Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

After Zhu Qiyu entered the hall, the atmosphere became exceptionally heavy.

The high-ranking officials of the court gathered together, including Wang Zhi, Minister of Personnel; Hu Ying, Minister of Rites; Chen Xun, Vice Minister of Revenue and Academician of the Hanlin Academy; Yu Qian, Vice Minister of War; Chen Yi, Right Censor-in-Chief; and Jiao Jing, the Imperial Son-in-Law. However, at this moment, they all lowered their heads, appearing to be preoccupied.

Upon seeing Zhu Qiyu arrive, the officials seemed to snap out of their daze and hurriedly rose to greet him.

Although Zhu Qiyu had no real power, his status as a prince kept the officials from being arrogant.

After returning the greeting, Zhu Qiyu didn't even have time to glance at the renowned minister Yu Qian, who would be remembered for all time, before he hurriedly bowed in the direction of Empress Dowager Sun.

"Your Majesty, I have just received the devastating news of the defeat. I was so flustered that I failed to observe proper etiquette."

"It's alright!"

Zhu Qiyu, seemingly heartbroken, asked, "Has Your Majesty received any news? How could hundreds of thousands of troops have suffered such a crushing defeat?"

When this matter was mentioned, Empress Dowager Sun became upset. She couldn't understand why the Ming Dynasty could be defeated, and defeated so badly that she lost all contact with her son.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Sun was more anxious than anyone else, and said somewhat impatiently, "Prince Cheng, please wait a moment. The court has already sent people to the front to gather information."

"Here you go!"

While everyone was waiting for news of Zhu Qizhen from the north, some people were even more anxious than the officials of the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming emperor fell into the hands of the Oirat Mongols, Zhu Qizhen became a prisoner, and the Oirat people inexplicably became bandits.

Esen, the Taishi of the Oirat Mongols, convened his generals early in the morning to discuss how to deal with the Ming emperor.

Opinions differed. Some generals agreed to kill Zhu Qizhen to avenge their ancestors. After all, during the Yongle era, quite a few Oirat people died at the hands of the Ming army, and the Yuan Dynasty was destroyed by the Ming Dynasty. With old and new grudges combined, there were many calls for killing.

However, some generals still feared the Ming Dynasty and suggested releasing Zhu Qizhen in exchange for favors from the Ming, so that the two sides could discuss trade matters.

Esen hesitated for a while and had no solution.

Esen never expected to achieve such a brilliant result in this invasion and war against the Ming Dynasty. With just a slight move, the enemy's 200,000 elite troops were completely annihilated, as if by divine intervention. He was still in a dreamlike state.

It's like someone suddenly getting rich and having no idea how to spend it.

"Go and bring that attendant, Xining, here."

Left with no other choice, he first thought of one person: Xi Ning, a eunuch serving Zhu Qizhen. This man had often been in charge of trade and was quite familiar with the Oirat people.

After Zhu Qizhen was captured, happy Ning quickly surrendered to Esen. Esen had considered beheading such a spineless person, but since he was still useful, he spared him.

The reason for summoning him at this moment is to obtain more information about Zhu Qizhen and the Ming Dynasty before making a decision.

happy Ning was taken into the main tent. After briefly listening to Esen's questions, he quickly grasped the key point: this group of people didn't know how to deal with the Ming emperor.

Traitors are the most despicable people at any time, and Xi Ning is one such person.

happy Ning had an idea in mind. She quickly knelt down and flattered, "Grand Tutor, this is a rare commodity!"

happy Ning succinctly revealed the key point: Esen was also a cultured person. Esen's mother, Minda Shili, was originally from Suzhou in the Ming Dynasty, but was abducted and forcibly taken to the grasslands by Esen's father, where she gave birth to Esen.

Because of his mother, Esen had some understanding of Central Plains culture. Upon hearing the phrase "a rare commodity is worth hoarding," his eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh, realizing it was a great idea.

Talented people are rare!

"Continue!"

happy Ning used his expertise to lay out his plan on how to extort money and how to blackmail the Ming Dynasty. The generals in the tent felt as pure as white lotus flowers after hearing this. How could a person be so shameless?

How could a eunuch possess such insight? How could this Ming army have been defeated? Keep in mind that the Ming Dynasty was at its peak, possessing an elite force that was virtually invincible.

The Oirat generals resolutely chose to believe that it was the great Genghis Khan who was blessed by God, otherwise it would have been impossible to win such a huge victory.

After hearing Xining's entire plan, Esen stepped forward, slapped Xining hard on the shoulder, and shouted, "Reward him! A hefty reward!"

Esen finally understood the key point: the most urgent task was to send someone back to the Ming capital to report the capture of the Ming emperor.

Only a living emperor has value. If it's too late, the Ming Dynasty officials might have a brain fart and think the emperor died in battle, and then install another emperor instead.

The captured Ming emperor would not only bring no benefit, but might also become a hot potato. If the Ming people were united in their hatred of the enemy, the Oirat Mongols would not only be unable to reach the Ming capital, but would also find it difficult to even set foot on the Ming border.

Now that the emperor is in hand, the Ming Dynasty is hesitant to act rashly, while the Oirat can demand whatever it wants.

Esen had an idea and did not linger. He led several trusted generals to another large tent.

Inside the tent, Zhu Qizhen was resting behind closed doors, perhaps to dispel his inner fears, or perhaps to prevent others from seeing his weakness.

Only one person was adjusting Zhu Qizhen's appearance beside him. This person was not a eunuch, but a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard named Yuan Bin. After the Ming Dynasty's defeat, all the eunuchs around Zhu Qizhen fled, leaving only one Embroidered Uniform Guard loyally protecting his master—how ironic.

Besides Yuan Bin, there was another person sitting below him, whose expression was particularly respectful. His name was Ha Ming, and he also had a difficult life. Although he was a Mongol, he was a citizen of the northern border of the Ming Dynasty. He served as an interpreter on a mission to the Oirat Mongols and was detained by Esen. This time, Esen sent him to serve Zhu Qizhen as his interpreter.

Ha Ming looked at Zhu Qizhen, who remained silent, and felt a pang of heartache. This was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the most powerful man in the world. How could he have become a prisoner? He couldn't believe his eyes. At this moment, he would rather believe that he was blind.

A short while later, Yesen entered.

Esen's guards roughly kicked Yuan Bin aside and held a knife to his neck. Ha Ming slightly bowed and moved closer to Zhu Qizhen, seemingly to take the translator's position, but actually intending to protect Zhu Qizhen.

Upon hearing Yuan Bin's panicked voice, Zhu Qizhen slowly opened his eyes and stared expressionlessly at Esen.

happy Ning, who was behind Esen and the others, peeked out and looked at Zhu Qizhen with a subtle, mocking smile on her lips.

Esen didn't linger with Zhu Qizhen at this moment, and directly had Ha Ming translate: "Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, I have no intention of harming your life, but you must do as I say, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Zhu Qizhen sneered and looked at Esen, saying, "Esen, you don't need to scare me. You wouldn't dare kill me."

"In the past, I certainly wouldn't have dared, but times have changed. Your Ming Dynasty's elite troops have all been wiped out by my iron cavalry. Now, does the Ming Dynasty still have any troops to march south with? I imagine those cowardly officials, upon learning of your capture, will be terrified and flee south. Tell me, do you think I dare to kill you?"

"you……"

These words struck a nerve with Zhu Qizhen. Even if he didn't understand why the Ming Dynasty had been defeated, Zhu Qizhen himself was still baffled. Could even a pig win this commander-in-chief position? Was he really less than a pig?

Zhu Qizhen's expression was uncertain. He firmly believed that Esen would not dare to kill him, but he was not entirely sure.

As Esen said, now that the Ming Dynasty's elite forces have been wiped out, it is almost impossible to find any elite troops to reach the Oirat cavalry in the short term. Even if they kill him, the Ming Dynasty will need to take revenge, and it will probably take at least ten years to accomplish this.

More importantly, the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of elite troops will have a very negative impact on future campaigns against the Oirat Mongols. The Ming Dynasty will not dare to easily march north. If, as with the Song Dynasty, it took more than a hundred years to avenge the great humiliation, then the Ming Dynasty's own death would be in vain.

Zhu Qizhen remained silent for a long time, but ultimately his will to survive prevailed over his courage. He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said with considerable reluctance, "What do you need me to do?"

A hint of disappointment flashed in Esen's eyes. Throughout his life, he respected heroes. If Zhu Qizhen had been more forceful, he would have been helpless against him at this moment, at most he would have just verbally humiliated him. But the fact that the Ming emperor had given in so quickly was clearly unbecoming of a monarch.

This thought only flashed through my mind for a moment before ecstasy took over my heart—the opportunity to extort money had arrived!

"Based on this list, write a copy by hand and have your close advisors take it back to the capital of the Ming Dynasty." After saying this, Yesen had someone hand the list to Zhu Qizhen.

Looking at the list before him, even the most composed Zhu Qizhen could not help himself. The list did not contain exorbitant amounts of money, but many of the items were imperial possessions. Esen's actions were not only for profit, but also to humiliate the Ming Dynasty and completely break its spirit.

"Esen, provide a different list. I cannot agree to this."

"Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, this matter is not up to you. If you are unwilling, I will have no choice but to respectfully send you on your way!"

Esen waved his hand, and someone brought over a white silk ribbon. The lackey Xining quickly stepped forward and offered to do it.

Zhu Qizhen recognized happy Ning and roared, "You damned servant, how dare you do this!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

happy Ning sneered, her eyes filled with madness. The kind of pleasure that had been suppressed for a long time and was finally able to ride on her master's head quickly filled her body.

He looked at Zhu Qizhen not as if he were looking at a high and mighty emperor, but as if he were looking at prey that he had been eyeing for a long time.

"happy Ning, if you dare to touch His Majesty, I will kill you!" Yuan Bin struggled to his feet and shouted angrily.

However, Yuan Bin was firmly captured and could not break free at all. Watching happy Ning approach Zhu Qizhen step by step, he gritted his teeth and looked angry with tears in his eyes!

A flicker of panic crossed Zhu Qizhen's eyes as he looked at the deranged Xi Ning. He began to believe that this man would truly strangle him. It was not uncommon for people with physical disabilities to be mentally incomplete and to frequently commit acts of madness.

The thought of dying at the hands of a lowly servant girl filled Zhu Qizhen with resentment, as he watched happy Ning approach step by step.

Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but give in, saying, "Wait! Esen, you've won! I agree to your terms."

"Pooh!"

A hint of regret flashed in happy Ning's eyes, followed by a disdainful glance at Zhu Qizhen.

Half an hour later, Esen held the list handwritten by Zhu Qizhen, and could no longer suppress the smile on his lips. He then ordered someone to select a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard from among the prisoners, named Liang Gui.

"You, relay the news of the Ming Emperor's capture back to the Ming Dynasty. Send this list to the Ming Imperial Palace. If the Ming Dynasty does not provide what I require, your emperor will remain here indefinitely!"

Liang Guijian pointed to himself first, and a chill ran down his spine. This list was no good news; it could very well be his death warrant. Although Liang Gui didn't know what was written on the list, he was sure it wasn't anything good.

Liang Gui swallowed hard, stepped forward tremblingly to receive the document, and knelt before Zhu Qizhen.

"Do as instructed!"

"I obey your decree!"

Just as Liang Gui was about to get up, Esen hurriedly waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Wait, I have something else to say. When you return to the Ming Dynasty, you must spread the word all the way that the Ming Emperor has been captured, to prevent some disrespectful subjects on the border from causing trouble. If they attack our soldiers, then your emperor will perish here. Remember this well!"

"This..." Liang Gui dared not agree upon hearing this. He was also a clever man and could see through Esen's intentions at a glance. If they spread the news that the emperor had been captured, the important border towns would be hesitant to act rashly and might even cause panic.

Many soldiers and civilians might flee without a fight. If they all flee south, the northern defenses will be rendered useless. This would be opening the door wide for the enemy, and we would be condemned for all eternity.

"Your Majesty!" Liang Gui asked.

Zhu Qizhen glared angrily at Liang Gui, thinking, "This ungrateful wretch!"

He was preparing to let Liang Gui agree to the matter on his own, so that if anyone brought it up in the future and he hadn't personally agreed, his reputation would still have room to maneuver. But Liang Gui speaking up now was undoubtedly putting him in a very difficult position.

This person deserves to be executed!

Liang Gui was captured because of his loyalty to his master, but Zhu Qizhen seemed to have forgotten Liang Gui's loyalty at this moment.

Esen also came to his senses, and after being reminded by Liang Gui, he repeated his old trick, forcing Zhu Qizhen to issue an imperial edict in person.

"Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, issue the decree!"

"Do as I say, and get out of my sight!" Zhu Qizhen turned his face away and roared.

Firstly, it was to vent his anger, and secondly, he wanted Liang Gui to leave quickly, otherwise, who knew what other demands Esen might make.

Liang Guiwang glanced at it first and hurriedly got up.

Seeing that Esen did not stop him, he hurriedly left the camp under the escort of two Oirat soldiers.