by."

Hazhi kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty's words will be remembered by your subject."

After Ha left, Zhu Qiyu rubbed his temples.

Cheng Jing whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, envoys from the Uriyangkhai Three Guards request an audience."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Announce."

The three envoys entered the palace together and paid their respects: "Tuohuoqi, Vice Commander of Wutaining Guard, Manggudai, Deputy Commander of Duoyan Guard, and Saihan, Vice Commander of Fuyu Guard, pay their respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Get up.

Zhu Qiyu sized up the three men: "Tuohuoqi, I heard that during the Tumu Crisis, your Uriyangkhai followed Toghtoa Bukha south?"

Mangudai and Saihan's expressions changed slightly, but Tuohuochi remained calm and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "You're quite frank."

Tuohuo Chidao said, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you."

Esen's power was great, and Toghtogbuqa summoned him in the name of the Great Khan of the Mongols.

The Uriyangkhai Three Guards were caught in a predicament; if they did not obey, they would likely suffer the calamity of war.

"We are guilty, Your Majesty, please punish us."

Instead of punishing them, Zhu Qiyu changed the subject: "What brings you here to offer your congratulations?"

Tuohuochi raised his head: "Because Beijing was defended."

The hall fell silent upon hearing this.

Tuohuochi continued, "During the Tumu Crisis, we were observing from within the army."

If... if Beijing falls, the Uriyangkhai will have no choice but to rely on the Oirats.

Your Majesty, Uriyangkhad has received great favors from the Ming Dynasty.

He was granted the title during the Yongle era, and it has been more than forty years since then.

The southward march of Toghtoa Bukha following the Tumu Crisis was due to the circumstances, not of his own volition.

Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne and the Ming Dynasty is secure, the Uriyangkhai are willing to submit again and serve as our eternal bulwark.

Zhu Qiyu looked at him without saying a word.

The Uriyangkhai use the same excuse every year they come.

Soon after returning, they resumed plundering the Ming Dynasty's borders.

Besides being coerced by Arughtai and Esen.

They themselves also launched numerous raids.

In Zhu Qiyu's eyes before he traveled through time, they were like ungrateful dogs.

Mangudai and Saihan lowered their heads and held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

After a long while, Zhu Qiyu slowly spoke: "Tuohuo Chi, you are very honest. I like honest people."

I can overlook the fact that you followed me south after the Tumu Crisis.

However, there is one condition: from this day forward, the three guards of the Uriyangkhai must remain utterly loyal.

If you continue to waver, I will not be lenient.

If the Ming Dynasty were to wage war against the Uriyangkhai again, it would be a war of annihilation!

At the end, a murderous glint appeared in Zhu Qiyu's eyes.

Tuohuoqi and the others immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty's words are etched in our minds! The Uriyangkhai Three Guards are willing to guard the northern border for the Great Ming Dynasty, and have absolutely no disloyal intentions!"

Zhu Qiyu raised his hand: "Get up, I'll trust you this once."

The three of them got up and sat down again.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Tuohuo Chi: "Speak, besides paying homage, what other business do you have here this time?"

Tuohuochi said, "We have come here for three reasons: first, to offer our congratulations on the New Year; second, to present tribute; and third, to request Your Majesty to open the Liaodong Horse Market."

Zhu Qiyu raised an eyebrow slightly: "The horse market?"

Tuohuochi nodded: "Yes, the Uriyangkhai live by animal husbandry, and horses and furs are superfluous."

Grain, cloth, iron pots, and medicinal herbs were scarce.

If a horse market could be established in Liaodong, allowing for barter trade between horses, it would be mutually beneficial for both sides.

We, your humble servants, are willing to use market taxes to pay tribute, and to offer our annual court greetings without interruption.

Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment.

He had already discussed this matter with his ministers.

Jin Lian once said that opening the Liaodong horse market could increase commercial tax revenue by tens of thousands of taels annually.

Moreover, it can keep the three guards in check and stabilize the northern border.

However, it is necessary to prevent ironware from flowing into the grasslands, and strict control is required.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "The horse market can be opened."

However, the trade in iron pots and iron farm tools must be restricted, and the use of iron for weapons is strictly prohibited.

If any violation of the agreement to close the border is found!

Tuohuochi was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, saying, "On behalf of the Three Guards, I thank Your Majesty!"

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Get up. Go to the Ministry of Revenue to discuss the specific procedures. Minister Jin will give you an explanation."

Tuohuochi kowtowed: "As you command."

After leaving the Wenhua Hall, Manggudai let out a long breath.

He whispered to Tuohuoqi in Mongolian, "This emperor is more powerful than I imagined."

Tuohuoqi glanced at him and replied in Mongolian, "How could it not be powerful? Even Esen's army of over 100,000 couldn't break in."

Inside the hall, Zhu Qiyu picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Cheng Jing whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, these three Uriyangkhai are indeed honest."

Zhu Qiyu sneered: "Honest? They're just going with the flow."

If Beijing holds firm, they will be honest.

They'll show a completely different face if Beijing is lost.

But it's okay.

As long as I keep winning, they will remain honest.

Cheng Jing bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."